.jpg)
The white wedding attire he had dressed in since morning to welcome his young bride was already a mess. This was because he had run wild after witnessing his bride being kidnapped by Rahan Norwich in the wheat field.
At that time, there were at least three subordinates who had been slapped and kicked while trying to calm Philod down. However, Philod's subordinates thought it was better to have him run wild in the wheat field.
“The wedding night has already been spent? What the hell were those knights doing while chasing them!”
Philod was now running around wielding an axe.
It was toward the end of the night when Iris Achen, who had been kidnapped, appeared with a man on her arm.
Normally, the monastery was a place where everyone slept by sunset, but because of the pursuit of Iris Achen, no one had been able to sleep.
It was then.
'Listen! I am Rahan Norwich! I have come to announce that as of today, Iris Achen has become my wife!'
A shout echoed through the quiet monastery. Philod's eyes widened as he raged in the courtyard. The Achen knights quickly leaped up onto the outer walls of the monastery.
There stood the rogue Rahan Norwich, having appeared on an Achen horse.
'Behold! She is now mine!'
The man declared with a smirk that he and Iris Achen had already spent their wedding night and that their marriage was consummated.
Philod's eyes turned red as he shrieked.
'Catch that bastard!'
The monastery gates flew open, and terrified priests and Philod's knights rushed out.
Iris Achen, with a pale face and disheveled appearance, was cradled in Rahan Norwich's arm.
Her cheeks were smeared with tears. Seeing that sight, everyone without exception believed that she had already suffered terrible things at the hands of Rahan Norwich.
'Impossible! How does it make sense that they spent their wedding night while being chased by my knights!'
Philod jumped in rage, but Rahan Norwich sneered from atop his horse.
'The Achen knights, who couldn't catch us even though we were just a stone's throw away—did their legs break?'
As it turned out, Rahan Norwich had been holed up in an inn in Vandel, right nearby, with the girl.
The mistake had been thinking that because he left so noisily on horseback, he must have fled far away.
The women from the Imperial family supported Iris Achen with pale faces.
Meanwhile, Rahan Norwich dismounted and handed the reins to an Achen knight with a sarcastic remark.
'The horse was put to good use.'
Eventually, Philod could not contain himself and slapped Rahan across the face.
There was a loud thwack. However, the right hand of Grand Duke Lacheize and the notorious rogue of the generation merely had his head turned; he didn't budge an inch.
Philod shrieked again.
'You scoundrel! Do you think I don't know that the cursed Grand Duke Lacheize played tricks on the affairs of House Achen!'
'Ah, my sister doesn't know about this. What a shame.'
Rahan shrugged his shoulders, but his eyes glared. His hand had already moved to the sword hilt at his waist.
The red eyes glowed ominously. Philod flinched at the pressure.
Those red eyes, the kind only a magical beast would possess.
They were the reason why Rahan's biological mother, Countess Norwich, had abandoned him.
Of course, what made Philod shrink back was the fighting spirit of a knight who had cut down countless unbelievers of Til Nebe Cedric during the expedition, but there was no way he would know that.
It was then.
'Sir Knight….'
The one who stopped Rahan Norwich was Iris Achen, standing there with a pale face. Placing her hand on Rahan's and shaking her head, her gaze was clear.
Don't do it.
'Those bastards.'
Seeing this, Philod's eyes tightened. Everyone knew that Iris Achen's mother was a collateral relative of Grand Duke Lacheize.
That woman, blinded by the throne, had clearly interfered with his marriage. Damn it!
In the meantime, the Imperial maids took Iris Achen inside the monastery to verify if Rahan Norwich's words were true.
And, back to the present.
“Damn it!”
Philod wanted to throw the axe he was holding at Rahan Norwich right this instant. However, he was afraid that if he provoked Rahan Norwich any further, he might be cut by that sword.
Ultimately, the sparks flew toward Abbot Wilbert, who had been quietly observing the situation from the side.
Philod turned toward him and protested loudly.
“Listen here! Abbot Wilbert! What on earth is happening? How could the monastery's defenses be this lax! How will you take responsibility for my bride being stolen?”
But the white-haired priest only shook his head as if he were apologetic.
“I am also merely bewildered by these events, Lord Philod Achen.”
“Don't play dumb with me! I will certainly appeal to His Majesty the Emperor regarding today's events and ensure you pay a fitting price!”
However, that was only possible if the marriage was successfully carried out.
Philod had to worry about his own life first. If he reported that his bride was stolen right before his eyes, how wildly would his father, Herbert, rage?
Please, Eridrahan.
* * *
However, the heavens were not on Philod's side.
“…I am sorry, but it appears that Lady Achen has spent her wedding night.”
The moment Lady Esselheim, the expressionless maid of the Empress, came out and spoke those words, Philod clutched the back of his neck.
“Lies! Examine her again!”
“Lord Philod, son of Achen. It is useless to say such things. We have already completed three examination procedures. Otherwise….”
Lady Esselheim frowned and narrowed her eyes as she asked back.
“Are you suggesting that I, who came under the orders of His Majesty the Emperor, dare to disobey His Majesty's orders and lie?”
No matter how arrogant Philod was, he couldn't help but flinch at those words.
No matter how much he was the son of the powerful Achen Elector, he could not challenge the authority of the Emperor.
Lady Esselheim was the closest maid to the Empress, and this trip to Wind Rock Monastery was carried out under the direct orders of the Emperor.
Thus, it was no wonder the lady reacted that way. She continued calmly.
“No matter how many times we examine, the result is the same. I clearly state that the marriage between Iris Achen and Sir Rahan Norwich has been established.”
But he could not bear the injustice.
'Where exactly did it go wrong?'
It was his marriage. And then suddenly Grand Duke Lacheize pops up. Surely the Emperor isn't taking their side?
It was then.
Lady Esselheim glared toward Rahan and spoke.
“However, separately from that, as one who received the orders of His Majesty the Emperor, I cannot help but suspect that Grand Duke Lacheize was involved in this matter.”
Philod's face brightened.
Exactly!
There are seven Electors in the Foldenbach Empire, but there are specific power players among them.
The Achen Ducal House is one such example. The next Emperor that Herbert is pushing for is Elio Foldenbach, the younger brother of Grand Duke Lacheize.
Although the title of Grand Duke was taken by his sister, Yvette, no one could match him in terms of legitimacy.
The Electors pushing for Elio are the Achen Ducal House, the Marquess Karacal, and the Margrave Norwich.
Rahan's step-sister, Grand Duke Yvette Lacheize, was not originally close to the throne, but she had made herself close through her own abilities.
Furthermore, the whole world knew that she was someone who wanted to be close to the throne herself.
The Electors pushing for her were Archbishop Victor and the Count of the Court.
What if Yvette, who was at a disadvantage in the Elector votes, played a trick on the Achen Elector's house?
For instance, if she married Iris Achen to her right hand to ensure the Elector title was passed down….
“I believe Grand Duke Lacheize sent you on the Expedition of Glory six years ago, Sir Norwich.”
Lady Esselheim looked straight at Rahan and spoke.
“From my perspective, I cannot help but suspect that your second expedition is this marriage.”
In short, it was a question asking, 'Did Grand Duke Lacheize order this?'
.jpg)