Chapter: 651
Finally, the wedding day has arrived.
It’s the day of my last wedding, marking the end of a three-year-long relay of ceremonies. I deserve all the congratulations and applause coming my way.
“Congratulations! You’ve finally got so many wedding rings that you can’t count them on one hand anymore.”
As the Judicial Minister threw this jab at me early in the morning, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
While it’s a tease, he’s not entirely wrong. Once I exchange rings with Penelia, I’ll be sporting six rings in total! Thankfully, my fingers are on the smaller side, so I can manage them on one hand; however, moving from five to six rings means I’ll need both hands to keep track now.
But hey, in my current life, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s not just random adornments; these rings symbolize ties with six wonderful women. More is certainly merrier!
Besides, there’s someone down in the Duchy to the South who needs three hands just to manage all their rings, so who am I to worry?
“The heavier my hand is, the heavier my love for my wives, right? It’s a good thing, if you ask me.”
“Always with the charming words, aren’t you?”
He cracked a smile at my response.
“How heavy must that love be if you’re bragging about it to your children?”
That remark hit a bit close to home.
It’s one thing to be acknowledged for having multiple wives, but getting used to my children being guests at my wedding? That’s still a bit foreign to me, even on the day of my last wedding.
Honestly, who could get used to that? It’s legal polygamy, not some scandalous affair, but tying the knot in front of them still feels like a bit much…
“Not that I can just leave them at the mansion, either.”
Back when they were little enough to be tucked into bed, leaving them with the staff was doable.
But now, we have many little ones who can walk or crawl around. I can’t just have them miss out on such a big family gathering. If I left them behind, I can imagine the sad, puppy eyes they’d shoot my way.
“…Isn’t it a wondrous experience for the kids to witness their mom and dad tying the knot?”
“Not exactly a necessary experience.”
The Minister let out a chuckle and began scanning the surroundings. “Deal’s been made, so now I’ve lost interest in you.”
Not long after, a voice called out—exactly the person the Minister had been anxiously searching for.
His face, which had been scanning around frantically, instantly relaxed at the sight. The person was none other than his boy, whom he treated like his own son or grandson.
“Pedi! Your dad’s busy today, so this guy…”
However, he paused for a moment as he turned expectantly toward the voice.
It wouldn’t be strange for a muscular, middle-aged man to flinch at the sight of a child, but I totally got it.
“Bear! Get over here now!”
“Got it!”
Who wouldn’t be surprised if a little darling came riding a bear?
“…Are they attending the wedding too?”
“They cried if they didn’t see him.”
I answered his incredulous question with a wry smile.
The critters have become a normal part of our children’s lives. Taking the kids without them is a level of impossibility.
“I doubt druids start training with bears in their youth, though.”
I involuntarily nodded at the Minister’s mumbling.
It’s definitely a combination you might only find in founding myths. Even druids, who were supposed to be friends of the animals and nature, likely didn’t get to chummy with bears as toddlers.
Although whether druids still exist on the continent is another question entirely.
“Why’s Pedi riding a bear, though? Didn’t we have horses or deer?”
“They’re just too noisy with their hooves clattering around.”
He cited the noisy racket created by hooves on marble floors as the reason.
It was surprisingly practical reasoning, so the Minister nodded, albeit reluctantly.
*
I sat in the bride’s waiting room, fidgeting with my fingers.
Everything felt so strange. The meticulous makeup, the flowing dress, the serene sitting—none of this was my usual vibe.
Makeup and dresses were never part of my life, and dressing comfortably while bustling around was all I knew after becoming the beloved servant to my master.
Still… even if this situation felt odd, I didn’t dislike it.
“You look gorgeous, Madam!”
“Yes! You’re stunning!”
Yuris and Sophia perked up beside me, their eyes sparkling.
“Such a cliché, but your beauty is blinding. Your master must be head over heels for you.”
The butler used formal address now that it was the wedding day.
“Absolutely! There’s nothing lacking for the lady of the Krasius family!”
“Once this wedding’s over, stay clear of the Special Operations branch for a few years!”
The butler’s quip had the mansion staff and old Mukgwangdae bursting into laughter behind him.
They spoiled me with praise, treating me like the star of the show. I had family who shared in my greatest happiness.
“Thank you, everyone.”
I opened my mouth, no longer just a prospective lady or special officer, but as one among the family.
Thank you for celebrating with me. Thank you for loving me.
“If you’re grateful, let’s have healthy kids—!”
“Y-Yuris!”
It was Yuris who made that sudden declaration, but it was Sophia who looked utterly flustered.
Under normal circumstances, I would’ve scolded Yuris for saying something so strange, but today was a happy day. We had to laugh!
And just like Yuris said… as long as I had no issues… I could also have a child right after the wedding…
“Director! Your face is turning red!”
Startled by the head of Special Operations’ remark, I quickly cleared my throat and gathered my thoughts.
In about an hour, I’d be standing in front of my master and all the guests. I couldn’t afford to show any signs of weakness on the day of their last wedding.
For the perfection of my master’s last ceremony; a wedding that would have everyone cheering.
“Peni! I’m here too!”
Just as I was settling my nerves, I heard Erich’s voice calling from the entrance to the waiting room.
“W-Wait! Didn’t we say Peni should be the only one here right now?”
“Time spent with family is precious. We can’t interrupt that.”
“But we’re a family now!”
Shortly after, the voices of my fellow wives joined in, sparking a smile across my face.
Having everyone here together might not be a bad idea after all.
The, th-th-th-this is my Master’s last vow… For everyone to celebrate…
…
“Calm down now.”
I needed to settle my heart. Keep it steady… find my inner peace…
“Peni, are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine.”
I stuttered at the gentle whisper from my Master.
This is embarrassing. I had determined I would perfectly execute today’s ceremony in the bride’s waiting room. The grand first wedding went splendidly, and following that, all four weddings were equally remarkable. If I could carry that spirit into today, it would be flawless.
The first wedding was like the majestic head of a dragon; the last should be just as dignified, like its tail. It must be so.
“That’s the plan, but…”
Standing alongside my Master in front of the officiant, my steadied heart began to wobble. The gazes of all the guests made me shiver.
It felt odd. Besides my Master’s soft whispers and sweet caresses, nothing else had ever shaken me. Yet, at this very moment, during the most crucial of timings…!
“Peni.”
“Yes, yes.”
As I tried to swallow my self-deprecation, my Master’s soothing voice echoed in my ear.
“Isn’t this a bit tedious? Everyone knows we’re already married, so why go through this hassle? We’ve been trapped in ceremonies when we should just be living as a couple.”
I blinked at those words in surprise.
My Master’s serious commitment to weddings was something I was known to appreciate deeply. So why are they saying this?
“I think the repetitive weddings are just getting to me. A few congratulations is fine; getting six feels a bit much.”
“R-Really?”
His quiet whispers echoed like a drum in my heart.
This is my Master’s last wedding, meant to be grand and beautiful. Yet that last one has started to feel tedious for him—
“So, think of this not as my wedding, but as your first and last one, Peni. Then I, too, have the chance to celebrate my loving wife.”
“…Huh?”
I couldn’t help but respond in surprise.
Not my Master’s wedding? The one who prepared this ceremony is my Master. All the guests gathered are here for them. The only reason I’m standing here is that my Master accepted my confession.
How can this wedding not be my Master’s? Why would I be in a position to send congratulations instead of receiving them?
“Congratulations, Peni. Thank you for joining me in this once-in-a-lifetime wedding.”
Yet, somehow…
“And thanks for letting me stand next to the main character.”
Hearing that this was my wedding, not my Master’s, soothed my heart.
Instead of anxiety, calmness washed over me; instead of restlessness, excitement surged within.
“I’m happy to be alongside you, Master.”
And from then on, I could laugh sincerely. My smile wasn’t forced but filled with genuine warmth as I looked at my Master.
This was a celebration orchestrated for me by my Master. A day just for me to bask in cheers and applause.
My once-in-a-lifetime festival!
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