Chapter 04
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, Your Grace, the Archduke’s son. You must both get ready now.”
“Understood.”
Alfred gave a polite nod and took the flower basket from the maid.
Just then, I caught sight of Theodore behind Alfred, his fiery red eyes blazing like hot coals.
Gasp. What’s with that look?
“The ceremony is starting.”
At the servant’s signal, Theodore raised his chin proudly, put his hands on his hips, and told everyone,
“Stepmother, follow only me, Theodore!”
He walked ahead to stand in front of Alfred.
Michael hurriedly approached and bowed, trying to correct him.
“Your Grace, the Crown Prince must walk in the front.”
He clasped his hands politely, but Theodore frowned.
“Why?”
“Because Prince Alfred is the Empire’s little sun.”
“That may be true,” Theodore replied, “But today is the day I, Theodore, welcome my stepmother. So I will light the way!”
He stood straight, hands on hips, and glared at Michael.
Then Alfred stepped forward and said calmly but firmly,
“You’re being disrespectful, young Archduke. Sinclair von Zeyer is now a member of the royal family. As the future emperor, I must walk in front.”
A power struggle? Seriously?
My palms started sweating.
Alfred tried to step in front of Theodore—but Theodore blocked him with his little foot, raised his head proudly on tiptoes, and stared him down.
Their green and red eyes clashed like lightning in the air.
Great. The future enemies are already fighting.
I had to stop this.
“Your Highnesses.”
Both sets of eyes snapped to me. Their stares were so intense—like Christmas lights, one red and one green, tangling me up.
It was overwhelming.
Michael, clearly annoyed, was snorting like an angry bull.
Whatever. I didn’t care about that greedy old man.
After all, I was the bride today—this was my wedding.
And if the boy who would become a demon and the prince destined to stop him could start building good memories now… maybe the future wouldn’t turn out so bloody.
I smiled softly, knelt, and looked both boys in the eye.
“You two are already family. Would you please walk side by side? The blessings of both of you leading the way would be greater than any other.”
Michael interrupted with a loud voice.
“What nonsense! The royal tradition says the Crown Prince goes first, then the young Archduke, followed by him, and lastly, the bride escorted by her maids!”
Michael—he was a power-hungry side character in the novel who died at his own son’s hands. To Sinclair, he was an abusive father.
But I wasn’t his real daughter, so I didn’t need to shrink back.
“This is my wedding, Father. And soon, my rank will be higher than yours. So you should walk behind me.”
Michael’s face turned pale. His lips trembled with rage.
Let him deal with his embarrassment.
Smiling, I stepped past him and held out both hands—one for each boy.
The two little princes gladly held their flower baskets in one hand and offered their other hand to me.
With my two escorts, I stood by the door of the bridal waiting room.
When we reached the entrance, I folded my hands in front of me. Alfred and Theodore naturally walked ahead, side by side.
A long aisle stretched from the entrance to the altar.
My jaw dropped in awe.
It was grand and beautiful—but strange, like something from a dark fantasy novel.
The golden pillars were shaped like human figures—probably gods—crying, laughing, roaring, or looking furious, all while holding up the ceiling.
What if they dropped the ceiling and attacked me like the Machines?
Then the sweet scent of flowers tickled my nose.
The aisle was lined with big white peonies, and clusters of hydrangeas in pink, purple, light blue, and green.
The floor was covered in expensive lisianthus petals, so thick that the white satin carpet couldn’t even be seen.
My fear slowly faded.
This is the first flower path in my life… for Kang Joo-hee.
Ding, ding, ding.
The wedding bells rang.
Theodore turned around and looked up at me. His smile stretched from ear to ear.
But somehow, it felt like that smile was saying: “Nice to see you. I’m going to kill you slowly.”
Yes. I was about to step onto this beautiful flower path—to my death.
Damn it. I really triggered a death flag!
Then, I saw the white curtains gently waving, as if calling to me.
“Escape through the open window. Hide and survive.”
It sounded like a good idea. If I ran to the chapel, stole a priest’s robe, sold the jewels on the dress, and boarded a ship south…
But then I noticed the guards lined up along the hallway with long swords.
I’d die before I even got there.
I forced down the urge to run.
Music began playing from inside the chapel.
“It’s time to begin.”
I sighed. Alfred, unaware of my dread, looked back and smiled brightly.
I returned his smile even though I wanted to cry.
Theodore winked at me and took the first step down the aisle.
Not to be surpassed, Alfred rushed to follow.
The flower boys walked ahead, gently scattering white rose petals from their baskets.
Relax your shoulders. Deep breath.
I started walking down the aisle of destiny.
The music changed from grand to soft and romantic.
“Lady Sinclair von Zeyer, bride of the House of Zeyer, now enters!”
The nobles in the seats turned to look—and gasped to see me walking alone behind the boys.
Sure enough, Michael rushed to my side and whispered sharply:
“Behave yourself.”
For whose benefit?
“Bride, enter!”
The music turned into a grand march.
The boys tossed flowers ahead.
Michael offered his arm—but I brushed it aside and walked into the hall alone.
The guests murmured.
That was my little revenge on the father who had abused his daughter.
And a silent message: Your control over me ends here.
Maybe this was what Sinclair had wanted to show them all.
She’d tried to kill herself in the bridal waiting room, after all.
But unlike the original story, I was now walking down this aisle in her place—between Alfred’s blessings and the demon boy’s shadows.
Even the two flower boys were still competing.
If Alfred scattered a lot of petals, then Theodore scattered more—toward the guests.
More, and more!
Even more, and even even more!
Then Alfred suddenly stopped.
I also paused.
The guests leaned forward, curious about the Crown Prince.
What’s going on?
I glanced at his basket.
As expected—his flowers were all gone.
Theodore noticed Alfred wasn’t following and turned around, looking confused. He walked back over to see what happened.
Smirking like a winner, Theodore offered his own basket to Alfred.
Alfred hesitated, then took a handful of petals.
Theodore pushed the basket toward him again.
Alfred grabbed another handful.
Theodore checked that Alfred’s basket was full again and nodded, then walked proudly back to the front.
He started scattering petals again, and Alfred followed just behind.
Theodore tossed to the left, Alfred to the right—left, right, left, right.
Eventually, they found a rhythm, and the procession reached the altar.
Alfred quietly took his place.
But then Theodore marched straight up to the altar with his basket.
What now?
He walked toward a man standing like a statue—Gerald.
He reached into his pocket and tossed a handful of petals into the air.
So many—he must’ve been saving them.
White rose petals fluttered through the air like butterflies, landing gently on Gerald’s black hair, broad shoulders, and long lashes.
Wow. Can a man be this beautiful?
Theodore gave me a respectful nod and returned to his seat.
Was that… a gift for me?
This kid knew how to pull off surprise events.
Gerald brushed the petals from his hair with a white-gloved hand.
Then, sensing my gaze, he looked at me.
His emerald green eyes shimmered like tropical ocean waves under the sun.
Thump!
My heart dropped. I quickly looked away.
Suddenly, he was standing in front of me, holding out a long, strong hand in a white glove.
He was captivating. His tailored formal uniform showed off his lean figure and calm intelligence.
Yes. Men really do look best in uniform.
“Let’s wrap this up,” he said in a deep, calm voice.
His dry tone snapped me out of my daze.
Right. This isn’t the time to daydream.
I agreed with him. I needed to end this quickly so I could figure out how to stay alive once no one was watching me anymore.
But a single petal stuck to his ear distracted me. I gently reached out and brushed it off.
He seemed surprised for a moment—his eyes widened slightly.
Did I imagine that?
“Gerald von Zeyer, do you swear to cherish and love Sinclair Owen forever?”
“I do.”
His voice was low and sweet—he could’ve been a ballad singer.
I felt like I was melting.
I glanced at his profile. That nose… it looked too perfect to be real.
Is this a man or a statue?
If it weren’t for the death flag, I might’ve happily said “yes” just for his face and status.
“Sinclair Owen!”
Oops. I must’ve stared too long.
I turned my attention back to the priest.
“Do you swear to cherish and love Gerald von Zeyer forever?”
“…”
It was time to decide.
