Following the incident at the academy, the Empire was once again in an uproar over the latest news.
Not long after the audacious criminals who had dared to kidnap the Empire’s noble lady had appeared, this time, word had come from the imperial family about the imperial princess’s marriage.
With no real forewarning, the sudden development of the situation caused a stir among nobles and commoners alike, making her marriage the hottest topic across the Empire.
Since it had long been accepted that she was a half-abandoned existence in the eyes of the emperor, people naturally assumed that the emperor had finally sold her off to a foreign land.
Their attention quickly shifted from her marriage to speculating about the next candidate for the imperial throne.
After all, since Asteria was now destined to leave for another country, it was inevitable that she had to give up her claim to become the Empire’s empress. The only things people were willing to offer her now were cheap sympathy and harmless rumors.
“It’s finished, Your Highness. You look… you look so beautiful…”
“…Thank you.”
“Please… don’t mind the rumors. They’re nothing but the ignorant ramblings of fools who know nothing.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not paying them any mind.”
Leto, the princess’s closest maid, could not hold back her tears as she looked at the princess staring at her reflection in the mirror with hollow eyes.
To her, Princess Asteria was a savior who had once clutched onto her fading life in the slums. She was both her benefactor and her idol…. and seeing her so fragile now made Leto’s heart ache.
Did she even realize how her once confident and commanding tone had been crushed by the weight of reality, leaving her voice as ordinary as any other young noblewoman’s?
If it were up to her heart, she would have fled with the princess right then and there, but lacking the ability to do so and fearing she would only make things worse for her mistress, the powerless maid could do nothing at all.
Maybe I should just be grateful that I’m allowed to follow Asteria to the kingdom and continue serving as her maid…
“Leto? What are you thinking about?”
“No… it’s nothing.”
Afraid that she would burst into tears if she lingered on her thoughts any longer, Leto awkwardly brushed it off.
Asteria, perhaps having no energy left to involve herself further, asked no more questions.
“I always wanted to see you have the most splendid wedding in the world with a wonderful man… but it turned out like this…”
“That’s enough, Leto. Saying more would be disrespectful to the other party.”
“But…”
Even if the prince, her future husband, could not hear them, speaking further would surely cross into rudeness.
Though it was not the marriage she had wished for, he would soon be the man she would have to live with. It was time to change her mindset.
“I understand your feelings, but he is the man who will become my husband. From now on, I have to change my attitude.”
“…I’m sorry. I got carried away with my emotions…”
“It’s alright. I understand.”
On a spring day when flowers were in full bloom, the bride’s room….. the place that should have been filled with the most joy was instead shrouded in an icy coldness like never before.
***
The wedding of the imperial princess and the prince was held in a huge garden owned by the imperial family.
Normally, only members of the imperial family and a select few of the highest-ranking nobles were permitted entry, but befitting the occasion of the imperial princess’s marriage, the garden had been specially opened to guests for one day.
The garden was filled with countless dignitaries exchanging greetings and engaging in lively conversation.
Asteria who was watching the scene from a distance sensed someone approaching and turned around.
“Wow~ Our little sister is getting married already… This big brother feels like he’s about to cry~”
“Exactly~ I used to wonder who would ever take in such a wretched thing… but look at that, what a perfect pair they make~”
“Brother… Sister…”
They were the children of the Empress. Asteria’s half-siblings by a different mother.
Ixion von Caelum and Cassandra von Caelum.
To them, the sight of their half-sister being forcibly married off to a foreign land was nothing more than entertainment; there was not a trace of genuine concern in their eyes.
“I thought I’d live my whole life without ever having to see your face again… but hey, I still showed up for your wedding.”
“Of course~ Naturally~ I couldn’t miss seeing my dear sister walk straight into hell with my own two eyes, could I?”
“What’s this? Have you finally decided to drop that idiotic way of talking? Good for you. Every time I saw you, you looked so dim-witted. But if you act like that now, the prince will probably enjoy playing with you at night even more~~”
It was a blatant insult, showing not even a shred of care or concern.
However, Asteria who was already well accustomed to their behavior wasn’t particularly affected by it.
“True… Honestly, I’m looking forward to it too. I don’t know which of you will become the next emperor, but whoever it is, it’ll surely mark the fastest downfall of the empire in its history.”
“Ha! How arrogant… Are you acting out because you think you’ll never have to see us again?”
Ixion who was infamous for his promiscuous and scandalous affairs to the point of being called a lecher, and Cassandra who was known as the queen of luxury and pleasure.
Though Asteria had long since grown weary and disgusted by the pathetic state of the two siblings, what truly worried her were the vassals who would have to serve such people as emperor, and the citizens who would have to entrust them with the empire’s future.
Father… no, what is that man really trying to do?
The emperor she knew was a highly calculating and cold-hearted figure, someone who would never make a decision that didn’t benefit the empire. Yet, seeing him hand over power to those two, fully aware of the disaster that would follow, filled Asteria with deep suspicion about his true intentions.
“Enough already. Get lost. You should be grateful I even spared you a glimpse of my face.”
“Tch, you damn bit*h. But since today’s a happy day, we’ll let it slide. We won’t have to listen to your annoying nagging anymore, so I guess we can endure it for just one day~”
“Alright, we’re off~ Oh, right! On your wedding night, make sure you shake your butt real hard~ That way, maybe the prince will at least pretend to be a decent husband! Ahahahahaha!!”
As she watched the siblings laugh and chatter as they walked away, Asteria bit her lip hard.
“Please… someone… anyone…”
Her small, desperate plea for salvation echoed down the empty corridor.
Naturally, no one appeared to answer her call.
***
Before long, the ceremony began with the sound of grand, booming music.
Though she was now an imperial member in all but name, the event was still carried out with extravagant splendor befitting a member of the imperial family.
The imperial garden, maintained by magic, was in full bloom with colorful flowers of all four seasons, and the petals strewn along the virgin road welcomed the new beginning of the man and woman with their fragrant aroma.
Prince Taurus entered the carpeted path with confident strides, followed by Princess Asteria who entered holding the Emperor’s hand.
Though her face was mostly hidden behind a veil, even the faint glimpses of her features made it clear just how stunning her beauty was.
The nobles and guests admired her beauty, but at the same time, some whispered vulgar and filthy rumors, belittling her marriage with contemptuous remarks.
Asteria glanced sideways at the Emperor, whose hand she held, but he simply stared straight ahead without once sparing her a glance.
Yeah… It’s still the same… Haha.
The ceremony was set to proceed smoothly.
Except for one unexpected variable.
“Thank you for your efforts, High Priest. I’ll take it from here.”
“S-Saintess…?!”
“Saintess? Why are you here?”
Originally, the high priest of the Goddess Church was supposed to conduct the entire ceremony from start to finish, but for some reason, the Saintess suddenly appeared during the marriage vows.
The Goddess Church, which usually refrained from interfering in imperial affairs to maintain neutrality and balance of power, had sent its spiritual leader, the Saintess, to officiate the wedding of a princess. One who was effectively being sold off. It was an extremely unusual event.
Her unexpected appearance caused a stir among the guests, and the hall buzzed with murmurs.
“Though it was a short time, Princess Asteria and I shared memories together at the Academy as ‘close friends’. Surely, the Goddess would be pleased for me to bless the path of a dear friend, would she not?”
“Y-Yes… Haha.”
Prince Taurus looked visibly uneasy.
Asteria sensed something was off when she felt his hand trembling. A tremble he had not shown before.
Leaving the sweating Prince Taurus behind, the Saintess calmly continued officiating the ceremony.
“…Thus, Prince Taurus Cretia, will you take Princess Asteria Von Caelum as your wife, and in all circumstances, love and respect her, fulfilling your duties as a true husband?”
“Yes.”
“Princess Asteria Von Caelum, will you take Prince Taurus Cretia as your husband, and in all circumstances, love and respect him, fulfilling your duties as a true wife?”
“……I—”
Screeeeech!
Crash!!
“Kyaaah!!”
“Who goes there!”
Just as Asteria was about to complete her vow,
Something cut through the air and exploded among the decorations of the hall, scattering them everywhere.
Amidst the screams, knights rushed in to protect the bride and groom.
“Protect the bride and groom! Evacuate the guests to safety!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!!”
Though the Emperor appeared a little startled at first, his gaze quickly turned cold as he assessed the situation and issued swift orders.
Just as the defense against the attack was being wrapped up under the Emperor’s command—
“Th-There!!”
Everyone’s eyes turned to where someone was pointing.
Standing atop the building, a man in black clothes, wearing a tiger mask, stood calmly.
In one hand he held a sword, and judging by the aura faintly emanating from the blade, it was clear to everyone that the masked man was the prime suspect.
“There he is! He’s the culprit!”
“Get up to the roof! Surround him!!”
The knights quickly rushed into the building, while several court mages launched deadly spells to shoot him down.
Slice—!
“Wh-What—!”
“Did he just cut through the magic?!”
However, the powerful spells flying toward him vanished without a trace with a single swing of his sword, and although the flustered mages launched several more spells, every attack was blocked time and time again.
What is this?! What in the world is going on?!
At this point, Asteria even began to feel anger at her own fate, where even her wedding could not proceed smoothly.
Did the wretched goddess truly despise her that much?
“Now!”
“Wh-What—”
Thud—
While the people in the hall hesitated at the unknown signal, only one person moved purposefully through the confusion and reached out an arm toward their goal.
“??!?”
“In the name of the Goddess, I offer my prayer—!”
In that brief moment of distraction, Prince Taurus was seized by the Saintess. Before he could even think to shake her off, she had already infused his body with a powerful burst of divine power.
Crackle—!
“Ugh… GRAAAAAAAH!!!”
Still unable to fully control the power he had been granted, Taurus clashed with the divine power and began to be overwhelmed by the rampaging force.
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