CH 3.1

The wedding hall was very quiet. The Emperor dispatched a celebratory envoy and Duke Cardian’s vassals were naturally there. Many other high-ranking nobles also attended the wedding. 

The Marquis and Marchioness of Montague, the bride’s parents, were already seated. However, Duke Cardian’s parents’ seats were empty.

Leonis’s mother fled with a man because she was scared of the previous duke’s madness, and the former duke eventually went insane and committed suicide.

“I never thought there’s a young girl who wants to marry Duke Cardian.”

“It’s His Majesty’s order, right? Who can refuse that?”

“How long can Duchess Cardian last this time? I still hear screams every day in the duke’s mansion.….”

As the visitors muttered in their seats, Ramona Montague’s face became pale. The former Duchess did not perish at the hands of the Duke, but Celia could end up in that situation.

“Arthur…”

Despite her holding Marquis Montague’s arm and thinking it wasn’t too late, Marquis Montague gazed down at his wife with a harsh face. Ramona felt like screaming at the strong determination on his face.

She’s our daughter! She’s our daughter who is going to marry that lunatic!

However, for Marquis Montague, children were nothing more than a nuisance. He was middle-aged, but he believed he was still young, and if Ramona refused, he would have fathered a child with another woman.

“Arthur, it’s not too late.”

As Ramona recited the words in a small voice, Marquis Montague replied in a cold voice. 

“She’s a daughter. You’d end up sending them to any family.”

Ramona glared angrily at the Marquis but he merely brushed it aside and walked away to hold Celia’s hand. Ramona fought back tears to keep her makeup from smearing as she was left alone.

Meanwhile, the music started playing. The groom was the first to enter the wedding ceremony.

Ramona watched it with a throbbing pain in her heart that stole her ability to speak. It was the day her only child, her only daughter, was to marry a murderer.

‘What’s the use of a handsome face?’

Leonis Cardian was one of the best-looking men in the empire, but he was considered as the worst groom because of the curse. 

It was only natural that when he awoke each day, the first thing he did was slaughter. His body reeked of blood. There was even a rumor that he would draw the blood of the man he had killed and use it to make perfume.

‘Oh, Celia! Poor thing! I can’t believe I’m sending my daughter to a monster like that. My heart is breaking! My poor fate…’

As Leonis moved forward to the officiator, Ramona groaned inwardly and glared at his back, lamenting inwardly. It was the day of the wedding, but his expression was cold.

Ramona’s heart began to race again at the thought of him cutting her daughter’s throat with that face. Despite the fact that Celia had not yet been placed in the coffin, Ramona was already treating it as though Leonis had killed her.

‘Neither the Emperor nor my spouse can make an appeal to this sorrow. I’m at a loss on what to do with my grief.’

As stood before the officiator and the music changed, everyone’s gazes turned to the ceremony’s entrance. It was time for the bride to make her entrance.

Even though it was late, a bride in a white wedding gown stood at the end of the aisle. She wore a veil to hide her pale complexion.

She couldn’t see his face because of the veil, just as no one else could see hers. Leonis stood in front of the ceremony, but she couldn’t tell what his expression was.

A dress and high heels. It was difficult to walk around even if she didn’t wake up from her sickbed.

The Marquis, on the other hand, strode into the ceremony holding Celia’s hand. She had to enter the wedding hall as if she were being dragged into her father’s house. 

Only the sound of music could be heard in the stillness.

Marquis Montague slowed down, as though he had sensed Celia’s poor physical condition.

“Dumb thing. Can’t you walk properly?” 

He wanted to scream like he always did, but there were too many eyes and ears to pay attention to. Marquis Montague urged Celia when he noticed Leonis looking this way in front of the offician. With each stride he took, a cold sweat dripped from his brow.

Her body had clearly not recovered completely after being treated by a healer upon being informed that she had consumed poison.

‘Oh…… I’m tired. When the hell is Leonis leaving?’

The wedding wouldn’t be easy, but if he went to fight monsters instead, she would be able to take a rest in the meantime.

Celia clung to the hope that she would not pass out since the officiant’s time was running out. When Leonis said yes, the officiant’s gaze turned to Celia.

“Lady Celia Montague, with Duke Leonis Cardian as your husband—”

During the lengthy ceremonial speech, Celia brushed the words of the ceremony out of one ear and looked to the side. Leonis’ appearance piqued her interest. Leonis only saw Celia’s face in the novel, but she had no idea he was Duke Cardian.

‘Are you handsome? Of course, I think he’s handsome, but….’

Celia realized it was time when the officiating fell silent. Anyone in the quiet guest seat would have noticed the icy silence once more.

“Yes.”

“Now that they’re married—”

Celia glanced at Leonis, feeling dizzy and clenching her teeth. Although she recovered after receiving such treatment, the wedding was too much for her. 

She was arm-in-arm with Leonis, who seemed to be staring at Celia’s side.

“Your Excellency!”