SEM 26

Chapter #026

“This place? It must be Madame Trouaru’s salon.”

Famous for sponsoring numerous artists, Madame Trouaru’s salon was also known as a venue for exclusive parties. Everyone vied for her invitation, but only selected nobles were allowed to even step foot inside.

A party for the chosen few! That was the essence of Madame Trouaru’s salon.

“To think they’re holding a wedding here. I would’ve regretted not coming!”

In front of a noble young lady who couldn’t stop marveling, a cute bunny appeared.

“Oh my!”

“Welcome.”

A person wearing a rabbit mask bowed politely to the nobles.

“So adorable!”

As the attendees admired the rabbit mask — undoubtedly crafted by a master artisan — their admiration turned to awe.

“I will guide you.”

After confirming the invitation, the bunny stepped into the maze. The guests followed along the tall hedges, letting out constant gasps of admiration.

“Even if His Majesty attended, no one would recognize him.”

Walking through the sturdy maze, a baron couldn’t help but exclaim.

“There are rest stops throughout the maze, so feel free to enjoy them after the ceremony.”

The nobles exchanged glances at the rabbit’s words. The wedding of Eliana and Gredy, considerate even of nobles’ secret moments, felt more like a secret party than a formal ceremony.

“Goodness. They must’ve emptied all the greenhouses in the capital.”

At the maze’s end, the ladies stood speechless, staring at the wedding venue.

The moment they saw the flowers arranged along both sides of the white silk-covered virgin road, they were struck dumb.

It didn’t feel like winter — it was as if all of May had been transported there. The flowers shimmered under the lights in vivid colors.

That wasn’t all. The arch made entirely of white roses was a work of art.

Gazing at the lily-of-the-valley flowers hanging overhead, the women wore dazed expressions.

“Please take your seats wherever you’re comfortable.”

The rabbit attendant bowed and retreated. Guests who had already arrived were walking around the venue, sipping from their glasses.

“Ha ha ha.”

Laughter rang out from all directions. It was a scene completely different from the Emperor’s formal afternoon tea party.

“Dear ladies and gentlemen, the ceremony will begin shortly. Please stop what you’re doing and take your seats.”

At the sound coming from mid-air, the chattering nobles gathered around the virgin road.

Magic could be felt from the entrance to the very center of the venue. It was a scene entirely unlike the strict temple wedding ceremonies.

“They really poured money into this wedding.”

A middle-aged noblewoman whispered with envy as she gazed at the pure white aisle.

A night wedding was unusual. But it was far more enchanting than a daytime one. The luxurious setting against the dark night sky left everyone awestruck.

“And now, the groom enters!”

Cheers erupted as Gredy appeared. With everyone wearing masks and unable to recognize each other, the guests clapped freely.

Eliana and Gredy were the only ones not wearing masks. At last, Eliana stood at the end of the virgin road.

Sigh.

The moment she met Gredy’s eyes under the white rose arch, Eliana momentarily forgot how to breathe. She couldn’t hear the whispers of the nobles.

Standing next to Eliana was a man in a white, expressionless mask — just like the other noblemen.

“Is that Baron Hoffman?”

“From the hair color and build, it might be…”

As guests debated whether the middle-aged man standing beside Eliana was indeed Baron Hoffman, the bridal march began to play.

“Now I understand why His Majesty coveted her so.”

Clad in a white wedding dress from head to toe, Eliana stood out brilliantly against the black night. She stole the breath of everyone present.

All eyes were drawn to her face hidden beneath a long veil and her graceful demeanor.

“Is the dress glowing?”

The gemstones began at her chest and gradually spread out toward the hem of her skirt. As she walked, the movement of the dress created the illusion of a flowing galaxy.

“A night wedding is quite atmospheric and beautiful.”

“Maybe it’s because the bride is Eliana Hoffman.”

At the man’s remark, the woman beside him pinched his hand sharply.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Unless you want to die from the witch’s curse too.”

At her cutting words, the baron pouted slightly and looked at Eliana and Gredy. Eliana, who had been holding the older man’s hand, was now arm-in-arm with Gredy in front of a priest wearing an angel mask.

Standing beneath the white rose arch, Eliana and Gredy looked like a vision.

“With this, I declare before the Lord that Gredy Criber and Eliana Hoffman are now one.”

“Silence!”

A woman sharply silenced the murmuring crowd as the priest’s declaration ended.

Gredy lifted Eliana’s veil. As the veil trailing from her dress was lifted, her pale face was revealed.

What? All of a sudden?

Gredy, who had kept his eyes down, met Eliana’s blue gaze and unconsciously swallowed hard.

“Please share the vow of a kiss with the bride and groom.”

The priest urged Gredy, who was hesitating.

Eliana, on the other hand, couldn’t understand why Gredy was faltering at the last moment.

What is he doing?

Seeing Gredy staring blankly while holding her veil, Eliana rose slightly on her toes.

“Oh!”

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Ugh!”

The tingling sensation on his lips snapped Gredy back to reality. He pulled Eliana by the waist and deepened the kiss.

“…The witch lives up to her name.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Quiet, Baron.”

Mateo emptied the glass in his hand in one go.

Licking the remnants from his lips, he glared at Eliana. Losing a gem like her before his eyes was intolerable.

The first day of winter was always special.

The Empire’s winters were harsh and could be brutal during years of famine. To help ease the season, the Emperor would open the royal treasury to stock the granaries of the slums.

It wasn’t just a gathering to chat with nobles — it was practically a charity event to prepare for the season.

“Did you even mention relief aid to the nobles?”

At Mateo’s question, Baron Bliss fell silent. Instead of discussing aid, Mateo had spent the entire party obsessively watching Eliana’s every move.

“…”

“I’m going to have that.”

“Pardon?”

Watching Eliana and Gredy march down after their vow, Mateo muttered.

“What?”

“Before she blinds me and deafens me enough to ruin the Empire, I need to take her into my hands.”

Baron Bliss bit his lip at Mateo’s words.

What Mateo said was clearly irrational. But speaking reason in front of the Emperor could lead to dire consequences.

“…”

“This is my territory. Should I invoke the right of the first night?”

“Your Majesty?!”

Mateo smirked, twisting his lips mockingly.

He looked like a man driven mad with desire for Eliana as she smiled radiantly under the cheers of the crowd. And Mateo was indeed someone capable of doing such a thing.

“Wouldn’t it be better to enjoy tonight’s party, Your Majesty?”

“What?”

Bliss quickly tried to divert Mateo’s attention elsewhere.

If something went wrong here, the noble faction wouldn’t stay silent. As a member of the imperial faction, Baron Bliss calculated swiftly while scanning the venue.

“Doesn’t it look like the real feast is just about to begin?”

At those words, Mateo’s eyes scanned the crowd from behind his mask. Everyone was visibly more excited than usual, probably because their identities were hidden.

The men wore white masks and the women wore black, concealing both face and social status.

“…They really went all out.”

“This is Madame Trouaru’s salon, after all — a place famous for hosting special parties.”

“I’ve heard the rumors. Wasn’t this the place the late marquis cherished the most?”

Admission was only granted through secret invitations. It wasn’t the kind of place an emperor with no taste for such eccentricities would typically enjoy.

“I didn’t know Madame Trouaru and Duke Criber were close.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Otherwise, why would she offer her salon so readily for a wedding?”

Baron Bliss looked around with a dazzled expression. His face was hidden behind his mask, but his voice sounded unusually high.

“Stop talking nonsense, Baron. It wasn’t Criber — it must’ve been Baron Hoffman.”

“Then…?”

“Baron Hoffman went behind my back.”

At Mateo’s declaration, Bliss stiffened.

Thinking it over, it wasn’t entirely wrong. Unlike Duke Lloyd, who had tried to comfort the Emperor, Baron Hoffman had taken a completely different path.

“Then…?”

“Perhaps it’s time for Duke Lloyd to step down. If he can’t even handle a lowly man like Hoffman properly.”

At those words, Baron Bliss’s mind spun. Considering the power Duke Lloyd held, it was a logical conclusion.

“Well then, shall I enjoy the rest of tonight as you suggested?”

Mateo set down his glass and turned away. Baron Bliss let out a small sigh and followed close behind.