The Wedding Ceremony
After finishing his meeting with Jeong So-hee, the High Priest stepped outside to find a familiar chamberlain waiting for him.
The High Priest spoke to him in a low voice.
"Will you be visiting her again today?"
"Yes. Lead the way."
The chamberlain bowed his head and turned around. The High Priest followed quietly through the silent palace corridors.
The chamberlain guided him to a secluded corner of the building where Jeong So-hee was staying—an unused section of the palace. Only a handful of carefully selected servants came to clean it, and even that had recently been restricted to a very small number of people.
Deeper inside, one of the lined rooms had a guard posted at the door. Until a few days ago, the man locked inside had been one of Jeong So-hee's personal guards.
As the High Priest and chamberlain approached, the guard spoke quietly.
"He was quiet all day today, but last night he tried to escape. It seems he hid a bone from his meal and tried to sharpen it into a weapon."
Two guards watched this room, switching every twelve hours. When a servant brought food, one guard would carry it inside while the other stood watch at the door. The prisoner had attempted to attack during one of those moments, but because it was shift change, the second guard had been outside and they managed to subdue him safely.
"Open the door."
At the High Priest's command, the guard glanced at the chamberlain as if seeking confirmation.
"Whether from madness or not, his strength is considerable. We've bound him now, but he may still be dangerous."
"Will you be all right?"
This time the chamberlain addressed the High Priest.
"I will be fine. Even if he attacks, I can protect myself."
The chamberlain nodded at the High Priest's words. When the guard opened the door, the bound former guard came into view at the far end of the room. His face was haggard, his eyes bloodshot. He truly looked like a madman, just as the guard had said.
The High Priest entered, and the door closed behind him.
At first, the man did not seem to recognize him. The High Priest asked several questions, but received no coherent answers. The former guard muttered incoherently with unfocused eyes until, suddenly, he seemed to realize who stood before him. His gaze sharpened, and a desperate expression crossed his face.
"High Priest! It is you, High Priest! Please, let me see the Saintess. I have something I must tell her. No—I must help her. Please let me meet her. I beg you."
The High Priest regarded the man clinging to him in silence. Though his eyes had regained focus, the light within them remained clouded. He had not returned to his senses. He had been normal only while at Jeong So-hee's side.
What a terrifying ability. To reduce a man to this state simply by separating him from her.
This guard had been the first man to share a physical relationship with Jeong So-hee. When she requested a change, he had been removed from her service, but the High Priest had quickly returned him to confirm the nature of her power. They had tried feeding him holy water and bathing him in it, hoping he might recover, but it had no effect. Neither prayer nor the temple's unique magic worked. This time, they had even mixed a small amount of rotten water from the spirit tree's location into his food, thinking the newly sprouted tree might help, but that too had failed.
Other men separated from Jeong So-hee showed similar symptoms, though milder than this guard's. Only Prince Alf, who remained in constant contact with her, stayed unaffected.
The High Priest left the room with a heavy heart.
"Request an audience with His Majesty."
"Yes. I have been instructed to guide you immediately should you wish to meet him."
The chamberlain led the way at once. The High Priest's heart felt as though it were filled with stones as he walked toward the king's private chambers.
The Romon King was in the middle of a meal. Normally he dined with the queen in the dining hall, but today he ate alone in his room. His face looked haggard, though whether that was the High Priest's imagination, he could not say.
Father.
A sharp pang struck the High Priest's chest. Hiding it, he performed a quiet bow. The king gestured for him to approach.
"Come here. I was feeling rather lonely eating alone."
When the High Priest sat at the table, the chamberlain—apparently prepared in advance—set out his utensils. Though he had no appetite, he drank a few sips of wine at the king's urging.
"Well, how did it go? Have you discovered anything about the Saintess's abilities?"
"A little, but I have made some findings. First, I must warn you to be cautious of her. Her charm is extremely powerful. Those near her remain unaffected, but physical distance drives men to madness. Therefore, any man kept at her side must be chosen with great care."
"...."
The king gestured for him to continue.
"At present, it appears her charm only affects certain types of men. It works on men who have a beloved of the opposite sex, or those who are engaged or married even if they do not love their partner."
"What about unrequited love?"
"If the other party is aware of the affection, it seems to take effect."
Several men had been placed near her. One of the men invited to the Saintess's tea party had persistently pursued a woman, but after frequent contact with the Saintess, he lost all interest in her. The woman had repeatedly rejected his advances, apparently using them to raise her own value. When the man stopped courting her, she grew flustered and sought him out, only to receive a cold reception. There had been one other man similar to him, but he had not fallen under her charm. The difference was that the woman in his case had never realized his feelings.
After thorough examination, that seemed to be the most significant distinction.
"It appears to be connected to the title 'plunderer' attached to the Saintess's ability."
For plunder to occur, the other woman must possess something. If she is unaware of it, she does not have it, and thus it cannot be taken.
"The Saintess's charm grows stronger with physical contact. The difference between men who have had repeated physical contact with her and those who have only met her briefly is vast."
Even several of the chamberlains near her had been affected and replaced, or so he had heard. Since the head chamberlain had handled it, the king likely knew as well. Women were unaffected, but any man kept at her side required extreme caution.
The king pondered for a moment before asking, "Then why was I not affected? Even without sexual contact, I met with her frequently."
The High Priest fell silent. When he hesitated, the king spoke in a gentle voice.
"If you have any thoughts, speak them. Whatever you say, I will forgive it in this room alone."
The High Priest still hesitated before opening his mouth.
"It has not been verified. This is merely my speculation, so it may be wrong."
"Go on."
"I believe her charm has no effect on those who do not view her as a sexual or romantic partner."
"Explain in more detail."
The High Priest lowered his voice slightly.
"For example, if someone regards her not as a person but merely as an object beneficial to themselves, they seem immune to her charm."
In the king's case, this was certainly true. The king did not see the Saintess as a human or a woman, but only as a single tool beneficial to the kingdom. Though he appeared benevolent on the surface, the king was an extremely cold man. Saying this outright made the High Priest's voice grow quieter and quieter.
"I see."
The king muttered and finished his meal in silence. He seemed to have much to think about and no longer paid the High Priest any attention. Still, the High Priest could not leave or rise without permission, so he remained seated, sipping wine occasionally.
After finishing his meal, the king looked at the High Priest. A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"How do you see me? If I view the Saintess as an object, do you think that applies to you as well?"
"No."
The High Priest shook his head. In his heart, he knew the truth. To the king, he too was nothing more than a piece that moved according to his will. Yet he could not say that aloud. Moreover, even such a father, he loved. Though others might see him as greedy and merciless, to the child he had once been, his father had seemed a great king. That perception had gradually adjusted to reality as he grew, but the love remained rooted deep in his heart. The human heart was a complicated thing.
The High Priest conversed with the king a while longer before taking his leave. From their final exchange, he realized that Prince Alf had completely lost the king's favor. Even a firstborn son who had seemed so deeply loved could be discarded in an instant.
I do not want to be abandoned by Father. I never want that to happen.
He must not be seen as a useless person. He needed to be of even greater help to his father.
The High Priest clenched his fists tightly.
* * *
"Really... I never intended this. I'm embarrassed."
Warren, Ji-geu's father, spoke with a flushed face. Beside him stood Mari, one of the brides. Warren had never planned to marry, but Ji-geu's constant efforts to bring them together had apparently sparked his interest. In the end, Mari had proposed, and they were to be married.
Ji-geu, the greatest contributor to this marriage, stood between the two of them. He held Warren's hand in one and Mari's in the other. Both adults looked redder than apples, their gazes turned in opposite directions. Their embarrassment was so palpable that even I, standing in front of them, felt awkward.
"Teacher, the bride is our mom now."
When Ji-geu spoke with a bright grin, the men standing a little apart shouted in unison.
"Not yet."
"You only become a real couple after the wedding."
"I still have a chance!"
The last one to shout was Geob-bo. When I stared at him in disbelief, he hung his head with a sullen expression.
"You have no chance now."
At my words, Geob-bo looked as though he might burst into tears.
Warren and Mari were getting married today. That was why everyone had gathered at the village hall. Anyone thinking they still had a chance in this situation was strange. Yet there seemed to be a fool who still could not give up. Someone even shouted that the bride might have chosen wrongly and should be confirmed at least three times, or that it was natural for the stronger man to win the woman, so he would challenge Warren to a duel.
"Now then, let us begin the wedding ceremony. Everyone, please be quiet. Especially you over there shouting strange things—be quiet."
At my words, the commotion in the village hall gradually subsided. When I looked toward the sound of sniffling, I saw Geob-bo crying. The little captain and the children nearby tried to comfort him, telling him not to cry. A village woman standing nearby gave him an incredulous look before smacking him hard on the back.
"What good is a man crying over something like this? Next time, clench your fist and say you'll win a bride no matter what—that's what makes a man."
The women in our village were spirited. After quieting the laughing crowd once more, I looked at Warren and Mari.
"On this clear and beautiful day, we have gathered here for the union of two people as husband and wife."
My voice echoed through the silent hall. I was officiating this wedding. In this world, commoners were born in their village, married in their village, had children, and eventually died in their village. I had heard there were even people who had never left their village in their entire lives. In such a world, the village chief decided all village matters, sometimes acted as a judge in place of a lord, and also served as the government office issuing identification papers and marriage certificates. I had heard that in villages without temples, the chief even presided over funerals. Naturally, they also officiated weddings. And here I was, still unmarried myself.
Perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere, Popcorn flew from my head toward Warren and Mari. Tilting its head, it looked back and forth between their faces, which were turned in opposite directions. Ji-geu spoke to Popcorn with a radiant expression.
"Since the spirit blessed them, does that mean they're married now? Is she our mom?"
"Not yet!"
Geob-bo wailed, and the villagers burst into loud laughter.
"Hurry up and proceed. Ji-geu's neck is going to stretch from craning it."
At someone's words, the children reached for Geob-bo's mouth, apparently trying to stop his crying. Geob-bo bent down slightly so their hands could reach. With the children's hands covering his mouth, he looked at Warren and Mari with an aggrieved expression. He was a bit of a fool, but impossible to dislike.
I cleared my throat with a small cough and spoke.
"Groom Warren, will you cherish and love Bride Mari in sickness and in health, without change?"
"Yes."
When Warren answered, Ji-geu's eyes sparkled like stars. Perhaps catching the child's excitement, Popcorn sparkled more than usual as well. Smiles appeared on everyone's faces. A happy child made people's hearts happy. Smiling as well, I turned to the bride.
"Bride Mari, will you cherish and love Groom Warren in sickness and in health, without change?"
"...."
The bride was too nervous and embarrassed to speak. Perhaps frustrated, or perhaps thinking the wedding would be canceled if she did not answer quickly, Ji-geu widened his eyes and shouted in her place.
"Yes! Teacher!"
The villagers roared with laughter. Thanks to that, Mari seemed to relax a little. She let out a small laugh. When I waited for her answer, the bride replied in a very small voice.
"...Yes."
Looking at the groom, bride, and villagers, I spoke.
"Today, Warren and Mari, who love each other, have sworn before everyone to share all joys and sorrows for the rest of their lives. I solemnly declare that their marriage has been truly and properly formed."
The villagers applauded in unison. Popcorn, wondering what was happening, let out a "Ppi!" and flew around above everyone's heads.
"Come here, Popcorn. It's your turn."
When I called, Popcorn flew over.
"Bestow the spirits' blessing upon them."
As I spoke to the groom and bride, Popcorn flew above their heads as if it understood.
"Ppi! Ppi-ppi-ppi!"
When Popcorn waved its thin arms vigorously through the air, small lights poured down onto their heads. It had not been intentional, but it truly looked like a blessing. Warren and Mari opened their eyes wide in surprise, and Ji-geu shouted toward Popcorn with a bright smile.
"Thank you, Spirit! I'll have lots of children. Ten of them!"
One should say "people" when counting humans. But pointing that out now would be tactless. Receiving the villagers' blessings, the groom and bride took their seats, and people began bringing in food. In this world, the groom and bride would normally treat the guests, but our village was still poor. No individual was wealthy enough to host. In the end, everyone had pooled what little they had to hold the wedding. Even so, everyone was joyful and happy. They were all smiling. It felt like a richness of the heart. Ji-geu sat between his father and mother, smiling happily the whole time.
May they be happy....
I murmured in my heart. If spirits truly had power, if they could truly grant blessings, then I hoped they would help this family find happiness from now on.
"Ppi!"
Popcorn stood on Ji-geu's head with its bottom tilted at an angle in a strange pose. With everyone's attention on Ji-geu, it seemed to want a share of the spotlight. Orange and Pudding arrived late and headed that way as well, leading to a brief territorial dispute among spirit, bird, and slime.
Is this what happiness is?
For some reason, I felt like I might cry. Next time, I wanted to get married too.