Nightmare Came to The Place I Escaped - Chapter 113

On the day of the wedding.

 

So far, all preparations have gone smoothly.

 

Moreover, the wedding was taking place shortly after Avery’s trial. Duke Oates and Ian were worried that the ceremony would be held in a negative atmosphere, but things went a bit differently.

 

She wondered when the rumors had transformed. The Empire’s people were more interested in Ian and Rachel’s wedding, saying that it was a love that surpassed all hardships.

 

Even though it was a sudden invitation, many people responded happily. In a way, it was a wedding that was a little late for the current emperor, who was loved by the Imperial people. So, it was only natural to be congratulated.

 

“I’m done, My Lady.”

 

Rachel slowly opened her eyes to the news after she’d been busy dressing up since early in the morning.

 

In the mirror, a woman in a white dress caught her eye.

 

The wedding dress, which was decorated with jewels near the chest and embroidered with delicate silver, was made by the royal designer herself.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Rachel carefully swept her hands down the dress. It came to her anew that she was really going to be a member of the Imperial family.

 

“Then I’ll go out and wait so that you can rest peacefully. Call me if you need anything.”

 

Rachel nodded, and the maid hurried out of the room.

 

Rachel, who’d been getting prepared for quite a long time, closed her eyes for a moment as if she were tired.

 

However, Rachel couldn’t rest due to the voice she heard.

 

“You’re getting married in a few hours, aren’t you?”

 

Rachel shrugged her shoulders at the sudden words.

 

“Prophet?”

“Hello.”

 

When the heck did he get here.

 

Rachel, who identified Roosevelt as the one sitting in the room with her, got up from her seat. Roosevelt waved his hand nonchalantly.

 

“Oh, yes. Hello.”

 

Rachel was a bit awkward when Roosevelt came to her without saying anything, so she blurted out the first words that came to mind. Usually when he visited her, something always happened, so she was feeling kind of nervous.

 

“How do you feel?”

“…How do I feel?”

 

She wondered if he was supposed to ask such casual questions, but Rachel nodded slowly and opened her mouth.

 

“I’m a little nervous.”

“Really?”

 

Roosevelt looked down as if he wasn’t interested in asking anything else. He sat with his legs crossed, and slowly moved his foot. Then he suddenly opened his mouth.

 

“Congratulations.”

“What?”

“Congratulations. It was hard to come this far.”

 

Rachel blinked without answering at the unexpected congratulations.

 

Did he come all this way just to congratulate her? Was that all there was to it?

 

Rachel looked at Roosevelt, then opened her mouth slowly. Originally, she would’ve said thank you right away, but something else came out of Rachel’s mouth.

 

“Then Prophet, as you said, we’re getting married and achieving what His Majesty wished for. So, will he be okay now?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

 

Roosevelt nodded.

 

Then he opened his mouth again as if he was conscious of Rachel’s worried eyes.

 

“I don’t see all the futures, but the future that I roughly checked you’ve been together for a long time.”

 

Roosevelt shrugged his shoulders.

 

“You looked happy. So, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“That’s a relief. Really.”

 

Only then did Rachel laugh quietly as if she was reassured.

 

“The Prophet came to congratulate me.”

 

Only then did Rachel accept that he’d really come to congratulate her.

 

“Thank you.”

“Well, and I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“Just.”

 

Somehow Roosevelt felt remorseful when he looked at Rachel.

 

Even if he knew the future, there was no reason for him to intervene. Because it was his destiny.

 

So, even if he knew Rachel’s fate, even if she died as fate would have it, there was no reason to feel guilty.

 

He wondered why he felt sorry. Maybe it was because he used these two?

 

“That’s it.”

 

Roosevelt brushed his hair back as if the apology was embarrassing him.

 

Rachel smiled a little at Roosevelt, whose ears were red. Somehow the sight of Roosevelt, who wasn’t very good at apologizing, seemed to make this moment with him easier.

 

Even though she didn’t know what he was apologizing for.

 

Knock Knock

 

“Rachel, can I come in for a minute?”

“Yes, come in.”

 

With Rachel’s permission, Ian entered the room and smiled at her.

 

“Ah…”

 

Rachel shyly averted her gaze from Ian, who was looking at her lovingly. Ian hurriedly brought up a subject, as if he realized he had been staring at Rachel too much.

 

“Is there anything that has inconvenienced you?”

“There isn’t a single thing.”

 

Ian frowned for a moment.

 

Only then did Ian notice that Roosevelt was in the room, and he let out a small sigh.

 

“Why are you here?”

“I have business with Rachel. Why else would I be here?”

 

Roosevelt replied slyly, as if Ian was asking something obvious.

 

“I came before you. Why am I being treated like an uninvited guest?”

“If you don’t want to be treated like an uninvited guest, get out of here. Also, don’t let anyone catch you.”

“Tsk, your personality is really a problem.”

 

Roosevelt rose from his seat with a small shake of his head.

 

“Okay. I’m leaving.”

 

Rachel bid Roosevelt farewell as he stood up. However, Ian only looked at Rachel, as if he had no interest in Roosevelt.

 

Ian lowered his head to Rachel and whispered softly. At his whisper, Rachel smiled as he pulled her closer.

 

Rachel hesitated for a moment, then leaned in and whispered the same words he’d told her.

 

Roosevelt looked at the two for a while, then he left.

 

***

 

The door into the ceremony hall opened, and Rachel moved cautiously.

 

Rachel thought she’d gotten used to this kind of life where people’s attention was focused on her. However today, when VIPs from all over the world attended, Rachel was as nervous as the day she first appeared in society.

 

The high ceiling was decorated with beautiful flowers, and the hall was dark throughout. Ian took special care in consideration of her nervousness.

 

He thought if she couldn’t see people’s faces, that it might help.

 

Rachel glanced around. She couldn’t see anyone’s expressions clearly. Rachel tried to remind herself that they were here to congratulate her.

 

Ian said it didn’t matter if it wasn’t perfect, but Rachel wanted today to be as perfect as possible.

 

Rachel let out a short breath and moved along the flower strewn path. Rachel was concentrating on walking more carefully than usual since she was in a rich dress. She looked at Ian, who was waiting for her with his hand out in the middle of the aisle.

 

Ian had entered the hall through a different door from hers.

 

Rachel was appalled at the idea that she would’ve had to keep pace with him. However, the moment Rachel looked at Ian, she bit her tender lip. Her self-criticism didn’t last very long.

 

Ian didn’t seem to mind such things.

 

It was Ian who smiled at her. She’d seen Ian attend several events as Emperor, but he’d never smiled like this in public.

 

He was smiling brightly as if he were a different person. It wasn’t a smile that suited Ian, who held the position of Emperor, but he looked happier.

 

“Rachel.”

 

Rachel looked at Ian’s outstretched hand, and carefully placed her hand on his.

 

“You look lovely as usual, but today especially so.”

 

Ian kissed Rachel’s hand lightly. Ian smiled mischievously as he looked up at her with his back bent.

 

Was it because he knew that it was an act that would relieve her tension? Because it really did ease her anxiety.

 

“Huu.”

 

Watching Rachel take a deep breath, Ian gave a small smile as if telling her not to be so tense.

 

“Don’t be too nervous. It can’t be helped that our wedding is an Imperial event, but the most important person today is you.”

“Still, I don’t want to make any mistakes on a perfect day like this.”

 

It was a ceremony that was so grandly held that she’d never seen anything like it before. Just looking at the pillars that were decorated with delicately crafted jeweled filigree, one could tell how much effort Ian and the Imperial family had put into this marriage.

 

“Rachel, you’re the most gorgeous bride in the world.”

 

Didn’t Mike say that, too. It was going to be the way everyone dreamed.

 

It was a day that Ian had painstakingly prepared. So, it was only natural for her to pay more attention and be careful not to make mistakes.

 

“This is for you, from beginning to end.”

 

Ian continued, looking around.

 

“I was trying to show you that I love you this much. Hold my hand, I don’t want anything more than you.”

 

Ian kept pace with Rachel’s stride.

 

“You got something this big.”

 

Ian raised his hand and showed it.

 

On the way to the podium, Ian whispered these words so that only Rachel could hear.

 

“Rachel, I want to be by your side like this no matter what happens in the future. As long as possible, happily ever after.”

 

Ian, who arrived at the podium, slowly stopped walking.

 

“I need you, Rachel.”

 

Rachel glanced at the High Priest who was waiting on them to proceed with the ceremony.

 

Ian also felt Rachel’s gaze and carefully let go of her hand, as if not wanting to embarrass her.

 

In an instant, Rachel grabbed Ian’s hand as he started to move away.

 

“I love you.”

“I love you more. Rachel.”

 

Rachel smiled as giddily as Ian was. Just like when she was a child, Rachel was so happy that she burst into a smile.

 

Even while the High Priest’s blessing continued, Ian held Rachel’s hand. Her heart tickled at Ian’s careful hand, as if handling something very expensive and precious.

 

Rachel glanced at Ian during the blessing from the High Priest, which continued for quite a long time. When her eyes met his purple ones, Rachel blinked as if surprised.

 

How long has he been looking at her?

 

“Love you.”

 

Rachel squeezed Ian’s hand with a little bit of strength, as if answering Ian’s whisper when she’d caught his gaze before turning her head.

 

***