IMBSM 15

Chapter: 15

“All right, it’s time for dessert now.”

Right on cue, Guillermo emerged from the kitchen, pushing a trolley toward the dining table. On it were neatly arranged dessert plates that had been prepared in advance.

Compared to the previous meal, when dessert and appetizers had been served all at once, this was real progress. Since it was their first time, it was only natural that everything couldn’t be perfect yet.

Evnia glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and said,

“Sir Guillermo, normally you should leave a bit more time before bringing out dessert. If it comes too soon, important conversations might get interrupted.”

“Important conversations? Everyone except the bride was just stuffing their faces like pigs,” Guillermo replied, tilting his head as if he couldn’t understand.

His words were undeniably true, but Evnia couldn’t exactly agree with him in front of everyone.

Lowering her voice, she muttered, “I was just talking about the rules…,” to which Guillermo coolly responded that he would be more careful next time.

Meanwhile, Levi flew straight to the trolley and shoved his snout into the desserts, completely nullifying Evnia’s criticism.

Those who were quietly seated also seemed to have all their attention fixed on the dessert, staring intently at the plates on the tray.

After a fierce struggle with Levi, Guillermo finally managed to serve everyone their portion.

Today’s dessert was apple fritters—sliced apples coated in batter, deep-fried, and topped with whipped cream.

The moment Hannah took a bite, her cheeks flushed as she let out an exclamation of delight, while Sir Max shed a single tear at the taste of civilization he hadn’t experienced in ages.

And Seven, as soon as he received his plate, shoved a huge chunk of apple into his mouth without even cutting it.

It was hard to imagine where all that food fit in such a small body.

At least he ate without complaining, which Evnia appreciated.

Sliding her own plate toward Seven, Evnia said,

“Sir Seven, would you like some more dessert?”

“There’s this ridiculous prejudice in the world that young and cute things love sweet food. I detest that prejudice,” Seven replied stiffly.

He had devoured it in seconds, so she assumed he liked sweets. Was he actually the type who ate things he disliked first?

Evnia apologized in a small, dejected voice.

“I’m sorry.”

“Because of that prejudice, I can never reveal my true tastes comfortably. Another serving!”

Seven exclaimed cheerfully, taking the new plate Evnia handed him with a wide grin.

He nudged Ram beside him with his elbow and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear,

“Hey, just marry her. She’s young and pretty.”

Ram merely snorted in amusement, as if treating it as a pointless joke.

Thankfully, the atmosphere didn’t become awkward. Evnia was just offering her usual harmless smile when—

Guillermo pulled out champagne bottles from beneath the trolley and began pouring drinks into everyone’s glasses.

After making sure to pour one for himself as well, he tapped his spoon against a glass to draw attention. Naturally, everyone turned to look at him.

“Then, shall we raise a toast to celebrate the bride’s arrival at our castle?”

A strangely deep smile curved his lips.

Had he always smiled like that?

While Evnia wondered, everyone except her stood up. Perhaps because of her presence, even Ram didn’t object this time.

When Evnia finally rose, everyone lifted their glasses high.

Even Levi, who couldn’t hold a glass, stared intently at their hands with jewel-like eyes, as if determined to join the toast.

“To new bonds formed after so long!”

“Ugh, that line is terrible.”

“He really wants to do everything humans do.”

Seven and Ram muttered their complaints, but no one actually refused the toast.

Their glasses met in the center, ringing with a clear, delicate sound.

Following the others, Evnia slowly took a sip.

“Huh… that ring—”

Seven stopped mid-sip and blurted out, staring fixedly at Evnia’s left hand.

Ram, who had been drinking, shifted his eyes toward her as well.

At that exact moment, a clear golden light, like the color of champagne, burst outward around Evnia and Ram.

Like magic.

The dining hall instantly descended into chaos.

A violent wind whipped around them, making it hard to even keep their eyes open, yet Evnia desperately tried to look in Ram’s direction, hoping he would fix this—or at least explain it.

It seemed Ram thought the same.

Believing this to be his responsibility, he forced his way through the wind and rushed to her, pulling her into his arms protectively.

He began muttering a spell, but his words were lost amid the roaring wind.

What reached her ears more clearly was Seven’s thunderous shout.

“Ram! You idiot, why the hell are you casting a defensive spell?! Is marriage some kind of curse attack to you?!”

The words clearly reached Ram as well.

A beat later, realizing his mistake, he loosened his grip around Evnia’s back.

At the same time, the air surrounding them began to slow.

The swirling golden light gradually settled downward, melting into the floor like snowflakes.

Even after the wind had completely stopped, Evnia remained still for a moment, her forehead pressed against Ram’s chest.

She couldn’t tell whether her racing heartbeat was due to the chaos or because she was far too close to him.

Just as she tensed, trying not to touch him more than necessary—

Ram released her waist and lifted her left hand, interlacing his fingers with hers.

Staring intently at her ring finger, he murmured in disbelief,

“…Married? Us?”

“…What?”

Unlike Evnia, who didn’t understand the situation at all, Ram seemed to be slowly grasping what had happened.

He let go of her hand and turned toward Guillermo, grinding his teeth.

Guillermo stood a short distance away, leisurely swirling his champagne.

With a look of sheer disbelief, Ram asked,

“So you prepared such a meticulous trap?”

“Isn’t it your fault for not noticing? The bride has been wearing that ring since the moment she entered this place.”

“What kind of gentleman stares that hard at a stranger’s fingers?!”

“She’s not a stranger—she’s your future wife. You should have looked carefully.”

By now, Evnia finally realized that the gift Guillermo had given her was the source of all this trouble.

As she struggled to pull the ring off her finger, Ram and Guillermo began shouting at each other.

“What the hell is your goal? Why are you screwing me over this thoroughly?! Is this revenge for me dragging you here?!”

“You kept whining about wanting to get married, so I married you off! Now forget the dead woman and be happy!”

“When did you ever care about my happiness, you lunatic?! My life is perfectly fine without you, so if you’re that concerned, go choke to death in a bowl of dishwater!”

Fuming, Ram abruptly turned toward Levi.

Unbothered by the chaos, Levi sat on the table, diligently nibbling apple slices.

Kicking aside an obstructing chair, Ram stormed up to him and interrogated him menacingly.

“Levi. You recognized that ring, didn’t you? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I like her as your new marriage partner too. Kraaah!”

Levi’s shameless reply left both Ram and Evnia momentarily speechless.

Why had he suddenly supported a woman he hadn’t even cared about, let alone acknowledged?

The reason was simple.

Levi boldly stretched out his foot, pointing at the dessert plate, and shouted,

“I want this for dessert again tomorrow. Kraaah!”

At that, the entire room fell deathly silent.