Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 315

"You can't know that…"

Father obstinately hammered the order of the ceremony into me, but I lack confidence.
But Freed said with a smile.

"You will be fascinated by my formal wear during the ceremony anyway, right? There's no point in being nervous."
"…"

I feel it's very much possible. After all, thinking about it, I did the same thing during the engagement ceremony.
Of course, the engagement and wedding ceremonies differ in scale, but I'm still me.

"… Now I've lost confidence in a different sense."

As I became dejected, Freed said with a delighted smile.

"Fufu. It's just like you, Lidi."
"Freed, I think it's your fault for being too cool."
"Even if you tell me that… But didn't you say before that I wasn't to your taste?"

As Freed curiously tilted his head, I became lost for words. Then I muttered.

"Because… I've fallen in love with you. I thought you were cool from before, okay? But when I realized that I love you, it became hopeless. You're so cool through the lens of love that I can't help it. Freed, I find everything about you cool now…"
"Even if you emphasize that with a serious face… Well, I also see my beloved girl as cute, so I understand. Lidi, you're the cutest in the world for me."
"Ah."

As Freed whispered into my ear, my face grew red.

"Aah, my consort is really cute…"
"I-I'm not one yet."
"Yup. But soon you'll be."
"Uuu…"

What is it? I'm unbearably embarrassed.
Even from the carriage I can tell the Royal Capital is spirited. Because of the seating capacity commoners cannot enter the cathedral, but they have gathered to take a look at us.
Once the wedding ceremony finishes, our carriage is scheduled to go around all four towns – eastern, western, southern, and northern. It's like a debut.
I can easily imagine the main street teeming with people about now.
The carriage stopped.
I heard people cheer, and the carriage door was opened respectfully.
Dressed in the formal wear, the Royal Guard Chivalric Order Commander Glenn bowed his head.

"Your Highness, congratulations on this occasion. Please, proceed inside the cathedral."
"Yeah, thank you."

Freed stood up and alighted from the carriage first. Then he offered me a hand.

"Lidi. Come."
"―― Yes."

After a moment of pause I took his hand. While paying attention to the hem of my dress, I alighted the carriage. As soon as I did, earsplitting applause and shouts of joy arose.
In front of me was a historic cathedral with a grand atmosphere. A scarlet carpet was laid out until its entrance. On both sides, soldiers wearing similar formal wear of the chivalric order as Glenn were evenly posted, holding back commoners who came to celebrate.
When I looked up at the clear blue sky, I saw a single white dove flying.

"Aah…"

I turned my eyes to my husband-to-be in front of me.
Freed gently smiled and looked at me.

"Lidi. Come, let's go swear eternal love to each other."
"―― Yes."

I quietly nodded to those words and together with Freed began walking glidingly down the carpet. Someone lifted my long train. When I turned my head out of curiosity, I saw my friend Marianne. On a closer look, the usual participants of my tea parties such as Char, Tiris, or Siris were there too.
When our eyes met, everybody bashfully cast down their eyes.

I know you can have unmarried friends hold the train at such occasions, but I didn't know they were called. When I turned my eyes to Freed, he returned a smile.
I immediately understood it was his consideration.

"Um, Freed… Thank you."
"It's nothing. Were you surprised? It's a relief to have people you know around, right? I know you are close with them, Lidi. To tell the truth, I wish I could have also invited her."

By her Freed must mean Milly. Of course it was impossible, but I'm very happy about the thought.

"I'm incredibly happy. It's enough."

I felt what little tension I still had disappear completely.
The cathedral door opened. Lined up next to Freed, I bowed together with him.
We walked straight to the altar. There was no hesitation. However, I couldn't do anything about my pounding heart.
We stood before the altar. In this world, a clergyman sent from the church headquarters usually holds the ceremony, but in case of royal weddings, the King can also do it.
The King was standing in front of the altar. He was looking at us with a gentle smile much like Freed's.

"I will now hold the wedding ceremony of the Crown Prince, Friedrich van de la Wilhelm, and the daughter of a duke, Lidiana von Vivoir."

The place fell silent. The ceremony solemnly progressed.
We finally exchanged the vows, and Freed lifted my veil. With just a light kiss, my mouth broke into a smile.

"Lidi, I love you."
"Me too."

Hearing the short yet filled with emotions words, I felt my tears about to overflow.
Incidentally I thought.
It was surely fate that on that day half a year ago I went to the masquerade ball, a place I'd never normally consider.
Because, if I hadn't met Freed then, I'm sure we wouldn't have arrived at our current relationship.

Thinking so, I smiled at the person who became my husband while enduring tears. His eyes were moist as well, and he was smiling with utmost happiness.

"Now, show yourselves to everyone."

With those words the King prompted us. Outside the cathedral an open-roofed carriage, different from the one we came in, was waiting for us.
While walking together with Freed, in the corner of my eye I saw Brother, Will, and Sion watching us.

"Ah…"
"What is it, Lidi?"

Freed asked, but I ultimately shook my head.

"No, it's nothing."

Without saying anything else I left the cathedral together with him. Bright sunlight fell on us.
Right on cue, the cathedral bells began to powerfully ring a blessing.
While answering everyone's cheers and blessings, I got on the carriage. I'm no longer a duke's daughter here.
Here I'm Freed's consort.
The coachman began slowly driving the carriage. I smiled gently together with Freed and said goodbye to my past.

―― Farewell, the old me. And, good day the new me, who became Freed's wife.

"Alright! Let's keep doing my best!"

I fired myself up.
I publicly became the Crown Princess. Many things will happen in the future, but together with Freed I'm sure we'll overcome them.
Thinking so, I looked at my husband sitting next to me. Seeing his cool appearance, I pressed down my chest, glad that I could marry him.

―― Uuu, after all Freed is cool. The military uniform is the best.

In the end, I'm my usual self no matter where. But Freed says he loves such me, so I'm sure there's no problem.
I stood up from the seat and threw the bouquet made of blue roses that I had been holding to the sky with all my strength.  As soon as I did, I heard women raise a cheer. I hope from the bottom of my heart that my bouquet leads to someone else's happiness.
Seeing Freed's fluster, I sat down.

"Lidi, it's dangerous to suddenly stand up."
"Sorry. But, I felt like throwing the bouquet."
"Jeez, you really are unfettered, Lidi."

I'm troubled. Even though Freed said that with a smile, his face was not in the least troubled. While thinking he's lovely, I vigorously waved my hand to everyone.

"Everyone, thank you. I'm happy!"

A particularly large cheer arose. The carriage headed straight to town.
Smiling at Freed, I said.

"Husband, I'm inexperienced, but- No. I love you, so please take care of me forever!"

Then with all eyes on us, I clung to my beloved with all my strength.

―― The happy toll of a bell poured down from the top of the cathedral.

With this, my story 'I Didn't Want to Become Crown Princess' ends.
And from now on, my new story 'I Became Crown Princess' begins.

Chapter end