ITD

CHAPTER XLlll

“The Empire’s light, its sword, and its protector…”

The grand temple was packed with guests, but Courtney’s view was limited to the dull face of the elderly High Priest standing before her. Sunlight streamed gently through the stained glass behind him, casting warm rays into the room.

Despite the warm summer weather, the anklet she wore kept a cool breeze flowing beneath her dress. Having woken up at dawn and rushed around all morning, now listening to a boring sermon, Courtney found it hard to stay awake. Her heavy head began to bob slightly when she heard a quiet chuckle beside her.

“Feeling sleepy?”

“No.”

Courtney feigned indifference, though she had clearly been caught. She blinked rapidly, trying to force her head upright. Falling asleep here would be an absolute disaster, especially with so many eyes on her back. The bride falling asleep during her own wedding would certainly be embarrassing, though Richard didn’t seem to mind in the least.

He discreetly signaled the High Priest with a hand gesture—an irreverent throat-cutting motion. Knowing the Crown Prince’s temperament well, the High Priest seamlessly transitioned to the next part of the ceremony.

“And now, we will ask the bride and groom…”

No one among the guests seemed to notice the abrupt end to the sermon. After all, no one had been paying attention to it in the first place.

Feeling relieved that it was almost over, Courtney straightened her posture. The High Priest glanced at the Crown Prince, then continued smoothly.

“First, to the bride.”

Courtney nodded, her white veil swaying gently.

“Do you vow to take this man as your husband, to cherish, to love, and to fulfill your duties towards him?”

It was a standard question, the usual vow in any wedding ceremony. Courtney answered without hesitation.

“Yes, I do.”

“And now, to the groom.”

Courtney turned her gaze toward Richard, assuming nothing out of the ordinary would happen. But the High Priest’s next question made her doubt her ears.

“Do you vow to take this woman as your wife, to cherish, to love, and to obey her?”

Courtney’s face went blank. It sounded normal at first, but upon closer inspection, the vow felt utterly bizarre. There was no question as to who had orchestrated this.

The culprit gave a sly smile and answered confidently.

“Yes, I do.”

Fortunately, no one else seemed to find the vow strange. After all, who was paying attention to the exact wording of the vows? Switching the roles of the bride and groom could easily be passed off as something a traditionalist priest might say.

Having achieved his goal, Richard beamed, while Courtney glared at him with all the force she could muster.

The ceremony concluded without further incident. Richard slipped a ring on her finger—a gem nearly the size of her eyeball—and the High Priest promptly declared the marriage official.

As soon as the Emperor finished his congratulatory speech, the maids quickly whisked Courtney away to the palace. There, she was dressed in a red parade gown and seated in an elaborate carriage.

To others, it might have been a grand event, but for Courtney, the wedding was nothing but a whirlwind. She barely had a moment to catch her breath as she collapsed onto the plush seat of the carriage. Soon after, Richard, now dressed in his white ceremonial robes, joined her. Without bothering to sit up properly, she greeted him in exhaustion.

“You’re here… Please, have a seat. I’m completely wiped out.”

As always, Richard wasn’t one to fuss over small matters of etiquette. He sat across from her with a smile and responded cheerfully.

“Yes, Honey.”

What?! Courtney nearly choked. She was still trying to get used to people addressing her as ‘Your Highness’, and now this?

Does he expect me to call him that too? she thought nervously, glancing at him. But Richard, unbothered by her reaction, flashed a mischievous smile and continued.

“So, did you change your panties?”

Again with the panties!

Courtney snapped.

“Mind your own business!”

“If you keep wearing wet underwear, you’ll catch a cold. It’s bad for your health.”

“I already changed them!”

Courtney blurted out defensively, lying without a second thought. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to ask the maid for a fresh pair of underwear, but Richard didn’t need to know that.

Yet, rather than accepting her answer, Richard gave her a knowing smirk.

“Really?”

“Yes, now drop it!”

“Hmm…”

Richard rubbed his chin with a thoughtful expression. Courtney, feeling a pang of guilt, quickly averted her gaze. The carriage began to move, and Richard wasted no time sliding over to sit next to her.

He wouldn’t try anything in here, would he?

She glanced nervously at him. Leaning in close, Richard whispered in her ear as if revealing a great secret.

“I know you’re lying. The whole carriage smells pleasantly of your arousal.”

Courtney’s face flushed a deep red. She wanted to retort, to tell him he was spouting nonsense, but her lips felt sealed shut. What if he’s right? Her heart pounded in her chest as she stammered a weak reply.

“D-Don’t say such ridiculous things.”

“I’m not joking. The moment I stepped inside, this happened.”

Richard licked his lips slowly and slid his hand over his crotch. Thanks to his loose waistband and the chastity belt, it wasn’t as obvious as before, but the suggestive look on his face left no doubt about his excitement.