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Chapter : 34
Eventually, a simple-looking clerk came out to guide them.
The marriage ceremony was completed while Peta watched. Ron and Sean didn’t attend, saying that such occasions made them uncomfortable.
They were officially husband and wife. In other couples, the groom would have kissed the bride, but Tris did not. Instead, he knelt on one knee before Emblin. Peta’s eyes widened in surprise.
As Emblin looked down at Tris with an expressionless face, he spoke.
“I, Tris Aike, vow from this moment to remain faithful as Emblin’s husband and to faithfully fulfill the role of her protector. I swear before God that I will protect Emblin until death breaks this vow, until the moment I die, placing my honor on the line.”
Emblin nodded gracefully and extended a hand. Tris took it and kissed the back of her hand.
Watching this, Peta felt her chest tighten as if it were being torn. Tris was making such a vow. And what nonsense was this “remain faithful” business? She glared at Emblin with sharp eyes. It seemed he had already gone mad. That’s why he demanded such audacity. Where else would Meryl’s crazy blood go?
Poor Tris. He had pawned his life for a land like this. Judging by Tris’s personality, he would keep that vow until death. No matter what happened, he would keep it. Tris was that kind of man.
After leaving the cathedral, Tris sent the group back to their lodgings first, leaving him and Emblin alone. After a moment, Tris approached her.
“Why? Do you still have something to say?”
A wary light shone in her eyes. Tris furrowed his brow and said,
“I’m here to take you.”
“No, I can go alone.”
“You refused earlier, so why now?”
Emblin avoided his gaze and said,
“Because I have limits.”
“Limits?”
She pressed her lips together and muttered quickly,
“I was scared because it was my first time riding a horse.”
Taken aback by the unexpected words, Tris stared at her in surprise.
“Your first time riding?”
“Yes.”
Emblin added with a prim expression,
“I don’t want to ride again.”
Tris gently held her elbow as they began walking.
“What are you doing?”
“Walking you there. Since we’ve had a wedding, I at least want to do this.”
“Let me make it clear first,” she said firmly, pulling her hand away like a warrior,
“I’m not afraid of other people’s eyes. I don’t care what they think of me. There’s only one thing I care about—freedom.”
Tris stared at her intently. In his turquoise eyes, a sharp light appeared, fixing her gaze.
“So don’t you dare pity me.”
Tris continued to look at her silently, then suddenly smiled.
“Pity? I’ve never pitied anyone. And haven’t you asked me to treat you like a little sister?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’ll say it just one more time. I left home because of Idela. Still don’t understand? I am a man who is very devoted to his little sister. Do you think someone like me would let you go alone?”
Before Emblin could fully comprehend, he held her elbow again and started walking.
“I’m not that cruel an older brother.”
Emblin looked at him, startled. But thinking back, it made sense. He had said he left the territory for that reason. A sudden, ominous thought flashed through her mind. Did she foolishly ask him to protect her like a brother? She had no idea how he would behave.
It wasn’t surprising—Emblin’s social interactions had been extremely limited, and there were almost no normal people in her life. Only Meryl, King Ackers, Johas, Maser, Tuck, and people who looked at her like a bug. But Tris already acted differently from all of them. She didn’t know what to do.
Her gaze wavered briefly in confusion, but only for a moment. Her usual cold composure, which had kept her going until now, returned.
“Fine. But please take your hand away.”
Tris obediently did as she asked. They began walking side by side.
She walked straight ahead, ignoring all the eyes around her and the people clearing the snow. Tris suddenly asked,
“How did you come to this place?”
“You already know.”
The place she had gained after Queen Meryl’s death.
“The matter of Queen Meryl is a tragedy.”
She answered calmly.
“Yes. I think so too. I’m going to stop thinking about my mother now.”
She would carry it in her heart for life but didn’t want to tell Tris.
Tris replied,
“That’s fortunate.”
Emblin narrowed her eyes.
“Fortunate?”
“Queen Meryl didn’t die because of you. You didn’t push her, after all.”
Emblin twisted her lips in a bitter, silent smile. Was he trying to comfort her? She ignored his words and pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to talk anymore.
But he asked again.
“Does His Highness also know you proposed to me?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. Abbot Jacob will inform Cardinal Mille of the marriage. The church doesn’t allow divorce except by death, so protect your life well.”
Tris’s eyes widened, and he suddenly laughed. Emblin was startled. He was clutching his stomach with one hand while laughing. Why was he laughing?
Was he mocking her, teasing her? She wasn’t sure. But…
His laughter was surprisingly pure. Clear and bright like white snow reflecting sunlight. Her gaze lingered on him. His face was clean-shaven, no longer covered in rough stubble. His dark brown hair was trimmed short, exposing his ears. His facial features were now clear: dark eyebrows, deep blue eyes, high nose bridge, well-defined lips.
She had never seen a man so handsome. She had never seen a man smile so purely. But it was dazzling, so she looked away. He was completely different from her. His smile carried confidence that she didn’t have. It was too dazzling to look at directly.
Now she noticed his pace. Tall as he was, he silently matched her stride. Was he being considerate? Ah, no—she suddenly realized.
“Th-thank you.”
At her words, Tris stopped laughing and brushed the hair off her forehead. It happened so suddenly that Emblin had no chance to refuse; she just stared at him and held her breath.
Tris examined her forehead. As she suspected, a scar remained.
“So, the scar remains.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Her stubbornness made a small anger rise within him. She said thank you and then… Tris replied bluntly,
“Then that’s fortunate. Now that I’m your protector, no one will lay a hand on you.”
“How?”
“I’ll fight.”
Emblin tested him, pointing to the scar on her forehead.
“What if the person who gave me this scar touches me again? Will you still fight?”
King Ackers. They both knew. Tris said,
“I will.”
“Do you even know who it is?”
“Of course.”
So confident, Emblin felt foolish for asking such a question. But she felt a little relieved. He would fight for her. She thought she’d never hear that in her life…
Strangely, her heart fluttered, and a warm sensation spread deep in her chest. It was an unfamiliar feeling to her.
Emblin murmured softly,
“You’re completely insane. You’re nothing like you seem.”
“You think I’m insane?”
Emblin shrugged.
“Reckless. That’s why people say you’re not like a proper noble.”
She had never seen an heir with such a strong sense of self. That’s why he must have quarreled with Duke Aike and left the territory. So unexpectedly, she could accept Tris as her husband—but she still had doubts.
Would it be okay? Tris seemed completely different from King Ackers, Maser, and Tuck. He was a man beyond her ability to predict. She didn’t know if having such a husband was better or worse.
Tris muttered irritably,
“I don’t know what you want me to do about that.”
“I just mean you’re so different from the nobles I know. Especially Tuck.”
Hmph! Tris scoffed.
“Don’t compare me to that bastard.”
Bastard? The sudden curse made Emblin’s pupils widen. She had never seen a man—or person—speak so bluntly. Perhaps that was why it was the first time she had such a long conversation with someone. Likely because it was Tris.
“You’re much better, so don’t worry.”
Tris glanced at her and murmured,
“Then that’s fortunate.”
She suddenly wondered again. Did he really fight Tuck? How did it end? Who won? She was surprised at herself for caring so much. Why was she so curious? But her lips had already moved.
“Did you really fight?”
“With whom?”
“Tuck.”
“Ah… I broke one wrist and twisted his ankle, but he got in the way.”
