Published: August 15, 2025
Today, on this day.
I am taking as my wife the younger sister of the woman I once proposed to.
Her name is Marie Shadelan. She seems half in a dream, her steps light and unsteady. I take her hand and guide her.
The venue is not a church, but the grand garden in front of the Lord's Mansion. The vast space is filled with so many people that it feels crowded, all welcoming us with applause.
At the end of the stone-paved virgin road stands her father, Baron Gregor Chadelan, and the Imam and Qadi. Around them are Grandpa Kemal and Granny Belle. Also present are the caretakers who have been living with us these past few days, and even a large number of ordinary passersby who happened to hear rumors of the ceremony. At an Ipsandros wedding, anyone with a sincere wish to celebrate can join freely, even without an invitation.
The lively atmosphere sharply contrasts with the solemn marriage ceremony held in the morning. The caretakers are happily playing the Ips instrument, the saz.
Some of them seem already quite tipsy, singing and dancing freely. This is truly the Ipsandros spirit. I laugh and invite Marie to dance. After a brief moment of hesitation, she nods and begins to dance along with my lead. From the kitchen, more wine and food continue to arrive, and the guests eagerly swarm and consume everything in no time.
Amidst all the noise, Marie calls out to me loudly.
“So this is an Ipsandros wedding, isn’t it?”
“This is an Ipsandros wedding!” I reply, matching her volume.
Together, we sing, dance, and laugh heartily as we proceed down the virgin road.
Finally, we arrive before the priest—or rather, the Imam and Qadi. Holding a cup of wine in one hand, he raises his voice loudly.
“—Congratulations to the bride and groom!”
A huge cheer rises up. Without waiting for it to subside, he shouts even louder.
“—Let us sing blessings for the two! Let us dance!”
But almost everyone is already singing or dancing, or doing both at once.
“—Let us rejoice and enjoy this joyous moment together! Ha-ha!”
The Imam drinks his wine in one go and begins to dance with the sprightliness of the youngest among us.
After that, it turns into nothing more than a banquet. Everyone drinks, eats, sings, and dances—just enjoying the night through and through.
Yet, as always, the protagonist is the bride. Marie is quickly surrounded.
“Congratulations, congratulations! Ah, what a beautiful bride!”
“Ah, thank you very much.”
“Truly wonderful. So, who are you?”
“My name is Marie…”
“That dress is absolutely stunning! What are those white beads? So pretty!”
Marie doesn’t seem quite used to the Ips style wedding yet, looking a bit confused. Maybe she’s just naturally shy. Her eyes dart around, overwhelmed by all the well-wishers crowding in one after another.
“Marie, I’ll go get some food for you.”
I say this and step away from the crowd. Maybe she’d rather have a drink to moisten her throat? As I look around, my grandparents approach, each holding wine glasses in both hands.
“Congratulations, Cyrus. You were such a small boy, and now you’re getting married. Time sure flies.”
I came to Ips when I was twelve, but I hadn’t met my grandparents then. I believe I met Granny Belle just a week ago. When I mention this, she reacts with a surprised “Oh my!” and laughs softly.
“Is that so? How forgetful of me!”
Granny smiles gently.
“Our grandson is lucky to have such a beautiful bride. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes. But Belle, I was happy marrying you too.”
“Ah.”
That’s enough to make my thanks. They each hand me and Marie a glass of wine. Kemal gently taps my glass with his without letting a sound ring out, lowering his eyes.
“Truly, time passes quickly. The child of the daughter who ran away thirty years ago is now at the age for marriage… I too am getting old.”
“…Next time I come, I’ll bring Ryuu-Ryuu along.”
“No need. I have received a letter asking me to stay by her side as her husband isn’t well.”
Kemal’s voice is firm. But I doubt that’s his true feeling; he surely wants to see his daughter’s face. He’s a grumpy old man—I thought—but even Granny Belle nodded in agreement.