Chapter 1
Chapter 1: A Powerful Finale
It was a historic wedding.
Everyone gathered at the wedding hall to celebrate the young emperor of the Tessibania Empire and the princess from the Veshnu Empire.
This marriage would finally put an end to the century-long war between the two empires.
The war had started over a jewel.
The legendary gem, found at the border of the two empires, was unique in the world.
Sefitiana.
It was said that the possessor of this gem could perform a miracle with the blessing of the gods.
For thirty years, Tessibania and Veshnu fought more fiercely than ever before to claim this radiant glory.
The blood of citizens soaked the ground, and the cries of the dead filled the sky.
As the prolonged war led to incessant plundering within both empires, rumors spread that the legendary gem was actually a cursed object.
The growing unrest amplified the rumors, eventually sparking rebellions throughout the lands.
Despite the miraculous power of the gem, it was not more important than retaining power.
The two empires had no choice but to extend their hands to each other.
Yet, someone had to take responsibility for the long and selfish war.
The emperor of Tessibania handed over the throne to his son, while the emperor of Veshnu recalled his illegitimate brother from exile to inherit the throne.
Although the immediate crisis was averted, the most pressing issue remained: Sefitiana.
How could they deal with this troublesome gem?
After much deliberation, the two empires decided to bury the gem where it was first found and build a temple over it, designating the area as a sacred inviolable zone.
They also vowed that neither empire would claim it and would prioritize cooperation over political interests to protect the land from external threats.
Today’s wedding was a ceremony to officially declare that promise.
Using the grand and splendid wedding, symbolizing the end of war and the promise of peace, the two empires made their vows.
As if blessing their union, a clear sky without a single cloud and the sound of trumpets filled the air.
However, amidst all the blessings, there were two people who did not smile:
The young emperor of Tessibania, Tatar de Tessibania, and Vinea Madretta Veshnu, who had become a princess due to her father, now the emperor of Veshnu.
Standing on the red carpet, Tatar extended his hand to his bride with an indifferent expression.
When Vinea raised her long eyelashes and met his hand, the red carpet reflected in her brilliant blue eyes.
Her platinum blonde hair, styled flawlessly, highlighted her noble and beautiful features under the sunlight.
The young noblemen exclaimed in admiration at the sight of the princess, more beautiful than the rumors.
However, the man standing right beside her remained completely indifferent.
Tatar’s silver-gray hair swayed, and his eyes of the same color slowly captured her figure.
Just like the new empress, the emperor’s perfect features drew admiration from the noble ladies.
After a few seconds of observing each other, the two turned their heads forward with expressionless faces.
Their gloved hands clasped firmly before separating, and they linked arms as they began to walk slowly through the pink petals fluttering in the air.
The distance to the podium was three times longer than a regular wedding, to ensure the people of both empires could see the grand event symbolizing peace.
The two walked the carpet without a single misstep.
It was Vinea who spoke first.
“Stabbing your heart with a knife back there, well done. Everyone there must have realized you had gone mad.”
Her sharp tone was hardly appropriate for someone meeting their spouse for the first time today.
In response, Tatar slightly furrowed his brow.
“Is it worse than the bride who jumped out of a moving carriage and broke her neck? Was that the twenty-fourth honeymoon? The empress leaping with a leisurely smile was quite brave.”
Despite talking about each other’s deaths, their expressions remained indifferent, as if it was a tiresome routine.
When they reached the podium, the high priest began his long officiation speech.
As his white beard shook with his lip movements, Vinea’s blue eyes showed a hint of weariness.
Nothing had changed from their past lives, not even to the point of the old priest’s breath.
Tatar frowned in irritation.
“He looks like he could die any moment now.”
His remark was rude for someone addressing the high priest of a sacred religion.
But Vinea’s sentiment wasn’t much different.
“In the twelfth round, you beheaded the high priest yourself right here.”
That incident had sparked a war between the temple and the empire.
Vinea’s expression held a faint sneer, knowing that Tatar had been pierced in the chest, neck, and left arm by the holy knights’ spears during that war, ultimately leading to his death.
“It was quite a spectacle. Feel free to do it again. I won’t stop you.”
Recalling the memory, Tatar clicked his tongue.
“A momentary lapse. I should have destroyed the temple then.”
“As if Veshnu would stand by and watch. They’d go to any lengths to stop it. They hate the idea of Tessibania growing stronger more than death.”
“Your opinion of your homeland is harsh.”
“What does it matter where we were born now?”
They couldn’t even choose the day of their deaths.
Tatar’s eyes darkened, understanding the bitter words left unsaid by Vinea.
After dying and reviving countless times, one learns that the place of birth is not that important in life.
Once, the peace of Tessibania had been more valuable to him than his own life, but that had long since become less significant than a speck of dust.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke.
“It’s time to use that method.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Is there another way? We’ve done it many times before; this shouldn’t be new.”
Vinea’s expression noticeably soured.
Though they had spent many nights together over the repeated years, doing so in such a public place was different.
Recalling how many weddings they had already gone through, she eventually nodded.
“I’ll go first. I want to end it in one try.”
“Do as you wish.”
With their agreement, the two waited for the priest to finish his almost-complete speech, staring at him with cold eyes.
The priest, struggling to endure their icy gazes, finally wiped his sweat and finished.
“—May the blessings of the gods be upon this sacred marriage.”
At his words, Vinea and Tatar turned towards each other.
Tatar took out the prepared ring and placed it on Vinea’s finger. The ring, as large and beautiful as the legendary gem, shone brilliantly but was nothing more than a detestable stone to them.
Vinea stepped closer to Tatar, her delicate frame completely overshadowed by his tall, sturdy figure.
She tossed her bouquet carelessly to the ground, the white petals crushed under Tatar’s shoe.
The subtle tension between them naturally drew the guests’ attention.
Without hesitation, Vinea reached out, pulling his strong neck down towards her.
A murmur spread among the guests.
As they drew close enough to feel each other’s breath, Vinea paused, staring at him.
What had once been daunting, silvery-gray eyes no longer felt the same.
After a moment, she released her grip, her expression discontent.
“We should find another way.”
“Is there any method left?”
“Who knows? Maybe we’ll find one after about ten more tries.”
Tatar caught her arm as it fell from his neck.
“I don’t have that much patience left.”
Vinea’s blue eyes wavered, surprised at the seriousness in his voice.
Bowing his head, Tatar pressed his lips against hers. Hot breath flowed between their parted lips.
What she thought would be a brief kiss turned out to be deep and passionate, leaving her flustered.
The guests watched the intense kiss with wide eyes, as if they were witnessing a couple deeply in love.
Tatar’s strong hand gripped the back of her neck firmly, preventing any escape.
As his other hand moved downwards, Vinea quickly slapped it away.
Their heated breaths mingled as they parted, Vinea looking at Tatar with a mixture of confusion and resignation.
“You’re truly mad, Your Majesty.”
“Better to be certain than to try half-heartedly. We haven’t even started the real part yet.”
He wiped the red mark from her lips.
For the first time, their white gloves were stained with something other than blood—a mark of red lipstick.
He tenderly wiped her lips clean before turning to face the audience.
“Shall we proceed, Empress?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The titles rolled off their tongues naturally, having been used countless times.
Linking arms, they walked towards the entrance of the hall with expressionless faces.
It was the most extravagant and intense finale of all their repeated weddings.
