Even Lumia and Melika, one quickly following suit, the other smiling after a moment of silence, as if relieved, joined the applause.
Seeing this, the people present began to clap along.
“A truly well-matched couple, may the gods bless you.”
Pope Yuler smiled and clapped, leading the temple priests to applaud as well.
The members of the Demon Race also did the same, following Airi’s lead without hesitation.
Harvis smiled wryly and clapped with Rockto.
The others couldn’t hesitate anymore and could only clap reluctantly, the applause growing louder and louder, filling the hall.
However, as the noble sons clapped, their hearts bled.
Looking at Lucy’s beautiful, goddess-like figure, and seeing that only Shien was in her eyes, a smile she had never shown before gracing her face, the noble sons were driven mad with jealousy, wanting to kick Shien away and take his place beside Lucy.
Ancil, however, smiled happily.
Then, he looked at Shien.
“I, Ancil Mitra, in the name of the thirteenth king of the Kingdom of Mitra, bestow upon you the honorary title of Earl.”
Ancil carried out the final task.
“From this day forward, you are no longer just a viscount, but an Earl of the Kingdom, a high-ranking noble, truly entering the upper echelon of the nobility.”
“I hope you will treat Lucy well, strive for progress, and reach even greater heights.”
“Earl Buztout.”
After saying that, Ancil let go of their hands and stepped back, leaving the stage to Shien and Lucy.
Shien and Lucy finally smiled at each other.
Especially Lucy, whose eyes were filled with both happiness and relief.
Because she knew that she had finally bid farewell to the past, no longer needing to live such a boring and meaningless life.
From now on, she didn’t need to live to meet others’ expectations, nor did she need to work so hard to hide herself.
Although today was just their engagement, not their official wedding, Lucy, with the [Blessing of the Goddess of Fate], had a premonition that her life, from this moment on, had truly changed.
Thinking of this, Lucy couldn’t help but tighten her grip on Shien’s hand.
Shien, for once, didn’t act like a fool, as if only this beautiful princess was in his eyes, his face filled with a gentle smile.
Shien seemed to see the scene of the first time he met Lucy in the square in front of the palace.
Lucy at that time was so beautiful, so dignified, that Shien was stunned and held his breath.
However, what truly made Shien understand Lucy was that decisive scene.
Even now, Shien could still vaguely hear her words from that time.
“Why are there so many troublesome things happening? Can’t I just rest?”
“My daily schedule is already so full. Not only do I have to make public appearances every day, but I also have to deal with those nobles proposing marriage. I don’t even have time to have fun. I finally get to stay in the capital for a while, why do these world-altering events have to happen? How much work does God want me to do?”
“I don’t want to work! I don’t want to work! I want to go out and play!”
“I want to eat the desserts from Lilith’s shop! I want to eat the food from Isis’s restaurant! I don’t want to keep eating the cold food from the palace!”
“Waaah… that idiot Vivian… why did she bring me such troublesome matters? What do these people want from me?”
“Aaaaaah… so troublesome… so troublesome…”
Recalling her voice, her words, and Lucy lying on the bed, rolling around and complaining about her situation, Shien couldn’t help but smile.
Shien leaned close to Lucy’s ear.
“Do you still think meeting me was a troublesome thing?”
For some reason, Shien asked this question.
Lucy seemed to know where this question came from and, as if also recalling that time, looked at Shien with exasperation.
However…
“Meeting you is the luckiest thing in my life.”
Lucy, following her heart, answered with a bright smile, each word spoken with sincerity.
That smile once again stunned everyone present.
Shien also couldn’t help but be momentarily dazed, then he smiled gently.
Glancing at the beautiful Lucy, then at the noble sons around them, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy, Shien’s smile turned mischievous.
Then, Shien tightened his grip on Lucy’s hand.
“Ah!”
Lucy exclaimed and fell into Shien’s arms.
Shien embraced the princess, then without hesitation, lowered his head and captured her lips.
“Whoa!”