14 — A Kiss

After taking their vows, the newlywed couple was told to exchange rings.

The crowd initially noted that the ring Lucian brought seemed less luxurious than Cynthia's. However, they gasped in awe once they saw the ring now encircling the princess's finger.

A golden ring with a large red ruby was placed on her finger, sparking curiosity among the onlookers. It was common among nobles to choose a gem corresponding to their partner's eye color, but the red ruby seemed to have no connection to Princess Cynthia. It didn't match her diamond-like silver hair or her amethyst-like irises.

In contrast, Princess Cynthia had prepared a silver spiral ring with an emerald gem at the center, perfectly matching Lucian's eyes.

"You may kiss the bride," the priest announced.

Lucian's jaw tightened, and he flinched slightly at the words. He had forgotten about this particular ritual among the Eldorians—sealing the vows with a kiss.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips. 

"What kind of ritual is this? Truthfully shameless," he thought.

As he slowly approached the shorter young woman standing a few steps before him, he gently lifted her veil. For a moment, he froze, captivated by her flawless beauty. Had he not known her true personality, he might have mistaken her for an angel.

Cynthia, who had been staring at the ground, slowly raised her violet gaze to meet Lucian's emerald eyes.

A soft smile formed on her lips—different from the look of disgust Lucian had expected. She closed her eyes, waiting for her husband to kiss her as the priest instructed, surprising everyone in attendance.

They had anticipated that the villainess of high society would make a scene about marrying into an enemy kingdom—that she would become upset and ruin the ceremony. But none of that happened.

With trembling hands, Lucian managed to hold Cynthia's cheeks. His fingertips had turned cold, while Cynthia's warm skin heated his fingers. Inhaling deeply, he pressed his lips against hers, then pulled away in the blink of an eye.

Marriage was a sacred deed to Lucian, something he had wished his mother could have experienced, though it never happened. His heart felt heavy—he felt as if he were trivializing such a sacred act. However, when he entered the palace of Selvarys, he knew his life would never be the same as it had been with his mother by his side.

The sound of clapping from the crowd brought Lucian back to reality—a reality he despised to admit. The priest had announced him and Princess Cynthia as husband and wife.

Shortly after, the festivities commenced. Music filled the air as couples danced on the spacious stage set aside for dancing. Noblewomen clustered together, exchanging gossip, while noblemen engaged in discussions about their upcoming business ventures and the war's impact on the country.

The newlywed couple was seated beside the king's throne, where the seat was empty—King Alistair was conversing with noblemen.

Lucian swiftly shifted his gaze to the lady seated beside him.

She showed no emotion, just as the rumors had said. She stared blankly at the banquet, showing no interest in her own wedding.

Although it was an arranged marriage, wasn't she supposed to at least show signs of nervousness if not happiness?

"What was I expecting from an Eldorian? They are all strange," Lucian muttered.

When his gaze fell on one of his subordinates, Dylan, on the dance floor, the dark-haired man rose from his seat and headed toward him.

"We should have a talk," Lucian grinned at him, and Dylan nervously nodded, following the prince who guided him to the terrace.

"Your Highness… what's wrong?" Dylan looked at the prince with puppy eyes, hoping to avoid getting scolded, though he knew why he was called.

"Are you here to enjoy this banquet?" Although Lucian's lips curled into a smile, his gaze remained piercing, hinting at his anger.

"O-of course not! Oh! But I thought, if I could talk to them, perhaps I could sneak in some information about the princess," Dylan quickly said, his blue eyes twinkling in the darkness of the night.

Raising an eyebrow, Lucian crossed his arms, waiting for his knight to continue.

Dylan paused to catch his breath. He was grateful to have asked one of the ladies about the princess as they danced.

"Recently, her engagement was broken because of how vicious she is!" the blonde-haired man exclaimed.

Lucian, who was tapping his fingers on his arm, paused his action.

"What has she done?"

"Well, I heard that she has been bullying noble ladies at banquets for no reason! She throws things and tortures her servants for fun! No wonder that man broke his engagement with her. Oh! Not only that, she even—"

The sound of a loud crash interrupted him, and the two men rushed back into the banquet hall.

A crowd had formed around the dance floor, piquing Lucian's curiosity.

It was one of the few times he had the chance to attend a party—his wedding. He had often witnessed nobles getting into fights, but no one had gotten violent in Selvarys—much less in the king's presence!

Pushing through the crowd, Lucian made his way to the front, and his eyes widened at what he was witnessing.

His wife—no, Princess Cynthia—was standing at the center of the dance floor. Not far from her, pieces of broken glass lay scattered with spilled wine on the floor.

The king rushed to the princess, who gently brushed off his arm as he reached for her shoulder, his complexion filled with worry.

Lucian could not understand why the king was worried instead of upset. If he had done something like this, the king would have hung his head on the palace walls for such an excessive display in a public place!

The princess whispered words to the king that Lucian could not hear.

The king nodded, and a strained smile formed on his face.

"Let's continue the banquet. There was an insect in the princess's drink," King Alistair announced, though it was obviously a lie.

If there had truly been an insect in the princess's drink, it would have been lying beside the pool of red wine on the floor, yet there was none.

Shaking his head, Lucian walked over to the king.

"Since the ceremony has ended, I shall return to my quarters, Your Majesty. We will leave tomorrow. The preparations are done, right?"

Alistair nodded with a faint smile.

Lucian turned and exited the large banquet hall. He couldn't stay in this place any longer—not in the same place as someone like Princess Cynthia, who goes around throwing things to relieve her boredom!