Rouge stood to one side, watching Tsugikuni Yoriichi tease young Ace with a warm smile. It was not until the wedding officiant stepped onto the stage that Rouge led Ace away and returned to her table.
Rouge had been invited to Kyros's wedding. All the teachers at the Marine Academy had received invitations.
Kyros had wanted to keep the banquet as modest as possible. Although he was a Marine Vice Admiral and earned considerably more than ordinary Marines, Kyros had always been a man of conviction. He knew that the Dawn Sword branch was at a stage where it needed funds for rapid development.
Most of his salary had been poured back into the branch's construction.
Kyros's reasoning was simple. He practically lived at the branch, and aside from occasionally treating his subordinates to food and drinks, he had nowhere else to spend money. He had never cared much for material things.
He simply could not afford to spend so much on such a grand wedding.
But King Riku could not tolerate that. His daughter was getting married; even if he did not throw an extravagantly lavish celebration, if it turned out worse than an ordinary family's wedding, where would he put his dignity as king?
Still, King Riku was not one to squander money. They could forgo all the flashy frills, but the banquet for friends and family had to be grand.
That was why nearly everyone at the branch had taken part, and even the Marines on duty today would receive a separate feast after their shifts ended.
King Riku was exceptionally good at dealing with people, and he had given Kyros plenty of face.
Naturally, Kyros, who had grown up without parents, was deeply moved.
As the guests gradually took their seats, King Riku also left his