Chapter 7

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: A Dazzling Performance
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Alloje, Argenta, Cartiel.

The weddings involving the three ducal families were always unique. That was why they were always a hot topic in high society.

“I wonder how spectacular this wedding will be.”

The weddings of the three families, who controlled water, fire, and wind, each had their own distinct character.

But this time, a wedding between two of those families was sure to be even more magnificent.

A soft light flickered on.

The hall, where the soon-to-be newlyweds would enter, was lit only by a soft glow.

The gentle flames from upside-down candles created a mystical atmosphere.

They were likely the flames of Argenta.

“Ooh…”

“Just as expected from House Argenta.”

Among the admiring guests, there were some who remained silent.

They were people close to House Cartiel, the family of wind, who were not involved in this marriage.

Those gathered around Duke Cartiel watched the situation in silence.

A soft rush of water sounded.

And among them, along both sides of the wide aisle, water began to flow slowly.

It was a pre-prepared channel.

Naturally, it was created by the power of House Alloje.

The one controlling it was Duke Alloje, seated in the bride's family section.

“Congratulations, Your Grace. You've forged a wonderful bond.”

“Such a joyous occasion…”

People gathered, trying to make an impression on Duke Alloje, even if just for a moment.

Duke Alloje accepted their greetings perfunctorily, his eyes fixed on the end of the aisle where the bride would enter.

‘Croire Alloje.’

He recited his illegitimate daughter's name in his mind.

It seems she’s done well to make it to the wedding.

If she can just continue to seduce Diello Argenta more deeply and steal away his potential.

His eyes gleamed.

If we can completely finish off this generation's Argenta, who doesn't even know how to properly use his power, and an Alloje takes the Argenta's flame ability.

Alloje will become the undisputed, greatest family of all.

He smiled silently.

* * *

*Tap.*

My foot, clad in a pure white shoe, rested on the top step.

I could see the noisy guest section, where people were murmuring.

The ceremony involved the bride and groom walking from opposite ends of the aisle to meet in the middle, so Duke Alloje was probably…

There he is.

It wasn't hard to find him.

He was staring this way with sharp eyes.

My face was hidden from him by the bridal veil, but I could see Duke Alloje's face clearly.

‘Succeed.’

In the brief moment our eyes met, he mouthed those words before turning his head away.

He seems to think it’s been a success so far.

In other words, Diello and I hadn't been found out yet.

Next to Duke Alloje, I could also see the young duke, Pentas Alloje, Croire Alloje's older brother.

They sat there with faces full of unconcealed joy.

To an unknowing observer, they would look like a father and brother smiling at the wedding of their beloved daughter and sister.

But their minds were surely filled with sinister schemes.

Just like the Allojes, who wouldn't hesitate to commit evil deeds for power, it wasn't enough for them to reach for Argenta; they were likely eyeing Cartiel as well.

The original story unfolded from the perspective of a maid in the Alloje household who observed the power struggles between the three ducal families, so there was no way I, having read it, wouldn't know.

“But in the groom's family section…”

As much as their faces bothered me, there was something else that caught my attention.

Even if this was a contract marriage.

“…it's a wedding.”

A place where the main character should be celebrated. An event to be blessed by the entire family.

But the groom's family section was coldly empty.

In the seats where, by imperial law, only immediate family could sit, there was a bouquet of chrysanthemums.

Because they were no longer in this world.

The problem was that the one who killed Duke and Duchess Argenta, the people who should have been sitting there, was Duke Alloje, sitting right across from them.

It was nothing short of a tragedy.

Does Diello know?

“…”

I recalled Diello's bright, smiling face.

No matter how I look at it, he doesn't seem to know.

Even in the early parts of the original story that described Diello, there was no foreshadowing to suggest he knew about his parents' deaths.

Besides, if the daughter of his parents' murderer really came to him proposing a contract marriage, could he greet her with such a gentle expression?

“He couldn't…”

I muttered quietly.

Of course, even if Diello learned the truth now, it wasn't a situation where he could call off the wedding.

Poor man.

I bit the inside of my lip, then hardened my resolve.

That's right, Diello! I'll let you lend a hand when I kill Duke Alloje!

I could definitely help him get his revenge.

So even if this wedding is a bit miserable… I hope he can endure it.

I clenched my fists and took another step forward.

*Click.*

The moment my white-shoed foot stepped onto the aisle.

The water in the channels, now fuller, began to glitter under the soft lights.

“…”

“…”

And from the other end of the gradually brightening aisle, Diello appeared.

Following his steps, chandeliers that decorated the sides of the channels like vines caught fire and began to sparkle.

*Click, clack.*

As the guests fell silent, only the sound of our footsteps echoed.

Diello, walking from the opposite end, looked impeccable.

His slightly flushed cheeks and somewhat nervous smile seemed to reflect his true nature.

‘Don’t be too nervous.’

I mouthed the words to him.

I didn't know if he understood. And I couldn't tell if anyone else had seen.

But it didn't matter if others saw.

This was something even sweet, non-contractual couples might do.

“…”

Did he understand my words? Diello's expression eased considerably.

And soon, standing before Duke Alloje, Diello's and my gazes met and intertwined.

“We will now commence the wedding of His Grace, Duke Diello Argenta, and Lady Croire Alloje.”

The officiant's voice rang out.

The words that followed were clichés.

“The gods will watch over the sacred vows of these two souls…”

No one was interested in those words. The guests' gazes were fixed solely on us.

Did they really marry after a passionate romance?

Wasn't the last engagement ceremony all an act?

Those with such suspicions were surely mixed in among the crowd.

The two pillars of the empire, who had always kept each other in check, were now joined by marriage; it was only natural to be suspicious.

“…”

Above all, I could feel Duke Alloje's intense stare.

These guests, and Duke Alloje—they were all people Diello and I had to deceive.

We are, from this moment, truly accomplices.

“…Then please give the new bride and groom your warmest support.”

The officiant's final words, after a long speech, echoed.

At that, the hall was completely and brilliantly illuminated.

Not just the chandeliers surrounding the aisle, but even the lights that seemed to blend into the walls, blazed brightly with Argenta's power.

A faint rustling filled the air.

And from the channels behind us, small buds sprouted.

Those buds, imbued with Alloje's water magic, grew in an instant, forming an arch over Diello's and my heads.

*Drip, drop.*

Flowers resembling lilies drooped down, almost but not quite touching Diello's head.

And above us, glittering droplets of water fell one by one, enveloping us.

*Drip.*

A cold droplet tapped my exposed shoulder, making me flinch slightly.

Colder than I thought.

Just as I thought that.

“!”

Being so close, I could see it.

Something began to glow white through his shirt, near his collarbone.

It was probably the black lily crest. The crest that prevents the head of the family's power from fully blossoming.

If a Pero takes that lily and erases it, the family head's power will explode,

but if someone who is not a Pero takes it, the family head's power will cease to grow any further.

What Diello and I had to protect was that lily.

“My lovely bride.”

Diello's blue eyes glittered in the light.

As if telling me not to be surprised, his fingertips gently touched my veil, then lifted it slightly.

At the engagement ceremony, he had lifted the bride's veil slightly to kiss me underneath, but this time was different.

*Swoosh.*

Diello removed the veil from my head and, along with it, pulled my shoulders into a strong embrace.

The cold droplets of water bounced off his arms.

“Ah!”

This time, it was an unveiled kiss. A kiss where we couldn't afford to make a mistake.

And as if he knew that, Diello's kiss was assertive.

So much so that I was a little surprised, even though I knew it was coming.

But it was shorter than I expected.

“Ha.”

After a short breath, we looked at each other, our noses almost touching.

Fortunately, the aisle was wide enough for us to exchange a small whisper.

“It should be a little sweeter, shouldn't it?”

His whispered breath tickled my cheek.

Even knowing this was all an act, the tips of my ears grew hot, likely because of the undeniable heat in his breath.

Getting flustered is natural. It's instinct.

There was no need to suppress it.

It would be a great help to our performance.

“Yes.”

Of course. I gave a slight nod.

If you're not confident, I'll take the lead.

I stood on my tiptoes slightly and wrapped my arms around his waist.

That was the moment.

“Then, I'll take the lead this time.”

Diello whispered.

Huh?

My eyes widened.

Unlike before, he devoured my lips as if he were a different person.

His hands, gripping my shoulders and waist tightly, bound me like vines.

“!”

His leg pushed between the layers of my wedding dress.

I had no time to check the guests' reactions.

As I grew breathless, my vision began to blur. A thrilling sensation, starting from where we touched and where he pressed into me, enveloped my entire body.

Just as my knees were about to give way, he caught me.

And suddenly,

“My goodness!”

“Kyaa!”

Supporting me under my knees, he swept me up into his arms.

Short gasps erupted from the guest section.

“Thank you, my lovely bride.”

For marrying me.

He whispered, his cheeks flushing.

That must be embarrassment from the unfamiliar acting.

You're doing great!

The problem was that he whispered it quieter than I expected, but seeing the guests' reactions, a few of them must have heard him.

In fact, this was better and more natural than saying it loudly for everyone to hear.

As a sign of praise, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

*Chu.* I placed a light kiss on his lips.

“Waaaaah!”

A spectacular wedding, the likes of which hadn't been seen in decades, complete with a dazzling performance.

It was a ceremony more than sufficient to satisfy the guests.

A downpour of applause, filled with cheers and congratulations, rained down on us.