Chapter 84 - The Grand Wedding (Part 4)

Chapter 84 - The Grand Wedding (Part 4)

Mew Rouen was a prominent figure among the world's ascetics. Though the Mendicant Order he belonged to had deep entanglements with the Church, Mew Rouen himself rarely interacted with it, leading an exceedingly austere life. He strictly adhered to the tradition of sackcloth and bare feet, dedicating himself to quiet, harsh cultivation.

He was practically an idol to nearly all ascetics. Wherever he went, reverent followers gathered to listen to his teachings. No one doubted that Mew Rouen would be canonized as a saint by the Church after his death.

That Ethel Holovin had managed to secure such a 'living saint' as an ally!

The implications were staggering, so much so that among the numerous nobles present, not a single one dared to interject lightly.

Another melodious bell chime echoed, signaling the grand royal wedding had finally begun.

Two small figures, perhaps only thirty or forty centimeters tall, with fantastical golden wings sprouting from their backs, flew into the great hall of Gerhard Palace first. They carried flower baskets larger than themselves, giggling and flitting up and down, showering petals everywhere in a joyous flurry.

These were Pixies, creatures of legend in this world.

Pixies were a unique intelligent species. They had their own kin but no settlements, their own culture but no civilization.

Inherently innocent and carefree, Pixies abhorred almost any form of constraint. Their actions were dictated almost entirely by mood; if an environment displeased them, they would simply vanish on the spot.

Yes, vanish on the spot.

No cage or ritual could restrain this peculiar ability of the Pixies to disappear instantly.

This power, akin to spatial teleportation, seemed random and uncontrollable. Even the Pixies themselves didn't know their destination. Perhaps upon reappearing, they would find themselves on another continent entirely.

Fortunately, Pixies had no particular destination in mind anyway. They could happily adapt and continue their giggling lives in almost any new environment.

Therefore, seeing Pixies gathered in groups or settled in one place was virtually unheard of in this world.

Finding a Pixie was purely a matter of luck. Interacting with one depended entirely on the Pixie's mood.

The fact that the royal family managed to find two Pixies for Henry Holovin's wedding, and persuade them to dutifully act as flower children, spoke volumes of the effort invested.

Musicians struck up melodies celebrating life and love. Stepping over scattered snowflakes and fragrant petals, today's newlyweds – the Oran Emperor's nephew, Henry Holovin, and his bride, the daughter of Duke Bonan, Anne Paste – entered the hall together.

Henry Holovin held his chin slightly raised, his face beaming with triumph.

Anne Paste—oh, soon to be Anne Holovin—had skin like polished jade, her cheeks flushed, presenting a picture of shy happiness.

Once the ceremony began, Charlotte, pulling along Laina who didn't want to be watched over by Ethel again, made her way to the Mellerfield family's table.

Beside Charlotte now sat her older brother, Andre. Watching the woman he considered his 'underground girlfriend' walk down the aisle with another man, he looked as though he might turn a shade of melancholy blue.

Her cousin, Monica, stood with arms crossed, gazing envyously at Anne's splendid attire, likely imagining her own wedding day.

There were many young nobles like Andre and Monica present. Beautiful, romantic love and marriage were, after all, things their age group yearned for.

However, in stark contrast to these youths, the slightly older nobles wore tight frowns and somber expressions, their thoughts clearly elsewhere, not on the wedding before them.

Beneath the sweet wedding music, flowing like milk and honey, surged a dangerous undercurrent, threatening to swallow everyone present at any moment.

Lost in joy and bliss, the couple approached the foot of the throne. Emperor Leopold slowly descended, placing a red floral crown symbolizing courage and wisdom on Henry's head. Queen Mary followed, placing a white floral crown symbolizing purity and chastity on Anne's head.

Archbishop Kontao, holding a copy of the Codex, stepped forward to offer blessings on behalf of the Lord God Ignis to the newlyweds.

Charlotte noticed that Archbishop Kontao's Codex was once again tattered and worn—undoubtedly another book that had accompanied the Archbishop for many years...

This feels like product placement, Charlotte thought wryly. Henry ought to ask the Archbishop for an advertising fee.

Archbishop Kontao's words were carefully chosen but slightly long-winded. As he concluded, the nobles raised their glasses in unison, offering toasts to Henry and Anne.

Normally, the wedding banquet would commence at this point, allowing guests to enjoy food, music, and dance. However, today was special. After the luncheon, there was another crucial event scheduled – Emperor Leopold would bestow the golden crown, symbol of the Crown Prince, upon Henry at the Great Cathedral of Radiance. Therefore, the guests couldn't yet fully relax and indulge freely.

Besides, many guests probably lacked the mood or appetite for feasting anyway.

After sharing a couple of drinks with the guests, Emperor Leopold excused himself, citing discomfort and the need for rest. He temporarily left the hall.

The guests expressed understanding; it was widely known that the Emperor's health was indeed poor.

Leaving the noisy wedding hall for the quiet solitude of his study, Leopold finally stopped suppressing the fury raging within him.

Crash!

Emperor Leopold shattered an expensive glass vase that adorned the study.

"Bastards! Those hypocritical liars! I'll kill them..."

Leopold roared hoarsely, but after only a few shouts, he doubled over, leaning heavily on the desk, gasping for breath – "Heh... heh..." – his weakness undeniable.

About three months prior, the Church and Emperor Leopold had struck a deal. The Church would support Platinum City's side in the matter of succession, in exchange for Emperor Leopold supporting the Church's large-scale demon trial activities within the Oran Empire.

Leopold had readily agreed.

In fact, ever since Leopold's father's reign, the Oran Emperors and the Church had maintained consistently good relations and cooperated tacitly.

This time, too, it seemed his collaborator hadn't disappointed him initially. Over a month ago, the Church had presented Leopold with substantial evidence concerning blasphemy committed by Ethel's eldest son, Gregory Holovin, demanding Gregory face a demon trial.

Leopold had been inwardly ecstatic but had requested the Church temporarily hold off. His plan was to conduct Gregory's blasphemy trial during Henry Holovin's wedding, right in front of all the Oran nobility. Whether Ethel and his son attended or not, it would serve as a major blow to the Gato Kingdom and its supporters.

But now, just as the moment arrived, the Church had suddenly reneged.

Leopold did possess evidence of Gregory's blasphemy, but it had all originated from the Church. Now that Archbishop Maitland Kontao and the 'living saint' Mew Rouen were willing to vouch for Ethel, the evidence in Leopold's hands lost all credibility.

Queen Mary came up behind Leopold, gently patting her husband's back in distress.

"Maitland Kontao... Maitland Kontao... I truly underestimated him! Right, right, Ethel personally attending Henry's wedding was strange enough, and I didn't suspect a thing. It seems the Church and my dear uncle have been colluding for some time..." Leopold's weak body trembled slightly as he laughed, a self-deprecating sound.

Suddenly, a drop of darkened blood dripped from the tip of Leopold's nose.

Queen Mary's face changed drastically. She hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood away.

"Ethel, Madachi, Alphonse, and now the Church is added to the list... How many days do I have left? Why? Why can't these people just stand still and let me deal with them quietly! How many days do I have left? Cough, cough, cough..."

Leopold grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, and the nosebleed began to flow like a stream.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please don't say any more! You must rest now, please rest," Queen Mary pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.

Leopold snatched the handkerchief from her, pressing it against his mouth.

"Gag..."

He spat out a large mouthful of blood. Leopold stared blankly at the black blood he'd coughed up, seeming to realize something horrifying.

He slumped onto the soft chair, his face as white as paper.

Queen Mary panicked, turning to summon the court physician immediately.

But Leopold suddenly remembered something crucial he had to do, something he hadn't done yet. He managed to shout, "Stop!"

Bewildered, Queen Mary returned to her husband's side.

"No... no time..." Emperor Leopold was fading at an alarming rate, dark blood seeping from his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. "Close... close the city gates... Henry... suc-succeeds..."

Back at the wedding hall in Gerhard Palace, Charlotte was eating dessert – actually, two servings, because Laina suspected the palace pastry chef was male and refused to eat any.

Just then, that persistent pest Henry Holovin suddenly appeared before Charlotte again, accompanied by his new bride, Anne. He raised his wine glass with a smile. "Are these refreshments to your liking, Miss Mellerfield?"

Like a stubborn piece of gum, Charlotte rolled her eyes inwardly. She was just about to make a snide remark to Anne, suggesting she keep her husband under control, perhaps with a leash. But as she looked up, Charlotte happened to see a knight hurry into the hall. The knight approached her grandfather, Ethel, bent down, and whispered something briefly.

Although Ethel tried hard to control himself, the drastic shift in his expression was impossible to hide.

After hearing the message from his subordinate, Ethel made his decision almost instantaneously, rising to leave the hall. As Ethel departed, his followers, though still unsure exactly what had happened, quickly rose and followed him out.

The abrupt departure of Ethel's faction caused a small commotion among the guests.

Charlotte ignored Henry standing before her. In that brief moment, she had clearly sensed Ethel's initial shock morphing into excited elation. Her mind raced, trying to deduce what news could possibly elicit such a strong reaction from her grandfather.

Being blatantly ignored by Charlotte like this, Henry gradually grew annoyed. "Miss Charlotte, don't you know it's incredibly rude to ignore someone when they are speaking to you? Is this how the Mellerfields teach etiquette?"

As he spoke, Henry shot a sideways glance at Jose Mellerfield, who was calmly sipping wine nearby.

Jose Mellerfield showed no reaction yet, but Laina, sitting beside Charlotte, couldn't resist interjecting, "When someone clearly doesn't want to talk to you, you should have the basic sense to back off. Didn't Emperor Leopold teach you that?"

Emperor Leopold...

The name jolted Charlotte fully awake. A highly probable scenario flashed through her mind – Leopold had met with misfortune!

Leopold was already deathly ill, and the Church's 'June Molt' ritual was known to be a flawed, second-hand procedure. It wouldn't be surprising if the Emperor passed away at any moment. And yes, Leopold's death would indeed explain Ethel's complex emotional reaction – shock followed by elation at the opportunity it presented.

If Emperor Leopold truly died at such a critical, delicate moment, then what would happen next...?

Charlotte finally turned her gaze fully onto Henry.

Henry, baffled by Laina's sharp retort (he hadn't met Laina before and assumed she was just Charlotte's maid), was about to reprimand her.

But Charlotte suddenly stood up, leaned close to Jose Mellerfield's ear, and whispered urgently, "Father, we should leave."

"Leave? Where?" Jose Mellerfield asked, somewhat confused.

"Leave the city immediately," Charlotte said earnestly. "Emperor Leopold may already be dead, but..."

As Jose Mellerfield listened to Charlotte's whispered explanation, his expression gradually grew serious.

When Charlotte finished, Jose Mellerfield also stood up. He turned to his younger brother, Count Philip, and said, "I'm not feeling well. I think I'll return to the manor to rest for a bit, so I have enough energy for the ceremony at the Great Cathedral of Radiance this afternoon."

Count Philip didn't know the specifics, but Jose Mellerfield's serious gaze told him enough. He immediately understood and added with a smile, "Actually, I'm not feeling too well either. Must be from traveling through the snow these past few days. Since you want to head back and rest, brother, let's go together."

With both heads of the Green Plains Duchy delegation preparing to leave, the other noble guests from their region had little choice but to rise and follow suit. Charlotte pulled Laina along with them.

"Duke Green Plains..."

Henry felt bewildered by the Mellerfield party's sudden departure. He moved to block Jose Mellerfield's path, intending to ask a question or two.

But Jose Mellerfield merely glanced dismissively at Henry. Then, he raised a hand, pressed it lightly against Henry's chest, and gave a gentle push. Henry stumbled back several steps and would have fallen flat on his backside if not for a nearby servant catching him just in time.

Leaning heavily on the servant, Henry stared at Jose Mellerfield's retreating back, his eyes filled with utter disbelief. Ever since being taken under Emperor Leopold's wing, he had been surrounded by nothing but flattery and adulation. In all these years, no one had dared treat him with such blatant, near-humiliating disrespect.

However, Jose Mellerfield had already strode away, leaving Henry with only the sight of his diminishing figure, as if the push had been nothing more than a trivial, insignificant gesture.

The Mellerfield party exited Gerhard Palace and boarded their carriages. Before they could even leave the palace grounds entirely, they saw a troop of palace guards actively closing the massive gates.

"Palace gates are closed! No entry or exit today!" A guard captain blocked the carriage procession.

"Nonsense! Why are you closing the gates in broad daylight?" Jose Mellerfield snapped from his carriage window.

"These are orders..." the captain attempted to explain.

"I am the Duke of Green Plains! Even Emperor Leopold himself would not issue an order preventing me from leaving the palace," Jose Mellerfield declared haughtily. "Proceed! If anyone dares block our path, run them down!"

Faced with the Duke's authority and determination, the palace guards reluctantly parted, allowing the half-closed gates to be pushed open enough for the Mellerfield carriages and entourage to pass through.

Just then, a deep, mournful horn blast echoed from the depths of the Imperial Palace. It was answered by another, and then another...

This specific horn call was reserved only for periods of national mourning.

"Our Emperor... His Majesty has truly passed..." Looking back towards the palace, Jose Mellerfield sighed softly, his tone laced more with a sense of loss and sorrow than anything else.

"Even if His Majesty has passed, why are we in such a frantic rush to leave the city?" Count Philip asked. He knew his brother and Emperor Leopold had been friends since their youth. "We could stay for His Majesty's funeral."

Jose Mellerfield shook his head, his voice grave. "Charlotte told me one crucial thing: Emperor Leopold is dead, but the Crown Prince has not yet been officially appointed."