“The vows are made.”
At the king’s loud announcement, the band began to play again, and the royal choir, who’d been waiting in the wings behind, honored us with a celebratory hymn of joy.
At the urging of the king, Seren and I drained the golden chalice, and as proof of our pledge, we took out the wedding rings from the cup and placed them on each other’s ring fingers.
The rings were custom-ordered. The silver clasp that Seren bought for me after the first beast-hunting jaunt. The two of us went back to hire the skilled craftsman who’d made that wonderfully elaborate clasp so the rings had a sentimental meaning behind them.
They were beautiful rings, delicately engraved.
However, putting the ring on Seren’s slender, white finger was difficult. I couldn’t help but be nervous, and my hands were shaking.
Seren stared intently at the silver ring being put on her finger, then looked up at me and gave me a reassuring smile. The moment the ring finally slid perfectly on that slender finger, Seren smiled with such joy. She looked so happy, and her smile was so adorable that I honestly thought my heart would stop.
“Now, with your signatures and those of your families, upon this marriage certificate, the two of you will be husband and wife.”
Following the king’s instructions, first me and then Seren signed, and then each of our family members was called to sign as well.
My family signed their signatures in front of the king, looking pale. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event. I felt a little sorry for putting them through this.
Eventually, all the signatures were signed, and the certificate was safely placed in a glass case. The king smiled softly and nodded at the two of us.
“Congratulations. With this, you two have officially become husband and wife. Let us arrange an evening soiree hosted by the royal family this weekend, whereupon your marriage will be announced.”
“Th-Thank you.”
A soiree on top of all this?! I thought, but I couldn’t refuse the royal family’s generosity. As I stood there, surprised, the queen gently reached out to Lady Seren.
“Seren, live life your way. And please be happy.”
“Thank you…!”
“Viol, I trust you. Please take care of Seren and support this country always.”
“I will.”
All I could do was nod in response to the king’s words. Of course, I intended to cherish Seren forever, but I wasn’t sure I could say with confidence that I could support the country.
Gazing around, a little worried, I met Borden’s eye, and he grinned wryly at me. His nod told me that my response had been appropriate. That was good enough for the time being.
“I officially announce that the wedding ceremony is complete and that you are husband and wife. Please treasure one another for the rest of your lives.”
With the king’s closing words, the tense wedding ceremony was over.
All that remained was to return to that red carpet and pass through this hall safely.
While I was slowly walking back along the carpet with Seren, feeling greatly relieved, she suddenly looked up at me.
Goodness, she was transcendent.
Eyes, shining. Cheeks, flushed. Lips, trembling slightly.
“I’m sorry… Now it’s all over; I’m just suddenly hit by a wave of happiness…”
Don’t say things like that right now. You’ll only make me want to sweep you up in my arms.
“I’m really your wife now, aren’t I?”
Tears welled up in Seren’s eyes, and I fought to control myself. I adored her too much.
“Oh, Seren!”
When I gasped her name, overcome with passion, this time Seren suddenly turned as red as if she were on fire.
“M-Maybe you could keep calling me Lady Seren for a bit longer…”
The sight of her fidgeting and saying such things made me almost pass out.
“My wife, you are simply too cute. I want to be alone with you as soon as possible.”
I brought my face close to hers and whispered. This time, she seemed to have reacted to the word “wife,” and she was blushing so much that I felt like steam was about to come rushing out of her ears.
How exquisite she was!
I wanted to get on with the business of loving her right away.
I wanted it to be just the two of us as soon as possible. Of course, you can hardly blame me for being in a hurry.
To Be Continued in Volume 5