Chapter 715 - Chapter Fifteen: Jeanne's Marriage
The Great Unity Conference was as pathetic as ever. Except for the summary time at the end, I still have no idea what part of it is scholarly. It's not much different from the sight of Gnome, Salamander, and Alex drinking at a banquet.
The observers are also observers. Since Saxburg, wearing the uniform of the Class of 175, also participated this time, three unmarried princesses, including Sianya and Miana, who is also wearing the uniform of the third shop, are listed among the participants. As soon as the banquet... I mean, the dinner party started, various countries' envoys spoke to the three of them, wanting to get close somehow. However, Beowulf is next to Miana, and Theresia-sama is next to Sianya and me. The only one they could talk to properly was Saxburg, who had her fiancé, Duke Hexham, sitting next to her as an interpreter. Those with ulterior motives were glared at by Theresia-sama and Beowulf, and Duke Hexham's interpreted words were heard by everyone, drawing the attention of the surroundings, so they ended up with just a greeting and were lured away by Mary, who spoke to them casually.
"Bishop Sianya, Bishop Jeanne, it's been a long time."
Finally, a decent person came. Yorg-sama and his fiancée. No, one of them is a scholar, so maybe not decent.
"It's been a long time!"
Jeanne of Germania... I have to change this way of calling her soon. Would Jeanne of Sertogne be fine after the marriage?... has, how should I say, her way of speaking and her atmosphere itself have become elegant. I'm happy that both of them are wearing autumn/winter green marble. However, this Jeanne seems nervous, or rather, her expression is a bit thin.
"We will also be in your care for the ceremony."
Sianya is the officiant and I am the assistant.
"Since I haven't mastered etiquette, I think there will be many things that are rude..."
"Jeanne. It's fine, things like that."
Etiquette isn't needed for a wild one.
"No, Bishop Jeanne. You mustn't interrupt the greeting. Jeanne, continue."
I was rebuked by Sianya.
Eh? Is that how it is? Come to think of it, her expression is thin. It might be better to be more cheerful.
"Ah, yes. Err, I think, err, err, wait? I've forgotten it!"
"Ah! Sorry, sorry."
"Geez! I thought I'd practice with Jeanne!"
"Practice, you say. I'm a bishop, you know."
I couldn't help but burst out laughing, and it became a big laugh including Yorg-sama.
Her expression softened, so I guess it turned out well in the end.
I heard that the two of them left Primordia a bit before Sianya and spent several days at Yorg-sama's family home. After that, they visited Theresia-sama with Yorg-sama and stayed at the place of the noble who would become her adoptive father... I guess?... while greeting him. According to what I heard from Sianya, her family home was involved in diplomatic negotiations with the Northwest Coast Treaty and West Liber as a diplomatic window between the Duchy of Germania and the Kingdom of Sertogne. As a result, Theresia-sama succeeded in forming non-aggression alliances with the surrounding countries. Her family home also seems to have gained a solid position under the Theresia system. Originally, even in the West Liber era, they were a family that had dealt boldly with the nobles appointed as lords by the royal family, so they must have been skillful at such things. Most likely, including that, there must have been talk from Theresia-sama about making Jeanne of Germania her adopted daughter. They were apparently welcomed by Yorg-sama as well.
"I'm just so nervous. But Yorg-sama's family home and the house that will be my family home were both full of kind people, so I'm glad."
I thought there might be someone who would say something sarcastic because she's from a commoner background, but that wasn't the case. They must be a generous family.
Sianya and I both look at Yorg-sama. I thought his face might have suffered a landslide, but Yorg-sama unexpectedly looked away. Seeing that, this Jeanne snuggled up to Yorg-sama. Then, Yorg-sama looked at this Jeanne and put his arm around her shoulder. This Jeanne looked shy but seemed comfortable. There is already something that connects the two of them somewhere. They will soon be husband and wife. It's a good thing they're on good terms.
After the greetings with Theresia-sama and the princesses other than Sianya were over, Yorg-sama participated in the drunkards' discussion like a scholar, and this Jeanne came to us. After that, we left appropriately and had a girls' party as usual.
That girls' party, for this Jeanne, means two princesses from two countries are newly added. Naturally, the rooms we sleep in are different, but we gathered in the same room. Most likely, the two of them will just use someone's bed together and sleep, and that's actually what happened. Saxburg slept with me, and Miana slept with Mary. Mary suggested she should sleep with Sianya. She herself was hesitating because the opponent is a princess, but on the contrary, Sianya pretended to sulk, asking if she wasn't good enough, and as a result, they slept together. But thanks to that, the six of us really became friends. As for the topics of conversation, there's not just this Jeanne's marriage story, but also Saxburg's, who is scheduled to marry next year. There was alcohol and sweets, so we got quite lively until late. The next morning, although we weren't late for breakfast, we couldn't say anything about the scholars anymore.
The conference itself went into summary in the afternoon as usual, and it was announced that among the folk remedies announced previously, it was confirmed that particularly strong alcohol has a preventive effect against the worsening of diseases and injuries. Also, it was stated that eating green onions, Chinese chives, and garlic has a certain preventive effect. Such preventive measures are also important, and they confirmed to encourage them as a way to deal with the possibility of an epidemic spreading. Anri-sama was also speaking, but it's not good that both treatment and prevention currently rely on magic water. What will happen if I die? It's better to find countermeasures other than magic water quickly.
By the way, there was no topic about war. The merchants observing must have been talking about various things. I'm sure scouts were mixed in too.
After the conference was over, it was the wedding. After saying goodbye to Theresia-sama, we headed to the port of Yorg-sama's managed land by ship. Since Saxburg is also participating, the ships of the three countries of Primordia, Northern Gram, and Sertoria were anchored side by side. It's a sight you don't see often. Perhaps because of that, there are many spectators on the quay. Four carriages came while driving away those spectators. The flags of each country's crest are fluttering on the carriages. There are two for Sertoria because there are many followers. The carriages are escorted by knights... probably the people we hunted wolves with... There's also something like a band, playing a song I've never heard. When I asked Miana, it's a song to welcome guests of the Kingdom of Sertogne. As expected of a princess. She knows it well. When the welcoming knight boarded the ship, he greeted the official envoy Miana... who is wearing her uniform today because it's the day before... and led her off the ship while taking her right hand. I, the priest, followed. The accompanying Henry Party also came down in plain clothes, following Phillips-sama, Harris-sama, and Hughes-sama disguised as Priest Hermit. Wilson-san should have the stone, so Erikson-sama finally achieved landing on the continent. He's probably sleeping, though.
We get into the carriages just like that. One for the princess Miana and the priests including Hermit-sama, and the accompanying Henry Party got into another carriage. Only Will rode the prepared horse and stayed next to the carriage Miana was in.
When all the guests had finished boarding the four carriages, they departed at the same time. With the carriage Sianya was in at the lead, the second was Northern Gram, and Sertoria was last.
On the way, the Sertoria group separated from the leading two and proceeded in a different direction. The destination of the leading two was toward the mansion Yorg-sama manages, the place to stay. Sertoria goes to the church... in other words, the place connected to the First King.
We were welcomed by the Archbishop, who is Yorg-sama's uncle, Yorg-sama's mother, and the maids.
"Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, it's been a long time. Thank you for coming."
The mother came out, and suddenly the main guests changed.
"Hey, Okugata-dono! It's been a long time!"
"It's been a long time. Is there any change?"
Immediately, the old couple handed over souvenirs, and she received them while being humble and handed them to the maids.
"Would you be Miana-sama?"
"Yes. It's been a long time."
"You have changed. You have grown, and become beautiful."
"No, such a thing..."
The last time she came was apparently before she became an adult. Of course she'd change.
After a round of greetings to the royalty, it was my turn. I was thanked quite a bit for creating the opportunity for Yorg-sama's marriage. There's no worry about the management of the land, but he was always picking medicinal herbs and didn't attend dinner parties, and even when he went to war, he never achieved a single feat. She was apparently quite worried if he would ever get a wife. Then he brought the daughter of a noble of an old family within the new nation of Germania, even if she is an adopted daughter. She felt rough, but such things can be fixed with training. In addition, the princess of Primordia became the guardian of that daughter. Yorg-sama, who was the target of rumors in various ways, did wolf extermination and reported a marriage proposal that would surprise the Sertogne Royal Palace, so she apparently reconsidered him as truly her son.
She is a high-ranking noble's wife. She must like chatting at tea parties; she spoke casually while being elegant and laughing.
By the way, as for Mary, the greeting itself ended simply, but it was clear from the expression of Okugata-sama that she was doing well. This was also while behaving with an elegance not inferior to Miana, and she went to the maids and was talking. I'm sure she'll hand over the souvenirs she brought in the barrel later.
After that, it was a tea party, ignoring the Archbishop. When we were led to the church's guest room, drinks were served. While the priests sat quietly, Miana, who was happy to receive the recipe for the sweets the maid brought, was having a lively discussion about sweets. Sertorian royalty tend to be rugged. Only Miana is interested in that kind of culture. The conversation was lively.
And the next day, the wedding.
Fortunately, I have experience serving as an assistant at Aira's wedding. It's easy to do because the basic movements are the same. Along with Sianya, also an assistant, I changed into vestments and received greetings from the families of the bride and groom. Yorg-sama's father was also a high-ranking noble just like in a picture, a magnificent person with his mustache stretched out to the left and right. His two older brothers were also similar, handsome knights as you would expect. I wonder why Yorg-sama was born as their brother.
Next to them were the people from this Jeanne's family home and Theresia-sama's representative.
And Jeanne's mother... I met her once before. She's a commoner, but she became a noble for one generation when her daughter became the adopted daughter of a noble. Honestly, she must be in the midst of surprise and anxiety. She's looking around 'kyoro-kyoro'. When Sianya and I went to her side, she had a relieved expression.
While saying they are escorts, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama are also in formal wear. Miana also took off her uniform and is in a formal dress. Saxburg appeared in formal wear with her companion Duke Hexham. This group of royalty and nobles is just 'kinkira-kin' as you would expect for a noble's wedding, and it's dazzling.
On the other hand, the guest seats were also contrasting. Most are priests. Since they are wearing vestments, they are basically red, but when they line up 'zoro-zoro', it's like some kind of ritual. No, a wedding is also a ritual, but it's like my bishop's ordination ceremony. Moreover, unlike a church ritual, everyone is relaxed, so it lacks solemnity. Are all scholars like that?
And, in the back. To be precise, it's outside the church, but at Yorg-sama's intention, nearby commoners and such had gathered. Tables were lined up, and food and alcohol were being served. They must be doing their best to dress up, but it's far from 'kinkira-kin'. No matter what, the feeling of being worn out cannot be denied. The difference in the colors of these three groups was indescribable. In a sense, it might be just like Yorg-sama.
The band including the organ played music. The groom's appearance.
Naturally, he's not in his usual rough clothes. His hair, which is always messy, is also neatly arranged. As they say fine feathers make fine birds, Yorg-sama in knight's attire was indeed a noble. Compared to his two older brothers, he inevitably lacks smartness, but when his rounded cheeks tighten, he might be quite handsome. His eyes resemble his beautiful mother.
The second song played, and the bride's appearance. The highlight of today.
The bride is wearing a dress of white fabric with very light pink embroidery. She has gloves up to her elbows, a white lace veil, and Mary is holding the hem of her long dress. She is walking slowly with her head slightly down, and the elegant and innocent feeling is well presented. I heard later that the wedding dress was something Theresia-sama had privately picked out and newly made and handed to her adoptive father.
A stir occurs with her appearance. She was originally cute. Today even more so. Since there's a reputation that she somehow resembles me, I might be able to cause at least a stir if I work hard.
The bride walked 'shizu-shizu' with her head down to Yorg-sama, who was waiting in front of the altar. Then, she raised her face and saw Yorg-sama's smile. When I saw the expressions of the two at that time, I could believe they would surely create a happy family.