Chapter 67

After a while, people began to gather in the grand hall of the Albert mansion, and the bustling preparations transformed into the vibrant and splendid atmosphere of a party. The orchestra, summoned from afar for this day, played music, and the waiters busily yet elegantly served wine to the guests.

The dishes lined up were all beautifully arranged, tempting the hunger of those who saw them, and the sense of luxury emanating from each dish was so strong that one could hardly imagine the battlefield-like scene in the kitchen. In the air that had truly become a festive scene, Adi, having completed the final preparations, stood in front of the door, tense.

Opening this door would lead to the staircase that continued to the grand hall. When the time came, he would take Mary's hand and slowly descend the stairs under the gaze of the guests. The guests on the other side of the door must be eagerly awaiting that moment. This party, for which a strict code of silence had been imposed on the participants, was highly anticipated. Normally, people would be scattered around the courtyard, but today, almost all the guests were gathered in front of this door, as evidenced by the lively voices.

The scene, the gaze that would be directed at them the moment the door opened, and the thought of all this made sweat appear on Adi's forehead... but before it could spread, a white lace handkerchief wiped it away.

"Madam..."

"Adi, you're too nervous."

Lady Carral of the Albert family chuckled gracefully, and Adi returned a troubled smile.

"In situations like this, you just need to be composed."

"That's easy for you to say..."

"Look, you're ruining your handsome appearance."

Laughing merrily, Carral patted Adi's back. Her gestures and expressions somehow reminded him of Mary, and her silver hair with gentle waves was a testament to their parent-child relationship.

"By the way, where is... Lady Mary?"

"She should be ready and will be here soon. When she arrives, the two of you should come out of this door together. Make sure to escort her properly."

"Yes, I understand."

"I'll be in a place where I can see the guests' reactions clearly! I'm so excited to see how everyone will react!"

Leaving the irresponsible words, "If anything happens, you two will have to handle it," Carral left with a cheerful demeanor. Adi muttered, "She's as she always is," but the next moment, a cough made him straighten his back reflexively and turn around. There, of course, stood the head of the Albert family, the person at the top of Adi's hierarchy.

"L-Lord!"

"Ah, don't bow. Your hair will get messed up."

Stopping Adi, who unconsciously tried to bow as usual, with one hand, he approached with a leisurely gait. Despite hosting a party of this scale, he exuded a sense of ease and even dignity, making Adi straighten his back so much that it might have hurt. As the employer of not just Adi but the entire family, and also his father-in-law, it was only natural for Adi to be nervous. Seeming to understand this, the head of the Albert family smiled wryly and straightened Adi's collar, saying, "Don't look so serious on such a festive day." Tapping the Albert family crest on Adi's chest was, of course, his way of encouraging him.

"Lord, um..."

"What is it?"

"Is it really alright for me? Lady Mary is the daughter of the Albert family, and the marriage is for the family's sake..."

"Hmm, then will you return it?"

"No, that's impossible."

Adi firmly refused, looking apologetic, and the head of the Albert family, with a calmness befitting his status, replied, "I see."

Mary was originally supposed to marry for the sake of the Albert family. In a world where political marriages were the norm, especially for a noble family as prestigious as the Alberts, this was to be expected. Even Mary herself had never considered it a tragedy but rather a matter of course.

However, Mary ultimately broke off her engagement with Patrick and married Adi. Despite having the value to marry into the royal family or noble families of other countries, she chose a servant. From the Albert family's perspective, it was as if they had given away their best diplomatic card to a servant with no advantages. It was only natural for the nobles to think it was unbelievable and a waste.

"Indeed, Mary was supposed to marry into the Dice family for the family's sake. But those two chose a different path... and what was the result?"

"Um, what do you mean by that..."

Asked in return, Adi thought about the current state of the Albert and Dice families. Although Mary and Patrick's political marriage was canceled, a deep connection was formed between the Albert and Dice families. Moreover, they even managed to create a favor in the Dice family's succession issue. Furthermore, Mary was beloved by Princess Alicia, and the Albert family, once considered second only to the royal family, was now officially recognized by the royal family as a family on par with the royal family. Alicia and Patrick, as well as their parents, now held intimate tea parties and dinners.

There was no longer a sense of overtaking or being overtaken among the Albert family, the Dice family, and the royal family. The surrounding nobles and commoners even thought that the country could not stand without the three families.

"Thinking about it, things have gone better than if Lady Mary and Lord Patrick had married."

Adi's muttered words made the head of the Albert family nod in satisfaction.

"Mary is a bit different and sometimes does things we can't predict."

"I apologize, I can't deny that at all."

It was impossible to say that she had aimed for decline by challenging the princess, but the result of that aim was the exact opposite of the current situation.

"She's a different girl, but she has given this family more than the marriage we arranged. So, how can we complain about the path she chose? Besides, Mary was able to act like herself because you, Adi, were always by her side."

"Lord..."

"I'm grateful to Mary, but I'm also grateful to you. So, be composed and take Mary's hand and walk through this door."

"Yes!"

"I'll be with Carral in a place where I can see the guests' reactions clearly. If anything happens, you two will have to handle it."

With that, he patted Adi's shoulder and left. His cheerful back view was so lively that Adi, left behind, muttered, "What a well-matched couple..."

Realizing he was alone, Adi took a deep breath to calm himself. The lively voices from the other side of the door contrasted with the strange silence on this side.

"Seriously, is no one left? Everyone is so eager to see the guests' reactions!"

"Are you saying you're not satisfied being the only one left?"

Thinking he was speaking to no one, Adi turned around at the unexpected response. There stood Mary in a pure white dress, the Albert family crest on her chest and her silver hair in perfectly curled braids that swayed with each step, but remained stable on the sides of her face.

"Lady..."

"How do I look?"

Smiling proudly, Mary twirled to show off her dress. The wide spread of the white dress's hem was like a blooming flower, and the tiara on her head sparkled, enhancing her beauty. The familiar stability of the braids made Adi nostalgic. Admiring her beauty, Adi gently reached out.

"Can I touch?"

"Yes, of course."

With permission, Adi's hand gently touched Mary's hair... but stopped at the words, "Wait!"

"Too much pressure will mess up the braids!"

"Mess up... the braids!?"

"Yes, that's right. I kept you waiting so long because I had trouble curling the braids... I realized that those braids are a miracle."

Mary spoke seriously, and Adi returned a serious look... then, unable to hold back, they both burst into laughter.

"On a day like this, what are we talking about?"

"Oh, how rude. I thought you'd be happy with this hairstyle, but you're not?"

"No, I am. I'm very happy. Truly... from the bottom of my heart, I'm happy."

Wiping the tears from his eyes, Adi turned to Mary again.

"Can I touch your hair?"

"Yes, of course."

His hand, extended again, gently touched her hair, and Mary's eyes narrowed in delight. The loving touch and the occasional tickling of her cheek by his fingertips were once a source of sweet numbness, but now he knew the name of this feeling... thinking about it, Mary's chest warmed gently.

"Can I... hug you?"

"Yes, of course."

The hand that had been touching her hair slowly moved to her back. The gentle embrace, careful not to wrinkle her dress, made Mary smile softly. She gently placed her arms around Adi's back, careful not to wrinkle his jacket. The touch felt so good that she wanted him to hug her more tightly, even if it messed up her dress, makeup, or hairstyle. It seemed Adi felt the same, as the hand on her back tightened for a moment, and then he whispered,

"Can I kiss you?"

The sweet voice tickled Mary's ear. How could she possibly refuse? Drowning in the feeling, she replied, "Of course."

His eyes narrowed happily, and she found it endearing, making it impossible to refuse. Slowly, the distance between them closed, and they gently closed their eyes...

Knock knock.

The knock, as if saying, "Enough already," made them both widen their eyes.

"Oh dear..."

"Just a little more..."

Muttering, Adi extended his hand, and Mary placed hers on top. At that moment, Adi smiled happily, but Mary pretended not to notice and gently squeezed his hand, urging him. For Mary, who had attended many parties, this was her first time being escorted by her beloved, and the soft pressure made her smile.

Slowly, the door opened, and the guests' expressions upon seeing them were priceless.

Everyone was gaping, question marks floating above their heads. Some, not seeing the Albert family crest on Adi's chest, thought it was a surprise and looked around, asking, "Where is the groom?" Even those who saw the crest seemed unable to understand. But it was understandable. To them, Mary was just bringing her servant as usual. No one was surprised by the scene, thinking, "That eccentric lady is bringing her servant even today." This made Mary and Adi smile.

"Hey, Adi, who are they looking for?"

"Indeed. Look at how excited Lord and Lady are."

"Yes, really. They're about to laugh."

"Lord Patrick is also close to his limit."

Amid the stunned guests, the expressions of those in the know were priceless. They had kept Mary's marriage to Adi a secret, imposing a strict code of silence.

Looking at them, Mary, with a sudden idea, grabbed Adi's clothes and turned him to face her.

"Lady, what's the good idea?"

"Let's surprise everyone with a special method!"

"How...?"

Grabbing Adi's collar, she pulled him down, and he stretched to meet her.

Silence fell in the hall.

"L-Lady!"

"Look, Adi, everyone's faces!"

Adi, blushing and quickly pulling away, while Mary, still holding his collar, looked around at the guests with a delighted smile. The guests, seeing the unexpected behavior of the two, who were clearly not just master and servant, were stunned. A few, however, cheered, laughed, or exclaimed, "That's my daughter!"

"Lady, you... Is this appropriate?"

"For the surprise, it was necessary. Besides, it's just a continuation of earlier."

"Continuation? No, I asked for permission earlier..."

Saying this, Adi, this time, bent down on his own. Gently touching Mary's lips, he said with a grin,

"Since I asked for permission, I should be the one to kiss."

The alluring rust-colored eyes made Mary's cheeks flush, and she nodded, saying, "Hmm, indeed," but her voice was drowned out by the sudden buzz in the hall.