VIP Early Access
Eksklusif untuk member VIP
Password Protected
Chapter ini dikunci dengan kode khusus
Chapter 373
Eternal Vow (Illustration)
June, when flowers fall and summer arrives.
Ferda was staring into the mirror longer than usual.
It wasn't the simple black attire he always wore, but clothes adorned with flashy jewels and such.
He scanned every inch of his reflection in the mirror, and looked again.
"Are you still at it?"
Е̂ṅ ü mӑ.. іd
Ruri barged in and asked.
"Since it's important attire, shouldn't I check until the very end?"
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
"Just how much sense could Ferda-nim possibly have? Would doing it alone even work?"
True enough.
I have no choice but to admit it.
"How does it look to you?"
Е n um̆а
"First, let's fix your clothes."
Ruri grabbed the part Ferda had touched several times and pulled it taut.
Surprisingly, the part that had been bothering him settled into place at once.
"I'll redo your tie as well."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Ruri carefully brought her hands to Ferda's neck.
Given the posture, their eyes naturally met at close range.
Е.n̈u m̆ а̄ .ĩ d̈
Ruri deliberately avoided that gaze.
She deftly tied the knot.
He checked his reflection in the mirror once more.
There was a man who looked much more put-together.
"To think the day would come when you'd fix my clothes."
"Since it's attire for an important event, shouldn't I check thoroughly? I just don't want to embarrass Master-nim."
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Her narrow eyes shone like blades, prepared to nitpick every detail.
It felt similar to when Ferda first came here.
The difference from back then was that Ruri's face had become lively.
"Ah, there was a message from Princess Olivia, no, the Saintess."
"What did she say?"
"She says the Emperor's authority is crumbling smoothly. They're pressing the charge of neglecting Far East affairs, pushing the narrative of how a single empire could be ignored."
Е́ n̊ uṁ а .i d̆
"The central nobility must be quite flustered."
"Those nobles are hurriedly standing by the Emperor's side to defend him, but it seems to only amount to cutting their own throats."
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Without the Emperor, the Empire is nothing.
The central nobles who know this becoming of one mind was only natural.
But they won't be able to easily sway public opinion.
It was only possible to capture the Empire's public sentiment because of Grand Duke Golt's existence.
Ӗ nu m̌ а .і̂ d̄
With his death, there was no figure to serve as the center of unity.
No, there was one.
The problem was that it was the enemy.
'Saintess of the Scaffold, huh...'
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
She stood on the scaffold and gave a speech, proving her qualification as a Saintess.
Through that, she caused a ripple far beyond imagination.
Е̌ṅú mӑ.
The imperial citizens who believed absolute power came from golden blood learned that red blood flowed from Olivia's hands.
That visual effect didn't provoke blatant antipathy, but it shook what they believed in.
Once things start shaking, they're uncontrollable.
It was the perfect timing for the Althea Religion, which had been coveting power, to exert great influence.
'But they won't let Olivia run wild either.'
They only intended to inherit the rotten Empire as is.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
According to internal intelligence, a plan to put Olivia at the forefront and boil her down was already underway.
But Olivia is a clever woman.
She saw through their scheme and had already finished preparations to counter it.
Chaos will arrive as she intends.
A single Empire will split into dozens, welcoming a new era.
The Empire that persisted in a deformed manner will finally collapse.
Ѐn̈ ǔ m̈ а .і̊d
"And that thing the Chief Researcher made?"
"Right."
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Was it called a camera?
It was a magitech device that cleanly reproduced even colors by magically dyeing the image reflected on a lens.
"We ran a test with that."
"How was it?"
Wѐḃn о́v̇ е̊l̂ Е̂ñ u̇ m̊а̄
"Well..."
Ruri trailed off.
She seemed to ponder how to put it, then answered like this.
"It was vivid."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Vivid?"
What should've been a good reaction seemed subtle, making him tilt his head.
En ũ m̄а
"That's because Penelope ran the test."
Penelope.
A four-syllable resonance that makes a person's mood shitty.
Ferda felt like spitting right then to peel off the disgust stuck to him.
"Why did that bitch do it?"
"She has plenty of excuses. She's the Merchant Association's Planning Department Head, and Hestia's Minister of Culture."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Minister of Culture.
It was a department newly established at the strong insistence of Garnet and Mori as they synthesized the direction of technological development.
They said leading trends could guide the flow of money, so Ferda permitted it.
The problem was that Penelope was the one to take that position.
She was recommended to the minister post in recognition of her product development achievements, but was immediately dismissed for inappropriate words and conduct.
Afterward, knowing there was no one else to do it, she was reappointed, but dismissed again for showing vulgar behavior once more.
Ӗnu̇m̈ а
Despite being dismissed twice in a row, she was reappointed yet again on the opinion that they had to look at the expected future effects.
All this process took a mere 12 minutes.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
As it happened, this entire process was recorded on a crystal orb, so it couldn't be altered or discarded, making her the 1st, 2nd, and simultaneously 3rd Minister of Culture.
"Anyway, that woman took a picture with Valdrova-nim."
Valdrova.
At those words, interest stirred as if by a lie.
Wеb ň ǒve l Е̇ n̆u mа
Within the word 'fluttering heart,' Penelope was attached, turning it into anxiety.
"Did you see that photo?"
"Yes."
"How was it?"
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"It was a bit subtle."
"What do you mean by that photo?"
W̃еb̆ń о̇ v̂е̃ l̆ Ě n ú m̀а̂
"No. That's... the atmosphere is just really subtle, so to speak."
Her eyes were saying it.
Should I show this or not.
Frustrated by her hesitant appearance, Ferda told her.
"Just give it here."
"Here it is."
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
A paper the size of a handkerchief landed in Ferda's hand.
There, Penelope and Valdrova's figures were clearly captured.
"Hmm..."
What is this shitty feeling?
It's clearly just a photo of two women, yet for some reason it pissed Ferda off.
Like this damn pink-haired bitch stole his lover.
Е́ n̂ um̄а. і̄d
It felt like she took this photo just to provoke that fact.
Coincidentally, it wasn't just Ferda feeling that mood.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
After exchanging glances, they confirmed they felt the same thing.
"She's in Master-nim's lair right now."
Ferda nodded and set the photo down.
"This time I'll really cut her throat."
Е n ũ ḿ а̄ . ї_d
A cockroach-like woman who survived avoiding the eyes of Great Demons.
With a resolve to kill her for sure, he went downstairs.
"Sitri's child, Penelope!"
Ferda shouted at the iron door.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
From inside, a "Hiiik!" sound was heard.
"You've finally gone crazy and crossed the line. Come out quietly."
W̄ e̊b̃ n̈ о v̀ е̌ľ Е n u m̂ а
-I knew this would happen! Something felt off, but I sent it thinking we should look together, and now you're trying to kill me like this! Aaah!! I'm so unfair and unhappy and upset I can't live!
At the world's most aggrieved lament, Ferda replied.
"Then die."
-I don't wanna diiiie!!!
Penelope's voice screaming like a shriek.
She wailed with sobs, then suddenly threw a question.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
-But you know what?
"What?"
-Looking at the photo, it seems like I suit Valdrova-nim better?
Ferda let go of his reason.
Unable to endure the humiliation, he opened the side door and went inside.
He finished preparing to twist her neck right there and stared at her.
W̆ е̃b̀n оv ёl Ê num а̌
"Penelope-ryu, Secret Technique! Absolute Fascinations!!"
Absolute Charm.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Magic unthinkable for a trifling third-rate demon to unleash.
But Ferda, who had crossed the threshold, stopped in place.
What Penelope used as a shield and pushed forward was Valdrova.
Not just any Valdrova.
Ë n û m ӑ
A woman in pure white attire.
Glossy skin, moistly flushed plump red lips, and eyelashes beautiful like eaves.
Red hair deeper than blood, brighter than roses.
Ferda froze on the spot.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
His boiling killing intent was rendered meaningless as all thought ceased.
Reluctantly, he had fallen for Absolute Charm.
Е.n̈ù m̊а̌.
Penelope slipped out the side door in that opening.
"Ah, that..."
A crawling voice from hesitating lips.
Her shoulders trembled, her politely clasped hands fidgeted.
"They say the groom shouldn't look at the bride's dress carelessly..."
"Ah."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"..."
"..."
"Since I've already seen it, I guess there's no helping it...?"
Valdrova brushing past a jinx or whatever.
She tucked her long hair behind her ear and asked.
"So, how is it?"
W е b̀n̂о̃ v̀ ѐ l Ё nu m.а
"You're beautiful. To the point where such words fall short..."
"Ferda-ssi, you're also incredibly handsome. Is that formal attire?"
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Yes."
"Hmm, I see..."
Valdrova covered her mouth with her hand and shyly approached, scanning his whole body.
Then she gently took Ferda's hand.
Е ñ ùm̊а .і̌ d
"So we'll hold hands like this and receive the officiant."
"...That's right."
"Ferda-ssi, your voice trembled."
"Yes, it's trembling."
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
It felt like he'd die from trembling.
"To think I have to wait a whole year... It's really strange."
W̄е̄ b̊ nо̂ v̄ е̂ l̀ Ѐǹ ùm а̃
"What do you mean?"
Valdrova smiled bashfully and said.
"In the old days, a mere year was nothing... but now even a year feels too long. That a year is 365 days, a day is 24 hours... it all feels too vivid now."
"Do you dislike it?"
"I like it too much. Because it's nice to wonder what will happen each day."
She glanced up.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Her golden cat-eyes were more lovely than eerie.
"And Ferda-ssi, who taught me that, is even better."
A tone as if telling him not to be jealous.
An urge to hug her tight right then surged.
"Ferda-ssi."
"Yes."
W̄ е̃b̄ ñ ǒ v̊ еl̊ Еn ŭm̃а́
"Did you hear I'm going up to live there starting tomorrow?"
"Yes, I heard."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Then we're in a consummation relationship now?"
Of course, they weren't really consummating.
She'd just use her bedroom, and Ferda would use his.
"That word means..."
Е̌ṅ_um а.і̄ d̆
"Huh?"
"...It's nothing."
He thought about correcting her, but didn't want to dirty those pure eyes.
One lewd demon is enough.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Anyway, I was wondering what to bring up, so I rummaged through my things, and found this."
A paper folded haphazardly.
Ẽn u m̀а́.ǐd́
"The engagement vow document I wanted to show Ferda-ssi..."
Engagement vow.
Right, we did that too.
He recalled her turning away sharply after hearing Ferda's vow.
"This... at the engagement... we said we'd do it... but I didn't..."
Her golden eyes looked up at him like a soaked puppy.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"The engagement ceremony has passed, but... can we do it now?"
"Of course."
He felt a strange mood.
Wondering why, he realized the biggest issue was their attire.
She wore a bridal dress, and Ferda wore a groom's attire.
And this cave was also where they'd proceeded with the engagement with Valdrova.
W еb̈ n о̄ vе l Е n û m̈ ȧ
It felt like standing in a wedding hall.
At least to Ferda.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"I..."
Valdrova fixed her eyes on the first sentence and opened her mouth.
"It'll probably be different from what many people you think of would say."
Valdrova laughed as if embarrassed.
Еn̄_um̂å.id
But her mouth didn't stop.
"Since long ago, I've troubled many people's hearts and made many mistakes. So I'm fearful, and sometimes show undragonlike appearances. I might do so in front of you too. You'll surely be disappointed seeing me like that."
A laugh flowing without confidence.
Ferda and Valdrova recalled the times they'd been together.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Just as she foresaw, there really had been many mistakes.
"But if you don't give up on me, I'll keep trying. Though it started from my greed, put you in a difficult spot, and the only promise I can make is that one. I'll keep at least that. As a partner who won't be ashamed before you, and before myself..."
Е̊ nŭ m̆ å . îd̃
She lifted her eyes from the vow document.
"I want to promise eternity with you."
Ferda's vision blurred.
Did fog suddenly roll in from somewhere?
As he thought that, he saw Valdrova's flustered expression.
"Ferda-ssi, tears..."
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Valdrova hurriedly took out a handkerchief and wiped Ferda's eyes.
"I'm sorry. Hearing those words, I cried without realizing."
"Don't cry, Ferda-ssi. If Ferda-ssi cries, my tears want to come too..."
"I apologize. I'll hold it in."
He holds back the welling tears with a smile.
They suppressed the tears trying to spill as they looked at each other's faces.
É ǹ ü m̈ á .ǐ d
Soon after, they heard someone coming down into the cave.
"The door's open, huh..."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
It was Vernel.
He looked at Valdrova and Ferda with a blank expression and asked.
He looked at Valdrova especially more.
"Um... did Penelope come here?"
Е́n ù m̂ a
"She ran away."
"By any chance, the camera... ah, there it is. Um, are you two wearing formal attire right now? You're not supposed to look at the bride carelessly..."
"Yet you keep looking."
"Gasp! I'm sorry!"
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Vernel belatedly realized his great rudeness and bowed his head.
Ferda hid Valdrova behind him, and she snuggled into his back.
Ẃ е b̀ n̂ о v̊ ě l Е̇ n ŭ m̄а̀
He grudgingly came in, retrieved the camera, and asked Ferda.
"Did you see the photo too?"
"I saw it."
"How was it?"
"Ah, that..."
Ferda slightly twisted the emotion he'd felt then and answered.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"It was vivid."
"It was vivid..."
It was a weird answer, but linguistically positive, so it shouldn't matter, right?
He decided to think that way.
Vernel seemed to turn to leave but couldn't easily step away.
He finally spat out the words circling his head.
Е n̈um̄ а̌
"This is really rude of me to keep saying..."
"What?"
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
"You two look incredibly beautiful in formal attire. If it's not too rude, I'd like to capture you two as my first work. Would that be alright?"
Valdrova poked her head out and said.
"We're not even married yet?"
"Just because the ceremony hasn't been held doesn't mean you're not in a loving relationship, right? I think taking a commemorative photo beforehand isn't bad either... The weather's nice today, and the flowers are just right, so a proper work should come out..."
Еňu m а
Silence circled at those words.
Valdrova and Ferda looked into each other's eyes.
Vernel, uncomfortable with the silence, tried to smooth it over with laughter.
"Ah, it seems I spoke out of turn. I'll be going then."
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
"Wait a moment."
In place of the tactless Vernel, Ferda asked.
W_e̊b nо̀ ṽ е̇l̆ Еnū m а
"I don't think today's bad, but what do you think?"
Valdrova shyly nodded.
That youthful appearance seemed to tickle his heart terribly.
"Let's take it."
They prepared to take photos in the garden.
Even with the sudden decision, Ruri quickly organized the garden and plucked flowers from everywhere to decorate.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Penelope checked their attire as a stylist, and directed poses and angles.
"Then I'll take the two of you. Just stay as if you're having a portrait painted!"
Portraits are usually done in a solemn atmosphere.
Neither Valdrova nor Ferda seemed to know what expression to make to maintain that solemnity.
Because of that, only awkward expressions were captured.
Even Ferda, who was always expressionless, was the same.
Еǹ ùm ǎ
Penelope even said, "Wow shit, you usually have eyes that look like you could fold a few people easily, but today you're acting like a total stiff."
Even Vernel, who had no artistic sense, thought this wouldn't do.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"How about just laughing brightly? Try laughing while thinking happy thoughts."
Did they need to think happy thoughts?
The laughter was right next to them.
Whether that thought got through, their eyes met.
Е́ n̈ u m̌ӓ . і d
They made eye contact and laughter burst out.
Natural laughter came out.
Vernel didn't miss that moment.
A photo was completed with the world's most beautiful smiles settled in place.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
The happiest appearance drew a future where only a flower path seemed to exist.
But that happy wedding would never be a future that could arrive.
Е̊ň ū m а̂. ǐ d̀
That was precisely the fate the two of them carried.
