Side Story: Secret Wedding
We finish the wedding ceremony at the church safely, and prepare to make our debut on the streets.
Im sitting in a chair in the waiting room, when Eris and Ruruka approach me in their wedding dresses.
Hey, Shiki, I was wondering about this during the entire wedding ceremony, but that ring that Yuel-chan has been cherishing she definitely got it from you, right?
That must be a wedding ring for Yuel-chan, huh its not like I dont understand your feelings, but but shes still a kid, yknow?
!?
I break out in a cold sweat at their words.
They found out.
Its been exposed instantly.
H-, H-h-h, how did you know!?
Well, you see
With Yuel fawning over a ring that much, anybody could tell.
I didnt notice since I was nervous about the wedding ceremony, but apparently Yuel has been admiring the ring this whole time.
No, I purposely handed it to her before the ceremony since I didnt want her to be miserable about the wedding, so I guess thats fine.
But I didnt anticipate that Eris and Ruruka would notice.
I-Im sorry, Masterrr!
Yuel, who was waiting nearby, makes a surprised face and apologizes.
She most likely didnt realize that she wasnt supposed to show it off in front of people.
No, its fine for you to have that, Yuel. Dont worry.
But if I let Yuel worry about these things here, Ill be putting the cart before the horse.
Since I let Yuel have that ring as a reward.
Just in case, Ill pet her head.
I dont particularly intend to criticize you, either. And Ive been feeling worried for Yuel-chan.
Yeah, she did seem kinda pitiful.
Looks like neither of them plan to criticize me for handing over the ring.
Moreover, it seems theyve been concerned for Yuels sake.
Well, although we cant get married since shes a kid, anyone can plainly see that Yuel harbors affection for me.
There cant be many people who could watch Yuels expression steadily become gloomier as the wedding preparations progressed, and not worry about her.
Besides that isnt a wedding ring. Its an engagement ring.
Wedding rings and engagement rings.
Theres a big difference between the two. Though I did give Yuel, a young slave girl, an engagement ring to say Lets get married once you grow up, its not like I gave her a ring to say were married right now while shes still a young girl.
Thats where I draw the line, where my ethics absolutely will not yield.
I have to clear up this misunderstanding no matter what.
However, when Eris hears my statement, she looks surprised.
And she suggests this:
Is that so? But, if you intend to go that far, wouldnt it have been better to have a wedding ceremony for Yuel-chan as well?
A wedding ceremony with Yuel.
No, wait, that would be quite tough, to say nothing of my standpoint as the Sage.
Besides, isnt it good enough to conduct the ceremony once she grows up?
Well still be engaged and all.
My own wedding ceremony?
However, Yuel latches onto those words.
Shes right. If youre gonna have one eventually, why not have it now?
Moreover, Ruruka even endorses Eris proposal.
I wonder whats going on?
Wait, I wasnt really looking at Yuel during the ceremony, but by some chance, she might have been making a bit of a lonely expression.
And Eris and Ruruka both seem concerned for Yuel.
-And then I remember something.
After this theres another ritual we have to carry out.
No, with Eris, Ruruka, and the saint, it was fine.
But when its with Yuel, the ritual that should be coming up next will be extraordinarily problematic.
Oh no.
That is extremely bad.
However, the priest makes the pronouncement indifferently.
And now, to seal the vows with a kiss.
Kissss!? Hey, thats
You have properly carried it out with everyone else, have you not? This is a mandatory, sacrosanct tradition for a wedding in the Church of Medine.
Filling the role of the priest is a bishop invited from Crusell, whos famous for his sincere and rigid personality. Hes an acquaintance of the saint, and supposedly extremely tight-lipped.
Looks like his personality is strict when it comes to the Church of Medines doctrine as well.
When I let out a surprised voice, the priests expression sharpens a little.
This wedding ceremony ritual is a traditional rite shared by all Medine believers.
I guess that even the Sage wont be permitted to violate it.
No, but still
Certainly, I did get engaged to Yuel, but that doesnt mean I was planning to go so far as kissing her.
I had no intention to do such things with the still-young Yuel in the first place.
Thats why I stopped at getting engaged.
Look, before Yuels mind and body are both properly mature, there are a number of problems with physical contact.
However, the saint interjects.
Shiki-sama, worry not. It is merely a formality.
Dont friggin talk to me like youre a relative handing a sake cup to a child.
But its most likely exactly as the saint says, a ritual kiss is no problem, thats just the values of this world.
And neither Eris nor Ruruka are particularly objecting.
Yuel already has her eyes closed, tilting her chin up.
This is a wedding ceremony.
For Yuel, its her important wedding ceremony.
How could I possibly make Yuel cry by refusing to kiss her?
I-I guess I can only go through with it?
But is it really okay?
I feel like its not alright.
Really not alright.
Should I use Once youre an adult, okay?
No, thats all Ive been using lately.
Besides, its not relevant for getting through this.
I-Its hopeless.
I cant come up with any replacement scheme for kissing Yuel.
My gaze falls upon Yuels lips.
Master
Her lips part slightly, inviting me.
Isnt there anything I can do other than resolving myself to it?
No, I should keep racking my brain until the last second.
Think, whats the best solution to break out of this situation!
But I cant come up with anything.
The time limit is fast approaching, moment by moment.
Kuh What what the heck do I do!?