Gold Coin and Freesia - Chapter 11

But being nervous is a different matter.

Cordelia took a deep breath. Though it wasn’t very visible under the white veil, her chest, exposed by the neckline of her dress, rose and fell noticeably. The lace near her chest trembled like butterfly wings.

“Are you nervous?” 

Edwin, standing beside her, seemed to sense her slight movements and asked. Cordelia quietly lifted her head to look at him. Although her view was somewhat obscured by the veil, Edwin appeared quite calm.

“A little.”

Perhaps it’s because it’s his second marriage. This thought pricked her pride a bit. Cordelia was the only princess of Rochester. She had no reason to be nervous or feel inferior anywhere. Yet, here she was, on the verge of marriage, feeling as tense as a debutante at her first ball, while Edwin observed her with a calm demeanor.

“There’s no need to be so nervous.”

“You seem calm. Is it because this isn’t your first time?”

“It might not be as it seems.”

Cordelia’s words came out sounding sarcastic, which she immediately regretted, but Edwin responded smoothly without seeming offended.

“You don’t seem nervous at all.”

“This is my first time signing a marriage vow before a bishop and witnesses.”

His voice, as if understanding why she was upset, was very gentle.

“Please prepare for the entrance.”

Just as she was about to make another sarcastic remark, a priest approached, instructing them to get ready. Cordelia quickly straightened up.

“I will open the doors now.”

With another deep breath, the heavy doors, engraved with religious symbols, opened slowly. Nobles, members of the Tride family, the king, and the queen lined the path they were to walk down.

The full skirt of her wedding dress swayed gently with each step. The hem, embroidered with gold thread, swept the floor like a wave as she moved forward.

It finally felt real. She was truly about to become Edwin’s wife, and there was no turning back.

Matching Edwin’s stride, Cordelia focused hard to keep herself from crying. She could feel tears welling up and fought to keep them at bay.

“Please be seated, everyone.”

At the altar, Cordelia, holding Edwin’s hand, stopped. The bishop began to speak in a solemn voice. The guests, who had been standing, quietly took their seats.

“First, let us thank God for the honor of blessing the new beginning of Princess Cordelia, the most beloved in the Kingdom of Rochester.”

As the bishop offered a prayer, Cordelia glanced sideways to control her emotions. She noticed Edwin, who seemed to have gone unnoticed in his formal attire.

“Today, two children of God begin a new chapter. One is Edwin Tride, the eldest son of the Tride family, and the other is Princess Cordelia of the Rochester royal family.”

His slim, long legs were dressed in tailored trousers, his navy jacket adorned with gold buttons on the shoulders and chest, and a belt secured around his waist. A blue diamond tie pin, matching the one he had gifted Cordelia, completed his elegant look.

As the bishop conducted the ceremony, Cordelia found herself admiring Edwin’s appearance.

“Everyone present here today will be witnesses to this marriage.”

Sensing her gaze, Edwin glanced in her direction, meeting her eyes. Startled, Cordelia quickly looked away.

“These two must make a vow to each other.”

Edwin smiled faintly. The bishop, unaware of their exchange, continued his duties. He spoke about the sanctity of marriage, the importance of fidelity, and the responsibilities of having many children.

“Please sign the marriage vow.”

At the bishop’s gesture, a priest brought forth the vow and a pen. Edwin gracefully signed his name on the document. The sound of the pen scratching against the paper seemed thunderous in the quiet hall.

“Princess, please.”

With trembling hands, Cordelia took the pen and wrote her name beneath Edwin’s. After signing, she stared at the vow. It looked similar to the contract she once shared with Edwin.

“In the presence of many witnesses, you have made your sacred marriage vow.”

“Today, Edwin Tride and Cordelia Meyer Tride are declared husband and wife.”

Cordelia Meyer Rochester was no more. She felt an inexplicable urge to cry.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

The bishop smiled warmly, like a father giving away his daughter.

Edwin gently lifted Cordelia’s veil, revealing her face.

“I’ve been wondering what kind of dress you would surprise me with.”

“So, what do you think?”

“I’m not surprised, but I am delighted.”

His mischievous face moved closer, and soon Edwin’s warmth pressed against Cordelia’s lips.

Despite the intensity of her first intimate contact with a man, she felt no trembling from his lips.

***

With almost all the nobles in the capital attending the princess’s wedding, the reception was grand.

This wasn’t just any reception; it was a display of the king’s love for his daughter. It was also a statement that Cordelia and Edwin deserved respect from everyone.

Anyone who dared to disrespect them would face the consequences from either the royal family or the Tride family. Despite the monarchy’s diminished power, the king’s word was still law, and the Tride family controlled Rochester’s finances.

“Princess Cordelia’s dancing skills are as impressive as ever.”

“Edwin Tride’s dancing is top-notch too. He leads the princess well.”

Though they might behave differently away from the king’s gaze, so far, everything was going smoothly. The king watched Cordelia’s graceful movements with satisfaction.

“His dancing skills are quite something.”

He’s also adept at romancing. He frequently gifts the princess, chose her reception dress himself, and even gave her a jeweled brooch today, which she proudly wore.

“No wonder the princess fell for him.”

Now, no one doubted that Cordelia and Edwin had married for love.

In the middle of the hall, the new couple didn’t seem burdened by the attention. They were used to being in the spotlight. Cordelia had always been the center of attention, and Edwin was accustomed to the gazes his appearance attracted.

“……”

But today, there was one exception for Cordelia: dancing with someone as beautiful as Edwin.

“His reputation as the most handsome man in the capital isn’t just talk.”

She recalled someone’s admiring comment about Edwin. It had stuck with her because she felt the same.

“Too bad he’s already married to the princess.”

The beautiful man before her was now hers. It felt surreal.

“Oh……!”

But perhaps she was too focused on this fact, causing her to misstep. Cordelia’s eyes widened in surprise. Her feet tangled, and she began to fall forward.

Of all times, in front of everyone! Mortified, Cordelia’s face went pale as she tipped forward.

“Oh my.”

In that instant, Edwin moved closer, wrapping an arm around her waist to lift her.

As they spun lightly, her dress flowed gracefully in the air. The move was so seamless that the onlookers thought it was part of the dance.

“Thank you.”

Cordelia whispered. Edwin leaned down, his lips close to her ear.

“My pleasure.”

His breath was warm and gentle, slightly heated, making her ear tingle. But like a cat approaching and then retreating, he quickly moved away.

As the dance ended, so did the music. Amid the applause, Edwin kissed the back of Cordelia’s hand and stood upright.

“I just lost my step because I was thinking about something else. I never make mistakes like this. It’s really the first time.”

As they left the dance floor, Cordelia quickly explained, worried it sounded like an excuse.

Edwin laughed softly, as if to say he understood.

Whether it was genuine understanding or indifference, she couldn’t tell.