CH 28

It was no exaggeration to say that the story of Kael and Adeline was the most talked-about relationship and marriage in the history of the empire so far.

“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the whole empire has gathered.”

Theresa came into the waiting room of the temple, astonished.

Adeline, dressed in her wedding dress and waiting for the bouquet, greeted Theresa with a welcoming face.

“Dear heavens. Even if a goddess appeared in the temple, it’s unbelievable.”

Theresa’s eyes sparkled with genuine admiration as soon as she saw Adeline.

“Theresa, please. Don’t act like that, you too.”

Adeline laughed, asking her to please stop, but everyone was genuinely impressed except her.

The bell line wedding dress had a white floral veil around the arms instead of exposing the shoulders, creating an elegant atmosphere, and the white rose pattern adorning the waist and hem of the skirt emphasized the splendor in a way that was not excessive.

The long circle veil was decorated with small pearls, which blended well with the wreath woven in white Freesias.

“Adeline, you are so beautiful. You’re so beautiful that I can’t put it all into words. Really.”

Theresa repeatedly admired Adeline and held her hands tightly.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m not sure. It still doesn’t feel real.”

“I know how you feel. It will feel real once you walk down the aisle.”

Adeline smiled and nodded.

In fact, it seemed even walking down the aisle wouldn’t make it feel real.

Just the fact that she was wearing a wedding dress right now seemed very remote.

She thought she would never wear one all her life.

As far as Adeline knew, her marriage did not exist at all in the original content.

However, she was getting married in a wedding dress, and on top of that, her spouse was Kael.

Even if everything so far was actually a very vivid dream, it was too unrealistic to be easily accepted with a nod.

“Young Lady! The bouquet has arrived!”

Amy made a fuss and brought a gift box with a bouquet.

It was a tradition of the empire for the groom to present the bride’s bouquet on the wedding day.

The type of flowers used in the bouquet and the degree of decoration were seen as an indicator of his feelings towards the bride.

“Oh my!”

“Oh my God, Young Lady!”

As soon as the box was opened, everyone but Adeline let out exclamations.

But Adeline was surprised too, she just didn’t make any sound.

“I can’t believe they’re blue roses! Is there a bouquet more romantic than this?”

Amy was jumping around, delighted as if she were the one who had received a bouquet.

The bouquet Kael sent was decorated with white Iums and blue roses from the north, which he had given her before.

It was as if precious flowers were mixed with even more precious flowers. Blue roses were especially difficult to obtain, and even the imperial family couldn’t get them easily.

But those precious roses were intertwined into a bouquet.

“The capital will be in an uproar again. Blue roses are going to be harder to get for a while.”

Theresa added, smiling.

Adeline stared at the bouquet, a combination of blue and white, without saying anything.

Everyone was busy admiring it for being so romantic, but for Adeline, who knew the reality, it only complicated her mind.

He was the one who proposed the marriage contract, thinking that Adeline would never fall in love with him.

The current bouquet was closer to a way to reveal what the position of ‘Grand Duchess Inver’ could enjoy.

‘Still, it will be easier to pretend to be in love if he shows it like this. It may end sooner than expected.’

Adeline looked at the blue roses and remembered the end of the contract.

She didn’t think she was going to wear a wedding dress on her wedding day, but, in any case, Adeline was the one who had to end this marriage.

“Adeline!”

While she was lost in thought, Enoch came into the room.

Even though he only called her name, she could feel how impressed and emotional he was.

“Brother, you can’t cry.”

“I’m not crying. I won’t cry. I can’t cry. But it’s too…”

Adeline burst into laughter as she saw Enoch with tearful eyes, and Theresa shook her head as if she couldn’t stop him.

“You’re so pretty. So beautiful.”

“Thank you, Brother. You’re also looking wonderful today.”

“It’s the wedding day of my only sister, of course I have to make an effort. Theresa was very concerned.”

As Adeline looked at Theresa and thanked her with her eyes, a temple acolyte opened the door and entered.

“It’s time to get ready. I will guide you.”

The girl’s clear voice echoed, and Adeline and Enoch’s gazes met.

Enoch smiled warmly and held out his arm to Adeline, who also smiled and slowly linked her arm with his before walking forward.

It was now time for the wedding to begin.

***

When Enoch and Adeline arrived in front of the temple, they heard grand music beyond the large door.

The wedding ceremony had started, and Kael was entering.

“Adeline. It will be a big problem if I don’t hand you over to him, right?”

“Brother, please.”

“I was just kidding.”

“It didn’t seem like a joke.”

“Actually, I meant it.”

As they exchanged a few jokes, Adeline’s tension eased.

Even though it was close to a fake wedding, she stiffened as she stood by the door.

“Everyone, please stand back.”

When the music paused for a moment and the priest said to look back, the large door slowly opened.

Before long, she could see the aisle with the red carpet, and the guests filling up their seats.

And, at the very end of the aisle, she could also see Kael standing in front of the altar.

“Let’s go, Brother.”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

A beautiful tune was played, and Enoch and Adeline started walking.

Whenever they moved forward at a leisurely pace, many nobles exclaimed in admiration.

Adeline was dazzlingly beautiful.

But Adeline couldn’t hear anyone.

Adeline’s gaze was fixed on Kael, who was waiting for her in front of the altar.

With each step she took, the closer Kael became.

Wearing a white uniform for the wedding, he looked handsome today as well.

She could hardly take her eyes off his black hair, which he had swept away in a different style than usual, or the beautiful features that were exceptionally clear and intense.

“…”

Kael was also looking at her with astonishment.

He looked at Adeline like someone who was possessed by something.

“Ahem, Your Grace.”

He watched Adeline so blankly that he almost wouldn’t have been able to go meet her if Zion, who was next to him, hadn’t given him a signal.

It was as if she were not a person of this world.

Seeing her approaching him, wearing a white wedding dress with her bright blonde hair, which seemed to contain the sunshine, in an updo, she looked too beautiful.

“…”

“…”

Kael barely came to his senses, and as he stepped forward, his gaze met with Enoch’s.

The two did not say anything, but the way they exchanged glances was enough to share their feelings.

Enoch slowly gave Adeline’s hand to Kael.

“…”

“…”

When the two were left alone on the aisle, their eyes met for a moment.

Neither Kael nor Adeline could say anything.

They just looked at each other like they had never seen each other before.

“You look great.”

Adeline opened her mouth first.

Although it was a low voice, as if she was a little shy, it was enough to be conveyed.

Then, Kael smirked and whispered to Adeline, reaching out his arm.

“You are also beautiful. Extremely.”

The two slowly climbed the stairs and stood side by side in front of the altar.

The high priest faced the well-matching pair with a smile on his face.

“What a beautiful day. It is one of the priest’s blessings to be able to form such a beautiful pair, and I am so lucky.”

The wedding ceremony began with a proud word from the high priest.

Several vows were made, wedding rings exchanged, and the high priest’s splendid blessings followed.

“By this, I testify that Kael Inver and Adeline Inver have become a holy couple in the name of God.”

As the announcement of the end of the ceremony continued, all the guests who were seated stood up and gave a thunderous applause.

There was also cheer among the people of the north who had been assisting Kael for a long time.

All of Adeline’s brothers cried, and even Theresa, who always scolded them to stop, wiped her tears.

“Now, let’s end the ceremony with a beautiful kiss.”

At the high priest’s words, both Kael and Adeline opened their eyes wide.

After the priest testified that they had become a couple, the bride and groom had to kiss and walk out.

Both Kael and Adeline had forgotten about it, but it was a strict tradition.

Even if it was a political marriage that everyone knew, there was no way to escape the kiss, as the capital would be in an uproar with the flamboyant love story surrounding it.

“…”

“…”

Two pairs of eyes stared at each other, shaking.

There was no escape.

Adeline’s eyes widened as she was exchanging gazes in embarrassment.

They were just silently making eye contact, but she felt like she could hear what Kael was saying.

“…”

“…”

His blue-grey eyes were asking for her consent.

Adeline gave a small nod, as if possessed by the strange experience she was having for the first time in her life.

Kael, who smiled lightly, bowed carefully, and Adeline slowly closed her eyes.

“Wow!”

“Long live His and Her Graces, the Grand Dukes of Inver!”

The moment their lips touched, an incomparable cheer poured out.

When the kiss ended and their eyes met, Adeline fully felt that the wedding was real.

She and Kael had now really become a married couple.

They were the perfect couple.

Even though Adeline was hoping for its end, and both were hoping for their own deaths.