Sunlit Vows and a Hidden Guest
Victor emerged first from the open doors.
A soft black ceremonial robe draped over him, with a cloak flowing calmly from his shoulders. A medal symbolizing his ducal status was neatly affixed to his chest, crossed by a red shoulder sash that contrasted sharply with the robe.
Though impeccably dressed without a single flaw, the outline of his well-defined chest muscles was impossible to hide, drawing sighs from the unmarried noble ladies.
"To have a man like that as a husband... She must be so blessed."
"But I heard he's as impressive as they say. He even saved those kids!"
"Yeah. And apparently, he does house calls too? He's a doctor. How does a noble lady become a doctor?"
"No way, really?"
"Yeah, his medicine works wonders. I overheard Mrs. Ritz chatting with my mom about it. You know how chatty she is."
Piercing through the murmurs, Victor advanced leisurely to stand before the officiant.
The officiant was none other than Colonel Eberstein.
He was fitting, both by age and familiarity.
"Your Grace. My heartfelt congratulations."
"Thank you for officiating, Colonel."
"It's an honor for my house. To live long enough to witness Your Grace's wedding..."
The colonel grinned broadly, his joy genuine.
He was trying to maintain composure for his watchful wife's sake—her axe-like glare fixed on him—but his shoulders twitched with delight.
Even Victor cracked a faint smile at the happiness radiating from the boar-like giant.
"May you build a happy family."
"I'll give it my all."
At first, he'd chosen her simply because she was the most suitable.
No one else could fulfill his goals as well as Ibel.
But as time passed, Victor realized something was off.
Perhaps from the moment he'd begun treating her as a wife. Or when he'd seen her charge through thunder and lightning toward Damian.
Maybe it was the accumulation of nights watching her sleeping face.
The beginning was hazy, but the result was clear—and Victor was slowly coming to terms with it.
Ibel is no longer just a subordinate.
She could no longer be maneuvered like a chess piece.
In strategic terms, the plan has derailed countless times already.
Yet he decided not to stop keeping her in his heart.
For Victor, who had always calculated and controlled everything, this was unprecedented.
An exception he neither grasped nor commanded—just observed.
I still don't know the name of this feeling.
Somewhere between camaraderie and a special affection.
Did emotions of this weight and shape even have names?
Once, his ignorance of something would have irritated him greatly. But curiously, not knowing things about Ibel pleased him.
It meant there was more to discover.
"Now, the bride! Let's make our entrance!"
At that moment, Matthias shouted loudly from the entrance. Heads craned forward in anticipation.
Far more guests had yet to see Ibel than those who had, so curiosity was inevitable.
"......!"
And moments later.
The guests collectively held their breath.
Or rather, time itself seemed to stop.
Beneath the warm sunlight, a woman appeared who seemed to capture all light unto herself.
Bright golden hair and eyes the sweet color of honey.
With every elegant step, the duchess exuded an aura that overwhelmed everyone present simply by her presence.
"Indeed... the rumors don't do her justice."
"I heard her background is unknown."
"Does that matter? Don't you know how much the Ebersteins cherish Duchess Bayern? Watch your mouth."
Ibel walked with her dress hem fluttering gracefully, resembling one of the goddesses from the polytheistic nation of Grics.
The young noblemen, who had never laid eyes on such beauty in their lives, sighed in regret—but they had to admit it.
The two matched perfectly.
Gazes filled with admiration, envy, and a touch of jealousy poured forth.
Ibel soon flashed a bright smile at Victor standing ahead.
As if nothing were amiss.
As if this day, this moment, were perfection itself.
Oh, dear.
But the reality was this.
What a little rascal.
Something had been wriggling inside the bouquet since earlier.
But she'd been in a rush to proceed with the ceremony, and tossing the flowers around would only wilt them—no one does that.
For various reasons, Ibel hadn't checked inside.
But lo and behold.
Here under this beautiful sunlight, a furry leg poked out.
Not small by any means—a large spider, clearly chosen with care, stared at her with its eight eyes.
To Ibel, the spider seemed quite flustered too.
It must be. Living peacefully in the forest, then suddenly kidnapped here.
How startled it must have been.
It couldn't have been caught in daylight; someone must have sneaked out at night. From the spider's perspective, it was outright abduction.
Ibel glanced at the plump spider and clicked her tongue inwardly.
Bound to the bouquet stem with thread around its waist.
It could easily spring out and cling to her at any moment, but it seemed too panicked to move yet.
Spiders didn't frighten her much, but if it burst free, the ladies would scream bloody murder. So Ibel pressed it discreetly toward her body.
At least it's not a dead mouse. How cute.
Kids will be kids.
In a world overflowing with horrors, their greatest terror was just a spider.
"My lady."
"Victor."
Standing before Victor, Ibel curved her eyes into crescents with a radiant smile.
Normally, the groom's ears would flush in such a moment, but not Victor.
An expression she doesn't usually make. Bouquet pressed to her body. Slightly tense shoulders.
His brow arched as he leaned in close, bending at the waist.
The ladies squealed at the intimate sight of the newlyweds whispering.
Seizing the moment, Victor murmured lowly.
"Is something wrong?"
"There's a slight issue with the bouquet. I don't think I can toss it."
"I'll take it naturally."
He glanced at the bouquet, flashed a handsome smile, and took her hand. Then he accepted the bouquet and passed it to the officiant.
Noting the oddity, Colonel Eberstein quickly inspected it. His eyes met the large spider's, but he calmly set it on the altar without a fuss.
A veteran of countless battlefields wouldn't scream at such a thing.
The colonel opened his mouth in a steady, unwavering voice.
"This gathering today."
His low, firm tone echoed through the garden arranged as an outdoor venue.
"Is a declaration of the Bayern future and a solidification of the bond between House Eberstein and House Bayern."
The colonel gazed warmly at the two in turn.
"Victor Bayern, Grand Duke."
Called upon, Victor met his eyes without a flicker.
"Do you swear to take this woman as your spouse, to share joy and happiness, and never abandon each other even in trials?"
"I swear it."
Victor placed a hand over his left breast.
In response, every Bayern retainer watching did the same.
"Ibel Eberstein."
Now it was Ibel's turn.
She looked quietly at the colonel.
Thank goodness the officiant is him, she thought.
"Do you swear to accept this man as your spouse, to share happiness and joy, and never abandon each other even in trials?"
"I swear it."
Ibel's voice rang clear.
Such vows were hard to keep long-term, but she was utterly confident.
She'd done it before.
Throughout the contract period, she would be loyal to him—to House Bayern.
She'd give more than her best.
To change the course of Victor's life from within.
"Very well. With this, I declare you husband and wife before all these witnesses."