Shadowless Night

Holding the hands of 5th Princess Leivia and 7th Princess Cheryt, Diech exchanged greetings while walking around. The little princesses, who came to about his chest and waist, dragged the helpless Diech to eat dessert.

Viscount Golgarten, who stayed in his local estate most of the time, was also seen. He seemed to have entirely brushed aside his worries about his eldest daughter not marrying until she was over 30. The ceremony hadn’t even started, but he had cried out loud about his fear that this was all nothing but a dream and not his daughter’s actual wedding. Tears fell onto his chubby belly, and Viscountess Golgarten giggled at her husband’s bloated stomach.

Ricardis was wearing a white robe. He was one of the three people allowed to wear white at the wedding: the groom, the bride, and the officiant.

Ricardis took on the role of the officiant who would deliver the eternal oath of the two to Idelavhim. Ricardis had offered himself as it was a marriage between two vassals under his command.

Chloe was a little dissatisfied because Ricardis was prettier at a wedding where the bride was the main character, so she gave him the stink eye. Of course, Ricardis thought it was a joke and moved on.

He lingered for a long time until the noon bell rang in the air. It was time for the ceremony to begin. Ricardis rose from his seat and moved to a green laurel tree planted on the shore of the lake. Laheansi followed closely and handed him a script.

“Use mine, Brother. It has the Scripture of the Great Temple. I will only lend it to you.”

He seemed so smug that Ricardis didn’t even want to look at him. Ricardis immediately returned the smuggled Scripture he received to the priest standing behind Laheansi.

“Isserion, hand me mine.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

How could he gamble and hand over the Scripture covered in cookie grease with his own hands? Ricardis even wondered if Laheansi was determined to pour muddy water on the couple’s future. Laheansi slumped over and went back among the guests.

Everyone gathered by the lakeside. White cloth led the way from the castle to the lake, with the surrounding area decorated with flowers.

It was time for the bride and groom to come together. The castle door opened.

““…?””

Only Rosaline, with a scrunched-up face and fierce impression, could be seen where the shyly smiling bride and groom should be. Everyone understood she was squinting because of the sun, but they couldn’t help but momentarily flinch. Even Ricardis was startled.

Rosaline had a basket in her hand. People then realized that she was the flower girl. Usually, small children with whom the bride and groom were close to dressed up cutely and scattered flowers on the path in front of the bride and groom. Therefore, this was the first time the guests saw such a sturdy and expressionless flower girl.

Rosaline’s nose twitched for a moment. Only Ricardis and the Knights of the White Night noticed. You’re holding back that you want to eat. That’s wonderful, Rosaline.

Rosaline walked and scattered flowers. Her throwing skill was good, and the light petals scattered well in all directions. Behind her appeared the bride and groom in white robes. The two of them followed Rosaline toward the lake.

Chloe had a soft smile, while Raymond was visibly nervous. His trembling legs made his robes shake wildly. The Knights of the White Night desperately pinched their thighs and bit their lips to keep from laughing. Pardict laughed outright.

“Look at that,” he said.

Then, after receiving a glare from Nathan, he immediately shut up.

Soft music flowed through the air. It was a hymn about how Idelavhim governs all things regarding human life.

The cresting sunlight blessed the two brilliantly. The bride’s cheeks were as supple as fruit. Raymond’s expression contorted as he approached the lake, eventually bursting into tears. Seeing the fruits of eight years of unrequited love and four years of love before his eyes, he couldn’t stand it.

“Oh dear,” Chloe mumbled and looked at her prospective husband with a hearty smile.

Seeing Raymond crying with his snot running down his nose, Pardict fell on the floor and laughed like he was dying. Nathan couldn’t resist striking him on the back.

A few lysh flowers bloomed next to the lake where the two stopped. Ricardis nodded and opened his mouth.

“In the 589th year of Illavenia’s founding year, the moon has fallen, and the brilliance of Idelavhim has risen, so it is time to bless the two people who have come to the lake.”

Raymond and Chloe closed their eyes briefly and put their hands together as if to answer his words.

“On this day and hour under his light, who wants to make a covenant?”

Chloe smiled. “Daughter of Idelavhim. Daughter of Illavenia. The first daughter of Golgarten. The one who blooms golden flowers along the strings of human bonds. Chloe Ellipso has found eternal love.”

Raymond was still sniffing. Wiping his reddened eyes, he opened his mouth bravely. “Son of Idelavhim. Son of Illavenia. The second son of Cimmaron. The brown goat with the courage to jump over the cliffs of the great Andi Mountains. Raymond Andi wants to make eternal love.”

The wind blew and brushed through the leaves of the laurel tree. The lake reflected the blue sky and the two people.

***

Rosaline couldn’t take her eyes off the first wedding she had ever seen. The two entered the lake and exchanged vows, and in the end, Ricardis’ holy power shone on them.

On the lake’s surface, the sun and the holy power of Ricardis overlapped with a shimmer, creating a scene as if two suns were becoming one. Even when she didn’t understand everything, something solemn dwelled in her heart. Viscount Golgarten cried ferociously and ate the chocolate that his wife gave him.

The short ceremony was over.

Chloe and Raymond, who were soaking wet, changed into a wedding dress and a suit. Even the calm hymn had changed to an exciting melody one would hear at a festival. The quiet atmosphere had gone somewhere as everyone drank and chatted in earnest.

The Knights of the White Night prepared bomb liquor and approached Raymond. The new bride stopped the mischievous knights before they could even get close to him.

“Oh. Oh, dear Idelavhim. Our Honey Butter Candy could swim in such a large amount of alcohol,” Chloe said.

The knights made awkward faces. Raymond’s nickname, Honey Butter Candy, wasn’t information they wanted to know.

“Come to think of it, the men of Walegrave are great drinkers. They don’t do anything silly like drinking in sips.”

“You know your stuff, ma’am! The men of Walegrave breathe like whales!” Pardict chuckled.

Chloe looked at him with sparkling eyes and a shy smile.

“I want to see it.”

“What?”

“I heard you drink like a whale. I want to see it. I’ve never seen a whale before.”

Eh, something’s not right, he thought. But Pardict had to drink the bomb liquor he was carrying at once. How could he say no to the new bride? Because there was a lot of potent wine in it, Pardict had to lie down in a corner until the wedding was over. He didn’t even wake up when Rosaline, too preoccupied with food, stepped on him.

The guests couldn’t harass the new groom as per wedding tradition because the squirrel-like new bride emitted a daunting pressure behind her smiling face. Honey Butter Candy stuck to Milk Pudding and didn’t let go.

“Raymond.”

“Your Highness!”

It was a face he hadn’t seen in a while. Raymond was delighted to see Diech. The eyes around Diech weren’t friendly because of the knowledge of his entanglement with various forces against Ricardis. Of course, as a deputy to the vice-captain of the Knights of the White Night, Raymond also knew this information.

The instant he heard Diech had contacted Haqab by his own will, Raymond perfectly recognized him as the enemy. As had been the case for years, he showed a bright smile to Diech— a near mistake on Raymond’s part. He was glad to see his old friend even if Diech had turned his back on him. Raymond smiled awkwardly, feeling bitter about his clumsiness being on display.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you for coming even though you must be busy.”

“What are you saying? Don’t make me sad.”

Diech looked at Chloe talking with her guests from afar, and then he turned his gaze back to Raymond.

“Wasn’t this your long-cherished wish? I earnestly pray to Idelavhim for a future full of happiness for you two.”

Diech gripped Raymond’s hand tightly with both of his. His hands were warm, his golden eyes twinkled, and his smile was soft enough to melt one’s heart. Genuinely pleased with the congratulations of an old friend, Raymond felt his heart pound. It bothered him that his mouth seemed to tremble awkwardly. He grinned like a fool.

“That’s right. My long-cherished wish! I think I will die of happiness.”

“Why are you talking of death already? You’ll have to be alive for tonight.”

Diech made a sly joke with an angelic face. Raymond chuckled as he nudged his side with his elbow. Diech said the jab broke his ribs and threatened to arrest him for injuring a member of the Imperial family, but he felt sorry for him and would let him go for tonight. The two men chuckled as they made nonsense jokes.

It was only a temporary peace before the storm. Everyone knew that the silence would not last forever. As the situation marched on, something like a torrent began to rage. Everyone here must be feeling it, including Diech.

Raymond had a hunch. In the near future, if he and Diech were together, the word battlefield would suit the description wherever that place was.

Raymond hugged Diech. Diech opened his eyes wide in surprise, but then his gentle smile was back on his lips. Raymond hugged him tight enough to suffocate him.

Get a grip, you fool! Because I’m not too far from having to strike you in the back.