IFAHWIPUTML Chapter 1

Prologue

"Do the two of you truly love each other and pledge to remain together for life?"

"Yes."

"……."

The answer flowed from him without a moment's hesitation.

Cold expression and all—which, let's be honest, wasn't exactly the look you'd expect from the happiest groom on the planet on his wedding day.

But satisfaction curved at the corner of his mouth. The kind only he could recognize.

Verasielle, on the other hand, just stared blankly into space. She was supposed to answer the officiant's question. Couldn't seem to manage it, though.

Because the second she said yes, there'd be no taking any of this back.

'Am I really getting married?'

You truly never could predict what life had in store.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined marrying him.

Of course, this was all her own choice, but still…

"Verasielle."

The voice breaking through the quiet made Verasielle flinch violently.

She slowly raised her head and took in the man standing before her.

Dressed in immaculate black ceremonial attire, he positively radiated "I'm the groom, this is my wedding" energy.

His face looked like something a sculptor had spent a lifetime perfecting—all sharp, precise angles.

Fierce eyes holding red diamond pupils, a nose bridge as sharp as a well-honed arrowhead, lips pressed firmly together beneath it.

Perfection itself, really.

Taller than most grown men with shoulders to match, he trained without fail every single day.

Thanks to that dedication, the outline of his muscles was visible even through his clothes—solid and devastatingly attractive enough to set any woman's heart racing.

And the ceremonial suit he wore? Made from the finest fabric by a famous designer's hand. The only one of its kind in the entire empire.

Not a speck of dust marred the surface. Not even the faintest wrinkle.

His usual pursuit of perfection and meticulous nature were on full display.

His outfit reeked of money. So did the dress she wore, for that matter.

The pure white wedding dress custom-made by a designer could honestly claim the title of most expensive dress in the world.

Made of silk with a subtle lustrous sheen, the off-shoulder design revealed rounded shoulders with the bust line adorned in silver thread lace, pearls, and ruby decorations—utterly extravagant.

The body-hugging mermaid fit dress featured hundreds of tiny pink diamonds sewn in, creating natural sparkle.

Ceremonial attire befitting the bride and groom from one of the empire's wealthiest families.

The ceremony was held at the temple, with guests limited to close relatives only.

"……."

Verasielle gazed wordlessly at Chayston calling her name. A faint smile curved his face.

"Won't you answer me?"

His tone came out remarkably affectionate. Infused with the kind of tenderness and devotion that would make any woman's heart flutter.

"Does the bride, Verasielle Prozier, truly love the groom, Chayston Halos, and pledge to remain with him?"

The officiant asked the silent bride once more.

With that question came a quiet voice from the guest seating—which was less than half full, by the way.

"Verasielle."

Her head turned toward the guests.

In the front row sat a small child dressed in a tailcoat, looking straight at her.

There was no backing out now.

With the money she'd agreed to receive, she could live without working for the rest of her life.

Just one year. One year and she'd never have to worry about money again.

"Hah... Yes."

"We will now proceed with the exchange of rings imbued with your love for each other."

At the officiant's words, the two retrieved their rings.

A ring set with a 19-carat pink diamond slipped onto Verasielle's left ring finger. Fit like custom-made shackles. Perfectly snug.

Following that, Verasielle placed a simple design ring with small diamonds onto Chayston's finger.

Chayston's expression turned thoroughly pleased—in that way only he understood.

"I hereby declare before the goddess Armican that these two have been joined together as husband and wife."

The officiant bowed before the goddess statue with sacred reverence.

Verasielle followed Chayston's lead, clasping her hands and bowing before Armican, the empire's goddess and guardian deity.

But Verasielle's face held nothing but worry.

Because it was finally sinking in that she'd actually married Duke Chayston.

"Hah..."

Verasielle flopped onto the wide bed in the room where she'd been left alone.

Long day. She'd been up since the crack of dawn getting dolled up, then the hectic wedding ceremony had finally ended.

But that wasn't even the end of it. Removing all the accessories she'd worn after the ceremony took another hour or so.

With dozens of hairpins alone, she'd had to endure the agony of having her hair practically yanked out before she could finally be free.

The servants bustled out, and the quiet that followed brought peace to her mind.

Her ears had suffered quite enough from all the noise and commotion all day.

Knock knock.

That's when she heard knocking at the door.

"Come in."

She answered without much thought.

Obviously it would be Tia, who'd said she'd bring warm tea.

"Are you ready?"

However, the voice that entered was distinctly deep.

No way Tia's voice sounded like that... Verasielle bolted upright in bed, startled.

"Wh-why are you here..."

Her eyes went wide.

An unexpected figure stood before her.

Verasielle's face flushed instantly at Chayston's extremely casual attire.

"What kind of getup is that?!"

She hastily averted her gaze, but the solid muscles visible between the thin robe made her cheeks burn.

"Perfect for carrying my bride, I'd say."

Chayston's shameless tone startled Verasielle.

"What?"

Carrying his bride? So that meant...

"It's our wedding night, after all."

Did he just say wedding night? This wasn't in the contract, though?

Actually, wait—why was he suddenly speaking informally?

Verasielle shook her head, wondering if her ears were malfunctioning.

"We're married now, so naturally we should spend our wedding night together. I've finished preparing—do you need more time?"

But the voice that followed pierced even more clearly into her ears.

Verasielle's jaw dropped at the shock, like she'd been struck in the head.

"N-no... What is this..."

Chayston took slow steps toward Verasielle as she stammered in shock.

One step. Another step.

Moonlight illuminating the darkness-swallowed room glinted off his muscles, visible in glimpses.

The muscle definition visible between the open front of his robe was devastatingly attractive enough to make anyone swallow hard.

Sculpted with such precision by the creator, solid and well-defined curves that made your mouth water...

Wait, no. That's not it. Verasielle snapped back to her senses and shouted.

"D-don't come closer!"

She backed away hesitantly as Chayston approached.

Not that there was anywhere to escape—the bed headboard immediately pressed against her back.

"Well, you don't really need preparation for a wedding night."

Chayston, now right in front of the bed, climbed over Verasielle's tensely curled body.

"Hng."

Verasielle held her breath in shock at the face suddenly so close.

"Don't plan on sleeping tonight."

A voice laden with suggestive allure filled the room.

Along with deeply colored red eyes, hot breath headed toward Verasielle's lips.