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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kie]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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Chapter 23: Land of the Dragon
"We've finally arrived."
"Watch your step."
Selina stepped down from the carriage, taking Janus's outstretched hand.
"Thank you for your hard work these past ten days."
"Not at all. You said we can't go any further by carriage from here, right?"
"The Land of the Dragon is within these snow-capped mountains. According to the records, marrying there grants a special proof, similar to a marriage certificate from a temple."
"And you don't know what that proof is?"
Will shook his head at Selina's question.
"No, we don't. It was Your Grace's great-grandparents who went there. Did you hear anything about it?"
"All the records from that time are with the Research Society. My mother mentioned it a few times, but it was when I was young, so I don't remember everything."
"I see."
The thought of venturing into an unknown place made Selina uneasy. She furrowed her brow, gazing into the forest.
"Don't worry too much, my lady. If we follow this forest path, we'll surely reach the Land of the Dragon."
Selina felt relieved that her companion on this adventure was none other than Grand Duke Justia, whose dragon's power had always brought him victory.
Looking at their tightly clasped hands, Will spoke.
"Then, please be on your way. I'll wait here with the others and join you later."
"Let's go."
"Yes, we'll be back."
Selina entered the forest, escorted by Janus.
As the two walked deeper into the forest, their figures disappearing from sight, Will offered a heartfelt prayer.
"I pray for your safe return."
* * *
Walking on the forest path, difficult even for a carriage, was not easy.
Selina had brought comfortable shoes for the journey, but the snow-covered path made it challenging, causing her to stumble and nearly fall several times.
Each time, her reliable support was, of course, the sturdy Janus.
"I definitely had stamina training at the academy... but I'm not used to forest paths, so I keep showing you my embarrassing side."
As she said this, Selina stumbled again, and Janus skillfully caught her.
"Embarrassing? I feel like I've been given an opportunity. A chance to escort you to my heart's content. From now on, no matter what path we take, I'll be by your side like this."
Janus smiled, watching Selina entrust herself entirely to him.
'If I could see this smile every day, I'd want to stay by his side forever.'
Startled by the thought that had unknowingly crossed her mind, Selina slightly pulled away from Janus.
'Since when have I thought like this? Since when did my heart start pounding whenever I see him?'
Selina was a bit flustered by this feeling, clearly different from what she felt when she saw Eric, whom she had known her entire life, or her former fiance, Morgan.
Janus was about to ask Selina why she had moved away.
That's when it happened.
A deafening roar echoed, and a bright white light flashed before their eyes, obscuring their vision.
Brighter than sunlight, the light devoured the trees, grass, and earth around them.
"Selina!"
With Janus's cry, Selina lost consciousness.
Perhaps due to his dragon's power, Janus managed to remain standing, catching the collapsing Selina in his arms.
Despite the pain that felt like his eardrums were rupturing, he covered Selina's ears with his large hands and endured.
The white light that had blocked his vision gradually diminished, taking on a human form.
As the light shrunk to the size of a human figure, the deafening roar ceased.
"Are you human?"
The booming voice seemed to be created by the wind, not a human. Even amidst the ringing in his ears, the sound was clear.
Janus shouted with all his might.
"I am the inheritor of the dragon's power! I have come to this land to marry my one and only mate!"
* * *
"Selina. Selina, open your eyes. Selina."
At Janus's call, Selina opened her eyes.
The ear-splitting sound and the blinding white light had vanished.
"Your Grace, what happened?"
"I lost consciousness too... I'm not sure."
Selina touched her forehead, feeling a slight headache, and sat up.
"What's this?"
In her hand was a small, pebble-like object.
"I don't remember clearly, but... the white light said it would leave a token of marriage with you. It seems it did."
"A token of marriage?"
Selina shook and tapped the small, white, pebble-like object, which looked like nothing special.
"It's just a pebble."
"Before I lost consciousness, the white light said it would leave the token of marriage in the mate's hand. I can't remember anything else... no matter how hard I try."
'I knew it would be different, but I didn't expect a wedding like this.'
Selina tightly grasped the token of marriage in her hand.
For some reason, it felt warm.
"Do you remember anything?"
"No. After the deafening sound and the white light, I lost consciousness."
"This is troublesome."
They both knew how disadvantageous their current situation could be.
"His Majesty will definitely not acknowledge our marriage."
‘After all the trouble we went through to come here, am I going to be forced to marry Eric and lose my family's business?'
Selina hugged her knees and stared blankly at the pebble in her hand.
"His recognition doesn't matter."
Janus, sensing Selina's anxiety, sat beside her and spoke.
"You are my wife. Aren’t you?"
Janus wrapped his large hand around Selina's hand, which held the token of marriage.
"From now on, I am your husband. I will protect you, no matter what."
"I believe you. As your wife, I will trust and follow you."
"Selina."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Call me by my name."
Looking into Janus's eyes, which seemed to glow even redder, Selina unconsciously called his name.
"Janus."
"I wanted to give you this in front of more people, but..."
Janus took out a ring from his pocket.
"I take you as my wife."
"Janus."
Selina looked at the ring, which fit perfectly on her finger, and asked in surprise.
"When did you prepare all this?"
"My father made sure I had it, saying I couldn't take you all the way here to get married without a ring."
Janus, as if unable to lie, scratched his head slightly, giving credit to Phillip. He held out his hand.
"Now it's your turn."
Selina took Janus's hand to put the ring on his finger.
'Why am I so nervous about this?'
Hoping Janus couldn't hear her pounding heart, Selina slid the ring onto his finger.
"I take you as my husband."
Their hands, adorned with a pair of identical rings, shone beautifully.
* * *
Three days later, the two returned from the forest.
In the meantime, Will had gathered and organized the escort sent by the Grand Duke's faction, preparing to welcome the couple.
"There, there they are!"
A scout, who had been observing the forest, announced their arrival. The soldiers of the escort lined up in formation.
"What's all this...?"
"I'm glad you returned safely. This way, please."
A wooden watchtower-like structure had been erected, bearing the Grand Duke's flag.
Janus escorted the surprised Selina, and as they stood atop the tower. Will gave a signal.
"All troops, salute His Grace the Grand Duke and Her Grace the Grand Duchess!"
The soldiers, about 200 in number, performed a ceremonial salute, drawing their swords and thrusting them into the ground in unison with a shout.
"Even though we limited the number of escorts, it seems the families sent more out of concern."
"I'm worried this might be mistaken for a rebellion."
"Don't worry. I will protect you, and no one will be able to lay a finger on you."
"Yes, I trust you."
Will smiled warmly, watching the couple's affectionate exchange.
Janus gave the order to the escort.
"Return to the capital."
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kie]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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