LCWD 10

~Chapter 10~

“Fufufu.”

I covered my mouth with the bouquet and giggled slyly.

How long had it been since my last relationship? About two years, maybe?

Because of my busy and harsh life, I had unintentionally kept my distance from romance.

I thought all my love cells had already died out—but the moment I thought of Apollyon, a thousand years’ worth of desire came rushing back like magic.

Thinking like this made me feel like some kind of pervert.

But no! My thoughts were not impure!

We were both adults, and from today, we were a married couple.

It would be strange not to think such things.

Besides, this was something we had to do to break the curse!

Even though no one had questioned me about anything, I started making excuses to myself—trying hard to justify my own thoughts.

“Oh my, you must be very nervous.”

One of the boutique staff who had been watching my one-woman show spoke to me.

The staff was applying shimmering powder on my collarbone and making the final checks to ensure the dress wasn’t out of place.

“…Huh? Oh, yes.”

I replied awkwardly.

They must have assumed I was acting strangely due to nervousness.

“The bride will enter shortly!”

A voice called from outside.

I took a deep breath.

I hadn’t expected to be this nervous, but now my heart was pounding so hard it felt like it had moved to my head.

With the attendants’ help, I straightened my back and stood tall.

Once those doors opened, I’d step into the outdoor wedding hall—and I’d see Apollyon.

“The bride is entering!”

The doors opened, and the bright midsummer sunlight poured in.

As I turned the corner and stepped out, I saw my father standing at the start of the staircase in a formal uniform.

He looked like he was about to cry.

And standing at the ceremony’s spot… was the Emperor.

Wait, why is the Emperor there?!

My hands trembled with nervousness as I took my father’s arm.

As the musicians began to play, I walked slowly—like a turtle—down the stairs with my father.

I could hear him sniffle and mumble something emotional, but I didn’t hear it.

My mind was blank—like my white wedding dress.

There weren’t many guests, but it was obvious at a glance that they were all very important people.

Their clothes, postures, and the aura they gave off were all extraordinary.

‘An outdoor wedding can’t be that fancy—it’s not like we’re at the Silla Hotel garden.’

That was my mistake.

The venue was overflowing with rare flowers not usually seen in summer.

Magic stones that glowed with soft light were hanging from tree branches.

Since magic users were rare here, those magic tools had to be extremely expensive.

My dress sparkled brilliantly under the light of the magic stones.

The diamonds sewn into the dress scattered the light into mystical colors, making it clear that I was the star of the day.

As I walked, flower girls scattered petals in rhythm with my steps.

It seemed the petals had been mixed with finely ground pearl powder because they shimmered in the air like a rainbow as they floated down.

Honestly, I had been worried.

This was a sudden wedding, and both Apollyon and I were popular gossip material.

If the wedding were too grand, people would criticize it.

If it were too simple, they’d still find something to mock.

I wasn’t worried about the ceremony itself— But I was afraid the guest seats might be empty… And that Apollyon would get hurt again.

But all those worries were unnecessary.

The flowers had a lovely glow, and the breeze was soft and refreshing.

It felt like I had stepped into a fairytale wedding.

The guests were all smiling, blessing our future together.

I didn’t know their names or faces, but I felt genuinely grateful.

Hearing my father sniffle beside me, I looked forward again—

Oh, right. The Emperor.

My happiness rating, which had been near 100, instantly dropped by half.

Even in the original story, the Emperor never attended a wedding.

I desperately tried to avoid his gaze, but the veil I wore wasn’t the kind that covered my face—it was just a decorative veil tied below my hair.

So, I couldn’t hide.

I’d never even seen a president in person, and now I was standing nose-to-nose with the Emperor.

Just as I was about to look away from the Emperor, something blocked my view.

A tall figure had stepped in front of him.

There hadn’t been anyone there just a moment ago.

I lifted my gaze a little— And there he was.

A man standing at the end of the path, his back facing me.

His black hair shimmered with violet under the sunlight.

His outfit was so tightly fitted it looked like it wouldn’t allow a single wrinkle.

His wide back, a glimpse of his ear, and sharp jawline—all looked like they were sculpted.

It was the male lead from the novel and my brand-new husband starting today—Apollyon Teabridte.

***

I stopped at the end of the path and placed my hand on Apollyon’s arm, just like I had learned in bridal training.

He seemed surprised and flinched a little, but then relaxed his arm so I could link mine with his.

As I glanced at him from the side, I saw he was wearing a mask—as always.

But today, he wore a neat white one instead of his usual black.

The mask covered about two-thirds of his face—everything except part of his forehead and below his nose.

With my head lowered, I used my eyes to scan his face.

I couldn’t even hear what the Emperor was saying.

It was probably just the usual “live happily ever after until your hair turns white together” kind of speech…

…Wait.

I just remembered—my hair was platinum blonde.

Looking around, I noticed the room was full of unique hair colors.

Everyone from the Inkledev family had platinum hair like mine, the Emperor had silver hair, and one of the flower girls had bright red hair.

Actually, Apollyon’s dark violet hair was probably the closest to black.

So a line about turning black hair white with age didn’t make any sense here!

I decided I’d better start listening to the Emperor properly from now on.

“…Apollyon Rain Teabridte, head of the Teabridte family, do you swear to love Petunia Bris Inkledev forever as your wife?”

“I swear.”

Oh my…

Did he spread chocolate on his vocal cords?

His voice was so smooth and sweet, a deep baritone.

“Petunia Bris Inkledev, eldest daughter of the Inkledev family, do you swear to love Apollyon Rain Teabridte forever as your husband?”

“I swear.”

After a few more vows, the Emperor added some blessings and a couple of awkward jokes.

In that cheerful mood, we slid the wedding rings onto each other’s fingers.

The ring had a big violet sapphire—the symbol of House Teabridte—surrounded by tiny diamonds arranged like rippling waves.

It was stunning.

I’d heard violet sapphires were very rare.

Where on earth did they get one of these?

Just as I was admiring it…

“You may now seal your vows with a kiss.”

The word “kiss” instantly woke me up.

Yes! Kiss time!

The moment the Emperor finished speaking, I turned quickly to face Apollyon.

This was the first time I looked at his face straight on.

Apollyon also turned to face me.

His lips, not hidden by the mask, were red and soft-looking.

All my dead butterflies started fluttering again.

While I was focused on his glossy lips, I noticed Apollyon’s eyes shifting nervously behind the mask.

His pale blue-gray eyes, like the evening sky, were full of anxiety.

Don’t worry, Mr. Male Lead.

This noona will take care of everything!

To reach him, I stood on tiptoes.

But unlike me, who was full of enthusiasm, Apollyon didn’t lower his head to help.

As I tilted up further, I suddenly felt something soft and warm press against my forehead.

His lips!

Apollyon had kissed me—

But just on the forehead—

And only for a few seconds before pulling back.

I stared at him in disbelief.

Our eyes met… and he quickly turned away.

“This concludes the vow…”

Wait! That was the kiss?!

“And now, please bow to each other’s families to conclude…”

Excuse me, Your Majesty!

You called that a kiss?!

Since when did the Empire consider a forehead peck a real kiss?!

With frustration bubbling inside me, I turned and bowed toward Apollyon’s family.

I wanted to cry.

That was the kiss I had been waiting for—how could he just steal it like that?!

It felt like someone had yanked a lollipop out of my mouth.

Tears welled up in my eyes as we turned toward my family.

People must have thought it was normal for a bride to cry at her wedding.

But no! That’s not it!

I wanted to scream—but there were too many people around.

The guests all stood up and clapped.

Like a badly oiled robot, I slowly turned my head.

Apollyon quickly looked away when our eyes met.

I saw his throat gulp nervously.

Aha.

So you do know you did something wrong.

Since I couldn’t glare at the Emperor, I stared at Apollyon like I was ready to kill.

Feeling my intense gaze, he tried to pull his arm away—but I gripped it tightly and didn’t let go.

His face and the arm I was holding were both turning pale.

I glared at him with all the fire in my soul.

Tonight, you’re done for.

I’m going to roll you around in bed until you cry.