Chapter 566
It was still early in the morning, but the tulip garden was already filled with guests.
‘There’s really no need for this many people.’
Watching the scene unfold, I could only fidget with this silly dress. When Rizie held her small wedding in her territory, it felt like only those who genuinely wanted to celebrate came, and that made me long for a more intimate wedding.
However, unlike the Baron Naired family, the Count Yoris family had a hard time holding a small wedding. Rizie’s father had little interest in social activities, which meant not many nobles were connected to them, but my father, for work’s sake, had to maintain ties with various nobles.
To reduce the scale of the wedding, I would have to hand-pick guests, which could lead to rumors of my father getting cocky over having a good son-in-law. With all sorts of tales circulating behind our backs, throwing a big wedding simply seemed to be the right choice.
‘Oh, look who’s here.’
As I scanned the wedding venue, I spotted someone standing out in the crowd.
A sturdy figure head and shoulders above others, with a bald head that seemed to repel any impurities.
‘Was he the Executive Manager now?’
Three years ago, he had suddenly conducted an inspection of our family and had nearly bent over to apologize to my father. At first, he seemed both annoying and intimidating, but we managed to conclude things amicably enough to meet as normal folks now.
‘…It’s probably a good idea to greet him first?’
Watching the Executive Manager’s back for a moment, I slowly stood up.
He had officially apologized to the Yoris family, and we had forgiven him. However, even if that concluded everything officially, personal feelings weren’t erased completely.
Of course, I was fine with it. Having spent time with my brother, I learned that the earlier inspection was a harmless mistake; my father often quipped that he was more at ease with his work now thanks to the wrongful inspection’s compensation.
‘But it’s different for him.’
After all, this person was my brother’s subordinate. To him, I was his superior’s wife. No matter how resolved the incident was, he might still feel uneasy having to confront it with remnants of awkwardness lingering around.
“Executive Manager.”
After finishing his greetings with other guests, the Executive Manager turned around with a calm expression and quickly bowed.
“Mrs.! It’s been a long time!”
“Yes, has it been exactly half a year since we last met at Aitini Baronage?”
“It must be around that long!”
The boisterous response sounded like a young servant addressing a noble, and I felt embarrassed myself. Maybe it would have been better not to have initiated a conversation?
No, wait. If I hadn’t, he might have taken it as a grudge and thought I was ignoring him.
“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy duties to join us today.”
Therefore, I gave a slight bow in return to the still-bowing Executive Manager.
“Though we had our unique first meeting, we can’t deny that we’re family now, right? So I hope you continue to take good care of my brother.”
“That’s too kind of you! But truly, I owe so much to the Judicial Minister!”
Hearing that made me smile softly.
“I truly suffered because of those things, and even a threefold salary wouldn’t be enough.”
I remembered my brother often saying that whenever he talked about the Overseeing Department’s past matters, especially when the managers were involved.
To think that one of the people who had shaken my brother’s spirit was so respectful to me right now. Wouldn’t my brother shout at me to handle my business better if he saw this?
“By the way, I heard you’ve gotten married as well,” I said.
“Yes, my wife is quite wonderful, truly deserving of more than me!”
“I think getting married is like declaring you’d live a completely different life, don’t you think, Executive Manager?”
“Absolutely!”
Though my question seemed random, the Executive Manager answered instantly.
“Then, let’s forget the past events between our families.”
“Pardon?”
His following remark was met with an utterly startled voice, even from the Executive Manager, who seemed full of resolve just a moment ago.
“Please don’t misunderstand. I have no feelings regarding the matter anymore. If anyone had been harmed, things would be different, but that wasn’t even a possibility, right?”
I offered the Executive Manager a gentle smile, trying to keep things light.
“I don’t want someone who is going to be in our lives frequently to feel awkward due to past events. If you’re really feeling guilty, then help my brother out as much as you can.”
“…Understood.”
The Executive Manager stood there for a moment, momentarily speechless.
It was likely shocking for him to hear those words of forgiveness so suddenly, especially when a noble spoke so directly.
But it’s better to clearly articulate that the victim is okay, and they forgive you. It lifts a significant weight off the perpetrator’s heart.
“I will remember your words.”
Finally, the Executive Manager lifted his head.
…
The wedding ceremony commenced.
“What happened with the Executive Manager?”
“Huh?”
Standing beside him at the officiant’s podium, my brother spoke up in a low voice.
“That guy suddenly said he got tipped off about me getting a wife who’s far too good for me.”
My brother frowned as if displeased, then added nonchalantly.
“How can he be so clueless to find that out only now?”
“Pfft.”
I barely suppressed the urge to laugh out loud. I couldn’t just chuckle during the wedding ceremony; that would make me the bride who goes overboard.
“Ugh…”
The officiant in front of us found himself awkwardly trying to keep his laughter in as well.
If laughter erupted here, those guests who missed my brother’s remark would think the officiant was acting strangely. It seems like it would be quite the disservice if the Cardinal from the Wulken Archdiocese in the Holy Kingdom traveled all the way to oversee the ceremony only to face such a trial here.
“The bond between the couple is genuinely beautiful, and I can foresee that blessings from above will overflow in their future.”
Fortunately, the Cardinal quickly regained his composure and spoke with a warm smile.
“And it’s truly an honor to celebrate the marriage of a couple who have received such blessings.”
Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but smile back.
The mention of blessings hit me deep. Before entering the Academy, I had no interest in relationships, but meeting my brother and arriving at this moment of marriage felt like a genuine blessing.
‘At first, he seemed like a terrifying figure.’
As I sneaked a hand into my brother’s, he met my gaze with a smile.
I had been so afraid of him, someone so warm and kind-hearted now. While there were reasons for my fear, it now seemed a bit silly looking back.
‘Thanks to the ocean, I was able to see my brother for who he really is.’
Indeed, it was thanks to the ocean. For me, the ocean is a place filled with embarrassing memories but also a home for unforgettable moments.
In that place, I had my life saved by my brother, received his kindness, and opened my heart to him. I even decided to choose the name ‘Ocean’ for my child to cherish those memories forever.
I still didn’t know if we were having a child or not, but I didn’t care. Whenever I have a child, I will definitely name them Ocean.
‘Will our Ocean come to us slowly, just like I did?’
Just like I gradually got to know my brother after seeing his true nature, like I circled around him and fell in love.
Only knowing his good traits, attracted to this wonderful man more than any other I’ve ever met.
‘No, wait.’
If they take after me, they might come quickly without delay. While my affection for my brother blossomed slowly over time, my confession had been sudden.
I’m so excited. What part of my mom will our Ocean resemble?
Oh, what if I might end up having twins? Then I’ll need a second name prepped.
‘Names…’
Even just imagining it is a joyful dilemma.
*
Throughout the wedding, a smile never left Lynn’s face. No matter what she was thinking, her face would flush red and then return to normal repeatedly—definitely better than looking gloomy.
‘It was worth it.’
Renting the whole beach certainly was the right choice. After three weddings, I had become somewhat of a romantic specialist in the world of women.
Of course, if it hadn’t been for Rizie’s advice, I wouldn’t have even known if Lynn had any concerns.
“That’s my skill too. I married a woman who can offer advice like that. I’ll just think of it like that.”
“Uh… brother?”
“Yes?”
“I can walk on my own, you know…”
As soon as the ceremony ended, Lynn, who was now snuggled against me like a princess, muttered with a very flushed face.
Between a couple, what’s the big deal with this level of skinship? But seeing her embarrassed was also cute, so I let it slide.
“More importantly, where are we going? There’s nothing up at the summit!”
While I simply smiled, Lynn hurriedly changed the subject.
We were saying our farewells to the guests and heading toward the top of the tulip garden. From Lynn’s perspective, it could only come across as the new husband’s antics.
“Nothing up there, right? That’s why it’s the perfect time to prepare a gift.”
“What?”
But nothing happens without a reason. If today is the happiest day of Lynn’s life, I certainly couldn’t afford to act carelessly.
“…Wow.”
Reaching the somewhat distant peak of the garden, Lynn’s jaw dropped in awe.
There stood a majestic mountain ash tree, surrounded by brilliantly colored tulips and a quaint log cabin.
“Isn’t it lovely?”
At that, Lynn gazed at the mountain ash with dazed eyes. It was the first gift she ever gave me and, in a way, the start of our relationship. Of course, it made sense to plant that symbolic tree at the peak of the wedding garden.
“I specially decorated it for the occasion. We’ll be here for at least a week.”
“…What?”
Finally, Lynn seemed to regain her senses and quickly looked up at me.
“Er, brother? We… already had our time at the beach last time…”
“It was just for a day.”
“B-but still, we did—”
“Are we going to skip the steak just because we ate salad?”
With a firm response, I strode toward the log cabin with purpose. Lynn, who had been hesitating for a moment, soon complied, burying her face into my chest.
Even though we entered a duo, we were going to exit as a trio.
*
Today was the day of the honorary high priest’s fourth wedding.
Naturally, I couldn’t provide any blessings again. I just exchanged regular congratulations and left it at that.
‘It’s better when it’s quiet, right?’
Though I felt like tears might fall, I tried to comfort myself. It was Enen and Constantina who made a ruckus of human weddings. Normality, like my own modest congratulations, seemed to be the norm. The honorary high priest preferred quietness as well.
So I decided to stick to polite congratulations for the remaining two weddings, and just then—
‘…Huh?’
Suddenly, divine energy surged through.
‘What’s going on?’
What on earth was happening? This wasn’t divine energy entering through the World Tree, was it?
‘Is this a dream?’
If it’s a dream, I hope it lasts a bit longer. I haven’t felt this full of life in ages.
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