Chapter 27

Diego deliberately widened the distance between himself and Anais, putting space between them and the High Priest. Moments later, the High Priest began to recite the rites of holy matrimony.

“Will Your Highness Diego Lisandro and Lady Anais Orelcian swear before God to walk the same path, understanding and cherishing one another as husband and wife?”

Deinous fixed the pair with his vivid golden eyes.

“I swear.”

“Yes.”

“…Then by this, I proclaim you bound in sacred matrimony.”

Another round of ceremonial applause erupted. Amidst the noise, Deinous stepped forward and addressed the couple.

“Let me bestow a blessing upon you both.”

He reached out his hand toward Diego.

At that instant, Diego’s red eyes flashed, sharp as a blade, as if cutting through him. Yet, contrary to the unsettling glint, he lowered his head without protest. A moment later, light bloomed from Deinous’s hand before brilliant gold, divine power descended onto his ink-dark hair.

The divine power enveloped him, then faded away without a trace.

“May God’s blessing be upon you.”

With an impassive voice, Deinous withdrew his hand, then turned towards Anais. When her turn came, she cautiously inclined her upper body toward the High Priest.

“….”

Meanwhile, Deinous pressed his parched lips together. His hand slowly reached toward Anais’s silver hair, which was so much like the silver hair he had searched for so desperately.

At last, Deinous’s divine power touched Anais.

The light that flowed from his hand spread gently at first, then grew steadily brighter. The golden divine power lingered on her a little longer than it had on Diego. When the blessing ceremony ended, hee finally stepped back. A rare, deep smile graced his lips.

“May God’s blessing be upon you.”

His golden eyes, no longer wandering, rested solely on her.

Even though he spoke the same words he had given to Diego, they carried an unmistakably different weight. However, Anais herself failed to notice this. For the first time, she had received a warm blessing. The sensation lingered, echoing through her even after the light had faded.

She stared in a daze at her hands and body, where the glow had passed.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Bowing her head to the High Priest, Anais thought to herself,

‘So this is what a blessing feels like. It’s warm… and strangely wondrous.’

It was as if even the emptiest parts of her were being filled. However, the warmth, sadly, didn’t last. Her body felt refreshed, but the comforting heat vanished quickly.

‘…It’s like the Grand Duke. That kindness that could vanish or turn cold at any moment.’

With a bittersweet set to her lips, she forced herself to push away the thought.

In the meantime, the High Priest withdrew, leaving only the Grand Duke and Anais standing on the dais. Even after the blessing, the ceremony was not yet over. The eyes of the crowd turned once more to the pair.

“I should have mentioned this earlier, but traditionally, the final act of the wedding is…”

The Grand Duke spoke in a low, hesitant voice.

Watching him, she realized what he was about to say. A faint flush warmed her cheeks, but she quickly masked it, responding with practiced composure.

“I heard from the maid. It’s all right, you may go ahead.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. I promised to cooperate as much as possible.”

She met his gaze, her expression unwavering.

“This is an official occasion where we must play the part of husband and wife.”

It was one of the stipulations in their contract. Anais’ voice was steady as she spoke, already prepared for situations like this from the very start of their marriage of convenience.

Still, the Grand Duke seemed reluctant.

With painstaking care, he reached out and slowly lifted her bridal veil. His touch made the white veil tremble ever so slightly. Feeling it, Anais met his eyes. Meanwhile, a murmur spread through the crowd all around them the moment her face was revealed through the layers of fine fabric.

“They said she had royal blood. You could tell even from a distance.”

Her hair was as bright and silvery as the veil itself, her skin as pale as parchment, but what shone brightest were her eyes, sparkling like finely ground amethyst. Her eyes were neither showy nor plain yet seemed more precious than any jewel.

“It’s strange. Someone like her should have stood out in society, but this is the first I’ve seen her.”

“I heard she only attended a handful of exclusive gatherings with the highest nobility all season.”

“Not even a single portrait of her has circulated.”

“My goodness. They say the Viscount raised her as preciously as a princess, and it does seem to be true.”

Rumors, most of them far from the truth, were spreading like wildfire.