SWNOVELXO Chapter 195
I had never been married in my previous life.
But I did have a few friends around me who were married.
And reflecting on their words, they all said one thing.
“I came to my senses and everything was over. I have no idea how it all happened.”
Could it really be like that? It’s the most important moment in life.
I thought it was just that I would momentarily forget the process, and as time passed, I would remember everything.
But no, there was no exaggeration in their words.
“…”
When I opened my eyes, it was morning, and after blinking a few times, everything around me was ready with a little help.
Before I knew it, I was already at the venue for today’s wedding.
“Did they say the venue was specially arranged for the cathedral by the Church?”
It was probably a gesture of gratitude for driving Benito out and saving the Church.
Along with showing the Empire and the royal family, “We are this cooperative.”
Anyhow, the ceremony that was originally planned to be held at the Imperial Palace or our family home was taking place in the grand cathedral.
Thanks to that, the guests increased at least two to five times more than we originally anticipated.
I heard from Bel that both the Ministry of the Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs struggled due to the guest situation.
Indeed, considering the places I had been active in happened to be every country bordering the Empire.
Starting from Nobogord in the North, to Burgai, Kaden, Polrand in the East.
And the various kingdoms in the South, plus the new Benito. Lastly, there were DeGale and Ross Tanika in the East.
If you think about it, Nobogord and the Eastern Three Kingdoms Alliance must have grievances against me, right?
But seeing them come like this shows how powerful the title of the Emperor’s son-in-law truly is.
If I had been tied to the daughter of another noble family, they wouldn’t have reacted this much.
“Get a grip, get a grip.”
It felt just like when I first went to the battlefield. No, even more so—I felt my sanity slipping away.
The one blessing was that when I entered the wedding hall, my family and acquaintances welcomed me.
“You, who didn’t get nervous even when going to the battlefield, are now stiff at your own wedding.”
“It seems you weren’t nervous at all when you married Mother.”
As I threw a light joke, my father shook his head, adamantly denying it.
Mother was smiling next to him, but there was something behind that smile.
“I can easily see many of Father’s acquaintances here.”
“Now that the military’s tasks are almost finished, I managed to be here for your wedding. …Hmm. Your mother and I should prepare ourselves soon. Do well today without any mistakes.”
“Do you really think I would make mistakes?”
“Still, be careful. Your father sprained his ankle from being too nervous when entering on his wedding day.”
“Eek.”
What? I’ve never heard of that backstory before!
When I looked at my father, asking if that was true, he just cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact.
“Kael Oppa.”
When my parents vanished, Kaya timidly approached.
She seemed even more nervous than I was. Anyone would think it was Kaya getting married.
“Congratulations on your wedding.”
“Thanks, Kaya.”
“It’s amazing. My brother is getting married. It feels like just yesterday we were playing together when we were little.”
“Same here. I still can’t believe I’m getting married. I’m not dreaming, am I?”
“Shouldn’t you be asking me that? It’s rude to ask your sister.”
Oh wow, look at her casually calling Bel “sister.”
At first, she looked a bit awkward, but it seems they’ve become quite close.
Well, while I was off gallivanting around, Bel visited our castle a lot.
Since she would be the next hostess, it makes sense she’d familiarize herself with the place and get closer to the new family.
“Even if you get married, you will still be my brother, right?”
“Of course. No matter how old you get and become a grandmother, you’ll always be my adorable younger sister.”
“Hehe, don’t say I’m not cute when that time comes!”
“I promise I won’t!”
“Thank goodness!”
While I was chatting and laughing with Kaya, the next guests started to arrive.
Most of them were military personnel, but I spotted some familiar faces among them.
“Chief of Staff!”
“Congratulations on your marriage!”
The first ones were the 7th and 12th Legion Commanders, who fought alongside me in the East.
Those two are soon to be promoted to even higher positions, which is great news.
They had already secured promotions after winning against the Three Kingdoms Alliance.
And they also performed well in the Dedorant campaign, so it’s all but confirmed.
“Should I be calling you Duke now?”
“Wahaha! It seems so!”
The Northern 2nd Legion Commander, where I first served, and the 6th Legion Commander from the South, who fought with me when we took down Benito.
“Other Legion Commanders wanted to come, but they each had to stay at their respective posts.”
“I understand. You all took precious time to join us. Thank you very much.”
“We should be the ones thanking you. If it weren’t for the Chief of Staff, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this much. I still remember when we dealt a solid blow to the Three Kingdoms Alliance—it sends shivers down my spine.”
“Is that so? I nearly got cornered by Benito myself. Of course, the current Chief of Staff was there to wipe that worry away.”
As I chatted, memories from those times began flooding back.
Yeah, it was more impressive than when I was Chief of Staff.
The moments spent brain-storming with them on-site and preparing for what was next.
When I was first starting to gain fame across the Empire and bathing in glory.
“Hmm. What could you be so lost in thought about, my brother-in-law?”
But why is the Crown Prince over here? Shouldn’t he be with the bride?
As I asked that with my expression, the Crown Prince—no, my brother—wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
“I was going to go to Bel, but since my sister is there, I thought it better not to. I might end up suffering from two women at once!”
While I’ve never had that issue with Kaya, it certainly seems possible when thinking of the Crown Princess and Bel.
Considering that, my brother said that according to Bel, they always used to bicker.
More accurately, she attacked, and he would just defend or be on the receiving end!
“I happened to have nothing to do and thought I’d just watch you get surrounded by military personnel.”
“Those words from His Highness the Crown Prince hold weight. I’ve never seen so many military officials gathered like this. It’s more than I saw during council meetings back when I was Chief of Staff.”
“If someone hears this, they’ll think you’re no longer the Chief of Staff.”
“…”
Come on, just let it slide. You’re neither the Emperor nor the Crown Princess; why is my brother doing this too!
“And you can just call me Brother comfortably. How long will you keep calling me His Highness the Crown Prince like that? If Bel hears that, she’ll hold me in a lecture for over 30 minutes.”
“I apologize. I’ll correct myself. Brother.”
Even after more than 20 years, here’s an older brother being scolded by a younger sister—that doesn’t seem right.
Especially since it’s because of my brother-in-law, I should be treating him with more respect.
“Brother-in-law.”
“Yes, Brother.”
“The Emperor smiled a lot. Even though he sent his daughter away, he didn’t seem particularly sad.”
“…”
“Such expectations placed on you as a subject, and the great affection he holds as a father-in-law, so please appreciate that.”
“I will do my utmost for the Empire.”
“Don’t use such scary words, though. If my sister hears that, you’ll really have a hard time.”
Finally, the wedding began. It might well be the most splendid event in recent times.
Starting with the emperor himself coming to give the speech—it was already extraordinary.
I couldn’t even count the number of dignitaries who made it this far and the number of guests from foreign lands.
In the midst of that, I was merely standing there in a daze, experiencing it all with my body.
I need to snap out of it, I need to snap out of it. I kept thinking that, but it wasn’t easy.
Then, with the MC’s next words, I suddenly returned to my senses.
“Next, we have the entrance of the most beautiful bride in the world, Your Highness the Princess Isabelle Heldenberg.”
To preface, I’ve certainly seen Bel in her bridal attire before.
But as I watched her approach from a distance, it felt like the world simply stopped.
Beautiful, radiant—there weren’t words to express that moment.
“Kael?”
As we stood facing each other, Bel whispered cautiously.
Maybe my expression was a little too strange. Perhaps she was worried.
I smiled brightly at Bel to indicate that there was nothing to worry about.
Really, how did I even get here? I still didn’t understand how it all unfolded.
I always thought, “I was lucky.” It was merely an unbelievable stroke of luck.
Then I even thought I might have some decent skills of my own.
But looking at Bel standing beside me, my wife, I realized that wasn’t the case.
Yeah. I’m just incredibly lucky.
Everything I did seemed to go well, and here I am, married to such a beautiful person.
A genius or an advisor? There are misunderstandings I never even considered, and those persist even now.
I just did everything I could. I tried hard to draw out my best.
If there truly is a God, then he’s chosen to bless me with such extraordinary luck.
So, from now on, let’s continue as we have. Let’s not change.
“…Thus, I solemnly declare before all gathered here that the groom Kael Clausewitz and the bride Isabelle Heldenberg Clausewitz now enter into the bond of matrimony.”
As soon as those words finished, Bel suddenly grabbed me and pulled me towards her.
I heard my brother’s cheers from somewhere. Applause erupted, and bells rang.
Today, this moment, feels like it will forever remain etched in my memory more than any other time—more than even when I had major victories on the battlefield.