C202
After the main ceremony, the reception changed location and was held in the annex of the imperial palace.
"In truth, I really have no excuse!"
Count Miloam, who was the first to run when he saw us arriving at the annex a little late because we were busy changing clothes, bowed his head repeatedly and apologized.
"With your trust in me for so long and entrusting me with such an important responsibility, I regret making such a mistake! I dared to ruin your precious wedding!"
I waved my hand to stop him.
"Oh, it's okay. It wasn't that bad. Isn't that right, Terence?"
Terence, with a smile on his face, agreed with me.
"To be honest, the first official speech the Count gave was a bit… long."
I was going to say it was boring, but changed my mind halfway through. I agreed, clearly looking into his mind.
"That's right. He responded well and tactfully on the scene. Besides, I like the change the officiant made even more."
To put it bluntly, the ceremony ended when I started to get hungry thanks to the Count.
"It's natural since I was able to eat a lot this morning because I was nervous…"
Count Miloam, unaware of my true intentions, looked at each of us with a moved expression.
"Thank you for your kind words! His Royal Highness the Prince, Her Royal Highness the Princess!"
Her Royal Highness the Princess. Once again, I felt that I had truly married Terence and became his wife.
The title of princess and the extreme honorific were still very uncomfortable, but I didn't feel bad.
No, to be exact, it was okay.
"We finally became a couple."
This was the first time in the three lives that this had happened, as time had rewound before she married him in both her first and second lives.
"I was happy enough to receive a marriage proposal from Terence and prepare to marry together, so I thought I wouldn't have another chance to be happy…"
After getting married, a feeling of fulfillment on a level different from what I had imagined spread through my heart, and I felt like crying a little.
And that feeling grew even more the moment I looked into his eyes and realized that Terence felt the same way I did.
But that can't be possible. The reception has just begun and we still have a role to play in entertaining the guests who came to celebrate.
At that moment, the count suddenly began to tremble, looked back, and spoke softly.
"Precious guests have arrived, so I must leave."
When I turned around, I saw the Emperor in a wheelchair being driven by the Chamberlain and Prince Mikhail standing next to him.
I nodded and greeted the Count.
"Yes, I hope you enjoy the reception. Please also greet Elliot."
"Fortunately, he seems to be feeling much better these days. He called me when I was about to leave for the capital and asked me to tell you about his special pardon when I saw you."
"There is merit for his performance in the siege of Miloam, but that alone is not enough for him to be forgiven…"
"I told him that too. He is so talented that maybe he can do something to receive credit."
Then, the Count, who once again wished us happiness, walked away to the table where the food was laid out.
I thought of the unfortunate genius who was still in prison.
"I'm glad his condition has improved."
It was said that Elliot Rudd escaped the influence of the blessing, but perhaps because he was once an extremely devout person, he felt distraught when he heard the news of Liena's death.
This was not only the case for Elliot.
Including the Cassius family, people like Cecil, Tara, and Matisse seemed uneasy about Liena's death.
"…Even now that I think about it, I'm not sure if hiding the truth was a good thing."
Indeed, with the exception of Duke Cassius, to whom I personally told everything, and Kais, who was present, most people thought that Liena had been executed for blasphemy in the temple as planned.
It was impossible for me to tell everyone who knew Liena the long story of the goddess and the evil apostle, and the imperial family announced that the execution had proceeded smoothly to cover up the truth.
In conclusion, it was inevitable, but I felt uncomfortable because I felt like I was deceiving them.
"But she wouldn't want her story to be revealed to many people."
At a moment when the pale face of someone who had died in the realm of the demonic beasts passed through my mind, the emperor and his group approached us.
"Congratulations, Terence."
"Thank you, Father."
"…If your mother is also watching this from heaven, she wouldn't want anything more."
Terence approached his father, who was smiling bitterly, and grasped the hand that was on the handle.
"I'm sure she's watching. And yet, you still want more."
The emperor's eyes turned sharp.
"Cheeky boy. You know me too well."
"That's because I'm my father's son."
The emperor snorted, "Hmph," and turned his head to look at me.
"I'm glad you've become a member of the royal family of Asteroth, Viscountess Lucibiu. No, now that you're part of the family, should I call you Ethel?"
My new father-in-law called me in a very friendly tone.
"Please call me as you prefer, Your Majesty. It would be an honor for me."
The emperor smiled at the courteous response and said we would continue talking later.
"Brother, sister-in-law. Congratulations on your marriage."
Afterwards, as if taking turns with the emperor, Prince Mikhail congratulated us.
Although our relationship has become somewhat friendly, it cannot be said to be very close, so our conversation with him ended at the point of mere courtesy.
Up to this point, this was the development everyone was expecting. But after everyone had said everything they wanted to say, a small incident occurred.
"The chamberlain is already too old."
Isn't the emperor murmuring something to himself out of nowhere, glimpsing at his second son and giving this order?
"So from now on, it's you who pushes."
The chamberlain, who immediately understood his lord's intention, stopped next to his lord.
"……Yes, father."
Mikhail responded quietly and then carefully pushed the wheelchair.
"If this continues, it will take a year."
"I'm sorry. I'll go faster."
Thus, the two, father, son, and the chamberlain disappeared to greet the other guests.
It was the first intimate appearance of the emperor and Prince Mikhail after an uncommon event in imperial history: the dethronement of the Crown Prince.
I can only assume in my head that Mikhail may have regained his senses and that the Emperor may have also weakened his mind after the Empress's death.
"While you live, everything will change."
Terence seemed a little relieved for some reason, and I replied, crossing my arms.
"Of course. I agree."
After that, he and I spent some time receiving congratulatory messages from people who came running.
"Congratulations, Ethel! Leok is a wonderful place, and you two won't be disappointed."
Diana and her family seemed very happy that our honeymoon was in Leok.
They bid farewell and asked me to stop by their house before the trip.
And of course, not only nobles attended this wedding.
"Isn't it amazing that you held an outdoor wedding? It was the most magical wedding I've ever seen in my life."
Sharon took the time to come even though her office was busy.
When I asked her how her work was going, she started to explain about a recent case, but quickly shut her mouth.
"There's no need to talk about a divorce case in the middle of a wedding."
Then Kayden, who was beside her, laughed and replied.
"That's right."
It is said that their son's condition has improved significantly recently, and now he smiles more.
In Vinetta's case, she seemed more interested in the food than the weddings.
"Everything… is delicious. Hmm, I'm curious about the chef's face…"
"Swallow everything first and then talk, Sir."
Laura lightly scolded Vinetta, who was mumbling with her mouth full.
For your information, Laura decided to follow me to the Freeheiden territory.
It didn't seem to matter much where she worked as long as she didn't leave the empire where her family was.
Anyway, while there are welcome guests like them, there are also unwelcome guests.
"Hey, congratulations on your marriage. You really are a beautiful couple."
Seeing the man with a wine glass in his hand appear, I said.
"Really? I think Mr. Isaac Cassius looks even better."
A seductive smile appeared on his bright face.
"Thank you. It's an honor for our family to receive praise for our appearance from Her Royal Highness the Princess."
It wasn't a compliment but sarcasm asking if prison life suited him so well.
Isaac Cassius. A man who was released on bail because his crimes were not as many as his father's.
"Old Roland must be writhing on the ground with stomach pain right now."
Anyway, Isaac was already on my wedding guest list even though I didn't invite him.
It was too late to remove him, so I let it pass, but one can never let their guard down with him.
"Oh, I'd like to add that I also attended on behalf of my older brother Edman and my two nephews. All three said they couldn't come because their relationship with Her Highness was a bit tense."
Of course, I didn't invite them either. Should I have gone crazy and invited my ex-husband and his family to the wedding?
"It would have been better if he hadn't come because he was worried about his social standing."
"My greatest strength is not caring about what others think."
I could barely resist the temptation to shout at him.
"Then you'll be able to live in peace for a long time."
After leaving those words, the fox-like man slowly turned around and left the annex.
.
.
.
How much time has passed? Judging by its appearance, the reception was already coming to an end when I thought I had spoken with all the guests.
Although I ate and rested from time to time, my physical and mental exhaustion was incredible.
Then Terence spoke to me.
"Ethel, did you forget someone?"
"Who did I forget? I don't know. Angela sent her congratulations in a letter, and Kais came secretly like a parrot… It's not like I wanted to talk to him."
"That's right."
Terence easily convinced himself, but for some reason, I worried about what he said, so I looked around.
Then, I spotted someone in a corner of the annex who was barely noticeable.
Should I say I forgot her? Should I say I unconsciously excluded her because I didn't know how to treat her?
The person standing at the door was my biological mother.
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