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The breeze was pleasant. One could say it was a perfectly chosen day for a wedding.
However, atop the monastery's bell tower, the face of Priest Marid, who was lifting Iris's bridal veil, looked as miserable as a dog caught in an autumn storm.
"Poor thing."
Priest Marid was a man who had practically raised Iris on his back since he himself was a young boy.
That was why he looked as if he were on the verge of tears.
Why is he like that on such a wonderful day?
Today's bride, Iris, beamed a bright smile.
"Why am I a poor thing, Priest? This is the first time I've ever worn such a lovely dress. Isn't it gorgeous? I bet Liana from the village below has never worn anything like this."
As she spoke, Iris lightly lifted the hem of her skirt.
The silk, as fine and beautiful as a dragonfly's wing, was of such high quality that not only the villagers below but everyone in the vicinity had never even seen the likes of it.
It was only natural that Iris's wedding dress was luxurious. After all, Iris was to become the bride of House Achen, the Elector.
It was a family of immense power, capable of even electing the Emperor. In fact, it was more surprising that the wedding of such a family was taking place in this remote monastery.
But at those words, Priest Marid's eyes grew even more moist.
"Damn it. So you're happy? You're actually happy?"
As he spoke, he gave Iris's shoulders a few light, playful slaps.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!" Iris winced, pretending it hurt, yet she continued to smile.
"Why not? The priests found me two grooms, so of course I'm happy. Otherwise, I would've remained an old maid and never gotten married."
"That's because you were originally meant to be a priest!"
Priest Marid shouted loudly before slapping his forehead with a sigh. But he wasn't wrong.
Iris was already twenty.
For others, it was an age where they might have already had two or three children, but it wasn't too late an age to take priestly vows.
However, that had now become someone else's story. Because she had to get married.
There were many complicated circumstances as to why Iris, who had intended to become a priest at the monastery, was suddenly getting married, but for now, those would be omitted.
The only important fact right now was this:
She had two grooms.
Of course, she wasn't setting up a honeymoon home with both of them.
'If I did, wouldn't I be struck by lightning by Eridrahan, the Sole God of the Empire?'
Iris peeked outside the bell tower.
The vast wheat fields below the monastery were glowing golden, awaiting harvest.
Red poppies bloomed profusely alongside the wheat under the blue sky, and in the middle of the field, a circular patch where the wheat had been intentionally cut stood out. The path leading down to the village was beautiful, covered in wildflowers.
The reason only the center had been cleared during the harvest season was obvious.
It was to be used as the wedding banquet hall.
The figures moving in the distance like ants were likely the monks, the village women mobilized from the town below, and the servants of the nobility.
The dark silhouettes moved busily, erecting the altar and carefully spreading sand across the ground. Their shouting voices carried on the west wind, reaching the bride and Priest Marid atop the bell tower.
"Good heavens! Who uses that kind of cloth for a wedding? Bring the lace cloth used for worship!"
"What's with these flowers? Bring more!"
Countless figures scurried across the banquet hall. However, among them, there were some who remained particularly still.
One person standing in the center caught Iris's eye immediately.
The sparkling, first groom.
Philod Ahen.
To add a note, it wasn't that the man looked sparkling in Iris's eyes specifically.
To be precise, Philod was physically sparkling.
His head.
"...That shameless, bald old man..."
Priest Marid, who had approached Iris's side in the meantime, muttered a curse.
That was right. Philod, Iris's first groom, was around her father's age.
And he was bald.
Iris looked down and agreed.
"Right? Auntie Laura is carrying such heavy things right next to him. What's wrong with helping her a bit?"
The priests of Wind Rock Monastery, including Priest Marid, had been vehemently opposed the moment the marriage between Iris and Philod was decided.
While the reasons for their opposition weren't simply due to his age and bald head, those were certainly the biggest reasons.
At first, Iris thought it couldn't be helped, but looking at it now, Priest Marid's opinion was correct.
Even though the elderly Auntie Laura was struggling to carry boxes right beside him, Philod was merely standing there with his hands behind his back, acting pompous.
"What a bad person! He looks strong, too."
"Iris... it's not that..."
Priest Marid looked at Iris with an expression as if he were staring at something strange. A sigh followed: "Good grief, we raised the child only within the monastery... what are we to do with her?"
"Anyway, don't pay him any mind. What you need to focus on is the real groom who will arrive soon. Understand?"
Priest Marid, shaking his head, gave her this warning.
Iris gave a silly grin.
"The kidnapper?"
"You shouldn't put it like that! Hmm..."
Priest Marid pondered for a moment and then let out a sigh. It seemed he couldn't find a more appropriate expression either.
"Sigh, what can be done. You're right. This is a kidnapping marriage."
Indeed. Iris's second groom had agreed to come and kidnap her.
What this meant was:
Priest Marid and Abbot Wilbert could not tolerate that bald old man, who didn't even practice respect for elders, becoming Iris's husband, so they had found a young new groom.
The problem, however, was that the bald old man was a person of considerable power.
To reiterate, Philod was the son of the Achen Elector, the Duke. Thus, after much deliberation and discussion, it was decided that Iris would be kidnapped today.
Specifically, by the second groom.
"Iris, don't be scared. I heard he's strong and handsome."
Priest Marid, saying this, looked more scared than she was. Iris tilted her head.
"I'm fine. I'm not scared at all."
If there was anything she was worried about, it was where the second groom would enter.
Wind Rock Monastery was built atop a rocky cliff, so there was only one path leading to it.
And in front of that path lay the wheat field to be used as the wedding venue for Philod.
If someone tried to ascend to the monastery, they would inevitably be exposed to Philod.
In that case, kidnapping would be difficult.
"Don't worry. Your 'real groom' is a brave knight. He said he would secretly climb up the monastery's cliff."
Is climbing up secretly usually a virtue of a brave knight?
Iris became curious, but she didn't bother to ask.
Priest Marid was the type of person who created worries even when Iris didn't ask, and she didn't want to add any more to his burden.
Furthermore.
"In a little while, when the time comes, I'll go down to lower the rope for the 'real groom.' You'll really be okay, right?"
As expected, Priest Marid spoke in a voice full of anxiety. He then walked to the opposite side of the bell tower and glanced down the cliff from the railing.
Iris walked beside him and looked down the cliff as well.
It was a sheer, dizzying drop. Below lay a small rocky coast and the vast, open sea. Since it was the western edge of the Empire, there would be no one to rescue anyone who fell into that sea.
"You're right. If the 'real groom' falls from that cliff..."
"Goodness, don't say such scary things!"
Priest Marid was horrified. It was understandable. Iris replied in a regretful tone.
"The people in the village below will have a hard time..."
"Huh?"
"Village Chief Ben told me before that if someone falls off the cliff, it takes four days just to recover the body. Did you forget?"
Priest Marid's expression turned serious.
"Iris. I really didn't want to say this, but..."
"Please, go ahead."
"Your groom is going to have a hard time with you."
Iris burst into laughter.
"Oh, come on. You priests didn't find it hard while raising me."
"I wonder."
Priest Marid pretended to ignore her. But Iris knew.
She knew how much Priest Marid, who had raised her on his back since childhood, adored her.
She knew how much Abbot Wilbert cherished her, even if he didn't say it. The other priests were the same. All the priests of Wind Rock Monastery loved her, thought her lovely, and cherished her.
"Oh my, look at the time."
That was why she felt sad.
She had wanted to live peacefully and happily with the priests for a long time.
"Iris, I'm going to go out and lower the rope now. You stay here. I'll be back quickly. And..."
Priest Marid hesitated before speaking.
"No matter what happens, remember that God loves you."
Iris smiled.
"Of course. I believe that too, Priest Marid."
But she couldn't say the next words.
Priest Marid. But you know...
If God truly loves me, wouldn't it have been right to leave me in this monastery?
I, truly...
She closed her eyes without thinking further.
Generally, brides marrying in the western region were said to go up the bell tower on their wedding day to pray for God's blessing and a fruitful married life.
Since she had come up to the bell tower under that pretext, she felt she should at least pretend to pray.
So, Iris prayed instead.
"Eridrahan, since things have turned out this way, please just let me be kidnapped safely."
She was sincere.
Meanwhile, at the cliff below the monastery.
"Damn it, why is the monastery located here?"
Rahan Norwich, a Tang of the Grand Duchy of Lacheize and Iris's second groom, was groaning as he climbed the cliff.
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