Selena, realizing that Aunt Grace's voice was shaking with tears, turned her face to look at Aunt Grace. The woman who looked like a mother to her was still smiling even though she was crying.
"Auntie, did Daddy love Mom?" asked Selena.
"Of course, I remember when the Marchioness came here, Master was so confused because he didn't know what to do, especially since their marriage was a political marriage, but thanks to the Marchioness who was cheerful and always brought a positive aura to this mansion. Master has become the person he is today, even though he is a warlord, but when he is in the mansion, he will become a father and husband who loves his family very much," Aunt Grace explained at length.
"Auntie, can I do the same as Mom and Dad with Cesare?" Selena asked again.
"Of course, Lady, you have Dyke blood as well as the blood of the descendants of King Kaftman," Aunt Grace replied confidently.
"That's right, mom is the daughter of the king of the Kaftman kingdom that mom and dad married for diplomatic reasons. Even those with different ethnicities and languages can unite, let alone me and Cesare, right Aunt?" asked Selena, seeming to convince herself.
"Of course, Lady, you don't have to think about anything else, your happiness and safety is the most important thing. I was sad when I heard the bad rumors about you, but now I'm so relieved that you're getting married and those rumors will soon disappear," Aunt Grace looked so happy, as did Selena, who reassured herself again.
"That's right, I have to get rid of Helio's shackles so that when people talk about it, they won't associate me with Helio and Isabella. Soon I will become Selena Hennel Tropium, I must be ready for anything," Selena said in her heart.
....
Two weeks later, it was Selena and Cesare's wedding day. In the bridal lounge (Selena's room).
"Auntie, please take all the servants away, I want to talk to Cesare alone," Selena said, emphasizing her sentence.
Aunt Grace and all the servants left, leaving Selena and Cesare in the room.
"Mr. Cesare, thank you for staying until this moment," Selena said as she approached Cesare who was sitting and enjoying his tea.
"I don't mind, miss, I'm just doing my father's bidding," Cesare replied, not even looking at Selena.
"He didn't even look at me, how could he?" Selena said angrily in her heart.
"Five months," Cesare continued.
"What?" asked Selena.
"This man gave me five months, after which I must return you to him," Cesare explained.
(Flashback to Helio having a conversation with Cesare)
"Five months!" said Helio.
"What do you mean?" asked Cesare.
"Give me five months, please keep her for me Cesare, after that divorce Selena so she can be with me," Helio explained.
"Helio, are you crazy? Five months, you say? After five months I have to make the Marquis' daughter a widow? Marquis Phel will behead me later, you know Selena is the only daughter in the Dyke family? Slow down Helio, don't be rash," Cesare clearly didn't want to carry out the plan.
"Cesare please, I can't trust anyone but you," Helio whined.
"Huh... How could I do that Helio?" Cesare looked upset, he was not sure if this plan would go well.
"I promise if anything happens, I'll protect you," Helio said.
"Ah well, you have to keep your word, Helio!" said Cesare, finally agreeing to Helio's request.
(Back to Selena and Cesare's wedding day.)
"What? Helio said that? Then what about Isabella?" asked Selena, who looked worried.
"What? How can she be worried about her opponent? Shouldn't she be excited about this plan?" Cesare was confused by Selena's question. "Miss Selena, should you be happy to hear that the man prefers you to his fiancee?" asked Cesare.
"How is that possible? Isabella must be very hurt by this, so can I be happy?" asked Selena, who looked really worried.
"Miss, think of yourself now!" said Cesare, raising his tone slightly. "This face, you should show your usual cold face instead of a weak face like this, I'm not even sure if you can lift a sword," Cesare teased while lightly touching Selena's cheek.
....
After this little argument, Selena and Cesare finally agreed to Helio's plan. It's not that Selena wants to be with Helio, it's just that she can't refuse the intention of a man who won't even try to love her first.
"Selena Van Dyke, are you willing to marry and share your joys and sorrows with Cesare Hennel Tropium?" asked the Pontifex, who administered the wedding vows in the Dyke residence.
"Yes, I do," Selena replied briefly.
"Cesare Hennel Tropium, are you willing to marry and share the joys and sorrows of Selena Van Dyke?" Pontifex asked Cesare the same question.
At that moment, Cesare's eyes really looked into Selena's beautiful eyes, "Yes, I do," Cesare replied.
"Then please exchange rings!" Pontifex told them.
Cesare put the ring on Selena's ring finger and Selena put the ring on Cesare's ring finger, both preparing for the final scene.
"Please kiss each other to symbolize that you have become one body and soul!" the Pontifex ordered again.
Cesare moved his body closer to Selena, grabbing her hips. "I'm sorry," Cesare said quietly.
Selena's face was really red, this was the first time she had done this with a man, even Helio, who had been in a relationship with her, had never kissed Selena.
Cesare also brought his lips closer and kissed Selena's thin lips, all the guests who came to the party cheered happily when they saw them kissing. However, in the middle of the crowd was Helio, dressed as an ordinary nobleman, clutching the wine glass in his hand.
"Cesare, I don't remember telling you to kiss Selena, do I? Have you begun to defy me?" said Helio in his heart.
Helio, with an annoyed look on his face, immediately swallowed the wine and left the party room. Meanwhile, Selena and Cesare were happily performing their first dance in the crowd of invited guests.
Unbeknownst to Helio, Phel, who had noticed his arrival, continued to watch Helio's movements, worried that Helio might at some point ruin his sister's wedding. He had prepared several plans in case that happened.