6. Much Ado About Nothing - 16
6. Much Ado About Nothing - 16
The engagement hall where the ceremony for Kain von Estel and Bianca del Castana would take place was, in a word, a venue of dazzling splendor.
The hall was a pure white space carved from a single piece of marble. From the pillars supporting the front to the gleaming, polished tiles, not one inch was untouched by a master craftsman's hand. So overwhelmingly white was the atmosphere that the guests could not help but feel as though they had stepped into another world.
On the ceiling, a colossal chandelier inlaid with countless crystals scattered brilliant starlight as it reflected the hall's illumination. Meticulously refined by dozens of artisans, the chandelier adorned the ceiling like a flower in full bloom, its presence alone an undeniable work of art.
The ornate patterns decorating the walls and ceiling were all overlaid with gold and silver, and elegant flowers like white peonies and hydrangeas were placed across the floor. It was Bianca's emphatic insistence, by the way, that hydrangeas be set out in the hall.
As if that weren't enough. The caliber of the guests attending today's engagement was equally beyond reproach. All thirty-two guests gathered here belonged to the great nobles who dominated the North. The thought that these very people would bear witness to her and Kain's engagement filled Bianca with a satisfaction she could scarcely contain.
With so many noble lords and ladies assembled in this modest hall, a security cordon of the utmost strictness had been established. Within the hall, no one of any rank was permitted to carry a weapon unless they had received prior authorization. Even the master of this house, Marquis Castana himself, had been required to disarm before entering.
It was, in truth, perfect. Even in Bianca's estimation, today's engagement was the very picture of perfection. Surely, for anyone to interfere with it now would be a near-impossible feat.
She wore a white dress in a sheer style that revealed the contours of her figure without reserve. The see-through fabric offered glimpses of her fair skin, but its dense ornamentation lent an air of refined restraint rather than provocation. From a distance, one might mistake her for a June bride—which, of course, was precisely what she had intended.
To her left stood Kain, dressed in the formal uniform of a duke. Perhaps nervous about the imminent ceremony, his expression was stiff, and seeing it, Bianca smiled without realizing it. She caught herself thinking that this face he never normally showed had its own appeal.
Snatch—
Looking at Kain's rigid face, Bianca found herself taking his hand. Her primary aim was to ease his tension, but truthfully, she also thought that, with them to be engaged so soon, something like this was perfectly natural.
"...Lord Kain..."
At that moment, a white-haired girl sitting in the very front row, her face crumpling at the sight of them holding hands, caught Bianca's eye.
Pfft—
And Bianca curled the corner of her lip upward at the white-haired girl glaring back at her with resentful eyes. She knew full well that that thing also harbored quite extraordinary feelings toward Kain. How could she not know? About the feelings of that insufferably coquettish creature, who went around calling herself Kain's mere maid yet always watched him with such a peculiar gaze.
At first, it had been deeply unpleasant. The fact that a 'witch,' who had brought calamity upon the world, of all people, would make eyes at him—that was truly not something she could easily stomach.
But now, she found the white-haired girl's antics only endearing. Because that wench was already nothing more than a loser. Just a coward who harbored affection for Kain but couldn't even bring herself to voice it.
As she gazed quietly at that thing, looking like a defeated dog with its tail drooping, a feeling of pride swelled in Bianca's chest. In that moment, she couldn't help but think that she herself was the happiest person in all the world.
"Ohoho, truly a perfect match, a peerless pair."
The bishop officiating today's engagement beamed at them. And Bianca smoothly fielded his words with practiced ease.
"You flatter me too much, Your Excellency."
"Ohoho, flattery is it. Lady Castana, I have officiated countless weddings over these decades, yet I have never found a couple who suit one another as well as you two. In the name of the Goddess, I shall bestow my blessing, that your happiness may endure forevermore."
Fwoosh—
With those words and a benevolent smile, the bishop released a shimmer of Divine Power above their heads. Gentle particles of light settled softly over Kain and Bianca. At the sight, the guests seated in their chairs found themselves applauding.
Clap-clap-clap—
The only one not clapping here was Aria, who stared at them with a face even more tearful than before. Seeing Aria like that, Bianca felt her mood brighten further.
"Now then, as the final step, you shall exchange rings. By this act, the two of you become officially betrothed in name and in truth."
At the bishop's words, Kain drew a small ring box from his breast and took out a pair of rings. Platinum bands set with sizable diamonds—rings of the most exquisite luxury. Bianca could not imagine a ring more suited to their engagement.
Slide—
Kain held a ring in one hand and extended his other hand toward her, a wordless signal that he would place the ring on her finger.
"...Ah."
Bianca felt her breath catch. Just how long, how long had she yearned for this moment? Dreamt of its arrival? She had to suppress the trembling of her hand. If she simply accepted the ring Kain slipped on, they would become an official couple, bound by engagement.
There would be no more reason to feel inferior toward Sarah Sernad, no more cause to pour hatred upon her. For Sarah Sernad was merely a bond of a bygone past, while she herself, in this moment, was the sole companion at his side.
She took a deep breath. She could not make an unsightly display here. She had to be more elegant than anyone, more beautiful than anyone, in this moment. This instant, the pinnacle of her life, could not be ruined by something as trifling as nerves.
But it was then.
"....!"
Bianca's senses snagged on something utterly odious: killing intent. She turned her eyes to find its source, and soon identified the ones who dared direct it at her.
The attackers sending killing intent her way were individuals Bianca knew well—far too well. How could she ever forget those bastards? The trash who had sold out House Castana to outsiders, and the sons of bitches who acted as the henchmen of those who would, ten years hence, drive Kain to such ruin.
The patriarch's own younger brother, Heron del Castana. And Joshua Pendel of House Castana's Black Wind Knight Order. Now she recalled: those two were also in overall charge of security for the engagement hall today. Perhaps that was why they alone were permitted to bear weapons.
In an instant, irritation shadowed Bianca's eyes as she looked at them.
'These oblivious vermin.'
A week ago, Bianca had gone so far as to 'persuade' them to emit killing intent toward him, to rush at him like fools and be captured neatly in his hands.
They were trash, not worth the air they breathed anyway. A swift death would be a luxury for them, so she had planned to use them as props so Kain could earn recognition.
But even she had not imagined they would be so oblivious as to ruin this crucial moment for her.
Now was the most important moment of her life. The moment they exchanged rings and whispered eternal love to each other—the once-in-a-lifetime moment she had yearned and longed for these twenty years.
And yet these oblivious worms dared attempt to ruin it!
Bianca lifted her eyebrow ever so slightly and gave her ring finger the faintest shake. The minds of that trash and Bianca's Magic Power were linked. For her, rescinding the command she had given them a week ago was trivial.
...And that was her greatest blunder.
Bzzzt—
"...Ah, ngh...!"
A groan escaped Bianca's lips before she knew it. With no time to even register what had happened, her knees buckled on their own. Another trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth.
"Bianca!"
Kain's voice was bewildered as he looked at her state.
"...Ka, Kain..."
In a flash, Bianca realized what a foolish mistake she had made, intoxicated by happiness as she was. She had completely forgotten that at present, due to the feedback from forcibly reverse-summoning her familiars, she was nothing more than a helpless wench, unable to properly use magic! No wonder she could not rescind the order she had given them.
Shiiing—
Behind Kain, who watched her with worried eyes, she caught the sight of Joshua slowly drawing his sword. There was no need for words. He was emitting a chilling killing intent, ready to slaughter Kain at any moment.
Something, something was wrong. She had never given them such a command. The command she had given them was for a believable act in front of the audience, never an order to actually harm Kain! She could not fathom why they were trying to carry out a command she had never given.
'Why? Why in the world?'
Her fingertips throbbed. No matter how she focused her mind to draw up her Magic Power, her already tattered body refused to obey her will. It was simply despairing. If only her body were intact, she could blast limbs off vermin like them in an instant!
"Wh-what?"
"Kyaaaah!"
Screams began to erupt from the guests, who apparently also sensed something amiss.
Fwoosh—
Joshua rushed at Kain, sword raised. Perhaps because his reasoning was suppressed, his eyes were somewhat glazed and drool ran from his mouth, making for a rather ghastly sight. But no matter how unhinged he was, his swordsmanship was genuine. A thrust so flawlessly clean it shot toward Kain's heart like an arrow!
"Kain, behind you!"
Shouting that, Bianca clung tightly to Kain as if to become a shield herself. Unable to use magic and barely able to support her own body, she could think of no other way to protect him right now.
She shut her eyes tight. Dying like this didn't sit well with her, but dying in his arms at their engagement hall felt somehow romantic. Perhaps if she died this way, he might never forget her for the rest of his life. That single trivial thought was all that consoled her heart.
...But then. Something no one present could have predicted occurred.
Kaaang—!
".....!"
Joshua's sword went awry. No, not awry. It had been deflected. And what deflected Joshua's sword was none other than Kain's bare hand.
Utterly unbelievable, but Kain had parried the blow with an unarmed hand!
That was not the end. As if turning in a dance at a ball, Kain pivoted smoothly and swung his leg at Joshua. The target was Joshua's flank. The kick, swift as a beam of light, shot into Joshua's side in an instant.
Kwaaang!
Skrrrtch.
Just before Kain's kick struck his flank, Joshua had raised his sword and barely managed to block. But unable to fully dissipate the force in the kick, he was sent skidding backward.
"...Bianca."
Taking advantage of the distance that had opened between him and Joshua, Kain glanced at Bianca briefly, then offered her a smile.
"It's fine now. I'll handle everything."
So saying, Kain lowered his stance slightly. As if in response, Joshua also shifted his sword to a two-handed grip and took his stance. Mad as he was, the martial instinct he had honed told him Kain was not an opponent to be taken lightly.
In a fleeting instant, their gazes crossed. And then.
-Paaang!
With a sound of tearing air, Kain's fist flew at Joshua. In response, Joshua swung his killing-intent-laden sword at Kain.
Boom!
It was the opening act of a fierce deathmatch, each aimed at the other's life.