Published: August 15, 2025
Today, on this day.
I am marrying the man who once proposed to my sister.
His name is Count Kyros Granado. He gently takes my hand and guides me, mindful of my still unsteady steps and emotions.
At the end of the cobblestone virgin road, my father and the leader—the Imam and Qadi—await us.
The atmosphere is solemn. No sound, no one speaks.
Around twenty people occupy the guest seats. Mr. Kemal, Granny Bell, the caretakers who have been looking after me these past few days, and a little apart, my father. Everyone watches over us with reverent expressions.
When we reach the leader, he greets us with a gentle smile and solemnly opens his lips.
"…Um, what was it again?"
…
As he struggles, Mr. Kemal quietly approaches and whispers something into the leader’s ear. The leader smiles and says, "Ah, that’s right," then clears his throat, pulls out a parchment from his pocket, and stares intently at the written words. Perhaps due to old age, he brings it closer and then away several times before reading aloud.
"Oh… Bride Marie, do you vow to love your husband Kyros with all your heart and devote your life to him?"
I answered.
"Yes, I do."
The leader smiled happily, nodded, and turned his face toward Lord Kyros.
"Groom Kyros, do you vow to love your wife Marie with all your heart and protect her happiness for life?"
He replied.
"I vow. Without fail."
His voice was passionate, conveying words not merely ritualistic but from the heart.
This is a foreign country, Ipsandros. Different gods and cultures from Dilz. Yet, this ceremony had to follow our Dilz style because without divine approval, we cannot be officially married.
Therefore, we used an old church near the Old Royal Palace’s entrance to conduct a Western-style wedding. Ips is a cultural crossroads between East and West. This church apparently serves those who worship Western gods.
…Although the leader is supposed to be a messenger of Ips’ god… when I worried and asked, I was told, "Ips’ god is quite lax, so it’s fine."
Even if the Ips side is fine, I still worry about Dilz’s god. But well, as long as the marriage certificate is signed, I doubt the Dilz officials will come all the way to Ips to verify.
…This somewhat loose and casual approach might be more representative of an Ipsandros wedding than any formal ceremony.
Lord Kyros and I don’t care who from which country acknowledges us. We are the ones getting married. Our only wish is simple—we want to become husband and wife. That is all.
"Now both parties, read this document carefully, and if there are no objections, inscribe your names as approval."
The leader said as he handed over the parchment.
This is the official document brought from Dilz. Written in my mother tongue, I read it carefully.
Marriage Certificate
Kyros
Marie
The two hereby become husband and wife in the name of the holy gods,
establishing and protecting a new home,
and with boundless love for each other,
hereby pledge to live a happy life together.
"…Finally," Lord Kyros muttered to himself.
"…It’s been a long detour," I whispered too.
Then we each took a pen in turn and wrote our names.
Beneath Lord Kyros’ name was Alfred Granado’s signature. Beneath mine was blank. The leader raised his voice.
"Gregor Chadelan! Father of the bride, write your name here!"
Suddenly called out, my father furrowed his brow. For a moment, he pretended not to hear and tried to continue the music, but a caretaker nudged him with an elbow, making him frown. Reluctantly, he came over and wrote his name next to mine.
And so… finally, our marriage certificate was complete.
At last…
"…This isn’t a dream, right…?"
I reached out, tracing the parchment with my finger. As I slid my finger sideways, it brushed against Lord Kyros’ finger. He, too, seemed to be confirming reality with the same feeling. We exchanged glances and chuckled quietly. Ah, no matter how many times we missed each other before, in the end, we fit together perfectly like this.
"Now, both of you, the vow kiss—oh, pardon me. Have you already done it?"