Chapter 82

Inside the temple, I walked slowly with Noah towards the altar.

The guests turned to watch us, their shoulders turned, and the smiles on their faces were particularly touching.

I held onto Noah’s arm and walked on the blue carpet.

When I looked up, Noah, noticing my gaze, turned to me. His lips curved into a gentle smile, and my heart leaped with happiness.

We stopped in front of the priest, who stood on a slightly higher platform, holding a large, thick book in one hand and extending the other over us.

My heart was pounding.

I was nervous, happy, and felt an indescribable, strange sensation. My chest was full of bittersweet emotions, but even that felt precious. I wouldn’t have known this if I hadn’t fallen in love with Noah.

While listening to the priest’s blessing, I reflected on the past.

The first time I met Noah was at the Little Rabbit Café. His face was mostly hidden behind thick bangs and glasses, but his smile was gentle from the start.

As we met more often, we began to exchange words, and eventually, we became friends who could share jokes and banter—seeing him became something I looked forward to.

I never thought that such a future would come.

"Then, let’s hear the vows."

The priest’s voice was calm yet resonant.

Noah turned to face me, and I followed suit.

The light of the evening star seemed to shine only on me.

I wondered if he knew that his calm, strong eyes continued to captivate my heart.

"I, Joel Noah Einhardt, am grateful to have met Alicia Bloom, my lifelong partner. I vow to respect, support, and deepen our bond, and to love her forever."

His warm words reached my heart directly.

Even though these were standard vows, I could feel that Noah truly meant every word.

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

Seeing this, Noah softened his gaze and wiped my eyes with his finger. Even though he was wearing white gloves, I could feel the warmth in his touch.

"I, Alicia Bloom, am grateful to have met Joel Noah Einhardt, my lifelong partner. I vow to respect, support, and deepen our bond, and to love him forever."

I spoke the vows slowly, pouring my feelings into them. I was relieved that I didn’t make any mistakes, having practiced them many times the day before. But I thought Noah would probably smile even if I made a small mistake. He would say that what matters is the feeling.

When I finished, Noah smiled happily.

His smile was so full of happiness that tears fell again.

"Sign the marriage contract."

We turned back to the priest.

The signing stand had the marriage contract and a pen with a feather decoration. By signing this, we would be officially recognized as husband and wife.

Noah took the pen first and wrote his name.

I had seen his handwriting many times in the letters he sent, and I thought it was beautiful. I had traced the letters with my fingers so many times.

Noah handed me the pen, and I wrote my name.

This would be the last time I wrote Alicia Bloom. From now on, I would be Alicia Einhardt. The thought made my chest ache a little, but it wasn’t as if my connection to the Bloom family would be severed.

"At this moment, you are husband and wife. May your new life together be filled with happiness."

The priest made a sign of blessing with the hand not holding the book.

As I felt the blessing, Noah held my hand tightly. The grip was the strongest and warmest I had ever felt.

As we walked through the guests, petals rained down on us. Stepping out of the temple, we were surrounded by everyone who had followed us out.

"Congratulations. I wish you a future filled with happiness, and so does the royal family."

We bowed our heads in gratitude to Prince Sieg’s words.

The royal family’s blessing was probably more significant than I realized. It might become one of the shields that protect us.

"Congratulations. I didn’t think you’d really move the wedding up."

"Alicia, you look beautiful. I hope you’re very happy."

The cheerful smile of Captain Radine and the teary-eyed Wendy.

"I would have moved it up even earlier if possible."

Noah shrugged at the captain’s words, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I had heard that moving the wedding up by a season was quite a challenge. I remembered my mother-in-law laughing about how they even used the Einhardt family’s connections, which they usually didn’t.

"Congratulations, Noah and Alicia!"

"Congratulations. I’ll have some good wine ready for you to come and drink."

Emma, still crying and holding a wet handkerchief, and Master, who was hugging her.

If it weren’t for the Little Rabbit Café, Noah and I might not have met. I was happy to see them so joyful.

"Emma, Master, thank you so much. I’ll keep coming to the café even after getting married. Right, Noah?"

"Yes. I’d like to try some more unique wines."

I remembered the ouzo Noah had ordered before.

It was delicious, and I knew we would enjoy many more things together.

"Congratulations! Today, Einhardt’s face is all mushy."

Lars, who was holding a basket, threw petals at us as a celebration. It seemed more like he was throwing them at Noah’s face, and Noah was covered in petals.

"That’s to be expected. It’s a wedding, after all."

"Sounds great. I want to meet someone too. Alicia, do you know anyone?"

"Alicia, you don’t have to listen to him or even talk to him."

"That’s harsh."

Their playful banter made me laugh out loud. Noah’s sharp tone was just for show; I knew he trusted Lars.

After that, we received congratulations from the library director, my colleagues, and the members of the knight’s order.

I was happy to see everyone from the Einhardt family, the Bloom family, and my grandparents all smiling.

So many people were celebrating our marriage.

So many people were happy for us to be together.

Thinking about this, tears welled up in my eyes again, and I looked up to the sky, where thin clouds were drifting.

"Alicia."

Noah, noticing my state, leaned close to my ear.

Before I could ask what he wanted—

"I love you."

His low, sweet voice made me feel like I would collapse right there. If Noah hadn’t held my waist, I probably would have.

Heat rose to my face.

His evening star eyes seemed to deepen in color as he smiled at me.