The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 409: A Surprise Banquet

Chapter 409: A Surprise Banquet

The couple walked out of the registry office, smiles etched on their faces. Noah held Emily’s hand gently as they went down the stairs.

"Noah..." Emily called up his name.

"Yes, my dear."

The young woman grinned sheepishly at the endearment. Discarding her shyness, she voiced her questions.

"We’re we going next? Should we return home?" she asked.

"Not yet," Noah answered curtly.

"But, the registry officer said he’ll issue a letter informing the mansion of our marriage. Soon, the mansion’s occupant will know about us," said Emily, hinting at her worries.

"It’ll take two days for the letter to be processed and sent. We’ll go back before the letter arrives. We must still let them know regardless of how we got married."

Emily nodded, agreeing. However, her face was still laced with concern.

"What would happen, Noah? Now that I rethink it, I don’t feel at ease," she said.

Noah halted his steps.

"Are you regretting this?" he asked with a look of concern.

"No, of course not!" Emily exclaimed as she looked at him earnestly. "I’m just worried about you! I don’t want you to get hurt," she said, her eyes filled with sadness.

Noah placed his arm around her waist and gazed at her intensely.

"I’ll be fine. We promised each other we’d face whatever may come, right? For better or worse, remember?" he reminded her.

Emily nodded slightly.

"Yes, I know. But now that you have become my husband, I, too, want to protect you from any harm. You’re my only family," she said.

Noah rubbed her cheek, his affection for her running deep.

"That is my task as the household head to protect our family. Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure everything will be all right. For now, let’s head back to the inn, shall we?" he said.

Before Emily could respond, Noah swooped her into his arms, making her yelp in surprise.

"Noah! Put me down!" she cried. "Everyone’s looking!"

"No can do, my sweetheart," Noah said with a big smile. "Today’s our wedding, and I’ve always wanted to do this to you!"

Emily slapped his chest, embarrassed by his behaviour. "Noah, please put me down!" she pleaded.

But the knight just laughed and ignored her request.

The people on the streets turned their heads at the couple. Instead of throwing scornful looks, they laughed and clapped in joy. Some even whistled and congratulated the newlyweds.

Riding the warhorse, Noah and his wife returned to the inn. As soon as they stepped through the front door, a loud cheer greeted them.

"Congratulations, Sir and Lady Brooks, for your marriage!" said the innkeeper, smiling widely. The inn workers invited to the banquet clapped enthusiastically at the couple’s arrival.

Emily’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the inn’s interior decor. The main door led them from the courtyard into the tavern area, adorned with wedding banquet decorations.

The tables were covered in white linen, and the wooden beams were draped with garlands of flowers and ribbons. An array of delectable dishes filled the air with rich aromas - roasted meats seasoned with spices, freshly baked pies, thick vegetable and meat stews, and various desserts and fruits.

A thorough preparation had been made while Noah and Emily were at the registry office.

Emily scanned the area, her jaw dropping. After a moment, she turned to Noah.

"Did you arrange for this?"

The knight smiled.

"Yes. We should at least have a banquet for our wedding."

"But when did you have time for this? We’ve just arrived last night!" she said, puzzled.

"Sir Books informed me and asked for my help when you came. Of course, I must admit, he generously reimbursed me for this event," revealed the innkeeper.

"We are also truly delighted to be here. It’s not an everyday event for us to be invited to a banquet. Sir Brooks even reserved the whole inn for this," said one of the workers happily.

Emily turned to Noah again, flattered. "You should’ve told me!"

"Knowing you, you would say no to lavishly spending money. So, I figured it’d better be a surprise. Besides, today is our special day," said the knight.

"But we should save some money, too! We’re already married, so we must plan our spending accordingly. There are many things to get after marriage..." said the young woman.

"Such as?" Noah asked, curious.

Emily smiled shyly.

"Well... such as buying a house to live together," she stated.

Noah chuckled.

"Honey, you don’t have to worry about that. This husband of yours has enough money to buy you a manor, adorn you with gold and jewellery, and hire servants to attend to you. After this, you don’t have to lift a finger to do anything."

"You’re talking like you’re already a lord," she teased.

"I’ll work hard to become one. If I can’t be, then I’ll open up some businesses. I surely would be in demand with my skills," he said.

"Don’t!" Emily placed a finger on Noah’s lips. "You are already serving His Highness the Grand Duke. Don’t change anything just because you want to provide for me. I’m perfectly happy with the way things are."

Noah opened his lips and mischievously suckled Emily’s finger. The young woman hastily withdrew her hand, her cheeks turning red.

"What are you doing?" she asked shyly.

The knight laughed again.

"I wouldn’t go against my wife’s desire since it makes you happy. But now, I’m starving and feel I can eat your finger. Can we have our meal now?" he pleaded.

Realising that everyone was anticipating the main event, Emily relented. The couple sat at their designated seats, and the banquet began.

The innkeeper, assigned as the host, began a short speech congratulating the newlywed pair. "May you both be blessed with a happy marriage and an abundance of children!" he said, raising a tankard of ale. "To the bride and groom!"

"To the bride and groom!" responded the attendees, toasting their drinks.

The celebration was filled with excitement. Laughter and music filled the air as minstrels played lively tunes. After the fabulous feast, the crowd encouraged the bride and groom to take their first dance on the floor.

Beaming with happiness, the newlywed pair indulged in their dance, their movements swaying with the tune. After several dances and more meals and drinks, Emily requested to withdraw.

"I guess my wife requires some rest now. Everyone, carry on and enjoy the ceremony. Please let us be excused," said Noah to the crowd.

"We surely will. Please have a good rest, Sir and Lady Brooks," responded the innkeeper.

Encircling his arm across Emily’s back, Noah led her to the first-floor suite. The knight then helped his wife to remove her flower crown and veil.

"That was so enjoyable, Noah. I thought our wedding would be just a simple solemnisation ceremony, but you went to great lengths to celebrate it!" she said, amazed.

Noah smiled warmly.

"We should be happy on today’s occasion. Though we eloped, I still want it to be a memorable event for the rest of our lives."

Emily turned and hugged her husband, looking up at him with adoration.

"I am truly happy! I will surely remember everything you did for us. Thank you, husband!" she uttered softly.

"You’re welcome, wife."

He leaned in, his lips softly meeting hers. The kiss deepened with a growing intensity of emotion. Emily suddenly retreated, gently pushing back his chest.

"It’s daytime now, Noah!"

"So what? It’s not wrong to be intimate with my wife at any moment. I’m fully permitted to do so," he teased her.

Emily swatted his chest as before when he lifted her in front of the registry office.

"Not now... I know you are eager, but I’m uncomfortable to do that in broad daylight."

Noah withdrew his embrace.

"All right. I won’t force you to do it. If you feel tired, get some rest," he said, kissing her forehead.

"Perhaps we can go out and take a stroll around the town. I don’t feel like resting for now. Rather, I would like to take a look around. You know, other than the mansion and the mid-autumn festival, I’ve never been elsewhere in Cassian," Emily implored.

Noah thought for a moment, considering her request.

"All right. Take a wash first and change your dress. I, too, want to freshen up. We’ll go out after," he agreed.

Emily smiled brightly.

"Great! I’ll get ready as quickly as possible!" she said, excitedly heading behind the screen to remove her wedding dress.

"Want me to help you, dear?" Noah asked.

"It’s all right! I can manage!" she responded from behind the screen.

"How about joining you in the bathroom? I would be lonely if I’m alone," Noah threw another joke.

Emily’s head peeked out from the side of the screen.

"Don’t you dare! And no peeking! You are not getting any sight, not until tonight!" she warned him.

Noah chuckled, raising his hands in surrender.

"All right, all right. I’ll be a good boy," he conceded.

"That’s more like it!" said Emily, emerging from behind the screen wearing a robe.

With a mischievous smile, she added, "Wait for me, will you?"

Her finger traced a line down his chest as she sauntered past him towards the bathroom.

Noah swallowed hard, his expression turning serious as he watched his wife’s playful behaviour. Seeing his reaction, Emily let out a laugh and quickened her steps, leaving him alone.

"D*mn, girl! Why do you have to test me like that?" he muttered, struggling to contain his growing desire.

Taking a deep breath, Noah slowly exhaled, working to regain his composure. Resisting the allure of his newlywed wife was proving to be more challenging than he had anticipated!

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