# 24
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The closer the demon got, the more Luhas' face stiffened.
Because of his extreme tension, he carefully held his long beard that reached his chest, as if it were a precious treasure he was trying to protect.
The priests surrounding him came forward to block Edwin's path.
“The high priest can only be met with a prior appointment.”
Their gazes were clear, 'Back off before you get involved.'
But Edwin just smiled slightly.
"truly?"
Then he turned his gaze to the high priest.
“I have an important matter I would like to discuss with him...”
He paused for a moment, then added quietly.
"separately."
Lohas swallowed the fear that reached his throat.
He couldn't show weakness in front of the other priests, even if he was trembling on the inside.
One of the priests shouted angrily.
“You want a one-on-one meeting with the High Priest? Who do you think you are? Are you from the Imperial Family?!”
'No, please, stop… Don't provoke him…'
Lohas was screaming internally as he tried to control the situation.
He coughed lightly and approached to calm the situation.
“It's okay, let him, this guy is—”
But the priest did not remain silent, but rather interrupted him as he became increasingly angry.
“How unbearably arrogant!”
Edwin's calm gaze provoked him more than anything else.
Lohas again tried to intervene.
“I said it's okay, stop—”
“How dare you try to meet the High Priest yourf?!”
“I said enough!”
A loud scream came out from the mouth of the high priest, who was always known for his sobriety.
Everyone froze in astonishment, even the angry priest's eyes widened as he whispered.
“K… High Priest?”
Lohas's face was dripping with tension and fear, and one of the priests even said with sincere concern.
"What's the matter, sir? You look like you're being chased by a tiger!"
“Enough talking!”
Then he added in a trembling voice.
“This man is His Highness… the Third Prince.”
“…Huh?!”
The priest froze in place as he looked in amazement between Edwin's face and Lohas's beard.
It was as if his memories of “the prince who burned the beard of the high priest” began to surface.
While the priests around them were confused, they quickly bowed to Edwin in respect.
Edwin was sure that Dana did not see him from behind the large column, so he contented himf with a superficial greeting, indifferent.
“We salute His Highness the Third Prince!”
“What brings Your Highness to this humble place...?”
The priest's voice was dripping with submission and fawning.
Which made Edwin stifle a sarcastic laugh as he walked steadily towards Lohas.
The priests quickly opened a passage for him, their faces pale for fear that one of them would be exposed to the prince's wrath.
Edwin approached with a gentle smile.
“It has been a long time, Priest of Luhas.”
“N… yes, it’s been a… long time.”
Lohas muttered, trembling slightly, holding his beard with both hands as if he was protecting it with his life.
‘This time… I will keep it… I won’t let him burn it again…’
But Edwin continued as if nothing had happened.
“I came today to ask for a little help.”
"H-help? What kind?"
“I need a priest to witness my marriage.”
"…marriage?"
Lohas froze, unable to comprehend the surprise.
marriage? Suddenly like this? From whom?
His confusion increased when Edwin continued in a firm tone.
"I want to get married right away. That's why I need a priest right away."
His words were very brief, but implied: ‘Get a priest now, and don’t argue.’
Lohas gave a nervous smile and stammered.
“The time…is not right now, Your Highness. The hall needs preparations, the golden chalice for the Mass, and—”
Edwin let out a short sigh, his chest visibly tightening. What he hated most in life was repeating himf twice.
“I said I need a marriage certificate. That's all.”
“But, Your Highness, no matter what, you are a member of the imperial family...”
“The party, the rings, the guests, all those decorations — we'll do them later,
We'll make it boringly luxurious if you want. But now… I just want to officially register the marriage.”
“That is... that is, you want to directly register the marriage without a ceremony...”
Lohas began to feel a pang of conscience in his conscience.
Who was that poor woman who was chosen by the third prince?
But despite everything, he pretended to be calm and said.
“But… there is no vacant prayer hall at the moment.”
“Isn't there a main temple?”
The temple was different from the small prayer rooms people used.
It is a huge place that can accommodate more than a thousand people, and it is only opened on major official occasions and with the approval of the Emperor himf.
The Third Prince couldn't be ignorant of what was happening.
He does not even fear his father, the Emperor.
Lohas said with a frown.
“……I will prepare a simple ceremony. I will present to you the marriage certificate with a short blessing.”
Whatever it was, the other party was from the imperial family.
It was not appropriate to just send one paper. As soon as he said that he would prepare the ceremony immediately, a satisfied smile appeared on Edwin's face.
“If it is a blessing for the bride, I will gladly accept it.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Oh, and also…….”
Edwin's smile deepened.
For the first time, Lohas realized how a bright smile could look so cold.
“The bride does not know that I am from the imperial family, so be careful.”
With these words Edwin left the temple.
Then he headed towards the kind lady sitting in the garden.
After they exchanged a few words, the Third Prince gently escorted her away.
He held her as if she were a precious glass doll.
The priests stared at him in amazement.
'What's going on now?'
The first to regain consciousness was Lohas.
“Hurry, prepare the stage.”
***
‘What exactly is going on……?’
Dana never wanted things to come to this.
The doors of the temple were opened, and only the imperial family and authorized nobles were allowed to enter.
“Edwin, why did we come here……?”
“Because there is no prayer hall ready now.”
“I would have been satisfied with holding the ceremony in the garden like a moment ago…….”
"Not possible."
Edwin smiled brightly.
“I said I'd always give you the best, didn't I?”
The situation was so stifling that she felt suffocated by the sheer luxury.
Moreover, what is the story of that platform shining with gold?
The priests carefully decorated it in preparation for the ceremony.
On either side of it were placed two cups studded with expensive precious stones.
Why are the arrogant palace priests behaving this way?
Dana tilted her head in confusion, then whispered to Edwin.
“Did the high priest agree to marry us so easily?”
"naturally."
"How is that?"
“Because we are all equal before God.”
Edwin answered with complete confidence.
As soon as they finished preparing the platform, one of the priests approached them and said.
“Everything is ready, and we will present the marriage certificate after the ceremony.”
His voice was too humble, and he didn't even dare to look into Dana's eyes.
“Let's go, senpai.”
Edwin took her hand and led her to the platform.
With every step they took, the smile on his lips grew unconsciously.
How beautiful Dana was at that moment, as she held his hand to complete the ceremony.
When they reached the platform, High Priest Lohas himf appeared.
Dana's eyes widened in surprise.
The chief priest does not preside over wedding ceremonies unless the bride and groom are members of the imperial family.
‘This is really exaggerated……!’
Dana couldn't stand it and asked him.
“We thank you for your blessing on our marriage, but may I ask why you are the one conducting the ceremony yourf?”
Fortunately, Lohas's experience outweighed his confusion.
He looked at Edwin before answering.
But Edwin's eyes remained calm, as if to say: “Why don't you answer?”
In the end, Lohas had no choice but to lie.
“Haha, all humans are equal before God. It is my duty to bless everyone who stands before me.”
Haha……hahahaha……
Lohas continued to laugh, pretending to be calm.
But Dana asked again.
“So, have there been any other weddings that you personally bless? Other than those of the imperial family.”
“……I intend to do so from now on.”
“Since when did your conviction change?”
“……Since today.”
Very strange.
Dana whispered to Edwin.
“Looks like we got lucky today, right?”
“Indeed, who would have thought that he would change his mind so suddenly.”
They exchanged looks and smiles contentedly, while Lohas felt an overwhelming desire to cry.
He who lived an honest and upright life could not bear the idea of lying.
But since he said what he said, he would have to bless many more weddings in the future.
Lohas swallowed down the bitterness, putting a smirk on his face.
Then he began to say the blessing.
“In the name of God, we declare the union of these two persons in the bond of marriage…….”
The pool was very short.
He doesn't know what might happen next.
One of the priests approached cautiously and opened the marriage certificate.
Dana signed first, writing her name clearly: 'Dana Hartwin.'
Lohas then signed as high priest.
Finally it was Edwin's turn.
He first wrote his name 'Edwin,' then said, smiling at Dana.
“The high priest said he would give you a special blessing after the ceremony.”
“Me?”
Dana looked at Lohas in amazement.
Who sighed after realizing Edwin's intention and said sympathetically.
“……I wish you good health, and may God’s blessing always be upon you.”
At that moment, Edwin completed his signature with a sleight of hand.
But the name he wrote was not the 'Edwin Lanbert' that Dana knew.
Rather, it's 'Edwin Hydron' — the imperial name denoting the ruler of the great Hydron Empire and the lineage of dragons flowing in their blood.