The Grand Duchess Escape

The noisy place suddenly became quiet, and the magnificent music played by the orchestra filled the air.

Trying to remain oblivious of the many stares directed at her, Asella walked along the path covered with white silk.

Whenever she was about to stumble, Calix would put pressure on her hands to help her regain her balance.

Halfway through, she almost lost her balance and fell, but he quickly grabbed her by the waist and saved her from a disgraceful fall.

Asella stuttered and hurried to apologize in a hushed tone.

“I’m sorry.”

“Relax. Is someone trying to eat you?”

At last, after what had been far too long for Asella, the two of them made their way to the end of the aisle.

The one who had come to witness their marriage was one of the only three priests in the capital. An embroidered pattern by the hem of the priest’s vest, which represented a temple, was clearly visible.

“The Grace and Blessing of the Hernia Goddess be upon this place today…”

The priest’s words were surprisingly brief.

Mainly because Calix had threatened that if they dragged out time with unnecessary rumbling, their head would not be safe.

After the brief words of blessing, it was time for the wedding oath.

“I do.”

Immediately after Calix Benvito’s answer, the questions followed Asella.

However, she failed to answer in a timely manner.

“Lady Asella Chartus?”

Asella slowly raised her head. There was a hint of suspicion on the High Priest’s face as he stared at her.

She recalled the name by which the High Priest had called her just a moment ago.

Asella Chartus.

Yes, she was Asella Chartus… for now.

But as soon as she opened her mouth to say her vows, the glorious name of her family would be stripped from her.

And there would be no turning back… forever.

“Asella Benvito. That’s the name you’ll have for the rest of your life.”

Calix Benvito had declared.

The silence of Asella grew prolonged.

Each of the guests smiled contentedly, thinking at first that their new bride was trembling and unable to answer properly because she was nervous. Some of them exchanged small whispers as they recalled memories of their own weddings.

However, no reply came from Asella, and eventually, a small commotion broke out among the nobles in attendance.

Each of them had their eyes opened widely in curiosity. Some of them even stood up from their seats. 

Then, for a moment, as if it was planned, silence filled the air.

The nobles looked around and at each other, wondering how to interpret the situation.

“Asella, The Lady of Chartus, give your sacred wedding vows.”

Asella turned her head like an articulated doll and looked up at the man who would soon become her husband.

His blood-glazed eyes were not looking directly at her but only stared straight ahead with a smile that seemed to be painted on his face.

He should know better than anyone what was going on right now…

His extremely indifferent attitude, as if he did not care about any situation, was possible because he knew what her answer would be in the end.

She gently lowered her gaze. Then she uttered the words that could never be retracted.

“I do.”

The frozen atmosphere instantly eased, and sighs of relief escaped from everywhere.

The same was true for the High Priest who stood in front of them.

In the case of political marriages promoted by the family, there were rare occasions where the couple would refuse the pledge, saying that they had other people whom they loved. This time, Asella was trembling at the thought that something similar might happen.

Regardless of her true intentions, she was fortunate to be able to complete the ceremony without any problems.

“Your Excellency, the wedding rings.”

The High Priest wrapped the rings in his hands in an overlapping fashion, finished his blessing, and handed them to Calix again.

Calix gently raised Asella’s hand, and a moment later, the ring made its way onto her slender ring finger.

Asella got Goosebumps at the feeling of the ring fitting around her finger as if it was tailored for her and her alone.

How did he even know what the size of her finger was?

She realized that he might know far more than she thought.

She was dumbfounded when she came to the thought that he probably knew each and every single detail, even the shameful parts that she wanted to hide.

The ring on her finger felt like a shackle around her neck.

“With the Goddess’ blessing, I now pronounce the two of you husband and wife.”

With the concluding words of the High Priest, rose petals danced above the heads of Asella and Calix.

All the guests rose to their feet and celebrated the birth of the new couple with thunderous applause.

There were cheers, exclamations, and whistles all around.

The behavior was somewhat out of line when it came to etiquette. Still, some things should be tolerated generously in a joyous event like a wedding.

Their eyes lit up in anticipation of what was to come.

Meanwhile, having just completed her wedding vows, Asella was feeling endlessly crushed. 

Her spirit plummeted to the unseen depths of despair. All she knew was that it was over.

She listened to the applause flowing into her ears, touched the white dress, and glanced vaguely at the rose petals that fell to the floor.

The fresh petals, moist and watery rose petals, looked as if they were soaked with tears.

“Asella Benvito.”

Asella trembled at the voice coming from above her head.

A shallow and deep voice.

She knew he was looking down at her, but she didn’t remove her gaze from the hem of her dress.

No, she couldn’t…

“…”

Calix watched the woman as she had no response other than a tremble.

She was avoiding his gaze for a while now. It seemed as if she was trying to hide it, but it wasn’t working.

At that moment, he became somewhat irritated.

His hand made its way to raise her head slightly, and only after putting a bit of pressure on her chin did he see her face. Her light blue eyes fluttered.

“What shall we do now?”

Calix’s red eyes looked as if they were piercing deeply into her soul. 

“Although I suppose what everyone is expecting is clear.”

‘Expecting what?’

Only then did Asela’s eyes twirl around.

The guests standing up from their seats and clapping their hands, the countless rose petals falling from the sky, the ear-piercing cheers, and even the face of the High Priest staring at them with satisfied eyes…

“You may now kiss the bride.”

With the High Priest’s words, Asella’s body froze.

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