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Once the veil was lifted, they would drink the ceremonial wine, and the matchmaker would come in to give them a blessing. A crowd would come in to receive blessing gifts from the couple, then Sophie would stay in the room while Rafael mingled with the guests. During the banque
Once the white veil was lifted, the matchmaker promptly removed it.
The couple’s eyes met, and each saw a breathtaking beauty in the other. In that moment, both held their breath.
Rafael’s heart raced faster. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from his bride’s face. She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen-like a fairy hidden beneath a rose tree.
Sophie gazed at Rafael with bright eyes, noting that he looked even more handsome than before. The griffin patterns on his ceremonial robes showed his high status. The usual coldness in his noble presence was absent, with only warmth and tenderness present in his eyes. Standing tall and graceful, he seemed like a divine being.
Both of them blushed and remained transfixed, reluctant to break eye contact.
Some things were wondrous-they both felt it in that shared gaze.
The matchmaker spoke up, “Your Highnesses, the ladies outside are here to receive their blessing gifts and share in your joy.”
That Sophie snapped out of her reverie. Were they not supposed to drink the ceremonial wine first? Before she could ask, a crowd surged into the newlywed suite.
Sophie was deeply moved to see Violet, Cynthia, Bun, and even Rod, who was standing at the forefront with a white and gold ribbon tied around his neck. Thus, the other young wives and ladies could only offer their congratulations from behind this barrier of four people.
After the congratulatory messages, many praised Sophie and Rafael’s union as a match made in heaven, describing them as a perfect pair who were both so beautiful. A flood of compliments poured in at the same time, accompanied by excited squeals, all astonished by the couple’s appearance that day.
In this situation, Sophie was more adept at managing the crowd than Rafael.
She smiled warmly and curtsied. “Thank you, all, for your blessings. Your kindness is deeply appreciated. Please drink a little more today. Lily, please distribute the blessing gifts so everyone can share in the joy.”
Lily carried a large bag, filled to the brim with small blue and gold pouches, each containing pairs of gold coins.
For a royal wedding, giving gold coins was not considered extravagant. However, the guests had seen the dowry items, which filled the entire side hall and even extended into the corridor. Even Helen was astonished by the sheer volume.
Most of those who managed to enter were the young daughters and ladies from influential families, who left after receiving their share of the joyous blessings.
But Rafael couldn’t linger in the newlywed suite for too long. As the groom, he needed to greet the guests. Reluctant to head out, he turned back three times before finally leaving the room.
As soon as he left, Lily sat down, rubbing her aching legs. It was a happy day, but it was exhausting.
Rod and Bun also needed to leave. With the groom gone, only female relatives could remain in the newlywed suite. Violet and Cynthia stayed behind, while Sophie’s female guild members stayed outside to entertain the guests.
From the way Adrian and Everett were behaving today, it seemed as though they intended to turn Hell Monarch Estate into their own domain.
ari, you look so beautiful today,” Violet said, cupping Sophie’s face, her eyes sparkling with admiration. “How do you manage to be so stunning? If someone else had your looks, I’d have to scratch her face. Cynthia laughed and commented, “There are many people more beautiful than you. Why haven’t you scratched any of them?”
“Shut up. Today, my guild had more flair than your guild. You need to wait until I’m finished talking to Sophie before it’s your turn,” Violet insisted, always eager to assert her superiority.
Cynthia refused to back down, determined to challenge the pompous aristocrat.
She sat on Sophie’s right side, turning her friend’s face towards her and making a few noises of admiration. “If I ever get married, I want to look this beautiful.”
Violet turned Sophie’s face back towards her with a huff. “Your face will never look as good as Sophie’s, no matter how much makeup you use.”
“Who says so?” Cynthia promptly turned Sophie’s face back towards her.
Sophie placed her hands on their shoulders. “Stop. I need to ask you both something. Did Sage Adrian say you couldn’t come to the city until my wedding? Is that why you only came today?”
Talking bad about one’s own master and others’ masters was something they did without any pressure.
Sophie raised her hand, sending her attendants out to stand guard at the door.
Violet, who was never one to hold back, said, “We’ve been here for two days, but we weren’t allowed to enter the city. It was your master’s order. We had to stay at a small inn in a town outside the city. There were so many thieves in that town. Fortunately, we had enough martial experts among us, so the dowry was safe.”
Two days ago was when Kyle had left. He probably did it to meet up with Adrian outside the city.
“But your master brought Winona into the city every day, from morning until evening. We don’t know what news they were gathering. Today, we waited outside the city around noon. When we saw that your dowry was about to depart, we hurried in,” Violet continued, adding, “I’ve never been so flustered, but it was also quite thrilling. It felt like we were at the center of attention of the entire city.”
“I’ve never seen anything like that. It was so lively! When my guild senior made the announcement for our guild, his voice was so loud. I’m sure everyone in the capital heard him,” commented an equally excited Cynthia.
Sophie raised her eyebrow and smiled. “That’s for sure.”
That was such an exaggeration. Didn’t they know how vast the capital was?
“The town was just too cold. The coal used for heating in the inn made our eyes hurt,” Violet grumbled. “I’m such a delicate person. You’re the only one whom we’d endure such hardship for, Sophie.” Violet always claimed to be delicate and constantly complained. But when it came to times that mattered, she never uttered a word of complaint.
“It wasn’t too bad, except that the food was terrible. The chef didn’t seem to be very skilled,” Cynthia added.
In every guild, there were always a few excellent cooks who made dishes that were delicious and well-presented. That was especially true for the Crystal Bloom Guild, which was famous for its Wood. Their guild was pretty much like a chef training camp.
Sophie’s eyes grew misty. “To have the guild leaders and so many apprentices stuck in that small town inn… I owe you all a great deal.”
“You’re not the one who has to repay it. Your master said that if any guild on the guest list doesn’t attend, the Pathfinders Guild will cut ties with them,” Violet said.
Cynthia chuckled. “The Beggar Guild wanted to come, but your master finds them dirty and disorderly, so he wouldn’t allow them to attend. The Beggar Guild leader must be feeling quite uncomfortable right now.”
“It’s better they don’t come. Seeing them will only make me angry. They clearly knew that some people were using their guild’s name to abduct children and turn them into thieves and beggars, yet they did nothing about it,” Sophie responded.
‘Since the Beggar Guild changed its leader, it hasn’t been the same. I hope they hold another election and choose a more capable person,” Violet commented before changing the topic and eagerly asking, “What’s it like being married to the marshal? He looked very handsome today. Your heart must have skipped a beat, right?”
Sophie rested her chin on her hand. “We’re just partners in life. He used to like someone, but that woman is married now. In fact, I suspect that person might be me, because his gaze today was different from before.”
Violet shot her a sidelong glance. “How did you come up with that idea? You’ve always been in Meadow Ridge and haven’t seen him much.”
“He’s Sage Everett’s apprentice. Although I haven’t seen him, he has seen me.”
“Well, if he saw you in Meadow Ridge, I can guarantee he wouldn’t have liked you. There are so many male apprentices there, but how many have fallen for you? They all avoided you. Only Rod and Bun are close to you, and that’s because Rod is poor and wanted to gain some benefits by being your friend.”
Sophie protested, “I’ve got the looks.”
“Being good-looking is useless. You were always falling and rolling around in the mud like a little monkey. Throughout the year, there were hardly any days when you were clean.”
As Sophie recalled her appearance at Meadow Ridge, the idea she had about herself was instantly dispelled. Indeed, who would like a mud-splattered monkey?
She had never thought that Rafael’s previous affection might be directed at her. But since she had felt a little flutter in her heart, she began to entertain the delusion that perhaps the person he liked who had married someone else was actually.her.
Hell Monarch Estate was bustling with activity today. Most officials and military officers of the fourth rank and above were there. Those who weren’t present were either at Silverstone Estate or Valor Estate. However, the main topic of conversation at Hell Monarch Estate wasn’t Sophie, the new princess consort, but rather the group of martial artists led by Adrian. His presence alone was enough to spark private whispers and speculation.