Chapter 111: The Veil Dance

"Before conducting the ceremony, you must take an oath first."

"An oath? About what?"

A priest waiting in the room had me make various informal vows and oaths. They covered Germanic marriage laws, prohibited acts (divorce, extramarital affairs, adultery), and settlement money. And most importantly, the vow to provide the morning gift to the bride the day after the wedding night.

It was one of the institutional safeguards the church had created so widows who lost their husbands could live without want. That’s why I’d prepared a morning gift for when Hilda came to live with me. The problem is that it’s extremely common for widows with substantial wealth to be falsely accused of witchcraft by bastards coveting their money.

Maybe the cavalry commander was popular among widows because he thoroughly thrashed the bastards who preyed on widows’ wealth? Anyway, when it was time, I was guided into the central hall. I walked confidently under the gazes of numerous guests, trying to maintain my dignity. I stopped about halfway, waiting for the bride. The murmuring of guests watching the wedding suddenly fell silent.

Beautiful.

My pure bride in a pure white dress and veil could pass for a goddess without shame. Led by my father-in-law’s hand, she walked in after I had already gone ahead before the bride entered. Walking ahead of the bride was also part of the ceremony. Simply put, it symbolized the head of household leading a submissive wife. And when I stopped in front of the platform, my father-in-law placed Hilda’s hand in mine.

"I transfer all rights over my daughter to my son-in-law as patriarch."

"I will make her happy for life."

"Ahem, please do make her happy."

A procedure where the family head transfers all rights over his daughter to the man who will become her husband. When my father-in-law first startled me by explaining I could legally exercise the right to discipline my wife and the right to restrain her, I was utterly horrified.

The officiant was the Breisburg Marriage Priest. His very title was Marriage Priest. And I had to pay this Marriage Priest an officiating fee too. Just how much did I have to pay the church? The venue, procedures, vows, officiating—costs arose at every turn. Some came out of my own pocket, so I truly resented it.

But Hilda was so pretty.

After a tedious speech citing blessings that only the Lord, by the Lord, solely the Lord could bestow, I lifted the bride’s veil and gave the vow kiss. Deep indignation rose at the fact that I also had to pay money for this vow kiss certified by the church, but I endured it because Hilda was pretty.

"Wolf. Now we’re husband and wife forever."

"As a husband, I’ll cherish and love my wife."

"I’m happy. More than any other woman in this world."

A band belonging to Breisburg Cathedral played, and a magnificent symphony rang out. Though it was a piece fervently praising the Lord, all the guests were absorbed in the music, and some even offered prayers. Hilda also closed her eyes and savored the music appreciatively. I, on the other hand, found it rather dull.

It would’ve been even better if an opera singer or choir had performed.

Strangely, most music of this era has no lyrics. Classical music wasn’t my taste, but I at least knew Beethoven’s Fate or Ode to Joy. If it had been something of that caliber, I would’ve appreciated it.

The wedding ceremony wrapped up and the reception began.

The reception was held in the cathedral’s courtyard, and it was truly spectacular.

Chatter chatter.

An endless stream of tremendous food and alcohol was consumed by the gathered citizens and beggars. Naturally, the high nobles held their reception inside the courtyard, in the VIP room. The Grand Duke’s family didn’t attend the reception and departed as they were. Very fortunate.

However, Eisenach, the Crown Prince’s Guard Commander, remained as the Crown Prince’s representative.

Personally, I thought of him as a married senior. He sincerely congratulated me.

The highlight of the reception was Hilda and me cutting together a large bread called Kuchen. Besides that, baked bread brought by guests was piled up like a tower. It was like present-day cake with butter and cream slathered all over. Think of it as the same concept as a modern cake-cutting ceremony.

"The next procedure is..."

It was still not over? Save me.

If I ever got married twice, I’d definitely die.

Separate from my suffering, wedding receptions, like banquets, naturally served as matchmaking occasions for young unmarried men and women. If any couples who met at my wedding went on to marry, I had to send them separate gifts. And the more married couples that resulted, the more blessings you receive.

"Hahaha, congratulations. To welcome such a beautiful bride—your late father must be pleased."

"It’s been a while, Marquis. Have you been well?"

"This old man’s lifeline is long, so I haven’t gone to purgatory yet."

"Even in jest, must you speak like that? Live at least until you see my children."

Marquis Bertheim was the same as ever. Still like a kindly neighborhood grandfather who hands out generous allowances. Behind him was Wilhelm Göring, who was also Daniel’s teacher. He was very welcome as well.

The old man was still a figure hiding many secrets.

Even the Manager Scouter couldn’t reveal his full identity.

Though retired, his underworld influence seemed to remain intact.

I was fortunate the old man had been friendly to me from the start.

He was probably connected to my father to some degree.

Since he kept mentioning my late father.

We exchanged news for a while.

The old man said he’d recently taken up the newly completed Italian-style chess, and he invited me to play together next time. Originally, chess rules differed by region and I wasn’t particularly good at any version, but I accepted the old man’s invitation.

"His Grace the Grand Duke seems very interested in you."

"That worries me a bit. The closer you get to power, the more envy it breeds."

"Still, you have the backing of the War Minister’s family and the standing of a regional lord."

I knew that was my greatest shield. But what if, like the Euz nobles blinded by profit, the Grand Duke’s favor became too conspicuous? I’d rather deal with an openly hostile faction like the Finance Minister’s. What you must be most wary of are the hidden enemies you can’t see coming.

"Raise Bodo well. Street information is sometimes the most accurate."

"Street information... I’ll keep that in mind."

"Oh my, I’ve held the groom too long. I’ll go see the bride."

The old man headed toward Hilda, who was surrounded by noblewomen. His advice shouldn’t be taken lightly. It also meant it was becoming increasingly important to gather street intelligence through Bodo. Wasn’t the old man attending as a guest and offering advice proof that something was stirring beneath the surface?

After the reception ended, I boarded a flower carriage pulled by four horses. With Hilda at my side, we held a parade through the streets as children holding flower baskets scattered petals to lead the way. Maria was among them. She happily scattered flowers while skipping along at the front. Sabine was beside herself trying to keep up.

My soul must already be half out of my body.

I didn’t know marriage was this exhausting.

War seemed far easier.

After the noisy bride and groom parade ended, I returned home with the close guests.

Among them were Fiel and Eisenach. Though Eisenach was representing the Crown Prince, he’d personally wanted to stay through the end of my reception. My retainers, with August looking after Fiel, were busy entertaining the guests.

"The groom must carry the bride over the threshold!"

"Oh, looks like the groom’s going to use tremendous strength tonight!"

Carrying the bride over the threshold is a Germanic tradition.

It’s a ritual symbolizing the bride’s entrance into my family.

That night in the Rose Garden, Hilda danced the so-called veil dance wearing a white veil. The white veil signified a pure virgin. I was entranced watching Hilda dance for the first time in a while. When the mood was ripe, Hilda threw the veil into the crowd.

Her friends rushed in, scrambling over it. The veil was very easy to tear, and it tore considerably during the scuffle. The woman holding the largest piece of the torn veil earned the title of lucky maiden. Like catching the bouquet, it meant she would be able to marry soon.

The lucky maiden turned out to be one of Hilda’s friends.

I didn’t know who she was, but she was quite pretty, so she’d probably find a match soon.