Capítulo 184: [Chapter 184] The Wedding
Under the towering ceiling that seemed impossible to touch even with ten people stacked on top of each other, a massive censer emitted a fragrant scent.
While the spring flowers had not yet fully bloomed, the temple was filled with various scents of different woods. The iridescent sunlight filtered through the stained glass onto the red petals blooming on the precious camellia tree.
The bride's white veil was as thin as cicada wings. It was a top-tier item that artisans would spend years creating.
From the chest to the back, the veil, longer than the bride's dress, was adorned with a delicate band of pearl beads, like a crown.
The dress itself was as white as snow, with a wide hem at the skirt's edge and countless white jewels adorning the bodice. The shoes were made of the same fabric, with pearls and diamonds intricately embedded like blooming flowers on the tip.
Each piece could have been an art piece that would be a sensation in Ulverby for decades, yet the bride, adorned in all these items, stood without a hint of being overwhelmed by the brilliance.
Beyond the veil, a platinum blonde hair, like the morning sun, glinted intermittently. And behind that veil, there were deep Tyrian purple eyes gazing ahead.
There were barely a handful of people attending the wedding, including two young acolytes assisting with the ceremony. The pipe organ, adorned with crystal and gold, remained silent.
Yet, no one thought this place was shabby or lonely.
Ren, who had been elected as the new Pope less than 30 minutes ago, now known as Lenuus I, smiled with holiness. Beside him stood the man who would be his groom today.
Black hair like raven feathers, bright gray eyes like white diamonds. A visage embodying the essence of beauty sought by adults.
His tall stature was imposing, yet not towering, but rather tightly knit. His posture exuded a relaxed yet flawless grace, akin to a well-fed beast.
A white uniform adorned with gold twisted cord and bow embellishments covered his chest. Beneath the cinched waistband and black velvet trousers, one could sense firm muscles that were not overly thick but sturdy.
His beautiful face, revealed beneath swept-back hair, never once averted its gaze from his bride, as if unwilling to let anything escape his eyes.
As she confidently and gracefully walked towards the groom at the entrance of the sanctuary, her pace was dignified, elegant, and perfectly measured. Yet, to the man waiting for her, it felt slow.
Too slow.
In truth, for him, it felt like he had been waiting alone in this place for years.
Finally, standing side by side with the groom in front of the Pope, the bride respectfully bowed her head.
Ren touched the holy water and spoke the necessary words according to the ritual. "Beloved servants of the Lord, you have come here to create a joyful union in the presence of the Lord..."
It was a ritualistic act, and being brief, the opening words were not long. However, each word was filled with blessings and prayers. The high priests who were fortunate enough to witness the wedding ceremony were moved without even realizing it.
The fact that the new Pope was not just as pure and faithful as he appeared was vaguely understood by them. Such a person could not have risen to that position without a solid foundation.
However, the reverent excitement shared deep in the hearts of those who had dedicated their lives to God agreed that Lenuus I's first mass, though simple, was beautiful enough to be recorded.
As he prepared to reveal himself to the people of Ulverby after the Pope election, his first directive was to prepare for a wedding in the makeshift chapel on the first floor of the Lily Palace.
As a Pope, it was a law to maintain dignity befitting the position. Despite having been close before the coronation, many were displeased with the idea of flattering the Duke when Ulverby was in this state.
Contrary to the priests' thoughts, this wedding was not primarily a 'task' to be dealt with first or a 'price' to be paid to political partners.
"Kledwin Maindlandt will treat his wife with faith, respect, love, and dedication, always prioritizing her above all else, putting his wife first in times of pain or difficulty..."
Wait, do they usually say such things at a regular wedding? The priests were momentarily confused. Normally, they would only mention 'faith and respect' and move on to the wife's duties. If they were to say such things, it would usually be 'thinking of the wife as one's own body'...
"Even a moment of hesitation should be brought before God, kneeling and confessing, as it could lead to a grave sin..."
Such a passage was never there.
For a long time, Ren emphasized the duties a husband should fulfill towards his wife and the divine punishment he would face if he failed to fulfill those duties. To maintain a calm demeanor, the priests made every effort.
Nevertheless, excluding that passage, it was a gracious moment. Everyone agreed.
"The two are now husband and wife before the Lord."
Kledwin removed Neris's veil. As the part covering her face shifted back behind her head, Neris closed her eyes and finally met her husband's gaze.
She could feel his hand trembling slightly as he lifted the veil. Neris, focusing on his eyes as he gazed at her, gently held Kledwin's hand.
Their faces drew closer. Kledwin kissed his wife on the lips.
The warm breath, the gentle touch embracing her waist... Neris had never experienced or even imagined such a kiss in her previous life. Such moments had always belonged to others.
Tenderness.
A languid gaze that seemed to ask if she desired it too.
The slow movement of their lips, as if savoring, admiring.
She had kissed him before in the past. However, this time, the sensation of her breath quickening much faster than before left her bewildered. She didn't know how to respond to the intimacy between their parted lips. Her face flushed.
She felt embarrassed by her own inexperience. Something swelled in her chest. Like a ball filling up with air, this strange sensation pushed all other emotions to their limits and shamelessly took its place.
She had never imagined a day where she would want to continue kissing someone in front of others.
There was a commotion outside. Adain, clad in knightly armor, approached the door with a fierce expression. Before long, the door creaked open.
Armed knights poured in. There were dozens of them, fully equipped for battle. The door, not prepared for war, was about to be breached.
"No, they could have blocked it if they wanted to."
But was there really a need to do so? Since it was going to be revealed anyway.
Ren openly displayed a discomforted expression. The other high priests were the same. It was unthinkable for secular nobles to forcibly invade the Pope's residence. Unless they were prepared to die, such rudeness could not be tolerated.
At the forefront of the knights stood a middle-aged nobleman, Viscount Barom, who shouted with a stern face.
"Your Majesty! You must stop the ceremony immediately, that woman is a murderer and a criminal! She hasn't even received permission to marry within her own family! She has insulted the sanctity!"
Few high priests, except for Adam's priest, were privy to the details of Neris and Kledwin. The other high priests were bewildered. The Viscount gestured to his knights.
"Seize that woman!"
The Viscount's knights rushed towards Neris. However, before they could reach the center of the sanctuary, Neris stood tall and shouted.
"How dare you! Who are you to insult Maindlandt's Duchess and falsely accuse her!"
The Viscount's eyes fell on the ring on Neris's hand. His face contorted in despair.
In truth, he had known since the beginning. The calm and light-hearted atmosphere was already meant for after the wedding.
Neris glared at the knights.
"I am already an adult, and my mother is alive. I have no reason to seek permission from anyone to marry! Furthermore, I have never killed anyone with my own hands, so who are you to call me a murderer? Who is lying before the Lord at this moment for petty reasons?"
The knights hesitated at the stern rebuke. They may not have understood the situation well, but they instinctively knew their master had failed.
As a Duchess, she was practically royalty. Unless such a person committed treason, who would dare arrest her without evidence in this situation? Especially when the Pope was there to officiate her marriage.
Ren gently addressed the trembling Viscount Barom.
"I haven't been in office for a few hours, and you've brought an army to my doorstep, so you must have had something in mind."
The Viscount's face turned pale.
His target was Neris Trued. Everyone present knew that fact. Moreover, an army? Dozens of knights constitute an army? While it was an issue that armed forces had been brought in, using the term 'army' changed the severity of the offense.
However, upon hearing the Pope's tone, it seemed he wanted the severity of the offense to change just like that.
"I sense that your spiritual condition has reached a serious breakdown. Are you barging in here with muddy boots at this joyous occasion where two lives are joining to start a family, insulting the noble Duchess? Of course, I may have been lacking, but it's not easy to overlook."
The high priests also looked at the disrespectful Viscount with disdain.
It didn't seem like they would provide favorable testimony on this side. The Viscount was desperate.
Adain approached the Viscount, drew a sharp knife from his waist, and struck him on the back of the neck, rendering him unconscious.
The knights couldn't muster the courage to rebel even as their lord was being struck before their eyes. What could they do now?
After all, the Viscount would either rot in prison for the rest of his life, or worse, face exile where no one would welcome him.
"Have you packed everything?"
"There wasn't much to begin with."
"Since it was the Pope's first mass after his inauguration, it should have been much more grand."
"That brat was being annoying," Ren said, glancing at Kledwin for no reason.
Neris chuckled. Despite cooperating when needed, the two men still found a reason to argue.
Kledwin took care to prevent a letter from reaching Viscount Kendall's daughter, indicating that she was actually alive. Ren seemed to be cooperative, giving instructions for the wedding preparations to be done in a simple manner right after being elected as the Pope.
As the wedding ended and they changed clothes to depart for the palace, the atmosphere turned sour. Neris tried to hug Ren to greet him, successfully doing so despite Kledwin not letting go of her right hand, forcing her to hug with only one arm.
Ren growled, "Want to die?"
Neris replied, "Will going to heaven if I die by the Pope's hand?"
"I can pray for you to fall straight to the lowest level of hell."
While the two men exchanged unnecessary words, Neris boarded the carriage. Kledwin helped her before getting in himself. Adain closed the carriage door, and Ren waved his hand.
"Take care!"
With that, the coachman set the carriage in motion. Neris waved lightly to Ren as he faded into the distance beyond the carriage window.
The bright sunlight of approaching spring shone on Ulverby. Neris sat directly in the carriage as Ren and the Adams priest standing beside Ren disappeared from view.
Her husband's lips met hers. While it had happened several times before and she had grown accustomed to it, this kiss felt different this time.
It was more intense and hinted at something.
Her ears burned. Unsure how to respond, Neris changed the subject with a slightly strained voice.
"Did you send Idalia to her father?"
"I had her sent off with Heather Railings. Packed her well in the carriage with a letter saying not to ask about the dead."
"Good. Viscount Kendall won't be a concern for a while."
Kledwin, still not releasing his lips from her hand, slowly slid his lips down to her wrist. Neris's eyes widened.
A smile flickered in his eyes. It was a knowing look, acknowledging that she had deliberately changed the subject.
"My wife, there are a few minor matters left to attend to in the palace, but once that's done, we'll return to our home."
Our land.
The phrase 'returning home' resonated with her. Neris nodded.
"Yes. Let's go home."
The carriage gradually picked up speed.
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