TDFL 35

Chapter 35

The reason the bride, Leonia, was delayed was that her father, Count Velasi, had an accident.

The count’s condition wasn’t serious.

It was just that he wasn’t in a state to attend the wedding immediately and needed treatment first.

…That’s what most people came to know.

The truth was this.

About two hours before the wedding began.

That was when I was facing off with Louis, who insisted he needed to treat the hand injured by the intruder.

“If we call a doctor, it will take some time for the hand to heal properly. I have a method in mind, but I can’t handle it alone.”

Louis stared at me, silently urging me to speak.

“The duke—”

“Louis.”

“…You’ll need to help, Louis.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Count Velasi is on his way. It seems he intends to attend the wedding.”

Louis must have known that the count hadn’t actually been invited.

“You just need to stop him; I’ll handle the rest.”

“If you want it done gently, it might be difficult given the time.”

“It’s fine as long as it’s not to the extent of canceling the wedding.”

He meant it was acceptable as long as no one was killed or seriously injured.

Louis didn’t ask further.

Perhaps aware of the time constraint, he issued orders to a few knights and headed straight to the lobby to meet the guests.

After that, Alice, having heard the news of the count’s accident, rushed to the waiting room.

A few distant relatives also came by, perhaps having heard the rumors.

They probably hoped to enter together with me.

‘With Alice here, how dare they.’

I deliberately ignored them, pretending to be flustered by the news of the count’s accident.

“Are you really okay with walking in with me?”

Up until the wedding was about to start, Alice wore a worried expression.

“Maybe it would be better to enter with a male relative from the side branch.”

“If you refuse, I’ll enter alone.”

I had no intention of reversing my decision.

Noticing this, Alice gave a helpless smile.

“Right, trends aren’t for following, they’re for leading. Customs exist to be broken.”

That’s how the situation with Alice and me entering together came about.

“Leonia.”

In the blink of an eye, Louis was by my side.

Alice looked like she didn’t want to let go of my hand but eventually stepped aside, while Louis smiled faintly.

We stood side by side at the altar.

A blessing filled with grace from the Pope followed and then concluded.

“By the name of Anatolia, protector of the continent, I declare these two as husband and wife.”

At the Pope’s words, we looked at each other.

“Don’t betray me, Leonia.”

Louis whispered, low enough for only me to hear, as he lifted my veil.

“If you don’t betray me, we’ll always stay as we are.”

I thought to myself, He’s going to divorce me when the contract ends, yet he’s trying to scare me so meticulously.

Clearly, the key point was not to betray him.

I met Louis’ gaze.

There was still no warmth or affection in his eyes, but that didn’t matter.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

With that brief reply, Louis’ hand cupped my jaw.

Our faces drew close, and our lips met.

Feeling our connection deepen, I realized I had stepped into the trap I had chosen.

Beneath the soft light of chandeliers, the hall, luxuriously decorated in every corner, held the wedding reception.

Louis and I changed into outfits prepared for the reception and entered side by side.

Both wore light-colored attire, reminiscent of the dress and uniform we had worn earlier.

‘I need to show the Emperor properly.’

Everyone present must have understood the significance of Louis’ white uniform.

Perhaps for that reason, before we could even greet anyone, the Pope approached us.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

The Pope’s presence exuded elegance and a strong vitality even as he approached.

“You both look wonderful in these outfits, matching the portrait, right?”

Pointing to a portrait hanging in the center of the hall, the Pope asked, and I nodded in agreement.

At the center of the reception hall was a portrait of me in a white dress and Louis in his white uniform.

We had placed it there to show the Emperor.

‘The Pope might have found it a bit off.’

The imperial family and the Church were not on good terms.

While the Pope wasn’t entirely aligned with the Church, he was closer to it than to the imperial family.

“No need to take it too seriously. I came sincerely to bless your marriage.”

“I’m honored that you delivered the blessing.”

Louis unexpectedly responded politely.

I recalled that Louis’ predecessors were devout and frequently visited the Church.

So it wouldn’t be strange if Louis knew the Pope.

However, the Pope’s next words were slightly unexpected.

“A blessing is nothing compared to what happened back then.”

Louis remained silent with a composed expression.

His smile didn’t seem genuinely pleased, so I tried to interpret the Pope’s meaning.

The event had failed due to an uninvited guest.

“The Pope himself has come all this way.”

The Emperor greeted the Pope with a fake smile.

We bowed politely, and he raised his hand as if satisfied.

Glancing around, Diego was nowhere to be seen. He had probably been removed after causing a major incident.

“I didn’t expect you to set foot in the Duke’s residence.”

“Since Anatolia comes, I have no reason not to.”

All Popes had no personal names; they were only called Anatolia, the representative of God.

“You’ve done well for the northern devotees, Madam Duchess, so I came to show my respect as well.”

This seemed to refer to the donations I had made to the northern facilities.

‘I didn’t expect him to mention that in front of the Emperor.’

Louis acted as if he had a close relationship with the Pope.

But considering the trauma from the death of Louis’ predecessors, this seemed to be his way of protecting Louis from the Emperor.

“I didn’t expect great Anatolia to act according to worldly values.”

“The important thing is the devotees’ hearts.”

“The Marquis of Rigen is also devout, so I suppose I’ll see him at the Marquis’ wedding too?”

“If he is truly devout, Anatolia will guide him.”

The Emperor’s question, as if asking whether he would attend Diego’s wedding for a donation, was immediately declined by the Pope.

“I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage. I’m afraid I must take my leave now.”

Since the reception was in full swing, I would see the Pope out while Louis stayed in the hall.

“Please take care of the Duke. I can’t say he is completely right…”

At the entrance, the Pope took my hand firmly, adding with hesitation:

“Everyone deserves a chance to repent.”

“Do you think Louis has sinned, Your Holiness?”

“Everyone commits sins in life.”

The Pope gave a faint smile.

“Whether one is considered a sinner depends on who judges it.”

It sounded vague, but I interpreted it as meaning Louis had not committed a major sin.

“Similarly, someone who is good to one person may not be to another.”

“I see.”

I responded appropriately, having understood the Pope’s point.

But his next words startled me a little.

“Don’t trust Duke Arban too much.”

It was advice that contradicted what he had just said.

“You pity Louis but don’t trust him?”

“I trust only Anatolia.”

A frustrating way to phrase it, but I nodded, since I couldn’t say otherwise.

The Pope’s gentle smile soon gave way to a slightly sad expression.

“I doubt I’ll ever return to this land. God has guided me elsewhere.”

I interpreted it as him having come here at some risk because of Louis.

Curious as I was, I decided not to press for answers.

“I hope I can see Your Holiness again, if fate allows.”

“If our paths cross, you shall.”

Then he left with his attendants.

I, having watched for a while, turned my body as well.

As I headed to return to the bustling hall, a group approached me.

“There you are, Miss Leonia. We’ve been looking for you.”

And they addressed me as “Miss Leonia.”

I had just gotten married, and the words from these people were not meant to congratulate me.

If this confrontation was reported to the press, it would make the front page tomorrow.

“You supposedly stole a proposal from Alice?”

“They say you did the same with the Marquis of Rigen, always relying on your sister Alice to survive?”

The mockery crossed the line and carried clear malice.

I could have bet a fortune that Count Green was behind this.

“So what is it you want to say?”

“…If you have any pride as a noblewoman, divorce the Duke immediately.”

When I didn’t react, they hesitated but soon pressed their demand.

Whether drunk or drugged, their words were surprisingly flowery.

“Do you really believe you could become the Duchess if I divorced Louis?”

“….”

Apparently, their conscience hadn’t completely vanished.

They didn’t respond, but added irritably:

“At least the rightful person should take that position!”

I remained silent from here on, listening deliberately.

I felt a presence behind me.

“I’m sure Duke Arban prefers Alice to Miss Leonia—”

“Really?”

This time, it wasn’t me who spoke.

A deathly silence followed, leaving them all flustered.

The most advantageous person had just arrived.

‘Not happening.’

At least for the young ladies in front of me.