IRATBP Chapter 44

Chapter 44

The vow ceremony was scheduled to take place before lunch.

Thanks to spending my past life sleeping in uncomfortable places, I wasn’t picky about beds—so I slept well. But the dress and accessories were heavy.

“Excuse me, my lady.”

With a fluttering sound, something was draped over my shoulders. It was heavy and soft.

“What is this?”

“It is the Cloak of Oath. It is worn during the vow ceremony, and once the vow is sealed, each party keeps their own.”

So the cloak replaces the ring, in a way.

I really knew nothing about noble customs in my previous life.

Commoners usually didn’t hold a vow ceremony; they went straight to the wedding. And in the slums, we had no luxury for ceremonies at all.

Knock knock—someone tapped on the door. Instead of waiting for permission, the door swung open.

“Lady Piana. It has been a while. I am here as the family’s representative.”

“Oh… nice to see you.”

That voice belonged to the head butler of the Lucianos Duchy.

He was one of the people who pretended not to see when I was being bullied by my sister or the duchess.

I didn’t expect my family to come anyway.

It was more comforting if they didn’t.

Especially my sister—I had no idea how she might react.

But the words that followed made me stop in surprise.

“The duke wished to come in person, but Lady Rena may have contracted a contagious disease, so he could not attend.”

“What? My sister?”

Didn’t she leave just fine a few days ago? How could she have fallen ill in that short time?

I’m not worried, but I guess it doesn’t hurt to know.

The butler, seeing my reaction, spoke in a pitying tone.

“Yes. Sadly, she has a terrible rash on her face… She cannot attend a public event.”

“I see. I hope she recovers soon.”

My unexpectedly calm answer made the butler show clear surprise.

So Russell did something, huh.

Not that it mattered to me anymore.

“My lady, the preparations are complete.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“U-um, my lady?”

“Could you step aside? The lady needs to pass.”

Asha growled at the butler in a sharp tone. I said nothing and let her be.

Whatever happens to my sister is none of my business now. I don’t care.

With that thought, I began walking, my heels clicking loudly across the corridor.

“We will escort you to the hall now.”

Creak—

The sound of the door opening reached my ears. I straightened my back and walked forward.

Heavy…

The dress and the veil weighed on my body. Without Asha’s hand and the support of my stick, I would’ve fallen for sure.

I held onto Asha’s hand as we walked. Other attendants followed closely to prevent me from tripping on the dress.

“You’re here.”

At that voice, my steps stopped. Someone barely held back a gasp.

What?

Why such a reaction?

“Asha, what about Lord Russell?”

“Oh! Um… he slicked his hair back from his forehead and is wearing a white suit. And over his shoulders, he has the same cloak as you, my lady.”

So… he looked too handsome and surprised them?

Now I’m curious too, seeing everyone react like that.

I couldn’t rub my face with my hands because of the makeup. A small regret.

“Let’s go, Piana.”

“Yes.”

I released Asha’s hand and took Russell’s. The heavy doors opened.

As Russell and I walked forward, all whispers stopped at once.

Judging from the footsteps, there were more spectators than last night.

Most must’ve come out of curiosity about me and Russell.

Amid countless footsteps, faint voices whispered:

“Is that Duke Glacies? He looks nothing like the rumors about the Monster Duke.”

“But the imperial family has blond hair and gold eyes. Why is his hair black?”

“Who cares? He’s handsome.”

“Since it’s not the official wedding, the duchy sent a representative.”

“Still, she’s practically the duchess now… Isn’t that disrespectful?”

“The Lucianos duke is always busy. Can’t be helped.”

Most were evaluating me and Russell. I would have been nervous before, but now felt strangely calm.

Holding Russell’s hand makes it feel like everything will be okay.

After about thirty steps, Russell stopped.

“We will now begin the vow ceremony.”

A warm, low voice of an old woman filled the hall.

So she’s the High Priestess managing the ceremony.

Russell and I bowed slightly toward her, honoring her position.

“In the beginning, the Empire discovered iron and fire amid a raging blizzard. Thus it was born.”

As she spoke, a soft, white sphere of light formed in her hands.

I recognized it as divine power—I had seen sacred light back at Glacies Castle when I was receiving treatment.

There it is. That warm glow…

While I was mesmerized, the prayer of oath proceeded.

“Thus, in the name of Rigor, Goddess of Frost, I officially declare these two souls bound.”

When the vow ended, the cloak over my shoulders began to warm.

Just when I wondered if it might catch fire, Russell wrapped his arm around my waist.

Wait. Do our lips have to touch?

While I panicked, Russell skillfully leaned in.

His breath grew closer.

It was too late to pull away—he held my waist. My legs trembled under the dress.

At that moment—

“That’s enough.”

…Huh?

Before I could react, Russell snapped his fingers.

“Oh my. What is this?”

“Goodness, flower petals indoors…!”

“What a beautiful spell!”

A gentle scent filled the air as petals fluttered around us.

While everyone gasped in delight, time seemed frozen around just the two of us.

Russell pressed a finger to my lips. He spoke softly, with a faint smile:

“I’ll give you anything you want, but not this. Not yet.”

My heart trembled like petals dancing in the wind.

Not yet…? So he will someday?

I opened my mouth, trying to say I hadn’t expected it.

“Ah, I… um…”

“You don’t need to explain. Now let’s walk back slowly.”

What did he think he understood? Was he as unsettled as I was?

No. Russell said he didn’t deserve to love anyone.

Don’t expect anything.

After scolding myself, my heart slowly calmed. I followed Russell back down the aisle.

Since it wasn’t the official wedding, the vow ceremony was brief. The cloaks we wore were woven with magic, and once the vow was sealed, they gleamed like starlight.

The couple kept the cloaks like rings. The remaining time was spent listening to the orchestra or waving to nobles.

I’m exhausted…

Back in the waiting room, as my attendants removed my decorations, I finally felt like I could breathe.

Asha, noticing my fatigue, paused while removing my headpiece and forced a bright tone.

“You worked hard, my—no! Your Grace, the Duchess!”

“You can call me Piana.”

“If I do, His Grace will have my head.”

“He wouldn’t… haha.”

I smiled lightly, but inside, my feelings were tangled.

With this, I was as good as the duchess. “Future” duchess, technically. But no one seemed to doubt my legitimacy.

Does Russell really want me to remain a puppet duchess?

As I pondered, someone knocked.

“Sorry to bother you at such a busy time.”

“L-Lord Russell? What brings you here?”

The voice sounded distant—so he hadn’t entered the room. Why?

“Piana, you.”

That phrase echoed in my mind.

‘As a noble lady, you’ll eventually uncover Russell’s secret, so don’t worry.’

Russell’s voice grew serious.

“There’s somewhere we need to go.”