Read Novel Full Chapter 229: The Wedding Part 3
Chapter 229: The Wedding Part 3
The presentation of the ring at the altar, witnessed by a nun and the gathered people, was the formalization of marriage in this world.
"Your Majesty Lilith, do you accept this man as your husband?" the nun asked Lilith.
The latter looked at her but did not respond immediately.
She fell silent for a moment before giving a light nod without saying anything.
That alone was sufficient confirmation.
"Then, from this moment onward, you are husband and wife!" the nun announced.
The atmosphere remained silent even after the nun’s declaration.
That was, until the palace butler suddenly began to clap, followed by the servants.
The guests had no choice but to clap as well, even though they were filled with jealousy.
Richard stood beside Lilith, still holding her hand.
He looked over the guests one by one.
Luke and his companions did not clap, but they continued staring at the altar.
At the very least, they did not cause any trouble. Perhaps they were aware that they were not qualified to make trouble for Richard.
Richard occasionally glanced upward, anticipating the possibility of a powerful Magus appearing to stir chaos, but it seemed that no one dared to do so.
If anyone were truly that bold, the Fire Spirit Queen would kill them.
"Now, I will announce the new title of Her Majesty’s husband!" the nun spoke again as she took out a golden-yellow sheet of paper.
Richard was slightly surprised upon hearing this, then remembered that the spouse of a ruler would naturally receive a new status.
Whether empress for a woman or prince for a man.
"Based on Her Majesty the Queen’s decision, after her marriage, her husband shall become the king of this realm, possessing authority equal to hers," the nun announced what was written on the golden-yellow paper.
At those words, the kingdom’s nobles—and even Richard himself—were stunned.
King?
Of course, this was a higher status than prince.
A prince’s orders were not absolute; they required the ruler’s approval.
But a king was different.
This meant Richard would not need Lilith’s consent to make decisions.
Even high-ranking nobles such as dukes would have to obey him.
"What is this supposed to mean?" one noble said.
"Isn’t this excessive? A king? He doesn’t even have royal blood."
"Yes, he should only be given the title of prince."
Several nobles voiced their objections.
However, two servants suddenly approached, carrying a silver crown with a star adorning its front.
The nobles’ mouths fell open at the sight.
The crown was handed to Lilith at the altar.
As she held it, Lilith looked toward the nobles who had been complaining.
"This matter has already been approved by the elders... If you have objections, you may take them up with them," Lilith said calmly.
The elders had agreed.
The nobles who heard this could only freeze with their mouths agape.
As Queen, Lilith was extremely powerful, making it difficult for any noble to challenge her.
But more than that, her decision was supported by the elders.
Many of those elders were grandfathers or ancestors of the nobles themselves. They were naturally far stronger, even without holding official positions.
It was impossible for the nobles to challenge the elders’ decision.
Seeing the nobles fall silent, Lilith shifted her gaze to Richard, who was still stunned.
"From now on, you will help me govern this kingdom," she said, then placed the crown upon Richard’s head.
The moment he wore the crown, he felt an extraordinary sensation.
Yet Richard felt uneasy.
Help govern the kingdom?
He knew Lilith was not the type who enjoyed managing a kingdom. But because she wanted the inheritance, she had to rule.
Was she now trying to pass that responsibility onto him so she could relax?
What puzzled Richard even more was that the elders had no objection to granting the title of king to someone without royal blood.
"Greetings to His Majesty the King!" the palace butler suddenly bowed to Richard.
"Greetings to His Majesty the King!" The nobles, who dared not challenge the decision, were forced to follow the butler’s lead.
This made Richard’s status completely official.
Richard could not protest—doing so after being crowned king would only make him look ridiculous.
He could only nod and force a smile.
"Your Majesty the King, please say a few words to your people," Lilith suddenly said with a faint smile.
The people nodded in agreement, wanting to hear a few words from Richard as his first official speech.
"Ehem..." Richard cleared his throat lightly, though he was actually thinking about what to say.
DING!
(Your mastery of Mind Attack has increased from 78% to 93%)
Mind Attack (93%)
Suddenly, he received a notification from the System, which encouraged him to speak, causing him to smile slightly.
"Everyone, I know it is difficult for you to accept me as king—not because you doubt my ability, but because I am not one of you," he said.
His words made several nobles frown.
It was true, but it didn’t need to be said aloud.
"But believe this: for the most beautiful woman in this kingdom, I will do anything to make her happy," he continued. "Therefore, to anyone who feels jealous of me, I hope you cast that jealousy aside."
"..."
His short speech made several nobles, especially the younger ones, blush.
Was this really a speech? It was clearly meant to provoke them.
Richard looked back at Lilith and took her other hand, turning to face her.
Lilith was momentarily stunned, then slightly panicked.
"Boy, don’t do anything here," Lilith said.
"Every wedding shows the couple kissing. If we don’t, what will people say?" Richard replied.
"If you do that, you’ll only make people even angrier," Lilith said.
"Let them be angry," Richard replied.
The hand that had been holding hers moved to her waist.
This shocked the crowd.
"Kiss! Kiss!" someone suddenly shouted.
Richard was quite surprised when he heard that.
It was actually Augus’s voice.
He was shouting from the gate.
It seemed he had gained the courage to do this because Richard had become king.
After him, several others began shouting as well, swept up by the moment.
Lilith could not have been more shocked.
And Richard smiled faintly.
Taking advantage of her surprise, Richard moved his face quickly toward hers, making it impossible for her to avoid, and their lips met.
Lilith’s chest heaved, but as Queen, she would become a laughingstock if she fled her own wedding just because of a kiss.
Besides, it was true that all weddings were accompanied by a kiss between bride and groom.
Since she had already been kissed, she could only remain still, letting Richard kiss her lips.
It seemed she tell had drunk some wine, as there was a faint taste of it on her lips.
It was so sweet that Richard pressed his lips harder.
Lilith instinctively grabbed Richard’s hand.
She wanted to pull away, but she seemed to begin enjoying the sensation as she looked at Richard’s handsome face right in front of hers.
Of course, Richard did not prolong it.
This was merely a ceremonial kiss; he could not display excessive desire.
He then smiled at the guests, who were blinking repeatedly, still too shocked to react.
Their beautiful Queen had been kissed right before their eyes. Even if they wanted to be jealous, it was too late now.
At least in the Holy Star Kingdom, Richard could call himself a winner.
"Ehem..." Richard cleared his throat at everyone staring at him.
"Everyone, please continue enjoying the celebration," he said.
After that, he pulled Lilith toward the palace doors.
On the way, they even passed by Grace. But she seemed busy drinking, as if she hadn’t seen them pass at all.
Two servants appeared to want to help lift the hem of Lilith’s gown. However, once they passed through the palace doors, Richard closed them.
Now that the palace was empty, how could he allow anyone inside?
Even if they did not need to go straight to the bedroom, after the wedding, the newlyweds were expected to enter the home.
They needed to be alone.
Inside the palace hall, Lilith pulled her hand free from Richard’s, then suddenly removed her wedding gown with a single wave of her hand.
"It’s too hot," she said.
However, she still had another layer beneath—a shorter, rather revealing dress.
After removing the wedding gown, she sat down on her throne and immediately crossed her legs.
Richard rolled his eyes at her behavior, uncertain of what she was thinking.
He did not speak, waiting for her to speak first.
She touched her lips—the ones he had kissed.
Richard, waiting for her to speak, was left puzzled when she still said nothing after a while.
Only then did her gaze suddenly turn irritated.
"What is it, Sister Lilith?" Richard asked, having no choice but to speak first. Lilith rolled her eyes.
"What are you still waiting for? Are you waiting for me to drag you into my bedroom myself?" she said.
Richard could not have been more stunned upon hearing that.
"Now?" he blurted out instinctively.
"Boy, let me tell you—although I’m a normal woman, I don’t always want it," Lilith said irritably at his remark.
Richard gave a wry smile, but a moment later, it turned bright.
Without even taking a step, he appeared right in front of Lilith, who was seated on the throne, grabbed her hand, and pulled her up to her feet again.