After graduating from the Academy of Magic, I returned to the Marquis de Grandeur's estate to attend my brother's wedding.
The wedding between my brother and Tria was a grand affair, with the festivities lasting for three days and three nights.
"Uuwuwu. Tria, you look stunning. Please be happy."
"You would cry no matter who got married, wouldn't you?"
I put the handkerchief offered to me to my eyes.
"It's nice to see people happily married."
"Hey, when is big sister and Fluffy getting married?"
May pulled by my skirt.
The seven-year-old Mei has grown even taller and is a beautiful girl, even if you subtract our bias as family members. In the future, she will become an extraordinary beauty.
"Eh--!? Well,......, maybe after things have settled down a bit more?"
I'm going to start working at a magic clinic.
Of course, Leon will come with me.
"Hn~"
May gave a quizzical look.
The wedding with Leon would take place only after we established the necessary groundwork.
The following day, she and Leon headed out for a walk in the woods, a place that we fondly remember.
I had planned to invite Marie too, but she declined saying she had something to attend to.
“Leon. I want to rebuild the old Grandeur castle. May I?”
"That castle originally belonged to you. Do with it what you will."
"You used to be so reluctant when we were younger."
I chuckled, and Leon turned his head to the side.
"Ah, that was because Rio wasn't good enough yet."
"What do you mean 'wasn't good enough'? You praised me for my ability to use magic well."
"I meant for a child."
Did Leon not see me as his 'beloved' when I was a child?
"I'm shocked. Perhaps I should stop talking to you for today?"
"You are as sulky as you were when you were a child."
I was so shocked that I didn't want to talk to Leon today. I am sure this kind of gesture is considered childish.
Soon the old castle of Grandeur came into view.
The castle needs to be rebuilt, but it must be magically restored to restore it to its former glory.
"Well, let's get started."
Rolling up my sleeves, I got into the swing of things.
"Milady! Leon-sama! Please come this way quickly."
"Oh? Marie."
She said she had something urgent to do, but has she finished her business already?
I looked closer and saw not only Marie but also Laura. Both of them looked as if they had been waiting for me for a long time.
"This way, miss. Come on, quickly!"
Marie pulled me inside the castle ruins.
Leon," she said. You go this way.
Laura pulled Leon in the opposite direction.
"What the! Let go of me, Laura. Rio!"
"Leon!"
What on earth are they trying to do?
I had no idea what was going on, but Marie pulled me along and we found what looked like a room in the ruins of the castle.
Was there such a room in the ruins of this castle?
"I've brought the young lady with me. Let's get to it!"
Inside the simple room, Mother, May, and Tria were waiting for us.
"Let's start with your hair and make-up. Rio, please sit here."
Mother patted the chair in front of the mirror.
"Eh-! What's about to start?"
"Just shut up for a while."
The makeup application was done quickly and the hair tied up in an updo.
I finally understood the situation when I saw the dress that Marie had prepared for me.
"Is that ...... a wedding dress?"
A large corsage of roses adorned the bust. A luxurious lace pure white dress with jewels sewn on it.
The clean mermaid line dress is from Sandorion based on the design.
Come to think of it, this is what Laura had meant when she came to take my size the other day due to my growth.
After changing into the wedding dress, Marie hung the veil over my head for the finishing touch.
"Rio. Here."
Mother took the ring from the ring finger of her own hand and put it on my ring finger.
"It was given to me by my mother, your grandmother."
"Such a precious thing? I cannot possibly accept it."
She gently placed her hand on my cheek.
"It's all right. It has been handed down from generation to generation. It is a gift from a mother to her daughter when she marries. Is this something old enough for you? Tria."
"Yes. Mother-in-law. Now it's May's turn."
"Yes. Sister-in-law Tria. Sister Rio, this is a gift from me. It's something new."
May held out a white handkerchief. The handkerchief is embroidered with roses with white thread.
"Did May stitch this?"
"Mother taught me how to do it, though I made some mistakes."
May stuck her tongue out.
The most important thing is that you can see that she has carefully made each and every stitch.
If she is this skilled at the age of seven, she will probably become a very good artist in the future.
"No, that's not true. This is amazing, May."
"This is from me. I will lend you a pair of earrings."
Tria put earrings in my ears.
"Perhaps something four?"
Tria nodded and shook my hand.
"Do you remember what we talked about when we were students? You told us that you wanted to wear 'Something Four' when you were in school."
I nodded. I remember Chris, Tria, and Angel talking about it.
Something Four is a jinx that says a bride will be happy if she wears four things: something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.
Tria had a real battle at her wedding with brother.
"Does Tria know about my situation?"
"Yes. Sieg-sama told me. I was surprised, but I thought there might be a reason."
Not only Tria, but also Angel seemed to have noticed something about it.
I knew I had to tell Tria and Angel at some point.
"No matter who you are, you will always be my best friend and sister-in-law. And I hope we will continue to be good friends."
I felt a warmth surge in my heart and squeezed her hand back.
"Yes, of course. Of course."
"Oh! I'm only lending you the earrings."
"I know that."
I giggled as Tria panicked.
"Then, the last, something blue is from me."
Marie handed me a bouquet. White casablanca and roses. White casablancas, roses, and small blue flowers.
"This is a blue star."
This flower is used as "something blue" in weddings. This star-shaped flower is said to bring happiness.
"Yes. In the language of flowers it is "happy love" and "heart to believe in each other." It is the perfect flower for Miss and Leon-sama."
I was filled with joy.
"Mother, May, Tria, and Marie, thank you. Thank you all."
"Come on, Leon is waiting for you. Let's go."
The courtyard of what appeared to be the castle ruins had been prepared and a garden had been created.
The garden was probably made in a hurry for the wedding venue.
In front, Father was waiting for me on the red carpet that was supposed to be the aisle.
Leon was already waiting on the platform.
"Rio, you are so beautiful. Ahh, marrying you would make anyone the happiest."
Father was already crying.
"Husband, please be strong. Please take Rio to Leon."
"I know, Ellie."
Taking Father's proffered arm, I walked down the aisle.
The love of my life is waiting for me at the end of this road.
How long I have dreamed of this day coming.
On the platform, Leon, with a gentle smile on his face, held out his hand.
"Katariona Yurie Grandeur. Do you swear to love León, god of the forest, as your husband forever?"
'Yes. I swear it."
Leon. To you.
I swear to love you forever.
Queen Christina, who was blessed with divine protection, was called the greatest ruler in the history of the Kingdom of Findalia.
It is commonly believed that it was the royal consort who aided the queen, but in fact, there were several collaborators behind the scenes. One of them was a countess, a close friend of the queen.
One theory is that she was a goddess, but it is still not certain.
--Excerpted from the History of the Kingdom of Findalia.
This is the end of the story.