Dong–dong–

Blue velvet covered the marble floor, and I walked along it.

The person walking beside me matched my steps, moving forward in unison.

However, as if to underscore the loveless nature of this arranged marriage, our hands did not touch even once as we walked side by side.

We passed down an aisle decorated with flowers on both sides and stopped before the priest.

He offered us his blessings through a simple ritual.

The only guests present were knights, servants of the estate, and a handful of nobles.

Although both our families held the title of Count, this wasn’t a marriage of firstborns or second-borns, so the ceremony remained modest.

Dong–

We stood facing each other.

The man’s tall stature, fiery red hair, and annoyingly wide smile came into view.

Without that foolish grin, he’d undoubtedly be a perfect example of beauty.

Though the wedding ceremony was simple, the attire was anything but.

The pristine white formalwear and the intricate gold embroidery shimmered as if light were emanating from within, creating an almost ethereal illusion.

I could feel the gazes turning to me, dressed in the same attire.

Their eyes held traces of regret and pity—perhaps because, with my composed expression, I must have appeared the more handsome of the two.

“Please, join hands,” the priest instructed.

He extended his hand, palm up, and I placed mine gently atop it.

It was the first time I felt his warmth, but it stirred neither nerves nor emotion within me.

“Do you, Klen Valuncio, take Adrian of the Caldrich family as your partner, to honor and cherish for life?”

“I do.”

Of course, his voice was as striking as his face. Its rich timbre caressed the ears, almost lulling one into a trance.

Dong–

“…!”

But before I could succumb to the sweetness of his voice, the low, resonant chime of a bell rang out, striking my ears sharply.

That bell must be from the tall tower outside the temple.

While it’s fitting to announce the wedding, does it really need to be this loud throughout the entire ceremony?

“And do you, Adrian Caldrich, take Klen of the Valuncio family as your partner, to honor and cherish for life?”

I opened my mouth to respond to the priest’s words.

Refusal wasn’t an option; this was a pre-scripted play, the answer already decided.

The bright sunlight streaming through the arched windows behind Klen was blinding.

Though the atmosphere was decorated with artificial brightness, my heart couldn’t help but sink.

I tried to gather my scattered thoughts, forcing the words stuck in my throat out into the open.

Dong–!

“… Ugh!”

Suddenly, a bright flash erupted before my eyes.

A powerful, hammering vibration struck my head, and all my senses abruptly disconnected.

The stage of this farcical play plunged into darkness.