Mito moved with graceful steps. As the hem of her bright red wedding gown brushed the floor, a small hand promptly lifted it, keeping it from gathering dust.
Seated at the head, Aoba gazed lovingly at the lovely figure beside her son Kosuke, her hands trembling slightly with excitement.
The moment Kosuke led Mito into the hall, the previously boisterous atmosphere fell silent.
Everyone held their breath, their delighted gazes fixed on the two newlyweds at the center as they quietly awaited the continuation of the ceremony. "First bow to Heaven and Earth—!"
The officiant's booming voice rose alongside the crisp clang of a bronze gong.
As Kosuke bent to bow, he heard Mito's slightly hurried breathing beside him. Without drawing attention, he gently brushed the back of her hand in reassurance.
Catching sight of the faint blush visible beneath her veil, his heart gave an involuntary tremor.
"Second bow to the elders—!"
Kosuke slowly turned with Mito in hand.
Izuna stood at the very front of the crowd with a wine jar in his arms, waggling his brows at him. That teasing expression mercilessly ruined the solemn look Kosuke was trying so hard to maintain.
Facing his mother Aoba, seated at the head, the two newlyweds bowed deeply.
The sight made Aoba tremble with excitement as she repeatedly praised them, "Good! Good! Good!"
"Husband and wife bow to each other—!"
Standing face-to-face, Kosuke and Mito completed their final bow and exchanged jade pendants as tokens.
When his fingertips touched Mito's slender fingers, fragments of their first meeting suddenly flashed through Kosuke's mind: prisoner,
threats, deception—scene after scene flickered before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
Sensing Kosuke's distraction, Mito slowly raised her head beneath the veil.
Her burning gaze seemed able to pierce through the red silk. Tiny specks