It seemed as if she could faintly hear people’s curious responses, but that was short-lived, and the ceremony was filled with loud applause and cheers.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she stared at Calix, unable to hide her surprise. But he had already turned himself to the wedding hall.

“As a consideration to my shy bride, this is how far it goes.”

Calix spoke with a smiling mask on his face.

“I hope you’ll join me in this act, anyway. For your own sake.”

Asella was dumbfounded for a moment, but her worries were short-lived.

As Calix Benvito said, this was on a stage, and she was just another actor; sold or not, overflowing love or not even a handful of affection, desperate or filled with hope.

People were looking for a fantasy story and didn’t care much if it was the truth or not.

They would really like to see a happy bride excited for her new beginning in life.

Even if it’s an illusion…

Now that she realized that, there were certain things she would have to do.

Asella carefully reached for Calix’s arm. Calix, on the other hand, raised his eyebrows at the unexpected action.

“If possible, please participate in this performance, Your Excellency.”

Asella said as she kept her gaze on the guests.

“For me, Your Excellency.”

Then Calix smiled in amusement as if he was enjoying the situation.

“Sure.”

Then he reached out his arm and wrapped it around her waist, embracing her entirely at once.

“…!”

Asella’s body trembled, trapped against Calix’s chest. She could feel his strong upper body in contact with her back through the thin dress.

A dizzying sensation that she couldn’t explain caused her vision to flicker, and her legs gave out.

“You have to be careful.”

Calix supported her with a strong, firm arm. He whispered as he leaned down so that his chin reached her small shoulder.

“I think it’s better if we show them properly.”

Asella’s heart skipped a beat. The sensation of being close to another person was too raw for her. When Asella flinched at the bewilderment of the situation, Calix clicked his tongue lightly.

“Pfff. You seemed properly prepared, so I was trying to help…”

There was a hint of sarcasm in Calix’s voice, but the frazzled Asella was utterly oblivious.

“I guess I did something wrong.”

“Oh, no.”

While Asella’s mind spun wildly, she uttered a reply.

“I was just a bit embarrassed.”

Asella took a quick breath. After several deep inhales and exhales, her startled chest began to calm down. Calix noticed the change in her and smiled.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Calix slowly loosened the arm around Asella’s waist. He stepped closer beside her, and they stood side by side, then naturally held her hands.

She hesitated for a moment as the contact she had thought was over continued again. The man’s body heat that  transmitted through his large hand was surprisingly high.

“Asella?”

Calix called, and Asella gasped. The sound of her name coming out of this man’s mouth gave her a strange feeling.

She lifted her head at an angle and looked at Calix. For some time now, he, too, was staring at her for some reason.

“Come on. Everyone is waiting.”

Asella nodded and averted her gaze to the guests in front of her.

After a moment, a smile slowly spread across her face, like sunlight on a clear wave.

And so, Asella smiled beautifully and brightly, with the face of the happiest bride in the world.

* * *

After the wedding, a grand party followed.

As it was a union of two of the most powerful families in the empire, the aristocrats who participated in the wedding were varied. In addition to the high-ranking nobles of the capital, the Emperor’s congratulatory envoys were also present.

Despite the fact that it was a gathering of prominent figures, most of the people gathered wanted to have a chance to speak to the Grand Duke and his wife.

However, instead of the Grand Duke, who made people’s hearts go numb just by facing him, many of them chose to approach the young Grand Duchess, who made a light impression.

It was based on the idea that catching the attention of Benvito’s Grand Duchess was not a bad choice.

Besides, it would be even better if they could exchange a few words with the Grand Duke because of it…

There were several reasons for their decision. Among them, there was no arguing with the fact that the tiara, which was flaunting its presence above Asella’s head, played a significant role.