C201
Our wedding took place in the garden of the imperial palace on a sunny spring day.
Feeling the eyes of so many people watching in that direction, I swallowed dry saliva.
"This is making me more nervous than I thought."
Truth be told, I've always been conceited.
I've fought in a trial against a noble family descended from demons, faced a rampaging divine beast, and even averted a crisis where the world was almost destroyed by the hand of God.
Moreover, not long ago, I met my biological mother, who I thought had abandoned me, for the first time in a long time.
As my life has been so turbulent, my heart no longer trembles for most things, and, to be honest, I didn't think marriage was a big deal...
"Yes, I admit it. It was an arrogant thought!"
Although I lived a somewhat unusual life, I was still a common human being.
It's just that I wasn't aware of it until now because I was too busy preparing for the wedding and also due to my mother's affairs, but as soon as I stood in front of the path leading to the altar, a sense of reality hit me, and I started to get nervous.
"Let's calm down. Calm down. This is the second time."
As much as I hate to admit it, I thought of my first wedding with Leandro.
How was it then? Surely the weather was as good as it is now. But of course, I didn't feel good wearing a wedding dress I didn't choose.
Well, since it was the wedding of the duke's heir, the ceremony was grand. And also...
"Hmm?"
How was it? What was it really like? Interestingly, I couldn't remember anything, so I closed my eyes.
No matter how much I searched my mind, the only thing that came to mind was my sincerest wish for it to end quickly because I was extremely tired.
Of course, I didn't have amnesia, so the events of that day weren't a blank slate, but even though it happened just about three years ago, everything was blurry.
As if it were a distant past.
While I was dumbfounded by this fact, there was someone who caught my attention.
The man beside me, Terence.
He squeezed the hands I was holding and made me look at him, then he raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.
The moment my eyes met those red eyes with a kind sparkle, I realized something.
Ah, I see. Because the events of that day were already in the past, the memories were erased.
Because my marriage begins now.
Almost as soon as I reached enlightenment, the voice of the chamberlain in charge of the ceremony sounded from far away.
"Now, here come the bride and groom."
With those words, we slowly advanced while holding hands.
Clap, clap, clap. The people sitting in the guest seats on both sides greeted the bride and groom with applause.
For reference, our simultaneous exit was first proposed by Terence.
Normally, the bride appears at the wedding ceremony escorted by her father.
However, according to my mother's story, my biological father was no longer in this world, and Count Wallace, who had been my legal father until recently, was now a stranger to me.
"Even if I couldn't completely break off the relationship on paper, I would never have invited him to the wedding."
Anyway, Terence gave me the answer because I was wondering what to do with the situation.
"Let's enter together, Ethel."
"Eh? Is that okay?"
"There's no reason why it wouldn't be okay."
"However, since it's an imperial marriage, the related regulations are strict, and people's opinions are also..."
"It's not like you to worry so much about something like that. Isn't it more of a concern for me than for you?"
When I didn't respond, he approached me and brushed the back of my hand.
"Ethel, I don't want to be any obstacle to you."
"What? I've never thought of it that way!"
"Then don't get obsessed with anyone else and achieve what you really desire. Think only of yourself."
I kept my mouth shut for a moment and looked him in the face at the words that sounded bleak.
Terence had always been a person who respected my autonomy, but lately, this tendency had become much stronger.
I had a rough idea of what the reason was. Our second life that I saw in the Demon Realm.
In that memory, Ethel... No, I lived half of my life being abused by the Wallace family, narrowly escaped, but ended up taking poison and dying instead of Terence.
It seemed that he was still worried about my life.
He must also feel guilty for his actions of pushing me away when he decided to become emperor and for my death.
After the marriage proposal, his overprotective attitude towards me eased, but the memories of my second life were so strong that I couldn't easily get rid of them.
For him and for me.
So I told this to the man who was looking at me with a bitter expression.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can follow that."
I smiled faintly.
"I have to think not only of myself but also of Terence. Soon we'll be husband and wife, and I'll court you as I please."
At that moment, his eyes gleamed.
I quickly spat out my next words before he could open his mouth to say anything.
"—So you should court me for a long time too. Isn't that how a married couple is supposed to be?"
Only after about ten seconds, Terence, who had been silently looking at me, parted his lips.
It was a brief but satisfying response.
"With joy."
After that, he didn't forget the cute threat that even if I didn't like him later, he would stay by my side until his hair turned white.
In return, I replied that I looked forward to it. Because I would never drift away.
"It's good that we entered at the same time."
After finishing my brief reminiscence, I turned my head slightly and looked at Terence walking beside me.
It must have been a pleasure to go first towards the officiant and walk straight towards him while he waited, but I also thought that walking together like this was something that represented us.
He and I will live our lives shoulder to shoulder together forever.
As I thought that, at that moment, my eyes met with the person next to me who was closer than anyone else.
"You have to look forward."
When he lowered his voice and joked, I also laughed and replied.
"Terence is looking at me now too."
"That's because all I can see is Ethel."
I ended up bursting into laughter at that sly tone.
It seems so carefree that it's hard to think of it as an imperial wedding, but it doesn't matter.
We have already decided to live our lives doing what we want.
Also, the officiant we chose was someone who didn't fit solemnity or formality.
"H-Hi. I'm fr-from Mi-Miloam, a strategic place in our Asterroth Empire,…"
Count Miloam, standing in front of the lectern, trembled like a leaf as he recited the speech as the officiant.
"I-I lack in many aspects, but I am very honored to be entrusted with an important role in the wedding of this couple today…"
I heard he had practiced hundreds of times, but he seemed very nervous.
I could tell even without looking. The guests, composed of the main figures of the Empire, were in a state of shock.
However, as parties involved in the marriage, we didn't feel particularly embarrassed.
First of all, even though I knew the Count wasn't the right person to recite the wedding speech with solemnity and fluency, I asked him to officiate.
We simply chose him because he is someone we respect and want to emulate.
A person who truly cares about the territory and is willing to cast aside his pride for the sake of the people of the territory.
For us, who would go to the territory that would become Freeheiden in the future and take care of the people, Count Miloam was a senior better than any other famous noble.
"A-After such a journey, you two have signed a 100-year commitment here. I c-congratulate you from the bottom of my heart… And again…"
I heard him murmur something very quietly to himself.
The Count, who had been silent and lost in thought, soon opened his mouth with a confused feeling.
"You two! Do you swear to be faithful to each other until the end of your lives?"
Speaking from the perspective of having received and checked the official speech he had written in advance, the question was one in which the content that should have been included in the middle was drastically omitted.
"Originally, it was supposed to be a long and instructive speech…"
Moreover, although it is common to ask separately, the Count asked Terence and me at the same time.
Feeling the Count's gaze urging me to respond, we looked into each other's eyes as if making a promise.
Seeing him smile like me made me feel connected again.
"Yes, it's more like our wedding this way. Isn't it?"
Since we were asked a question, it's time to give an answer. We answered vigorously together.
"Yes!"
I have lived three lives and loved the same person each time, so what sense does one life make?
I will love you until and after this life ends.
The Count, satisfied with our answer, announced with a cheerful expression that it was time to exchange rings.
Then, a courtier waiting nearby handed him a velvet box containing a pair of rings.
Unlike the engagement ring chosen only by Terence, the ones we chose together after discussing were relatively simple, so they could be worn anytime and anywhere.
After waiting for him to hand me the bouquet he was holding, Terence took a ring and took my left hand.
His touch when placing the platinum ring on my ring finger was as delicate as that of a craftsman.
I looked for a moment at the rings adorning my hand and then took Terence's left hand.
I then placed the ring on his finger and whispered softly.
"I love you."
For a moment, his eyes widened at the sudden confession that hadn't happened during the rehearsal.
Terence, with a beautiful smile on his face, gave his response.
"I love you too, forever."
Then, we moved directly to the next step without even waiting for the Count's guidance.
We hugged tightly and kissed.
It was truly a very happy day.
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