Then it was time for a banquet with the chiefs. Amongst the ones Bertine met for the first time, a few criticized her Luennian origins. But they changed their tunes when they learned of her deep love for their country and her breadth of knowledge through conversations conducted entirely in the official tongue. They were honestly surprised by their discoveries. No matter what sort of topic they threw at her, she responded smoothly and eloquently. They learned how much she knew about the Federation’s spirits and cuisines as well.
“I quite like her, especially that strength of will. Won’t be long before she leads His Excellency by the nose, eh?”
“The bespectacled secretary was constantly lauding her for the great wealth she brought to our country. A veritable goose that lays the golden eggs.”
“If I didn’t know she was from San Luenne, I would have thought she was some chief’s daughter.”
Bertine and Cecilio made the rounds at each table in the great hall. She poured drinks for others and had her own poured as well, meaning she made tremendous inroads into the alcohol flowing through the room. Cecilio watched her, his expression worried.
“You don’t need to finish each glass,” he said. “You’ll collapse at this rate.”
“I know. But for some strange reason, the spirits aren’t affecting me at all, no matter how much I drink. Perhaps it’s because I steeled myself for this in advance.”
“If you’re sure. I’ll be drinking half from now on though.”
From then on, Bertine would take a small sip from a glass and he would finish the remaining liquid. A few of the chiefs couldn’t help commenting to each other when they saw how the couple behaved as the night wore on.
“Oh ho. I didn’t know he could laugh and enjoy himself. I thought all he cared about was work.”
“Well, His Excellency is old enough to know how to appreciate the bride he’s finally got his hands on.”
Dorothée cried happy tears the whole time away from the guests.
“Dorothée, stop crying,” Diego said. “This is a time to celebrate.”
“I know, Diego, but I honestly thought our lady and His Excellency would never marry, the way they were both so oblivious. So I’m just incredibly delighted!”
“You have a good point, considering her terrible luck with marriage. Lady Karina must surely be overjoyed up in heaven…”
Diego discreetly dabbed at the corners of his eyes as well. Dorothée delicately blew her nose into a handkerchief before speaking to Diego again.
“You’ll be returning home soon, won’t you, Diego?”
“Yes. I won’t have anything to worry about once she and His Excellency are living together. While I was gone, my daughter married and gave birth to my grandchild, you know. So I intend to head home as soon as Lady Bertine allows it. What about you, Dorothée?”
“I shall serve her until my body fails me.”
“I can’t believe she’s somebody’s wife now.”
“I feel the same, Diego.”
Tears spilled from her eyes again and Diego offered her his handkerchief.
Maxim du Jeanne attended the event as the bride’s father. While surveying their surroundings, he spoke to King Claudio. “Your Majesty, please be assured the new chancellor replacing me at the end of next month is extremely competent. I’m sure he’ll do his utmost for you and the country.”
“You have done so much for me, Maxim. I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”
“Because of you, my final days in this role have been quite fulfilling, so thank you as well. I don’t have any regrets whatsoever.”
After retiring from his position as chancellor, the marquess planned on turning over his businesses to his son and traveling throughout the Federation for some time. He knew this country would bring exciting new life into an old man like him as well.
Claudio watched the newlywed couple for a while before sighing quietly. “If only I’d been born a few years earlier. Then I might have been able to welcome her as my queen. The fact that it was only a few years frustrates me to no end.”
“Y-Your Majesty?” Maxim goggled at him in surprise and Claudio responded with a somewhat sad smile.
“Every woman pales in comparison to her now. After all, who can match her in vitality, intellect, and sheer charm?”
As Bertine’s father, the marquess couldn’t be happier to hear the young man’s compliments. But as a chancellor, the new king’s words made him worry.
“I am absolutely certain that someday you will find someone who suits you perfectly, my lord. You’re still so young, so there’s no need to fret.”
While soothing Claudio, Maxim couldn’t help but think that even if he’d been born a few years earlier, the two most likely wouldn’t have met anyway. Because the weft and warp on fate’s loom was the reason the present existed as it did. And the slightest aberration in the weave would have meant the young king never being born or his daughter never marrying the Federation’s leader.