TRETTHD 83

#83. The Second Wedding

After the dinner with the Emperor, they finally had some time alone as a family.

Wanting to spend more time together, everyone gathered in the reception room of the Second Prince’s palace to enjoy some tea and snacks.

“Grandfather!”

Cloze ran over and hugged the Grand Minister tightly.

“Oh my, our little one has grown so much!”

The Grand Minister lifted Cloze into his arms, smiling warmly.

“It’s hard to see your face just once… yet every time I do, you’ve grown even more.”

It felt amusing to be meeting like this in the Ingot Empire, far from both the Shin Kingdom and the Ronica Kingdom. Yet after such a long time apart, Belia couldn’t help but feel a little uplifted.

She had never imagined that her wedding with Khalid would become such a bustling event when she first arrived in the empire.

I wish Father had been able to come…

Then the entire family could have truly witnessed her wedding. But knowing well that it would be impossible for a king and queen to both leave their kingdom, Belia swallowed her disappointment.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

“Nonsense. One must attend their granddaughter’s wedding, after all.”

In her previous life, only Cloze and Herald had attended her wedding. Belia didn’t know why her mother and grandfather, the Grand Minister, had decided to come this time. But thinking that her own efforts had led to this change filled her with an inexplicable excitement.

“So, will you attend my wedding too?”

Cloze asked cheerfully.

The Grand Minister smiled kindly and immediately responded:

“Of course. I must attend Herald’s wedding, and Cloze’s wedding as well.”

Hearing that, both Herald and Cloze beamed brightly.

But only for a moment.

The Grand Minister then squinted playfully and teased Cloze:

“Yet I’m a little sad that our little one is already thinking about marriage.”

“Oh, but I still have a few years left!”

Cloze replied with a laugh, and the Grand Minister widened his eyes in surprise, staring at his granddaughter.

“Wait! Are you saying you already have someone you want to marry?”

Cloze simply smiled mischievously, and Belia shook her head, exasperated. Her younger sister seemed determined to broadcast every detail to the world.

Just a few days ago, she had promised to stay quiet!

“Oh my. Herald, it seems your second chance at marriage might be stolen?”

“Mother…”

The Queen, noticing the scene, teased lightly. Herald turned his head, embarrassed.

After exchanging such lighthearted jokes, Belia guided her mother and grandfather to a private spot.

“So… what do you think, seeing it for yourself?”

Belia carefully asked as she set down her teacup. Since her mother and the Grand Minister had come all the way to the imperial palace, she thought it wise to assess the palace’s sinister energy firsthand.

The Grand Minister immediately sensed the meaning behind her question and frowned slightly.

Judging by his reaction, Belia braced herself for bad news and took a small, steadying breath.

“…It’s not good.”

He surveyed the reception room and nodded once.

“This place is somewhat better, at least.”

The Queen, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement.

The Grand Minister spoke with concern:

“The energy here is very heavy. Imperial palaces naturally gather the residual thoughts of many people, but here, the dark energy is especially dense.”

The Queen added in a lowered voice:

“…It’s so filled with negative energy that it tingles the skin.”

It was as though the palace itself screamed with the malice of someone’s curse.

“Belia, are you really certain this is alright?”

Her mother’s voice carried weight. The Imperial Palace was far darker than she had imagined, nothing like the bright, lively Ronica Palace.

“Yes. It’s the path I chose.”

Belia responded resolutely.

“You chose it, so I give my blessing, but seeing it with my own eyes… I cannot help but worry.”

The Queen’s expression darkened. Could Belia truly endure this place? She wanted to believe she could, yet as a mother, anxiety was unavoidable.

“Khalid is a good man.”

“…Better than the First Prince, though he too has shed much blood.”

Belia smiled faintly, shaking her head at her mother.

“It cannot be helped. To protect himself, he must tread a path drenched in blood. And he will become Emperor. Even if he wishes otherwise, he will stand above the lives of many, walking a path of cruelty and malice. And I intend to hold his hand through it all.”

“Leave it to me. I will endure.”

Belia’s expression was unwavering. Watching her determination, the Queen sighed deeply, realizing that nothing could sway her resolve.

“You are stubborn, just like your father,” she muttered.

The Grand Minister chuckled warmly beside her:

“You were stubborn too, Hestia. Remember threatening never to return to the Shin Kingdom if they didn’t allow you to marry King Ronica?”

“Father, that was…”

“Hahaha. Seeing you now, and then my granddaughter, it feels entirely familiar. Not surprising at all.”

Belia laughed, startled at hearing a story for the first time. Yet the Grand Minister’s expression soon darkened again.

“Be careful, Belia. There will be many dangers awaiting you.”

“I will remember,” she said brightly on purpose.

Then the Grand Minister reached into his robes.

“Take this.”

He handed her a necklace set with a small piece of obsidian. Belia received it cautiously, gazing curiously at her grandfather.

“This obsidian has been immersed in holy water for a month, and I’ve imbued it with my sacred power to make this necklace.”

Though small and barely noticeable, the Grand Minister’s sacred power made it invaluable.

“Such pieces are rare. Never let it leave your body.”

The process of making it had been extremely meticulous, created with care for his granddaughter, who would be living far from home. Its purpose: to protect her from evil and, in dire circumstances, provide even the faintest assistance.

Recognizing its preciousness instantly, Belia stared at it in awe.

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

Her gratitude was sincere. More than its effects, she cherished the thoughtfulness and effort behind it. She placed it around her neck, smiling again with thanks.

The day of the wedding finally arrived.

With the help of her grandfather and mother, Belia had created a small device using sacred power within the Second Prince’s palace. She felt slightly guilty for drawing every last drop of her family’s power, but she couldn’t let the opportunity pass. After all, she had no idea what might happen. And fortunately, she had an entire week to prepare.

I’m glad it was finished sooner than expected.

Time passed quickly as she prepared. With the help of her maids, she donned a pure white wedding gown, though her mind was still elsewhere.

“Princess, you look stunning.”

In the mirror, Belia looked the very image of a bride: pristine skin, silver hair, and a white gown that radiated both innocence and nobility. Even the maids decorating her were momentarily stunned.

“Thank you,” she said, finally stopping to look at her reflection.

This was only the second time she had seen herself like this. Honestly, the first time she wore a wedding dress, she was purely happy and excited, knowing nothing else.

“Today, Your Highness will surely fall for you all over again!”

The maids gushed their compliments. Belia examined herself carefully. She thought she looked quite beautiful—but it was a different feeling than her first wedding. It wasn’t strange or exciting. She wasn’t even sure if she felt nervous. Yet her expression remained bright.

“I’m ready,” she said.

“Very well.”

She stepped out of the room slowly. Outside, a carriage awaited, beautifully decorated for the bride with colorful flowers.

“This carriage has been prepared personally for today’s bride,” the driver explained politely.

As Belia boarded, the carriage began its slow journey toward the wedding hall, the sound of hooves ringing cheerfully.

Am I really marrying Khalid…?

Suddenly her heart began to race, though a moment ago she had felt nothing. It was strange—partly anxious, partly unreal. Instead of thinking about her wedding, her mind wandered to familiar tasks she had been managing.

But seeing the palace adorned brilliantly for the occasion, and all the attendants out to bless her path, reality began to sink in.

The carriage jolted to a slow stop.

“Princess, you may step out now.”

In the empire, brides in wedding dresses traditionally rode in carriages to the hall so the groom would not see them until the ceremony. It was also a treat for guests to witness the groom’s first reaction as the bride approached. Likewise, the bride would see her groom fully dressed for the first time.

“Phew…”

Music boomed as the carriage door opened. Belia stepped out in her pure white dress.

People on both sides showered her with petals, cheering. At the end of the path stood Khalid, splendidly dressed.

Seeing him, her heart leapt uncontrollably. It felt unreal, yet intensely real.

And Khalid felt the same way. How could someone be so beautiful? He wanted to keep her to himself yet show the world that she was his. Each step she took stirred an irresistible urge to run to her, take her hand, and kiss her.

As Belia walked the long flower-strewn path toward him, Khalid could no longer restrain himself and kissed her.

Gasps and delighted cries filled the air.

And so, their wedding began.