Chapter 63: The Bride’s Reluctant Path

“Lady Chloe, you are ready.”

Chloe opened her eyes.

In the mirror, she appeared as beautiful as a fairy sprung from a fairytale. Her silver hair, styled into a crown, coiled elegantly at the back of her head, shimmering like fine sand.

A delicate blush graced her fair complexion, a crimson whisper against her skin.

Her slender brows arched like crescent moons, while a faint crimson eyeshadow accentuated the stunning beauty of her ruby-red eyes.

Her wedding gown, light and translucent, symbolized purity. Its pristine white contrasted strikingly with her vibrant vermilion eyes, creating an aesthetic of rebellious beauty.

She pressed her crimson lips together, already lost in the enchantment of her own reflection.

“Thank you, Mr. Makeup Artist.”

“There is no need for thanks. Your natural beauty is already quite astonishing; my humble skills merely added a touch of embellishment,” the makeup artist said, rubbing his hands together with genuine sincerity.

Chloe was utterly dumbfounded. ‘Is he truly exaggerating that much?’ she wondered.

“I have an impertinent request: please do not remove your makeup immediately after the wedding. I wish to find a painter to immortalize your captivating beauty, for it would surely bring considerable aid to my career.”

The makeup artist clasped his hands tightly, his eyes gleaming with ambition.

“Heh, alright,” Chloe conceded.

She wiped away the sweat that had beaded on her brow. Turning her head, she noticed Wuxu resting on a long bench, eyes closed in quiet contemplation.

“Wuxu, I’m ready,” Chloe whispered softly.

Wuxu lifted her gaze, and as her eyes fell upon Chloe’s face, her expression suddenly froze.

“Huh? What’s wrong?” Chloe waved a hand before Wuxu’s eyes, bringing her back to her senses. Wuxu then solemnly declared, “Lady Chloe, my meager words cannot possibly describe your beauty. You truly resemble a goddess right now.”

Chloe’s face flushed crimson. She coughed twice to alleviate her embarrassment, quickly changing the subject. “So, are we heading to the Royal Court now?”

“Yes, please follow me.”

The makeup artist tied a tight bow, then opened the room’s door.

They were currently in the left wing of the Prince’s Palace. The wedding was to be held at the Royal Court. Incidentally, the right wing would be requisitioned by the Elder Council as a venue.

‘I hope Alice can overcome her difficulties,’ Chloe thought to herself.

As the door opened, Chloe discovered Una already waiting. Her eyes shone brightly, fixed intently on Chloe’s face.

“Chloe, your beauty almost rivals that of Lady Alena!”

“Hmph, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Una flung herself into Chloe’s embrace, her voice thick with emotion. “Are you truly going to marry Carloman?”

Chloe was momentarily speechless. Ordinarily, she would never speak of marrying a man, but this situation was unique.

For Xina’s sake, Chloe was prepared to brave any hardship, even if it meant stepping into a fiery abyss. She could only tentatively trust Carloman’s gentlemanly declaration.

“If that scoundrel Carloman dares to bully you, I’ll rip out his throat!” Una clenched her fists, a fierce fire burning in her eyes.

“Thank you,” Chloe said simply.

“Then she’ll be a widow right after her wedding.”

The voice drifted from the other side of the corridor, its familiar, teasing tone sending a shiver through Chloe’s heart.

She turned towards the sound, finding Alice leaning against the wall, a slight smirk playing on her lips.

Alice wore a brown fur coat, a glimpse of golden-red visible through the opening. Her attire was precisely as it had been when she and Chloe first met.

“Alice?!”

“Happy wedding, Chloe.” Though the words were of congratulation, Alice’s expression was far from pleased.

“Alexei, how dare you show your face again?!” Una raged, seemingly ready to charge at Alice at any moment. Fortunately, Chloe managed to restrain her just in time.

“She betrayed Lady Alena!” Una strained with all her might, attempting to break free from Chloe’s grasp.

“That’s not it,” Wuxu said, patting Una’s shoulder with a long sigh.

“Wuxu, don’t say anything more,” Alice pleaded, shaking her head. Yet, Wuxu disregarded her objection and continued, “The one who betrayed Alena was herself.”

“What?!” Chloe and Una exclaimed in unison.

Alice gritted her teeth, turning her head away.

“She removed the Sirena Ring, deliberately exposing her location to us,” Wuxu explained, sweeping her silver hair back as she slowly revealed the truth about Alena.

“Why would Alena do that? Isn’t that just courting death?” Chloe murmured.

“Evidently, she wished to establish contact with us. Alice, right up until the last moment, tried to persuade us to spare her. Unfortunately, the conservative faction’s hounds acted first.”

“Lady Alena…” Una’s eyes welled with tears. She quieted down, simply wiping her eyes.

“Wuxu, you’re still as annoying as ever.”

“Whose fault is it for leaving without a word?” Wuxu dropped her icy facade, gazing at Alice with gentle warmth.

Alice stepped forward, lightly flicking Chloe’s forehead.

“Chloe, the legal code is finished. It’s on my desk.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Chloe nodded slightly in gratitude. She looked up; Alice was watching her, her crimson lips parting slightly as she said, “You must take good care of it.”

Alice forced a bitter smile, then turned and departed swiftly.

A premonition seized Chloe. She instinctively reached out, grabbing Alice’s arm, and murmured in a voice almost hoarse, “Don’t go.”

However, Alice shook her hand free. She turned, offering a sweet smile.

“We all have our own missions, don’t we?”

A gust of wind swept through, extinguishing all the horn lanterns. Alice walked straight into the depths of the corridor, allowing the darkness to swallow her figure.

Fear coiled around Chloe like a python, enveloping her entirely. She took a step, moving towards where Alice had vanished.

Wuxu tugged at Chloe’s wedding dress, leaning close to her ear. “I’ll keep an eye on Alice. You just focus on being the bride.”

Servants rushed in, quickly relighting the horn lanterns.

Chloe bathed in the warm glow of the lamps, her composure slowly returning.

Movement ahead caught her eye. Chloe looked up, hopeful that Alice had returned, but her hope quickly faded.

The figure approaching was the white of death, not the golden-red of life.

Carloman, leading his family, slowly walked towards Chloe. He was dressed in a white suit today, with a vibrant flower pinned to his lapel.

He had been laughing and chatting with those beside him, but the moment he saw Chloe, he stopped dead in his tracks.

“You are truly an angel descended from heaven.” Carloman’s vermilion eyes scrutinized Chloe from head to toe.

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Even Norria was stunned, until Lilith raised her hand and unhappily pinched his waist, instantly contorting Norria’s expression in pain.

Chloe’s brows relaxed. She was genuinely pleased that Norria and Lilith were present.

Carl carefully secured the crown on his head. It seemed he would be participating in the wedding as Carloman today. His hands trembled slightly, taking a long time to properly place the crown.

A familiar figure stood like a monolith behind Carl. His charcoal-black skin starkly contrasted with his pure white attire.

“Olga,” Chloe uttered his name coldly. He was the former knight commander of Sirena Castle, a traitor who had defected to Eledis.

“Lady Chloe.” Olga did not bow; he merely stood silently to the side.

“He is my guard. Do you two know each other?” Carloman grinned, patting Olga’s thick arm with a resounding slap.

“It’s not wise to have a traitor as a guard.” Chloe averted her gaze, directing it towards Carloman.

“Then Cliff would have died a hundred times over, for his side is filled with traitors and scum,” Carloman said dismissively. He attempted to take Chloe’s hand. Chloe instinctively recoiled, but Wuxu pressed down on Chloe’s shoulder.

Carloman successfully touched Chloe’s hand. He lowered his eyes, staring at her snow-white hand.

“I entrust this charming bride to you,” Wuxu said, releasing her hands. She, too, prepared to depart.

“Hey! Where are you going…?” Chloe’s gaze followed Wuxu.

“To attend the Curia Congress, to face the fate that awaits me.” Wuxu’s face was like frost. Without another word, she hurried away.

Both Alice and Wuxu had left. Now, Chloe was truly alone.

“Una will protect you, don’t worry!” Una gripped Chloe’s other hand tightly, her strength causing Chloe a pang of pain.

Chloe turned, meeting Carloman’s ardent gaze.

“It’s our turn. Let’s go, my dear wife.”

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