Chapter 19: Marriage (3)

Chapter 19: Marriage (3)

The following day, I completed the training session with my comrades.

Since dawn, the cold air pierced deep into my chest.

It was amusing to let the cascading water from the waterfall wash over my body.

I couldn't train the entire mercenary unit, so I gathered my top 30 subordinates and woke up early.

Vice-captain, isn't this going too far? Training even on the day of the marriage ceremony. Ah... You have no mercy, really..."

After finishing the training, a member from the leading group, lying down with a refreshed expression, spoke.

Even if he made such a relaxed expression and said those words, I didn't pay much attention to it.

All the members of my unit were people who enjoyed sweating.

Baran also sat down on the ground, breathing heavily.

"...As the kids said, I didn't expect it to be like this even today. Can't we take a break for a day?"

I said to Baran with such a request.

There is nothing wrong with sweating. It increases appetite and clears the mind..."

Baran, lying prone on the ground, briefly smiled upon hearing those words.

"Ah, this is because of your first love, isn't it?"

What?

"Your mind became complicated, so you carried on with the training. Is that what you're trying to say?"

I shook my head and remained silent.

'Why did Adam Hyung have to say something like that to this guy?'

The other members of my honcho group also laughed lightly at Baran's joke.

With the strict atmosphere broken, mischief began to appear on everyone's faces, one by one.

Shawn, who was skilled in horsemanship, chimed in.

"Vice-captain, didn't you meet the woman who will be your wife yesterday? How was she? Is she pretty?"

"See for yourself. You'll get to meet her today."

"Oh, I'm curious to know how she appears in the vice-captain's eyes. Please tell me."

Giggling laughter filled the air.

Jackson, who was quick to grasp the situation, also joined in.

Vice-captain, was she pretty? Shouldn't there be a reason why you are going to marry her and pushed other women away?"

In the end, I was also swept away by that atmosphere.

After such intense training, there was a blossoming friendship through exchanging lighthearted jokes.

I smiled, responded to the atmosphere, and finally answered.

"...She was pretty."

Expressions of pure admiration appeared here and there.

Some members made a fuss again.

"It's the first time I've heard the vice-captain say that a woman is pretty."

"Wow, I'm looking forward to it. If someone ugly shows up after saying that..."

Baran also laughed and singled out members to fit the remark.

"What ugliness can there be for someone who is going to be the vice-captain's wife? Ugliness?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."

I interjected, raising my voice to wrap up the situation.

"Alright. The training is over now, so everyone should go back and tidy up. Let your wet bodies dry a bit. The battle day is coming soon, so take good care of yourselves."

Upon hearing those words, a solemn atmosphere was once again created.

"As you all probably already know, our comrades only survive when we perform well. You all understand that this time it's on a larger scale, right? We need to be mentally prepared more than ever before. So keep your spirits up."

"It seems like Lord Gidon Blackwood is also participating. How is that going?

Someone asked.

Its none of our business. Its not like he is joining our honcho group.

Everyone nodded at that answer.

"Alright. Training is over. Let's go back."

In response to my words, everyone shouted a spirited reply and stood up one by one from their positions.

Taking care of our swords and percussion instruments, I also began my return to the lodging.

Baran, as always, stayed by my side and asked, while patting the moisture off his head.

"Are you ready now?"

"Yes, I am."

"Well, is there anything I can help with?"

"No. Just... Ah."

Following Baran's question, I suddenly felt the urge to ask him for a favor.

Baran wiped the moisture from his face and looked up at me. It seemed like he sensed that something was on my mind.

I looked around and whispered quietly to him.

"...It's not an important request. If there's any problem, you can give up on it."

Just tell me.

I recalled the moment when I met Ner and Gidon after dinner last night.

Ever since then, a lingering uneasiness had been circling in my mind.

So, it was purely out of curiosity.

There was nothing wrong with getting to know Ner Blackwood better.

"Could you... find out a bit about the relationship between Ner Blackwood and her siblings?"

The relationship between your wife and her siblings?

"Wife... Haa... Yes."

Baran chuckled and nodded.

Thats easy. I will find out soon and let you know.

Yes, thank you.

****

"This moment has finally come."

Adam Hyung looked at me intently and spoke.

I was getting ready for the final preparations, wearing the ceremonial attire we brought from Stockpin, our place of residence.

The unfamiliar sensation of the uncomfortable clothes clinging to my body made me feel awkward. It was my first time dressing up like this, so it felt strange.

Berg.

In the midst of that, Adam Hyung quietly called my name. I could sense the seriousness in his voice.

As I looked at him, Adam Hyung had a small smile on his face as he gazed at me.

Congratulations.

There was no childish laughter or mischief in his words, just sincerity.

I didn't respond to his somewhat awkward remark.

However, his words made me suddenly realize how long we had been together.

Did I ever think that we would become close enough to attend each other's wedding ceremonies, starting from when we met in the slums?

Taking my gaze away from Adam Hyung, I glanced at my clothes again.

At that moment, he said to me.

"...I'm sorry."

It was so faint that if Baran hadn't told me about their relationship, I wouldn't have known.

Soon, she also stood in front of me, but she didn't look up at me.

Vice-captain! Your wife is so pretty!

First night! First night! First night!

Vice-captain, you must be happy!

During that time, the mercenary members who had regained their composure started throwing annoying jokes again.

Ner Blackwood, somehow accepting it, hunched her shoulders and lowered her head.

It was a familiar sight of swallowing her fear.

Soon, Baran proceeded with the wedding ceremony.

Since the two of us only had to stand there, there wasn't much for us to worry about.

I looked down at Ner, who was hunched over, and whispered quietly enough for only her to hear.

Sorry.

Yes?

Ner looked up at me in amazement.

Our eyes met for the first time.

Her pointed ears folded backward.

I didn't bother explaining the reason for my apology.

Even if she only caught bits and pieces of the excited members shouting from the side, it was clear why I was apologizing.

There was confusion in Ners eyes as she looked up at me.

I averted my eyes because I didnt want to put unnecessary pressure on her.

I didn't know why she was acting that way, but I thought she would figure it out on her own.

Come on, vice-captain.

And so, our small wedding entered its final stage just before the feast.

As a man of a household, it was time to make vows to my wife.

One by one, the members silenced their voices.

A profound silence filled the air, almost unbelievable considering the number of people present.

Even the sound of my breath seemed to reverberate.

Along with that resounding breath, I recalled the words of the vows.

Several years ago, these were sentences that I had repeated hundreds of times.

And then, looking at Ner Blackwood, I opened my mouth.

Everyone in attendance became witnesses.

"...In exchange for your love, I will give you everything I have."

Our eyes met.

As if reaffirming it to myself, I slowly and carefully uttered each word.

"...No matter what happens, I will stand by your side and protect you from any threat. Whether you are beautiful or not, healthy or ill, I will love and cherish you equally. We will give our children honorable and pure names, and we will teach them a wise and compassionate life. I will be the pillar you can lean on, the roof you can rest under, and the foundation you can trust."

I took out the ring I had prepared and extended my hand to her.

Ner Blackwood slowly extended her left hand to me with a trembling, hesitant hand.

It took a while for her hand to reach mine.

That was how much she hesitated.

As soon as her hand touched mine, I gently held her hand and began to put the prepared ring on her ring finger.

I could distinctly feel Ner Blackwood's hands shaking as I touched.

But I still uttered the words I had memorized until the end.

"...Until my last breath leaves me, I dedicate my life and honor to you."

Soon, the ring I had given was placed on the deepest part of Ner Blackwood's ring finger.

Ner looked at the ring quietly, then looked up at me.

Numerous emotions passed across her face.

As a result, I couldn't discern exactly how she felt.

Ner Blackwood immediately responded to my words by nodding her head.

Even this was part of the marriage process.

And Gibson handed Ner the ring they had prepared.

Ner also carefully took hold of my left hand.

One hand supported my hand, while the other held the ring.

Once again, her hand trembled without restraint.

The ring began to slowly fit onto my ring finger, shaking uncontrollably.

As I had sworn, it was now the moment for me to accept.

There was no turning back anymore.

"You are now husband and wife!"

As the rings were placed on each other's fingers, Baran shouted loudly.

Cheers erupted, and the feast began.

Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!

Kiss her! Vice-captain, kiss her!

And at a human wedding, there was a story about a kiss that was indispensable.

I looked at the crowd, a mix of mercenaries and Blackwood residents, and reached out my arm to Ner.

Putting my hand on her cheek, I turned my body slightly.

I showed my back to the people.

Then, I brought my lips close to Ners.

I intended to go along with the atmosphere and make it a light and passing moment.

However, Ner, whose body had spun around because of me, was stiffening all over.

Our faces were so close, as if they were about to touch.

The expressions we exchanged were only visible to us.

And then, I saw it.

Ner's frozen expression broke, revealing her frightened state.

She trembled, biting her lips tightly and squeezing her eyes shut.

Please

She whispered quietly, as if talking to herself.

Her earnest breath brushed against my cheek.

Looking at her like that, I lightly brought my nose to touch hers instead of our lips.

And then, as if we had shared a kiss, I turned my body and looked at the crowd offering their blessings.

"...Huh?"

Ner Blackwood seemed confused, as if she didn't understand what had just happened. But I simply wiped my lips and pretended as if the kiss had happened.

End of Chapter

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