Chapter 6
On the day of the spirit wedding.
Inside a room beside the first-floor banquet hall of the Livia estate, prepared as the groom’s waiting room.
Schniela swallowed as she stared at the tall folding screen set up in one corner of the room.
Her future husband had just stepped behind it to change into his formal attire.
She wanted to see Isel behind the screen. But a sudden sense of guilt made her hesitate.
[Even if I’m a ghost, isn’t secretly peeking a bit shameless?]
But she quickly shook her head.
He’s going to be my husband. What’s wrong with taking a look in advance?
Besides, she was a ghost. That was completely different from a living person sneaking a peek.
While she rested her chin on her hand, debating with herself, a black head suddenly came into view.
Below it, she could see the firm line of his neck, the trapezius muscles beginning at his shoulders, and his broad back.
There was no need to agonize over whether to peek.
Her future husband was extremely tall. Tall enough to be seen over the screen.
[Oh my! His shoulders are as wide as the Balennov Sea! And every time he moves to put on his clothes, it’s like butterflies are fluttering across his back.]
Schniela gaped slightly as she admired the view over the top of the screen.
“Um, I’m dressed.”
Only a few minutes later, Isel’s voice ruined her enjoyment.
Hmph, is it because he’s a knight? He changes clothes as fast as lightning.
She clicked her tongue in disappointment.
Soon, Isel’s large hand pulled the screen aside.
Skin as white as snow. Black hair neatly slicked back with pomade. Long ruby-colored eyes. A strong jawline contrasted with a delicate nose and lips.
[A face where masculinity and refinement coexist. Like hot iced coffee. Something that shouldn’t make sense, yet my husband somehow pulls it off.]
A smile bloomed across Schniela’s face as she looked at him.
“Excellent.”
After giving his son-in-law a thorough look, the marquess smiled in satisfaction.
“However…”
Isel glanced down at his clothes and spoke hesitantly.
“Is there a problem?”
“The shirt and vest feel rather tight.”
He muttered, his face slightly red.
The tightly fitted shirt and vest clung to his solid, inverted-triangle physique.
[Well, it is different from what he usually wears.]
His previous clothes had been much looser. It made sense that he felt awkward.
But this looks much better. I like it.]
“Take pride in it.”
The marquess stepped in, patting Isel’s shoulder.
“…?”
“It is not an outfit just anyone can pull off. It was made by Madame Andrea, the most sought-after tailor in Balennov.”
[No wonder! The fit really is different.
Schniela smiled proudly at her father’s taste.
Madame Andrea was the most famous designer in the capital of Herteon. She was known for creating clothing that highlighted a man’s strong physique.
“So this is the fashion in the capital…”
Unaware of this, Isel muttered to himself quietly.
***
After Isel finished dressing, he and the marquess headed to the banquet hall.
[Hmm? I heard it would be simple, but it’s prettier than I expected.
Schniela looked around in admiration as she entered the decorated hall.
Dozens of porcelain vases lined the walls. Each one held white hydrangeas and birch branches.
White silk fabric covered the floor, and it was adorned with white and pale-blue hydrangeas.
As she floated around the hall, the marquess suddenly took something from his pocket and handed it to Isel.
It was a palm-sized purple velvet jewelry box with a camellia pattern engraved on the lid.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
Isel hesitated but opened the box.
Inside was a pair of square-cut blue diamond rings, shimmering brilliantly.
“The wedding rings I mentioned before. Please try one on.”
Isel paused.
“Even to my untrained eye, these look valuable. I should be the one giving such a thing. How could I accept this?”
“Ahem.”
The marquess put on a stern expression.
“Your status may be higher, but you do not refuse something given by an elder.”
He gestured toward the ring as if urging him.
Feeling the subtle pressure in his gaze, Isel swallowed and quietly obeyed.
The ring fit perfectly on his ring finger.
“…Thank you. Since deciding on this marriage, I feel as though I’ve done nothing but receive. I’m embarrassed.”
The marquess laughed heartily.
He really doesn’t know how wealthy our family is. A ring like that wouldn’t even make a dent.]
It seemed her future husband was more frugal than she expected.
“Oh, and later I will send a small gift to the Grand Duke’s residence. Please accept that as well.”
The marquess added casually.
“Later? What do you mean?”
Isel tilted his head.
“It’s nothing significant.”
Though Isel still looked puzzled, the marquess smoothly changed the subject.
“Oh dear, the High Priest must be waiting.”
He glanced toward the podium where the high priest stood.
“The bride and groom will now enter.”
An attendant waiting at the back announced.
He handed something to the marquess—a small framed portrait of Schniela.
First, the marquess walked down the flower path carrying the portrait.
Then the marchioness extended her hand to the groom.
Schniela quietly followed the three living people down the flower path.
At the end stood the High Priest.
When they arrived, she recited a brief sermon quoting scripture.
In summary, marriage was a sacred duty under the blessing of the main god.
She added that a spirit wedding was no different from an ordinary one.
“Surely Schniela is watching from the heavens.”
In the Church, it was believed that the souls of the dead did not vanish but went to the side of the Main God.
[Well, High Priest… I thought I’d go to heaven too. But I just became a ghost.
Schniela shrugged.
“So for Schniela’s sake, who is watching, you must be devoted to your married life.”
The high priest looked steadily at Isel.
Schniela felt moved, sensing the priest’s affection for her.
“Yes. I will.”
Isel answered firmly.
The high priest smiled in satisfaction.
“Now exchange the rings.”
The attendant approached with the open jewelry box.
Isel gazed at Schniela’s ring for a moment before picking it up.
He stepped toward the portrait and gently placed the ring before it.
After the ring exchange, the high priest spoke again.
“Groom, do you swear before the Main God to cherish, love, and honor your spouse for life?”
“Yes.”
The high priest did not ask the bride. She only looked at the portrait with sad eyes.
Schniela felt suddenly lonely, as though she did not exist.
[Me too.]
She whispered quietly to herself.
“I now declare that the two of you are officially husband and wife in the name of the Main God.”
At that solemn declaration—
Something astonishing happened.
The ring on Isel’s finger and the one before Schniela’s portrait flashed brightly.
The light thinned and transformed into a long red thread floating in the air.
[…?]
Schniela stared in shock.
One end of the thread wrapped itself around Isel’s left ring finger.
The other end tied itself around her own left ring finger.
[W-What is this?]
