Chapter 97: Chapter 97

Mrs. Chester, who was arranging the flowers on the table, made a voluptuous smile.

“The bouquet would go well with your dress, too.”

Beatrice pointed at the table with an eye signal.

The bouquet was rustic and elegant. It was a bouquet of nine peonies mixed with the white jasmine branches that symbolized Goddess Astrid. A lot of green leaves and light-colored flowers were used to give off a fresh feeling.

“I originally tried to use more colorful flowers…”

Focusing on the flowers, Mrs. Chester distorted her glance faintly. When she was thinking about the failed plan and broken pots, the scars on her nape felt painful.

“Most of the flowers I brought here perished because of the wagon crash. I hurriedly picked up some flowers from the temple garden. I hope you like them.”

But there was no trembling in her eyes after looking at Marianne again. Her grey eyes resembed Ober’s sparkly black gemstone eyes.

“Obviously I like them. I trust your discerning eye.” Marianne laughed brightly like a child who knew nothing.

Meanwhile, Cordelli gathered her hair and braided it loosely. Beatrice pulled out the dress that she had folded neatly. The white and elegant dress spread, revealing its beautiful shape.

Of the two priests who helped Mrs. Chester with arranging the flowers, Hess approached and helped her get dressed. She had nimble fingers, and put on fresh reddish rouge on her lips, a soft lapel over her thin slip, white stockings, and low-heeled shoes under a long skirt.

Finally, a long, long veil covered the silver tiara, modeled after the wind of Zephyrus.

“Well… how do I look?”

Marianne looked around with a slightly awkward gesture.

Her dress was a dobby silk dress, gracefully revealing her body line with a square neckline deeply slitted with the clavicle. Instead of wearing any lace or jewels, she had the edges of the skirt and sleeves embroidered with silver threads. Renato, the symbol of the temple, and the lily patterns of her family, Duke Kling, made a harmonious match.

“I heard that Mrs. Margarita, the exclusive designer of the Imperial Costume Bureau, paid special attention to it…” said Beatrice, raising the frame of her glasses.

“Wow! It’s more than expected.”

“What a good match! You’re beautiful.”

“It’s a bit different from what you usually wear, but it’s even more elegant, isn’t it? I would say it’s like a private uniform made just for you. Anyway, you look the most beautiful! I wish I would like to call a painter right away and ask them to draw a portrait. Wow! my lady looks beautiful in any dress!”

Followed by Mrs. Chester and Priest Siel, Cordelli heaped her praise with a gentle voice.

It was definitely a dress of unique and noble design. It emphasized purity rather than splendor, so it seemed to fit well with the sanctification ceremony.

“Do I look good, Priest Hess?”

“Pardon? Yeah! Yes, yes! Oh, you look like Goddess Anthea!”

Hess, who looked aghast in one corner, replied loudly.

As she couldn’t meet her eyes because she was always shy, Hess opened her eyes wide in excitement, which was comparable to Miss Rane’s thrilled expression when she looked at the dessert dishes at the recent ball at her mansion.

“Oh, thanks all! Thank you, Priest! ” Mariane replied, smiling playfully.

“If you are ready, I will take you to the main hall now.”

Led by Siel, the rest of the staff picked up the holy things for the ceremony.

Mrs. Marquis placed the finished bouquet on a square wooden tray, and Beatrice supported the glass lamp with two hands to hold the goddess’s torch. Cordelli helped put the veil back on her face, which was thrown over her shoulder. Siel and Hess adjusted their priest uniforms and put on hoods.

Soon, the closed door was opened.

The moment Marianne lifted her head after crossing the threshold, the opposition door was also opened wide.

Bright sunlight poured in from the large windows in the front and behind. The dazzling morning sun drew a dark shadow right in front of her.

“I’m honored to see Your Majesty.”

The owner of the shadow was Eckart. Marianne and others who followed her greeted politely.

“We’re honored to see Lady Marianne.”

This time, those standing behind Eckart showed their manners.

Grand Duke Christopher had a pair of silver glasses containing the holy water of God Ran, and Duchess Lamont held a small jewelry box on the cushion. Cloud and Curtis assisted the emperor right next to him.

“…”

But Eckart, who had to return their greetings, did not answer.

She looked down and waited for his answer, but she slightly raised her head as the silence lasted longer than expected. She vaguely saw a figure as she couldn’t clearly see because of the veil.

Eckart was clearly dressed in a ceremonial suit as a pair with Marianne’s dress.

The pure white coat feathers of his suit were marked with the Renato emblem, as well as the shapes of Brenda and the laurel that symbolized the Frei imperial family. The tightly tied leather boots, the decorative sheath around his waist, and cloak that naturally cover his injured arm were also the works that embodied the best of Margarita’s dexterity.

Indeed, he had a noble appearance. Combined with his elegant sculpture-like body and beautiful face, he could be called the incarnation of Airius, which was only entitled to him.

But when he looked at her, his glance sort of hardened. It looked like a stone statue that had been enchanted, and it seemed to be shocked at something. His blue eyes trembled slowly.

In the meantime, about ten seconds passed. No response from the emperor. His silence was not too long or short, but as it continued, people around him began to show curiosity.

“…Your Excellency!”

In the end, Kloud cautiously signalled to him.

Eckart, who couldn’t take his eyes off of Marianne, who seemed to have just popped out of the Bible, finally came to his senses at his call.

“Hmm…” He cleared his throat as if he was embarrassed.

“May everyone enjoy the benefits of Roshan’s protection.”

He returned their greetings like this belatedly.

Eckart held out his hands with white gloves and slowly raised Marianne. Only then did those who had to bend their knees for a long time because the emperor didn’t respond got up and changed their posture.

“Priest. Please guide me.”

Kloud hastily wrapped up their greetings and had Siel walk ahead. Siel bowed her head and served as their guide.

Soon, the two groups facing each other naturally merged into one. The two priests were at the forefront, Marianne and Eckart in the middle, and those holding the holy items followed at proper intervals.

Marianne began to walk slowly, escorted by Eckart. As the distance between them narrowed, she looked at him and asked questions with a worried look.

“Your Excellency, are you uncomfortable? Didn’t you sleep well last night?”

“… No, I’m alright.”

Eckart tried to answer as nonchalantly as possible. But his hand holding her left arm was strained a lot.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

She glanced at Eckart with a dissatisfied look and shrugged her shoulders.

“If you are too tired during the ceremony, you must tell me. Don’t overwork yourself.”

“Don’t worry. I’m going to make sure you should not pass out at the sight of blood on my wedding suit.”

“Please keep your promise. I hear Mrs. Margarita made the dress with extreme dexterity. It’ll be a waste of money if they can’t get the blood off it and just throw it away.”

Eckart looked at her as if he was embarrassed by her remarks.

“Besides, that suit fits you really well. I would say it’s one of your best three clothes. Of course, you looked wonderful in any dress…”

He shut his mouth as she continued, “Oh, I hear even my dress was also made by Mrs. Margarita to match with your dress. How about it? Isn’t it a bit unusual? Others say it looks a private uniform tailored for me. Do I look good in your eyes?”

Marianne asked a barrage of questions, with her green eyes sparkling over her cloudy veil. She deliberately tilted her shoulders to show the line of her clothes.

“… Alright. It looks good.” Eckhart hesitated for a while and replied.

He rarely praised or expressed his opinion on the subject of someone else’s dress, especially women’s attire. Naturally, he couldn’t explain his shock when she first saw her dress.

Most of the noblemen were often satisfied with his meek reaction. Given his cold-hearted temperament, even his lukewarm reaction was regarded as a great compliment.

“And then?”

Marianne wasn’t content with his lukewarm reaction.

“What do you mean by ‘then’?”

“Is that it? I mean, ‘You look okay?’ That’s it?”

She lifted her eyes and met his eyes, and then looked down, not hiding her disappointment.

“It looks like you don’t like my dress. I thought you would like it because everyone said it’s pretty…” She now openly grumbled at his lukewarm reaction.