Chapter 60 - Union
“Hey, Melissa… Do I look weird?” Shirley asked with a sigh lacing her voice.
“Not at all. How many times are you going to ask the same question?”
Though Melissa scolded her friend, she still meticulously checked Shirley’s appearance one more time.
“You’re perfect. Your makeup, your dress, your hair… even the bouquet—everything.”
“Are my under eyes dark? I barely slept last night…”
Shirley frowned, recalling her restless night.
“The concealer did its job flawlessly. Stop worrying.” Melissa reassured her, holding up a mirror.
Shirley stared at her reflection, forcing herself to relax.
“I had no idea there would be this many people.”
She had left most of the wedding preparations to her mother—a mistake. “Just focus on your dress and bridal lessons, the guests will handle themselves,” the Duchess of Lafez had said. But true to her reputation as the socialite queen who adored parties and balls, the Duchess had orchestrated a wedding of staggering extravagance.
Damian’s mother, the Duchess of Elpart, had wholeheartedly supported her friend’s vision, letting her take full rein. Their husbands, naturally, had no objections.
As a result, nearly every noble in the Reichen Empire had been invited to the Elpart Ducal residence for the ceremony.
While their parents scrambled to prepare food and decorations for the flood of guests, Shirley and Damian spent their days leisurely—finalizing their attire, choosing honeymoon destinations—blissfully detached from the chaos.
Had she known this extravagant wedding awaited her, she would’ve protested sooner.
But it was far too late now.
“Of course it’s like this. Do you know how many people would’ve been offended if they hadn’t been invited?”
“I just wanted a small, quiet wedding…” Shirley sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
Once the ceremony ended, she’d have to personally write thank-you letters to every guest—a tedious task that already made her vision darken at the edges.
“The daughter of House Lafez and the heir of House Elpart holding a ‘simple’ wedding? People would’ve resented you for decades. Since we can’t avoid it, might as well enjoy it.”
Melissa grinned, clearly delighted by the whole affair.
“You look like you’re having the time of your life, Melissa.”
“Of course! How could I not be happy for my dearest friend becoming a married woman?”
“And even volunteering as my bridesmaid. I’m so grateful.”
“Don’t mention it, future Duchess of Elpart.” Melissa spun in a circle, showing off her sky-blue bridesmaid dress. “I made extra sure not to outshine the bride—what do you think?”
“Please, outshine me. I beg you. Just the thought of all those people staring at me makes me nauseous—I might actually throw up.”
“Oh dear. If that happens, rumors might spread that the highborn lady of House Lafez was already pregnant before the wedding.”
“……”
Shirley’s hand instinctively flew to her stomach, her face flushing.
“What, is there something you’re worried about?”
“N-No!”
She shook her head frantically, her expression a mix of panic and embarrassment.
“Be careful—your tiara’s slipping.”
“U-Uh-huh.”
As Melissa adjusted the crooked tiara, Shirley exhaled a quiet sigh.
Melissa’s joke wasn’t entirely baseless.
—
“Hey, Damian… what if I end up pregnant?”
That morning, after boldly seducing him in the Elpart Ducal residence, Shirley had sought him out the moment she woke. Unlike the day at the villa, Damian was still there—watching her with unbearably tender eyes, as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
Wrapped in his arms, she’d kissed him deeply, only for last night’s recklessness to crash over her like a wave. What if—?
“That… would be a bit of a problem.”
Damian’s suddenly serious expression made Shirley’s stomach drop. Was he still considering calling off their engagement?
After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“Both our parents would probably fight over who gets to raise it.”
—
Thankfully, her fears hadn’t come to pass—though she’d had nightmares of her belly swelling overnight.
So when Melissa, oblivious, made that joke, Shirley’s heart nearly punched through her ribs.
“All that drama about breaking up, and now look at you—getting married in a hurry. Sighing like the world’s ending. The Duchess probably knew you’d—”
“Melissa!” Shirley hissed, face burning.
Her friend blinked, then burst out laughing.
“Oh my God. You are worried!”
“I— That’s not—!”
Melissa leaned in, whispering gleefully, “Don’t tell me you two did something?”
Shirley’s silence was answer enough.
—
Just then, the doors swung open.
“Five minutes, Lady Lafez.”
Shirley’s breath caught.
No turning back now.
“Honestly, I still don’t get why you were making such a fuss back then—”
“W-Well, there were… circumstances.”
Shirley’s cheeks flushed crimson as memories resurfaced.
Knock, knock.
The sound of the door interrupted them. Both turned to see Terban stepping inside.
“……”
Melissa’s playful grin vanished instantly. Terban ignored his fiancée’s expression and walked straight to his sister.
“Congratulations, Shirley.”
He bent down, pressing a light kiss to her forehead before pulling back.
“Thank you, Terban.”
Shirley beamed. As the bride’s family, Terban was impeccably dressed in formal attire.
“Overwhelmed by the crowd?”
“More worried you’ll freeze up during the procession.” His dry tone somehow steadied her. Normally, she found his aloofness frustrating, but today, his calm was a relief.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
Shirley glanced subtly at Melissa.
“M-Melissa looks stunning too, right? People might mistake her for the bride!”
Terban’s gaze shifted to Melissa, who immediately turned her head away.
“The dress suits you.”
His voice was flat, but Melissa’s shoulders stiffened.
Silence.
Then—
“Tch.”
Melissa crossed her arms, refusing to acknowledge him.
Shirley sighed. Still fighting, even today?
But before she could mediate, the orchestra began.
It was time.
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