Chapter 99
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100.
It was the first time I had seen Rebecca since that day in the Reed Field.
Unlike our first kiss, when I had deliberately avoided her, this was not intentional avoidance. We had both been consumed with wedding preparations, our hands full with countless tasks.
So I had spent these days waiting for today, trying to calm my racing heart.
Yet when the wedding day finally arrived, I could not even catch a glimpse of Rebecca's face, let alone hear her beautiful voice.
Croa came rushing toward me as I dragged my feet, reluctant and yearning.
"Your Grace! What are you doing here? Good heavens, you haven't even tied your necktie yet! The guests will be arriving soon!"
At Croa's sharp rebuke, I frowned with displeasure.
But since I could not see Rebecca anyway, there was little else to do, so I chose to follow Croa obediently.
Kanna watched our retreating figures disappear in haste, clicking her tongue.
She still could not believe that a Duke of the Empire could be so utterly lacking in composure.
'Well, I understand wanting to see Rebecca, but...'
Kanna cracked open the door and gazed at Rebecca's silhouette as she began to don her veil.
In the room flooded with bright sunlight, the pure white veil fluttered like silver threads.
Rebecca stood in the center with noble grace, her snow-white skin luminous as though she and the wedding dress were one.
Reflected in the full-length mirror, Rebecca was beautiful beyond any words.
When our eyes met through the mirror, Rebecca offered her a gentle smile.
Startled, Kanna lowered her head slightly and quickly closed the door. Her heart thundered wildly in her chest.
'If you smile so beautifully like that, what am I supposed to do, Rebecca?'
Kanna's eyes trembled visibly, yet an irrepressible smile bloomed softly across her lips.
Though only a glimpse, Rebecca certainly appeared happy.
* * *
Margaret was meticulously inspecting every corner of the Salon's Garden, which had been transformed into a ceremony venue.
This was both a wedding and the grand opening of the Labonne Salon.
Not a single small mistake could be tolerated.
Because of this, Margaret oversaw the entire wedding with heightened sensitivity, more acute than usual.
The staff, seeing Margaret's tension, became equally tense.
They straightened their spines and did their utmost to please the demanding noble guests.
Moreover, this was dear Rebecca's wedding.
The desire to make it the most beautiful and perfect wedding in the world lifted the spirits of the Labonne staff.
Fortunately, their efforts were not in vain—not a single complaint had been heard so far.
Rather, everyone was busy marveling at the Salon, saying they had never seen anything like it.
Some were already eager to invest in Julian.
"Today is my wedding, not the Salon's opening. Let us discuss business matters another time."
Julian declined politely.
But contrary to his refusal, one staff member followed the gentleman with a basket containing the Salon's pamphlets.
Soon after, the staff member kindly handed a pamphlet to the guest who had proposed the investment and began explaining the Salon.
'Everything is proceeding flawlessly so far.'
I gazed upon the ceremony venue I had designed.
The venue was the perfect setting for the wedding theme she had conceived: "Spring Within Autumn."
Autumn cherry trees encircled with luminous mana stones stood like pillars along the aisle, their branches reaching toward the sky.
The boughs of the cherry trees, heavy with their full bloom, met from both sides to form what appeared to be a colossal arch.
The guests marveled at the grand expanse of the Garden, and marveled again at the sight of autumn cherry blossoms—flowers that did not bloom anywhere in the Empire—cascading in such profusion.
As exclamations of wonder rippled through the space, Eustaf, the principal architect of this floral spectacle, wiped the rough bark of a cherry tree with a satisfied expression.
His gaze, which had been tenderly fixed upon the trees, followed the figure of a woman.
His eyes had found Margaret, who was occupied with directing staff while simultaneously guiding guests to their seats.
Finding a brief moment to herself, Margaret slipped away to a quiet corner.
Without thinking, Eustaf concealed himself behind a tree trunk to observe her.
After confirming that no one was watching her, Margaret loosened her hair to retie the strands that had come undone.
Her mahogany-colored locks cascaded down to her waist in a flowing wave.
From having worn her hair pinned up for so long, her luxuriant tresses had taken on elegant, graceful curves.
At the sight, Eustaf's breath caught involuntarily.
From her eyes, which held the pale green of spring leaves, seemed to emanate the crisp, refreshing scent of ash wood.
Sensing a gaze directed at her from somewhere, Margaret turned with a guarded expression to survey her surroundings.
'Oh!'
Eustaf started in alarm and pressed himself fully behind the tree.
Margaret, puzzled, lingered for a moment to examine the area before returning to her duties.
He did not dare turn to look back.
Eustaf blinked rapidly, the silver-gray eyes behind his spectacles unfamiliar with the emotion he had just experienced.
Meanwhile, Margaret, unaware of Eustaf's presence, busied herself guiding the arriving guests to their designated seats.
Thanks to the meticulous arrangement of chairs so that the aisle could be viewed from any angle, the towering cherry trees did not obstruct the guests' view.
The guests, upon finding their places, delighted in the variety of autumn flowers adorning their chairs.
However, they tilted their heads in confusion at the absence of even the common white cloth typically laid upon the aisle.
The verdant grass of the aisle appeared somewhat bare.
But soon their questions were eclipsed by the ethereal strains of music that began to drift through the space.
It was the Soilbenet Orchestra, renowned as the finest ensemble in the Empire.
The guests, unable to conceal their delight at the dulcet tones, began to murmur among themselves.
"Even with extra payment, one cannot secure a performance by the Soilbenet Orchestra—however did they manage to arrange this?"
"It must be the Duke of Johannes. For the Soilbenet Orchestra to perform at the Duke of Johannes's wedding would be a tremendous honor for them as well."
"Truly remarkable. I have never seen a venue quite like this in all my life. Was it called the Labonne Salon? My daughter is to be married in two years' time, and I should dearly love to hold her ceremony in such a place."
"My dear, do look at this. A staff member gave me this pamphlet—they offer venue rentals as well. If one pays the fee, they will decorate according to whatever theme one desires. How convenient not to have to worry over every detail ourselves!"
Soon the attention of parents and couples preparing for their own nuptials turned toward the Labonne Salon.
Ordinarily, the time spent waiting for a wedding to commence was the most tedious, but Julian's guests found the hours passing swiftly as they enjoyed light refreshments and perused the pamphlets.
In the midst of this, a resonant trumpet fanfare rang out through the venue, and an attendant announced loudly:
"His Imperial Majesty Zahidra Alfonso Roticana, the Sun of the Empire, and Her Imperial Majesty Belona Denebia Roticana, the Moon of the Empire!"
The guests, who had been occupied with their various diversions, rose as one from their seats and offered their respects to the Emperor and Empress.
Zahidra, wearing a benevolent smile, gestured for them to be seated.
Julian himself guided Zahidra and Belona to their places.
The guests, following the Emperor and Empress's procession, exchanged glances with expressions of astonishment.
"Is this our designated seating? Hmm, I must say I'm quite pleased with these chairs. Wouldn't you agree, Empress?"
"Indeed. The vibrant flowers are truly exquisite. You've taken considerable care with the arrangements, Duke of Johannes. I confess my estimation of your refined taste has only grown."
Belona, who had been brushing off the grand chair adorned with crimson blooms symbolic of the Imperial House, lavished praise upon him.
Julian bowed respectfully in acknowledgment.
"You are far too kind, Your Majesties. Compared to the dignity of the Emperor and Empress, such arrangements are trifling indeed."
"The atmosphere around you has changed considerably of late. It seems a man in love does soften. I confess I'm eager to meet your bride at last—the Imperial Palace has been positively abuzz with talk of her."
Belona spoke with a knowing smile.
With caramel-soft brown hair and serene blue-grey eyes, Belona possessed the kind of gentle countenance that naturally endeared her to all.
Her presence stood in stark contrast to the sharp intensity of Zahidra's bearing.
Julian found himself studying Zahidra intently, wondering whether the Empress knew Rebecca's true identity.
From Zahidra's demeanor, it appeared that he and the Empress did not share such intimate secrets between them.
Zahidra cleared his throat and deftly changed the subject.
"Tell me, would I serve adequately as your father today?"
Zahidra and Belona's seats were positioned where the groom's parents would traditionally sit.
It was Zahidra's special consideration for Julian, who had lost both his parents.
There could be no greater honor than this.
The guests alternated their gaze between Julian and the Emperor, who conversed with the ease of intimate companions, and swallowed hard.
"It appears the Emperor invested considerable effort in the Duke of Johannes, only to ultimately bring him into his own circle."
"It would seem so. Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Duke of Johannes to seat the Emperor and Empress in such positions of honor. After all, he was hardly known for his deference to the throne."
"What in the world is happening here? Does this mean the Duke of Johannes has abandoned the Church and turned his allegiance to the Emperor?"
"Hush. Mind your tongue. The Pope Deslatino is present, after all. We may yet find ourselves dragged before the Knights of God like the Earl of Devonshire."
The guests fell silent in unison, recalling what had transpired at the Earl of Devonshire's ball not long ago.
They turned their attention to Pope Deslatino, who stood upon a dais adorned with white flowers, preparing to conduct the ceremony.
It was abundantly clear to all that, despite his forced pleasant smile, his entire focus remained fixed upon the Emperor and Julian.
He appeared quite unsettled by the situation, repeatedly dabbing his perspiring brow with a handkerchief.
"If you'll excuse me, I shall go greet the arriving guests."
After paying his respects to the Emperor and Empress, Julian strode purposefully toward the entrance.
In his wake, admiring cries erupted from the assembled young noblewomen.
In his tuxedo, Julian cut a more striking figure than ever before.
A soft smile graced his ordinarily austere features.
Once radiating the dangerous allure of a predatory male, he had transformed into the Empire's most distinguished gentleman.
In love, he appeared all the more captivating.
The young noblewomen who had long admired him clutched at their aching hearts and sighed.
Some gnashed their teeth in fury, desperate to discover who this remarkable bride could possibly be.
The Runaway Countess Returns
E-book Publication
January 12, 2022
Author
Long Night Sky
Published by.
Desert Fox
Published at.
Woongjin ThinkBig Co., Ltd.
Submissions.
naver.me/54VzzLSn
Blog.
blog.naver.com/wj_fennecfox
Twitter.
@wjt_fennecfox
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org