IYAMD: Side Story 2

The wedding ceremony was conducted in an ancient language. Jaha, unable to understand any of it, found it quite boring.

Having memorized the order of events in advance, he had no trouble following along, and as Marsilia made the first move, Jaha carefully followed suit. Soon it was time to sign the wedding vows.

Marsilia signed beneath the officiant’s name with his characteristic strong and elegant handwriting, and then it was Jaha’s turn.

For this signature, how many sheets of paper had been wasted over the course of a month, and how many pen tips had been broken?

Jaha, after calming his nerves with the same focus he had when he first took up a sword, slowly wrote his new name.

Sable Jaha D Arhen. The middle initial represented the name of the former Doton territory, which had just been changed to Dandelion. This change, along with the title of Archduke, would be officially conferred upon Jaha after the ceremony.

Marsilia had already introduced Jaha to several capable individuals, and Jaha selected a few to fill important positions within the territory.

The mansion of the estate was undergoing renovations, and staff such as the butler and housekeeper were being recruited by Ashton. Since Jaha wouldn’t be there often, it was planned that Malek or Gerald would occasionally visit to check on the estate and its conditions.

As for the knights who survived the rebellion, Jaha decided on their treatment. Their commander, Baron Odette Hill, would become the commander of the Dandelion Knights and protect the estate while overseeing the newly appointed managers.

When Jaha finished signing, it was time for the vow kiss. Jaha looked up at the approaching man with a gleam in his eyes and raised his arms.

He hooked his arms around Marsilia’s neck and lifted his heels, while Marsilia simultaneously wrapped his arms around Jaha’s waist. As their lips met, Jaha was pulled into Marsilia’s embrace, and as his body was briefly lifted upwards, it was soon pushed back, causing him to lean backwards.

Despite repeated warnings before the ceremony to keep the kiss short, it lasted far longer than expected, lingering and passionate.

Jaha, knowing that such a formality existed, had felt embarrassed at the thought of kissing in front of others. But once he inhaled Marsilia’s breath, he forgot everything and eagerly explored Marsilia’s lips.

As their tongues entwined and they licked inside each other’s mouths, Marsilia’s tongue several times brushed over the roof of Jaha’s mouth. The man, who had hesitated to touch the spot just a while ago, now moved without hesitation, boldly pressing his tongue there.

By the time they parted, breathless, they quietly smiled at each other, their eyes meeting just inches apart. Marsilia, as if not satisfied, gave Jaha another brief kiss on his lips, and Jaha moved his arms from around Marsilia’s neck to gently touch his cheek and ear.

Marsilia, who had been wearing a magnificent crown, was now bald on top. Looking around, Jaha saw that the crown, which must have fallen off at some point, was now rolling on the floor, trailing behind a thick cloak.

Jaha smiled faintly as he brushed aside Marsilia’s stray hair.

“What should we do now?”

Jaha whispered softly, and Marsilia, still smiling gently, asked quietly, “What?”

“I’m feeling a bit embarrassed now.”

“It’s alright. Just act shamelessly.”

Marsilia, as if determined to keep his word, kissed Jaha again. When they finally separated, Serez approached, as if waiting, picked up the crown, and held it out respectfully in his palm.

“Please place it on my head.”

Jaha sighed and then whispered, seemingly resigned, as he looked at Marsilia.

“You’re becoming more and more spoiled.”

“Because you let me.”

Jaha glanced at the shameless man before accepting the crown from Serez and carefully placing it on Marsilia’s head. After a brief kiss on his cheek, he stepped back.

Jaha knew that, despite everything, he was the one who spoiled Marsilia. But since his confident expression was too cute to resist, there was nothing he could do.

He was just too weak against the man in front of him.

After the wedding vows, Jaha’s coronation ceremony followed. The officiant poured holy water over Jaha’s head and recited a long blessing.

A faint green light, much weaker than Marsilia’s divine power, circled above his head before flowing down over his body. Jaha, though wanting to look back at Marsilia, restrained himself and quietly kept his head lowered, waiting.

Finally, the blessing ended, and a golden crown, similar to the one Marsilia had worn, was placed atop Jaha’s head.

The crown, decorated with gems the same color as Marsilia’s eyes, tightened around his head. Feeling its weight for the first time, Jaha sighed slowly.

The officiant handed him the scepter that symbolized the empress and helped Jaha rise. It was now time to step out with Marsilia and show the crown to the crowd.

When Marsilia reached out his hand, Jaha moved the scepter to his other hand and tried to take his hand. But as soon as Jaha’s hand touched Marsilia’s, Marsilia’s body sank down.

Kneeling on one knee, Marsilia placed his forehead on Jaha’s hand and spoke in a reverent tone.

“My life, my light. I swear that, apart from the goddess, you are the only one I will ever kneel before, both now and in the future. Until the day I die, I will trust and follow you, and I hope you understand that this comes purely from my love for you.”

After speaking in a much more dignified tone than usual, Marsilia lifted his head and looked up at Jaha.

Jaha, still stunned, couldn’t stop the heat that rose to his face, and he quickly blinked his eyes.

His face turned bright red, and he felt embarrassed, wanting to run away from the situation.

Why on earth did this man do such a thing? It was something he had never warned him about, and judging by the murmurs of the people around them, it seemed like it wasn’t an ordinary event.

Seeing Jaha’s flustered face, he narrowed his eyes and said, as if he wanted everyone to hear:

“You will be the most loved Empress in the history of the Empire. I swear on my name. Your enemies will soon be my enemies, and furthermore, they will become the Empire’s enemies.”

The faces of the nobles who had heard the Emperor’s declaration went pale. The Empress, who was unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Empire, seemed not to fully understand what was being said, but the nobles understood all too well.

The Emperor was openly swearing to give the Empress tremendous power.

He was showing everyone that even the highest-ranking individuals could kneel before the Empress. He declared that anyone who looked down on or opposed him would be treated as an enemy of the Empire.

What did that mean? It was a clear warning that they should be cautious with every word from now on. The Emperor, who had previously dismissed any jokes or gossip about himself, was now making it clear that he would not tolerate any jokes or slights regarding the Empress.

The nobles, who had enjoyed gossiping about the Imperial family in the past, were outraged by the Emperor’s excessive behavior. At the same time, they began scheming to align themselves with the Empress.

In the now-silent room, the Emperor slowly rose.

Thud. Purposefully dragging one foot, the Emperor stood rigidly and gently kissed the Empress’s hand, whispering sweetly:

“If there’s anything you want to do, whatever it is, it will come true.”

Only after hearing those words did Jaha realize there was a reason behind Marsilia’s actions. However, his flushed face did not calm down.

Jaha took a deep breath and maintained his composure as he whispered through his teeth:

“You should’ve at least given me a warning.”

Marsilia smiled brightly as though he hadn’t heard that and pulled Jaha forward while continuing to speak.

“I will follow you, even if you want to destroy the Empire. Just say the word, my love. Since you said you would be my sword, I will be your shield. Any sword directed at you will not reach you without first passing through me.”

Jaha, who had been staring at Marsilia’s face, sighed and let out a hollow laugh.

“That’s… reassuring.”

That last statement was a bit much. But seeing the pale faces of Serez and the other nobles around them, Jaha couldn’t help but smile.

After giving Marsilia a brief, sharp glare with raised eyebrows, Jaha leaned in and whispered just loud enough for him to hear:

“Even without your help, I was planning to do whatever I wanted.”

“Hahaha,” Marsilia burst out laughing loudly. He was so delighted that he couldn’t contain his laughter, and he led Jaha to a position where he would be seen by everyone.

The man, who had guided Jaha to a place where he would be well noticed by everyone, suddenly turned solemn and looked around at the crowd with a serious expression.

After a brief pause, Marsilia raised the scepter with a decisive and strong gesture, much like when he had raised his sword during the expedition ceremony.

It was as if declaring that a new era was about to begin.