At Our Wedding, You Chose Another Bride—So I’m Leaving for Good

"Nora Hale hasn't arrived yet?" Under the porch, someone asked a question with a smile. Vivian lifted her skirt and twirled gently. "Don't rush her, let's finish being the bride today first." Several young soldiers immediately smiled and raised their glasses. Through the half-drawn carriage curtain, I saw her hold onto Adrian's shoulder and lift one foot. "My shoelaces are loose." Adrian glanced down at her, then knelt down in front of her. He gathered the ribbon dragging on the ground into his palm, brushed off the dust, and retied it. As he stood up, he even smoothed out the rolled-up hem of her skirt. My gaze lingered there, and I didn't look away for a long time. On the day I tried on the dress, I got stuck on the layers of the skirt and wanted to ask him to help me fasten my shoelaces. He said he wasn't a servant and told me to go and call someone else. It turns out that he wasn't unwilling to back down. They just never humbled themselves for me. A few whistles sounded from under the porch. "You two look best together. After all these years, I've finally seen you today." The speaker was Adrian's childhood friend. After Vivian left the territory, he patted Adrian on the shoulder and thanked me earnestly. He said that thanks to me, Adrian has regained his smile. "It's a pity I can only borrow her for half a day." Another man swirled his wine glass, his face full of disdain. “Some people actually took it seriously, thinking that by staying by Adrian’s side for a few years, they could secure a position that didn’t belong to them.” That's Adrian's cousin. One winter, the mountain road leading to the border was blocked by snow, and the outpost he was guarding ran out of food. Adrian asked me for help, so I used all the flour I had stored in the bakery to make dry rations overnight and delivered them with the supply team. When I arrived, my fingers were so frozen that I couldn't even loosen the reins. He took the grain sack and repeatedly said that he would always remember this kindness. Now, he laughs louder than anyone else. There were also the soldiers who trained with Adrian, and his relatives who were always very polite to me... I've met all of these people before. They've eaten my cooking, received the gifts I prepared, and smiled as they wished us well on our wedding. But behind my back, they talked about me as if I were a stranger who was lingering and wouldn't leave. "Opening a small shop, and you really think you're worthy of it—" "Alright." Adrian finally spoke. My fingertips unconsciously tightened. He merely straightened Vivian's cloak and said calmly: "Today is about making her happy, so don't keep mentioning people who spoil the mood." My hand gripping the carriage curtain began to tremble. It turns out that at my wedding, even being mentioned was considered a downer. "If you look down on me so much, why pretend to be so close to me in front of me?" The moment the sound came out, the porch fell silent. I lifted the car curtain and looked at those frozen faces. Don't you find it disgusting? Someone hurriedly put down their wine glass and whispered: "Didn't they say she went through the side gate?" Adrian had already walked quickly to the car. There was no explanation, nor a single word of reproach directed at those people. He blocked my view of the porch, and his voice turned cold. "Apologize to them." A sense of absurdity crept in little by little. "I should apologize?" I almost burst out laughing. "They made fun of my wedding, said I wasn't worthy to stand beside you, and you want me to apologize to them?" Adrian looked at me for a few seconds, as if he had run out of patience. "Nora, it's impossible for everyone to like you." “They grew up with me and Vivian, so our relationship is naturally different. You’ve only known them for a short time; you should give them some time to get to know you.” I tilted my head back, trying to hold back my tears. "So, I'm just supposed to listen?" He frowned. "It was just a few jokes between friends, why did you have to make things so awkward for everyone?" A suppressed sob came from the other side of the porch. Adrian immediately turned around. Vivian's eyes were already red, and she was wiping away her tears with her head down. His expression softened, and when he turned to me, his voice also lowered. “In the past, if someone said something and you didn’t take it to heart, that was the end of it.” “Vivian has been blaming herself. She feels that if she hadn’t insisted on experiencing the wedding, they wouldn’t have made those jokes.” I looked at him, and my chest slowly emptied. He didn't seem to care when those words were said to me. Vivian shed a few tears, and I had to bow my head to put everyone at ease. He was still saying something. Perhaps it was advising me to be more magnanimous, or perhaps it was reminding me that the guests had already arrived and I shouldn't throw a tantrum today. But I can't hear you anymore. As tears streamed down my face, I spoke. "Adrian, it's over." He stopped talking. I will not attend this wedding. “I will not accept your mark.” I looked into his eyes and spoke each word clearly. He did not answer. Vivian lifted her skirt and walked down the steps, reaching out to grab his sleeve. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I'll change out of the dress right now and give the place back to her..." Adrian turned around almost immediately. He took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears, his voice no longer showing the coldness he had shown towards me earlier. "No need to change. I promised you could wear it, so just wear it without worry." "Don't cry, Nora isn't blaming you." He gently patted her back. "She's just being stubborn with me."

"Wipe away your tears, you have to go in later. Haven't you always wanted everyone to see this dress?" Adrian patiently straightened Vivian's collar until she finally stopped sobbing, then looked at me again. "Alright, go tell them that we'll let this matter drop." His tone turned cold again. "The guests are waiting, don't make me spend time coaxing you today." He even chuckled when he recalled what I had just said. "As for canceling the wedding... Nora, are you willing to do that?" After saying that, he turned and walked inside with Vivian in his arms without looking back. After ten years of relationship, he doesn't believe I'll leave. I lowered the carriage curtain and said to the driver: "Let's go." The wheels started turning again. I didn't bother to gather my wind-blown hair, letting the ribbons securing the veil slip down and hang over my shoulders. The driver listened to the whole thing, turning back several times, but in the end he couldn't resist. "Miss, forgive my bluntness, but the way he treats you is really not the behavior of someone who wants to marry a partner." He shook his head. "The day my wife and I set off together, the road was all muddy. I didn't want to get her new shoes dirty, so I carried her in the door." Carry it on your back? The fingertips slowly curled up. Adrian also carried me on his back. That late autumn, we returned from a neighboring town when a torrential rain washed away the wooden bridge over the river. I fell into the water, my leg was cut by a broken piece of wood, and I couldn't even grab onto the tree roots that stretched out from the shore. Adrian unfastened his cloak and jumped down without hesitation. The current carried us far away, but he never let go of my hand. After we got ashore, he retrieved the cloak he had left by the bridge, wrapped it tightly around me, and carried me to find a doctor. His clothes were completely soaked, and his arm was bleeding. But all the way, he kept calling my name and asking me to answer repeatedly, as if he was afraid that I would lose my voice on his back. When the doctor took me, his legs suddenly went weak. At that time, I never doubted his love. The driver remained silent for a moment after hearing this. "Given this, how could he possibly bear to part with it now?" I gently shook my head. Perhaps, he began to change little by little from the moment Vivian returned to his territory. We had arranged to visit his parents, but he could cancel at the last minute because she had just returned and needed someone to accompany her. He promised to pick me up from my shop on a rainy night, but left me alone at the door until the lights went out, because her carriage had broken down on another road. Later, I lay on the doctor's bed waiting for him, and he stayed by her side, watching the festive bonfire burn all night. Vivian always said that she would not accompany anyone. Adrian then had a perfectly legitimate reason. Since she didn't want to be his partner, all those hugs, companionship, and favoritism could be interpreted as care between friends. I take a step back, and he thinks he can take another step back. Even today, I can wait until my wedding. When the carriage stopped in front of the inn, the driver asked me if I needed to stay and wait there. I paid for my return trip. "No need, we won't be going to the castle today." As I spoke, I realized my voice had calmed down. Adrian probably thought I was just temporarily unable to bear the injustice, that I would go back and have a good cry, and then I would put on my dress again and appear in front of him. He felt there was no need to even chase after them to ask a question. But this time, I'm really tired. The hotel owner saw me return alone and stood up in surprise. I didn't explain, and carried the heavy hem of my skirt upstairs. Remove the hair accessories, wash off the makeup, and then take off the dress. Lying back in bed, staring at the wooden beams above my head, I was still somewhat dazed. Just last night, I was tossing and turning in this bed, thinking about what to say first when I saw Adrian today. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. She was the female apprentice who delivered pastries to the castle for me. She was holding a bouquet of white flowers. When she saw that I had changed out of my evening gown, she paused. “This is… something Miss Vivian asked me to return.” I recognized the ribbon on the bouquet. I tied it myself in the early morning. She carefully handed the flowers over. She said she had only taken a quick look around, and the flowers were still in good condition, so you could continue using them when you came in later. The petals were crumpled, and the hanging ribbons were stained with wine. I looked down at myself for a long time. The female apprentice hesitated, then added: She also said that Adrian did not tag her, and asked that you not misunderstand because of a few celebratory moments. I held the bouquet. What did they do? She did not answer immediately. I looked up and smiled at her. Tell me. She then began to speak slowly. Adrian led Vivian down a flower-strewn corridor, and the guests rose to toast them. Someone called Vivian the bride, and she smiled and responded; Adrian did not correct her. As the musicians began playing the first dance tune, he reached out his hand to her. That piece of music was the one I chose. I once practiced with him, and when he stepped out of step, he blushed and laughed for a long time. Now, the person standing in his arms is Vivian. "Then they sat down at the head table." The female apprentice's voice grew softer and softer. "Someone egged them on to drink from the same glass. Miss Vivian took a sip first, then brought the glass to Adrian's lips... and he drank from it too." I closed my eyes. They did not make any markings. The bride's entrance, blessings, and first dance have all fallen on someone else. The bouquet in her arms exuded a sweet fragrance. I once imagined with great anticipation that I would hold it and walk towards the man I had loved for ten years. Now it has been returned to me, reminding me that someone else has already walked that path for me. I suddenly chuckled softly. It turns out that, at the wedding, he only left me with the final mark.

However, in their view, as long as the mark is not completed, it does not count as crossing the boundary. The female apprentice kept her head down, still having some things to say. Adrian's mother pinned the family heirloom amber brooch to Vivian's collar and led her to greet the guests. She stood beside Adrian as his father raised his glass, receiving the blessings from everyone. She sat down in the seats that were originally prepared for me with great ease. Unbeknownst to him, he had already gone far beyond what he had promised, only allowing her to accompany him into the venue. A little while later, a servant from the castle brought a short note. Adrian's handwriting was somewhat messy. "You can rest a little longer at the hotel. Vivian is having a great time, so I've asked her to join the later celebrations as well." "Don't hold it against her anymore. Just consider it compensation for making her cry earlier." It won't take long to ride here from the castle. He preferred to send someone on this trip rather than come and see me in person. I did not answer the servant. His gaze fell on the basket the female apprentice had placed by the door. Inside were pastry molds brought back from the castle, and a few broken pieces of marzipan decorations. One of the wolf cubs was reduced to only half a body. That was the last thing I finished last night. I crouched down and picked it up. "Was this taken from the wedding banquet pastries?" The female apprentice nodded. "Miss Vivian said she wanted to cut it open early so everyone could have a taste. Then they started playing drinking games, and..." She didn't say anything more. I took a pen and paper, wrote two lines, and handed them to the servant waiting by the door. Why did you let her touch the wedding pastries I made? Do you remember what you promised me? After the servants left, the room became quiet again. Why do I still feel sad when I see these things even though I've already decided to leave? I went to many places to find that dress, and even discussed the pattern on the neckline with the tailor. When Vivian secretly tried it on, she tore a seam in the skirt. Adrian said it was no big deal to just change into another one. I wanted to hold the wedding banquet in the small garden by the river, but she thought it was too quiet there and insisted on moving it to the main hall of the castle. Adrian said, "It's more fun with more people, let's listen to her." In the end, I only left one request. I made the pastries for the wedding banquet myself. This is a wish I told him when I opened my bakery. At that time, Vivian had not yet returned. My shop's signboard has just been put up, and the oven is brand new. I stand at the door, full of thoughts about what kind of pastries I'll be able to make in the future. Adrian wiped the flour off my face and asked with a smile: "After thinking about it for so long, what are you planning to do for your wedding?" I told him earnestly that I should make honey cake, put on roasted nuts, and then use almond sugar to make two little wolves snuggling together. "At that time, I will personally cut it for each guest." After he finished listening, he took my hand. "Then I'll keep the first one." "Anyone who dares to snatch it, I'll make them stand there until the end of the banquet." I smiled and gave him a little push. "How can you treat guests like this?" He then pulled me into his arms. "I should be the first to appreciate your kindness." Now, the broken wolf cub lies in my palm, its back still covered in dust. The female apprentice said softly that they would remove the sugar decorations from the pastries and use them as prizes for a drinking game, tossing them to each other across the long table. Those that weren't caught fell to the ground, and no one picked them up. Vivian was having so much fun that she asked someone to cut the remaining pastries into smaller pieces so they could continue. The blessings I waited so long to personally share ended up becoming something for them to amuse themselves with. Not even a single intact piece was left for me. When footsteps sounded again outside the door, the light by the window had already shifted slightly. The attendant brought back a new short note. "It's just some pastries. I've already had the chef prepare them again. You can have whatever you want." I bit my lip and continued reading. “But you can’t deny how much help Vivian did today just because of this.” "No one from your family came, and the girl who accompanied you was someone she found. Everyone was there to support you, but you only cared about finding fault." The candy ornament in my palm crumbled from my grip. So, in his eyes, I should be thanking her. I thank her for wearing a gown, getting into my limousine, accepting my blessings, and then crushing my last wish. I picked up my pen again. "Don't you know why my parents refuse to come?" The pen tip remained on the paper, hesitant to lift it. Those memories I had suppressed have become clear once again. That day, I had just returned to my rented room when I suddenly started to feel pain in my lower abdomen. At first, he could stand steadily while holding onto the table. Later, blood flowed down his leg and dripped onto the floor. I was trembling with panic, and managed to scribble a note asking for help, which I handed to a servant passing by the alleyway, asking him to go find Adrian. He promised that day that he would accompany me to see the doctor. But I didn't wait for him. Later, the servant who delivered the message to me told me that he had found Adrian at the festive banquet. As soon as the note was handed over, Vivian grabbed Adrian's wrist. "You promised to spend time with me today, so why is something else going on?" "Let them handle it themselves, okay? They rarely get to come out." Adrian did not unfold the paper. He simply put the note into his pocket and told his servant to come back and tell me to rest well and that he would come back after the banquet. On that piece of paper, I wrote that I was bleeding. He didn't see it. They didn't even come back to ask a single question. I lost that child. When I woke up again, I was on a narrow bed in the doctor's house, and the room was filled with the smell of boiled herbs. The person sitting on the edge of the bed was not Adrian. She was the female worker who shared a room with me. When she came home from work, she found me lying on the floor, my skirt and the floor covered in blood. She called a carriage, took me to the doctor, and paid for the medicine with her own savings. At that time, we had known each other for less than a month. She stayed by my side all night.

My fiancé didn't even open that letter asking for help. He stayed with Vivian until the celebration ended. The female doctor tucked me in, avoiding my gaze. "The child could not be kept." “You’ve lost too much blood. Someone needs to stay with you for the next few days. You can’t be alone anymore.” I placed my hand on my lower abdomen and remained motionless for a long time. That day, my roommate asked someone to go see Adrian twice more. As darkness fell, I waited for my parents, who had come from a neighboring tribe, but I didn't see Adrian, who was still playing with Vivian outside the city. My mother's cloak was covered in mud; she hadn't even taken off her hood when she came in. When she saw me on the bed, her eyes immediately welled up with tears. After I recovered a little, I went home with them. Thinking of this, I suddenly remembered the package that was delivered to the hotel this morning. My cousin asked someone to bring it. At that time, I was waiting for the wedding carriage. Recognizing my mother's handwriting on the package, I hesitated to open it, and finally stuffed it into the trunk. Now, I've taken it out again. Inside was a thick wool cloak and a letter. My cousin wrote at the beginning: "Cousin, by the time this letter arrives, you should be getting married soon." “Your uncle refuses to go, and he won’t let us go either, but they think about you every single day.” Don't feel like no one in your family cares about you. My fingertips tightened little by little. The letter said that she had visited my parents a few days ago. The mother was sewing the last button onto the cloak, and as she sewed, tears began to fall. Why won't she listen to advice? "His fiancée was bleeding, waiting for him, but he was spending the holiday with another girl. Can you really expect a man like that to protect her if something happens in the future?" "Later, he knelt in the snow all night, saying he didn't know and that it would never happen again, and she believed him again." I still remember that snow. Adrian knelt outside my door, his shoulders covered in a thick layer of white. He said that if he knew I was in trouble, he would crawl to my side even if it meant crawling. I felt sorry for his hands, which were frozen purple, so I opened the door for him. But I forgot that when I needed him most, he wouldn't even finish reading a single letter. The letter was soaked with tears in one corner. I wiped it off and continued reading. Later, the mother began to complain about the father. "And you, why do you insist on saying that if she dares to marry him, she will disown her as her daughter?" "She's been stubborn since she was little, didn't you know?" "Now she's having her wedding all by herself, and there's not even anyone to help her adjust her dress." The father remained silent. As his cousin was about to leave, he called her back and took a leather money pouch from the cabinet. "Send this to her." "Tell her to keep the money herself. And when you're at someone else's house, don't be stingy with buying yourself anything." I reached down and touched the bottom of the package. Sure enough, there was a heavy money bag under the cloak. The knot at the top of the bag was tied twice. My father was always afraid I would lose things, so when he packed my luggage since I was little, he would tie it up again like this. I clutched the knot in the rope and finally burst into tears. My mother sewed the cloak for me, and my father prepared my dowry. The person I've been waiting for all day is busy making another woman happy. No matter how much I wipe away my tears, I can't get them all out. I buried my face in my cloak and cried until I couldn't breathe. Only one thought remained in my mind. I want to go home. I folded the letter and put it into my small bag along with the purse, then grabbed my clothes and put them into the suitcase. The shopkeeper said that a caravan would be passing by tomorrow morning and could give me a ride. I can't wait. I paid double the fare and asked him to hire a carriage for me to depart immediately. As long as you can walk, it doesn't matter if it's dark and you're still traveling. Just as I closed the lid, there was another knock on the door. A servant from the castle delivered Adrian's letter. Why haven't you replied? "The main hall is in such a mess that the flower stand has collapsed and wine has been spilled everywhere. It can't be cleaned up in a short time." “I asked the housekeeper to clear out the small hall on the west side, and the ceremony will be held there tonight.” I held the letter and read it quietly for a few seconds. The main hall was covered with a long carpet, and flowers adorned the way to the main table, enough to accommodate all the guests who came to offer their congratulations. The small hall on the west side, once a few tables are placed there, there isn't much empty space left. Vivian's borrowed wedding was to be held in a lively and bustling atmosphere, surrounded by a crowd of people. When it was my turn, I squeezed into the remaining space. Adrian probably didn't hesitate at all when he wrote these words. But I don't want to argue anymore. At the end of the letter, he also wrote: "The chef has also redone the pastries, making them just like you, even the two little sugar wolves will be there." "Stop being stubborn, Nora." "After you accept the mark tonight, you will be my partner." "Remember to come over after nightfall, don't keep everyone waiting." In the past, I would soften whenever he mentioned our future. It's as if no matter how much injustice one suffers, that promise can compensate for it. Now, as I look at those few lines of text, all I can think about is whether the carriage downstairs is ready. The servant stood at the door, waiting somewhat nervously. I folded the letter. "knew." He clearly hadn't expected me to be so calm. He paused for a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to report. The corridor fell silent again. I lowered my head and took off the engagement ring that I had worn for so long. A faint mark remained at the base of the finger. When Adrian put it on me back then, I asked if I would never have to take it off again. He said, "Of course." I placed the ring on the bedside table, beneath his letter. He then picked up his luggage, went downstairs, and got into the carriage to go home.