TFSAWE - Chapter 231: Sigh of Relief (Patreon)

In the moment I laid eyes upon the bride's attire, just before my memory faded, Leon's voice echoed in my mind.

"All, protect the Empire's princess consort!"

"Ah…"

Within that recollection, I began to speculate why I found myself wearing such an ensemble.

With caution, I had acquired this attire. The fabric was not extravagant, but every delicate stitch of pristine white embroidery displayed remarkable intricacy and refinement.

As I gently traced it with my fingers, I attempted to revive my memories. Fortunately, I didn't sense any gaps in recollection. Soon, a slight headache emerged. As I reached to touch my forehead, intending to rise from the bed, I heard a sound at the entrance of the tent. The cloth covering the entrance lifted, revealing the familiar figure stepping inside.

"Oh, you're awake."

Naturally, the person who entered was Leon. I could only gaze at him dumbfounded, observing his attire resembling my own, a white ensemble. It was, of course, wedding attire. He noticed my gaze and smiled casually, not an awkward smile. Leon approached the bed, sat beside me, and gently placed his hand on my forehead.

"Your fever was high. Are you feeling better? I believe you might have a headache, so it would be wise to take another dose of medicine."

As he spoke, Leon fetched a small, round, black pill that was neatly wrapped in cloth from a nearby table, along with a glass of water. He slightly parted his lips, as if inviting me to take the medicine. I simply continued to gaze at him.

"Does it hurt a lot? Is it difficult to swallow?"

Leon's gaze wandered anxiously. His expression conveyed genuine concern, as if he worried about which part of me might be in more pain.

As I continued to remain silent, Leon's face grew even darker. Observing him, who solely cared about my condition, I began to wonder if everything before losing consciousness was nothing but a dream. The frantic escape, meeting Carl, the collapse of Latvan, and all the other incidents I had experienced.

Yet, the moment I looked at him and the attire I was wearing, I could not help but regain my senses.

Leon, sensing that my gaze repeatedly wandered over the attire, sighed heavily and brushed his hair aside.

"I urgently obtained these clothes from a nearby village. Considering that the Imperial Court will undoubtedly scrutinize every aspect of this marriage, I felt the need to at least maintain some semblance. From the sound of it, as you might have guessed, the celebration is still ongoing. Fortunately, due to your collapse after accepting my proposal, the ceremonial procedures that required your consent were expedited. The wedding ceremony is over, and now we are in the midst of the reception."

Upon his words, I turned my head and listened attentively to the sounds coming from outside. Indeed, as he had described, there were boisterous voices, intoxicated chatter, and intermittent bursts of music celebrating the prince's wedding. Yet, it didn't sound natural. It was as if someone deliberately wanted it to be heard, as if reciting pre-written lines.

"Everything is a show."

This wedding is a play. The most important actors are Leon and myself. The title of the play is "The Prince's Wedding."

In preparation for this play, Leon must have acted swiftly. He went to the village, prepared the costumes, and turned the entire Imperial Knight Order's garrison into a stage. Perhaps Carl and the Temple Knights were among the audience for this play.

Leon explained while looking at my face.

"As I mentioned before, today's event is just an expedited ceremony. When we return to the palace, a grand and proper wedding will take place. If we don't even go this far, it will be difficult to deter Carl and the Imperial Knight Order won't be able to move as easily."

I continued to listen to his words in silence. Eventually, Leon sighed heavily as he looked at me.

"I thought you would scold or cry when you woke up."

"Perhaps that would have been better. Words, rather than being looked upon with such disdain, seem to hold more promise."

Leon wiped his face with both hands and then asked me.

"Are you curious about what happened after you collapsed?"

Without saying a word, I nodded in response to his question. In return, Leon let out a bitter laugh and spoke.

"More precisely, you must be curious about what happened to Lord Latvan."

I had a sense of what he wanted to know, but I also knew his intentions were different, so I had to lower my head again as if I were a guilty sinner.

"The Temple Knights who took Lord Latvan away managed to hide him from the pursuit of the Great Temple."

"Ah..."

Unbeknownst to me, a sigh of relief escaped my lips.

"However, I do not know how long he will be able to endure. I merely allowed him to leave, offering no further assistance. I heard he is injured and has been poisoned by a potent venom. With the power of the Temple Knights, he may endure for a while, but without more potent treatment, he will not last long. Nevertheless, if things go well, he may survive longer than expected. Perhaps for a few months, or even a few years. And as long as he still has breath, he will try to meet you again."

Leon's voice was cold as he spoke. Just from that alone, I could feel how much Leon despised Latvan. I realized how much he had suppressed himself in the Great Temple, harboring such strong animosity towards Latvan.

He despised Latvan more than I had thought.

"Then... why..."

With a question that arose in my mind, I asked him.

"Why didn't you kill Latvan?"