The day of the wedding had dawned. Since it had only been three weeks since the marriage proposal was accepted, I thought it might be somewhat modest, but surprisingly, it was extravagant rather than lacking.
Unlike Melissy’s time, the ceremony venue was decided to be not a wedding hall but a huge ship owned by Annecy Bethelgius.
The ship was so large it resembled a small island, and as Goyo boarded, she had to wonder where Annecy’s wealth came from.
She knew he wasn’t just an ordinary commoner, but still, this seemed excessive.
After the main ceremony and sending off the guests, the ship carrying Goyo and Annecy would depart from the port, circle the Orion River, and return to the capital.
By the time Goyo disembarked, she would officially become Goyo Bethelgius, just as Goyo Rubiette had planned.
“You look very beautiful, Goyo.”
“The dress suits you well.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Kazel. And thank you, Melissy.”
“He seems capable and confident, so I’m sure you’ll get along well.”
Mrs. Kazel, with a pleased expression, glanced at the clock. It was almost time for the main ceremony to begin.
Time had flown by, and after offering one last congratulation, Mrs. Kazel left the waiting room.
Melissy, who had been about to follow her mother out, hesitated and then closed the door again.
“Melissy?” Goyo called out curiously, and Melissy cautiously began to speak.
“Sister, has there been any contact from Sir Terio?”
“Is he still not back from Avalanche? Your engagement ceremony is not far off.”
“I heard from the Alte family that he decided to stay a bit longer to improve his swordsmanship. But I haven’t received any personal contact…”
“I’m sorry, Melissy, but I haven’t received any personal contact from him either. If he were to contact anyone, it would be you, not me.”
After all, Goyo Rubiette was no longer his friend, whereas Melissy was his fiancée.
Of course, Goyo wasn’t entirely unaware of Terio Alte’s whereabouts. She had seen Annecy send him away firsthand.
Although she believed his destination was Alte, not Avalanche.
It wasn’t until she heard that the heir of the Alte family had left for knight training without a word that Goyo got Annecy to confess that the “decent hill” was actually Avalanche.
For a moment, Goyo was chilled by the thought of being treated as an accomplice, but fortunately, it seemed Terio Alte hadn’t mentioned that it was the marquis who sent him to Avalanche.
It was said that when the Alte family, in turmoil due to the sudden change in the heir’s position, contacted Terio using an emergency magical tool, he had said he was there for knight training.
Annecy had explained that it was a cover story because his pride had been hurt by being sent away by the marquis, and Goyo had agreed.
It was understandable that the proud genius knight Terio Alte, just two years older than Annecy, would have his pride wounded by being tricked.
Annecy had added with a sneer that since Terio had given that explanation, he wouldn’t ask for help to leave the mountains and would be wandering alone, so he wouldn’t be crashing the wedding.
Even though it was a place the royal family had forbidden entry to, it was at least not illegal for a knight to enter, which was a small relief.
Thinking vaguely about Terio Alte’s current situation, Goyo felt a bit awkward.
She couldn’t exactly tell Melissy that her fiancé had been sent to Avalanche by her husband and was now wandering the mountains alone out of pride.
Melissy nodded dejectedly.
“I see… I’ll be going now. I’ll see you at the main ceremony.”
“Okay.”
“…Goyo, you might find it insincere, but I genuinely wish you a happy marriage. I hope you live happily.”
“Thank you.”
Goyo replied with empty words, knowing full well that happiness was unlikely. She didn’t plan to visit Rubiette again, so the next time she saw Melissy would probably be at Melissy’s wedding.
As she absentmindedly thought about it, Goyo realized that might never happen. Melissy was not yet of age, so even if the engagement ceremony happened soon, the wedding wouldn’t take place for another year.
Recalling the past, Rubiette’s downfall occurred a year after Melissy married Annecy.
Perhaps Rubiette would disappear around the time Melissy was about to marry. As Terio’s fiancée, Melissy could be saved by registering the marriage quickly.
But if Rubiette disappeared, Goyo Rubiette’s life would end as well.
Thinking this might be the last time, Goyo felt a strange sensation.
“Melissy, I might not be able to attend your wedding. Maybe, just maybe.”
“Oh, I understand. You might be too busy. It’s okay.”
“Yes. So I’ll tell you now.”
Live happily.
It was a fitting farewell for what might be the last time.
—
The main ceremony began. Apart from the thought that everything was proceeding as planned, Goyo felt no particular emotion. It was just annoying.
The dress was heavy, her face felt stifled by makeup, the high-heeled shoes were uncomfortable if not painful, and the perfume was too strong. She felt a headache and nausea.
The realistic discomfort she couldn’t feel during her marriage to Terio Alte due to the tension, excitement, subtle anxiety, and mild guilt was now blatantly apparent.
Despite this, she had to keep a smiling face, and all Goyo wanted was for the ceremony to end soon.
Annecy wore a black tuxedo. Unlike the simple design of Terio’s attire, despite its good material, Annecy’s was lavish like a uniform worn for a knightly procession.
Yet his face didn’t pale in comparison to his outfit. Even Goyo, who didn’t usually care much about others’ appearances, found herself internally admiring him.
“He’s undeniably handsome.”
It was the only interesting sight in the tedious wedding, but when Annecy sensed her gaze and grinned mischievously, Goyo turned her head back forward. It was just in time for the officiant to address her.
“And do you, the bride, swear to love the groom forever?”
Forever, such a fleeting word. Mocking it inwardly, Goyo answered falsely.
“Yes, I swear.”
The ceremony concluded with a light kiss between the two.
* * *
A long blast of the ship’s horn sounded.
The main ceremony was over, and all the guests had left. Goyo, having changed into a prepared slip, came out on deck before the ship departed.
The night sky was like a curtain full of stars, and the champagne in Goyo’s hand was filled with stars as well.
Leaning against the railing, Goyo gazed at the night sky, lost in thought. Suddenly, her shoulder felt heavy.
Glancing at the coat draped over her shoulder, Goyo spoke indifferently.
“You’re quite skilled.”
“Hmm…”
Annecy adjusted the coat on Goyo’s shoulder clumsily. The coat sleeve hung awkwardly.
“How about this?”
“You’re skilled at pretending to be unskilled.”
There’s no way out, huh? Annecy shrugged and fixed the coat properly again.
Annecy Bethelgius leaned against the railing next to Goyo. He, too, had changed after the ceremony, now dressed in a simple black shirt rather than his previous elaborate attire.
“Goyo, why didn’t you become the Duke of Rubiette? You were in the most advantageous position.”
“That’s an unexpected question. I’m not that great of a person.”
“Being the leader doesn’t require such extraordinary abilities. Just look at the highest position holder.”
“…Even though there are only two of us, you speak rather bluntly.”
“Of course, I was referring to Sir Alte, who holds the highest position.”
The Avalanche mountains are extraordinarily high, Annecy remarked casually. Finding it absurd, Goyo let out a small laugh.
“I’m a bit book-smart. But I’m not good at handling people. I’m not cut out to be a duke.”
“Do you really think so?”
“If I made a tremendous effort, who knows what might happen, but honestly, I never wanted to. I don’t regret it even now.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I don’t love Rubiette.”
Resting her arms on the railing, Goyo leaned her face against her hands. Her face flushed, either from the cold air or the champagne. Feeling the cool breeze, Goyo closed her eyes quietly.
“I didn’t want to strive to possess, protect, and lead something I don’t love.”
“I see.”
Annecy nodded silently.
“So, what do you wish for? What do you want to do?”
“My dream? You heard it when I fought with Sir Alte last time.”
“I did hear it. From the moment the wreck proposed marriage to a person, making that nonsensical suggestion.”
“Really… When the guard said he didn’t see you, I wondered. Did you teleport into my house too?”
“Hmm…”
Seeing Goyo ask with an exasperated expression, Annecy slyly rolled his eyes.
“Perhaps the guard had taken off his glasses for a moment?”
“He has good eyesight.”
“Then he must have removed his eyeballs.”
“He also has good hearing.”
“Ah, he must have been eavesdropping on a quarreling couple down the street. Not noticing a guest entering while listening in on someone else’s private matters, his pay should be docked.”
Acting as if he couldn’t possibly deal with such a person, the man shook his head resolutely. His lack of any hint of embarrassment made him look as stern as a solemn knight.
“You’re the most shameless person I’ve ever met.”
“That’s insulting. Are you saying I’m more shameless than Terio Alte?”
“Really, is your character so questionable that it must be compared to a wreck?”
To think that Goyo Rubiette would refer to him as a wreck. Seeing him blink in surprise at the unexpected counterattack, Goyo burst into laughter.
Hearing her clear laughter for the first time, Annecy was even more taken aback and unknowingly gripped the railing harder.
“Damn.”
The railing bent under the pressure of his fingers. Without noticing his dismay, Goyo continued.
“My dream was to have a happy family. My mother and father married for political reasons, so there was no love between them. Therefore, they couldn’t love me either. As a child, I thought that was normal, but after my mother passed away and Mrs. Kazel came into the duchy, I realized it wasn’t.”
Recalling the past, Goyo’s eyes grew distant.
As a child, she had thought it was normal for there to be no love in her family. Her parents appeared to respect each other, even if they didn’t love each other.
Because of this, young Goyo Rubiette never realized there was anything wrong with her family.
But the unseen cracks grew larger and deeper, eventually leading to the catastrophe of her mother’s suicide.
“And then, I desired it more than anything in the world. To meet someone I love, get married, have children, and live a loving, ordinary life. It may seem trivial to you.”
“No, I understand how difficult that is for people like us.”
“Thank you. But I’ve given up on that now. And while I have no dreams left, I feel more at peace.”
If dying with less pain could be considered a dream, it was more of an expectation than a dream.
A life with no desires was both empty and peaceful.
Having drifted on the vast ocean, Goyo Rubiette now waited for her ship to sink, no longer searching for happiness she couldn’t find, quietly waiting for the storm.
And that storm was right beside her now.
Goyo asked the storm.
“What do you want, Annecy?”