The Tyrant Covets The Slave -R19 - Chapter 19

Today was the best wedding day in the Horn Empire. A grand procession followed, never to be seen twice. The people cheered and the children just laughed brightly, not knowing anything.

The sky was filled with colorful flower petals. Fireworks were set off and dispersed. Passing birds stopped and sang.

The main characters appeared in the glamorous procession. The people who got off the golden carriage were today’s protagonists, Grand Duke Lucai and Beher.

Lucai held out his hand to her, dressed in a pure white dress. The protagonists of the play took the stage. Every single audience was out, and all they had to do was act.

Grand Duke Lucai, dressed in a black and dark blue uniform and red cloak, with hair flipped back. His forehead was clearly revealed. The baby hairs that couldn’t be put over naturally hung on his forehead.

“Practice is over. Are you ready, my bride?”

Speaking in a language only the two of them knew, Beher smiled softly through her veil. Even in the faintest of smiles he could tell how beautiful she was.

“Of course. I’m ready to receive my beloved husband.”

“Can I count on you today?”

She knew what he was talking about. Beher smiled and answered.

“…If you give me what I want, I’ll give you my soul.”

“…Hmmm, you’re too loyal. There is no such thing as practice anymore. Make no mistake.”

Beher replied by gently bowing her head.

The entrance to the Imperial Palace was decorated more splendidly than a week ago. The knights came out, raising their swords high in salute to the loyal couple.

Lucai accepted, confirming their congratulations and loyalty. Beher’s long dress fluttered down like a butterfly on the red carpet. It was a beautiful and serene gesture. Beher flapped her wings as Lucai guided her.

Each step they took was echoed by cheers for the Grand Duke and his wife. At the end of it, the Emperor looked down at the Grand Duke and his wife with a generous smile.

She didn’t expect so many people to come. Some of them were guests from other countries. Beher was glad that she wore a veil.

Lucai didn’t like it much, but it couldn’t be helped.

If the Vitan Emperor, her father, even came, he would take her away, and she would be unable to rebel. She was afraid, but she remembered that Lucai said he would protect her. She couldn’t believe it at first, but perhaps he would protect her.

In hindsight, she wondered what he believed that made him take her side so abruptly.

Beher stared at him, her hand in his. A large, firm hand that would never let go of her. It was funny how much she wanted to believe him just from the warmth of his touch.

‘How could I want to rely on a man who thinks I’m a doll?’

It was unrequited, but she was never put off by it. If he wanted to devour all of her, she could enjoy all of him.

Before long, Beher and Lucai stood in front of the podium, looking at the officiating pope.

“In the name of the Lord God Odin, will you love each other for the rest of your lives?”

“I swear it.”

Lucai’s answer was short and clear. He was so radiant on the stage.

“Does the bride swear to be kind and loving to your husband?”

Beher’s lips, which had never seemed to open, naturally opened as she met the Emperor’s gaze.

“I swear it.”

With this, the Pope declared the couple husband and wife, with the emperor’s people and the emperor as witnesses.

The wedding ceremony, which had seemed so grandiose, ended easily. A round of congratulatory applause erupted. Everyone was as happy as if it were their own wedding.

They waved their hands lightly in response. Then the men who had been sitting still in a corner stood up and waved to Beher.

“Grand Duchess! You are so beautiful!”

Beher wondered if the veil was very thin. Or did they say it out of courtesy? Beher touched her veil. It wasn’t thin, so it was strange that the men shouted like they could actually see her face.

“My wife makes the boys fall in love with you already?”

“….”

His hands faltered. Lucai grabbed her wrist. Suddenly everyone around them started to whisper. Beher couldn’t see what he was doing behind the veil. Somehow, his scent oozed out thickly.

A large shadow, visible through the veil, hung over her face. The shadow didn’t disappear easily, as if it was about to attack her. It was kind of like pouring a darker color.

Lucai’s fingers lifted the veil. Panicked, Beher flinched and tried to back away. She thought she told him that she didn’t want to show her face.

‘Is he going to break his promise?’

As she thought about it, she felt some hot breath between the veil that was lifted, where only her lips were visible. Naturally, Beher could understand the breath.

“I love you.”

“…….”

Would this be a surprise attack? Lucai acted without telling her beforehand?

Beher hesitated, but quickly looked up when she realized the emperor was around.

Lucai’s breath, flowing softly like petals, bit into Beher’s lips. He didn’t put his tongue in her mouth or roll around it, but the heat was greater than usual. Her nose was too hot to stand it, as their noses touched each other through the veil.

So Lucai gave her a small kiss without showing her face. Beher stared into his red eyes. She couldn’t see much through the blurry gaze, but she was sure her eyes met his.

He kissed her briefly, lifted her chin, and kissed her diagonally. It was meant to finish.

Lucai’s eyes were fixed solely on her. Before she knew it, he was holding her tightly in his hands, as if he really loved her.

Everyone seemed to be more than a little surprised by the Grand Duke’s behavior. The kiss ended, but there was no reaction. Neither did the Pope. He had to finish by giving his blessing, but time seemed to have stopped and he didn’t make the slightest movement.

It was just her and Lucai, and time was flowing. It was time for just the two of them.

When the Pope finally came to his senses, he gave his blessing like a shining star and ended the wedding.

***

“Young lady, how about this?”

Even though the wedding was over, it wasn’t over yet. They had to attend the wedding banquet held in the Imperial Palace. If she wasn’t today’s main character, she would like to put everything aside and rest.

Sitting on a sofa in a large room set up in a corner of the Imperial Palace, Beher was looking at the dress in front of her.

Lucy was showing her this and that.

The dress she was going to wear to the reception was much lighter than the dress she had worn for the wedding. But it was more beautiful than any dress.

“Miss, I know you’re tired, but it’s your one and only day. Try to have willpower.”

Lucy put her hands on her hips and gave a hint. Beher was going to wear whatever she chose for her, but apparently Lucy didn’t want that.

It was like a cute sister was whining, so Beher got up from her seat and looked through the aligned dresses.

There were so many colorful dresses.

Beher fiddled with the most prominent dress of them all.

The cherry-red dress had shimmering lace hanging from it. The double layered dress was not overdone, but that didn’t mean it looked boring.

She wanted to wear the black dress, but she quickly dismissed the thought because Lucai might be offended. Then she picked the pink dress.

“Let’s go with this one.”

The excited Lucy was happy, looking like a puppy wagging its tail. She didn’t want to make it a personal matter. But she held off on that one until the end, cutting off her opinion at once.

‘When my contract with Grand Duke Lucai is finished…. I wanted to ask Lucy if she would be my friend someday.’

Beher now wore a pink veil. She could never show her face, so she had no choice but to endure the suffocation. On the other hand, these veils made her feel like she could successfully continue her play.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The moment she was about to leave, the door opened spontaneously. At first she thought it was Grand Duke Lucai, but she was totally wrong. Because at least the Grand Duke would not be wearing a dress.

Not intending to give the impression that they were frowning, the young ladies crossed their arms and looked at Beher.

‘…Everywhere I go, there are people who do such childish imitations.’

“Hello, Grand Duchess. I am from Count Teharun’s family. Congratulations on your marriage. I’ve brought you a gift, can you take it?”

The girl said with a terribly unhappy expression. The gift seemed to contain poison. Lucy, who was beside Beher, took the lead in trying to stop the girl, but Beher stopped Lucy.

“Lady!”

“Don’t worry, stay put. I’m sure it’s fine. The lady had brought the gift herself, shouldn’t we take a look?”

Of course, Beher didn’t want to lose to them.

“Hohohoho, I’m so grateful that the Grand Duchess understood our hearts.”

Her hateful smile looked like a pumpkin. Her overly applied makeup made her face even uglier.

Beher thought the girl was hiding something behind her. With careful handling, could she be holding a glass?

“You are so lucky. You have the Grand Duke all to yourself.”

“…….”

It was so ridiculous that Beher was speechless. Beher was very well aware of Grand Duke Lucai’s appearance. However… the girl, who was like a pumpkin, revealed her jealousy towards her.

Not particularly angry. But…if someone wanted to take away the person Beher needed for revenge, it was right to consider them enemies.

“Actually, I heard the Grand Duchess’s an aristocrat whose identity is unknown? A dress like this doesn’t seem to fit you well…”

‘That’s outrageous.’

Baehel inwardly mocked the girl. Then she spat out.

“I’m afraid my dress doesn’t suit the Young Lady’s figure either.”

The girl in front of Beher jumped up and down like an angry cow, even though Beher only said a few words to her. The girl then reached out her hand towards Beher, seemingly intending to finally bring out the gift she had hidden behind her back.

“Here, eat it! How dare you!”

It was neither glass nor jewels that flew into the air, but it was holy water. Lucy also had no time to protect Beher. It happened in a flash.