Drawing Manga in a Romance Fantasy

Chapter 190

"Edric... Are you sure we can really go in here?"

Mule, staring at the dazzling building before her, shrank back and hid behind Edric's back as she spoke.

For her, a woman who had lived her entire life confined within her tribe on the outskirts of the continent due to the Black Dragon, Somerset Land was an even more intimidating place to enter than the Black Dragon's lair.

"Don't worry. Of course, we weren't exactly invited, but I'm sure Master will welcome us."

Edric pulled Mule closer with his left arm, trying to reassure her.

"I'll go ahead and see my disciple first. I'll see you all inside,"

"And I'll take this opportunity to greet some old acquaintances."

After Eustaph and Harun disappeared, the remaining group with Edric consisted of the elven prince Garland, the dwarven warrior Noel, and Mule, the cat beastkin.

"I'll go to the entrance and call someone to see if we can get in. Please wait here for a moment."

Edric asked his companions to wait and then headed alone toward the entrance.

"The Empire has changed a lot."

He had wandered across the continent for years, hearing only bits of news about the Empire. Seeing it in person after so long left Edric in awe.

In the past, a group like theirs—elves, dwarves, and beastkin traveling together—would have drawn a lot of attention.

But now, in front of Somerset Land, where Rupert's wedding was being held, a diverse crowd of people from all races was gathered, making such a combination seem completely natural.

"Excuse me, could you show me your invitation?"

"I don't have an invitation, but could you call someone from inside to confirm?"

The guards at the heavily fortified entrance of Somerset Land couldn't help but feel suspicious when Edric admitted he had no invitation.

'He looks a bit too shabby.'

'But judging by his features, he could be from a noble family.'

Normally, they would have turned him away immediately, but for some reason, they hesitated, feeling that doing so might be a mistake.

"May I ask whom I should announce?"

"Hmm... Just tell them Edric—just Edric—is here."

Edric figured revealing his name might cause a commotion, but he thought it would be fine as long as he didn't mention his family name.

However,

"Th-the Third Prince?!"

He had miscalculated.

The guards immediately reacted with shock and commotion upon hearing his name.

"Shh!"

"Please, come inside right away. The Duke had even told us to be prepared in case you arrived."

"My Master said that?"

"Yes, I will escort you personally."

"Wait, I have companions. Can they come in as well?"

"Companions, you say?"

When the guard asked, Edric pointed to his group waiting behind him. The guard hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded in agreement.

For the guards, the mere arrival of the infamous Third Prince was overwhelming enough to render them incapable of focusing on much else.

"Let's go."

"Oh, so you're pretty famous in the Empire, huh?"

"Indeed. Judging by the skills of the hidden watchers here, this must be an important place. Yet you got us through so easily."

At Garland and Noel's remarks, spoken with admiration, Edric waved them off dismissively.

Edric had yet to reveal to his companions that he was a prince of the Empire. Though he intended to tell them someday, the timing always felt wrong.

"I should pay my respects to my sister after so long."

"It is her wedding, so you should. But why that expression?"

"I might die."

"What? What a grim joke."

Despite Garland's comment that no one could kill someone who had defeated the Black Dragon, Edric's expression remained grave.

He truly believed he was in danger.

He just hoped that Iolin hadn't kept up with her swordsmanship practice during all this time.

*****

"Congratulations on your wedding, Zinnia."

"Master!!! I thought you weren’t going to come!"

"Haha, how could I miss my disciple's wedding?"

Since there were three brides, there were three separate bridal waiting rooms. In Zinnia’s room, where she was busy getting ready with makeup and other preparations, the arrival of Eustaph caused a commotion.

"Don't cry now; you'll ruin the makeup you worked so hard on."

"I don't care..."

Zinnia clung to Eustaph, sobbing like a child. Though her carefully done makeup would need redoing, she was just grateful that Eustaph had come to her wedding.

"Please walk me down the aisle later, Master."

"Me?"

"Who else could do it? You disappeared so suddenly."

For the highlight of the wedding—the bridal procession—each bride had someone to accompany them. Iolin would walk with Leonias, now the retired emperor, and Amelia would be escorted by the Duke of Bluewell.

Originally, Zinnia was supposed to walk with Rupert's father, Bradley.

But now that Eustaph, who was like a father to her, had returned, Zinnia wanted to walk with him instead.

"There's no one else, Master. You're the only one I can call 'Father.'"

"Zinnia..."

Her words brought Eustaph back to the day he first met her.

She had been a child who knew nothing about magic, using only primitive spells with her natural talent.

But despite her incredible talent, her upbringing had been far from ideal.

After taking her under his wing, Eustaph had learned about her past.

He had been furious enough to return to her uncle's family and give them a piece of his mind.

"It's fine now. I'll become a hero,"

Zinnia had stopped him instead, calming his anger.

"You were my last disciple and like a daughter to me."
—And I’m so proud of you.

Eustaph was filled with pride as he looked at Zinnia, who had grown into such an extraordinary woman despite the hardships she had faced.

*****

"Poor brother-in-law."

"What?"

"He’ll have to eat your cooking every day, won’t he?"

"Evelyn, you!"

"Why are you two fighting on such a special day?"

In another bridal waiting room, Amelia was joined by her father, the Duke of Bluewell, and her younger sister, Evelyn.

"Sorry, sis, I was just joking."

"I know. If anything, I should be apologizing to you..."

"There you go apologizing again. But honestly, I don’t mind."

Despite Evelyn’s lighthearted response, Amelia’s expression remained slightly dark.

"I just hope you don’t end up walking a path you didn’t choose because of me."

On the verge of fulfilling her dream of marrying Rupert, Amelia found herself worrying about her sister, Evelyn.

Originally, Amelia was supposed to inherit their father’s title as the Duke of Bluewell’s successor.

But now that she was marrying Rupert and becoming part of the Somerset family, the responsibility had shifted to Evelyn.

"I’ll inherit it myself."

The Duke, not wanting to burden his beloved youngest daughter with such a heavy responsibility, had considered adopting an heir from among their relatives.

However, Evelyn had declared that she would take on the family’s legacy herself.

"Maybe I’ll bring home a groom of my own someday. Maybe three, like brother-in-law."

"Over my dead body!"

"Oh? That’s exactly what you said to brother-in-law back then, Dad."

"That was..."

The Duke had initially disapproved of Amelia falling in love with Rupert, the second son of the once-ruined Somerset countship.

But now, he had become Rupert’s most steadfast supporter.

"Thank you, Father. Thank you, Evelyn."

Amelia felt deeply grateful to her family, who had gone out of their way to create a lighthearted atmosphere so she could enjoy her special day with peace of mind.

*****

"You returned on this very day on purpose, didn’t you?"

"It just ended up that way."

"Thanks to my useless younger brother, there’s nothing to worry about anymore."

In the bridal waiting room where Iolin was preparing, a man had arrived. As soon as she saw his face, she dismissed everyone else, leaving only the two of them.

"Did you accomplish what you set out to do?"

"My part is done now."
—The rest is just waiting.

At Edric's response, Iolin let out a small, exasperated laugh.

‘I have no intention of giving up.’

Before Edric had left the palace, he had shared his ambitious plans with her. They had seemed so far-fetched that she tried to stop him right away. But he had brushed off her protests and left.

That he had returned alive was already a miracle to her.

What’s more, he had defeated the fearsome Black Dragon, a feat she had never thought possible.

Of course, her eyes kept being drawn to his right arm, which seemed empty, as if something was missing.

"Our brother has worried about you a lot."

"Brother? I heard he inherited the throne."

"Now that he’s older, he regrets not being able to take care of us better. He’s been worried that it was his fault you left the palace."

"Brother has changed a lot. Though not as much as you, Sister."

"Indeed, hasn’t he?"

Iolin hadn’t thought she would ever desire someone so desperately.

Looking back, meeting Rupert had not only changed her but had also brought a great transformation to their father, her two older brothers, and even Edric.

"I truly like the way our family is now."

"So do I."

Knock, knock.

"Your Highness, it’s time for your entrance."

"Understood. I’ll be right out."

The siblings’ reunion was brief, as the time had come for her to walk down the aisle.

*****

"Salute!"

The booming voices of knights flanking the virgin road rang out.

At the same time—

Swish!

In perfect unison, swords were drawn from their scabbards and lifted toward the sky.

"Honor!"

Clang!

The blades, descending slightly, met each other in an intricate pattern. Mana flowed through the swords, blooming like flowers in the air.

It was the Imperial Knights' ceremonial display, a sight seen only at royal weddings.

Bang!

Simultaneously, a burst of sound echoed as colorful fireworks lit up the sky.

"Wow!"

Though weddings were typically solemn affairs, the brilliant displays unfolding continuously left the guests unable to hold back their exclamations of awe.

And then—

"Look! Petals are falling from the sky!"

"In midwinter? How is this possible? Those aren’t snowflakes—they’re cherry blossoms!"

Guests were stunned as pink cherry blossoms drifted from above.

The combined efforts of the Imperial family, the Mage Tower, and Bluewell had created a spectacle that brought immense joy to all present.

Three brides walked down the aisle beneath the archway of swords created by the Imperial Knights.

Fireworks continued to light up the sky, and petals rained down as if straight out of a fairy tale.

At the end of the aisle stood one man, waiting for them.

"Thank you for waiting."

The man spoke to the women standing before him.

"Will you marry me?"

It was Rupert, who placed rings on their fingers one by one.

For Amelia, a ring adorned with her blue sapphire.
For Iolin, a ring set with a white diamond.
For Zinnia, a ring featuring a red ruby.

After placing the rings on their left ring fingers, Rupert looked at them again.

"I will make you happy."

At his words, the three women embraced him tightly.

"You really made us wait too long!"

"But even the wait was enjoyable."

"I’ll never let you go again."

The guests erupted in cheers at the sight.

"You won’t get any sleep tonight."

"That’s..."

Zinnia whispered a sly warning, her words hidden beneath the cheers.

"Wait a moment! The first night is mine—"

"I don’t want to pull rank, but clearly, I should go first."

"Let’s go by age order. I am the oldest among us, after all..."

The sweet moment quickly turned into a debate over who would have the first night. Rupert, caught in the crossfire, was at a loss.

"W-Wait, discussing this here isn’t..."

"Rupert! Tell us—who will it be tonight?!"

Iolin pressed him, leaving him no room to escape.

"Th-then... all three together?"

"What?"
"What did you say?"
"Excuse me?"

Their simultaneous responses made Rupert want to run for his life as they all glared at him.

—Hmph. You look like you’re enjoying yourself.

Startled, Rupert looked around at the sudden, familiar voice in his head.

"What’s going on?"

Everyone around him seemed frozen in place, as if time had stopped.

—Have you already forgotten my voice?

"The goddess?"

—It’s been a while.

"You scared me! Haa... it really has been a while."

—Though, it feels like I’ve seen you often, considering how frequently you blame me when something bad happens.

"That’s just a habit..."

Rupert scratched his head, feeling guilty under the goddess's scolding.

—How do you find this world?

Hearing her question, Rupert answered without hesitation.

"To be honest, it was hard to admit at first, but..."

After a pause, he continued,

"Thank you for sending me here. Because of you, I’m experiencing the happiest moment of my life."

—Thanks to you, I’ve been able to watch over my world with joy. May your days be filled with nothing but happiness.

As her words ended, time resumed its flow.

"Does that remark mean you’re challenging me to a duel?"

Facing the three women’s sharp glares again, Rupert smiled.

He truly thought this world was the best.