The wedding was a rushed one yet it still felt wonderful. The townhall had been used for wedding often so the venue is set. The audience?
"Hear ye, hear ye! A wedding is being held at the townhall. Come and celebrate the newly formed couple!" A man shouted everywhere
There, problem solved. One thing I'm glad of is that they didn't recognise the face of their previous Marquess, which is now my husband. Only the town's chief had been having an audience with him. Lucius also didn't make a public appearance as a Marquess often. Anyway, we are simply one of the people now. I suppose I really did became a Villager 1, after all.
"Should I call you 'darling' now?" I nudged him.
"Call me anything you'd like, my 'wife'."
"Haha, that has a nice ring to it!"
We signed the papers and officially became husband and wife. The town's people threw flower petals everywhere, applause and cheers echoed through the town.
"Congratulations, young 'un!"
"May you two be blessed with happiness and health!"
The people crowded around. It must've been like this every single time there's a wedding, it doesn't look awkward at all. Although we are basically strangers, they still gave us wonderful wishes.
"This is so sudden…" Louie wiped his tears
I wiped his tears with my sleeves, before comforting him, "The unexpected are needed sometimes, right?"
"I didn't expect that you want to get married right away," Lucius joined in.
"Well, I was thinking of getting married too. If you were a little later, I would've flirted with that young farmer two houses away. He's quiet the looker."
Hearing that, Lucius frowned rather noticeably, "…You like him?"
"Gosh, did my husband got all jealous already?" I teased and straightened his knotted eyebrows with my fingers.
"…."
Seeing his reaction, I couldn't help but chuckled happily, "Don't be, I won't flirt with him anymore now that I married you!"
The celebration continued with singing and dancing performance by the town's people. From afar, I could see the people from Leonhart's household approaching. They're all wearing casual clothes, even the knights. Leading them is the pouting Jerem—oops the Marquess of Leonhart. They assimilated with the crowds easily, probably ordered by Jeremy not to expose his brother.
"'Ya brat, why didn't 'ya tell me first, huh? I would've cooked a whole feast for this!" Martha smacked my back.
"Sorry, it kinda happened on a whim…"
"…congratulations, brother," Jeremy said without much expression, he must've been the first to hear of his brother's plan.
"What about me? I'm your 'sister' now!" I snickered
"Ughh...why did he have to marry this person," Jeremy muttered to himself.
"What was that?? 'Sister' couldn't hear it~"
"NO WAY I'M CALLING YOU THAT!" He bursted
"Tch, too bad then. Anyway, you're doing so well now, huh, Marquess?" I slowed my voice on the 'Marquess' part.
"…yeah," He nodded as he darted his gaze away
"At the end, you still became like your brother. Maybe my advice before wasn't needed."
"…Not at all…. T-thank you for the advice last time…" Jeremy turned away slighty before continuing in a very small voice, "….s-sister.."
Ha, but I heard that.
"Right? 'Sister' so dependable!" I laughed and ruffled his hair
The knights of the household also came to greet us; sir William, Justin and a few other acquaintances. The wedding turned out to be unexpectedly grand, did Lucius secretly planned it out? I mean, the dress and suit 'just happened' to fit us perfectly at the shop before too. Whatever it is, this will definitely be a core memory.
"My wife…" He took my hand gently
"Yes, darling?"
Lucius flushed at the word, I suppose he isn't used to it yet.
"Haha, come on, darling. What's the matter?"
He stared at my face for a long while before pulling me into a tight hug.
"Thank you for appearing in my life…"
His intonation held a very deep meaning to it. I didn't know what it is but I somehow understood it, as if I resonated with his unknown feelings.
"I'll pop up in your life as many times as I could, even if you don't want it. If there is another life, I'm sure I will find you yet again."
"…mhm," He nodded while burying his face on my shoulder.
I couldn't see his expression but I could feel his heartbeat, slow and calming. I pat his back before I heard a whistle
"The couple has yet to kiss!"
"Yeah, come on, newlywed! Show us what you got!"
Ah, right, there's that.
"Lucius, you heard them," I tapped his back while he's still hugging me.
As he pulled himself away, our gazes locked.
"…you didn't call me that."
"Ah, sorry. May I have a kiss, darling?"
The word put a smile on his face before he replied calmly, "…Of course."
"Alright then!" I chuckled as I pulled him down.
The cheers echoed even louder than before as we sealed a kiss.
"Let's live a long life together!"
His gaze softened and his lips curled up to a smile.
"…yes, my wife."
His voice was gentle, like the whispering winds of autumn. As my eyes wandered around the square, only joy and happiness filled my heart, as if we were blessed by the world itself. Saying that it 'isn't too bad' would be an insult. This time, this moment and all these people, it's perfect!
I suppose I'll settle well in this world, after all.