Chapter 24
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
So stiff. Muttering to himself, Edward added once more.
“Your eyes are pretty. They look like they’re crying. Is that because of the cold, or are they just like that normally?”
A puff of white breath escaped between Johannes’ teeth. It was a scoff.
Although his opponent was royalty and his own wedding was moments away, he didn’t show outright disrespect—yet his entire demeanor screamed, “Go away.”
“I’m not trying to flirt.”
Edward raised both hands as if surrendering.
“Your eyes and nose are red.”
Then, he whispered as though speaking only to me—but loud enough for Johannes to hear. He was truly shameless.
“You could’ve worn something warmer. The wedding can’t even begin until I’m seated, after all.”
“Excuse me—”
“If I say one more thing, Johannes might actually kill me. I’ll stop here.”
Cutting me off, Edward said everything he wanted. I rolled my eyes and let out a hollow laugh.
There was exactly one fortunate thing about meeting Edward Windsor:
It was snowing and freezing cold, but thanks to the absurdity of it all, I didn’t feel cold at all.
“I wasn’t raised with the best examples, you see. I was born this way. I ask for your understanding.”
As I silently complained inwardly, he sheepishly admitted his own faults.
“I think I came off too strong. Well, Johannes was glaring daggers at me, so I felt a bit indignant.”
“……”
“You may not believe me, but that was an apology.”
It was the most insincere apology I’d ever heard.
Edward stepped closer, his long legs easily closing the distance. This time, he whispered so that only I could hear.
“If Johannes ever does anything suspicious, contact me. I’m the chief of police in Barden, so I might be able to help.”
Suspicious…?
I narrowed my eyes at him, chin slightly tucked.
“What do you mean by that?”
Was he implying that Johannes was involved in shady dealings?
“I’m just joking.”
Edward winked when he saw the wary look on my face.
“Congratulations on the wedding.”
He gave me a small nod, exchanged glances with Johannes, and walked away.
Why did Edward Windsor say such a thing to me?
Maybe he was just teasing. A meaningless joke.
But I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
As I tightened my grip on Johannes’ arm in front of the tightly closed iron doors—
Creeeak—
The cathedral doors opened, and warm light rushed into the previously dark space. The warmth inside embraced my body.
I slowly lifted my head.
The commoner woman who had returned with the long-missing Duke Schultz—what did she look like? Curious eyes in all shades pierced me, examining every inch as if dissecting me.
From the flower crown veil on my head, to the earrings and necklace passed down through generations of the Schultz family, to the wedding dress perfected after multiple fittings—they scrutinized it all.
I tried not to be conscious of their gazes and focused instead on the archbishop at the altar.
But I couldn’t stop clenching my fists.
Noticing how stiff I was, Johannes leaned down and murmured,
“Relax. They’re only interested in me anyway.”
I slowly closed my eyes. Took a deep breath and nodded.
“Yes.”
He was right.
Their gazes soon shifted to him. What they wanted to know from me was just my appearance. What they wanted to know about Johannes was what lay beneath his surface.
The disgraceful and tragic death of the previous Duke.
The downfall of House Schultz, once driven to the edge by defeat.
Johannes Schultz’s sudden disappearance.
And… the missing embezzled funds.
As my eyes followed their clearly motivated stares, they stopped at one spot.
Edward Windsor, seated in the front row, was watching Johannes with unmistakable amusement.
And I was sure of it now.
He had deliberately tried to shake me to make Johannes more vulnerable.
Let it go. I repeated it to myself over and over, brushing aside unnecessary thoughts. I gently patted Johannes’ arm.
As he calmly met the nobles’ gazes, he briefly looked my way.
Johannes glanced toward the guests.
“Does it bother you?”
I slowly shook my head.
“It’s a wedding between Duke Schultz and a commoner. The stares are to be expected. This is the time to show that House Schultz is still standing.”
Their curiosity was only human. Not everyone needed to be treated as an enemy.
It was just hard to tell hostility from curiosity.
“Maybe I’ll figure out their true intentions during the reception.”
I gave Johannes a deliberately firm look.
“So I intend to fulfill my duty as the duchess.”
I turned back toward the front. Then, as if making a vow to myself, I added,
“Just wait and see how I adapt to this world.”
I heard a soft chuckle above me and looked up. Clear blue eyes met mine.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
No sooner had Johannes said this than the cathedral’s pipe organ began to play.
Melancholy sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting a path of light.
I swallowed hard and stepped onto the long blue carpet that led to the altar.
It felt like the guests’ gazes were piercing into my body. I forced myself to walk forward naturally, and just as I reached the altar, the organ stopped.
The large archbishop was glaring at us with button-sized eyes.
But when he met Johannes’ gaze, he quickly looked away.
Ahem.
The archbishop opened the Bible and slowly turned the pages with his thick fingers.
“We shall now begin the wedding ceremony of House Schultz.”
His heavy voice rang out, and the ceremony began. The long-winded sermon dragged on.
He clearly resented being assigned as the officiant.
He slowed his speech at times, seemed distracted, and when he said the word “responsibility,” the air turned openly hostile.
“If anyone has a reason why these two should not be joined in legal matrimony, speak now—or forever hold your peace.”
The archbishop’s gaze swept slowly across the hall. His tiny eyes suddenly widened.
“Your Highness?”
I furrowed my brow and slowly turned my head.
Edward had raised his hand.
All eyes turned to him. Only then did Edward seem to realize what he’d done and let out a casual “Ah.”
Then he smiled at me.
My face twisted instinctively at the unpleasant feeling that crept in.
I finally realized what that uncomfortable sense had been.
Edward harbored ill feelings—not toward me, but toward Johannes.
“My clothes were uncomfortable.”
When I glared at him, he casually brushed his sleeves and smiled like a kind old friend.
“Ahem… So there are no objections, then?”
“Of course not. I’m one of the people who wholeheartedly supports this marriage.”
His lips curved into a neat smile. Extending his hand, he added,
“Please continue.”
Finally, the archbishop regained control and rushed toward the end of the ceremony.
“Johannes Schultz, do you take Edith Prim as your wife, and vow to honor and love her for life, granting her the duties and honor of your house, and always be honest with her?”
“I do.”
“Edith Prim. Do you, as the bride, take Johannes Schultz as your husband, promising to trust and stand by him?”
The archbishop’s black eyes bore into me sharply.
It felt as if he were silently urging me to run out of the cathedral. My lips parted slightly.
“Do you vow?”
When I didn’t answer, he repeated the question like a broken record.
“Yes, I do.”
I finally managed to speak.
