Chapter 33

“Groom Ian Ruscliffe, do you swear to take the bride, Miss Vanessa Charose, as your wife and do everything she wishes for the rest of your life?”

At Crown Prince Tessa Decart’s question, Ian glared at him for a moment.

“Groom? Your answer seems a little slow.”

“…Yes. I swear.”

Vanessa could hear the sound of Ian grinding his teeth.

Are you going to break your jaw or something?

“Good. Now, bride Vanessa Charose, do you swear to take the groom, Ian Ruscliffe, as your husband and embrace him with love for the rest of your life?”

This is why I suggested we have a simple ceremony in the Holy Kingdom…

“I swear.”

With the wedding guests filling the vast hall, Vanessa had to swallow her breath countless times.

She had already endured several close calls.

The first had been when she saw what Ian had presented as their wedding rings.

She had nearly fainted when she discovered that the rings they had made together at the workshop had somehow been transformed into diamond rings.

No wonder he kept threatening to go pick them up himself.

The second had been when Denion, whom she had assumed wouldn’t make a move until after the wedding, acted so quickly that the three women hadn’t even been allowed to cross the threshold of the wedding hall before being thrown out.

Apparently, Ian had even intervened personally.

Vanessa had only thought that things outside seemed rather noisy.

It was her own fault for not hearing what was happening because she had been waiting for her entrance as the bride.

She should have seen it with her own eyes!

And then, finally, the third…

“Groom, kiss the bride as much as you love her…”

Tessa Decart.

The Crown Prince officiating the wedding was running wild like a colt that had broken free of its reins.

Good grief.

Until the very last moment, Vanessa had debated whether or not to invite the Crown Prince’s etiquette teacher—the same teacher who had taught her etiquette as well.

She had ultimately decided against it because the Crown Prince himself was officiating.

If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve invited him after all.

Vanessa glanced at Ian beside her.

He looked as though he could shoot a ball of fire straight at the Crown Prince at any moment.

But perhaps sensing Vanessa’s gaze, Ian immediately returned to his usual expression and let out a quiet sigh.

“…I’m sorry.”

After the brief apology, Ian approached her.

Vanessa reflexively closed her eyes.

Something touched her forehead and immediately pulled away.

“I would prefer to do the rest when we’re alone.”

At Ian’s words, Vanessa instinctively recalled the terms of their contract and let out a silent, incredulous laugh.

Even his refusal sounds so like Ian.

Still, it’s fortunate for me. This means I can focus entirely on my revenge.

Before she knew it, all that remained was the bride and groom’s procession.

Vanessa looked toward her father.

Seeing the overwhelming yet complicated expression on his face made the bridge of her nose sting.

In this life, please live a long time, Father.

Although your plans to have a knight order for your grandchildren have gone out the window.

With only a sheet of paper’s width between them, Ian and Vanessa slowly walked forward.

“…Is there anywhere you’d like to go for our honeymoon?”

Ian, who had been greeting their guests without even linking arms with her—the most ordinary gesture for newlyweds—suddenly spoke.

“A honeymoon?”

Vanessa replied while covering her mouth with her bouquet.

“I thought I’d need something to talk about at gatherings of noble ladies.”

At his emotionless voice, Vanessa looked at Ian.

That’s unexpected. I didn’t know he would think about something like that.

But Vanessa shook her head.

“No need.”

“…”

“We don’t need to pretend. If anyone asks, just say we’re both busy and haven’t gone on our honeymoon yet.”

“If it’s the two of us, wouldn’t that make it even more necessary to go?”

Ian’s gaze settled on Vanessa.

Unlike his usual expression, there was a faint crease between his brows, and Vanessa was the one who became flustered.

“…Are you serious?”

“Why would I lie?”

With those words, Ian fell silent.

At the end of the aisle, Vanessa turned her gaze forward.

Why would we need a honeymoon when we’ve covered our contract in restrictions against physical contact?

And because Ian’s unexpected barrage of gifts had ruined her plans to visit the North, she had to leave almost immediately after the ceremony.

She was still puzzled when she spotted a familiar head of yellow hair standing near the entrance to the wedding hall.

The moment she saw him, Vanessa curved her eyes into a beautiful smile.

For this moment, at least, she looked like the happiest bride in the world.

Look at his face.

His expression was so twisted.

He looks exactly like the marchioness. That makes it even more satisfying.

She wanted nothing more than to raise her middle finger at him.

But she had to restrain herself.

“If you don’t have anywhere specific in mind, then perhaps the place I mentioned before…”

“Do we really need to?”

Seeing Carlisle’s expression crumple like a sheet of paper when their eyes met, Vanessa kept a smile on her lips as she looked at Ian.

“You don’t need to go to that much trouble, Ian. Especially not for us.”

“…That’s different from what you told me.”

“…?”

Vanessa blinked, genuinely confused.

Had she ever talked about a honeymoon destination with him?

Even after quickly searching through her memories, she couldn’t think of anything in particular.

Well, if he said that, perhaps she had mentioned some place without realizing it.

“Don’t worry about what I said.”

Every time Vanessa spoke, Ian’s expression grew stiffer.

“I don’t intend to trouble you any more than this.”

She added that neither obligation nor responsibility was necessary, then gave him a faint smile as if to reassure him.

“Not necessary…”

Ian muttered blankly.

He looked as though he’d suffered a tremendous shock.

…I’ll tell him about going to the North later.

For some reason, she had a feeling that if she told him that as well, the relationship that had only just begun to grow closer would instantly become distant again.

“Can I ask you something?”

After the wedding, Vanessa packed a few simple belongings at the Charose residence.

The moment they climbed into the carriage, that was what Ian asked her.

Vanessa placed her luggage to one side and sat opposite him.

“What is it? As long as you’re not saying we should get divorced immediately after getting married…”

“Why did you choose me?”

“What?”

A brief look of surprise crossed Vanessa’s face.

“Why did you choose me as your marriage partner?”

“…Why are you suddenly curious about that?”

“Isn’t it something I’m allowed to ask? I agreed to a request that was practically unreasonable.”

Ian spoke in his usual emotionless tone.

Vanessa swallowed softly.

He’s right. He can ask.

But… why does he have to ask immediately after the wedding?

And why was he swallowing dryly as though he still hadn’t recovered from some kind of shock, something he never normally did?

Are we seriously going to stamp divorce papers at the same time we get married? If he was going to ask, he should’ve asked when we were dating…!

When Vanessa failed to answer immediately, Ian stared at her persistently.

Why had she chosen him?

Well…

“If it were you…”

Vanessa murmured uncertainly.

What am I supposed to say?

Because if it were someone like you, I thought Carlisle Leonard would keep relentlessly pushing for the marriage?

…No. No.

Judging by Ian’s eyes, if she said something like that, he looked ready to demand they sign the divorce papers immediately.

Then should she tell him the truth?

Your past is clean, your title is high, and since you’ll remain single in the future, you’ll be an easy person to divorce once my revenge is over. That’s why I chose you.

How could she possibly say that?!

While Vanessa struggled internally, Ian leaned back against the carriage seat and looked down at her.

“…I thought you’d accept without asking for a reason.”

At the excuse she had carefully chosen, the corner of Ian’s mouth twisted harshly.

“So anyone who didn’t ask for a reason would have been fine.”

“What?”

“Am I wrong?”

There was something that sounded almost angry in his voice.

But I can’t exactly tell him that his title is suitable, his past is clean, and since he’s destined to remain single in the future, he was basically the perfect groom!

She had tried to think carefully and come up with the best answer.

Was it the wrong one?

But this was a contract, wasn’t it?

She had simply chosen the option with the highest chance of success.

Ah, whatever.

The timing wasn’t ideal, but what could she do?

It was a little disappointing that the relationship they had only just managed to improve might become distant again.

Still, it was better to tell him this properly before he misunderstood her.

“…Because it would be troublesome if I developed feelings.”

Vanessa spoke with determination.

She had to take revenge.

Against the Leonard family—the family that had taken everything from her, killed her father, and eventually killed Vanessa herself.

A new love or fluttering feelings along the way would only be variables.

So she had simply chosen the best card available to her.

Ian Ruscliffe was a man who had remained single even as he approached forty.

Vanessa looked straight at him.

“That’s why. Because I don’t think you’ll fall in love with me.”

“I don’t think I’ll fall in love with you.”

Ian slowly repeated Vanessa’s words.

“You chose me for that reason…”

Ian’s gaze moved past Vanessa and settled on the window.

From then until they arrived at the Ruscliffe residence, he didn’t look at Vanessa even once.

…Was that a little too harsh?

No.

It was something she would have had to tell him eventually.

Regardless of her resolve, perhaps the reason she felt so uncomfortable was…

The frown between Ian Ruscliffe’s brows, as he stared out the window, simply wouldn’t disappear.