Chapter 539
The peaceful Aitini Duke’s residence was echoing with screams from the incessant arrivals of guests.
To be precise, it was the servants who were dropping like flies.
“There sure are a lot of familiar faces showing up today. Feels like a New Year’s celebration all over again.”
“Well, if we’re stretching the truth a bit, it’s still technically New Year’s, right?”
Following my exchange with the guests, the conversations between the two Marquesses elevated this wedding to the level of a mini New Year’s celebration. I mean, when else would dukes and marquesses all gather like this, if not for a wedding? For the servants, who usually dealt with counts at best, it wouldn’t be surprising if they collapsed standing up.
‘Where exactly is this a wedding?’
As I looked around at the guests milling about, I couldn’t help but chuckle. They were indeed my invited guests, but the sheer scale of it kind of puffed my chest out.
But what can I say? It’s not the first time dukes have gathered for my wedding. During Mar and Trixie’s wedding, high-ranking officials held a meeting as well, so it makes sense for Rizie’s wedding to follow this trend.
Naturally, Rin, Erich, and Penelia were in the same boat. We’ll be seeing each other three more times at least.
“Minister!”
Just then, the head butler of the Nyard family rushed toward me.
“Y-your Majesty! The Emperor has arrived!”
“He’s already here, huh?”
I nodded calmly at the butler’s frantic shout. If it was a surprise visit, I’d probably have sprinted over cursing up a storm, but since this was someone I invited, it didn’t shock me.
It was just surprising how early he showed up.
‘Plenty of guests still haven’t arrived yet.’
Typically, an emperor likes to arrive just in time for events rather than showing up beforehand. It’s not laziness; he’s trying to be considerate so that no one feels pressured to arrive later than him. Plus, he’s usually swamped with work and can’t find time to arrive early.
So, he showed up when less than half the guests had arrived.
‘What kind of mischief is he up to this time?’
A seed of doubt sprouted briefly in my mind, but I shook it off quickly.
It’s too soon for him to be plotting again, especially since the repercussions of the Leon Kingdom incident haven’t fully faded. He’s not the type to instigate trouble right after a cooldown period, especially with the Empress at his side.
“With the Emperor here, I can’t just stay put. Is my father-in-law already gone?”
Since I felt at ease, I spoke up without reservations. Right now, I had to greet the emperor with the heart of a newlywed, not a servant.
“Yes! He went with the lady!”
Nodding at the expected answer, I reminded myself that although I invited them, my father-in-law is the lord of this territory. Sure, dukes and marquesses are nobility, and it’s fine for me to step forward, but it’s not good etiquette to greet the emperor before the lord of the estate.
Still, I worried about whether my father-in-law would manage to keep his composure in front of the emperor. As a baron and someone with little experience in high society, he wouldn’t usually see an emperor unless it was a New Year’s celebration.
‘…I hope he’s okay.’
I’m not trusting the emperor. I’m trusting the Empress next to him.
The Empress isn’t the sort to grip a nervous bride’s father tightly. If my father-in-law seems too flustered, I’m sure the Empress will discreetly back off.
But leaving my in-laws in a tense state was not something a son-in-law should do, so I quickened my pace—
“Ow!”
“Your Highness?”
Suddenly, I spotted the Crown Princess wriggling in the Empress’s arms.
That threw me off a bit. I didn’t expect to see the Crown Princess here, let alone that she was already grown enough to be outside.
‘Isn’t she just starting to walk?’
The Crown Princess, growing rapidly every day, was now rolling over, crawling, and even taking her first steps. Every time she did, I was right there cheering her on, so I knew this to be true.
But even if she’s walking, she’s still a delicate little baby. Did the emperor really give the okay for her to be out and about?
“Waaah!”
“Your Highness, you’ve already taken my beard…”
I lowered my head to the Crown Princess, who was flailing her arms energetically, and once again she took a hold of my chin, clearly annoyed.
Stick a fake beard on, and she yanks it off without mercy. Show my real face, and she throws a tantrum. Kids can be so strange sometimes.
“Looks like being a godfather means you’re taking care of the princess first. Quite dependable!”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’m just a lackey barely managing under Your Highness’s grandeur, so I didn’t dare take my eyes off the Emperor and Empress!”
In response to the Emperor’s joke, I replied with the right amount of respect. From my experiences so far, the Emperor doesn’t mind if his royal daughter gets greeted first. In fact, he seems to take pleasure in seeing me look after his daughter.
It’s really the Crown Princess who threw a hook at me the moment she saw me, after all. How could I greet the Emperor first with her there?
“A minister should look after his goddaughter like a daughter. You needn’t worry about the heir, baron.”
“I-I’m honored by your kind words, Your Majesty.”
As the Emperor shifted his attention to me, my father-in-law’s nervousness seemed to melt away with relief.
Damn that sly Emperor. If he isn’t raising our titles, he’s gotta stop toying with us.
“Ah, I was supposed to give a gift first, but my words got away from me.”
The Emperor gently patted my father-in-law’s shoulder and gestured to a servant standing back.
‘Here it comes.’
Eventually, a bag filled with something was passed into my hands, but I didn’t bother to check the contents.
It’s probably something from a high-ranking deity’s orchard given to the Emperor… Definitely not something you’d want to open in such a setting.
“I personally selected this for the minister and his wife. Make sure to divide it after the event.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for the generous gift!”
Feeling the weight of the apple, I nodded vaguely.
Since I live with Rizie, I might as well give half of it to my father-in-law.
“The capital is splendid but lacks tranquil beauty. Yet, this place clearly harmonizes with nature, giving it a wholly new charm.”
“Your flattery is too much, Your Majesty.”
“Ha ha, how can it be flattery? How can expressing what I feel be excessive?”
In the meanwhile, the Empress and my mother-in-law seemed to be enjoying a pleasant atmosphere together.
Truly, the Emperor’s restraint and the royal family’s conscience are something else. A superior who doesn’t intimidate his subordinates is rare to find.
“Ow!”
As if sensing my gaze, the Crown Princess extended her tiny hands toward me once more.
Yeah, you too be the restraint. Honestly, you might end up being the stronger governor.
‘“If you just say you hate dad, we’re done.”’
Just thinking about how that would make the Emperor’s face turn white filled me with warmth.
*
The wedding took place in the Great Hall of the Aitini Duke’s residence. If the weather had been nice, we’d have held the ceremony outdoors, but a winter wedding outdoors is borderline torture. Even Rizie, who loves her hometown, wouldn’t consider an outdoor wedding in winter.
“Today, on this day when my beloved disciple becomes one with a family, all I can say is that it is an honor to join in this joyous occasion.”
As Trixie, the officiant, spoke, a slight murmur rippled through the audience.
Word about Trixie and Rizie being teacher and student, as well as my future brides, has spread throughout the empire and indeed the continent. There’s no reason for surprise now.
Yet, to hear the words, “We are now family” from a teacher on a disciple’s wedding day feels distinctively different from normal situations. Sometimes, I find it surreal that I’m marrying my teacher.
“Six months ago, the bouquet I gifted came back into the world’s light. My treasure is now the new bride’s treasure.”
Watching Trixie continue with a bright expression, any lingering odd feelings quickly faded away. Teacher or not, that doesn’t really matter. What’s important is that we’re happy together.
– Right? The opinions of the participants matter more than what outsiders think.
Thankfully, the eternal blue sky agreed with my thoughts, proving that my self-justification wasn’t just a solitary affair.
…
?
‘Long time no see. How have you been?’
– Super! The fairies have been keeping me company, and the sacred energy from the World Tree has been gradually increasing!
Not startled by the sudden voice, I returned the greeting, and the eternal blue sky replied with the brightest tone I’ve heard yet.
This should be a happy occasion, but I couldn’t muster any joy. Instead, I was already working up a cold sweat.
‘You’re familiar with this.’
A voice from the heavens suddenly appearing during a wedding? I’ve faced this scenario twice already, so three times wouldn’t be odd at all.
Thus, my mind started racing. This wedding is meant to be a quiet and peaceful occasion, decided by Rizie. But now it’s packed with powerful guests, and a divine blessing shows up? Rizie’s decision would quickly be washed away—
– More importantly, congratulations on your marriage. That’s why I’m here.
‘Oh, yes, thank you.’
– ….
‘…….’
– ….
‘…Is that it?’
– Yup. Why? Want more blessings?
The calmness in the tone struck me again, but this time for a different reason.
What’s going on? Why am I not facing a familiar pattern, but something entirely new? It’s disorienting to have the person who used to place me on a pedestal behaving like this.
– I told you earlier. The opinions of the participants are more important.
In the chaos, the eternal blue sky chuckled and continued.
– No matter how eagerly I want to celebrate, if the ones being celebrated wish for quiet, I’ll have to hold back.
His commonsense and warm thoughtfulness left me momentarily speechless.
Is this… the mercy of the heavens?
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