Chapter: 07
Alloze, Argenta, Cartiel.
The weddings involving the three ducal families were always unique. Because of this, their marriages were always hot topics in high society.
“How extravagant will this wedding be?”
The weddings of the three families, each controlling water, fire, and wind, had their own distinct characteristics.
This time, however, with two of the families coming together for a single wedding, it was bound to be even more spectacular.
―Fwoosh!
The venue, not yet hosting the soon-to-be bride and groom, was illuminated only by soft lighting.
The gentle flames flickering from upside-down candles created a mysterious atmosphere.
That was probably Argenta’s flames.
“Ooh…”
“Truly, the Argenta family.”
Among the awed guests, some remained silent.
They were friends of the Cartiel family, the wind family, unrelated to this wedding.
Gathered around Duke Cartiel, they quietly observed the proceedings.
―Ssshh…
Meanwhile, along the wide virgin road, water began to flow slowly.
It was a pre-prepared channel, naturally created by the power of the Alloze family.
The one controlling it was Duke Alloze, seated in the bride’s family section.
“Congratulations, Your Grace. You’ve made a wonderful match.”
“What a blessing in this world…”
People crowded around, trying to get at least one glimpse of Duke Alloze’s face.
He casually acknowledged their greetings while keeping his gaze fixed on the side of the virgin road where the bride would appear.
‘Crua Alloze.’
He silently whispered his daughter’s name in his mind.
So far, she had done well up to the wedding.
If she could continue to seduce Dielo Argenta and drain his potential…
His eyes gleamed.
If he could finally defeat this generation of the Argenta family, who didn’t know how to use their powers properly, and someone from Alloze took Argenta’s flame ability…
The Alloze family could become indisputably the greatest family.
He smiled quietly.
―Tap.
My foot, clad in white shoes, stepped onto the stairs.
The noisy guests murmuring in the crowd came into view.
The wedding proceeded with the bride and groom walking from opposite ends of the virgin road to meet in the middle, so perhaps Duke Alloze…
There he was.
Finding him wasn’t difficult.
He was looking at me with sharp eyes.
My face might be hidden behind the bridal veil, but I could clearly see Duke Alloze’s face.
‘Make it succeed.’
In the brief moment our eyes met, he seemed to mouth these words and then turned his gaze away.
So far, everything was going according to plan.
In other words, Dielo and I hadn’t been discovered yet.
Beside Duke Alloze, I also saw Pentas Alloze, the younger duke of Alloze and Crua Alloze’s older brother.
They sat with delighted expressions.
To an outsider, they appeared to be simply smiling at the wedding of their beloved daughter and younger sister.
But their minds were filled with sinister schemes.
True to the Alloze way, they would not hesitate to commit evil for power, reaching out to the Argenta family while Cartiel also eyed opportunities.
Since the original story was told mostly from the perspective of the Alloze family’s maid observing the power struggles of the three ducal families, I knew this perfectly.
“But at the groom’s family section…”
Aside from their faces, something else caught my attention.
No matter that this was a contractual marriage…
“…It’s a wedding.”
This should be a place for celebration, a moment of joy and blessing for the entire family.
Yet the groom’s family section was chillingly empty.
In accordance with imperial law, only direct family members could sit there, but instead, chrysanthemums were placed in their spots.
They were already gone from this world.
The real problem: the Alloze duke sitting opposite, who had killed the Argenta duke and his wife—the ones who should have been there—was responsible.
It was nothing short of tragic.
Did Dielo know this?
“……”
I recalled Dielo’s bright, smiling face.
He seemed completely unaware.
Even in the early parts of the original story, there were no foreshadowing hints suggesting he knew about his parents’ deaths.
Moreover, would he really greet someone so calmly—someone who was the daughter of the person who killed his parents—if there were talks of a contractual marriage?
“He couldn’t…”
I murmured softly.
Of course, even if Dielo did know the truth, it wasn’t a situation where the wedding could be called off.
Poor thing.
I bit the inside of my lip and steeled my resolve.
Yes, Dielo! I’ll help you when I take down Duke Alloze!
I could definitely help him get his revenge.
So even if this wedding was a bit miserable… I hoped he could endure it.
I clenched my fists and stepped forward again.
―Tap-tap.
The moment my white shoes touched the virgin road.
―Swoosh…
The water in the channel shimmered under the soft lights.
“……”
“……”
On the opposite side of the shining virgin road, Dielo came into view.
Chandeliers along the water channel flickered as his steps caused their flames to shimmer.
―Tap-tap.
In the quieting hall, only our footsteps echoed.
Dielo approached with a composed demeanor.
His cheeks were slightly flushed, and his tentative smile reflected his inner state.
‘Don’t be too nervous.’
I whispered with only my lips.
I didn’t know if he received it, or if anyone else saw it.
But it didn’t matter if others did.
Even non-contractual couples could whisper such words.
“……”
Dielo’s expression relaxed slightly, as if he understood.
Soon, our eyes met in front of Duke Alloze.
“We shall now commence the wedding of Duke Dielo Argenta and Lady Crua Alloze.”
The officiant’s voice rang out.
The words that followed were typical:
“God shall witness the covenant of these two sacred souls…”
No one cared about that. The guests’ eyes were fixed solely on us.
Had they truly married for love?
Or was the engagement just a façade?
Some might be wondering this.
Two pillars of opposing empires forming a union—it was hard not to be suspicious.
“……”
Above all, I felt the intense gaze of Duke Alloze.
All the guests and Duke Alloze were people we had to deceive.
From now on, we were truly accomplices.
“……Please give the newlyweds your warmest support.”
The officiant concluded.
The lights of the hall brightened fully.
Not just the chandeliers lining the virgin road, but hidden wall lights flared brightly under Argenta’s power.
―Ssshhh…
From the water channel behind us, small shoots sprouted.
They absorbed Alloze’s water magic, rapidly growing to form an arch over our heads.
―Tap, tap-tap.
Lily-like flowers hovered just above Dielo’s head.
Sparkling drops fell from above, drenching us lightly.
―Tap.
The cold droplets hit my exposed shoulders, causing me to flinch.
It was colder than I expected.
At that moment…
“…!”
Up close, I noticed something glowing faintly near Dielo’s collarbone beneath his shirt.
It was likely the black lily emblem—a mark that suppressed the head of the family’s power.
If Pero removed it, the family head’s power would surge; if anyone else did, the power would remain stunted.
Dielo and I had to protect that lily.
“My lovely bride.”
Dielo’s blue eyes sparkled under the lights.
Gently, as if to reassure me, his fingertips brushed my veil aside.
Unlike the engagement, where he lifted the veil for a brief kiss, this time it was different.
―Swoosh.
He lifted my veil fully and wrapped me in a firm embrace.
The cold droplets bounced off his arms.
“Ah…!”
This kiss could not be hidden; there was no room for error.
As if aware of this, Dielo’s kiss was eager, even though it seemed to slightly surprise him.
But it didn’t last long.
“Ha.”
After a short breath, we looked at each other, noses almost touching.
Fortunately, the virgin road was wide enough for quiet whispers.
“Shouldn’t it be sweeter?”
His whispered breath tickled my cheek.
Even knowing it was an act, my ears warmed from the undeniable heat in his breath.
It was natural to feel this way. Instinct.
No need to suppress it.
It would only help our performance.
“Yes.”
I nodded slightly.
If you’re unsure, I’ll lead.
I rose slightly on my toes and embraced his waist.
Then…
“Then this time, I’ll lead.”
Dielo whispered.
Huh?
I widened my eyes.
Unlike before, he now sought my lips as if a different person had taken over.
His hands gripped my shoulders and waist tightly, entwining me like vines.
“…!”
His leg pressed between my wedding dress folds.
No time to care about the guests’ reactions.
My breath quickened; my vision blurred slightly. The electrifying sensation from his touch engulfed me.
He caught me just as my knees were about to buckle.
Suddenly…
“My goodness!”
“Ahh!”
He lifted me completely off the ground.
A gasp echoed from the guests.
“Thank you, my lovely bride.”
For marrying me.
He whispered, cheeks flushed.
The embarrassment of performing the act for the first time.
I quietly hugged his neck in response, kissing his lips lightly.
“Waaah!”
A spectacular wedding decades in the making, complete with a dazzling performance.
The guests erupted into cheers and applause.
