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* * *
“Uweee!”
I writhed and wanted to swing my fists here and there, but something was tightly binding my body, so I couldn’t move as I wished.
Frustrated, I frowned and whined when I heard the voices of a woman and a man.
“Did you see that just now? Our baby is already trying to speak.”
“Hmm. Human children are insignificant.”
“…What did you just say?”
At the sharp voice of the woman, the man immediately backed down.
“She looks cute like you.”
“Hmph. Right? She also resembles Demian. Look. The shape of the upper lip here.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. How can she be so lovable. Right?”
“…It seems so.”
I felt someone poking my cheek. It wasn’t a bad feeling, so I smiled faintly, and the woman’s laughter was heard. A large hand stroked my forehead. Warm sunlight was felt from somewhere.
“Our baby, grow up healthy. Let’s live happily. I love you.”
At the warm and cozy whisper, sleep came drowsily. Who is it.
[Marion, wake up!]
My eyes snapped open at the loud voice ringing in my ears.
“…What is it?”
It felt like I had some dream, but as soon as I woke up, the memory completely disappeared. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up with a half-asleep face when Bled made a sound that snapped me awake.
[What do you mean what, it’s your wedding day!]
“Gasp!”
That’s right! Today was the day of my wedding with Kaiden!
As soon as Bled finished speaking, the door burst open. Normally, there would have been a knock first, but today was an exception.
“You’re awake, Lady Marion!”
Madame Marchioness entered with an energetic voice, leading several maids. Their faces were all resolute.
“Now, it’s the day of the decisive battle. Girls!”
“Yes!”
When Madame Marchioness clapped twice, the maids uniformly dragged me out of bed.
“Wait, just a moment. I need to eat breakfast….”
I made a weak protest, but
“Oh, there won’t be a new bride who eats breakfast. Endure it just for today. Now, let’s go!”
It was overruled by Madame Marchioness’s command.
Thus began the battle for the ceremony to be held in the afternoon.
* * *
“It’s been a really long time since I’ve been to the Archducal Castle, Bastian.”
“Indeed. Madam.”
Lilian looked around the Baltstein Archducal Castle while being escorted by Bastian. The Archducal Castle was similar to how it looked when she got married decades ago.
Guests gathered from all over the empire were dressed up and greeting each other. As it was a joyful occasion, people’s expressions were bright. It seemed even more so because it was the second such event since the empire’s reconstruction.
“Aren’t you cold?”
At Bastian’s question, Lilian slightly shook her head.
“It’s summer.”
“The summer in the north is like spring weather in the capital. It’s chilly.”
“Don’t worry, dear.”
Two months had passed since the family meeting. Although they couldn’t watch the wedding preparations of Kaiden and Marion up close, it was evident that their long-time close friend, Madame Marchioness, had put in a lot of effort.
“It brings back old memories. We also held our ceremony here.”
As Lilian reminisced, Bastian smiled gently.
“I want to hold the ceremony with you every year, Madam.”
“Oh my, you’re at it again.”
Lilian smiled and let Bastian’s words pass.
Many people approached them. Although Bastian did not receive the Archduke title and passed it directly to his son, they were still the parents of the current Archduke.
“The marriage of two heroes. Congratulations.”
“It turns out Lady Marion was the daughter of a marquis, that’s really fortunate.”
“They’re truly a well-matched pair.”
Lilian smiled and appropriately let the people’s words flow in. Whatever the hidden intentions, there was no reason not to return congratulations with thanks. It’s a joyful day, after all.
At that moment, a cheerful “Bang!” sound was heard nearby. Turning her head, there was a photographer holding a camera. Several nobles were curiously talking to him.
“A camera? Isn’t that the one where you have to stand still for hours to take a picture? It must be difficult to use at a wedding?”
At one noble’s question, the photographer answered.
“No! This is the latest camera. A magician named Durante succeeded in improving it. It can take pictures instantly the moment you press the shutter!”
People exclaimed in admiration.
“Is that possible?”
“They say he poured in magic stones and condensed them!”
“How much would the price be?”
“I want one too!”
“Sigh, don’t even mention it. I only have it because the Archducal family supported me; the price is enormous.”
“Oh, come on, how much is it!”
When the photographer mentioned the price, gasps were heard from the surrounding people.
“No, did the Archducal family just support that?”
“It’s an enormous price.”
“Well, Baltstein is a place where magic stones pour out, so money wouldn’t be an issue.”
“I’m curious how the photos will turn out. They’ll be in the newspaper too, right?”
“Of course. It’s the marriage of the wastrel and the mad warrior… Ack, no! The marriage of the two heroes.”
“Ah, haha! Right!”
People laughed awkwardly while glancing at Lilian and Bastian. Lilian smiled.
As time passed, the reputation of Marion and Kaiden returned to their original names. From two heroes to the wastrel and the mad warrior.
It started with interviews in the newspaper from some knights who participated in the Great Demon War. They likened the two sword masters this way.
It seemed like the wastrel was dancing with her sword, slaughtering hundreds of demons, and no warrior throws their sword unless they’re mad, but throwing the sword without hesitation looked like a madman.
Lilian was curious if the content was true. Did our children really do that?
“Soon the wedding ceremony will begin! Everyone, please take your seats!”
At Vito’s shout, people began to move.
Bastian asked Lilian.
“Shall we go too, Madam?”
“Yes. Let’s go, dear.”
The two looked at each other and smiled. It was now their turn as parents to watch the place where they had walked long ago.
* * *
On one side of the Archducal Castle, there was a chapel dedicated to the goddess Nix.
Behind the chapel, a backdrop of perpetual snow and a large lake unfolded, creating a picturesque scene. A chapel where one could see a snowy mountain background in midsummer would only be here, in Baltstein.
Traditionally, the direct line of the Baltstein family held weddings here. Today, I too will hold the ceremony here.
My heart was pounding like crazy. The white veil covered my tense face, but it couldn’t hide my trembling hands holding the flowers.
“Lady Marion, relax. Deep breaths, deep breaths.”
“Hoo-ha, hoo-ha.”
[Take it a bit slower. Think of it as enjoying.]
I followed Madame Marchioness in breathing. As Bled said, I wanted to enjoy it. But as soon as the chapel doors opened and I saw many people waiting for me, my whole body stiffened.
“The bride, Marion Krugman, enters!”
The attendant shouted in a loud voice. I walked slowly.
‘Tap the front of the dress lightly….’
I repeated in my mind what Madame Marchioness had told me to avoid stepping on the dress and falling.
As I entered the chapel, faint applause from people reached my ears. Glancing sideways, I saw familiar faces.
The vassals of the Archducal family, nobles I had seen in the capital sometime, the captain of the guards and some knights, Marquis Fernandi, Kaiden’s parents, the previous Archduke, and the Demon King.
There were voices here and there saying that originally, my biological father, the Demon King, should hold my hand and enter, but after deliberation, it was decided that I would enter alone.
I didn’t like the performance of my biological father handing me over to Kaiden, and I also had a strong desire to go to Kaiden alone.
To him who is smiling brightly and welcoming me now.
“Marion.”
Kaiden extended his hand. I placed my hand wearing white gloves on his. The warmth felt through the fabric melted my tense heart.
Standing side by side, the officiant came to the podium and began the officiating speech. He had us exchange marriage vows and declared the marriage complete. People applauded. Soon, Lucas, who had become emperor, came out and gave a congratulatory address.
“I truly bless the union of the empire’s two heroes. Since their love could not be separated even by demons, I hope they live as a happy couple for a long, long time. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Kaiden replied, and I curtsied. As Lucas stepped down, he winked at me. I responded with a smile. Seeing that, Kaiden narrowed his eyes and glared at Lucas.
Applause erupted again, and this time, Saintess Stella came up to bless us.
“I sincerely congratulate the holy union of the two heroes. Since not even a crisis like death could separate the two, may the blessing of the goddess Nix be with you both.”
A halo of light emerged from Stella’s hand, hovered over Kaiden’s and my heads, and disappeared. Originally, it was planned for the holy power to completely envelop our bodies, but it was canceled because my skin stung too much.
I lifted my eyes and looked at the goddess statue behind Stella.
Why did Nix show me my previous life? Why me of all people? To stop the rampage of the Demon King and Pheres? To prevent the world’s destruction?
I don’t know exactly what the reason is, but perhaps… it might be a divine revelation to be with Kaiden.
“You two, the vow kiss.”
At Stella’s words, I looked beside me and Kaiden was smiling. He slowly lifted the veil. We looked at each other. It was embarrassing to kiss in front of so many people.
I closed my eyes and raised my head. I felt Kaiden’s breath. Warmth was transmitted….
Bang!
The cheerful sound of the camera rang out, and the sound of people applauding and cheering was heard.
The breath gradually moved away, and when I gently opened my eyes, I saw Kaiden’s smiling face.
“I love you, Marion.”
He whispered. For some reason, it felt like tears would come.
“Me too. I love you, Your Grace.”
“Name.”
Even on a day like this, he’s stubborn about calling his name. With a tear hanging in the corner of my eye, I burst into laughter.
“I love you, Kaiden!”
Amidst people’s blessings, the wastrel and the mad warrior get married.
<The Ruffian and the Mad Warrior Get Married complete>
