Chapter 45 The Fleeing Couple
There were no crowds of servants to guide the guests, no expensive roses or floral arches, and from time to time, mocking glances fell upon her.
Although she knew there wasn't much money left in the accounts, Candy thought that this was, after all, Holden's and her wedding. The old lady and the others should at least take some money from the private treasury to help out in this emergency.
This was about the Titan family's reputation!
Candy felt she was being looked down upon just as she was about to marry into the family. A fire burned in her heart. Holden saw her expression and guessed she was unhappy.
Never mind Candy—Holden himself wasn't very happy either.
He vaguely remembered his grand wedding with Anne. Forget about small matters like servants—even the flowers and plants for decoration had been reserved with the gardening guild half a year in advance.
Not to mention the food at the banquet. Even though he hadn't had the chance to taste it, he'd heard from his mother long ago that every dish was a delicacy.
The contrast was too brutal. Holden looked at the woman he loved. Her seemingly beautiful dress was actually made of rather cheap fabric, and the necklace around her neck, though valuable, he'd already heard was rented from a jewelry store.
As the newlyweds looked at each other, both their eyes were filled with bitterness.
But no matter how dissatisfied they were, this was the wedding they'd been looking forward to for a long time.
Once all the ceremonies were complete, Candy would be Holden's only legal wife.
They made their vows to spend their lives together before the priest, embraced and kissed under everyone's gaze. The whole process was beautiful and romantic. When the ceremony ended and the priest announced that the two were officially married, even the old lady's face was full of smiles.
She was naturally satisfied.
Although the wedding had been a bit awkward at first, she'd just heard from the nobles nearby that this strong alliance between Holden and Candy would be very helpful in securing his position as commander of the knights. And if they went to the eastern battlefield in the future and earned more military honors, when His Majesty rewarded the Titan family, he might directly grant them a title and land.
Some nobles were even willing to exchange a simple greeting or two with her.
The old lady was so happy she couldn't stop smiling. These greetings weren't simple at all. How could those snobbish nobles casually chat with just anyone? They must have seen the couple's limitless future potential.
The ball after the ceremony went without saying. Holden and Candy had practiced the dance steps beforehand and didn't make any major mistakes.
But when it came time for the cake-cutting blessing ceremony, no one could find the couple anywhere.
The servants ran out in a panic to search. After quite a while, someone walked up to the old lady with an embarrassed expression and quietly told her where Holden and his wife had gone.
"What!?"
The old lady was dumbfounded, shaking with anger. But facing everyone's scrutinizing and examining looks, after her exclamation, she forced herself to stay calm and bowed to the crowd.
"Sorry everyone, our newlyweds seem to have some little idea of their own, so they've temporarily left."
The woman smiled as she looked around. "The ball isn't over yet, and the dinner later will proceed as normal."
She handed the task of calming everyone down to the anxious Trion nearby, then quickly walked to the balcony, her face suddenly turning cold.
"That cheap woman, is her body really that hungry?" She gripped her fan tight, seething with rage. When she thought about the servant's report that Holden and Candy were sleeping together, her head felt ready to explode.
The servant who had just reported stood beside her, hesitating before asking, "Old lady, do you need me to call Master Holden and the others back?"
The old lady was still hesitating when the balcony door opened and Nina strode in.
"Mother." She spoke with some concern. "Where did Holden go? And Candy—if they don't participate in the blessing ceremony, can this wedding even end?"
Hearing her daughter's voice, the old lady turned around and spoke irritably, "Do they even remember what blessing ceremony? Holden too—once a woman's ass gets hold of him, he forgets everything. He doesn't even think about how important today's wedding is. So many nobles are here, and instead of trying to network with them, they run off to have sex... God, these two are really going to kill me with anger!"
Nina quickly stepped forward to comfort her. "Mother, don't be angry. Right now, just send someone to call Holden back. At least finish all the wedding procedures first!"
"The Titan family can't keep losing face like this." Nina was so anxious she was almost crying. "Otherwise, how will I ever get married!"
After Holden and Anne's divorce came out, many noble ladies who used to socialize with Nina refused to meet with her anymore. Even the letters she sent were returned. The servant who returned the letters was respectful in manner but contemptuous in his eyes. "Our young lady said it's not appropriate to meet right now. For the sake of both parties' dignity, it's better not to associate for now. After the storm passes, our young lady will personally visit Titan Manor."
How could she not understand what those words really meant? But she was counting on using these noble ladies to meet their brothers and nephews!
Now it was just great—those people were all rejecting the Titan family because of Holden's affair. Under these circumstances, who would be willing to marry the family's daughter? Just thinking about this situation was enough to keep her awake night after night.
After Anne left, all the gaps she'd filled became obvious again. There weren't enough servants or guards, and Nina's jewelry and clothes were inadequate. When she wanted to buy new ones, the old lady told her to make do with what was already in her closet—before Trion could even respond.
She couldn't accept it, and neither could the old lady, who looked at her with pity and helplessness. "My Nina, you've been wronged. Don't worry, tonight Mother will look through the nobles who came to the wedding and see if there's anyone suitable for you. If there is, Mother will help you win him over."
"I won't let your foolish brother drag down your marriage prospects."
Nina threw herself into her arms with tears in her eyes. "Mother, you're still the only one who's good to me."
The old lady sighed and raised her hand to stroke her daughter's curly blonde hair, instructing the servant beside her, "Go find Holden quickly and tell him he must come back right away, no matter what. Especially, don't let anyone discover him doing that kind of thing outside."
The servant was about to leave when the old lady seemed to remember something and quickly spoke up. "After you tell him, don't leave right away. You must make him come back with you, so that woman doesn't hold him back again."
"Yes, ma'am."
Seeing the servant leave on his errand, the old lady finally felt relieved. She patted Nina's back soothingly. "Come, let's go see if there's any young master you like."
Nina blushed and took her arm. "As long as Mother thinks he's worthy of me, then I'll like him."
The mother and daughter returned to the ballroom where the dance was being held, called over the Mephists, and went to greet each of the attending nobles. Whether or not they truly wanted to associate with the Titan family, out of courtesy they all responded, which greatly boosted the old lady's confidence. She felt certain she could find Nina a suitable fiancé tonight.
However, just as they were discussing this, the ballroom door was suddenly pushed open, and a young lady ran in crying.
"Father, I want to go home!"