Chapter 28

"The union of these two is not merely the union of a man and a woman, but a sacred... union that will end the long-standing enmity between Sylvanus and Ailugo... Through the marriage of these two, both nations will achieve harmony and peace..."

The priest's words continued at length.

He spoke with more passion than usual, quite moved by the occasion.

May blessings be upon the future of this bride and groom...!

People are often most vulnerable to what they can see.

He was already excited by this wedding for peace, and his excitement doubled.

As he looked at Tarkan and Aristine, who exuded the aura of a male and female deity, he delivered his final words.

"Then, the two shall exchange the kiss of promise!"

Startled.

Aristine felt Tarkan's body tense up through the arm she was touching.

When she turned to face him, she could see that he was trying to compose his expression but was clearly flustered.

Aristine couldn't understand his hesitation at all.

The kiss of promise was a fundamental and important part of the wedding ceremony.

It wasn't as if they were suddenly doing something unexpected; there was no need for him to be so flustered.

'Hmm, they say people get emotional on their wedding day. Well, he was always a shy man.'

The longer she waited, the more embarrassed he would become, so she thought it best to take the initiative.

'I need to get this over with quickly!'

"It's okay, Tarkan."

Aristine patted Tarkan's arm.

"It's just a part of the body touching and then separating. There's no need to be so shy."

Tarkan looked at Aristine, who was speaking seriously and looking into his eyes, with a slightly exasperated expression.

Aristine was trying to reassure him with a trustworthy expression, nodding slightly.

Shy? Who is shy here?

If anyone should be shy, it would be the new bride.

But the new bride who should be shy and embarrassed was earnestly patting the new groom, telling him to trust her.

Not knowing what to make of Tarkan's speechless and exasperated look, Aristine squeezed his arm to encourage him.

The soft movement of her hand gripping his arm muscles made Tarkan's eyes twitch.

"It's really nothing."

"Nothing? If you can say that, you must have done it many times, right?"

Tarkan didn't know why he asked such a question.

What did it matter to him how many times this woman had kissed other men?

"No, why are you taking it that way? It's just a part of the body touching, so it's nothing."

Aristine whispered, sounding exasperated.

Tarkan's left eyebrow raised.

'So, have you done it many times with other men, or not?'

Why is she avoiding the question?

Tarkan looked down at Aristine's small face with an unpleasant expression.

Her face was as expressionless as always, making it impossible to read her thoughts.

'No, it's not my business.'

Tarkan thought to himself, as if making a resolution.

She is his political marriage partner, and merely a business partner, as she said.

It's none of his business or concern how she interacts with other men.

"It's just a simple touch, the same as me holding your arm now."

Aristine's fingers slid over his skin, exposed between his sleeve and glove.

Skin touching skin.

"It's no different from a kiss."

Her whisper was like a spring breeze, brushing past his ear.

'...Is this a kiss too?'

Tarkan's gaze fell to his forearm.

Her fingers were nestled between the gaps in his clothing, having grown more defined.

Her skin was slightly cool.

In return, she would feel Tarkan's skin as warm.

But as they touched, their body heat gradually transferred, and soon the feeling of cold or warmth disappeared.

As if they had become one.

Kiss.

Startled, Tarkan's muscles tensed.

Aristine, feeling this through their touching bodies, looked up at him as if asking why.

Her clear, bright eyes.

For some reason, Tarkan found it hard to meet her gaze.

Perhaps his body was heating up.

Aristine's fingers felt slightly cool.

* * *

"Hmm, what are the two of them whispering about?"

A young noblewoman, hands clasped in front of her chest, murmured to herself as she watched the bride and groom from the guest seats.

Just before the kiss, the two stood close, gazing deeply into each other's eyes and whispering, making the onlookers' hearts race.

The crystal chandeliers decorating the hall reflected light, illuminating the bride and groom brilliantly.

It was as if light was emanating from them.

Aristine's wedding dress was a flawless white, blinding to the eye, and the jewels and platinum chains hanging from it sparkled with vitality.

It was a scene that even a deliberate production in an opera couldn't achieve.

The bride and groom, standing close enough to touch, gazing only at each other and whispering softly.

"They must be whispering words of love."

"This can't be a loveless political marriage."

"It started as a political marriage, but it became a true love story."

Aristine, wearing a floral crown made of lush flowers, held a bouquet in her arms.

This added to the romantic imagination of the onlookers.

There must be a fiery love story between them that they don't know about.

No, it's not just a story; it's definitely true.

For example... falling in love at first sight, defying their families' opposition, and deciding to elope...

Then the woman fakes her death, the man mistakenly believes she's dead and follows her, and when the woman wakes up, she follows him in death...

'Really a beautiful love story.'

'A love that defies death...'

'Your Highnesses, may you be happy.'

Dreamy and romantic young noblewomen, with tears in their eyes, cheered for the couple.

While the actual participants were having a different conversation, their faces were performing a passionate love scene.

Their faces were the embodiment of the story.

"Hey, I just heard His Highness Tarkan's voice."

"Really? What did he say?"

"I will look at you and love you for the rest of my life. That's what he said."

"Of course...!"

"Me too. I heard him say he would make you happy, even if it means giving up his soul..."

"The princess is so moved."

"This is the moment they pledge to spend their lives together, how could she not be moved?"

Before the kiss of promise, they gazed at each other, whispering eternal love, so now everything was in place.

All that was left was the kiss.

'Kiss...!'

'Kiss! Kiss!'

The guests smiled warmly.

They didn't understand why their cheeks were rising as others kissed.

People tried to hide their gums.

Finally, the two stopped whispering and looked at each other.

Their lips slowly, gradually, drew closer.

* * *

The soft, tender touch made Tarkan stiffen.

He could feel Aristine's breath.

It was light and gentle, like that of a small bird.

This isn't a kiss.

It's just skin touching skin.

As she said, it's nothing.

Moreover, Aristine's lips didn't even touch his.

With a slight tug, Aristine brought Tarkan closer and placed her lips next to his.

Her lips touched just below his, slightly to the left.

'Is this enough to cause such a stir?'

Tarkan was so tense he couldn't move.

When he finally managed to look down, he saw Aristine's face.

Her long lashes and delicate features were slightly blurred due to the lack of focus.

For some reason, this made her warmth more vivid.

For the kiss, Aristine had nestled into Tarkan's embrace.

Her body was so delicate that it seemed it would break if he applied even a little force.

He knew she was slender, but today this fact seemed more pronounced.

A sweet fragrance came from her. Was it from the flowers she held?

Her long lashes trembled, and Aristine opened her eyes.

Her eyes, like the dawn sky, gazed at him.

At the closest possible distance, their eyes met.

It was a moment.

Aristine straightened her body.

Only after the warmth in her embrace had left did Tarkan straighten his own body.

His dazed mind returned.

"Wowww-!"

People were cheering for them.

The cheers, which had been muffled like being underwater, became clear.

Tarkan looked around at the guests.

For some reason, they were responding with such enthusiasm.

'Was this marriage so beloved?'

Most people, except for a few, had wanted the war to end.

With this marriage, the war had ended, so it was natural for them to cheer.

Even the young noblewomen and elderly women, who were usually reserved, were visibly moved by the end of the war.

Aristine responded with a bright smile.

Tarkan looked down at her smiling face.

Due to his height, he could see the lilies in her crown more clearly, and her face was slightly obscured by the flowers.

After a moment, Tarkan turned his gaze to the queen's faction.

'As expected.'

They were glaring at him with such intensity, as if they wanted to tear him apart.

They seemed displeased and irritated by the enthusiastic response to this wedding.

Seeing the trembling lips of Duke Skiera, Tarkan twisted his lips into a wry smile.

The cheers grew even louder.

They looked like the perfect newlyweds.

Receiving the blessings of many people, the bride and groom left the hall.

Flowers rained down on them.

The only remaining part of the wedding ceremony was one thing.

The wedding parade.

* * *

In the square outside the hall, the people of Ailugo were gathered in large numbers.

The crowd was so large that it filled the vast square and lined the route of the wedding parade.

Everyone was curious about the bride who would bring an end to the war and bring peace.

"Did she deliberately choose the old carriage route to see the people who have suffered from the war?"

"Wow, such a long distance..."

"Especially since the princess is said to be frail and rarely leaves the castle, it's quite impressive."

"She's not taking care of herself to help us..."

"Of course, that's why she's marrying for peace."

The reason why Aristine chose the old carriage route instead of using a portal during her official audience was already known among the people.

This was the result of her efforts for her business partner while preparing for the wedding.

The end of the war was a welcome news for all common people.

As a person living in Ailugo, surrounded by demons, the longer the war with Sylvanus continued, the more anxious they became.

But now that the war was over, there was no need to worry about demons taking advantage of the situation to invade.

People were as excited as if they were celebrating a festival.

While there were some prejudices against Sylvanus, they were pushed to the background due to these circumstances.

Moreover, Tarkan was a hero to the common people.

His feat of defeating the great demon Murzika at the age of ten was almost a living legend.

In fact, Tarkan's legend continued to this day.

Tarkan, the protector of Ailugo.

There was a hope that his bride would be a special person.

People who had good vantage points had been waiting since the night before.

They had been eagerly waiting to see the prince and his bride with their own eyes.

Finally, the door opened.

"Kyaahh!"

People cheered even before they could see the bride and groom, just at the sight of the door moving.

Finally, Aristine and Tarkan appeared.

"Wowww-!"

A loud cheer, as if tearing through the air, echoed.

Startled by the explosive cheers, the new bride looked around with wide eyes.

Then, seeing the people of Ailugo welcoming her, she smiled brightly and waved.

The faces of the people, who had seen this, were contorted with overwhelming emotion.

'Our prince's bride is the most dignified beauty!'

'That fairy is our prince's bride!'

'Our country's princess is not a human but a goddess!'

For the people, the beauty of the royal family was a matter of great concern.

There were even cases where countries had disputes over this.

The more beautiful the royal family, the better.

It was also a matter of national pride.

With the handsome national hero and the beautiful fairy princess together, the world seemed to be bathed in sunlight.

Is this what it feels like to be full even without eating?

Suddenly ignited patriotism made people shout with all their might.

"Long live His Highness Tarkan!"

"Long live Her Highness Aristine!"

"Glory to the two of you!"

"May you be happy!!"

These were the usual words people said to celebrate the royal wedding.

But somehow, they seemed more heartfelt than usual.

Amidst the cheers, the newlyweds walked side by side towards the carriage.

The carriage, made for this historic day, was intricately decorated with gold and malachite, and adorned with various colored gems like diamonds, emeralds, and garnets.

It was an open carriage with a roof, and flowers bloomed beautifully along the pillars.

It was a carriage that seemed to have been taken straight from a dream.

And in front of this carriage, the couple, who seemed to have been taken straight from a dream, stopped.

Now, I'm a husband, and I'll focus on making money.