Chapter 148 – Why Is Everyone Making Me Cry Before My Wedding?!

After Ann was done with the styling and was ready to depart, she was escorted to the living room, where her adoptive family was waiting for her.

“Ann-neesama, you look so beautiful! Like a princess!” Fina said with amazement. Her pink long wavy hair was neatly arranged in low twintails, with flower-like adornment put on the hair. Wearing a cute dress befitting her age, she looked like the embodiment of spring herself.

“You look cute like a little princess too, Fina!” Ann couldn’t help but squeal at the sight. If only they weren’t as dressed up, she would have hugged and rubbed Fina’s rosy cheeks.

Well, technically this body’s real identity is a princess, and Fina’s soul was partly princess as well… Ann suddenly thought to herself.

Then, Ann’s line of sight shifted to the young girl next to Fina. 

Her short green hair was neatly tidied, soft strands framing her face, and the simple dress she wore suited her in a gentle, unassuming way. It wasn’t as extravagant as Ann’s gown, yet it highlighted Faye’s natural charm all the same.

And yet…

Ann noticed how Faye’s lips trembled slightly, her eyes glistening as if holding back tears.

“W-what? Faye? What’s the matter?” Ann immediately crouched a little, panicking. “Don’t cry, or you’ll need to be restyled!”

“Ann-neesama… you look so beautiful…” Faye sniffled, her voice soft and shaky. “But after this… we’ll be separated…”

Ah.

So that was it.

Ann froze for a brief moment before her expression softened.

She carefully hugged Faye. 

“There, there. We are sisters now. We can always meet again and communicate with each other anytime. I promise I will visit you and let you visit from time to time, okay?” Ann tried to comfort Faye.

“Hng… sobs…,” Faye tried so hard to not let any tears spill. 

“Don’t cry! I don’t often hear the sister of the bride crying on the day of marriage. It’s mostly the father of the bride who will cry. Sometimes the mother too–” Ann then locked eyes with her adoptive mother and gulped for a bit.

No way she would cry when I am not her real daughter and haven’t spent that much time with her, right? And that goes for Viscount Jonas as well…

Ah well, okay, it actually makes sense for Faye to be the one crying as she’s the one who’s spent the longest and the closest to me so far…

“We need to ride the carriage to the church now, or we’ll be late. The groom and the guests should have arrived already,” Viscountess Vanessa’s voice rang. 

The reminder came gently, but it was enough to break the quiet moment.

Ann loosened her hold on Faye, though her hands lingered on the girl’s shoulders for a second longer. Faye quickly made a floating wiping motion in front of her eyes, trying her best to compose herself, while Fina tilted her head, still not fully understanding why her sister was suddenly so emotional.

“You’ll ruin your makeup if you’re not careful,” Ann chuckled softly, though her tone had lost its earlier teasing edge.

“I-I’m fine…” Faye made another wiping motion as if it would dry the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes, her voice still trembled slightly.

Ann let out a small sigh before pulling her into one last brief hug. “We’re not being separated forever, you know. Don’t make it sound like I’m going somewhere unreachable.”

Faye clutched the back of Ann’s dress for a moment before letting go, her grip reluctant but obedient.

To Faye, Ann was her everything.

After losing her parents, she lived every day on the brink of losing the only thing she had on her–her life.

Ann was the one who helped her save her life, and gave her life more. 

Due to it, Faye had unconsciously grown attached to Ann.

As Ann’s personal maid, she believed she won’t ever separate from the mistress that she served.

In a turn of events, she was elevated as an adopted daughter of a noble, and Ann became her sister.

It was such a happy occasion, since nobody would dare comment if the two were seen to be close and caring to each other. 

But alas, though her status had grown closer to Ann, their distance must increase soon.

Ann’s presence was equal to safety and love to Faye, and being away from her seemed like the safety and love she had gotten would disappear again.

The first time the safety and love from her parents disappeared, her life turned to be a living hell.

This time, though she knew that she wouldn’t be alone, nor lacking love or care and safety… she still felt shaken, nevertheless.

Viscountess Vanessa stepped forward then, her usual composed expression softening just a little. She first patted Faye’s shoulder softly, calming the girl down, before she reached out and adjusted a stray strand of Ann’s hair, fingers precise as always.

“You look proper,” she said. “Remember what we’ve taught you.”

“Yes, Mother,” Ann replied instinctively, the word coming more naturally than she expected. Though the slight blush on her cheek showed her embarrassment. 

It took a second for the viscountess to hide her surprise.

Viscount Jonas chuckled warmly from the side. “Try not to trip on the way there. I’d rather not have to explain to the guests that the bride lost face to her own dress.”

“Father…” Ann shot him a helpless look, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

“Alright, alright,” he raised both hands in surrender, though his eyes were obviously moved. “Come. Let’s not keep the groom waiting.”

Ann smiled.

It seemed like her decision to address her adoptive parents with ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’, at least for today, was the right decision. 

It was a special occasion in her life that was only possible thanks to her adoptive parents, so she should at least show this much appreciation for them. 

***

The five of them rode together in the same carriage.

It was large, spacious enough for all of them to sit comfortably, with soft seats and finely crafted interiors that spoke of quiet luxury rather than excess. The gentle sway of the carriage as it moved forward was smooth, almost calming.

Ann sat between Faye and Fina, her hands resting on their smaller ones without thinking.

It was clear this arrangement was intentional.

This ride was something the Doussier family wanted her to have.

A final journey together, as a family.

There was a tradition in this world where the whole family rode together on the carriage–in case of a big family, at least the person marrying would be accompanied by their parents in the same carriage, as it would be their last time accompanying their child who would be forming their own family.

However, not all noble families followed this tradition.

Especially the ones who wanted to show off their prestige and luxury more. 

They would choose the other tradition that had a much grander entrance. 

In that other tradition, the parents would ride on a carriage together, followed by the siblings’ carriage, before finally, the bride/groom’s carriage.

There would be a parade of carriages.

But this wasn’t the case here for her wedding.

She was now surrounded by her adoptive family.

Ann lowered her gaze slightly, feeling a warmth settle in her chest.

She had only been with them for a short time, and yet… they treated her as if she had always belonged.

Her fingers tightened ever so slightly around Faye and Fina’s hands.

Then, a thought crossed her mind.

…What about Allen?

Ann’s gaze drifted toward the carriage window.

Was he riding his carriage alone to the wedding venue?

His parents were gone. His household had retainers working there, but even though loyal, they were still not his family. There were still certain boundaries retainers would need to adhere to.

And obviously, for the wedding procession, Allen couldn’t have rode on the carriage with his retainers. 

He would be riding alone.

For a brief moment, Ann felt a quiet ache in her chest.

Allen wasn’t the type to show it.

He rarely spoke about such things, heck, his words would often be too curt and cold. His expression was often calm, almost distant and cold, even. 

But Ann knew better than that. Beneath that composed exterior was someone who cared deeply, someone who would have cherished moments like this.

This duality was the thing that had drawn Ann to Allen’s character, even claiming him as her husbando back then.

In a day like this, Allen… must have felt his family’s absence more than anything.

Her grip softened.

Damn, me and my busy mind.

After I could hold back my tears from seeing Faye’s sadness and from the Doussier couple’s consideration, now my mind is thinking of something sad related to my husband-to-be, huh?

It’s over if I cry here!

Ann wanted to curse her own mind.

Try to think of a happy thing…

Hmmm…

Ah, right.

It’s inevitable for Allen to ride the carriage alone since his family’s no longer here.

…But that ends today.

Ann straightened slightly, her gaze steady now.

From this point onward, he wouldn’t be alone anymore.

Because I’ll be his family.

***

Before long, they had arrived at the church. 

Escorted by Viscount Jonas at her side, with Viscountess Vanessa, Faye, and Fina following behind, Ann stepped into the church. 

The guests’ murmurs faded as the doors closed, and through the thin veil, her gaze found him almost instantly.

Allen was already there at the altar, standing tall, waiting.