Chapter 34.
The wedding was held at a villa on the outskirts of the capital, renowned for its beautiful gardens.
It was unconventional, as royal weddings were traditionally conducted at the Avent Temple, but given that it was Rene Stade’s wedding, everyone seemed to accept it without much fuss.
“But the villa is prettier than I expected. I can see why Your Highness insisted on this place.”
The garden scenery in early June was extraordinarily vibrant.
Red roses and purple lavender, cute daisies and tulips in every color, blue asters and white lilies.
It was a landscape that made perfect sense for the story of an old widow who poured her heart into it to soothe her grief after losing her husband.
It also subtly appealed to my desire to retire to the countryside after stepping down as princess.
“Your Highness looks truly beautiful today, doesn’t she? To think she hides such immense power behind that elegant and dignified appearance…”
“The dress is so ornate and matches the venue perfectly. I assumed it would be at the Avent Temple, but she has a modest side too.”
But in the conversations about me echoing from all sides, there wasn’t a single speculation along the lines of the princess being tired of the lavish palace life.
Why did I go through the trouble of choosing this place for the wedding…! I really need to emphasize it properly at the reception.
“More than that, the order of entrance is a bit unusual. Normally, the groom waits on the wedding aisle for the bride, right?”
“Strictly speaking, this marriage is made possible thanks to Her Highness, and she’s graciously accepting it. So the prince should walk modestly and bow to Her Highness.”
As people chattered in agreement, their voices suddenly fell silent when the attendant announced Friedrich’s arrival.
Not out of decorum, but because everyone was utterly captivated by Friedrich’s appearance.
The neat cut of his once purely long hair was a big change, but in the Stade-style formal attire that accentuated his physique, Friedrich walking down the white wedding aisle exuded an air of grace and dignity reminiscent of a celestial deity.
Since he had always quietly stayed by my side, this was the first time I fully felt his presence and impact when entering alone.
Everyone watched in stunned silence as Friedrich approached me.
Yes, this man is my husband.
Even if temporary, I’m incredibly proud. I extended my hand to my handsome husband without hiding my satisfied smile.
Friedrich took my hand with a smiling face and stood beside me. Gasps of admiration erupted from various spots in the guest seats.
“The bride and groom are truly beautiful.”
“Thank you, Archbishop.”
The archbishop, who should have been comfortably officiating at the Avent Temple, had come all the way here to preside.
Amid the lengthy sermon reciting passages from the scriptures, Friedrich didn’t let go of the hand he’d held earlier, even though it must have been stuffy.
When I fidgeted my hand slightly out of discomfort, he seemed to think I was playing around and smiled softly, fidgeting back.
Somehow feeling like I should play along, I just laughed it off.
And finally, the moment for the vows arrived.
“Friedrich Kill, do you swear to take the great Rene, Princess of Stade, as your wife, to love, respect, and be loyal to her for the rest of your life?”
“Until my last breath.”
Friedrich answered without a moment’s hesitation. His voice was so resolute that, for a brief second, I wondered if it was completely sincere.
“Rene Stade, do you swear to take Friedrich Kill as your husband, to cherish, love, and respect him for the rest of your life?”
“I do.”
At that moment, Friedrich squeezed my hand tightly. Reflexively, my head turned toward him.
“With this, I officially declare that the two of you are husband and wife.”
Amid thunderous applause, I saw Friedrich’s face, still holding my hand firmly. Like a true newlywed groom, his cheeks slightly flushed as he met my eyes.
Beneath that, his lips, red as cherries, curved into a pretty smile. Seeing that smile made me feel strangely off, so I smiled back.
Yeah, well. No matter how things turn out later, or how this marriage came about. A marriage is a marriage.
***
The villa couldn’t accommodate all the guests, so we had no choice but to return to the imperial palace for the reception.
I changed into the reception dress Joachim had chosen last time and went around greeting the guests with Friedrich.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Your Highness. It felt like witnessing a goddess’s wedding today. You were so stunning.”
“The venue being a garden full of flowers instead of the temple made it even more fantastical. You chose a wonderful spot.”
“Lately, I’ve been drawn to country living. Now that I’ve married this universally praised handsome man, I’m tempted to whisk him away to the countryside and hide out.”
I subtly appealed like this, but the responses I got were…
“Oh, Your Highness. You can enjoy him all to yourself in the palace—why bother going to the countryside?”
Things like that, or…
“And the more precious the jewel, the more you should show it off so no one dares steal it, knowing who the owner is.”
Damn, all that effort to hold the wedding far away, and it amounts to nothing.
Meanwhile, I encountered an unexpected guest at the reception.
“I must admit my judgment was wrong.”
It was Joachim, who had insisted on attending despite my telling him it was fine not to.
Earlier, he had even caught the bride’s bouquet, traditionally tossed to the eligible young ladies.
“The dress the prince chose suited the ceremony better. Though it was a flaw that it made it hard to tell who was the flower.”
Since he hadn’t received a title even after marrying me, Friedrich was still referred to only as prince. I let out a scoff and replied.
“You’re as embarrassingly straightforward as ever.”
Joachim shrugged.
“I’m merely stating the facts.”
“So, what are you going to do with that bouquet? Have you finally given up on being my lover and decided to marry?”
“As if. Since I yielded Your Highness’s left ring finger, at least taking the bouquet will console me. I’ll dry it well and keep it forever.”
“Do as you please. Just make sure no bugs swarm Rene Palace.”
Joachim smiled and shifted his gaze to my left ring finger.
“But what’s that unique ring?”
It was the knitted ring Friedrich had given me last night. I smiled proudly and answered.
“This? It’s the proposal ring Friedrich made for me.”
“…He made it himself?”
“It’s more valuable than a diamond. Who else would handcraft a wedding ring like this?”
Joachim’s expression, which had been one of admiration, suddenly changed.
“I can do it too.”
He declared with a face full of sudden determination. I waved him off.
“You? Forget it. I know your knitting skills all too well. Do you even realize how advanced knitting with thread is?”
“If I practice from now, by the time Your Highness ascends the throne, it’ll be complete— mmph.”
I hurriedly covered Joachim’s mouth as he spouted nonsense.
You almost ruined the appeal I made at the reception!
I smiled coldly at him and growled.
“Joachim Rommel, you must have completely forgotten what I told you before.”
“…Your mind still hasn’t changed?”
The one looking confused was actually Joachim.
I removed my hand from his mouth and glanced at Friedrich.
His expression had stiffened slightly. Had he noticed?
“This isn’t the place for that conversation.”
Now that we’re married, maybe it’s okay to trust Friedrich a bit more.
In the end, I sighed and brought up something I hadn’t planned to say.
“I’ve lost interest in succeeding to the throne. I clearly told Duke Rommel last time, but since I’m a bit fickle, he doesn’t seem to believe me.”
At those words, Friedrich’s eyes wavered quickly. I shrugged and deliberately added playfully.
“It’s really not something to discuss at a reception. Right?”
“…”
But Friedrich’s expression remained stiff.
Why? Was he feeling cheated because he thought I’d become empress, but now I’m not?
Well, he might have dreamed of being emperor consort when marrying me.
I glanced at him cautiously and added.
“Even if I don’t become empress, I’ll make sure your life isn’t in danger, so don’t worry.”
I meant it as comfort, but Friedrich’s expression stayed dark. I couldn’t figure out what the problem was.
