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Chapter 12
It was already afternoon the next day when Diana finally opened her eyes. Her first words were,
“What happened to the wedding?”
Was it a strong sense of responsibility? Or just vanity and pride? No one could tell for sure. But instead of asking normal questions like “Where am I?”, “What happened?”, or “Am I okay?”, she was focused on the wedding, which left everyone stunned.
“I’m today’s bride, and I’m going to be Erno’s wife. The guests must be waiting. If the bride is bedridden with a cold and the ceremony gets canceled, Erno and the Fenril family’s honor will be a joke.”
Honestly, none of the people in the North would ever see her as Erno’s real wife, so her effort seemed pointless—but the servants still bowed politely.
The important contract, or rather vow, had already been signed back at the Lapin Baron’s estate through their representative, Akila.
Today’s ceremony was just a symbolic oath exchanged in front of a priest.
Thanks to the medicine Veronica gave her, Diana had slept deeply without dreams. Apparently, Veronica had stayed by her side all night to take care of her.
Other than feeling a little sick, Diana was fine.
So, even if she couldn’t attend the banquet, she had no issue joining the ceremony.
‘That medicine worked really well…’
When she thought of Veronica, the shocking sight from the other night came to mind. Diana pressed her forehead, frustrated.
She couldn’t forgive her. How dare Veronica humiliate her like that? Publicly mocking the Grand Duchess wasn’t something that could be ignored—and no one would say punishing her was unfair.
Except for Erno.
He clearly must’ve seen how Veronica was dressed. But since he hadn’t said anything to scold her, Diana doubted she’d get an apology, even if she brought it up.
‘Forget it. It’s not like the wedding really mattered anyway. If I feel that bitter, I’ll just show up to her future wedding in a white mourning dress.’
Diana forced a small smile and tried to push the thought out of her head.
The servants treated her like she was a fragile reed that would snap if touched.
It wasn’t exactly the same coldness or rejection from when they first met, but they were still wary of her.
“Um… excuse me…”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
“Can I get something to cover up with? Like a cloak… or a shawl…”
The formal northern wedding dress she wore was made of thick wool and fur, beautifully embroidered. It looked warm and soft.
But after being soaked in the northern cold yesterday, Diana didn’t feel fully at ease with just that.
“Something to cover up with… Ah! I have just the thing! I’ll be right back!”
The maid ran off like a flash and returned just as fast, holding something thick in her hands.
Before Diana could process what was happening, the maid proudly unfolded the item in front of her.
“…A bear pelt?”
The maid nodded proudly, as if she had hunted the bear herself.
It was a perfectly white bear pelt—complete with the head still attached.
Diana looked at the sharp yellow teeth and the black glass beads used for eyes. She felt uneasy.
“This is perfect for showing Your Grace’s dignity.”
“Is… that so?”
Was she being mocked? Diana wasn’t sure. She looked back and forth between the bear skin and the maid.
“In the South, brides wear flowers and jewels, but here in Islant, it’s different. Normally, the groom sends a fur or the bride hunts something herself and wears the best one. We happened to have something suitable.”
“The bride hunts it herself?”
Diana’s eyes widened in surprise.
In the South, it wasn’t unusual for a groom to send a fur or antler item to show his ability. But southern nobles often saw such gestures as uncultured or barbaric.
“Yes. The size and quality of the fur show the bride’s skill. If she’s not good at hunting, her parents sometimes secretly hire a skilled hunter to help…”
Apparently, things were different up North. Even though they were on the same map, the customs were worlds apart.
Diana’s heart fluttered with excitement from experiencing such a culture shock.
Looking closely, the maid seemed honest and good-natured. Her face didn’t look like someone who would lie or try to humiliate her.
“Thank you.”
Maybe I’ll use it as a lap blanket later. Diana smiled and tried not to look the bear in the eyes.
When Diana arrived wearing the bear pelt over her shoulders, Erno raised an eyebrow. His expression was hard to read.
“…Did you catch a bear already?”
“A maid gave it to me… just in case…”
“Then I guess you hunted an elk instead.”
Diana tilted her head, confused by the strange response. Erno didn’t say anything else and simply adjusted the brooch on her shoulder.
“Diana Lapin, do you swear to be the one and only partner of Erno Larsson Fenril, as destined by the gods, and to stay with him until the end of the world?”
The priest’s solemn voice echoed in the chapel.
Diana bowed deeply and replied in a small but clear voice.
“I do.”
The priest then turned to Erno with the same question.
“Erno Larsson Fenril, do you swear to be the only partner of Diana Lapin, as destined by fate, and stay with her until the world’s end?”
Diana glanced at Erno nervously.
He stared ahead with a blank, unreadable face.
“I do.”
There was no warmth in his voice—no sign of joy or love.
“You are now officially husband and wife, like two trees becoming one. May you be happy until Islant’s blizzards turn into rainbows.”
The priest raised his arms and blessed their new beginning.
The ceremony ended, and Diana finally let out a breath of relief. She leaned back in her chair, exhausted. But Erno still looked like he had more to do.
“Where are you going?”
Please not another sudden monster hunt… Diana’s eyebrows drooped with worry.
Erno didn’t even look at her as he answered casually.
“The banquet.”
“Banquet? But there was one yesterday.”
“Yesterday was for the northern nobles. Today is for people of Fenril Castle.”
“Oh… then I should go too, right?”
Diana hurried to stand, but before she could even rise fully, Erno cut her off coldly.
“Why bother?”
It felt like something inside Diana was slashed apart.
Why bother. Someone like you. How dare you.
Words that had haunted her for most of her life.
She tried to respond, her voice uncertain.
“W-Well, I’m your wife… the Grand Duchess… so I should be there, shouldn’t I?”
“No need. Just rest, Your Grace.”
Erno didn’t even look back as he dismissed her.
His firm tone made it clear he wouldn’t allow any more discussion. Diana lowered her head, biting her lip sadly.
‘Well, after everything that happened yesterday, I wouldn’t want to be seen with me either.’
She closed her eyes tightly. Maybe it was better this way. Even her own husband didn’t seem to think of her as the Grand Duchess.
If she went to the banquet, people would only gossip and laugh at her even more than they did yesterday.
‘I really thought he’d listen to me, just a little…’
Maybe what he said yesterday—saving her and all that—was just a lie to rescue someone from drowning. Diana quietly pressed her hand over her aching heart.
