In the middle of the garden was a “Way of the Virgin” tablecloth made of precious brocade, and at the end of it was an arch decorated with natural flowers and a prepared platform.
The platform was made up of steps so that the priest could ascend.
On the platform are jeweled ivory carvings depicting “Knight.”
The garden was lavishly and splendidly decorated.
On either side of the garden are two gold fountains, and around them are antiques engraved with pictures of angels.
It was clear at first glance how rich the owner of the palace was.
Not only that, a canopy was equipped in one corner to protect against the rain.
Because Reoburn's summer is unpredictable.
As soon as the Marquis Pinchetrit, father of the bride, saw Denis entering the garden, he ran to him and took his hand.
“You are welcome, Your Highness.”
“Congratulations on your wedding.”
“I also thank you for coming, Your Highness.”
“No need to thank you.”
“After the ceremony is over, there will be a reception.
It would be a great honor for us if you would please stay until then, Your Highness.”
“Of course, Marquis, I will gladly share the joy with you.”
The garden was full of guests.
They looked around, wondering if they would see the daughter of the Marquis Pinchetrit, the subject of the rumours.
“Distinguished guests, please be seated.
We will now begin the sacred wedding ceremony under the auspices of God for the groom to come forward.”
The priest went up to the podium and began the ceremony.
The groom looked dapper in his fine suede morning coat, white and blue silk tie, and uncovered forehead.
Jerome took confident steps and stood in front of the podium.
Then the priest called the bride.
Sonia Benchetrit, who was waiting in the preparation room, moved forward cautiously to finish “The Way of the Virgin.”
The guests' eyes gathered on the bride.
The features of the bride's face hidden under the veil were not completely clear.
The audience whispered among themselves.
“Don't they say she's ugly?”
"Really?
I can't see her clearly...
Didn't they say she was mentally disturbed?"
“Seems normal to me...”
As if she did not hear this chatter, Sonia, accompanied by her bridesmaids, walked on “The Virgin’s Path” and stood next to “Jérôme Murad.”
The priest's long sermon continued.
“We are witnesses to the union of a man and a woman under the grace of God, so that the two swear, from now until eternity, in accordance with the faith, to love and care for one another.”
“I, Jérôme Murat, swear in the name of God.”
“And let the bride swear too.”
“I, Sonia Benchetrit, swear in the name of God.”
“With this, the two become one.
Please join me in your good wishes for their future together, so that the journey of the Virgin’s path begins.”
As soon as the bride grabbed the groom's arm, the couple began their march.
The audience clapped together, congratulating them.
As she watched the couple, Therese recalled her own wedding.
That day came after a full year of preparation following the engagement ceremony.
It was a spring day, carefully chosen by the temple as a happy day, but as fate would have it, very heavy rain fell.
She remembered how the reception was set up outdoors, but because the rain seeped even through the tents, they eventually had to open the indoor hall to receive guests.
Those times were so confusing that she couldn't even remember how they had passed.
When Dennis returned after thanking those present, he smelled faintly of rain.
Because he was outside saying goodbye to the guests.
Whenever she remembered her wedding, she felt as if that light smell of rain was still floating around her nose.
“Are you tired?”
Dennis asked her quietly.
The reception had begun, and the bride and groom were performing their first dance.
“No, I was just thinking about something else.”
Therese shook her head no.
“At our wedding?”
He looked at her, laughing softly.
“…yes our wedding.”
The feeling came to her that he and “she” were connected to the word “we” again.
“That day, you cried, didn't you?”
“I didn't but...”
Thérèse said that she was thinking of her late mother, then closed her lips.
The issue of her mother was like a coffin between him and her.
“You were beautiful that day, Therese.”
Therese raised her eyes and looked at him.
His green eyes were bright.
"Thank you."
Therese did not have the energy to hide her reddened cheeks, so she hung her head.
She felt her ears turn red to the tips.
She was not immune to such words.
“Well, you wore the most expensive dress in Valois, so naturally you are beautiful, right?”
Dennis ran his fingertips over her warm cheeks.
“It was not the most expensive.
The most expensive dress belonged to Queen Marianne IV of Valois...”
Therese hurriedly tried to correct the incorrect information, but Dennis was looking at her with a wide smile.
He was teasing her again.
“His Highness the Prince.”
"Yes?"
“Nothing, nothing.”
Therese only let out a sigh.
“Yes.
Me too.”
Denise patted her tightly clenched hands.
Therese couldn't decide whether she should be angry with him or not.
The newlyweds' first dance is over.
Applause followed, and the band began playing fun dance music.
It's time for the guests to dance.
“My wife, your hand.”
Dennis took her hand and stepped forward.
Therese followed him.
When they stood in the middle of the reception hall, people made room for them.
“Let's throw fuel on the fire of discord rumors, shall we?”
“Okay, Your Highness.”
Under Denise's leadership, Therese and Denise began to move slowly.
He pulled her back towards him with his hand intimately.
Therese found herself almost in his arms.
Thérèse had pulled herself together, her face having just turned red because of Denise's joke.
But now, as she danced close to his chest, her heart began to beat hard.
His embrace was warm and reassuring.
Even though she was just dancing with him, her heart was not easily settled.
Although she shared much more intimate actions with him than this.
“By the way, is this also your doing?”
He whispered in her ear the moment he approached her again after turning her around.
Therese realized that he was referring to the Marquis Benchetrit and Baron Murat.
"Yes."
Therese admitted quietly.
“You can't seem to trust me with this, can you?”
Therese did not answer.
It was a question that could not be answered.
When he extended his arm, Thérèse turned away from him.
“Not answering when the situation is inappropriate is not a good habit, wife.”
"I apologize."
Therese whispered unintelligible words.
“I hope you don't do anything, my wife.”
“What?
What do you mean...”
His words, which came like a thunderbolt, confused her.
She already knew he hated her interference.
But this was the first time she had heard it explicitly from his mouth.
“Stop, I'll take care of it from now on.”
Meanwhile, the dance music ended, and Dennis let go of Thérèse's hand.
This was at the same time as he said, “Stop.”
Then, with impeccable politeness, Dennis bowed to her in greeting.
While Therese was confused after he let go of her hand, she returned the greeting.
He shook the folds of his coat once, spoke to someone who approached from behind, and then left with confident steps.
Therese looked at that scene in confusion.
She couldn't understand.
Wasn't it her duty to raise him to the throne?
But he tells her to stop.
Is this what he really wants?
Or does he not need it anymore?
The bride and groom stood to greet the guests.
While Therese was trying to discover Denise's intention, she was approached by the bride, Sonia.
“Thank you for attending my humble wedding, Your Highness the Princess.”
Thérèse broke her train of thought and greeted Sonia and welcomed her.
“Don't say that, it was a very beautiful and wonderful party today.”
“Wasn't it you who introduced my future husband to my father, Your Highness?”
Sonia pointed with her eyes to where Jerome was standing and talking to some people.
Jerome seemed to laugh heartily, as if they were talking about something funny.
“It was just a sign at the right time with the right person.
I didn't do anything else.
It was both your work.”
Therese said decisively.
Sonia didn't say another word, but smiled calmly.
Sonia Benchetrit.
The only daughter of the Marquis of Pinchetrit, who rules the central region.
A character who generated many rumors due to her lack of appearance in society despite reaching the age of majority.
Some said she was ugly, others said she was sick, but none of these reasons were true.
Sonya was exceptionally intelligent.
At the age of three, she had mastered the official Valois language and the “Inland” language, and at seven, she had not only memorized the entire history of Valois, but also mastered the incomparably complex ancient language through self-study.
Marquis Benchetrit was infinitely proud and rejoicing that the genius of the century was his daughter.
But he couldn't flaunt it publicly.
This is because Sonia was a girl.
The Marquis was lost in bewilderment.
Should he introduce Sonia to the world or not?
There were several academies that daughters of nobles could attend.
But most of them went to academies for cultural acquisition and socialization.
'Sonia, do you want to join an academy?
Or would you rather search at home?'
Sonia answered the Marquis's question without hesitation.
'It's too late to learn anything from the academy.
I'd rather search on my own, father.'
The Marquis of Pinchetrit accepted Sonia's decision.
Daughters of aristocratic families usually considered marriage after taking wife-making lessons and helping their husbands to be the greatest success in their lives.
But if there was a difference between Sonia and ordinary daughters of noble families, it was that the Marquis Benchetrit supported his daughter without reservation.
The Marquis of Benchetrit had the power, status, and wealth to provide for his only daughter.
He didn't need to send her to get married, or force her into the lessons of a wife she hated.
Under her father's support, Sonia grew up as an intelligent girl but not quite skilled in manners, and a bit naughty.
Marquis Benchetrit was even happy about that.
Under the pretext that not being able to do something is not a bad thing.
When Sonia turned eighteen, she was immersed in research to discover a new theory, and lived in isolation without celebrating her coming of age, this was also the Marquis' wish.
But he couldn't live with his only daughter forever.
As Sonia grew older day by day, the Marquis began to feel afraid.
He won't be able to protect his daughter forever.
When he takes his last breath, the Marquis' henchmen may charge in like a pack of wolves and harass Sonia.
Sonya had to have someone to protect her.
This was the logical conclusion.
He had to find a suitable husband who could protect the Marquis' family fortune without going against Sonia's wishes.
He began setting conditions and secretly searching for a suitable husband.
One day, the first princess, Therese, visited him.
'Marquis, you are looking for a husband for Mademoiselle, are you?'
'How did you know that?'
‘There is someone who perfectly suits your conditions, do you want to meet him?
But on one condition.
'What is it?'
'Support the First Prince.'