The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 2 Part 4
He turned his back and headed towards the seat designated for the bride’s father. Though he was aware that his daughter had grown up, he couldn’t help but glance repeatedly in the direction of the bride.
At last, the chancellor began his ceremonial speech.
His heart thudded so loudly that it felt odd. Rahil thought it was fortunate he hadn’t held Anais’s hand but had her arms around her; his palms felt clammy with sweat.
Why on earth?
Their union was merely a marriage of convenience. The reason for this marriage was…
‘For Angelica.’
While there were various reasons, that was the ultimate one. Anais Ruol was a woman who didn’t get swayed by men and didn’t torment other women out of jealousy.
For the first time since Anais entered the wedding hall, Rahil, who was reminded of Angelica, felt bewildered. There was no reason to feel this way towards her; she was a spiteful and cold-hearted woman.
‘Is it because we got married… because she’s now my wife?’
Even if it was a marriage of convenience, a wedding was still a wedding. It was a significant event and having a wife could lead to emotional turmoil. But for his heart to flutter at the sight of a woman who looked at him with disdain was inconceivable.
‘Pull yourself together, heart. She’s not the woman to make you feel this way.’
The chancellor seemed relieved upon glimpsing Rahil sneaking peeks at the bride. Being aware of everything happening in the empire, he undoubtedly knew about the rumors circulating.
‘…Duchess Odesa requested to skip that part.’
Lest the emperor refuse and thereby inflict lasting pain upon Anais, who would become the empress, she had asked for that particular segment to be omitted. It was also a matter agreed upon with Lady Ruol.
“…do you, Emperor, take Lady Anais Ruol as your Empress…”
Lost in thought, Rahil hadn’t noticed the chancellor’s question. Responding affirmatively to the query if he would cherish her, Rahil then looked at Anais. She, with a solemn expression, replied with a Yes.
“Now, Your Majesty, please crown your new Empress.”
A servant approached with the tiara placed on a velvet cushion. Sensing his trembling fingertips, Rahil took a deep breath and gently set the tiara on Anais’s head.
“Under divine guidance, the two of you are now a couple, and this shall be an eternal joy for the empire!”
The chancellor’s blessing, heralding glory to the empire, marked the end of the ceremony. Only a select few, those not entirely immersed in the atmosphere, noticed that a customary step was missing.
Hey, what about the kiss? Aren’t they supposed to seal their vows with a kiss?
However, the musicians had already begun the wedding march, and the ceremony was formally concluded with the chancellor’s words and blessings. Whether Rahil, who missed the opportunity for a public kiss with Anais, was looking at her with curiosity or not, Anais tugged at his arm.
“Your Majesty, we should go. The wedding ceremony is over.”
Rahil, who was mentally prepared and waiting for that very moment, found himself being pulled into the crowd to accept their congratulations, somewhat flustered. The chancellor, having successfully fulfilled his duty, beamed happily, congratulating the new couple.
Though the ceremony had concluded, their schedule wasn’t fully over. While their honeymoon might be shorter than that of Duke Calix and his wife, they still had a week-long honeymoon planned.
But before that, there was the wedding reception. They had to stay in the palace for a day and also go through the wedding night. The thought made Rahil so preoccupied that he couldn’t pay attention to the congratulatory remarks from the guests. He even failed to recognize Angelica’s voice when she raised it in celebration.
This fact genuinely astonished Theodore. While Angelica seemed to brush it off without much thought, to him, it was genuinely a joyous realization.
‘Could it be that it’s not a marriage of convenience? Did he fall for her at first sight?’
Considering their first meeting was at Angelica and Theodore’s wedding, one might argue that it was destiny for Rahil.
The problem was Anais.
She might’ve just been nervous because of the wedding, but the look in her eyes when she saw Rahil didn’t hint at any particular affection.
In stark contrast to many ladies who shuddered at Rahil’s cold demeanor yet were swayed by his looks to act favorably, Anais’s response was different.
‘It’d be fortunate if Her Majesty the Empress grows fond of him too.’
Fearing that even his friend’s next romantic endeavor might not go smoothly, Theodore felt uneasy.
* * *
The wedding concluded with them exiting the Hall of Luminance and boarding a carriage waiting at the bottom of the stairs. They rode to the Emperor’s Palace, slightly detached from the main palace. There, they would change outfits and then ascend an open-top carriage, receiving an escort from the Royal Knight Brigade, for a tour around the capital.
She had already witnessed the crowds anticipating the celebration as she traveled from the Ruol Estate to the Imperial Palace. Along the way from the Ruol Estate to the palace, flowers were scattered, and excited chatter about the upcoming festivities echoed throughout the streets.
Anais, with the assistance of her maids, removed her wedding dress. Even though the event had a set schedule, they had ample time, so there was no need to rush.
After taking a short rest seated on a sofa in her undergarments, Anais stood up, permitting the maids to dress her.
The outfit for the festivities was gold in color, distinct from the white wedding dress. Given that it was similar to the color of her hair, she initially wondered if it might appear comical, but the shade was different enough to avoid looking odd.
‘Though I’ve already checked it.’
Nevertheless, out of a hint of uncertainty, she had requested another dress in a different color to be prepared. When Anais emerged from the dressing room, Rahil was waiting for her.
Without showing any displeasure, he extended his hand towards Anais. Now, the real strenuous part awaited. They would ride an open-top carriage, taking a tour around the capital to showcase her presence to the public.
At the end of the event, carriages filled with gifts would traverse various streets, distributing gold coins and sweets to children.
“If you’re exhausted, let me know. We don’t have to get through everything at once.”
“I’m fine.”
