The cathedral bells rang and the ceremony began.
Catherine walked down the long aisle, her veil falling softly around her.
Hundreds of nobles watched.
She stepped onto the altar and lifted her gaze.
Across from her—
Noah froze. His heart skipped.
Silver hair.
Pink eyes.
The girl from the greenhouse.
The princess? He tried to steady his expression.
But before he could process it—
A murmur spread through the cathedral.
The officiant looked around in confusion.
Then someone whispered.
"The Crown Prince…"
Noah's stomach dropped.
"…is missing."
Princess Catherine stood alone at the altar, her silver-white gown flowing around her like pale moonlight. Hundreds of nobles filled the Diamond Palace Cathedral, their whispers rising like restless waves beneath the towering stained-glass windows.
"Where is the Crown Prince?"
"Why has the ceremony stopped?"
"This is disgraceful…"
The murmurs grew louder. Fans lifted to hide scandalized expressions. Ministers leaned toward one another in hushed speculation. Foreign envoys watched with sharp interest.
At the center of it all—
Catherine stood perfectly still. Her posture remained flawless, chin lifted with practiced dignity.
But inside, her thoughts spiraled.
"What is happening…?"
The whispers sharpened.
"Has he fled?"
"Did the prince refuse the marriage?"
"What an insult to Eurin…"
Catherine felt each word like a needle. Still, she did not move.
A princess must never falter.
Her mother's voice seemed to echo faintly in her mind.
Across the cathedral, Noah Brighton stood among the imperial delegation.
His expression had hardened into something cold and controlled.
"Your Grace," one of the imperial attendants whispered urgently. "His Highness is nowhere in the palace."
Noah's blue eyes darkened. "You searched the west wing?"
"Yes."
"The stables?"
"Yes."
His jaw tightened. "Then search the city."
Within moments, guards slipped out of the cathedral, spreading quietly through the palace grounds. But the damage was already spreading.
"A runaway groom…"
"This will ruin the treaty."
"Did Aurora Vale send us a coward for a prince?"
Noah's gaze flickered toward the altar.
And stopped.
Catherine stood there alone. Her veil shimmered under the cathedral light. Her posture remained elegant, unshaken.
Yet Noah knew what the crowd saw.
Not grace. Not dignity. They saw humiliation.
A princess abandoned before an entire court.
His fists clenched. "Arthur… what have you done?" He murmured.
Minutes passed. The whispers grew louder.
The ceremony had already stopped far too long.
If nothing was done now—
"This would become a diplomatic disaster." Noah exhaled slowly.
Then he stepped forward.The murmurs quieted as the Duke Brighton of Aurora Vale walked down the cathedral aisle.
His footsteps echoed across the marble floor, steady and deliberate.
When he reached the center, he turned toward the nobles.
"The Crown Prince is currently being searched for."
Gasps followed immediately.
"He's missing?!"
"This is madness!"
Noah's voice cut through the noise.
"But the alliance between Aurora Vale and Eurin will not be broken today."
The hall fell silent. Even the priests looked stunned.
Noah continued calmly.
"If the Crown Prince is unable to fulfill his duty…"
He paused.
Then spoke the words that would change everything.
"…then I shall take his place."
Shock rippled through the cathedral.
"The Duke?!"
"He intends to marry her?"
"This cannot be serious!"
The Emperor of Eurin leaned forward slowly.
"Duke Brighton," he said, his voice calm but heavy with authority, "do you understand the gravity of what you are proposing?"
Noah bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
His voice carried clearly through the hall.
"The treaty remains unchanged."
He glanced briefly at Catherine.
"And the princess's honor will remain untouched."
The court fell silent again.Everyone understood the truth. If the wedding ended like this— Catherine would become the princess abandoned at the altar, leaving a stain on her for life and the alliance between two nations would crumble overnight.
The Emperor studied Noah carefully.
"…And you accept this responsibility willingly?"
Noah answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Then he walked toward the altar. Each step echoed like a vow already made.
Catherine watched him approach.
The duke.
The same man she had met in the greenhouse. The stranger who had caught her when she nearly fell.The one who had listened quietly beneath the tree.
Now he stood before her again. Closer than ever.
Their eyes met. Sapphire blue and soft pink.
For a moment, the cathedral disappeared.
Noah lowered his voice so only she could hear. "Your Highness."
"I am so sorry for this. If you refuse," he said quietly, "I will step away immediately."
Catherine searched his expression.
There was no pity in his eyes. No arrogance.
Only quiet determination and respect.
Behind them, hundreds of people waited.
Watching. Judging.
Catherine lowered her gaze briefly.
"Duty."
When she looked up again, her face eyes were full of determination and acceptance. Noah immediately understood and nodded slightly.
The priest, still stunned, cleared his throat.
"Then… we shall proceed with the ceremony."
The ritual resumed.Noah Brighton stood where the Crown Prince should have stood.
The sacred vows were lifted once more.
"Do you, Duke Noah Cassiel Brighton, accept Princess Catherine Isabelle Eurin as your lawful wife, and vow to honor her and love her in sickness and health as long as you shall live?"
Noah answered immediately.
"I do."
The priest turned to Catherine.
"And do you, Princess Catherine Isabelle Eurin, accept Duke Noah Cassiel Brighton as your lawful husband?"
For one quiet heartbeat—
Catherine remembered the greenhouse.
The gentle humming. The moment he had caught her.
Then she answered softly.
"I do."
The priest raised his hand.
"Then by the authority granted by crown and kingdom…"
The cathedral held its breath.
"…I pronounce you husband and wife."
The bells rang. But the groom at the altar—
Was not the Crown Prince. It was the Duke.