WEDDING PREPARATIONS

"THIS IS your second time here, isn't it?"

"Yes, Commander," Sonata answered, lightly putting her hand on the arm that Diether offered after she stepped out of the carriage. "The Hexford Mansion is still as grand as I remember it."

The first time she was there was the night of her failed engagement ceremony.

And, to be honest, she didn't get a proper introduction back then.

She was there to sleep the night before, then the servants just helped her doll up the next morning.

[That's it.]

But Sonata was back at the Hexford Mansion.

[Since Diether and I finish work in the early evening, this is the only time we have to meet. We have our own businesses during weekends, so we agreed to at least have dinner every time we have free time.]

"It's not too late for you to move here while preparing for our wedding," Diether said, signaling the servants behind not to follow them. "You don't have to take bridal lessons."

"I'd like to delay it as soon as possible."

"May I know why?"

"Your mother doesn't like me," she said bluntly. "I don't want to get in a fight with Mother before our wedding."

"Is your relationship with Mother that bad already?"

"I said some mean things to Her Grace the last time we talked."

"Like what?"

She shrugged before giving a response. "I told Mother that if she mistreats me, I wouldn't care for her once she gets really old. Then I threatened to leave her in a hospice for old people abandoned by their families."

To be honest, she expected Diether to be upset with her.

But, much to her pleasant surprise, her fiancé just nodded thoughtfully.

"My mother may not like you as a daughter-in-law, but I don't think she'll mistreat you on purpose. So I don't have to worry about your threat," Diether said confidently. "Moreover, I don't think my father would let anyone else care for Mother, anyway."

"So you know."

"Know what?"

"That your father is obsessed with your mother."

"I'm not blind," Diether said, scoffing. "I can also clearly see that Father's love for Mother is toxic."

"Hmm~"

"Just spill it," he said, sighing. "It's obvious that you want to ask something related to my mother and father's relationship."

"Why are they still together? Judging by Mother's tenacity, I'm sure she could have divorced Father if she really wanted to."

"Mother endured her hellish marriage for me," he said bluntly. "If Mother divorced Father when I was young, then the king and the vassal families serving the Hexfords would have forced Father to remarry. And if a new child was born from that marriage, then my position as the successor would have been threatened."

"Do you want to be the next Grand Duke that badly?"

"I now have a reason to be the next Grand Duke. But when I was younger, I did not care," he said, and he sounded sincere. "I just wanted to fulfill my mother's only wish back then. According to Mother, her son should at least inherit everything the Hexfords own as compensation for ruining her life."

"Mother holds grudges, huh? I may have picked up a fight with the wrong person."

"Drop the act," Diether teased her lightly. "I can tell you've always gone against scary people like my mother."

"Hey," she complained lightheartedly. "You make it sound like I get in trouble all the time."

He shrugged. "You look the part."

She tried to "accidentally" step on his boots, but he avoided it.

[As expected of the Commander of the Avari Holy Knights, he's quick and agile.]

"See?" Diether teased her, smirking. "You look calm and collected most of the time, but you have a nasty temper."

Sonata clicked her tongue. "You just make it easy for me to lose my temper, Commander."

"Whatever makes you sleep at night, Lady."

[Punk.]

***

WOW.

Sonata thought she entered an enchanted garden.

Vines were creeping up the doors along with real foliage, giving the feeling that one was about to enter another world.

And maybe she did.

When Sonata entered the greenhouse with Diether, she immediately noticed the lowered ceiling– creating a sense of intimacy. The draped fabrics, low-hanging vines, florals, and little twinkling magic gems gave a warm and enchanting feeling.

There were also round tables placed in spaces that wouldn't obscure the guests' line of vision of the unfinished podium in front of them.

[The altar will be placed there later.]

Anyway, she was fascinated by the beautiful small trees in wooden containers that served as the centerpiece of each table.

Those small trees were known as 'dwarf trees' in the kingdom.

[I think they are called 'bonsai trees' in the Eastern Continent.]

It was clear that the preparations weren't completely done yet.

But she could already see how beautiful the greenhouse would be on her wedding day.

[Yes, the wedding ceremony will be held in the Hexfords' beautiful greenhouse.]

Since the wedding was rushed, the Avari Temple said they couldn't accommodate an abrupt ceremony even if it was the wedding of their commander.

[I have a feeling that they just don't like me for Diether.]

Anyway, the wedding would be officiated by the king himself.

[All's well that ends well.]

"The Hexfords are really rich, huh?" Sonata commented, amazed. "Magic gems that shine that bright cost a fortune, and yet you're only using them as decoration to light up the ceiling. Moreover, those dwarf trees are also expensive."

"We have to at least spend this much so you wouldn't be humiliated on our wedding day," Diether said, and there was a hint of remorse in his voice. "I'm sure you're already aware that the nobles "pity" you for having a rushed wedding. The rumor about your bad relationship with Mother has already blown out of proportion. Don't be surprised if you hear you have become the "unwanted" daughter-in-law of House Hexford now."

She laughed softly. "So, the plan is to shut the rumors down by having a grand wedding?"

"Aren't you glad that Father's wealth comes in handy at a time like this? Father's only saving grace is his money, so we should take advantage of it as much as we can."

"You're shameless, Commander."

"And you're marrying this 'shameless' man, Lady."

"Right? The "unwanted" daughter-in-law of House Hexford is truly pitiful."

"…"

"It was a joke," Sonata said when she noticed the guilt in Diether's eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I just feel bad that you can't invite Madam Margo and your other friends from the Red-light District to our wedding."

Ah, it was a strict order from the Grand Duke.

"It's alright," Sonata said, shrugging. "They'll forgive me if I send them the wedding favors we'll be handing out to the guests. What would the wedding favors be, anyway?"

She didn't bother getting involved in the wedding preparations.

[I'll just get in the way.]

"A diamond brooch, a pair of pearl cufflinks, a bottle of luxury perfume that our company makes, a bottle of vintage wine that's a part of our family's personal collection, and a box of gourmet cheese and chocolate," Diether said casually. "The guests will also be encouraged to take home the dwarf trees, the scented candles, and the magic gems that serve as the centerpieces of their tables."

Wow.

Sonata was speechless.

She grew up in luxury, but she still thought the wedding favors were too much for an arranged marriage.

[This is the power of money.]

"I can't believe Mother prepared all of that in less than two weeks," Sonata said in disbelief. "Just the favors alone would be enough to shut down the rumors about our rushed wedding."

"It's not like they're hard to prepare," Diether said, shrugging. "We have a diamond mine, a pearl farm, a perfume business, and an extensive collection of vintage wine. Moreover, the gourmet cheese and chocolate are made by the family chef. Hence, Mother just asked our people to choose the best wedding favors from the things that we already own."

Pfft.

"I promised you I wouldn't let people make fun of you on our wedding day," he said when he turned to her. "Did I do a good job?"

"Why does it sound like you're desperate to get my approval?" Sonata asked, raising an eyebrow. "Do you have a favor to ask?"

"Two favors, actually."

"Let's hear it then."

"After our wedding, I need you to leave the Royal Capital with me," Diether said in a serious tone. "Before I leave for the expedition, I have something to do in our territory. I can't leave my new wife alone in the capital, so can I ask you to stay in our territory until I return?"

"Oh? That might work. I was actually planning to go to a tropical island for a vacation after our wedding."

"A tropical island? Why?"

"I'm craving coconut juice so bad."

Diether smirked. "Our territory is the only place on the entire continent that produces coconut water."

"I'm sold," Sonata said, nodding excitedly. Of course, she knew that Diether's ex-wife had started a successful coconut business. That was why she didn't waste time and agreed to come with him to their territory after the wedding. "So, what's the second favor?"

"Princess Mikaela is just a child," he said, sighing. "She could be annoying most of the time, but not enough for her to get killed."

"Ah, so you know that the royal princess is picking a fight with me?"

"She used to bully my first wife, too."

He didn't elaborate on that, and it seemed like he didn't want to explain further.

[Well, I can read between the lines. Princess Mikaela probably wants me to leave Diether so she could have a chance on him.]

Haaah.

[The Royal Family is really full of drama.]

"Princess Mikaela is still a direct member of the Royal Family," Diether reminded her. "Even I can't help you if you harm the royal princess."

"I'll keep that in mind, Commander," Sonata said, smiling. "I don't hit children, anyway."

Well, not physically.

***

SONATA laughed after reading Aubrey's report regarding Princess Mikaela's recent movements.

[Her Highness is cute– too cute for my liking.]

White dresses similar to Sonata's readymade wedding gown, huh?

"Lady Nata, you may not know since you're a foreigner. But in this kingdom, it's considered rude to wear white as a wedding guest. Only the bride should wear white on her wedding day!" Aubrey complained, obviously upset after realizing Princess Mikaela's evil scheme to humiliate Sonata on her wedding day. "Should I pour wine on her before the ceremony?"

"My fiancé warned me not to touch Princess Mikaela, though."

"So, we'll just let that brat do however she pleases?"

"Princess Mikaela will walk all over me if I let her get away with this," Sonata said, smiling. "Hence, I can't let her outshine me on my very own wedding day." She tapped her fingers on the table. "Aubrey, call Sterling for me."

Aubrey's eyes sparkled, her anger obviously melting away. "As you command, my lady."