3. Steady hands, decisive actions

Under the witness of Queen Louise IV, after confirming our mutual decisions, Kfeier and I removed the previous “temporary substitute rings” and exchanged them for the precious rings prepared for us by Uncle Zerola and his wife—rings that I instantly recognized as “priceless treasures,” dazzling enough to blind me.

As we exchanged them, feeling the slight chill from Kfeier’s fingers, I knew that from that moment on, nothing chaotic would interfere with my relationship with Kfeier.

However, the next moment, I realized I was mistaken.

Amidst the applause surrounding us, the atmosphere gradually became “lively,” leading the usually shy Kfeier to even muster the courage to publicly ask for a kiss from me…

The lurking tigress revealed her fierce fangs.

“Kfeier~ Congratulations~”

The Queen “happened” to appear, “coincidentally” interrupting Kfeier’s actions. Now awake, Kfeier was no longer swayed by the surrounding atmosphere; she immediately took a step back, responding to the Queen’s “kind congratulations” while blushing and stealing glances at me .

“Ah~ Did I interrupt you two? What were you trying to do just now, Kfeier?”

Isn’t it clear to you, Your Majesty, whether we were interrupted or not?

[Queen Louise IV intentionally interrupted Kfeier’s actions.]

Unfortunately, Kfeier was completely lost in her joy, unable to think about the Queen’s true intentions.

“I… I wasn’t doing anything… Sister Wang.”

“Then I suggest you two quietly leave before the guests surround you and you can’t escape. This scene here is enough for me and Kfeier’s parents to handle~ Also, as previously agreed, Sister Wang has prepared a gift for you, Kfeier, and someone will naturally inform you when you leave~”

As the Queen spoke, two maids appeared, lifting Kfeier’s long wedding dress to prevent the hem from getting dirty. Just as Kfeier dazedly began to leave, I naturally prepared to follow, but the Queen, with her long legs, blocked my path under the starry sky.

“Mr. O’Keefe, just a moment~ I’ve already given Kfeier her gift, but I haven’t given you yours yet.”

In the raucous scene, no one noticed the Queen’s actions, so… this “innocent and radiant” smile was clearly directed at me. Even if it was called a “gift,” facing Queen Louise IV, all I could sense was a full measure of calculation and conspiracy.

“Um… Your Majesty, can I decline?”

“What? Clearly, I am the witness to your engagement, and now you wish to refuse the Queen’s gracious gift?”

I’m worried you might “bestow” something strange upon me! Like a “spare key to the Queen’s chamber,” a dangerous item that would allow me to do good deeds without needing to go through the back door.

“Then… can you just give it to me now?”

This was the only method I could think of to prevent the Queen from causing trouble. However, the next moment, I realized how naive I was.

“Well~ It was meant to be given to you immediately~ The gift I bestow upon you is a reminder: in the Great Ying Empire, the marriage system allows for concubines, so… do you have any special thoughts about the existence of concubines?”

“Absolutely none!”

—

Because I know what you’re thinking, Your Majesty, how dangerous it is!

I immediately escaped from the queen’s clutches and ran to accompany Ke Fei’er. Among the guests who came, while there were certainly some sincere blessings, a significant portion were there just to “perform” in front of the queen. So, even though Ke Fei’er and I hadn’t appeared on the scene since the ceremony, we didn’t cause any trouble.

Thus, everything remained calm and quiet. Neither Ke Fei’er nor I was willing to speak, until the night slowly descended, and the surrounding silence was only broken by our breathing. It was then that I realized a serious problem.

The rings had been exchanged, the engagement had been completed, so why was it that at this late hour, neither Uncle Zelora nor the maid at home had come to disturb us? It was as if Ke Fei’er and I had been deliberately placed in an environment where we could be alone…

Then, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander: after all, we had this engagement now, so shouldn’t we… start, start, start the meal?

Suddenly realizing this, I regretted it so much that I wanted to slap myself in the face. Angry, cold, trembling—how could I, as a good man trusted by Ke Fei’er, have such sordid, opportunistic thoughts at a time like this!?

Yet, my eyes still obediently looked over.

Unlike the noble demeanor she had during the day, like a goddess descending, at this moment, under the hazy night, Ke Fei’er sat upright, tense and motionless in her pure white wedding dress, which I could only admire. Regretting that I hadn’t thought of some compliments in advance, I was left with the crude thought of “so beautiful!” filling my mind.

After all, according to the script, it was about time to jump into the “wedding dress CG” scene!

In the next moment, Ke Fei’er really did move!

“Don’t stare…”

Ke Fei’er’s voice was left with nothing but shy complaints. But even if she said that, what could I do!?

Everything around seemed to fall into nothingness; the existence, sounds, and even scents around us were reduced to just Ke Fei’er and her next words…

“Is there… is there anyone? Quickly use ‘prophecy’ to check, you smelly charlatan!”

I swear this was the fastest and most skilled I had ever been at reading the script.

“No one… just the two of us.”

I swallowed, and speaking of which, what usually happens after the wedding dress CG appears in those games? Normally, wouldn’t it be time for… that… wedding dress play?

Before I could finish my thought, Ke Fei’er unexpectedly moved a bit closer to me.

“Oh, this outfit is very precious.”

“Oh…oh!”

As a pure-hearted man, I momentarily didn’t understand the meaning behind Ke Fei’er’s words.

This wedding dress was a carefully prepared product of the Great Yingtian Empire, it could be considered a national treasure; how could it not be precious?

Then Ke Fei’er added another sentence.

“So it can’t get dirty.”

“!”

Dirty, dirty, dirty… What am I supposed to do about dirt on the ground!? Or does Ke Fei’er’s “get dirty” mean something else…?

No, no, I definitely know what this means. I’m not the kind of passive male protagonist from a third-rate novel! But the problem is, I’m feeling tight, tight with nerves!

What should I do? First, take off my clothes? What if Ke Fei’er slaps me? Should I take them off first? But would that make me seem like a pervert?

To take a step back, I wouldn’t even know how to take off that wedding dress! If I accidentally tied a knot, wouldn’t I be stuck all night!?

“Glug.”

I swallowed hard, gathering my courage as I slowly reached out with my trembling hand.

In the next moment, Ke Fei’er grabbed my wrist with one hand!

Ah, ah, ah! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it! I haven’t even touched yet! Don’t say I’m being a rogue, please don’t…

But then… Ke Fei’er held my hand and guided it to her waist.

“Do you see the bow there?”

“Be gentle when you untie it… you idiot.”