Side Story 7

“Wow.”

“Was the Duchess always this beautiful…?”

“Duke Dearrut has always been handsome, but… today I can only see the Duchess.”

A beautiful wedding dress embroidered with sparkling beads and delicate embroidery. Alice, who wore the dress so dazzlingly, left the guests entranced.

As Alice walked down the pristine white wedding aisle with her arm lightly holding Kylus’s, she smiled faintly at the words of praise reaching her ears.

But the most pleasant words to hear were still:

“They match Duke Dearrut so well.”

“Thanks to her persistent pursuit of the Duke, he gained a perfect bride.”

Of course, there were some slightly irritating comments too, but she could tolerate those.

Especially since the noble who had briefly made eye contact with Kylus immediately closed his mouth like a clam.

Thus, Alice ascended to the platform at the end of the wedding aisle together with Kylus.

As Alice and Kylus stood facing each other, High Priest Prion looked down at them from one step above.

At that moment, Alice turned her head slightly. Her gaze passed just beyond Prion.

She was looking at Helios, the Sun God, visible only to her eyes.

Helios, dressed in gold-shimmering attire even more extravagant than usual, was watching her.

Wait, wearing clothes that outshine the bride? What an inconsiderate guest.

But Alice’s lips curved upward as she looked at him.

He must have dressed up for her wedding. Even though no one but Alice could see him.

Moreover, seeing him watch Kylus with a solemn face made him look exactly like a father-in-law scrutinizing his son-in-law.

As if telling the groom to treat his daughter well because he was watching.

Kylus seemed to sense this too, as a slight tension appeared on his otherwise composed face.

Though much time had passed and he could no longer directly see Helios’s manifestation, he could still feel his presence.

As sorry as she felt for Kylus, today Helios’s sharp gaze was more reassuring than anything else.

She loved Kylus tremendously, but having someone else to lean on besides him gave her an even greater sense of security in this world.

Just as Alice’s smile deepened, Helios turned his head.

In that moment, their purple eyes met. As soon as Helios saw Alice, his sharp gaze softened as if it had never been otherwise. It was a gentle, affectionate look.

He parted his lips softly toward Alice.

[You are beautiful, child.]

Alice responded with a radiant smile and whispered.

“Thank you.”

Kylus and Prion also smiled faintly.

Those two, unlike others, knew who else was present at this moment.

Alice slowly turned her head back to Kylus. As they gazed at each other, High Priest Prion began the marriage vows.

“Does Kylus Dearrut take Alice Dearrut as his bride, and swear to love only Alice Dearrut until the day he returns to the deity’s embrace?”

“My life is already yours. I will love only you until the moment my soul ceases to exist.”

Alice’s golden eyes trembled at Kylus’s weighty pledge.

As emotions welled up within Alice, Prion also asked her:

“Does Alice Dearrut take Kylus Dearrut as her groom, and swear to love Kylus Dearrut until the day she returns to the deity’s embrace?”

Alice answered immediately after the words ended.

“Yes.”

Her answer was short and firm. Though not as elegant a vow as Kylus’s, her feelings for him were by no means lightweight.

Kylus, knowing this, smiled as if he possessed the entire world.

“Please exchange the rings.”

The ring she had offered Kylus when she proposed to him was now placed back on her finger.

Though she had been wearing it constantly since that day and had only removed it briefly for today’s ceremony, it felt strange. Perhaps she finally felt the reality of truly becoming his wife.

The brilliantly shining gem overwhelmed her with emotion.

Alice gazed at the jewel on her ring finger before placing a ring on Kylus’s ring finger as well.

As the two became a perfect pair, Prion spoke for the last time:

“I hereby declare Alice Dearrut and Kylus Dearrut husband and wife. May the deity’s blessing be with you.”

At that moment, pure white light poured down upon the couple from above.

A blessing infused with divine power.

The guests merely exclaimed in admiration at the beautiful light, but among the high priests standing watch, there were murmurs of surprise.

The divine power contained in the blessing that had just descended upon the Dearrut couple was powerful enough to raise goosebumps on the high priests’ bodies.

Had High Priest Prion’s power always been this strong?

The high priests were bewildered, but Prion merely smiled. He knew the answer to this extraordinary blessing.

A divine blessing bestowed directly by the deity, Helios.

Prion glanced slightly to the side. He could see Helios, raising the corners of his lips in satisfaction.

The divine blessing had momentarily enhanced Prion’s holy power, allowing him to see the deity.

Helios, seeming to feel the gaze, smiled toward Prion before vanishing.

[I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage, child.]

Alice closed her eyes gently at the soft touch caressing her head.

A single tear of happiness rolled down, but it soon disappeared under Kylus’s touch on her cheek. Only warmth and joy remained.

Kylus held Alice’s cheeks preciously and whispered:

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

As Kylus tilted his head and Alice closed her eyes, their lips met.

Pop—

Pink flower petals, like Alice’s hair, scattered around them, and dong—a clear bell sound rang out.

To celebrate their marriage.

The wedding reception continued late into the night.

However, peculiarly, there was no alcohol, no music, and no invited guests at the Dearrut couple’s reception. Only children and adults in worn clothes were present.

This was because Alice had opened a shelter for the poor instead of holding a lavish reception, providing food, treatment, and clothing to those in need.

Rather than showing off her kind heart, Alice had felt conflicted when she heard the news about getting married at the temple.

About the poor relief center at the temple.

Although it had initially been a place she had used for her own purposes, she occasionally thought about the young siblings she had seen there.

So she had conducted this service under the guise of a reception. For her own satisfaction.

However, more people than expected had gathered, and as Alice became engrossed in caring for them, she even forgot she had just had her wedding and continued looking after people until late into the night.

By the time it was almost midnight.

Having returned to the duchy and bathed, Alice wore a bewildered expression as she looked at the slip that Madame Rosewell had said was specially made for today.

“This seems too… explicit…”

The shoulder straps of the pure white silk slip were so thin they seemed about to snap, and the dress clung perfectly to her body line.

It was the kind of provocative outfit that made one feel undressed even when wearing it.

If she went to Kylus wearing this…

The image of Kylus pulling down her shoulder strap with impressive force flashed through Alice’s mind.

Eek! This is too suggestive!!

Just as Alice’s face flushed hot, Aileen spoke:

“Explicit? It’s your wedding night, you should wear at least this much. I’m sure the Duke is expecting it.”

“Oh! What would he be expecting! The Duke isn’t that kind of person.”

Alice gave Aileen a light push.

Aileen’s body staggered, but Alice didn’t notice. She was too busy trying to hide her rising cheekbones.

But Aileen had already seen her flushed pink cheeks.

Aileen hid her smile and urged Alice to try on the slip again.

“My lady, at this rate, the night will be over. Please try it on quickly.”

“…Should I?”

Alice pretended reluctance but removed her bathrobe and changed into the slip.

Aileen bit her lips to suppress her laughter at Alice’s cuteness as she quickly put on the slip despite her words, when suddenly knock knock—a knocking sound echoed at the bedroom door.

“Could it be the Duke…”

As Aileen looked surprised, Alice shook her head.

“No. It can’t be the Duke.”

Tonight she had agreed to go to him. He would be waiting chastely for his bride.

So the person who had come to the room was probably…

“It’s Helkin, my lady.”

Alice put a robe over her slip and nodded to Aileen.

Soon, Helkin entered the room and handed Alice two crystal bottles.

“The medicine you asked me to prepare, my lady.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“And though late, I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage, my lady.”

Helkin offered his congratulations with a slightly awkward face.

Come to think of it, Helkin too had gone through many twists and turns before finding stability.

Alice smiled faintly.

“Thank you. I look forward to your continued support, Helkin.”

“I will serve you with all my loyalty, my lady.”

After Helkin bowed and left, Alice opened one of the crystal bottles and drank it in one go. Immediately, her fatigue disappeared, and her heavy body felt much lighter.

This was none other than a fatigue recovery potion made by Helkin.

She had asked him to prepare it in advance, anticipating fatigue after the wedding and reception.

Indeed, her body instantly felt refreshed.

“My lady, shall I escort you to the Duke’s bedroom now?”

“…Yes.”

Alice cleared her throat and slightly cooled her flushed cheeks with her hand, then put the remaining bottle of medicine in her slip gown pocket before leaving the room.

Heading toward her pure yet sexy groom who would be waiting for her.