Don’T Get Caught By Your Husband! [EN]: Chapter 4

#4. Wedding

2024.03.04.

Wedding preparations proceeded smoothly and quickly.

Since Belladonna didn’t offer much input, mostly sitting quietly, nodding, and smiling, she had no particular objections to the wedding itself.

‘I don’t really know much about these things anyway….’

Belladonna sat on a chair in the bridal waiting room, idly touching the wedding dress made of soft, smooth fabric.

She looked up at the mirror on the wall and gazed at her reflection, which had transformed into the perfect bride.

The sparkling wedding dress accentuated her long, straight neckline, prominent collarbones, slender arms, and delicate waist.

The radiant silver hair cascading down her back, partially concealed by the veil, and the blue eyes that contrasted perfectly with the white wedding dress were beautiful enough to captivate anyone who saw her.

‘I have to admit, I really do look beautiful….’

Belladonna admired the discerning eyes and skill of the Vatican maids, running her fingers over the lace veil that flowed down her back.

“Your Holiness, it is time to proceed to the chapel.”

At that moment, a maid standing in front of the bridal waiting room bowed her head and spoke.

Belladonna smiled at her and nodded. The maid, who had been staring at Belladonna with a dazed expression, approached her and lifted the lace veil that had fallen behind her, covering her face.

As her vision became slightly obscured, she finally began to feel the reality of this theatrical wedding.

Belladonna clutched at her chest, where her heart had begun to beat faster with an unknown sense of tension, and stood up.

The solemn chapel had been transformed into a lovely wedding venue in just one day. The luxurious veils that hung elegantly from the ceiling added to the overall beauty.

Belladonna admired the Pope’s efficiency and looked into the interior, which was filled with guests. Most of them were expected to be high-ranking nobles, and some of them seemed to be her regular customers [patrons of her previous… activities].

‘Will they be sad that I’m getting married and leaving for that man’s territory?’

They might be disappointed since their emotional garbage can is disappearing….

“Bella.”

Just then, a deep voice fell into her ear.

Bella? Who would call me that….

Turning her head towards the unfamiliar voice, she saw Escalier Diette, his dark hair neatly combed back and wearing a black formal suit.

Oh….

“Why are you so surprised? Ah, was it too soon to use an affectionate nickname?”

Escalier asked, approaching her with a dangerous smile on his face.

As he drew closer, the unique warmth and intense fragrance of a man enveloped her.

Belladonna was unable to move due to the sudden tension, anxiety, and slight fear.

“But can you even see properly with this on?”

Escalier, looking down at her, reached out without hesitation and touched the lace veil that obscured her vision.

Belladonna was startled and took a step back.

You… You shouldn’t lift the veil before the wedding, you idiot…!

Escalier, looking down at Belladonna as she hurriedly stepped back, chuckled.

“So you do know how to express dislike.”

“……”

“I should consider that fortunate.”

Belladonna tightened her grip on the bouquet.

‘Uncomfortable….’

Escalier felt uncomfortable to her.

It could be attributed to his larger-than-average build and intimidating appearance, but especially those golden eyes filled with an unknown curiosity.

‘I can’t see well because of the veil, but I can’t figure out what she’s thinking at all….’

Unlike Belladonna, who seemed uneasy and anxious, Escalier, standing next to her, remained relaxed and composed.

He briefly fiddled with the tie that constricted his thick neck, then abruptly offered her his arm.

“It seems the ceremony will begin soon.”

Belladonna quietly looked down at his thick forearm, then carefully raised her hand and linked arms with him.

‘Wow, so firm….’

She admired inwardly as she placed her hand on Escalier’s forearm. It felt like placing her hand on a hard log rather than a person.

“Why are you touching it so much?”

“Huh?”

Belladonna was startled and turned her head. Wh-who’s doing what?

Escalier was looking down at her with his signature playful smile.

“Don’t rush things too much. You can grope your husband as much as you want in the bedroom after the ceremony.”

Wha-what are you saying, you pervert!

Belladonna hurriedly removed her hand from his arm.

At her flamboyant reaction, Escalier chuckled softly.

Belladonna glared at him, feeling the heat rising in her face beneath the veil.

“Now, let us begin the marriage service.”

The Pope’s voice was heard from inside the chapel.

Belladonna swallowed once and placed her hand on his forearm again.

Focusing on not moving as much as possible.

“Before the marriage service, I announce the wedding of Sir Escalier Diette, the First Knight of the Elinus Empire, and my daughter, Belladonna Brielle.”

Following the Pope’s solemn declaration, the guests murmured in admiration.

Belladonna, staring at the back of their heads, sneered coldly in her heart.

“Today, we promise that the noble sincerity that the guests and parishioners have shown for this wedding will be passed on to the Vatican and used for those in need.”

‘Ha.’

Saying he’ll pass it on to the Vatican sounds nice, but isn’t he really going to take all the congratulatory money he receives today without using it for the wedding?

Belladonna let out a very small, hollow laugh and quickly closed her mouth.

At that moment, Escalier, who was standing next to her, leaned down and whispered softly in her ear.

“His Holiness seems to be quite greedy.”

“Huh?” Belladonna looked up at him.

But Escalier straightened up again as if nothing had happened and gazed inside the chapel.

“Now, let us call forth the protagonists of today’s marriage service, Sir Escalier Diette and Saint Belladonna Brielle.”

As the Pope’s voice ended, the doors of the chapel, which had been half-open, swung wide open.

At the same time, the beautiful melody played by the Vatican’s orchestra filled the chapel.

Belladonna, without realizing it, leaned on Escalier beside her and took her steps onto the straight wedding road.

It felt as if everyone filling the chapel was looking at her.

She walked down the wedding road with an unknown feeling and stopped in front of the Pope on the platform at the end.

“Our omnipotent God has spoken.”

The Pope opened his mouth.

‘Wow, already boring.’

“The bond of marriage is a very thick and tenacious bond that cannot be broken by anything.”

‘You’re the one who’s going to try to break it in a few months.’

“God has willingly joined the groom, Sir Escalier Diette, and the bride, Belladonna Diette, as husband and wife. Today, let us pray for this newlywed couple before us.”

“Let us pray.”

Following the Pope’s lead, the guests chanted in unison.

After that, the Pope recited a few more formal prayers, and the guests followed his prayers, chanting words like, “Hear us.”

Just as she was about to lose focus, the Pope declared in a slightly louder voice.

“Finally, the groom shall lift the bride’s veil to confirm her face and share a vow of love. By looking into each other’s true eyes, they declare that they have become a true couple.”

“Declare.”

Escalier, who had been facing the Pope, turned towards Belladonna.

He held the lace veil that fell over Belladonna’s face with both hands and slowly lifted it upwards.

Belladonna blinked, feeling her stuffy vision finally clearing.

“……”

Beneath the slowly lifting veil, brilliantly shining golden eyes appeared.

She somehow thought he would be making another playful expression, but unexpectedly, he had a serious and calm face.

Belladonna inhaled without realizing it. She couldn’t take her eyes off his subdued golden eyes.

Escalier also stood still, gazing at her as if he were falling into Belladonna’s deep blue eyes.

His thick Adam’s apple bobbed greatly.

“Share a vow of love.”

The Pope, unable to wait any longer as the newlyweds just stared blankly at each other without doing anything, urged them once more.

Only then did Escalier lightly cup her cheeks with both hands and lower his head towards her.

Unable to watch him getting closer, Belladonna tightly closed her mouth and shut her eyes.

In a very brief moment, warm and soft lips landed on hers.

“With this, I declare that the two have become a true couple.”

“Wow…!”

After the solemn service, a loud cheer struck her ears.

But louder than the voices of the people and the sound of musical instruments ringing in her ears, she could feel the sound of her own heartbeat pounding throughout her body.

Belladonna bit her lower lip without realizing it.

He quickly took his lips away, but the warmth and sensation seemed to linger for a long time.

* * *

“Congratulations on your wedding, Commander!”

Escalier, who had moved to the groom’s waiting room after the wedding to change his clothes, turned his head towards the sound.

The knight, Hazel, who had entered without hesitation, was smiling and talking to him.

Escalier didn’t even answer him properly and continued to take off the formal suit that had been constricting his body.

“When do we depart for the territory?”

“I think it’ll be tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? That’s so early? No! Please consider the Saintess…. I mean, the Lady!”

Hazel shouted in a loud voice.

Escalier raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth.

“Why? The wedding is already over.”

“Think about it! The Lady is now leaving Astagna, where she has lived almost her entire life, and going to Griblata, where she doesn’t have a single connection. You should give her time to say goodbye to her beloved ones and look back at the Vatican!”

At Hazel’s words, Escalier quietly thought of Belladonna.

The woman who still seemed pale and helpless when he first met her at the Vatican and when he saw her for the second time at today’s wedding.

She didn’t particularly seem to like staying in the Vatican.

“Then we’ll go the day after tomorrow.”

“Wow, you’re really generous. You’re only giving her one more day.”

At Hazel’s sarcastic remark, Escalier frowned and turned his body.

“Annoying. How much more do I have to think about it? I just want to leave this hot city as soon as possible.”

Escalier, who had already changed into comfortable clothes, left the groom’s waiting room and spat out his complaints. Hazel quickly followed him.

“Still…!”

“But why would His Holiness take such a person as his son-in-law?”

At that moment, the voices of nobles were heard from across the wall between the groom’s waiting room and the chapel.

“With the Saintess’s appearance and character, I thought she would marry someone from the imperial family.”