Chapter 40
“The Duke will be here soon. Please stand up.”
Riv was unable to move freely because of the thick veil and tight dress. The maids helped Riv up.
“Here’s your bouquet.”
Claudel handed Riv a bouquet of beautifully entwined light-colored roses.
“Now you are the perfect bride of the Duke.”
Riv’s eye level was too high because of her high-heeled wedding shoes. Everyone was below her sight.
“Don’t I look too tall?”
Claudel looked up at Riv and smiled.
“The Master is tall, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
Upon hearing the news that Riv was ready, Lionel came down.
He wore a navy blue coat with a high white collar.
He also wore a sword around his waist. She later found out that this was standard for soldiers.
The man seen through Riv’s white veil was too dignified.
“Lionel, you look great.”
Riv was truly amazed. Lionel smiled as he looked at Riv’s face through the veil.
“Riv, you look beautiful too.”
Riv was much taller thanks to her heeled shoes, but she was still shorter than Lionel.
“It looks like everything is ready. Let’s go.”
Lionel did not seem to be particularly impressed with her appearance. The maids were bewildered by his blunt words.
“Master, I believe you should compliment your bride-to-be a little more.”
“We did our best. Your bride-to-be is the most beautiful woman in the royal capital.”
Lionel shook his head.
“I already told her she was beautiful. Is there a need to compliment her further?”
Lionel’s tone was not different from usual, so Riv was rather relieved.
“Let’s go.”
Lionel held out his hand.
If Riv took his hand, she would be farther away from the carefree life she wanted.
Her life was full of twists and turns. She was killed by Princess Marianne, but she was brought back to life. Although her time was limited, Riv had not yet given up on her life.
The ring of the late Duchess led her here.
It returned Riv’s life and led her to this man.
All of this was natural and Riv couldn’t resist this man.
“Wait.”
Riv reached out and fixed Lionel’s crumpled collar. Lionel’s chin stiffened slightly as her white-gloved fingers brushed against his chin.
Lionel grabbed her wrist as it fell from his face.
Then he whispered in her ear.
“Riv, you can’t refuse to marry me. You will now be Riv Sentoren.”
“Yes, I know.”
Riv nodded her head. She fell for this man. Even if he didn’t love her and even if she didn’t know what Lionel wanted from her.
‘I want this man. He needs me too.”
Lionel held out his hand to her. Riv took his hand without hesitation.
The moment their hands touched, she heard something moving inside her.
Her selfish heart was rejoicing over her marriage to the Duke. Even if Riv didn’t live long, it was fine. Lionel belonged to her.
Thump-thump. Her heart raced.
A flower bloomed in her heart, which she thought had already dried up, and spring came. Even if spring would be its only season, it was good.
Riv held hands with Lionel and went downstairs.
The maids and the servants waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs all clapped in unison.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Duke.”
Everyone was very happy with the Duke’s marriage.
“Let’s go.”
With everyone’s applause, Riv, along with Lionel, rode the Duke’s carriage.
Riv’s wedding dress was bulkier than expected, and she couldn’t bend her waist properly because she was wearing a corset.
With her body upright, Riv stared at Lionel.
Lionel carefully arranged her dress’ hem.
“Riv, are you nervous?”
She nodded her head.
“Because it’s my first marriage.”
Lionel laughed at Riv’s answer. He looked genuinely happy.
“I’m also getting married for the first time, so don’t worry.”
[T/N: XD]
The carriage arrived at the Bishop’s Church less than 30 minutes after their departure.
Because it was a secret wedding, the carriage’s movements were elusive. The Bishop’s Church was located within the high walls built around the Celton Cathedral as if it was a stronghold.
Behind the cathedral were majestic and stylish buildings and spires. The windows of the buildings were made of colorful stained glass.
“Duke of Sentoren, please come this way. The Cardinal is waiting for the Duke and the Duchess.”
A middle-aged priest with sharp eyes guided them.
Lionel’s few escorts accompanied him, carefully looking around.
Lionel and Riv entered the Celton Cathedral, where their wedding would be held.
Inside the splendid and majestic church, Riv stared at the beautiful flowers and wreaths surrounding the central chapel.
Mysterious sunlight poured through the round skylight.
Behind the podium of the chapel was a huge stained glass window.
This space, where they came together, looked sacred and mysterious.
“This is it.”
The priests belonging to the Bishops’ Church wore uniforms and inspected the couple. Several of Lionel’s acquaintances, who would be witnesses to the wedding, were seated in chairs in front of the podium. Lionel turned to Riv and said.
“Don’t be nervous. It will be over soon.”
“Yes.”
Contrary to his words, Riv wasn’t nervous. Under her veil, her eyes gleamed with curiosity, looking around.
“This place looks romantic.”
It didn’t seem like the answer Lionel had hoped for. He said, trying to examine Riv’s expression under her veil.
“…You seem a little strange.”
“Is that so?”
Riv was completely relaxed.
A few minutes before the Cardinal’s arrival, Claudel, who accompanied them, adjusted Riv’s dress and touched up her makeup.
“The Cardinal is coming.”
The priests moved quickly.
Lionel requested that the Cardinal directly preside over their wedding to ensure that the marriage would not be disturbed by the royal family.
Marriages of nobles required the approval of the royal family and the Bishops. However, a marriage presided over by the Cardinal himself couldn’t be broken by the royal family.
Riv admired Lionel’s ability to pressure the Cardinal directly.
The priest said to the two of them.
“The wedding ceremony will start soon.”
Riv quickly recalled her past. The unloved Madame Katana was always ridiculed by the royal family, especially Marianne, who condemned her and wanted to kill her.
The moment she was murdered by Marianne, the memories of her resurrection flashed through Riv’s mind.
And Lionel.
The man whom the magic ring led her to, the man she longed for. Riv stared at Lionel.
She wanted to be happy with this man for a long, long time.
‘Is that possible?’
Shortly thereafter, the Cardinal appeared on the podium, supported by the high priests.
The Cardinal smiled at Riv and said to Lionel.
“I didn’t know that the Duke of Sentoren was going to get married so soon.”
“Please skip the grand mass. Marry me to this woman first. It doesn’t matter if you have the mass after the ceremony.”
“How astonishing.”
Cardinal and Lionel’s quarrel followed. Lionel only focused on Riv.
Her face, which was hidden under the veil, turned red at his hot and persistent gaze.
Even the old Cardinal coughed due to the awkwardness.
“If the Duke wills so, then let us proceed quickly. I also find it uncomfortable to stand for long periods of time.”
Contrary to his sharp first impression, the Cardinal had a good-natured smile. Because the mass was omitted, the ceremony proceeded very quickly.
After reciting a small prayer to God, the priests lightly sprayed the prepared holy water on Riv and Lionel to consecrate them.
The Cardinal prayed to God.
“It’s time to ask God to bless your marriage.”
Two priests stood next to Lionel and Riv.
“Repeat after us.”
“It’s a declaration to God, so you need to focus.”
At the words of the two priests, they announced their marriage to each other in the presence of God.
“God, I, Lionel de Sentoren, will be marrying Olivia de Katana.”
“God, I, Olivia de Katana, will be marrying Sir Lionel de Sentoren.”
The Cardinal prayed with his hands together on the podium.
“God, on this blessed day, these two, who are loved by You, are praying that you bless their marriage. I pray that you grant them a beautiful future.”
Lionel and Riv approached the Cardinal.
“May God bless your marriage and future.”
The Cardinal sprinkled the holy water and blessed them again.
The priests presented the marriage documents prepared by the Duke’s lawyers and the Bishops to the bride and groom.
Lionel and Riv signed each one, and Lionel’s close friends were named as witnesses on the marriage certificate.
The Duke’s representative, a lawyer, stamped the Duke’s seal on it. It ended with the Cardinal signing his name and stamping his seal.
It ended less than ten minutes after they set foot inside the church.
“You two are married, congratulations.”
The Cardinal spoke to Riv and Lionel, who had just been married.
Lionel took a ring from his coat and put it on her left ring finger. The old Cardinal looked at him with delight.
“Duke of Sentoren, you may kiss the bride.”
Lionel’s hand rolled up Riv’s white lace veil.
Their eyes met.
Riv was captivated by Lionel’s serious eyes. His face slowly covered hers. Then his lips landed on Riv’s.
Riv opened her mouth, thirsting for the feather-like kiss.
Lionel’s hot breath slowly seeped into Riv’s mouth.