Volume 6 Chapter 19 This Week's Surprising Wedding
The Girard family has a chapel on their property.
The white, round chapel has a statue of Goddess Alexandria holding a holy sword and has wings.
The path to the chapel is covered in snow, and the sunlight reflects off the white snow, making it really bright.
The servants of the Girard family are holding the train of my white wedding dress and guiding me to the chapel.
I have Eir-Eir on my head and Ms. Famine wrapped around my neck.
My dad is being carried in my arms. His little paws look cold in the snow, so I'm holding him to keep him warm.
Everyone could have just waited in the room, but my dad said, "It's my job to walk beside the bride," and since Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine wouldn't leave my side, I brought them along.
When they saw me in my wedding dress, Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine looked like they were about to cry, maybe thinking I was going to leave them. So cute.
I tried to explain to them that today's wedding is a trick to fool Sir Rail and the others, but they just tilted their heads like they didn't understand.
It's hard to explain, so it's probably best to just show them.
"...Do you think Sir Rail and the others will really come?"
I ask my dad in my arms.
It's not good to trick people, but Sir Marx's idea didn't seem too bad.
It feels like no one will get hurt.
After getting everything ready for the wedding, Sir Marx said loudly, "I got permission from Feldur. But since there have been issues with Roxas and the Rest Priest Family, let's have a small ceremony at our home first. We can report to the Bernard family about the marriage later."
This was because Sir Rail and others might be watching the Girard family, so Sir Marx acted all cheerful about the celebration.
So, Sir Rail and the others should know that the wedding is happening today──that's what Sir Marx and Sir Roxas thought.
"I wonder. Well, they should come, right? But it feels like someone is missing."
"Someone..."
"I look like I'm worried, don't I?"
"About Sir Ciel, right?"
I spent a few days at the Girard family's place until the wedding preparations were done.
I had a separate room from Sir Roxas, and I was treated like a special guest.
It was really comfortable, and Lady Irfimia kept me company, plus I played in the courtyard making snowmen with Eir-Eir, Ms. Famine, and my dad, so I wasn't too bored.
But I couldn't stop thinking about Lobelia.
I didn't tell Sir Ciel or Mx. Margaret where I went.
I should have just said something. I could have left a note.
They might be worried about me.
I'm worried too. Sir Ciel has been gone for a long time. I wonder if he's back.
We all had crabs together at the end of the year and said goodbye at the start of the new year, and I haven't seen Sir Ciel since.
Before, he used to come to Lobelia for dinner once or twice a week.
"...I'm worried. He's my friend... and also..."
Also──
I feel like Sir Ciel is always pushing himself too hard. He's much older than me, so it might be silly for me to worry, but
Dr. Michael said that Sir Ciel doesn't run out of magic power, so he can keep going like that.
He doesn't take breaks.
"And also..."
"And also?"
I don't know what it is.
Thinking about Sir Ciel spending time alone in a cold, empty room made my heart ache.
I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling.
I hope nothing is wrong. I hope when I go back to Lobelia, Sir Ciel will be there too.
"It sounds like you had fun, Lydia. ...I wish I could have been there too."
So, I was just thinking, it would be nice if he said it like he usually does.
"...Anyway, Lydia, you look beautiful."
I blinked and opened my eyes wide at the sudden compliment.
Sir Roxas, dressed up nicely, was standing in front of the goddess statue in the chapel.
I was standing next to Sir Roxas, with Sir Marx and Lady Irfimia standing between the goddess statue and us.
Some servants were sitting on the benches in the chapel to create a nice atmosphere.
It really felt like a wedding.
"Thank you. You look great too, Sir Roxas."
I smiled happily because he complimented my dress.
Since coming to the Girard family, I've been wearing fancy dresses all the time.
My hair is styled nicely, and I'm getting skincare too. I feel like a princess.
"Ah, um, yeah... thank you, Lydia."
Sir Roxas looked away shyly.
He has sharp eyes, but he's tall and slim with a good figure and a nice face.
He comes from a good family, so I bet many people would want to marry Sir Roxas.
Thinking about that makes me a bit confused about why I'm here.
It's just acting, but it feels like we're really getting married.
Marrying Sir Roxas.
It doesn't feel too bad. I don't dislike him; in fact, I kind of like him.
Sir Roxas can be clumsy and break things, and he can be harsh, but he's not a bad person.
But marriage.
Having a wedding and then...
The two of us live happily ever after.
That's how the fairy tales Sir Stefan reads always end.
Can people really live happily ever after?
Loving each other and being together forever. I can't seem to think clearly about it. It feels so vague and fuzzy.
"Roxas, Lydia. Do you promise to respect each other, love each other, and always support each other from now on?"
Sir Marx's serious voice echoed in the chapel.
This is the vow part.
Sir Roxas said "I do" shortly. I followed his lead and said "Yes!" cheerfully.
I was so nervous that my voice came out way too loud. I sounded really energetic, and Sir Roxas covered his mouth and shook his shoulders.
It seemed funny to him.
"...Then, the vow kiss."
Lady Irfimia said with a smile.
──The vow kiss.
A kiss. It means putting our lips together.
I've never done it with anyone, but I think I wanted to try it someday... I feel like I had that thought a long time ago.
It was ages ago.
After everything I've been through, I had a strong dislike and rejection towards love and romance, so I never thought about doing something like that with anyone for a long time.
"Lydia..."
Sir Roxas held my arms gently.
His hands were much bigger than my arms. I stared into his serious golden eyes behind his glasses.
"...Sir Roxas, um..."
Is pretending to get married really supposed to go this far?
I mean, this is technically my first kiss...!
As someone from the Rest Priest Family, I shouldn't be kissing a lot of guys, so it's a big deal that this is my first time.
It's normal for it to be my first time. I'm still only 18.
Not having experience is totally fine. I don't know. Is it different for others? Do people kiss normally, like as a greeting?
"...Um, wait, wait..."
I was so confused that random thoughts were spinning in my head.
Sir Roxas's handsome face was really close. If this goes on, we might touch.
But it's just acting. Since it's acting, I can't run away.
What should I do? My face is hot. I'm not in love, but I feel this way.
Maybe I'm being a bit naughty. After all, tears started to well up in my eyes.
It's true that I dreamed of being in love, and I wondered if I would be okay with anyone as my partner. Even though Sir Roxas was just acting, I felt so embarrassed.
"Can we hold off on that wedding for a bit?"
At that moment, the chapel doors swung open with a loud bang!
Actually, it didn't make that much noise, but it felt like a big bang to me. Mr. Lucian stood there against the snowy garden, looking like he was shining.
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