Vulgar Marriage - Chapter 1

Chapter 1.1

It took only ten minutes for Livadonia Joseph’s marriage to be finalized, and half of that time was spent calming the terrified priest.

The poor man had been dragged from the prayer room before he could even finish dressing.

He desperately begged, “P-please reconsider. I’m just a simple hillbilly, born and raised here in the province of Insverm. I-I’ve never officiated a noble wedding before.”

The priest waved his hands incessantly, insisting he was unfit to preside over a duke’s wedding, but then fell silent, gasping when his eyes landed on the bride seated in front of the altar.

The first thing he noticed was her dress. It was tattered and shabby, an ill fit for any bride, with the hem stained in something dark. But what shocked him most was the bride herself.

The bride should’ve been the center of attention at her own wedding, but she was slumped against the altar, looking unconscious. The priest leaned in closer, worried she might be ill, but quickly recoiled in shock.

Her eyes were tightly shut. Whether she had fainted or was asleep, it was clear she wasn’t awake.

Placing a white bridal veil on a woman who couldn’t even open her eyes was utterly bizarre.

“What on earth is this…?”

The priest stumbled back, horrified, when a chilling voice came from behind.

“For a priest, you seem awfully concerned with matters that don’t involve you.”

“Y-Y-Your Grace…”

“So you know who I am, correct?”

The priest nodded, trembling.

How could he not? Anyone living in Sevarium would. The man with jet-black hair and somber gray eyes was Duke Dominic Celsion, the most feared mercenary in the North.

— If the Angela Empire has Quentin, and Robben has Raster, Sevarium has Dominic.

It was a common saying now, though it had only been two years since Dominic joined the ranks of these fearsome knights.

He had appeared out of nowhere, a mercenary with unmatched skill, carving his name into history by helping Adrian Lontaire, the youngest of thirteen princes, ascend the throne.

Dominic was Adrian’s hound, obeying without question—even if it meant cutting down his own kin if his master commanded.

And now that very man stood before him.

Dominic’s towering shadow loomed over the priest, making him feel faint with fear.

Dominic asked with a twisted smile, “Do you stare at every man’s bride like that? It’s a wonder your eyes still remain in their sockets.”

“No, i-it’s just the bride’s condition… we can’t proceed with the ceremony while she’s unconscious. No matter the circumstances, forcing her to exchange vows—”

“Forcing?”

“Yes… hngh!”

Before the priest could explain, he was suddenly lifted off the ground by his collar, the fabric tightening around his neck. He struggled, gasping for air as he remained helpless in Dominic’s grip. His voice reached his ears.

“Answer me this. Can we proceed with the vows right now?”

“Kugh, ha, krgh…”

The priest nodded desperately, suffocating and barely able to breathe. Dominic dragged him toward the altar and threw him onto the platform. The priest scrambled to open the Scriptures, unable to wipe the tears and snot from his face.

“N-now, as the two of you stand before God, you must speak nothing but the truth. B-bride…”

“Livi—no, Livadonia Joseph.”

“The daughter of M-Marquis Joseph…?”

The priest’s question slipped out without thinking.

Livadonia Joseph was the cherished daughter of the marquis, famous for her beauty but rarely seen outside her family’s mansion. Could the princess of the East truly be marrying this demon warrior?

Shing, the sound of a blade being unsheathed cut through the air.

“It seems we’ll have to find another temple.”

“N-no! L-Livadonia Joseph, do you swear to renounce the name Joseph and be reborn as a C-Celsion?”

There was no response. Livadonia’s eyes remained closed. As the priest fretted and fidgeted, Dominic said,

“The bride consented to this marriage beforehand. Proceed on to the next step.”

“Yes, Your Grace. D-Dominic Celsion, do you swear to take Livadonia Joseph as a member of the Celsion family and to… to faithfully protect her?”

“I do.”

“A-and now, finally, for the signatures…”

Dominic snatched the marriage certificate from the priest and took a quill from his vice commander, swiftly signing his name.

“Is it done?”

“F-for the marriage to be legally recognized, both parties must sign. T-t-the bride’s signature—”

“Enough of this nonsense.”

Before the priest could finish, Dominic bit his thumb, hard enough to draw blood. With precision, he pressed his thumb against Livadonia’s, smearing it with his blood.

Then, he pressed her thumb to the bottom of the certificate, leaving a crimson print.

“This will serve as her signature.”

“Y-yes…”