The pastor stood tall, as if ready to perform the duty that had been entrusted to him.
His eyes looked so focused and sharp, as if he didn't care where he was right now.
That gaze was like that of someone who didn't care who stood before him.
In other words, everyone in front of him had the same status.
No differences, no gaps, everyone was equal.
With a voice that sounded slightly hoarse, yet filled the entire hall,
"To ensure that tonight's wedding runs smoothly, I swear that I will carry out my duty to the best of my ability," said the pastor.
Then, I could see his gaze directed toward Luis.
It seemed that it was time for me to go to Rosa-chan.
Just as I thought, Vern-san also tugged on my clothes, signaling me to leave the room.
Slowly and without drawing attention, I exited the hall and went straight to Rosa-chan.
When I arrived outside, I saw Rosa-chan staring blankly at the door of the hall.
Like someone deep in thought, her gaze felt so empty and hollow.
I could guess that Rosa-chan's mind must be filled with anxiety.
But, I'm sure Rosa-chan must also be happy. It's impossible that she wouldn't be happy to marry Luis.
I clenched my fist, then walked toward Rosa-chan.
I stopped right beside her, but she continued to stare blankly ahead, as if she didn't notice me standing next to her.
It seemed that Rosa-chan had been daydreaming for too long. I had to do something to bring her back to her usual self.
Plak. I used my right hand to touch her head. I thought this would be the most effective way to wake someone up.
Although it doesn't always work, it does most of the time.
"Yukito-san…" said Rosa-chan, looking at me.
Now, she was no longer lost in thought. Her expression had returned to normal.
Her gaze also went back to normal, as if nothing had happened.
I immediately removed my hand from her head — no need to keep it there any longer.
"Are you okay?" I asked, still a little worried about her earlier.
"You seemed to be spacing out… and your eyes were blank…" I continued.
It's unusual for someone to drift off right before attending such an event.
"T-take it easy… I was just thinking about something…" replied Rosa-chan.
It seemed I couldn't force her to be honest. So, it's better that I just focus on my task.
Rather than pressuring her further, I could only do what I needed to do.
For her sake — and mine.
——
I stood behind Rosa-chan, then bent down to lift her veil.
Even though her dress only reached around her knees, her veil touched the floor.
So long, seriously. Was there no shorter one? Or maybe all wedding veils are this long?
The veil felt very smooth and soft to the touch, but what I didn't expect was that it was extremely thin.
Unlike her dress, the veil was slightly see-through, so it was more like a decoration.
It was so thin that I could see the back of Rosa-chan's body through it.
I listened carefully, waiting for the moment when Rosa-chan would be called to enter.
If I missed it, we might mess up the ceremony.
"Yukito-san… thank you… for accompanying me today," said Rosa-chan.
Hearing that made my heart feel so warm.
"I hope… we can live together again someday… so for the last time, please walk with me to the stage, okay?" asked Rosa-chan, turning toward me.
She smiled softly, but I could feel that it was a truly happy smile.
From inside, I finally heard the pastor inviting Rosa-chan to enter the hall.
"The bride, please enter," said the pastor.
Rosa-chan took a deep breath, then began to walk forward.
The door was opened from inside by several people, and I followed Rosa-chan's pace.
So we wouldn't get separated, and everything would go smoothly.
As we entered the hall, I could feel every pair of eyes watching Rosa-chan, who was now about to get married.
They were all smiling, and some couldn't believe that Rosa-chan could look this beautiful.
The king and queen also seemed in disbelief that their daughter had grown into such a mature woman.
Although it felt like I was the one being stared at, I knew they were all looking at Rosa-chan.
I also heard whispers from several people, wondering what I was doing there.
Well, it's only natural — I wasn't someone influential in this castle. Of course, they wouldn't recognize me.
But I was more surprised by Luis's reaction.
He stood frozen for a few moments when Rosa-chan entered the hall.
Behind me, I caught a glimpse of Vern-san smiling at me. Vern-san would surely be glad if this ceremony went smoothly.
Basically, once Rosa-chan stood before Luis, I would place the end of her veil on the floor.
Then, slowly, I would step back and leave the stage.
I'd take a detour, walking right along the wall toward where Vern-san stood.
If I walked down the middle again, I'd just be ridiculed and seen as inappropriate.
Yeah… no way I'd walk through the middle. They'd probably think I didn't know any manners, huh?
—
Once on stage, Rosa-chan stood and looked at Luis. The two of them now faced each other.
I gently placed the end of her veil on the floor, then hurriedly ran off the stage.
When I reached Vern-san's side, she patted my head.
I didn't know why she did that, but it seemed unlike her usual behavior.
Vern-san wasn't the type to easily show affection to others.
I stood still, watching Rosa-chan standing there on the stage.
Everyone was waiting for the pastor to continue the ceremony.
To calm myself down, I took a glass of water and drank it.
Yeah, I guess I wasn't completely ready to witness this wedding.
It was my first time seeing a wedding right before my eyes.
I had never attended one before, so it's only natural that my feelings were mixed, right?
"The groom, please recite your wedding vows," said the pastor, looking at Luis.
Rosa-chan held her bouquet of roses a little tighter. For some reason, I noticed it clearly.
Maybe in that other world, a 13-year-old girl getting married would sound strange and suspicious.
At that age, I was still in middle school. But she—she already had her own family.
I mean, if a wedding like this happened there, the law would definitely step in and cancel it.
——
"I swear to remain faithful to you, forever."
"In times of joy or sorrow, in sickness and in health," said Luis.
That vow didn't sound unfamiliar to me. Maybe because it was almost identical to the vows from my world.
Not that I wanted to criticize or anything, it just felt… ordinary.
"Well then, please place the ring on your bride's ring finger," the pastor continued.
Luis reached into the pocket of his suit, and I saw him holding a small box.
When he opened it, inside was a ring that looked truly luxurious.
It was the first time I had ever seen such a small ring with such an elegant design.
Luis half-knelt before Rosa-chan, then took her left hand.
"Rosalia…" said Luis.
Then, Luis placed the ring onto the ring finger of Rosa-chan's left hand.
And now, the two of them were officially husband and wife. Even though they hadn't kissed yet, that was enough.
If possible, I wanted to leave and not see what would happen next.
But… I did say I wouldn't run away again, didn't I?