I Work As A Healer In Another World’s Labyrinth City

Side Story: Secret Wedding

We finish the wedding ceremony at the church safely, and prepare to make our debut on the streets.

Im sitting in a chair in the waiting room, when Eris and Ruruka approach me in their wedding dresses.

Hey, Shiki, I was wondering about this during the entire wedding ceremony, but that ring that Yuel-chan has been cherishing she definitely got it from you, right?

That must be a wedding ring for Yuel-chan, huh its not like I dont understand your feelings, but but shes still a kid, yknow?

!?

I break out in a cold sweat at their words.

They found out.

Its been exposed instantly.

H-, H-h-h, how did you know!?

Well, you see

With Yuel fawning over a ring that much, anybody could tell.

I didnt notice since I was nervous about the wedding ceremony, but apparently Yuel has been admiring the ring this whole time.

No, I purposely handed it to her before the ceremony since I didnt want her to be miserable about the wedding, so I guess thats fine.

But I didnt anticipate that Eris and Ruruka would notice.

I-Im sorry, Masterrr!

Yuel, who was waiting nearby, makes a surprised face and apologizes.

She most likely didnt realize that she wasnt supposed to show it off in front of people.

No, its fine for you to have that, Yuel. Dont worry.

But if I let Yuel worry about these things here, Ill be putting the cart before the horse.

Since I let Yuel have that ring as a reward.

Just in case, Ill pet her head.

I dont particularly intend to criticize you, either. And Ive been feeling worried for Yuel-chan.

Yeah, she did seem kinda pitiful.

Looks like neither of them plan to criticize me for handing over the ring.

Moreover, it seems theyve been concerned for Yuels sake.

Well, although we cant get married since shes a kid, anyone can plainly see that Yuel harbors affection for me.

There cant be many people who could watch Yuels expression steadily become gloomier as the wedding preparations progressed, and not worry about her.

Besides that isnt a wedding ring. Its an engagement ring.

Wedding rings and engagement rings.

Theres a big difference between the two. Though I did give Yuel, a young slave girl, an engagement ring to say Lets get married once you grow up, its not like I gave her a ring to say were married right now while shes still a young girl.

Thats where I draw the line, where my ethics absolutely will not yield.

I have to clear up this misunderstanding no matter what.

However, when Eris hears my statement, she looks surprised.

And she suggests this:

Is that so? But, if you intend to go that far, wouldnt it have been better to have a wedding ceremony for Yuel-chan as well?

A wedding ceremony with Yuel.

No, wait, that would be quite tough, to say nothing of my standpoint as the Sage.

Besides, isnt it good enough to conduct the ceremony once she grows up?

Well still be engaged and all.

My own wedding ceremony?

However, Yuel latches onto those words.

Shes right. If youre gonna have one eventually, why not have it now?

Moreover, Ruruka even endorses Eris proposal.

I wonder whats going on?

Wait, I wasnt really looking at Yuel during the ceremony, but by some chance, she might have been making a bit of a lonely expression.

And Eris and Ruruka both seem concerned for Yuel.

Yuels face lights up when she receives Rurukas approval.

Even if they hadnt said anything, Yuel probably really wanted to have a wedding ceremony too.

However, Yuel seems to realize something, and her expression quickly darkens.

But, I I dont have a dress. Besides, if were seen by other people, it will surely cause trouble for Master

Thats right.

Therein lies the problem.

I thought it would be fine to have my wedding ceremony with Yuel once she becomes an adult.

Of course, I couldnt deny the possibility that Yuel would be saddened a little, but the reward I gave Yuel was purely in the form of an engagement.

Even if we hastily say Lets hold a wedding ceremony, she doesnt have a dress prepared, and the room hasnt even been emptied.

If we started it now, todays debut around town and the reception schedule would end up getting delayed.

Im sure it will be fine.

However, Eris kneels down on her knees in front of Yuel and speaks to her tenderly while petting her head.

At the same time the saint, who had gone off somewhere before I noticed, comes into the waiting room.

At last, I have ushered the attendees out of the church. As the preparations are in order, shall we start over with Yuel-chan included?

And as soon as the saint enters the room, she proposes that.

I wondered where she had gone, but apparently she was clearing everyone out of the church.

And yet we only just got to the topic of doing a wedding ceremony for Yuel a moment ago.

Dont tell me she predicted that things would take a turn this way when she saw my conduct and Yuels reaction?

Thats the saint for you.

Having dodged her way through the churchs schemes, she demonstrates tremendous foresight.

But she doesnt have a dress, huh.

Looks like the saint has been working hard, but were missing something important.

A wedding dress is the centerpiece of the wedding ceremony.

If we end up having a ceremony without that, Yuel wont be very pleased.

And yet, as soon as I say that, the saint takes something white out of her item box.

Waaaaaah!

When Yuel sees it, she raises a delighted voice.

In the saints hands is a pure white wedding dress.

A dress rivaling the ones that Eris, Ruruka and the saint are currently wearing, and beautifully adorned. Whats more, the size is just right for Yuel.

Then, the saint smiles as she speaks to me.

When Shiki-sama slipped out of the room before the ceremony, I ordered my subordinate to have this made with all haste. I roughly understood that it would end up this way.

Shes way too perceptive.

With only Eris, Ruruka, and the saint in attendance, we enter the churchs place of worship.

Yuel and I stand before the priest.

The two of you, exchange rings.

Yes.

Yeah.

Yuel bashfully carries out every little step of the Medine doctrines procedures in delight.

Even though my movements are still clumsy despite this already being my second time, Yuels are perfect.

Most likely, she paid close attention to Eris and Rurukas movements and scorched them into her memory.

Meanwhile, Im so tense I can hardly even remember how it went.

Then, once the priest makes sure that Yuel and I exchange rings, he proceeds to the next step.

Very well, do you vow here to join your two hearts as one, to support each other with constant mutual respect, in times of joy, in times of sickness, from this day forward unto eternity, and form a happy family?

Yes, I vow it.

Yeah, I vow.

Oh right, after the ring exchange comes the vows.

Im pretty sure I did this part with Eris and the others too.

To make sure it goes smoothly, I try to dig up my memories from within all the tension.

-And then I remember something.

After this theres another ritual we have to carry out.

No, with Eris, Ruruka, and the saint, it was fine.

But when its with Yuel, the ritual that should be coming up next will be extraordinarily problematic.

Oh no.

That is extremely bad.

However, the priest makes the pronouncement indifferently.

And now, to seal the vows with a kiss.

Kissss!? Hey, thats

You have properly carried it out with everyone else, have you not? This is a mandatory, sacrosanct tradition for a wedding in the Church of Medine.

Filling the role of the priest is a bishop invited from Crusell, whos famous for his sincere and rigid personality. Hes an acquaintance of the saint, and supposedly extremely tight-lipped.

Looks like his personality is strict when it comes to the Church of Medines doctrine as well.

When I let out a surprised voice, the priests expression sharpens a little.

This wedding ceremony ritual is a traditional rite shared by all Medine believers.

I guess that even the Sage wont be permitted to violate it.

No, but still

Certainly, I did get engaged to Yuel, but that doesnt mean I was planning to go so far as kissing her.

I had no intention to do such things with the still-young Yuel in the first place.

Thats why I stopped at getting engaged.

Look, before Yuels mind and body are both properly mature, there are a number of problems with physical contact.

However, the saint interjects.

Shiki-sama, worry not. It is merely a formality.

Dont friggin talk to me like youre a relative handing a sake cup to a child.

But its most likely exactly as the saint says, a ritual kiss is no problem, thats just the values of this world.

And neither Eris nor Ruruka are particularly objecting.

Yuel already has her eyes closed, tilting her chin up.

This is a wedding ceremony.

For Yuel, its her important wedding ceremony.

How could I possibly make Yuel cry by refusing to kiss her?

I-I guess I can only go through with it?

But is it really okay?

I feel like its not alright.

Really not alright.

Should I use Once youre an adult, okay?

No, thats all Ive been using lately.

Besides, its not relevant for getting through this.

I-Its hopeless.

I cant come up with any replacement scheme for kissing Yuel.

My gaze falls upon Yuels lips.

Master

Her lips part slightly, inviting me.

Isnt there anything I can do other than resolving myself to it?

No, I should keep racking my brain until the last second.

Think, whats the best solution to break out of this situation!

But I cant come up with anything.

The time limit is fast approaching, moment by moment.

Kuh What what the heck do I do!?