Chapter 4. The Wedding
The wedding preparations went smoothly and quickly.
Belladonna had no complaints about the wedding. She just nodded and smiled quietly, giving no real opinions.
‘I don’t really know much about things like this…’
She sat in the bride’s waiting room, touching her soft and smooth wedding dress.
Looking up at the mirror on the wall, she stared at her perfect bride reflection.
Her long neck, collarbone, slim arms, and small waist were all shown beautifully in the sparkling dress.
Her shining silver hair, hidden under the veil, and her blue eyes looked stunning.
‘Even I think I look beautiful…’
Belladonna admired the skill of the maids who had helped her and ran her fingers over the lace veil.
“Saint, it’s time to move to the chapel,” a maid at the door said, bowing her head.
Belladonna smiled and nodded. The maid, a little dazed by Belladonna’s beauty, came over and lifted the veil to cover Belladonna’s face.
Now that her vision was blurred by the veil, the whole wedding felt even more like a play.
Belladonna stood up, clutching her heart as it beat faster with nerves.
The solemn chapel had been transformed overnight into a lovely wedding hall. Fancy curtains hung from the ceiling in a graceful way.
Belladonna looked around, amazed at how the Pope managed things. The place was full of high-ranking nobles—some she recognized as regular visitors.
‘Will they be sad I’m leaving for that man’s territory? Maybe they’ll miss their “emotional trash can.”’
At that moment, a deep voice spoke near her ear.
“Bella.”
Bella? Who would call her that…?
She turned to see Escallion Diete, with his dark hair neatly combed and wearing a black formal suit.
“Why do you look so surprised? Oh, maybe it’s too soon for nicknames,” Escallion said with a dangerous smile as he came closer.
His heat and strong scent surrounded her.
Belladonna felt frozen by nerves, anxiety, and a little fear.
“Can you see well through this?”
He reached out without hesitation and touched the lace veil covering her eyes.
Startled, Belladonna took a step back.
‘Y-you can’t lift the veil before the ceremony…!’
Escallion laughed quietly at her reaction.
“So you can show you dislike something,” he said.
“Maybe that’s a good thing.”
Belladonna squeezed her bouquet tighter.
‘Uncomfortable…’
Escallion made her uncomfortable—not just because of his size and intimidating look, but mostly because of the curiosity in his golden eyes.
‘I can’t see well because of the veil, but I really can’t tell what he’s thinking…’
Escallion seemed calm and relaxed, while Belladonna was nervous and uneasy.
He fiddled with his necktie, then suddenly offered his arm to her.
“The ceremony will start soon.”
Belladonna looked at his thick arm and carefully hooked her hand around it.
‘Wow, he’s solid… Like grabbing a tree trunk.’
“Why are you touching me like that?” Escallion teased.
Belladonna turned in surprise.
“Don’t rush. You can touch your husband all you want in the bedroom after the ceremony.”
‘What are you saying, you pervert?!’
Embarrassed, Belladonna quickly pulled her hand away. Escallion laughed quietly at her reaction.
She felt her face burn inside the veil and glared at him.
“Now, let’s begin the wedding ceremony,” came the Pope’s voice from inside the chapel.
Belladonna swallowed and put her hand back on Escallion’s arm, trying to keep as still as possible.
“Before we begin, let me announce the marriage of Sir Escallion Diete, the greatest knight of the Empire, and my daughter, Belladonna Briel.”
There was a low gasp from the guests.
Belladonna looked at their backs, thinking coldly:
‘They’re all looking at me, but I know what they’re really thinking…’
The Pope continued:
“All the generous gifts you brought today will be sent to the church to help the poor.”
‘Yeah, right. He’ll just keep all the money for himself…’
She let out a small laugh and quickly closed her mouth.
At that moment, Escallion bent down and whispered in her ear:
“The Pope seems greedy.”
Belladonna looked up at him in surprise, but he just stood tall, pretending nothing happened.
The Pope’s voice continued:
“Now, let us call the bride and groom, Escallion Diete and Saint Belladonna Briel, to the front.”
The doors to the chapel swung wide open, and music from the church band filled the hall.
Belladonna walked down the aisle, leaning on Escallion’s arm.
She felt like everyone was watching her as she walked the wedding road and finally stopped at the altar before the Pope.
“God said that the bond of marriage cannot be broken by anything.”
‘You’re planning to break it in a few months, though…’
“God has joined Escallion Diete and Belladonna Diete as husband and wife. Let us pray for them.”
“Let us pray,” the guests replied.
The Pope led more prayers, and the guests responded, “Hear us,” and similar words.
Belladonna’s mind was drifting when the Pope raised his voice:
“Finally, the groom may lift the bride’s veil, see her face, and share a vow kiss. By looking into each other’s eyes, you become true husband and wife.”
“We declare it!” the guests answered.
Escallion turned to Belladonna.
He lifted her lace veil slowly with both hands.
Belladonna blinked as her blurry vision cleared.
Under the rising veil, Escallion’s golden eyes appeared—serious and calm, not playful as she expected.
Belladonna found herself holding her breath, unable to look away from his quiet gaze.
Escallion, too, was lost in her deep blue eyes.
His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed.
“Share the vow kiss,” the Pope said, as the couple just stared at each other.
Escallion gently held Belladonna’s cheeks and leaned in.
Belladonna closed her eyes tightly.
A warm, soft kiss landed briefly on her lips.
“With this, the two are truly husband and wife,” the Pope announced.
Cheers and music filled her ears, but Belladonna could only hear the pounding of her own heart.
She bit her lip.
Even though the kiss was brief, the warmth seemed to last.
“Congratulations, Captain!”
Escallion was in the groom’s waiting room, changing clothes after the ceremony, when his knight Hazel came in with a smile.
Escallion ignored him and finished taking off his tight uniform.
“When are you leaving for your estate?”
“Probably tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? That soon? No way! Please, think about the Saint—um, your wife!”
Hazel raised his voice.
Escallion frowned.
“Why? The wedding’s over.”
“Think about it! My lady has to leave Astanya, where she’s lived her whole life, for your estate, where she knows no one. She should have time to say goodbye and look around the church!”
Escallion thought of Belladonna—so pale and lost-looking at both their meetings.
‘She never looked like she liked the Vatican much, though.’
“Then the day after tomorrow.”
“Wow, you’re so generous. Giving her just one extra day.”
Hazel’s sarcastic comment made Escallion frown.
“Annoying. How much longer should I wait? I just want to leave this hot city as soon as possible.”
He changed into comfortable clothes and left the room, with Hazel following.
“Still—”
Then, voices from beyond the wall, between the groom’s room and the chapel, caught their ears.
“Why would the Pope marry his daughter to someone like that?”
“With the Saint’s looks and reputation, I thought she’d marry royalty.”
Escallion stopped walking.
