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~Chapter 151~
“Vice-Commander Elaine told us not to come!”
One holy knight shouted and dashed off.
The 3rd Knight Division, who had been gathered in the square waiting to be let in, booed loudly.
“Boo! So stingy!”
“She thinks we’ll eat too much and empty out the banquet table?”
“She ran off, abandoned the order, and got married!”
“That’s it—let’s crash it and eat everything!”
With that, the gorillas of the 3rd Division lined up at the portal gate.
“Slowly! One at a time!”
“They’ll need to open it from the other side! You all know the toll fee, right?”
Magicians stood nearby, looking like corpses but raising their glasses in celebration.
They had broken apart the demonic gate the Pope had used and studied it, managing to expand the range of teleportation portals by using the faint remnants of the dragon’s magic.
This was also the day a permanent portal was finally installed near Saint Portu, now a principality.
Of course, the new Prince Silence had paid a hefty price for it.
“The portal’s range is way larger now.”
“Next expansion will probably be the south, right?”
“Even with so little magic left, this was possible. Dragons really are dragons.”
“Shame all the last magic got used up.”
The Empire’s networks had become stronger than ever, and Saint Portu’s warehouses were fuller than before.
“Let’s go! Time to raid this newly rich place!”
“I heard they can even farm now?”
With that, a group of holy knights stormed through the portal.
A handful of nobles, invited thanks to ties with the Pascal family, fanned themselves nervously at the portal.
“I wonder what it’s like there.”
“They say it’s changed a lot recently.”
“Well, let’s see it ourselves—”
Excited noble ladies held hands and stepped through.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Beyond the freshly restored white walls, flags fluttered all across Saint Portu’s market square.
Though reconstruction was still ongoing, the streets brimmed with life. Workers carried materials with cheerful shouts.
“Leave that wall down! We’ll expand the territory!”
Collapsed parts of the walls were being cleared, expanding the land. With monster invasions almost gone, there was no more need for constant fear.
Paper flowers fluttered in the air.
The warm air of spring was filled with joy and anticipation.
“Run, hurry!”
“Get a good spot!”
Children of thieves, merchants, and commoners all dashed forward laughing.
The adults who once eyed them with suspicion now followed with gentle smiles.
“It’s a good day.”
“Yes, a good day indeed.”
And all eyes turned to one place—
the Grand Duke’s estate.
“Finally.”
A voice full of emotion reached my ears.
I blinked nervously behind my veil.
“I’m not sure I’ll even be able to walk straight.”
Reina and Beth, helping with the preparations, reassured me.
“Don’t worry. Once you start walking, it’ll be over before you know it.”
“Exactly. That’s why we chose this dress design for you.”
I glanced down at my wedding dress.
It looked like a blend of gown and suit—flared and full at the back, but split in the front to reveal slim white trousers underneath.
I didn’t plan for this style at first, but talking with the designer Karl had brought in, I ended up describing a half-dress, half-pants style I’d seen in my past life.
Apparently, it was considered radical here—and they were already calling it the “Saint Portu Style,” predicting it might start a new trend.
At least it’s comfortable.
I liked it too; I wouldn’t trip over a heavy skirt today.
If it caught on, I’d make sure Saint Portu fabrics were used—good for business.
Reina and Beth fussed excitedly beside me.
“You look beautiful, Elaine.”
“Congratulations, my lady.”
Then Beth leaned close, whispering quickly.
“…I thought we’d have to resize the dress because your measurements were changing.”
“….”
I gave a sheepish smile.
Honestly, Beth’s suffered the most.
As my only personal maid, she and Jeremy had witnessed Karl’s and my clinginess the most.
Once, she even got trapped in the closet half a day, too scared to come out while we were… busy.
That must’ve been hell.
I felt guilty remembering it.
Beth’s face paled briefly but soon softened into a warm smile.
“Still, I think we’ll hear happy news soon. I’ll be the little prince or princess’s nanny, won’t I?”
“Can I visit my niece or nephew?” Reina teased.
“I haven’t even conceived yet!”
“Father will be crying when he realizes he’s becoming a grandfather.”
“I said nothing’s happened yet!”
Their chatter ended when—
Ding!
The newly restored bell tower rang.
“It’s time.”
“Today’s the first time the groom sees this dress, right?”
“He might faint from joy.”
“If he faints, I told him I’d leave him behind from embarrassment.”
They joked to ease my nerves.
Smiling, Reina and Beth stepped aside with the servants.
“Go on, Elaine.”
“We’ll be waiting in the guest seats.”
I nodded, drew a breath, and walked alone down the long corridor.
Tradition dictated that every Duchess walk past portraits of past Dukes and Duchesses.
At the end hung a portrait that had once been hidden when I first arrived here—Karl’s parents.
“….”
The ring shining on the painted woman’s hand was now on mine.
I brushed my finger and whispered softly:
“I’ll do my best.
I’ll love him as much as you did.
And I’ll never leave him, nor let him leave me.”
Then the curtains drew back—
Waaaaah!
Cheers erupted. My family, the people of Saint Portu, Zion, Commander Istar, even Mariana and that slacker were there, all applauding.
It seemed everyone who could come, had.
And at the end of the aisle—
“Elaine.”
Karl stood waiting, dressed more dazzlingly than ever, his golden eyes fixed only on me.
We’d already spent our first night long ago, yet he looked frozen stiff with nerves.
Ah.
I couldn’t wait any longer.
My body buzzed with excitement, my lips curved into a grin.
A little voice of reason whispered: Don’t run. It’s tradition.
But I shut it up instantly.
Of course I’ll run.
Tatak!
“…Elaine, you brat!”
My father shot up, red-eyed, as I bolted forward—pretending not to hear him.
Karl reached out, eyes glowing gold.
I leapt into his arms. He lifted my veil, and we kissed deeply.
“Elaine.”
His whisper was warm against my ear.
I babbled nonsense back, and he laughed.
People would gossip about our wedding.
Some would say it was chaotic, others that it was bold and refreshing.
But what would remain unchanged was this:
that the bride and groom, after everything, had never looked happier.
I was sure of it.
“I love you, Elaine.”
And I kissed him again, my husband, who returned my confession.
Later, Jero from the South would complain about being left out of the fun.
Jeremy and Beth would turn their bickering into a full-blown “War of Love.”
Reina, reconciled with her once-rejected fiancé, would become head of the family—the first female head of a military clan.
And someday, a little Prince Silence would join our lives.
But that would come later.
<I Quit Being a Cross-Dressing Holy Knight and Became the Wife of the Monster Duke>
The End.
