Chapter 445
The path to St. Paronas Cathedral—no, to the wedding venue—was quiet. With only two people in the carriage, I didn’t expect much noise, but I certainly didn’t anticipate a complete lack of conversation.
Yet, oddly enough, the silence didn’t feel awkward. Both Mar and I were keeping our mouths shut, but we knew the emotions behind that silence. Speaking felt impossible; just looking at each other made my heart race.
‘This feels different.’
Through the carriage window, Mar was intentionally gazing outside. She looked cute and beautiful, but honestly, that was an everyday sight. Mar is always cute, beautiful, and kind.
However, on the day of our wedding, seeing Mar, who I usually saw every day, felt different. I was looking at future bride Mar, not just the everyday Mar, and my heart fluttered.
‘First wedding.’
Thinking of that phrase brought an automatic smile to my face. Yes, today was the day of my first wedding, and that made me even more excited. I had a first love named Hecate, but never had a formal wedding ceremony. And Mar? Let’s not even go there.
Besides, as the groom, I had to endure five more weddings after this one, making it a unique and special day where both the bride and groom experience their first wedding together.
…Thinking about it this way makes me feel like a complete jerk for putting the others through this.
“Mar.”
As time went on, I pictured myself becoming a wedding expert, so I spoke up. By the time I got to my second, third, and fourth weddings, I’d have a relaxed demeanor instead of feeling nervous. Then, I could even enjoy this time spent on the way to the venue.
But spending this precious time in silence with Mar? That would be unkind to her.
“Thank you for marrying me.”
“Um, huh?”
Maybe that was a bit too intense of a start, as Mar, now looking my way, froze like a deer caught in headlights.
Oops. I had just ignited a powder keg by thanking Mar for marrying me when her head was surely filled with wedding thoughts.
Of course, I don’t plan to retract what I said. Now that I’ve jumped in, I might as well go all the way.
“After quite a few detours and delays, thank you for waiting and understanding. I promise to ensure you won’t regret being with me.”
With that, I shifted from sitting across from Mar to sitting beside her. I casually wrapped my arm around her waist and drew her closer.
“So, how about we follow in your father’s footsteps and have six children?”
“Wh-what?!”
Mar’s eyes darted around, and she seemed lost for words.
She must be confused. Is that six kids encompassing all my wives, or am I really asking for six just with her? That would definitely throw her off.
“You know, if we have over thirty kids, this mansion will be lively!”
I added teasingly, smiling at the latter insinuation, but I could see Mar’s pupils trembling in response.
“K-Karl…”
But the tremors were short-lived.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll do my best.”
Her resolute answer made me burst out laughing. Of course, I was just joking about having six kids. What kind of insane husband would unilaterally impose a plan for that many children on his wife? Not two or three, but six?
I merely wanted to lighten the mood since Mar seemed excessively tense—
“I heard the former empress had seven children. Thanks to that, the royal family was able to stabilize the chaotic empire in its early days.”
…?
“The strength of the Krasius family is firm, but the more bloodlines, the better,” I added.
Seeing the sparkle in Mar’s eyes, I sensed something was amiss.
“Right. The more, the merrier.”
However, once again, I didn’t pull back. If I showed signs of awkwardness or claimed it was all a joke now, I might risk having the spirited Mar be consumed by embarrassment again.
I ended up piling up more karma for myself today.
As we entered the wedding venue, I spotted a familiar face yawning.
“Oh, Executive Manager.”
It was the Second Manager.
“Have you been here long?”
“I had to show the way, so I should arrive earlier than anyone else. I’m not that inconsiderate.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the Second Manager’s bustling demeanor. Despite his playful image, he seemed to take his role quite seriously.
“Please welcome Madam too. Thankfully, there are no clueless guests arriving before the main characters!”
“Ha, is that so? Thank you.”
Mar nodded and smiled in response to the Second Manager’s enthusiastic report.
Indeed, just as the Second Manager said, the guests hadn’t arrived yet. The only ones lingering around were the royal staff and priests managing the cathedral as the wedding venue. The only additional faces were the few executives from the Information Department whom I’d invited.
‘Should I have skipped calling them altogether?’
Watching the surprisingly large number of staff made me stroke my chin. I had called the executives to help me with the guest book and handle the congratulatory envelopes, but had I known there would be so many people, I could have let them just attend as guests.
As I contemplated whether to tell them to relax now, the Senior Manager, attracted by the Second Manager’s laughter, approached and bowed.
“Welcome, Executive Manager.”
“Oh, I just arrived. You’ve been working hard since morning.”
I patted the Senior Manager’s shoulder, feeling a bit shy. To be honest, bringing the Senior Manager over just for the Information Department’s founding duties felt a bit mean.
“It’s only natural for subordinates to come and brighten the wedding of their boss. Don’t worry about it.”
As if reading my mind, the Senior Manager spoke with a calm tone.
That wasn’t wrong. If the head of a department gets married, it can perform as a showcase of that department’s strength and unity. Look at how dedicated the subordinates are to their boss—it’s an excellent display.
Of course, the executives from the Information Department were far from devoted employees, but outsiders would be blissfully ignorant of that harsh reality. Either way, it’s a solid way to show the strength of the Information Department.
“…If you get tired from working, feel free to switch with someone from the royal staff. Let 3rd and 5th Managers know too.”
“Yes, understood.”
I granted them the last remnants of my conscience for voluntary shifts and headed off.
‘I might have to give more.’
Then, I resolved to double the amount of money promised for their work instead. That felt like an adequate amount to lessen my guilty conscience.
“Hey, Karl.”
“Yeah?”
Suppressing my bitter emotions as I walked, Mar tilted her head curiously and asked.
“Why do you still call yourself an Executive Manager? Aren’t you supposed to be a Minister now?”
Her genuine perplexity took me momentarily by surprise. Contrary to her assumptions, the Information Department was still in its precursor state, so my official title was technically still Executive Manager.
The odd thing is everyone, including the Emperor, keeps treating me like a Minister.
In the groom’s waiting room, I sat alone, welcoming friends and acquaintances as they came. This might be the only time today that I’m separate from Mar.
Truthfully, I wanted to be in the bride’s waiting room with her, but unlike me, Mar had many friends, and I’d only be a hindrance. Regrettably, I had no choice but to hold on.
“Wow, you dressed appropriately for once. I thought you’d come in your uniform.”
“If I wore the uniform, I’d match all the other guys. People might think there’s a lineup of grooms.”
“That’s true.”
I replied curtly to the Minister, who was already poking fun at me, and he nodded, seemingly agreeing.
Wearing the blood-soaked uniforms of the Information Department at a wedding is a no-go. The mere idea of showing up in the same outfit as a few of the executives from the Information Department floating around the venue would be downright horrifying.
“So, is it okay for the groom to just sit around? What about the guests?”
“Your father-in-law’s nephew was just lounging in the waiting room.”
Fortunately, in this world, whether the groom welcomes guests in the hall or relaxes in the waiting room, it’s entirely his choice. There are no set rules or unwritten customs.
So without hesitation, I opted for the waiting room. Once I stepped out to greet guests in the hall, I’d have to do it for the next five weddings too. Honestly, that sounded like a hassle.
“Now that you’re a married man, you should start taking it easy on your chatter. The Executive Manager should be a little more… well, executive.”
“Hey, you treated me like a Minister up until now, so don’t switch it up just because it’s my wedding.”
We squabbled a bit, exchanging words with the Minister.
Fortunately or unfortunately, there were few acquaintances who’d come to greet me in the waiting room. I had enough time to engage in a verbal sparring match with the Minister.
“Anyway, congratulations on the wedding. I never thought a guy like you, who seemed destined to live alone, would end up with six wives. Life is unpredictable.”
“I didn’t foresee it either, so it’s all good!”
“Ha, if you had known, that would’ve been even weirder!”
After sharing a short laugh, the Minister placed his hand on my shoulder and fell silent.
Normally, this would have made me feel uneasy, but the Minister’s expression was surprisingly serious, so I endured it.
“Make sure to be happy. That way, when I die, I’ll have some decent face to show to those I lost.”
“…Yes, I will definitely do that.”
The Minister nodded in response to my answer and casually left the waiting room.
‘Guess he feels relieved now.’
Seeing the Minister made me feel a sense of kinship. Just as I had lost valuable friends, he too had lost dearly cherished subordinates. Among those, the only one left was me, so I must have been his sore thumb and emotional burden. Someone he worried would meet the same fate as the rest.
Yet, that last remaining person was already starting a family. He wasn’t clinging to the memories of lost friends but instead was looking toward new bonds. In the Minister’s eyes, this wedding must symbolize that the last subordinate can continue to live happily.
Perhaps that’s why the Minister looked lighter on his feet than usual.
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