Chapter 35
The engagement ceremony between the Oakley and Sitz families was held at the Oakley Marquisate in the capital. A light reception was to follow the ceremony.
At the main gate, carriages bearing the crests of various noble families were already lined up.
We got out of our carriage and headed to the outdoor garden where the ceremony would be held.
After passing through an arched entrance decorated with vine plants, we saw a red carpet and a podium in the center, with tables bearing the nameplates of attendees arranged on either side.
“Here it is,” Readmoor said, having found our seats.
At the round table, there were nameplates for just the three of us: me, Readmoor, and Ayla.
We quietly took our seats and observed the crowd.
People who seemed to be from the Oakley and Sitz families were smiling brightly and greeting guests.
I planned to greet Felicia and Fogos after the ceremony, during the reception.
“This feels kind of strange,” I murmured, unable to ignore the odd feeling that crept over me. Readmoor replied,
“You mean the two of them getting engaged?”
“Yeah.”
“Same here.”
“Come to think of it, Readmoor, have you had any prospects for engagement or marriage since then?”
Readmoor’s face turned red. He replied in embarrassment,
“No. It brings back bad memories, so could you not?”
In my previous life, he had been one of Helena’s famous suitors. I shrugged.
“How romantic. Refusing to marry without love?”
“Shut up, Kalia.”
Teasing Readmoor was always entertaining.
Ayla, seeing us, chuckled quietly. I turned to her and asked the same question.
“What about you, Ayla? Is there any young lord you’re interested in? Or anyone your family is considering?”
“No, not at all. I still like being by your side the most.”
She said it with a gentle smile. My heart warmed at her words. I reached out and squeezed her hand on the table, and she held mine firmly in return.
“Don’t you think the way you treat Ayla and me is too different?” Readmoor complained.
“As it should be.”
“Damn it.”
“Be quiet. Looks like it’s starting.”
I silenced the grumbling Readmoor.
He was right. The warm orange glow from the magic stones floating above the garden began to dim.
The murmuring crowd also quieted.
The orchestra, which had been playing a gentle melody, transitioned into a traditional march.
Fogos Sitz appeared first.
He emerged from beyond the vine-covered arch, looking much taller and more mature than when I had last seen him at the academy.
It was hard to imagine this was the same person who once passionately debated silly legends or eagerly chased after new spirit techniques.
With confident strides, he walked straight to the podium where the priest stood and came to a stop.
Soon, the orchestra began playing a different tune. Murmurs of anticipation spread through the guests.
Felicia walked in slowly.
Wearing a pure white veil and dress, holding a large bouquet of lilies and daffodils in her left hand, she looked stunning.
An engagement ring sparkled on her finger.
As she walked carefully down the red carpet, the hem of her dress flowed like waves.
Standing at the podium, she took Fogos’s hand. They smiled at each other.
Their faces were full of joy—smiles so bright, they could be called happiness itself.
For some reason, that moment etched itself deeply into my heart.
“Felicia Melvin El Oakley, heir to the Oakley family. Fogos Veil El Sitz, heir to the Sitz family. You both—”
The priest began reciting the vows before the gods.
Throughout the ceremony, the two never took their eyes off each other and never let go of each other’s hands.
A few declarations and questions followed.
Then, the priest concluded the engagement ceremony, proclaiming their union.
“—By the divine will, these two are now bound as betrothed. May the gods bless the futures of House Oakley and House Sitz.”
Fogos leaned in. Their heads naturally tilted, and they shared a long kiss.
Applause and cheers erupted from the guests.
I clapped as hard as I could, sincerely wishing them happiness.
***
After the ceremony, the reception was held in the main hall of the marquisate.
As we entered the hall, the doorman called out loudly,
“Marquess Desmere, Young Lord Readmoor Desmere enters.”
“Viscount Estel, Lady Kalia Estel enters.”
“Lady Blaney, Miss Ayla Blaney enters.”
Among noble families, it’s customary to address heirs with a title one rank below their future inheritance until they officially succeed it.
So Readmoor and I were addressed with titles one level below that of our family heads, and Ayla, not an heir, was addressed simply as “Lady.”
As our names rang through the hall, a sudden hush fell over the room.
The nobles who had already arrived stopped their chatter and turned their gazes toward us.
Readmoor stepped in front of me, subtly blocking the oncoming stares.
Ayla linked her arm with mine and stood close. Her eyes burned with fiery determination.
She looked ready to pounce on anyone who dared pick a fight with me.
“Let’s go that way,” I said, calming the clearly agitated Ayla as I pointed to a quiet wall lined with food tables.
Readmoor, Ayla, and I made our way there together. People silently moved aside.
Only when we settled into a corner did the conversations and noise resume.
I scanned the hall. Helena and Claude were still nowhere to be seen.
‘Are they coming late?’
Claude had the freedom to come and go as he pleased, being a royal prince. But Helena’s absence was unexpected.
If she skipped the ceremony and arrived late to the reception, it would be considered highly rude.
‘Could something have happened?’
I tilted my head in thought.
“Readmoor! Hey, long time no see!”
A man I didn’t recognize called out and began approaching us.
“He’s a cadet branch son of the Sitz family. He graduated from the academy last year and used to be on good terms with the young master,” Ayla whispered quickly to me.
The man, seeing me standing behind Readmoor, stiffened. It was clear he hadn’t expected me to be here.
He gave Ayla and me a brief, reluctant nod—barely a gesture—and that was it.
Then he turned fully to Readmoor and began chatting cheerfully.
“Haven’t seen you since graduation. How’ve you been?”
“Hazel, you…”
Readmoor gritted his teeth and growled the man’s name. Ayla’s face went pale.
I was the only one who remained indifferent.
‘Quite polite, actually.’
I even felt impressed.
At least he hadn’t insulted me to my face—quite the gentleman, really.
Proper etiquette dictated that he should have greeted the lady at the table first, but perhaps he didn’t consider me worthy of it.
Still, for him to simply ignore me—one could almost call that merciful.
But I seemed to be the only one thinking that way.
“Leave,” Readmoor said.
“What? Wait, Readmoor—”
“I have no interest in speaking with you. Leave, Hazel.”
Readmoor practically growled. The man, Hazel, flinched and backed off.
His face was one of complete confusion.
Perhaps because the Sitz family lived in the remote regions, they knew about the rumors surrounding me but not about how close Readmoor and I had recently become.
“Hey, what’s with you all of a sudden?”
“Must I repeat myself again?”
Readmoor’s voice turned stern and commanding.
He radiated the authority and dignity of a duke’s heir—born and bred for power.
At last, Hazel backed off completely.
He glanced back several times, still clearly confused.
“That wasn’t necessary,” I said softly to Readmoor.
Ayla, still gripping my arm, spoke firmly.
“Please don’t say that, my lady.”
Readmoor gave a curt nod in agreement.
But as time went on, similar incidents repeated again and again.
Many people wanted to speak with the only heir of House Desmere.
There were more than I could count—past fingers, toes, even borrowing others’.
But every one of them went through the same process as Hazel and left disappointed.
Some greeted me politely and tried to make conversation, but Readmoor’s constant attention on me made it difficult for them to focus, and the conversations quickly fell apart.
Those hoping to speak with the Lord Readmoor lingered nearby with disappointed eyes.
Their gazes prickled at me like needles. I finally let out a sigh.
Once again, Readmoor returned to me like a proud guard after fending off yet another suitor.
“Readmoor,” I said.
“Yeah?”
“Don’t mind me. Go enjoy the reception.”
