As Iver, Isabel, and Pope Your Majesty exchanged pleasantries and waited for noon, when the ceremony would officially begin,
Iver suddenly felt something stir within him. Realizing what it was, he brightened at once.
"—There are two more guests!"
He said softly to Isabel, "There's also the new gift I prepared for you... It's finally arrived before the wedding officially begins."
"What is it?"
Isabel was somewhat puzzled, but she did not ask further.
Whatever the gift was, it did not matter. Today, she was filled with joy and already immersed in happiness.
At that moment, a familiar figure hurried in from outside, pulling a little girl along with her.
It was Aleister!
"I almost didn't make it..."
Aleister let out a breath, her lips full of smiles. "Luckily, I made it in time..."
"Thanks for the effort."
Iver nodded at Aleister, then softly said to the elven girl she was leading, "Thank you very much, Lady Hypatia."
The girl looked only about seven or eight years old. Even as an elf, whose stature was taller than a human's, she appeared to be no more than a young child.
She wore a pure white dress and white Holy Silk Stockings, making her look like an angel. She had pale golden hair similar to Isabel's and clear amber eyes. In contrast to her childish appearance, her bearing was calm and mature.
"Hypatia?"
Pope Grey was somewhat surprised. "You came too?"
"Pope Your Majesty."
Hypatia first bowed respectfully to the Pope, then turned to Iver. "I should be thanking you, Mr. Iver. Compared to the fact that you helped me rescue my daughter... the request you made of me was merely a small favor."
"...Daughter?"
Isabel's eyes widened in surprise.
She could tell that the other girl was a genuine child...
Iver