Crown Prince Serge urged his driver on with an anxious face.
“Drive faster, I said.”
“Pardon……? U—understood, Your Highness.”
When his palms became drenched with sweat, Serge clenched his fists tightly.
He had never once imagined losing Aeplin.
Because she had always been by his side since childhood, the current situation was simply unbelievable.
‘Aeplin, getting married?’
No matter how many times he mulled it over, it made no sense.
How dare she try to hold a wedding with a lowborn man like Lucent Blackakson in the Grand Cathedral owned by the imperial family.
Aeplin was like a fish with shining red scales, living and swimming only in pure water.
Yet now she was in danger of being captured by a vulgar usurer and thrown into muddy water.
“Max, how much time is left?”
Serge asked his secretary in a sharp tone.
“There are about thirty minutes left before the wedding begins.”
Only after recognizing that there was plenty of time did Serge let go of his impatience.
“Thank goodness I am not late.”
He covered up his own mistake with a sense of mission—that he had to rescue Aeplin from a wicked den of thieves.
Strictly speaking, it was not such a great fault.
It was merely a trivial mistake that any man might make.
Still, one thing he had realized clearly.
‘Aeplin, you should know when to stop sulking. Marrying another man in a fit of anger……. Tsk, tsk!’
What wounded Serge’s pride even more was that Aeplin had chosen a partner beneath her station in order to hurt him.
‘Wait. I will come and save you soon.’
Only now did he realize how deeply Aeplin loved him.
He was not unaware of Count Hapen’s circumstances, and it was a matter he could have resolved on his own.
Aeplin knew that better than anyone, and yet…….
To force a marriage with an absurd man was unlike her.
‘Aeplin, if you were trying to provoke me, it was a great success.’
“I will soothe you. And I will cherish you greatly, so let go of your anger. My Aeplin.”
A gentle smile crept onto Serge’s lips.
Was the whole universe helping him?
The blocked road opened up, and his automobile sped faster than before.
It felt like a divine arrangement telling him to hurry to Aeplin and rescue her from the clutches of evil.
That was when it happened.
A car sped out from an alley on the right and blocked Serge’s path.
Both cars slammed on their brakes, and the tires scraped the road with a sharp screech.
The vehicles rocked violently before coming to a stop.
Fortunately, a collision was avoided, and his secretary Max had instinctively wrapped himself tightly around Serge.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
Max asked in a flushed tone, quickly checking Serge’s condition.
“I am fine.”
As he answered, Serge’s gaze fixed forward, and his brow gradually furrowed.
Because he knew all too well the person blocking his path.
“Marita?”
The woman with heavy makeup and a severely tight dress was the soprano Marita Belmon, with whom Serge had briefly been involved in a scandal.
She immediately approached Serge, who had stepped out of the car.
Her voluptuous face was completely covered in tears…….
* * *
The union of Aeplin, the golden apple of the Croisen Empire, and Lucent, the master of black money, carried many meanings.
Gossip and mockery, the power of love that transcended status, and so on…….
It was certainly the wedding of the century.
Considering Aeplin’s circumstances, Lucent personally walked the path of matrimony together with the bride.
Unlike the distinguished guests, who stirred and murmured with each step they took, Aeplin and Lucent were very calm.
A soft light lingered around Aeplin, whose face was covered by a white veil, and Lucent, too, guided the bride to the platform with a composed posture.
Of course, his nerves were so sharp that he heard every whisper of the distinguished guests from all around.
“Why do those two suit each other?”
“I know, right. I thought Lady Hapen’s match was only ever meant to be Crown Prince Serge…….”
“I actually think Bank President Lucent suits Lady Aeplin better.”
“Who would call him a criminal’s son?”
“Money is truly great. It can package bloodline so flawlessly.”
Lucent was not particularly bothered by the words he heard about himself here and there.
Bitterly enough, he had long since passed the stage where words like that could shake him.
Instead, every time Lucent looked at Aeplin veiled in white, he was satisfied that he had not wasted his money.
Because he loved her, or because she was a bride beyond his station……?
It was by no means for such reasons that his heart stirred.
It was most accurately described as a sense of achievement at having accomplished the major business feat of marriage.
Still, it was certain that he had gained an intangible value that mathematical calculation alone could not provide.
‘Magnificently beautiful.’
Lucent’s lips curved into a smile.
Just then, at the bishop’s words officiating the ceremony, Lucent lifted Aeplin’s veil.
At that moment, everyone fell silent as if by agreement and fixed their eyes on the two.
At last, when the bride’s face was fully revealed, people simultaneously let out gasps of admiration.
For Aeplin, the familiar flowery words of praise were no longer necessary.
“His Highness the Crown Prince made a great mistake.”
“I suppose this is why they say destiny is separate.”
In their words, pity for the Crown Prince and praise for the beautiful Aeplin and Lucent were mixed together.
Aeplin raised her head and looked at Lucent.
Even though it was her own wedding, it had not felt real, but now she finally understood.
“You have become my season.”
It is said that human life is like the four seasons.
From now on, Aeplin would have to spend the seasons of her life with Lucent, and depending on her married life with him, it could become a cold summer or a warm winter.
“……?!”
With a flushed face and shyness on her lips, Aeplin whispered the meaning of her words.
“I hope that season will not be harsh.”
It felt stronger than any words.
Lucent gave Aeplin a gentle smile.
At that moment, multicolored light pouring from the stained-glass window behind him illuminated him mysteriously.
As if foretelling the life they would navigate together, the light quickly shifted through many colors.
Thus the wedding proceeded peacefully and sacredly.
As the bishop began the service, the atmosphere of the hall grew increasingly reverent.
In truth, Lucent was not particularly moved by the repeated prayers and worship.
He merely wanted the ceremony to end quickly so he could feel relieved.
So he could only hope the bishop would conduct the wedding quickly.
But even in the 20th century, the empty formalities of the 19th century still ran rampant, wasting precious time.
Could it not be more concise and efficient?
Yet his bride looked solemn, as if the bishop’s grand speech were a divine revelation.
After that, the bishop continued to preach like a fish in water.
Then, only after seeing his mother Monica yawning widely in the distinguished guests’ seats did he snap to attention.
He had nearly become the same kind of person as them.
Then the bishop loudly proclaimed to everyone.
“I declare that the holy matrimony between Lucent Blackakson and Aeplin von Hapen has been completed.”
When it seemed the end would never come, the wedding finally reached its close, and the distinguished guests all offered congratulations and applause, raising the atmosphere of joy to its peak.
Soon the boys’ choir’s celebratory song rang out pure and clear like the song of angels.
“……You may kiss the bride.”
At the bishop’s words, Lucent lowered his head toward Aeplin’s lips, and just then, at the edge of his left vision, he saw Leon.
He had just returned after finishing the task he had been ordered to do, and his face was flushed as he breathed heavily.
‘Did he stop the Crown Prince?’
Lucent’s eyes shone sharply.
