Chapter 124
Though Kirine knew Ares was quick to act, she hadn’t expected this level of decisiveness. The moment they arrived at the audience chamber, she pulled on his hand. Ares turned around as if to ask what was wrong, as though there couldn’t possibly be any issue.
“Surely you’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking?”
Meeting her look of disbelief, Ares quietly nodded.
“It’s exactly what you’re thinking.”
“Now? Right now?”
His expression seemed to ask what else it could be, making Kirine wonder if this was really the right way to seek permission.
But Ares showed no concern whatsoever. If anything, he looked relieved, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“Do you not want to?”
After dragging her here so decisively, now he was watching her reaction like a dejected puppy. Kirine couldn’t help but laugh. At times like these, he was really something else.
“I’ve never not wanted to.”
She was just sometimes taken aback by his quick actions that were often hard to keep up with.
But she didn’t dislike it.
“Ares.”
Staring at the firmly closed doors of the audience chamber, Kirine spoke.
“Once we go in, there’s no turning back.”
She had no intention of breaking up or letting go. Having started this, she wanted to be together until the end. There was no option of parting ways halfway through.
Ares seemed to understand her meaning and smirked.
“Look who’s talking. Even if you regret it, I have no intention of letting you go.”
His resolute tone strangely made Kirine feel more at ease.
It was amazing how someone who was once the most detestable person she never wanted to be involved with had now become her most trusted person.
Kirine smiled softly and pulled Ares’s hand. Catching her signal, Ares nodded to the assistant standing in front of the audience chamber, and permission to enter was granted.
Unlike Kirine, who was slightly nervous, Ares entered without hesitation. As soon as they entered and gave their greetings, Ares spoke.
“I have someone I want to marry.”
At this sudden declaration, the Emperor, who had been seated, widened his eyes in surprise. Despite seeing this reaction head-on, Ares remained composed.
“No, I have someone I will marry.”
“You?”
When the Emperor, finally realizing this was real, asked in surprise, Ares quietly nodded. Then he turned to Kirine.
“I’d like to do it as soon as possible, what do you think, darling?”
“…”
Kirine looked up at Ares in shock, not expecting him to use such an affectionate term in this formal setting. But Ares just tilted his head. His expression clearly said ‘What’s wrong with that?’
‘No, read the room at least.’
Thinking he was being too inconsiderate of the atmosphere, she glanced at the Emperor, who was still in a state of shock. It was clear he hadn’t expected her and Ares to be in a relationship at all.
‘I knew this would happen.’
She couldn’t help but sigh.
In the strange silence, Kirine rolled her eyes slightly and whispered.
“I don’t want to walk down the aisle with a visible bump.”
“You heard her? Please give us permission to marry as soon as possible.”
At his demanding tone, Kirine kept anxiously checking if this was appropriate. Fortunately, the Emperor just blankly looked back and forth between Kirine and Ares.
“Really, you two…”
“Yes.”
“Really, really, you two…”
“Yes, we’re getting married.”
Ares calmly responded to the Emperor, who could barely speak from the shock.
“Ho ho… but how? How did you two…”
“Yes, we make a good match, don’t we?”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
The Emperor, who seemed to want to say something but couldn’t find the words, let out a defeated laugh and clicked his tongue.
“So all those fights were lover’s quarrels?”
“What? No, that wasn’t…”
“I suppose they were.”
While Kirine waved her hands in denial, remembering how they had fought with genuine killing intent back then, Ares brazenly agreed. He seemed eager to get permission as quickly as possible.
“Since when?”
“It’s been quite a while.”
In contrast to the confused Emperor, Ares maintained his composure throughout.
The Emperor continued to look at them as if he couldn’t believe it, but finally nodded slowly. It was a sign of approval. Ares, who noticed first, broke into the brightest possible smile, gave his thanks, and looked at Kirine.
Seeing him as happy as a child, Kirine found herself smiling without realizing it. Though she wondered if it was really that delightful, the excitement in her own heart showed she was no different from Ares.
After that, the wedding preparations proceeded quickly and smoothly, thanks to Reilly stepping in to help. From the dress to the venue and the bouquet, Reilly took care of everything, treating Kirine like a beloved younger sister. For the first time, Kirine felt touched by Reilly’s actions. Meanwhile, Ares, watching from the side, showed a sulky reaction.
“It’s my sister’s wedding too, you know.”
“You keep quiet.”
Reilly even helped find and choose flowers that would match the dress. While choosing the dress was a bit of an ordeal, with Reilly insisting she try this one and that one for almost ten days straight, Kirine felt more grateful than troubled.
‘Originally, it was planned for spring…’
The unexpected pregnancy had pushed their plans forward considerably. Though it was surprising, she was happy to be able to be with Ares sooner.
Just as they were finishing up the wedding preparations, they encountered another issue.
The wedding invitations.
The day after writing invitations for her colleagues, she delivered them one by one. Everyone was surprised by the sudden wedding news but still offered their congratulations. However, they froze when they saw the name of Kirine’s husband-to-be.
“Wait, what’s this name here?”
“Ares Arensis?”
“The Ares Arensis I know?”
“No way… Are we reading this wrong?”
But the name on the invitation didn’t change.
When everyone stared at her as if asking what was going on, Kirine avoided their gazes and responded.
“Well… that’s how it turned out.”
“No, don’t give us that vague answer. Explain! We need an explanation!”
“Are you really marrying Lord Arensis?”
“Since when?”
“Tell us quickly!”
Everyone grabbed Kirine’s arms and shoulders, urging her to explain. She spent the entire day caught up with her colleagues, explaining how she and Ares ended up getting married, unable to get any work done. Although this meant pushing her work to the next day, she secretly enjoyed telling the story.
Nous_Defions
I can imagine the faces of those present in the audience chamber flabbergasted and turning to stone, including the Emperor… And the faces of those who received the invitations… Simply PRECIOUS!!! 🤣😻🤣😻🤣😻