Vows Sealed in Winter's Hall
The wedding invitations had gone out to everyone. Several recipients had already replied, and their responses were straightforward enough. "May the Northern Grand Duke enjoy eternal glory!" "The Northern Grand Duke is the eternal master of the North!" The same sentiments repeated over and over. I didn't need to respond to every single one, but I was still grateful that they'd be attending my wedding. Hey, it was something. Time flew by far too quickly. I'd done what needed doing, seen what needed seeing, and suddenly, the day of the wedding was here.
"Any updates on the army's movements?"
"No unusual reports, my lord."
"Prepare support troops just in case. Understood?"
"As you command."
There were no separate reports on enemy troop movements. Dorgon and James de Wintergard had already set out, so I figured they'd handle it sufficiently. Still, I couldn't shake the unease.
"Report any military updates immediately."
"Yes, Your Grace."
War was like that. Dorgon and the other ministers would take care of it, so I'd let it slide for now. But the biggest headache was...
"Ahem, Your Grace."
"What is it?"
"Shall we add some badges or medals to your wedding suit for decoration?"
"No need. Keep it clean and simple."
"Then perhaps a small badge with the Wintergard crest..."
"That... yeah, fine. Do it."
I let out a sigh. The wedding was right around the corner. The moment I said to wrap things up quickly, all the ministers and nobles dropped their own duties and fixated on this. They kept pestering me about every tiny detail—it was driving me mad. But peeking at Daniela's wedding dress? That was pure joy.
"Hmm, this looks pretty good. Yeah, that'll do."
"Your Grace... just a moment."
"Huh? No, there's really no need for more."
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, isn't it?"
"Fine, fine. Go all out."
What more could I say? Still, it felt like we'd rushed through it on my end. Picking out Daniela's dress had taken nearly the whole day. Weddings were all about the bride being the star, not the groom, right? And the people of Winter Castle had poured a ton of time into her dress too.
"What about the bouquet?"
"We've prepared everything, so please don't worry."
"Flowers don't exactly bloom in the North."
"We've managed to get fresh ones somehow, so rest easy."
They always said not to worry, but how could I not? You're the ones handling it—why do I know nothing? Since becoming Grand Duke, this was the first time I'd been swept along so cluelessly.
"Where's Daniela?"
"She's making final adjustments to the dress."
"I see."
"Even if you want to see, you'll have to hold back."
"I know. No worries."
Ha... My heart was pounding, my body refusing to stay still. And with the chaos in the south, Marquis Roland von Bart from the Bart family couldn't even attend. At least he'd acknowledged her as Grand Duchess already—that was all I could say about it.
"Can't even greet the guests properly."
"Hexon and Alfredo have that covered."
"Timing couldn't be worse. Should've waited till after the war."
"Too late for that now."
"I know. Better to get it done quick if we're doing it."
"Watch out for assassination threats."
The crowd murmured. Rather than borrowing another venue, we'd redecorated Winter's Hall for the ceremony. Lavish lace draped everywhere, and hundreds of chairs filled the space. Today's emcee was Bildo! That had been a headache too. They'd insisted on handling it themselves and made a huge fuss. Roy de Wintergard had whined that he absolutely wanted to do it.
'Fine, want to officiate then?'
That finally calmed him down. Roy bowed deeply, saying it was the family's honor. It sparked some controversy, but the meaning was similar—he wanted to do it himself. In the end, Roy de Wintergard got to officiate.
"Now, let us first welcome today's groom, His Exalted Grace, the Northern Grand Duke!"
Bildo bellowed. The doors to Winter's Hall swung open, and I began my slow walk. Music swelled, lively tunes filling the air. The virgin road, they called it. I waved without thinking.
"Your Grace!"
"Your Grace! Over here for a moment..."
Photo op? Like, look this way? They were way too devoted sometimes. I gave an awkward smile and took my place before the officiant.
Roy de Wintergard. Long white beard and hair cascading down. Today, he'd groomed it neatly.
"You tidied up your hair and beard? Looking sharp."
"Th-th-thank you, Your Grace."
"I'm the one getting married—why are you so nervous?"
"I-I'll officiate p-p-properly..."
"Yeah, yeah. Do your best. Got it?"
Hahaha! I couldn't help laughing. Over-tension syndrome or something. Leor was the same. Put them in a spot like this, and everyone stammers. Or maybe anyone officiating would get shaky.
"Next, the most beautiful woman in the world, destined to be the spouse of the world's greatest man—Her Exalted self!"
"Woooaaah—!"
"Let us welcome today's bride!"
It was way louder than when I'd entered. Servants holding the hem of her white dress. Flower girls scattering petals. And the most beautiful bride in the world, bouquet in hand, face softly veiled in lace. The most beautiful bride in the world. The phrase fit her perfectly.
"Woooaaah—!"
The cheers showed no sign of stopping. With every step down the virgin road, my heart plummeted. Thump as her foot advanced toward me. Thump as the other followed. Pounding like drums, shaking me up and down.
"Hoo... hoo..."
"Hoo... Your Grace, deep breaths."
"Hooo... whew... Y-you too, Roy."
Officiant and groom both looking like idiots, probably. The moment she stood before me, I could see Daniela. My hands trembled. I carefully offered my arm. Her arm slipped perfectly into the space between. Hoo... hoo... My heart ached.
"Th-then, let the wedding ceremony of His Exalted and Great Theodore von Wintergard, Northern Grand Duke, and Daniela von Bart, future Grand Duchess, commence!"
Good thing one breath settled it. Weddings were simple: officiant speaks, toasts, final kiss, done! So straightforward, yet why was my heart racing like this...
"Now, for a toast from Lord Alfredo!"
Alfredo's toast was short but punchy. He listed things out, then hit hard at the end.
"If the late Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were here... snff..."
Suddenly tears. Bildo hurriedly wrapped it up. I snuck a glance at Daniela standing calmly beside me. Hehe... No, once she became Grand Duchess, she might not have this leisure anymore. It was official now.
"Now, officiant Lord Roy, speak on the Grand Duke and... just do it!"
Still sulking. Officiants were usually high-ranking elders. Hard to find anyone above the Grand Duke in the North, so Roy it was. Old, loyal servant from his father's days.
"If the late Grand Duke and Grand Duchess saw this, they'd ask one question."
An unexpected one. My parents? Roy had seen them more than I had. He'd fought in the Wintergard rebellion, even felt shame over it.
"Grand Duke, can you cherish the Grand Duchess at your side?"
"Yes!"
It came out as a roar amid the cheers. Got too excited.
"Grand Duchess, through harsh winters or warm springs, can you cherish the Grand Duke?"
"I swear it."
Roy nodded approvingly at Daniela's response.
"Then! If anyone cannot accept their vows or opposes this union, step forward!"
His final line. Atmosphere like he'd yell for an axe if anyone did. Naturally, no one approached the virgin road.
"Thus, blessing this great union, I conclude the officiation!"
Nothing fancy. As the wedding neared its end, I faced Daniela. She was truly Grand Duchess now.
"The ceremony concludes with a kiss from groom and bride."
I kissed Daniela. The marriage was complete. No matter what anyone said, Daniela was Grand Duchess. Pretexts, pasts—none of it mattered. My heart dropped from sky to earth with a thud.
"This concludes the wedding!"
With Bildo's final words, Daniela and I left Winter's Hall. It had been a long time. Thirty years living as Theodore von Wintergard. Now, I finally had a wife. Something even my original world never gave me.