Chapter 17

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 17

Chapter Title: The Wedding Day Dawns

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Late afternoon.

Agatha savored the bright sunlight for the first time in ages as she enjoyed a brunch that doubled as both a late breakfast and lunch.

Unlike the hazy hours she'd been waking and sleeping through lately, this was a remarkably refreshing start to her day.

"Where is the marquis?"

"He's just finished his luncheon appointment. Upon hearing that you were awake, Lady, he said he'd stop by the mansion."

"I see."

Agatha had been startled when she first opened her eyes.

She had a schedule that morning. Why hadn't anyone woken her?

'It was the marquis's strict orders. He'll handle the schedule in your place, so don't worry and let the lady sleep without disturbing her.'

'...'

Before her were documents that Enoch had arrived early that morning to handle perfectly, along with instructions neatly organized for clarity.

He had even stepped out to attend events on her behalf where her fiancé's status allowed it.

Having been granted a full half-day of rest like this, Agatha felt an emotion she couldn't quite put into words.

She felt dazed. Yet, strangely, her mood was good.

She leisurely washed up, brushed her hair, sat on the terrace, and had a simple meal.

It was a peaceful time she hadn't enjoyed since fainting and waking up.

As she sipped her after-meal coffee and cake while reviewing the documents Enoch had handled, she confirmed that her prospective husband was capable indeed.

He had marked sections needing confirmation and authorized preliminary actions with post-approval notes where signatures were required.

Even her future schedule had been flexibly adjusted.

As if he planned to commute to this mansion for work tomorrow, too.

"Oh, it looks like the marquis has arrived."

Head Steward Allen smiled warmly as he cleared away the reviewed documents.

Clang—

The firmly shut gates of Noblesse Mansion No. 1 swung open.

At the head of the horses entering amid salutes from the vigilant Aratus knights gleamed a familiar hair color.

Her perceptive attendant maid, Jessie, quickly draped a robe over her shoulders.

Agatha went down to the first-floor hall to greet him.

Waiting for the door to open somehow felt like newlywed life had already begun early.

'I used to go out like this occasionally to greet my husbands before.'

Unlike those times, her heart wasn't calm—it pounded wildly.

The door opened. The man, handing his coat to the steward as he walked in, gave her a faint smile upon seeing her.

"Agatha."

"...You're here."

Enoch naturally took her hand and pressed his lips firmly to the back of it.

"Your complexion has improved. I hope you're not upset about me putting you to sleep without a word."

"Of course not. I know it was for my sake. And..."

He had truly handled only matters related to the wedding and Aratus cooperation that required Noblesse's involvement, along with items he could resolve as her fiancé.

The lines were drawn so clearly that it left Agatha flustered instead.

"And?"

"...Nothing. Thank you. Thanks to you, I got some real rest today."

He nodded and placed her hand on his arm.

Leading her naturally back to the terrace where she'd been sitting moments before, he smoothly took a thick stack of documents from Head Steward Allen.

"Ah, I'll handle that now."

"No. You should rest more today. I checked on the venue and confirmed the items for the reception—they're progressing smoothly. The wine has arrived without issue."

"Ah..."

"There's only one thing left for today."

As he reviewed documents on the repairs to Noblesse Mansion No. 2—their future newlywed home—he slid a single sheet of paper next to her coffee cup.

"... "

"Madam Shallet will arrive soon, Lady."

Head Steward Allen reported as he set down a fresh cup of coffee.

Agatha, who had merely blinked, relaxed her body and quietly leaned back against the sofa.

It was true she'd overdone it lately.

She felt sorry for assigning work to him right after his return, but with him insisting like this, she couldn't disregard his intentions.

Honestly, it felt good.

'He's looking out for me.'

He came straight here upon arriving, checked her complexion, told her not to overexert, and handled her work.

Thinking about it, he was performing the role of prospective husband to overflowing.

'He always came personally to state his purpose and seek permission wherever he went.'

Did he really need to be this good?

Suddenly, she thought that if this continued, she might unwittingly start demanding things from him left and right.

It felt like just yesterday he'd said he only wanted respect as her husband.

Would she end up fooling herself into thinking the space between them was like that of real lovers because of her own scheme?

"Lady. Madam Shallet has arrived."

He looked up. The moment their eyes met, Agatha reflexively lowered her gaze.

Her heart was still leaping noisily.

"A guest has arrived."

The man set down his quill neatly and offered his arm.

"If it's alright, may I come here tomorrow as well to handle work?"

"...You'll come here tomorrow too?"

"I'll be here for a week."

Enoch's voice was even but firm.

Having adjusted all future schedules, she had suspected as much.

"Do I need to rest tomorrow too?"

"I'd like to let you, but confirming the wedding site is work I can't do, so I'd like to leave it to you."

Ah.

She could see Enoch's vision. She would handle on-site tasks like decorations and menus, while he managed everything else.

"I understand your intent. But..."

"May I call my retainers to the mansion? If you permit it, I'll work with them. You'd prepare the site, and I'd support—that seems an efficient division of labor, doesn't it?"

Agatha hesitated, then nodded. Aratus wasn't a mess like Noblesse internally, and its vassals' loyalty was high.

Under Enoch's oversight, safety would come first, blocking any potential ploys from relatives.

Delegating to others felt a bit awkward, but with him, it somehow felt reassuring.

And now, they were at a point where she should trust him to some extent.

"Yes. Let's do that."

His eyes curved gently in a soft smile.

"I'll do my utmost not to disappoint."

"Don't overdo it. I'll help whenever I can."

The steward and servants watching from behind smiled warmly.

Starting the next day, with Enoch bringing his retainers to Noblesse Mansion No. 1, wedding preparations accelerated, creating some breathing room.

Vassals mingling and building trust early was an added bonus.

Time flew by, and the wedding day finally dawned.

It was a clear, sunny early summer day.

A month was ample time to transform a small temple to their desires.

Nobles who had briefly wondered at the venue choice were left awestruck by the temple's appearance on the wedding day.

"As expected of Agatha Noblesse. She's turned the place into another world entirely."

Adorning the field before the temple were transparent crystal flowers sculpted from colorful gems.

Beyond the dazzlingly beautiful garden stretched white pillars decorated with fresh flowers and ribbons, leading from the temple entrance to the ceremony hall.

The floor was laid with a white carpet embroidered in gold thread in a foreign weaving style.

Beyond the wedding arch of gold and emeralds hung crystals embroidered across the ceiling like a canvas, draping long.

Glass towers of thousands of goblets, gold candelabras placed here and there, tables of white ivory, and more.

"I wondered why such a small temple, but Lady Noblesse wanted this setup. It looks like everything but the foundation stones has been changed."

"I got a little hint from Lady Agatha myself. But seeing it in person, it's even more beautiful than described."

"Oh, Lady Iris. I heard the lady sought your advice for decorating. And that you helped procure some very rare wine through you—"

"His Excellency Duke Theodore Neuta has arrived!"

The nobles paused their admiration at the announcement of her sixth ex-husband and foreign minister's entrance, turning to the entrance in unison.

The duke, entering alone parting the crowd, looked somehow gaunt and pale.

Nobles naturally covering their mouths now buzzed about House Neuta.

"I heard he wasn't well after the divorce, but I didn't expect it to show this much."

"Did His Excellency come alone? What of the previous duchess, the dowager duchess, and Lady Neuta?"

"Who knows. I've heard they've been busy lately. Ah! Rumor has it Lady Agatha only sent an invitation to Duke Neuta himself."

"My goodness. Could those old rumors before the divorce be true?"

As high nobles entered one after another starting with Duke Neuta, Agatha was finishing her preparations in the bride's waiting room.

The wedding dress she chose this time was a mermaid style.

Lace sleeves that faintly revealed her skin.

The white, subtly shimmering fabric, cut to follow her figure, flared elegantly from the knees like a mermaid's tail from a fairy tale.

Lowering her long lashes, Agatha held a bouquet of fresh flowers in full bloom—the most beautiful of the day.

The long cathedral veil attached to the tiara bestowed by the emperor swayed softly with her movements.