Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Wedding Ceremony
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The witches had no such thing as a wedding ceremony.
No, the very concept of marriage didn't even exist.
A clan consisting solely of women, with no men in sight.
Even children were created through magic by the witches themselves.
'If there are no men and women to marry, why would there be such a thing as a wedding?'
That was why I, who had come to them only in body without any formal procedures, was recognized as Kirke's husband.
The witches had hardly any concept of marital relations or marriage itself.
'But that's not enough to solidify my position.'
To the witches, I was just Human A, the man the Great Witch had brought home as her husband.
To those who didn't know the full story, I was no more than a stud horse.
They felt curiosity toward me and treated me as the leader's husband.
In other words, that was the extent of it.
With time, they might come to see me as one of the village members... but that's not what I wanted.
'I need to become someone whose issues are seen as the clan's issues, someone with influence firmly established.'
That way, revenge later would be much smoother.
What lord would dare block the husband of the Great Witch, backed by the entire witch clan?
In simple terms, it wasn't just Kirke—I needed the recognition of the entire witch clan.
'And the best way to do that is to publicly and grandly announce that I am the Great Witch's husband.'
The best way to do that was, of course, a wedding ceremony.
Declare it to everyone in the village and openly proclaim our marital bond.
Nobles don't hold grand parties or succession ceremonies for nothing.
Those events solidify relationships and positions.
If I held a wedding with Kirke, I could firmly implant in every witch's mind that I was the Great Witch's husband.
'...Aside from that, I also genuinely want to have a proper wedding.'
Kirke was, undeniably, my wife.
At the very least, I wanted to give her the happiness of a wife that I could provide.
A wedding ceremony, a wedding dress...
Now that we were married, wouldn't it be nice for her to experience them at least once?
"No matter what happens from now on, no matter what obstacles block our path, I will love you for the rest of my life. So, will you marry me?"
"Ah..."
Kirke stared blankly for a moment, as if she couldn't grasp the situation.
A single tear rolled down her pale cheek.
"Kirke?"
"Ah, ack!"
Kirke hurriedly wiped away her tears, startled by them herself.
"S-Sorry. I never imagined you'd think of something like this..."
"That's understandable. This is a human custom, after all."
"It's not that... no, yes."
Kirke was a witch, through and through.
She had brought me here for the sake of an heir.
But she probably hadn't even considered something like a wedding.
Since it had been half a transaction from the start, she likely hadn't expected it at all.
"I truly never imagined it. But that's precisely why... your feelings make me so happy."
Kirke smiled brightly, her eyes misty with tears.
A smile brimming with happiness, so full that not even the fairy of joy could squeeze in more.
She was so beautiful wearing that smile.
Even I, who had confirmed her beauty countless times, felt my heart race.
"Thank you so much. For loving me like this. This is truly a great blessing and happiness."
"...I'm glad. If you're happy, Kirke, then I'm happy too."
I smiled along with Kirke.
Even though the proposal and wedding were proposed with full political considerations, seeing her this delighted filled my chest with pride and joy.
"So, Kirke, what's your answer?"
"...Right, this needs to be expressed clearly in words."
As if afraid something might go wrong, I extended my hand with the delicacy of handling fine glass.
"Of course, gladly."
I smiled and slipped the ring onto Kirke's finger.
Between us, who were already husband and wife, one vow was now added.
"Ehehehe."
Kirke sat at her desk in the office, staring at her hand and grinning foolishly.
On her ring finger gleamed the ring Kal had given her.
She usually maintained a dignified expression, even to preserve her authority.
But now, she wore a messy, blissful smile happier than any woman in the world.
She was, without a doubt, the happiest woman on earth.
How could she not be? She had received confirmation of love from the man she loved.
Kirke had been plenty satisfied with their current relationship to begin with.
Apart from their daily intimacy, Kal wasn't a man stingy with expressions of affection.
On the contrary, he whispered praises and love so much that it embarrassed her.
She'd tell him not to, but it was hard to hide how pleased she was each time.
For a man suddenly dragged into this situation, genuinely loving his wife wasn't easy.
Yet Kal had formally proposed!
When he got down on one knee, she was so overjoyed tears flowed.
Even now, recalling it filled her heart to bursting with happiness.
'Really, Kal. If you wanted a wedding with me so badly, you should have said so sooner~'
She'd had zero interest in rings or weddings.
But as gifts from Kal, even jewels she hadn't cared about felt utterly lovable.
His proposal had made her so happy she stomped her feet in glee.
Lying in bed, she hugged her pillow tight and kicked the blankets.
For a 300-year-old witch, it was an incredibly girlish reaction.
But that just showed how uncontainable her joy was.
...And there was someone—no, a witch—watching her quietly.
'What an atmosphere. Hard to even strike up a conversation.'
It was Medeia, Kal's personal maid and Kirke's adopted daughter.
She handled various tasks as one of Kirke's secretaries.
She also managed matters between the two, given her closeness to Kal.
That much was fine—in fact, the current situation delighted her.
For Medeia, Kirke's happiness was her own happiness.
Seeing Kirke so openly joyful, she felt satisfied that the pervert had finally played the husband role properly...
'But she can't stay like that forever.'
This wasn't some trivial matter like the Great Witch's duties.
It was Kirke's own wedding.
A wedding wasn't something you just decided to hold on a whim.
And Medeia would be in charge of this one, given her position.
She couldn't just let Kirke keep grinning like that.
"Ahem! Ahem!"
Medeia steeled herself and approached Kirke.
"Great Witch, do you have a moment?"
"Hah! Uh, what? W-What's up?"
Kirke turned her gaze from the ring as if nothing had happened.
It was like a child caught slacking off pretending to study.
Unfortunately, there was nothing at the end of her gaze.
"......"
She faltered once at the acting that barely seemed intentional.
But her ability to maintain composure without showing it made her an impeccable first-class maid.
"Have you thought about how you'd like to hold the wedding?"
"Ah~ I hear human weddings are gatherings where couples pledge their love and receive congratulations."
"That's my understanding as well."
"Then we can just call everyone and have some dessert together. Ah! It'd be great if Kal confessed publicly in front of everyone. Hehe!"
"Hmm."
It wasn't a bad idea.
From what Medeia had read in outside books, human weddings were similar.
But it still felt a bit lacking.
This was the one and only wedding of the Great Witch Kirke, after all.
Regardless of status or position, Kirke was revered and loved by all witches.
Should her wedding be just like any ordinary human one?
No, Medeia, who respected Kirke, couldn't accept that.
"Well~ As long as Kal's there, I don't care about the rest~ Hehe!"
But Kirke was already deep in love mode, blind to everything else.
She was fully satisfied just knowing Kal had formally confessed to her.
'...This won't do.'
It was an irreverent thought, but Kirke offered no help in romantic matters.
The bigger issue was that Medeia herself knew little about weddings.
No witch would know much, to begin with.
'Guess I have no choice but to ask that man.'
Recognizing him grated on her nerves and pissed her off to no end.
But for Kirke's happiness, he was indispensable.
"Of course we should make it as grand and lavish as possible."
"...You think so?"
How should the wedding proceed?
Kal answered Medeia's question without a moment's hesitation.
"It's Kirke's one and only wedding, after all. It can't have any shortcomings."
"Y-Yes... You're right."
Medeia nodded inwardly, impressed.
For once, she was on the same page as this man.
His expression even brimmed with enthusiasm.
"Let's hold it in the village center and invite every witch in the territory. Use the finest decorations and cuisine. Oh, surely some witches are singers?"
"There are quite a few talented ones. Witches love cultural pursuits."
The all-female witches were obsessed with fashion, dance, and song.
In fact, Kirke and Medeia were among the more reserved and quiet ones.
"Sounds good. I don't know much, so pick some candidates, Medeia. Actually, why not let anyone who wants to perform do so?"
"...Considering Kirke's prestige, they might sing the whole time. I'll select appropriately and show you."
"Perfect. Leave that to you, then. I'll be busy with the structure and proceedings."
"Hmm."
They were communicating better than expected.
He was even proactively offering good ideas.
Above all, his feelings for Kirke were sincere.
That alone made Medeia approve of his actions.
-Squeeze
"Eek."
...If only he didn't grope her at every opportunity.
"...Why are you suddenly grabbing my butt?"
"I haven't touched it today, and it's so plump and cute."
"You're a real crazy bastard."
"You're the only witch I can treat this casually."
"If that results in butt-grabbing, I want to kick you."
Kal chuckled and pulled his hand away.
Somehow, living together had turned such harassment into a greeting of sorts.
"Anyway, about the wedding prep. How much budget do we have?"
"...Honestly, as much as needed. We have plenty of money and jewels, and Kirke rarely spends anyway."
"Then we should go all out this time."
As if the butt-grab had never happened, Kal's face turned serious again.
Normally, he'd grope more, but there was no sign of it.
'...This trash pervert seems to genuinely love Kirke.'
At least since meeting him, Kirke appeared much happier—that was undeniable.
She had to admit Kal was a good man and husband.
...If only he weren't such a pervert, he'd be perfect.
"Flashy decorations are a must, and no one beats witches at magic, so fireworks for sure. Make the cake huge so everyone can have some—that'll be iconic. Witches like pretty things, right?"
Kal jotted notes busily.
Then, with a serious face like solving a complex magic circuit, he said,
"And the wedding dress."
"Ah, the dress humans wear for weddings?"
"Yes, a pure white one perfect for Kirke. That's the most important part."
Indeed.
Medeia nodded readily.
The bride had to shine brightest at a wedding.
Even she knew that much.
Kirke deserved to be the most beautiful bride in the world.
"I'll commission the finest designer right away."
"Good. I'll inspect the dress too, so get reports quickly."
And so, preparations for Kirke and Kal's wedding proceeded smoothly.