Beautiful Bride 97

Emma’s Letter

My dear friend, Cayden. Your closest friend Emma Jaren writes this letter while watching the rain falling outside the window.

It’s already been a day and three hours since I sent you a letter. Don’t wonder why I’m sending another letter without having received your reply. I’ll answer that in advance.

This letter is sent because I’m happy about the fact that I’ll meet you soon. Just thinking about going to Acro makes my heart bright like a summer noon. Even though it’s raining again today in Ruana.

I know I wrote the same thing in my last letter. Let’s just say I’m even happier a day later. After all, the day we meet has gotten closer by one day—precisely, by one day and three hours.

Anyway! This isn’t a letter I’m scribbling out of boredom. I want you to know that.

If my letters annoy you, blame Amun. Thanks to the amazing magical device your junior sent, I’m becoming a master of letter writing. Being able to exchange letters instantly through a magical device. The world has really improved, hasn’t it?

According to Alrina, this magical device is extremely expensive. Worth whatever price is asked.

Cayden, I think your junior might have parents who are important people from the desert.

I wonder if he’s just doing merchant work as a temporary amusement? You know how rich people sometimes do crazy things in strange directions. Working at a merchant company would be a very wholesome and healthy deviation, though.

In any case, it can’t hurt to stay on Amun’s good side. Keep being friendly with him. Definitely. It’s even okay if you cross the line between senior and junior.

You’re not already dating, are you? I’d be glad if I didn’t need to nag you about it. You might hate hearing this, but I guarantee Amun would like what I’m saying!

“You might be a little surprised to see me. I’m sorry.”

I’d be really pleased if the surprising something you mentioned turns out to be the thrilling scene I’m hoping for.

Just kidding.

Anyway, I was already shocked enough to faint when I read what you wrote. I kept wondering why you brought it up.

Cayden, I’m going crazy with curiosity about what you consider surprising. You never use words like that. “You might be a little surprised”? What do you mean a little—I’m going to faint. For sure.

Could it be that you’re dating Amun? No, if it’s surprising news, it would have to be at least that you’ve promised to marry. Even if someone other than Amun is by your side, that’s fine. As long as you’re happy, I don’t care who it is.

No. Actually, that’s a lie.

I would be disappointed if someone other than Amun was with you. I’ve already given my affection to Amun. I might be somewhat tempted if the person you bring has a face as pretty and handsome as Amun’s.

But I wonder if it’s possible to replace that amazing face. Of course, not as much as our Alrina, who is the prettiest and most handsome in the world. I believe even you, Cayden, would agree on that point.

I was really planning to keep this letter short, you know? But why do I keep rambling on?

Alrina says I seem too impatient about your matters. That’s true. But I don’t know why I want to bother you so much. I keep wanting to talk to you.

Maybe it’s because there was a time when our contact was cut off? Back then, I sent you so many letters I couldn’t even count them all. But you didn’t receive a single one. That bastard Alex definitely intercepted them in between. He probably collected my letters and used them as kindling.

That scoundrel and the Count’s family ruined at once! I can’t tell you how happy I am. I heard the news from Alrina and cried with joy.

I wonder if the rumors reached you too? I didn’t mention this in my last letter.

Cayden, Count Servman went bankrupt.

They’re ruined. I heard they sold even that terrible farm because they couldn’t handle the debt. Apparently, the ownership changed right away. The workers have all been replaced too. The same goes for those senior workers who bullied you. They’ve all become unemployed.

I don’t know the details of how the Count’s family is living now.

I’m certain the couple isn’t dead yet. But they say they’re in a state of mental instability due to the shock. Naturally, their physical health is poor too.

And there’s another person who’s lost his mind. Our great young master has apparently gone half-mad as well. They say he only speaks nonsense after nonsense. With that mental state, he wandered around and had some strange accident, and now he’s bedridden like his father.

Who would take care of such a person? I bet no one will. It’s a task even God couldn’t accomplish.

Cayden, I think those people have finally received their punishment, albeit late. I don’t feel sorry for them at all. I hope you laugh at this news too. It’s also okay if you cry with joy like I did!

Ah.

I should cut this short now. I still have a lot to say, but the ink is running out. I’ll have to keep my drawer filled with ink bottles from tomorrow.

Thanks to you, Cayden, my writing is improving quickly. I need to learn the imperial language too if I want to go to Acro to meet you. Alrina said she would teach me.

Who’s teaching you the imperial language?

I sincerely hope Amun is your teacher.

You must be sick of me constantly talking about Amun? This is what brainwashing looks like.

Cayden, please send your reply after next weekend. If you reply too soon, I think I’ll want to write again. One letter a day, that is.

Well, farewell! Stay healthy until we meet again!

P.S. Amun likes you.

P.P.S. It’s true.

Beautiful Bride

A large crowd gathered at Tara Square to celebrate the crown prince’s birthday.

It wasn’t every year that the heir’s birthday became a day the whole country had to celebrate. Only the nineteenth birthday, which came with the heir’s coming-of-age ceremony, and the twentieth birthday that followed the next year. Only these two birthdays became national holidays. It was to rejoice that the Emperor’s heir, in a royal family where children were precious, had safely become an adult.

The square below the temple was crowded with people, just like the day of the crown prince and his consort’s wedding ceremony, even though there would be no festival afterward.

The imperial citizens had gathered in the capital to bless not just the crown prince, but also the crown prince’s consort and the future heir. Since news of the crown prince’s consort’s early pregnancy had long spread throughout Helio, it was natural for people to gather like they did at the wedding ceremony.

The breeze passing through the square carried a sweet floral scent. Not the fragrance of the yellow flower Daeyen held in people’s hands, but a softer aroma coming from the residential area.

Both the neat, straight stone mansions of the nobles and the rounder-shaped houses of the commoners were decorated with flowers on their walls and roofs as a blessing. It was no wonder that every wind from all directions was sweet.

“He’s become almost like a desert person now. How nice to see his handsome face fully revealed.”

Someone in the crowd commented while looking at the crown prince’s consort standing on the temple balcony. It was someone who had set foot in the capital square a year ago to see the couple.

“Ah, back then… there was such a commotion because we couldn’t see his face behind the veil. I got a cramp in my calf from standing on tiptoes.”

Several people around who overheard the conversation nodded in silent agreement.

Those gathered in the square recited the scenes they had witnessed on the day of the crown prince couple’s wedding ceremony—the awkward image of Assad and Cayden standing together—each relying on their own memories.

But the words that concluded all the chatter were the same.

“Today, the crown prince’s consort is smiling. It’s good to see.”

Giggly laughter followed those words.

Up above, on the temple balcony, someone else was speaking in an excited voice. It was Assad, who had just returned after finishing his thank-you speech to the people gathered in the square.

“I dreamed of a tiny little girl.”

Assad stood close to Cayden, so close that one might describe them as stuck together. He continued talking while fidgeting with his bride’s hand, using his other hand to wave to the people gathered below.

“She looked exactly like me when I was young. Well, it was a bit much that she resembled me so closely… but I knew the moment I saw her. That child would be yours and mine.”

He added that he had spent the entire morning cooped up in the main palace library, searching for names befitting a female emperor.

“I wondered what you were hiding, but it was such a dream.”

Cayden muttered in a deflated voice.

This morning, Assad’s rigid face had looked incredibly serious when he woke up. Like someone who had a nightmare, he had abruptly embraced Cayden and held him for a long time. He had acted somewhat awkwardly even during breakfast, even drinking bitter beverages that he wouldn’t normally touch.

Cayden had been worried that something might have happened… but it seemed he had been concerned for nothing.

“I’ve prepared twenty-seven names that would suit our child. We’ll have to spend quite a long time together deciding which name is best.”

A very confident voice reached Cayden.

Cayden couldn’t help but smile. All twenty-seven names Assad had chosen would surely have beautiful meanings. They would undoubtedly shine as prettily as his eyes had sparkled when talking about the child who resembled him. The thought made Cayden smile naturally.

“To choose the child’s name together… we’ll have to use the same bed tonight as well. Our conversation will be long, so there’s no helping it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Cayden agreed, feeling Assad’s hand against his grow hotter. He lightly accepted Assad’s excuse.

“Cayden. I will be the most trustworthy spouse in this Helio, no, in this world. I will be a good father. Not for this country, but for you.”

Assad said, or rather, whispered.

After a year, he was standing again in the same place where he had stood with Assad to show people their pledge kiss. The man who had once spat out fierce words in imperial language that Cayden couldn’t understand was now whispering only sweet words like sugar confectionery that would melt in his mouth.

That change… Cayden found it truly fascinating. Somewhat embarrassing and somewhat joyful.

The speech was completely over. The two, having finished their silent greetings with waves, had to leave while showing the gathered crowd a harmonious appearance. That was what Assad’s secretary desired.

As the secretary wished, Assad briefly kissed Cayden’s cheek. But the words that followed were something only Assad desired.

“I pledge eternal love to you.”

Assad uttered Helio’s marriage vow. It was an eternal pledge that ended with a short sentence. Cayden had already heard it a year ago.

But the pledge Assad now spoke was different from what he had recited emotionlessly during their wedding ceremony, which they had been pushed into by God. Noticing this, the tip of Cayden’s ears turned red.

Still, Cayden had no greed. He harbored anxiety in one corner of his heart that wouldn’t easily be erased. He didn’t love himself and was often trapped in negative thoughts.

However, Cayden trusted Assad, his only companion and friend. That trust taught Cayden how to dream of the future.

Cayden imagined a grown child standing between him and Assad in the years to come. He imagined them happily waving to the grateful people below. It was a scene that made him happy just by picturing it.

“I too… pledge eternal love to you.”

Unable to meet Assad’s gaze, Cayden awkwardly responded.

But soon he gathered his courage and raised his head. Cayden smiled at Assad. It was a bright smile that emptied Assad’s mind.

Unable to hold back, Assad pressed his lips against Cayden’s. It was a somewhat moist kiss, different from what his secretary had desired. But to the people far away, it looked only like a pleasant kiss.

At the moment of the kiss, the bright yellow flowers held in people’s hands were thrown toward the sky, carrying affectionate blessings. A thunderous cheer accompanied them.

<Beautiful Bride, Main Story End>