Chapter 50

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: My Knight
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Even the musicians’ performance had stopped. In the banquet hall where time seemed to have frozen as if by magic, only the cheerful chirping of oblivious birds echoed.

“……”

Aileen clutched the bouquet in her hands. It was to hide her trembling fingers. Her gaze was fixed diagonally downward, just ahead of her path, as she took a step.

She was already wrought with tension. Despite having steeled herself, the guests' unusual reaction made her so nervous she felt sick to her stomach. She resented the thin veil that showed her face.

It would have been better if she could at least hear them jeering. Better than this dead silence where no one spoke.

The most miserable part was that Ornella was surely watching this whole spectacle of her becoming a laughingstock.

How she must be laughing inwardly. It wasn't hard to imagine her blowing cigarette smoke in Aileen's face and saying something like, “Enjoyed the wedding?”

After Rotan's warning last night, she had worried about a potential shootout at the wedding, but at this point, she felt it would be better to just get shot.

‘No, I can't. I shouldn't think like this…’

Everyone had promised to protect her with their lives; it was a thought she shouldn't entertain, no matter how difficult things were. Aileen shook her head inwardly and focused only on walking forward.

The musicians, who had stopped for a while, belatedly resumed their performance. But the guests remained silent.

In the dreadful silence, she finally reached her father. He was neatly dressed in a suit, and a faint smell of alcohol emanated from him, but Aileen pretended not to notice. On a day like today, it was a relief he wasn't completely drunk.

“You look beautiful.”

Her father spoke as if moved, but Aileen just mumbled a small, “Thank you,” and fell silent. Then, she took his outstretched hand and stood before the white aisle.

Her gaze had been fixed on the clean fabric, but she slowly lifted her head. She wanted to see Cesare. Just seeing him felt like it would give her the courage to endure the rest of the ceremony.

Because Cesare would call her lovely no matter what she looked like.

Perhaps he would even like this dolled-up version of her. Carefully, she raised her head and looked forward. And there, at the end of the white aisle, stood the man.

It had been a week since she'd last seen him. Cesare was in his uniform as Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army. It was the same one from the Triumphal March, but without the hat and cape, and a white lily boutonnière was pinned to his chest, adorned with ribbons and medals. He was waiting for her, looking just the way she loved him most.

As the groom of this wedding.

The moment she saw Cesare, she felt as if she could finally breathe. The outdoor wedding venue, decorated with thousands of fresh flowers, finally came into view.

The rich, fresh scent of flowers, the beautiful march played by the musicians, the applause of the guests. The colorless world she hadn't perceived until now regained its hues and washed over her.

Aileen slowly let go of her nervousness and fear. In their place, a different kind of tension filled her chest.

Standing on the path of flowers decorated with lilies, she was reminded of the lily field where they had first met. The voice that had spoken to her as he held the young Aileen in his arms was always vivid in her memory.

“So you are Lily.”

She had fallen in love at first sight. A clueless little girl had dared to love the Prince of the Empire.

Cesare had returned her love in abundance. He cherished her like his own child, watched over her as she grew, and showered her with an affection even her own parents couldn't provide.

She existed because of him. Cesare was her world.

From his child, she had become his wife, but as long as they could be together in any form… Aileen was willing to pay any price.

Gazing at the man she loved, Aileen took a step forward. Her father, a little flustered, hurried to catch up and escort her.

Aileen, who had been walking with her eyes on the ground, now looked only at Cesare. The closer she got to him, the less everything else mattered.

Finally, she stopped before Cesare. Standing in front of him, Aileen slowly blinked. The man before her was no illusion; he didn't disappear no matter how many times she blinked.

But it still felt so dreamlike that she wanted to pinch her arm. That this man was becoming her husband. It felt so unreal that if someone were to jump in right now and shout that she wasn't the bride, she felt she would simply accept it as fact.

Her father offered the hand he held with Aileen's. Cesare quietly took her hand. Her father, his duty in the ceremony complete, immediately stepped aside, but she didn't even notice him leave. All her attention was focused on Cesare.

A tight squeeze. She felt the strength of his grip as he held her hand. The faint throb of pain brought a small sense of reality. Aileen called out to him in a trembling voice.

“Cesare…”

If he would just say her name, it would feel completely real. Through the opaque veil, she looked at Cesare with longing.

Beyond the blurry veil, his piercing red eyes took her in. In that moment, Cesare let go of her hand. As she flinched in surprise, he lifted her veil.

Her hazy vision cleared. Aileen and Cesare gazed at each other.

Thump, thump. The beating of her heart rang in her ears. Looking at the unbelievably handsome man, Aileen unconsciously parted her lips.

He, who had lifted the bride's veil, wore an expression she had never seen before.

The man who always had such a sharp gaze now looked dazed, as if intoxicated by a dreamlike fantasy. He stared at Aileen as if mesmerized by a peerless beauty. Just like how Aileen would look at Cesare.

His gaze was intense and hot as it scanned every inch of her face. It felt as if she might get burned wherever his eyes touched. After a moment that felt like an eternity, Cesare slowly opened his lips.

“Aileen.”

He called her name in a faintly trembling voice, then whispered it again.

“Aileen…”

He breathed her name like a sigh as he fully lifted the veil and let it fall behind her. The thin, light fabric fluttered down her back.

She had been so lost in him that she only belatedly remembered the officiant waiting on the platform. The high priest of the temple was staring at Aileen, his eyes wide as if they would pop out.

‘Is it because he lifted the veil early?’

The veil was usually lifted just before the vows. It was an unusual thing to do, but not wrong. Not enough to warrant such a surprised reaction…

Perhaps because it was a Grand Duke's wedding, they were stricter about customs. She wasn't sure, but Aileen stood straight and faced the officiant with Cesare.

The old high priest seemed dazed for a while, unable to collect himself. Only after Cesare narrowed his eyes slightly did he startle and finally begin the ceremony.

While the high priest recited the marriage prayer, Aileen fidgeted with the hand Cesare was holding. In response, Cesare gently squeezed her hand before loosening his grip.

After the prayer, Cesare offered his vows first.

“I, Cesare Traon Kal Erzet, Grand Duke of the Traon Empire, swear in the name of God. To a love eternal and unchanging. To a trust that is true. To be a winged lion, guardian of our new family.”

He spoke the words only royalty could utter, then paused for a moment before completing his vows.

“…To wield my sword without hesitation for my lady.”

The last line was from the marriage vow of a soldier. And the end of Aileen's vow would also be the oath of a woman marrying a soldier.

“I, Aileen Elorde, a woman of the House of Baron Elorde, swear in the name of God. To a love eternal and unchanging. To an obedience without falsehood. May our new home be blessed with peace, like an olive tree.”

With a heart more earnest than ever before, Aileen offered her prayer to God.

“To weave a laurel crown for my knight.”

Hoping that Cesare would always be filled with the glory of victory.