Of course, the wedding march being prepared by my own son—how could I not be moved?

But it was also true that I couldn’t help worrying whether I’d break into a cold sweat again, since clearly I’d be standing before a crowd incomparably larger than before.

“Even if we’re fine with it, will Princess Veronia grant her permission?”

“That’s impossible to know. But since Lord Consort is here, she’ll probably pretend she can’t refuse.”

“Good heavens, a joint wedding ceremony with Princess Veronia? I can’t believe it.”

“I can’t believe I’m marrying you again, either. But let me warn you—if we marry twice, don’t go loving me too much.”

What is this feeling, as if it’s starting all over again?

“Why? Afraid I’ll disappear?”

“Yes. You can love me less, just don’t disappear.”

“So you’re telling me to love you a bit less now?”

“Yes…”

Once, he compared my excessive affection to a puppy named Happy; now that he’s truly fallen deeply in love with me, he tells me not to love him. I felt like teasing this man just once.

“Sorry, Sikar. I don’t think I’ve ever loved you that much until now…”

I half-expected his reaction—perhaps anger—but his words about loving me less seemed genuinely meant.

Simply put, Sikar beamed at me with an utterly delighted face.

“Well done. Admirable, Madam. Keep maintaining this attitude of not loving me too much from now on.”

I was utterly dumbfounded by such an unexpected response.

Yes. You’ve always defied my expectations.

“I’ve said it many times: without my wife, human Sikar is as good as dead. So just stick by my side.”

“But what exactly was my condition? Why did only Lady Seo Yeon disappear, while I remained?”

I thought I’d vanish immediately after Sikar’s curse was lifted, yet I still remained right where I was.

Ever since that day, while Sikar recovered his health, the question of why only I remained never stopped haunting my mind.

Sikar, deep in thought with his chin resting on his hand, suddenly lifted his head as if remembering something.

“Then, perhaps there’s a way for Seo Yeon to return?”

“I hope so. For some reason, I feel embarrassed facing Lord Marquis since I’m the only one left…”

“Why do you care about Reidox? It’s none of your business.”

“But from Lord Marquis’s perspective, Seo Yeon vanished while I stayed—how do you think he feels? How troubled must he be?”

“If you think like that, it’s because his capacity is so limited.”

While we sat there racking our brains, Vika entered and knocked on the open door.

“If you’re done eating, come out and talk with me?”

“There’s nothing my wife can’t hear—just come in and speak.”

Vika stood there arms crossed, gaze lowered, face full of dissatisfaction.

“It’s time to dissolve our oath as promised.”

Ah, right—we agreed to break the pact with Vika once Sikar’s curse was lifted. Is today the day it happens?

But Sikar yawned as if he had no intention whatsoever of honoring it.

“No.”

At those words, Vika’s eyebrows shot up as if his fuse had blown—he looked genuinely furious.

“No? Why not? Why?!”

“Because I still have things left to do.”

“Hey! Damn Duke! You never intended to release me from the start, did you? I deceived you at first about the Resurrection Tome, but in the end, I still brought you the ancient Resurrection Tome! You should keep your promise!”

Sikar turned his gaze toward Vika with an offended glare and snorted dismissively.

“But you deceived and toyed with me again—just moments ago! You haven’t forgotten tricking me by saying fifty years had passed, have you, Vika?”

Watching their exchange, I stared wide-eyed at this absurd conversation.

“Fifty years had passed…?”

Sikar grumbled as if he couldn’t bear the injustice.

“Vika used his slow aging to trick me into believing fifty years had passed and that my wife had become a hunched old lady.”

“Well, I just wanted to tease you a bit. But what we made was a promise!”

“I told you, Vika—I never forgive lies.”

“You’re good at lying yourself!”

True enough—he even lied to me about being dead. If we’re talking about skill in lying, no one can match him.

Sikar lifted his head with shameless confidence.

“My lies are always put to good use.”

“I can’t agree with that.”

“Whether you agree or not, if you want to break the contract, find Seo Yeon. Bring her back, and I’ll truly dissolve the contract this time.”

“She’s a vanished woman! Why won’t you let me go?!”

“That’s a question only stupid people would ask. Obviously, I’m keeping you because you’re useful. What other reason could there be?”

“Huh. I’m honestly speechless…”

“I was speechless too when you just skipped fifty years and tricked me.”

Vika sent me a pleading look, but since I knew Vika was necessary to find Seo Yeon, I couldn’t help him.

So I timidly averted my gaze.

“Promise in front of Madam. Promise you’ll truly dissolve it this time.”

“I promise.”

Sikar decided to assign private soldiers to accompany Vika—meaning he was determined to find Seo Yeon by any means necessary.

But Sikar wasn’t searching for her because of Reidox.

He wanted to precisely identify the conditions under which people with black eyes disappeared—to prevent me from vanishing.

The next day, Veronia and Valije visited the palace.

Having heard from Kian about our joint wedding, Veronia’s noble face was tinged with shy blush.

Even with embarrassment coloring her noble features, Veronia appeared even more dignified and beautiful.

Since Veronia hesitated to speak about our wedding, Valije began speaking on her behalf.

“As you’ve heard, that admirable King fellow has offered to prepare our joint wedding ceremony.”

“Yes, we heard too. Graciously, due to the King’s exceptional filial devotion, he wishes to hold a ‘remind wedding’ for us as well.”

“So I gladly granted permission. Veronia did too, of course.”

I could clearly imagine how much sweat Valije must have broken persuading the reluctant Veronia.

Even without him saying it, I felt I could fully comprehend his struggles.

“It’s truly an honor for us, Lord Consort. And regarding what we previously proposed—have you given it some thought?”

“What you previously proposed?”

Valije asked as if confused, but Veronia firmly grasped his hand—as if signaling she knew, so he should stay quiet.

“I noticed on the way here—the roses have all been replaced with daisies. It seems you haven’t given up on entering the palace.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Truthfully, we intend to return to the Duke’s manor. Not merely because we wish Your Highness to reclaim your rightful position—but because we ourselves wish to return. However, if we leave, the King will be alone in this vast palace.”

This time, Veronia didn’t reject it outright. She lowered her gaze as if pondering deeply.

Palace life wasn’t unpleasant, but it was true we wished to return to the Duke’s manor.

“For the King’s reign, it would be far more beneficial if Your Highness remained by his side.”

Seeing Valije subtly pressuring Veronia, it seemed he too wished to come to Kian’s side.

But Veronia answered exactly as before.

“I clearly stated I will not enter the palace. You all must guard this palace.”

Have we failed to persuade her again? I wanted to ask more, but Veronia’s expression was too solemn—I couldn’t bring myself to press further.

Valije, seeming to accept he couldn’t persuade her either, wrinkled his nose at us.

Veronia’s attention, however, seemed entirely elsewhere.

“But what exactly did the King say to the High Temple that made them drop the matter?”

“I heard he promised to obtain one hundred drakra of Sacred Grass.”

“One hundred drakra of Sacred Grass? Good heavens, I wonder if such a quantity even exists.”

“But what is one hundred drakra of Sacred Grass used for?”

This was something I’d been deeply curious about—I was practically grateful to Valije for asking.

Sikar seemed equally curious—he too looked at Veronia with questioning eyes.

“According to ancient texts in the Royal Library, obtaining one hundred drakra of Sacred Grass allows the High Priest to create one Resurrection Tome.”

Ah, so that’s it—Kian promised to procure it, and that’s why the High Priest dropped the matter regarding Sikar!

“But while it exists, it’s hard to find. Not just anyone can locate it—only priests or those possessing sacred power can.”

“That’s why His Majesty said he’ll search for it himself.”

“The King will search for it himself…”

Veronia smiled at us with a languid gaze.

“I’ll tell the King—I’ll search for it myself.”

“What?”

“We’ve relied too heavily on others. No, ‘relied’ is too mild—we’ve received excessive grace. Since the Duke ended up in such a predicament reviving my husband, it’s only right that I find it.”

Valije, listening beside her, nodded in agreement.

“I share Veronia’s view. We shall handle this.”

And I thought—now is the moment. If not now, I’ll never find another excuse to draw Veronia into the palace.

“I oppose it.”

Veronia frowned and glared at me. Her gaze was sharp enough to seem fierce, but I held my ground and met her eyes squarely.

“If Your Highness undertakes such hardship to assist the King without even formally entering the palace, surely our Blake family will become the subject of scandal.”

“You mean, if I wish to help you, I must enter this palace?”

“Precisely, Your Highness.”

Veronia wore a distinctly displeased expression, but she didn’t seem to dismiss my words.

No—in fact, seeing her expression turn more serious and contemplative, it seemed she judged my argument valid.

After further deliberation, Veronia spoke.

“Your words seem correct. We mustn’t create a situation where a rolling stone displaces a firmly set one. Above all, since there seems no other way to repay the debt owed to the Duke, there’s no alternative.”

“Will you decide, Your Highness?”

Veronia sighed reluctantly and said,

“I’ve lost. I’ll enter the palace.”