Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

“God! You have come, truly a god!! Ah, I believed, I waited in faith for your descent!!”

“Ah, well. By the way, young lady, no, Princess. What exactly is this ‘god’ you’re talking about? I’d prefer if you’d stop…”

“No, you are undoubtedly my god, the Earth Mother who saves this Dilz. Please, ease your speech and call me Reimia.”

“Stop it, Reimia.”

“As you wish, Elder sister Anastasia!!”

…W-what? What on earth is going on?

When the bride’s veil was lifted, it was Anastasia. My sister called her a god and was inexplicably clinging to her with tremendous enthusiasm.

No one else was making a fuss. The priest smiled gently without surprise, and the attendants of Granado Castle… somehow, they began to chat amicably.

“Well, that’s a relief. A grand happy ending for now.”

“Toppo, I’m so relieved, phew.”

“It was quite a tightrope walk, wasn’t it? At one point, I wondered what would happen.”

“Liar! Miss Tunic said the happy ending was guaranteed all along.”

“All’s well that ends well?”

“Can we go home now? I have to feed Zutaburo.”

“I’m hungry too. It’s about lunchtime. Can I eat my lunch now?”

“Everyone, wait a bit longer. The important time is just beginning. We must give our blessings to the bride and groom.”

“Should we book a second party?”

“Ceri wants to see the vow kiss!”

…What?

The only ones confused were me, the groom, and Crown Prince Lionel. Yet, as expected, my brother seemed to regain his composure quickly. He stood up and shouted:

“Scoundrels! Rockwell, Steiner! Throw that woman out!”

The knights drew their swords. But their blades did not turn toward us; instead, they crossed their swords, forming a wall in front of Lionel. It was as if they were protecting us from him.

“W-what are you doing? Are you defying the knight commander’s orders?”

The knights chuckled.

“Our knight commander has been Third Prince Ruifeng for years now. We intend to protect the commander and his wife with our very lives.”

“Even if the threat is the Crown Prince, Your Highness…”

“H-hey now…”

I was the one panicking. Because these two—Rockwell and Steiner—were a clerk and vice-commander, more like office workers. They only held swords for ceremony, and even together probably couldn’t beat my brother.

As expected, Rockwell’s legs were shaking, and Steiner, who was left-handed, was holding his sword with his right hand.

Rockwell glanced back at me and put a finger to his lips—a ‘secret’ gesture.

“It’s your fault for not properly watching over your subordinates. Learn from blind Norman.”

Anastasia muttered.

“—Royal guards!!”

Lionel yelled. Normally, elite knights under my brother would rush immediately. But today, not even a sound in agreement came. The chapel fell silent, and near the entrance, Mio-chan snorted.

“There’s no one here. You yourselves sent the master and Lady Marie away earlier. Since Cyrus Granado is a master of the steel sword, Lord Richard alone wouldn’t be able to restrain him.”

“E-even so, some must have stayed behind! Where are they?”

The priest answered.

“Our sisters invited them beyond the door. In this chapel of peace and the sacred engagement ceremony, iron armor would be too uncouth.”

“W-what did you say?”

“They said, ‘Two knights and my sword alone are enough, we don’t need protection from fools like you,’ and the guards believed it easily. Truly reflective of His Highness’ usual behavior…”

Then the priest made a hand sign, looked up to the sky, and muttered:

“Serves you right.”

Lionel staggered. The fury and frustration made him dizzy. Clutching a chair to steady himself, at last, he called for help from the man he trusted most.

“…Where is Richard?”

Yes — my second brother has always been by Lionel’s side. His right arm, legs, eyes, and ears.

He is an unassuming man. No beauty, no social skills, no sword talent, used well as the Crown Prince’s support. He conducted research in place of Lionel, bringing him all information. Thus, he knew all of Lionel’s plans.