NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12 - First Night Ceremony
Tonight marks the first night’s ceremony, a tradition steeped in church customs to validate noble marriages. Nobles must provide evidence of their union, even on their wedding night.
They were required to enter the couple’s bedroom with a priest sent by the church as a witness. The following morning, they needed to present a bloodstained sheet as proof of the bride’s virginity.
However, Brigid, being a reincarnated person, found these customs absurd. She wanted to object but knew that doing so would only raise suspicions of a sham marriage. Thus, she had no choice but to comply silently.
(Well, in the French royal family, they say all the courtiers watched the first night, so I hope that doesn’t happen here.)
Brigid thought as she approached the couple’s bedroom in her nightdress, wearing a gown over it.
Naturally, both the priest and Diarmid were present. Diarmid exchanged a glance with the priest and then opened the bedroom door.
Brigid stepped into the couple’s bedroom as directed.
The bedroom had a door connecting to Diarmid’s room and another leading to what would typically be used by the Marchioness. Brigid, the nominal Marchioness, had her room in the east wing where the guest rooms were located, so the Marchioness’s room remained vacant.
The door leading to Diarmid’s room had been securely locked and sealed in an X shape with a wooden board.
“Even if I didn’t do something so exaggerated, I wouldn’t go into Diarmid’s room…”
Brigid muttered softly, removed her gown, and climbed into the large bed.
“Yay! So fluffy!”
The bed was grander and more luxurious than the one in her room.
Diarmid was taken aback as Brigid, without hesitation, appeared before him in her nightdress.
“Hey! Why are you taking off your gown?!”
Brigid tilted her head in confusion as Diarmid panicked.
From the perspective of her previous world, wearing a nightdress wasn’t revealing at all; it was similar to wearing a normal one-piece dress.
If Diarmid found this situation uncomfortable, he wasn’t showing it.
“Diarmid, please take off your gown quickly and come to bed. It’s so comfortable!”
Brigid innocently urged him and reached out to help him remove his gown.
Suddenly, a scantily clad Brigid approached him, causing Diarmid to avert his gaze. Her voluptuous chest and soft white skin, usually concealed by her clothing, were now on display. He couldn’t help but feel a rush of desire, but he quickly looked away.
(What am I thinking? She doesn’t see me as a man at all. Those trusting eyes are proof of that.)
Diarmid couldn’t help but turn his attention elsewhere.
“Stop.”
Brigid whispered into Diarmid’s ear.
“Then, please undress yourself.”
Diarmid’s face flushed as his mind raced.
An uncomfortably warm sensation tickled his nose. It was a nosebleed.
Diarmid hurriedly covered his nose, bewildered by the situation.
Brigid blinked in surprise and then gushed, “It worked perfectly!”
With that, she pulled up the bed covers, grabbed Diarmid by the scruff of his neck, and pressed his face into the sheets.
“Huh!?”
“I was thinking about how to prove my virginity, and this worked out perfectly.”
Brigid explained quietly.
Diarmid, now aware of the situation, turned to Brigid with a dissatisfied expression.
“This is how it’s done.”
Diarmid grabbed a sommelier knife used to open wine bottles from the bedside table and, without hesitation, attempted to cut his arm.
Panicking, Brigid held down Diarmid’s arm, pleading, “Please stop!”
“Don’t make noise; the priest can hear.”
Diarmid whispered to Brigid, who was now in shock.
“But you’re already bleeding from your nose; there’s no need to hurt yourself. Don’t you want to…”
Diarmid chuckled when he saw Brigid looking at him with concern.
“Well, isn’t it uncomfortable to bury your face in the sheets?”
“…Ah, sorry.”
Diarmid wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand and smeared it onto the sheets.
“Alright, then. While we’re at it, let’s have some wine.”
With that, Diarmid opened a bottle of wine.
Meanwhile, outside the bedroom door, a priest listened.
“Why are you taking off your gown?!”
Startled by Diarmid’s raised voice from the other side of the door, the priest raised an eyebrow.
“Diarmid, please take off your gown quickly and come to bed. It’s so comfortable!”
Upon hearing Brigid’s voice, the priest blushed.
“I guess the bride is quite forward, isn’t she?”
The deacon nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
“Yes, both of them have been eagerly anticipating this day.”
“My patience has certainly been tested.”
“I can’t speak for you.”
The butler, wearing a meaningful smile, observed the situation.
“Well, as an innocent bystander, I’ll return to my room. I’ll come to check on you tomorrow, so please take care.”
With that, the priest excused himself and returned to the guest room.
The butler glanced at the bedroom where the couple was busy and let out a bitter smile.
(I wish it were true, though.)