Days passed by and a lot had happened before the wedding day.
Right now, Christina and Elysia went out of their way to stay in Mike's Residence. After all, Mike wouldn't be able to escort everyone at the same time. Therefore, Christina compromised to stay at their house in the meantime.
"Welcome, Ma—"
Before he could continue, Mike managed to stop himself and changed the topic by letting them in. Christina was holding the tiny hands of the curious Elysia.
Inside was much better than the outside but it would be categorized as the typical Victorian mansion. Mike's chest puffed out while proudly presenting his mansion.
"What do you think?"
To humor the childish Mike, Christina replied.
"So-so."
"E-ee…"
Mike felt that Christina was being stingy in compliments, but it was reasonable if you have a house like her. Simple but grand. So Mike thought of asking the child instead,
"What do you think, kiddo?"
Her big innocent eyes stared back at Mike and nodded repeatedly.
"Good! Good!"
Since it was her first time going out of the mansion, Elysia was very curious about the world. Visiting this mansion was probably the most memorable moment for her.
"See?!"
Mike was delighted at Elysia's response. Christina did not bother to explain and let him gloat on his own.
Not far from the entrance, Liliana, Mike's wife, was coming down from the stairs to welcome them.
"Welcome to our humble house, Lady Christina."
As a noble who learned etiquette since childhood, Liliana bowed respectfully to Christina. Christina didn't exercise etiquette on normal days and only used it on special occasions.
"You can spare me the formalities. I'm not used to those. After all, you're my disciple's wife. Please be comfortable."
With permission, Liliana felt relieved. She still felt a little awkward because of their first meeting. But managed to get some basic information about her.
Although it was a wonder as to why the guild masters of all guilds respected her, all of them knew one thing.
Respect her.
As her husband's master, she was expected to be treated like another parent to them.
"Well then, let's rest at the guest salon first."
Liliana offered them and Christina nodded in response.
While they were resting at the guest salon, Mike suddenly remembered something that he had to mention.
"Oh right, have you heard of the chaos in the capital?"
Christina's ears perked up the moment she heard the word 'Capital'. She was strangely alert and cautious.
"What about the capital?"
Mike did not notice her reaction and explained.
"That guy, Eric, is marrying a duke's daughter from the capital. He caused a huge uproar in the capital. It was said that that woman was the Precious Flower of the High Society."
Mike's attitude could be misinterpreted as bad-mouthing Eric. He was concerned about him to the point of letting his thoughts out waiting for someone to save Eric.
"But as far as I know, it wasn't a family problem but rather something else. I just didn't know what it was. It could be pretty dangerous if he didn't show up at his wedding today."
With that, Christina knew what the cause might have been. When they planned to let Elysia take the role of the flower girl, Christina also suggested changing the venue.
Instead of the usual church wedding, it would be more memorable and interesting if it was held in a garden. They would be the first couple to do so and many would envy the ceremony.
But the venue wasn't just some mansion's garden, it was in the most beautiful garden said to have existed in this world. Located behind the Tree of Offering was a flower bed of different species of plants.
It was called The Witch's Garden.
It was also the same ethereal place that welcomed Christina on her first day in this world, Elkid. That place was also known as the sanctuary for the animals and a hunting ground for the predators. Therefore, it wasn't that nobody tried to occupy the place but rather they can't.
Now, an unreasonable invitation wrote the venue as that notorious place. Many invited would most likely not attend and that itself would place the newlywed couple in an undesirable position in the society.
Many would like to give the Dukedom a face and attend but they wouldn't take their life for a joke. The risk was too high despite the guarantees of safety from the couple themselves.
Liliana then joined the conversation and said her piece.
"I heard the lady was spoiled sick by her family that they agreed to whatever she demanded. I've seen her before, so I don't think there's anything bad from their side."
Seeing his wife giving her opinion to Eric's bride, Mike was set almost at ease.
"That's good. So, that leaves the issue of the royal family attending, right?"
"It seems so."
Strangely, Christian's cup of tea stopped mid-air. Her action earned the attention of the couple.
"What is it?"
The atmosphere suddenly changed that Mike had to ask in concern.
"You said… that the royal couple would attend?"
Christina didn't look at Mike directly but slowly asked him for confirmation.
"Yes. Is there something wrong?"
She didn't want to turn all weird therefore she tried to brush off the topic.
"No… nothing."
But the pause could not hide the fact that she was shaken. Mike suddenly had a funny thought.
"Yah, Lady Christina, did you get scared by the fact that the royals are attending?"
Christina's unusual glance at Mike caused him to get stunned. He did not expect to see her eyes waver. Mike then knew that he said something that he shouldn't. Even if he asked, Christina wouldn't answer truthfully.
At times like this, Eric would mostly advise him of what to do or assist him but right now, no one could save him nor the situation.
Cracking his brain for an idea, Mike's sight landed on a person. The bored toddler munching silently beside Christina. Mike rashly approached the toddler.
"Little one, did you like the treats?"
Elysia jolted in panic at the sudden attention that she inevitably dropped her cookie at hand. Teardrops immediately formed faster in Elysia's eyes than Mike's hands of consoling.
"Ayayaya, sorry. Sorry."
Helpless, Christina carried Elysia on her shoulders while patting gently on her back. She even took the opportunity to glare at the apologetic Mike.
Liliana saw this from another person's point of view. She was envious and confused at what she was witnessing.
She had the face of a mother.
As far as her information goes, Christina was generally known to have little emotions to spare to other people. It would take time for her to come to town after years of disappearance.
She even adopted a baby and named it Elysia. The baby turned out to be bright and cheerful unlike Christina's description and attitude. At first, she thought that it was a miracle and an inherent personality of the baby.
But seeing them together in person, made sense as to why Elysia had this personality. Liliana silently smiled behind her teacup.
What a happy family~
…