AFTER witnessing the birth of the Gardener Cat kittens, I spent my days making many more happy memories.
Before long, came a day that would become a major milestone in my life.
“I’m excited, but a little nervous too.”
I was wearing a lavish white gown—my wedding dress.
King Glenreed and I were going to have a wedding ceremony to make me his official queen.
I was never able to respond to his proposal once the fears surrounding my reincarnation came up, but now that I’d properly accepted the offer, it was already time for the big day.
I’d chosen to spend my future in Wolfvarte with King Glenreed. It was a decision I made with steady resolve and a heart full of joy.
The preparations for the ceremony were just about finished. With nothing left to do but wait, it was impossible not to feel the nerves setting in.
“Letty, can I come in?”
As I was trying to relax my body and mind, I heard Big Brother Claude’s voice from the other side of the door. I told him to come in and saw my brother dressed in his best formalwear. It was a very unusual sight.
✦ ✦ ✦
I hadn’t seen Big Brother Claude since the day I returned to this world. I’d been occupied with the wedding preparations, and as always, my brother seemed to be busy with something or other.
I decided now was the time to ask him the question that had been weighing on my mind all this time.
“I heard that everything you’d been up to was to find a way to save me. Breaking up my engagement was part of that plan, wasn’t it?”
“Yep. That’s right.” He confirmed it so casually, it was almost a little anticlimactic. “If you kept being Prince Fritz’s fiancée, Emperor Ishnad would have found you and captured you sooner or later, and then there’d be nothing I could do.”
“I see… Thank you, Big Brother Claude. I love you.”
I wanted him to hear my heartfelt gratitude.
Big Brother Claude spoke like it was a trivial matter, but I could only imagine the dangerous lengths he’d gone to all these years for my sake. I could feel his deep love for me when I pictured everything he’d done.
…Why does Big Brother Claude take such good care of me? Is it because I’m his only little sister? Is that the only thing driving him to show me this amount of love?
Big Brother Claude, seeming to sense these questions in my head, smiled at me. “It’s because of something you said to me long ago. ‘It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. You should do the things you love, Big Brother Claude.’ Remember that?”
“…Maybe a bit…?”
I tried to recall that moment, but didn’t land on anything in particular. Big Brother Claude chuckled as I racked my brain.
“I understand why you wouldn’t remember. From your perspective, it was just a normal thing to say, not special in the least. But that’s exactly what made me realize how badly I wanted you to be happy too. You’ll be happy with King Glenreed, won’t you? That’s my greatest hope of all.”
“Big Brother…”
“All right, I’m going to be on my way. Everyone’s out there waiting for the star of today’s show. I’m excited to see what kind of alcohol they serve at this wedding too.”
With that little joke, Big Brother Claude left my room. Perhaps I was imagining it, but I sensed a hint of loneliness in his steps as he departed.
✦ ✦ ✦
“QUEEN Laetitia! Congratulations on your marriage!”
As soon as I stepped into the venue, I was showered with flower petals from above. The surprisingly loud cheers came from Lady Kate and Lady Natalie. They were wearing beautiful dresses and waving their hands at me.
I walked through the center of the grand hall to be with King Glenreed as the guests congratulated me when I passed them.
Sunlight poured in through the stained-glass windows. The walls and tables were decorated with large roses. Some were white, which represented the Gramwell family on my side. Others were the pink roses that the Wolfvartian royal family kept with pride. Each color had been carefully grown by the Gardener Cats to bring beauty and life to our wedding venue.
There was another table with a white tablecloth displaying not only roses, but a variety of treats I’d suggested for the occasion. I looked at the cookies, macarons, and other desserts on that table, each one designed to be white in color.
The main course consisted of a meat dish made with salt from Lady Kate’s home territory, seasonings imported from the harbor in Lady Natalie’s territory, fruit from Lady I-Liena’s territory, and sweets made with honey from Lady Fillia’s territory. The various foods being served in the venue indicated a future where all four regions could exist in harmony.
I glanced at the impressive assortment of food while I headed to King Glenreed, who stood dressed in his formalwear.
“……”
His Majesty is even more handsome than usual.
His dark blue clothes with gold accents only emphasized his masculine good looks. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
“…So beautiful.”
I heard the words slip out of King Glenreed’s mouth. It was enough to make my heart race. I nearly tripped on the hem of my dress.
But King Glenreed grabbed me and pulled me close before I could stumble.
The powerful, but gentlemanly act made the room swoon. My heart sped up even more.
“……”
“……”
The two of us stared at each other in silence.
“…I love you, Laetitia.”
“I love you too, Your Majesty.”
He lifted my veil. I stared into those greenish-blue eyes as we nodded at each other.
With our breath and our emotions in perfect harmony, our faces drew closer and closer. When the warmth of his lips touched mine, I could feel an endless love in my heart start to overflow.
I was once nothing more than a figurehead. But on this day, I’ve officially become King Glenreed’s true queen.