The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 105: The Wedding, Part 3

Chapter 105: The Wedding, Part 3

Rosalie shifted her gaze toward the imposing statue of the Saintess, directing her gray eyes toward its featureless face.

’Do not worry. I am not wresting away what is rightfully yours. When your time arrives, nothing will change. I... will release my grasp when the time is right. I can promise you that.’

The lady found herself compelled to redirect her focus to the Priest again when his somber voice, tinged with a hint of sternness, uttered her name unexpectedly loudly. As her gaze settled upon his dignified countenance, the man released a fleeting sigh and resumed speaking.

"Lady Rosalie Ashter, do you solemnly pledge before the Benevolent Saintess, as well as the Heart and Soul of the Empire of Rische, to accept His Grace, Grand Duke Damien Dio as your husband and remain unwaveringly loyal to him until the end of your days?"

Rosalie turned her gaze toward Damien and bestowed upon him a subtle nod, signifying her wholehearted commitment to the Priest’s solemn declaration.

"I do."

"And you, Lord Damien Dio, do you swear in the presence of the Benevolent Saintess, and in the sight of the Heart and Soul of the Empire of Rische, to accept Her Ladyship Rosalie Ashter as your wife and to faithfully uphold that vow until your last breath?"

Remarkably, Damien required no more than a heartbeat to consider his response—a resounding affirmation that echoed His Holiness’s words.

"I do."

The Priest accepted an elegant small, light-blue cushion from Altair, whose expression seemed to have darkened even further, and offered it to the couple. He beckoned for them to retrieve the slender platinum wedding rings, marking the next stage of the ceremony.

"Now, I beseech you to place these rings upon each other’s fingers, sealing your eternal commitment."

With deliberate grace, Damien initiated the exchange. His large hand delicately grasped the thin white gold ring and, with measured care, slid it onto Rosalie’s finger. He paused for a moment, his touch gentle and contemplative, before releasing her hand from his hold. As Rosalie made contact with the cool, platinum surface of the ring, a bizarre quiver coursed through her entire arm, nearly tempting the ring to slip from her grasp.

With a shallow breath, her attempt to quell the surging anxiety, Lady Ashter hastened to place the ring on the duke’s finger. She then withdrew her hand with a hint of trepidation, fearing that her trembling fingers might inadvertently betray the earnestness of the entire ceremony.

"May the power of your conjoined souls lead you to happiness, much as the Holy Power guided wayward souls of humanity toward the radiance. With the Omnipotent Saintess as our witness, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

In that very moment, Rosalie felt as though a colossal burden had been instantaneously lifted from her shoulders. She instinctively shut her eyes, seeking refuge from the overwhelming spectacle of her surroundings. Her respite was short-lived, however, as she sensed a gentle touch upon her shoulders. Suddenly, an unexpectedly ardent kiss descended upon her lips, marking the conclusion of their wedding ceremony, Damien’s lips meeting hers in a shared, passionate embrace.

***

The carriage ride back to the Dio mansion proved overwhelmingly awkward and discomforting, with the primary source of this unease being none other than Damien himself.

Throughout the journey, he remained in a state of restlessness, ceaselessly shifting in his seat, avoiding eye contact, and emitting sighs that carried a distinct air of irritation. It was evident that he harbored a palpable desire to liberate himself from the confines of the coach, the presence of the woman who had now become his lawful wife, or perhaps, both simultaneously.

Rosalie’s gaze remained fixed upon her husband, and she could not help but sense a restlessness welling up within her as well. She empathized with his apprehension, considering the impending early morning departure for a perilous mission, a venture that awaited him following the draining events of the preceding day.

’It isn’t overly difficult to discern what occupies his thoughts at the present moment. I can only hope that tonight’s rest will succeed in alleviating at least a fraction of his weariness.’

As the carriage came to a halt at the mansion’s entrance, Damien disembarked first, positioning himself by the door and extending his hand to assist Rosalie. Acting on instinct, the young lady placed her delicate hand upon his big palm, taking care not to delay the duke any longer. To her surprise, rather than releasing her hand, Damien clasped it more firmly and began moving forward, as if the rest of the world held no significance to him.

Upon their entry into the mansion, it appeared that the entire estate staff had assembled in the corridor to offer their greetings to the newlywed couple. They stood in perfect alignment, heads respectfully bowed, as the pair proceeded through the well-illuminated passage. Their procession came to a halt when Richard himself, accompanied by Felix, Laith, and Illai, stood before the duke and his wife, offering them a gracious bow.

"Your Grace, the bath has been arranged. Anna and Florence shall be at your disposal to facilitate your preparations, while Aurora and Ellen shall extend their services to Lady Rosalie."

A perplexed thought darted through Rosalie’s mind,

’Huh? Assist? Assist with what?’

She had been on the verge of vocalizing her inquiry when the maids, in the company of Damien, began ascending the staircase. Aurora, however, gently took hold of Rosalie’s arm, bestowing upon her a somewhat enigmatic smile. At that precise moment, the duke suddenly halted in his tracks, swiftly pivoting around. His face, although bearing a heavy touch of solemnity, was tinged with a hint of nervousness as he finally addressed the girl,

"Lady Rosalie... I shall be waiting for you in our chamber later."

With nary a moment afforded for Rosalie to fully grasp his declaration, Damien ascended the staircase, vanishing into the winding corridors of the second floor. His departure left in its wake naught but a hush of perplexity. Rosalie, her mind drowned in bewilderment, shifted her gaze toward Aurora and raised her eyebrows inquisitively, unable to articulate anything beyond a bemused,

"Huh?"