Chapter 25
Perhaps it was because he was sick of the delay, or maybe he simply didn’t like officiating this wedding, but the archbishop kept throwing disapproving glances our way.
A voice, rough like it had metal shavings mixed in, continued.
“…With this, the marriage is sealed. The couple shall exchange rings and seal their vow with a kiss.”
Kiss.
Just that word alone made cold sweat pour down my back.
We hadn’t kissed again since our first kiss.
Though to be honest, calling that brief peck a “first kiss” might be a bit of a stretch.
As I stood there frozen, unsure of what to do, Johannes gently lifted my hand and slipped a ring onto my finger.
I followed suit, putting a ring on his finger, and slowly looked up at him. He wore an extremely calm expression as he spoke leisurely.
“Even if you don’t like it, let’s not run away today.”
Before I could even grasp what he meant, he tilted my chin with just the right amount of pressure, angled my face, and his lips met mine.
Gasps could be heard from all directions. It was the sound of those who had been scrutinizing us, questioning the authenticity of this wedding.
My eyes widened.
The vow kiss was deeper than the one that day, yet it ended in an instant. Before I could even close my eyes, he had already pulled away.
Ahem. The archbishop, who had been observing us, cleared his throat.
“May all creation bless the union of these two as husband and wife.”
He continued speaking in a tone that didn’t sound congratulatory at all.
Now that I had received the name of Schultz through the vow kiss, I must fulfill my duties.
But none of those words registered. Even though it was brief, the soft sensation that had touched my lips lingered vividly.
I stared quietly up at Johannes, who looked straight ahead with an unreadable expression.
Did I show too clearly that I didn’t like it?
* * *
According to Sir Pret, royal blessings at the wedding feast of a high-ranking noble must be nothing short of generous. Especially for a founding family.
It was one of the ways the royal family showed respect to noble houses.
That’s what he said, but…
My eyes darted around nervously.
“The flowers and decorations at the banquet are all provided by the royal family. They also send an extravagant amount of jewels and gifts.”
“Is that a tradition too? Like laying flowers along the bride’s path?”
“Yes, it is. You can tell how much the royal family supports a house based on those flowers.”
But the sight before me now was far from what Sir Gunner had described.
The banquet for the new Duke of Schultz was pitiful. Not only that…
It was insulting.
Others must’ve felt the same. As proof, the nobles nearby whispered among themselves:
“That’s why they shouldn’t have challenged royal authority.”
Everyone seemed almost delighted to see the once-dominant House of Schultz humbled. It was expected—jealousy and resentment followed any family that sat at the peak of power for too long.
But still…
A sigh escaped me.
It was rare for a king to personally attend a noble wedding, but the crown prince or princess had always attended Schultz family weddings.
Yet today, only a mere prince—Edward—was here.
The official reason was that the royal family couldn’t afford to waste time attending a wedding for a bride of commoner origins who wasn’t even formally registered. But everyone knew the truth.
The royal family had long taken a disliking to Schultz, and it was only a matter of time before their wings were clipped.
This will definitely be tomorrow’s front-page headline.
I looked at Johannes, who extended his hand toward me.
He wore a perfectly tailored tailcoat. His slicked-back blond hair glowed under the chandelier light, and the soft curve of his lips looked like it belonged in a painting.
How can he look so unbothered by this blatant slight from the royal family?
I bit my lip without realizing it.
Well, when it came to the royal family’s actions, he truly did seem unfazed.
He looked at me like a man completely in love.
“My lady.”
In a low voice, he gently urged me—prompting me to take his hand.
“….”
I quickly pulled myself together and glanced sideways, checking the surrounding gazes.
People were watching us intently.
If I showed even a hint that I didn’t love Johannes Schultz, rumors would spread immediately.
“Johannes.”
Hoping my voice didn’t sound awkward, I smiled softly and took his hand.
Our bodies came together in an instant.
As soon as we joined hands, gentle music began to play. Johannes pulled me closer, wrapping his arm around my waist.
I could feel his firm chest against me. The closeness was almost embarrassing, and I couldn’t hide my discomfort. A warm breath tickled my forehead.
“If we’re going to act, shouldn’t we do it properly?”
“….”
“This morning, you said you’d show me how to survive in this world. Where’s that boldness now, my lady?”
He ran his hand through my hair, then leaned down and whispered in my ear.
“Why are you showing your feelings so openly now?”
I swallowed hard without realizing it.
As subtle gasps and curious stares followed us, someone whispered:
“Is that the same person?”
Johannes whispered again, right next to my ear.
A warm breath brushed my earlobe. I closed my eyes tightly, then slowly opened them.
I couldn’t ruin everything here.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, looking at him with eyes full of affection, and answered:
“It’s me.”
Even if my movement didn’t match the rhythm of the dance, I must’ve looked like a shy new bride.
“I’m sorry. I just got flustered for a moment. She’s back now. I’ll focus from now on.”
When I whispered that while locking eyes with Johannes, his hand on my back paused slightly.
Then he smiled softly in return.
“You’re doing well.”
Our conversation wasn’t exactly romantic, but to others, it would appear as a sweet exchange between lovers.
And that was enough.
With his hand on my waist and mine in his, Johannes gently led us across the floor.
Maybe it was the commander in him, but he led with such natural ease.
All I had to do was follow.
He occasionally lowered his blue eyes affectionately and whispered as though he were hopelessly in love. I blankly held my breath at those moments, then responded in kind.
We must have looked like a truly loving couple.
So immersed were we in this performance that the song was already coming to an end.
It was then.
My eyes met Prince Edward’s from across the crowd. He’d been watching me the whole time. Lifting his champagne glass, he gave a faint smirk.
My mood soured instantly. I turned my head quickly and gripped Johannes’s hand tightly.
“…Prince Windsor is watching us.”
“I know.”
Of course he did. The gaze was too obvious to miss.
“He’s not doubting us, is he?”
I asked anxiously, and Johannes answered as if it were obvious.
“He is. And so are others—to some extent, at least.”
A hastily arranged wedding, a single kiss, gentle gazes, affectionate ambiance…
All of it wasn’t quite enough to fully convince them.
“…Then we’ll have to show them more. Should we kiss again?”
As I calmly looked up at him, Johannes’s expression changed subtly.
“Will you be alright?”
“Yes. That’s my role, isn’t it? And it’s not like it’s the first time…”
“Your role.”
Johannes’s mouth twisted slightly. He stared at me with an unshakable gaze.
“You say it like you could kiss another man, too.”
“Well…”
My grip on his shoulder tightened.
I mean, if it wasn’t Johannes, I still could…
“I’ve never imagined that happening, so I wouldn’t know.”
I answered vaguely, unsure whether denying or affirming it would make the situation more awkward.
Johannes let out a short laugh. Leaning in close—so close our lips nearly touched—he whispered:
“Don’t bother imagining. It won’t happen again.”
I paused as his narrowed eyes curved into a smile. His hand, which had been stroking my cheek, lifted my chin.
Just as I was about to close my eyes, I flinched in shock at the deepened kiss.
This one was nothing like before.
I could feel his raw possessiveness.
As I stood frozen in place, unsure what to do, his lips left mine. Johannes looked at me with smoldering eyes.
“What was that…?”
“I thought you’d believe it now.”
His husky voice brushed the tip of my nose.
So it was all a perfectly calculated performance…
My cheeks must’ve been flushed, and my trembling gaze only added to the effect.
Perfect for deceiving others.
I caught a glimpse of Edward’s brow faintly rising.
Did we finally convince him?
Not sure yet.
“Well…”
Since things had gone this far…
“Shouldn’t we go even further—so that no other man dares think of kissing me?”
Looking up at those blue eyes, I tightened my arms around Johannes’s neck and kissed him again.
