Chapter 43 Preparing for the Wedding
He still hadn't gotten over the fact that Holden had used other soldiers and military achievements to pressure him into agreeing to this marriage!
However, what Holden said did make some sense. Regardless of whether he actually wanted to see this marriage happen, as king, he had personally promised that their marriage was legitimate. That meant their wedding should receive everyone's blessings - otherwise, everyone would be defying the king's orders.
Rolf felt his head throbbing, so his gaze toward Holden grew even colder.
If it weren't for the fact that he and Candy were still needed for the upcoming eastern battlefield...
Thinking of this, Rolf spoke in a deep voice, "I can issue an order to let your wedding proceed normally."
Holden's heart leaped with joy. Just as he was about to express his thanks, he heard the king above continue, "But you should be clear in your heart about why I agreed to this marriage in the first place."
"...Yes, I know."
Rolf continued, "Considering your and Candy's contributions, I can reluctantly forgive you both for threatening me, but this is also the last time."
"Right now the eastern battlefield situation is urgent. The Virlet Empire could launch an attack on the Soth Empire at any moment. Are you and Candy willing to quickly lead the Dawn Knight Order to the eastern battlefield to assist the soldiers there?"
Holden had already planned to do this anyway. Hearing this, he finally smiled and respectfully bowed his head, "Holden is willing to use his sword and shield to defend every inch of the Soth Empire's territory."
Getting a satisfactory answer, Rolf waved his hand. Conor, standing beside him, smiled and said, "Knight Commander Holden, go prepare for your wedding with Knight Commander Candy. His Majesty has state affairs to handle. If there's nothing else, please leave."
Hearing this, Holden stood up, bowed, and turned to leave.
Rolf picked up his quill pen to continue working. After a while, he spoke somewhat hesitantly, "Conor, do you think what Holden just said has anything to do with Anne?"
Conor smiled, "Your Majesty, Duke Skoda used to often say that Miss Anne's temperament is very much like his."
Duke Skoda was an upright and honorable person - how could Anne, who was so much like him, do such things behind people's backs?
Though this wasn't said explicitly, Rolf understood. He recalled his old friend's decisive manner on the battlefield, then thought of the gentle and beautiful Anne he'd seen recently, and smiled helplessly, "Which way is she like him, that old fellow!"
Meanwhile, Holden left the palace. The nobleman from earlier was no longer at the entrance. His expression darkened, but thinking of how His Majesty had just agreed to help handle the wedding issues, his furrowed brow relaxed somewhat.
Now that the king was handling this deadlock for him, he and Candy only needed to focus on preparing for the wedding. After getting married and finishing their honeymoon, they could go straight to the eastern battlefield.
This was pretty much the same as Candy's earlier plan, which was why Holden could agree so decisively.
He traveled day and night, returning to the Titan family estate as quickly as possible. The old lady had already sent servants to wait outside the manor. When she heard the news early that morning, she didn't even bother changing her dress and came downstairs in her nightgown, meeting Holden face-to-face just as he entered the hall.
"Mother!" Holden excitedly walked forward quickly. "His Majesty has promised that he'll make those nobles attend my and Candy's wedding normally. The Titan family won't lose face because of this."
The old lady was also delighted to hear this. She held Holden's hand and sat down together on the sofa. "Did His Majesty mention any other rewards?"
Holden's smile froze. He spoke awkwardly, "Mother, my marriage to Candy was originally exchanged for military achievements, so..."
Thinking of the family's current situation, he didn't quite know how to continue.
Seeing his expression, the old lady knew something was wrong. She quickly pulled at Holden, demanding he explain everything. After hearing the whole story, she nearly couldn't sit still and almost fainted on the sofa.
"Have you lost your mind, actually daring to threaten His Majesty!?"
The old lady thought about how they had almost died under the king's fury because of Holden's momentary impulse. She patted her chest in lingering fear, "Is that Candy really so wonderful that you'd trade all your military achievements for her?"
She looked down on such a woman, not to mention they'd also offended Anne in the process.
What was Anne's status now? A duke - she could crush small nobles like them with just a finger.
What a disaster!
However, Holden shook his head, "Mother, Candy is a good woman. You'll understand in the future."
"Besides, Candy and I will be going to the eastern battlefield afterward. You know, if we can successfully return with military achievements, that'll be double the merit. His Majesty's rewards won't just be doubled - it'll be much more than that."
Hearing this, the old lady reluctantly relented, "Fine. Since His Majesty is still willing to help you, that shows he believes in your abilities. When you return victorious later, it's not impossible for him to make you an earl."
"I'll have Trion help organize the wedding. She's now the one managing the entire Titan family, so it should be her responsibility to handle any problems."
Holden paused, thinking of the Titan family's nearly empty account ledgers, and pressed his lips together somewhat unnaturally, "But Mother, the money for the wedding..."
The old lady looked at him meaningfully, "Mother will find a way. You don't need to worry too much."
Hearing this, Holden immediately thought of their previous attempt to hire assassins to kill Anne and was greatly alarmed, "Mother, you're not going to target sister-in-law... No, brother and sister-in-law have deep feelings for each other. If sister-in-law were assassinated and killed, brother would definitely be heartbroken."
The old lady looked at him coldly, "I won't use a trick that's already been used once. Don't worry."
Holden felt relieved and smiled happily thinking of Candy. "Mother, then I'll go see Candy and tell her this good news. I'll leave the wedding arrangements to you and sister-in-law!"
Just as Holden was about to get up and leave, the old lady seemed to remember something and quickly asked, "Didn't you go see Anne? What did she say?"
Recalling his experience at Virlet Manor, Holden's expression darkened, "Mother, Anne said she has no feelings for me whatsoever and hopes there won't be any connection in the future. She also..."
Thinking of Kyle's one-sided beating, Holden really couldn't bring himself to mention such a humiliating thing. After mumbling for a long time, he finally turned his head away and snorted coldly, "Nothing. Anyway, Anne denied that she did this and told me to take any problems to His Majesty, which is why I rushed to the capital to request an audience."
"Mother, she doesn't want to see me, and that's fine - I don't want to see her either. From now on, let her be. Let's just ignore her."
Without waiting for the old lady's response, he got up and left.
The woman on the sofa still had a heavy gaze. She recalled Anne's threat before leaving, then thought of Trion's weak family background and her not particularly generous dowry. A dark gleam flashed through her eyes.
On Candy's side, she had been sitting at her desk sketching her dream wedding when Holden suddenly returned and pulled her into his arms to share this good news. She was overjoyed.
"Since His Majesty is willing to help, no matter what, we won't be ostracized by other families anymore."
Holden agreed, but remembering Anne's question at the manor, he said softly, "Darling, I want to ask you something."
Candy didn't suspect anything and leaned against Holden, speaking gently, "Go ahead."
Holden pressed his lips together and asked softly, "The battle where we earned merit a year ago - the secret you mentioned, what exactly was it?"