Chapter 26

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

Diego’s reply was steady, as if oblivious to the restless murmur of the hall. Anais, following his lead, shut her ears to the world as she replied in a quiet whisper.

“Yes. It’s just that this is my first time in the imperial palace and my first wedding. I’m a little nervous.”

He caught even that faint whisper and responded in a hushed voice.

“In a little while, all these eyes will drift away from us. You needn’t worry.”

With those words, the two began to walk quietly forward.

On either side of the red carpet, white flowers had been arranged in long, graceful rows so that the path ahead looked as if it were embroidered with fresh, delicate blossoms. Where that lush trail of petals ended, the very edge of the carpet came into view. At last, they reached the place where their wedding vows would begin.

Before the pair who had walked together stood a series of steps rising in tiers, yet those stairs, unadorned by the red carpet, weren’t meant for them to ascend. Beyond the steps, upon a high dais, sat the Emperor, the Empress, and their son, the Crown Prince.

As he had predicted, the guests’ gazes that had been fixed on the couple now turned towards the imperial family.

Blonde hair and crimson eyes, so alike they might have been cast from a single mold. From every corner came words of praise for the Emperor and his heir.

The Grand Duke, who stood out clearly as different from those noble figures, simply stood there in silence.

At the center, seated between Emperor and Crown Prince, the Empress, her brown hair elegantly coiled, cast a sharp, appraising gaze over the two of them.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Diego and Anais bowed first. The Emperor gave a brief nod in reply while the Empress simply turned her head away.

And so, with the steps between them, the two of them stood below, facing the imperial family. From the dais above, the imperial family gazed down upon the pair below. The distance between them that couldn’t be bridged, both in status and in their eyes, laid bare for all to see.

Amid these familiar circumstances, Anais found herself coming to a quiet realization. Perhaps the path the Grand Duke had walked and her own experience of being ostracized within Orelcian weren’t so different after all. And the road she was to walk from now on would be much the same. Yet, it didn’t feel suffocating or painful like it had in the viscount’s household. After all, she and the Grand Duke were bound by contract.

With calm resolve, she weighed in her mind the duties she would need to fulfill as the Grand Duchess.

At that moment, the Emperor’s voice rang out.

“As sovereign of the Empire, I hereby grant my blessing upon the marriage of Grand Duke Diego Lisandro and Anais Orelcian. May abundant blessings be bestowed upon them.”

Notably, the Emperor referred to Diego as Grand Duke, not as a member of the imperial family. When he finished speaking, applause rippled through the hall.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

A short time later, a high priest dressed in immaculate white robes approached the spot where Anais and Diego stood. His long hair, a deep shade of silvery gray, moved softly with each motion. With his hair loosely gathered behind him, he offered a courteous introduction.

“I’m Deinous Benedict, the High Priest who will be officiating your wedding ceremony today.”

He was a man who had served as high priest for many years. As such, he had presided over countless wedding ceremonies, and his manner was practiced and assured.

“Once I read the marriage vows and bestow my blessing upon you both, the ceremony will be complete. If either of you has any objections, please state them now.”

Through the clear lenses of his spectacles, the High Priest’s golden eyes slowly closed and reopened. He said nothing more as though awaiting their reply.

“I have none.”

“…Nor do I.”

After the Grand Duke answered first, Anais murmured, her answer scarcely more than a whisper.

“Very well. Then, let us confirm the particulars.”

Deinous, holding the ceremonial scroll, recited the names written within.

“Are you Grand Duke Diego Lisandro?”

“I am.”

“And are you Anais Orelcian?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Though they gave the same answer, Deinous’s golden gaze lingered on Anais a moment longer. He held her eyes for a moment longer, as if searching for something.

Anais, uncertain, merely blinked in confusion.

“If you’re finished confirming, let’s proceed.”

The Grand Duke’s cold voice intervened, breaking the silence between them. Only then did Deinous turn his attention away from Anais.

“Very well.”

The High Priest, as if the moment had never occurred, turned his eyes to the declaration he was about to deliver. Meanwhile, Diego’s gaze remained sharp upon the man in front of him as he pondered inwardly.

‘…This is the first time.’

A razor-sharp wariness flashed in Diego’s crimson eyes.