The Archduke’s Gorgeous Wedding Was a Fraud

‘What exactly is that?’

This scene seems to have been written with onomatopoeia.

I slowed down unwittingly.

That young lady with pigtails and a dark purple gown was unquestionably—

“Oh, my gosh!”

“You scared me! Miss Narnia!”

Cynthia and Raziana were both surprised when Narnia approached us all of a sudden, creating a sharp sound.

Narnia, on the other hand, didn’t pay any attention to both of them and just stared at me.

“Dear Lady Oberon. You’re not considering another lady-in-waiting over me, are you…?”

It’s a cute face, but it’s too close so it’s burdensome. Narnia leaned her head toward my chin, a burning flame was in her wide eyes.

“You can’t do that. You simply cannot. I have abandoned my feelings for him… you cannot do this to me…”

Oh, she’s about to turn black! The black dragon is about to come to life. Then, regardless of how strong this country is, it will be difficult to deal with.

I tightened my grip on Narnia’s hand.

“Dear Miss Narnia. I have something else I want to ask of you.”

“A… request?”

“Yes. It’s something only Miss Narnia is capable of.”

It sounds like a lie, but it isn’t. It really is something that only Narnia can do.

I quickly whispered into Narnia’s ear as I noticed the maid of the princess’s palace waiting in front of me.

“You took the glass I used the other day, didn’t you?”

“Gasp, u-uh how did you know? It was a secret!”

“No, you did an excellent job. Please bring me that glass. With the liquid in it.”

Let’s start with a component analysis.

I advanced, still holding the befuddled Narnia’s hand.

When hunting large mammoths in ancient times, a coordinated attack was essential.

Peridot isn’t a small hare or ferret, so you’ll have to put in a lot of effort to deal with her.

“Lady Oberon has arrived!”

The knight guarding the door shouted, and the same cry resounded from the inside. I straightened my back and clasped my hands together.

Raziana and Cynthia moved to the side, leaving me standing in the middle of the door, waiting for it to open.

The music that had slipped through the crack in the door became louder and grander.

I can’t help but gape at the bright sunlight and pink petals flying in the air.

What the—? Princess-unnie, you said it wasn’t an official event!

* * *

Petals fell from the sky softly.

There were some familiar faces, but at the far end of the garden, where most of the faces were unfamiliar, a priest stood beside a stone statue of a God.

The priest with the solemn face was an old man with a gray beard who looked as big as a wrestler at first glance.

The Schweiden family has long declared that the high priest of the temple dedicated to the Sun God will take charge of these events.

I know there is a rule by which the appearance of the priest must correspond to the God they worship, but I couldn’t help but wonder how the God of this world would look.

“Please call each other by nicknames and face each other.”

Lacius approached and took his place next to me, dressed in a gold-dotted robe against a white background.

I had no idea I’d be having an engagement ceremony until this morning.

Oh, but I guess, this is it. My God.

Standing here with Lacius, it finally sunk into me.

“… Lashin.”

“Nia.”

My ears were tickled by a voice so gentle that anyone who heard it would think it came from someone profoundly in love.

I purposefully thought of something else to distract myself and suppress my racing heart.

‘Your acting has improved a lot.’

I looked up at Lacius as we stood face to face.

His eyes, which were initially dark like those of a dead person, soon brighten and shine like the sky.

It was very nice and attractive. To the point where I wish it was always that clear.

‘He’s very attractive.’

It was like an instant engagement because it was a shortened ceremony without all the various procedures. But I had been preparing for it since the morning, as had he.

His well-groomed appearance, which seemed to shine brighter today, enchanted even me.

“By God’s grace, these two have met here.”

In a deep voice, the priest began to recite a blessing. However, I am unable to understand what the priest was saying. Apart from the music, it seemed that the environment had become quiet.

My attention was directed only at a man called Lacius.

With a passionate gaze, it even erases the slightest noise, and the surrounding landscape with falling flowers is also erased in white.

The only sensation I could feel was my hand touching him.

“Do not let go of your hands as you share this wine, which is like a blessing from the God of the Sun.”

The priest placed a wide, shallow dish of wine in front of my lips. As I drank it while he tilted it slightly, the ecstatic sweetness enveloped my tongue. Lacius also had his sip of wine.

The priest then made the gesture of offering the remaining wine in the sun by raising it high towards the sky.

“If you have something to say to each other, say it now.”

They claimed it was a casual ceremony, but why is this thrilling process still going on?

Lacius cast a gentle glance at me.

It was gentle, as though I was being wrapped in a blanket made entirely of fluffy material.

“I would like to make this vow in the presence of all the guests here today to the one to whom I am most grateful.”

“…….”

“You may face difficulties in the future simply by standing by my side.”

Lacius opened his mouth as if he had prepared something to say ahead of time.

I got so engrossed in him, I couldn’t move.

“Nevertheless, I promise you. Even if I had many flaws, after this moment, I will undoubtedly protect you whenever and wherever.”

His gaze embraced me. Receiving his loving gaze, I feel as if he’s hugging me even when he’s not.

I had a new realisation. When your heart feels full, no words will come out of your mouth.

The priest next to me encouraged me to speak up, but I couldn’t.

This moment will be broken if I do that.

I wanted to preserve this moment by leaving it as it is.

Without adding anything, only him, only Lacius.

“… Ehem. I hereby declare the engagement of this man and woman in the name of El-raum, the God of the Sun.”

The priest then wrapped a translucent golden cloth around both of our hands.

A butterfly wing-like sensation touched the back of my hand, tickling my heart for no apparent reason.

It feels real even though I know it’s not.

“You’ve officially become my fiance.”

“Certainly, my fiance. Please take excellent care of me.”

I grinned, jokingly responding to what he said as I tried to take my hand away. It was because I was getting short of breath and the corners of my mouth were twitching.

But Lacius wouldn’t let go. Instead, he intertwined the fingers of our hands which were tied with the cloth before squeezing my hand…