MGN | Chapter 33

The cream-colored suit fit perfectly, the fabric expertly tailored to drape smoothly over his slender frame. Regardless of what he had underneath, Yves’ soon-to-be spouse was a beauty worth spending money on.

“This one.”

Yves handed over his card, and Maël turned his head in annoyance, revealing a graceful profile.

The staff, having already decided who the real customer was, smiled kindly at Maël.

“We’ll send the clothes you wore here to the address you provided, along with the tailor.”

Though skeptical, Maël didn’t question further. He simply left the store quickly, as if he couldn’t stand being there any longer, and waited for Yves by the door.

“Do we have more places to go?”

Even in a suit, Maël looked younger than his age.

‘Maybe it’s the hair.’

His well-kept brown hair, unstyled, swayed in the spring breeze. Yves walked past him, not inclined to wait for his slow steps. It wasn’t that far anyway.

“Why here?”

Instead of answering, Yves nodded, and the doorman opened the door. Inside the store of the brand that first made wristwatches, Yves fastened an Art Deco style watch on Maël’s wrist.

Next, they visited a newly opened diamond boutique. Known for wedding rings, this time the purpose was clear, and as they followed the staff inside, Maël hurriedly asked.

“Yves, is this really worth it?”

“That’s not for you to decide.”

“Are you really buying rings here? Are you going to wear it?”

Whether naive or still not grasping the situation, Maël’s nonsense amused Yves.

“The marriage I know involves wearing a ring and promising to have sex with one person.”

That shut him up. Maël, with a face about to explode from suppressed anger, gulped down sparkling water on the deep blue sofa. Yves watched with satisfaction.

“I’d like to see both the proposal ring and the wedding ring. The proposal ring should have a big diamond.”

The staff brought out the brand’s most iconic ring—a large emerald-cut diamond with two smaller diamonds on either side.

“How is it?”

Maël looked displeased but couldn’t say so in front of the staff. The staff smiled skillfully.

“It’s more comfortable for the buyer to choose the proposal ring. It’s meant to be a surprise, unlike the wedding ring.”

“I’ll take the largest carat available today. I need to make up for proposing without a ring yesterday.”

The staff smiled even more at the deliberate comment.

Unfazed by the blatant request, the staff soon returned with a navy box. The dazzling diamond was placed on Maël’s pretty fingers, unmarked by holding a pen.

The ring turned slightly due to the weight of the gem. Its excessive brilliance seemed awkward on the finger of someone so composed.

“It suits you perfectly. Seems like you’re making up for it well.”

Despite the compliment, Maël didn’t even glance at his finger. That very fact pleased Yves.

“This one.”

At those words, Maël quickly removed the ring. Watching his long, pale eyelashes tremble, Yves spoke.

“Choose the wedding ring. We both have to wear it.”

“This one.”

It was clear he picked the closest ring from the display without really looking. The staff quickly brought it over.

“Wouldn’t it feel better if the person gifting it put it on?”

Yves didn’t refuse the cheeky suggestion. He took the ring from the staff and slid the intricately twisted diamond wedding band onto Maël’s finger, followed by the proposal ring. The two rings sparkled brilliantly under the light.

Yves then extended his own hand.

“Put it on me.”

Maël’s cheek twitched at the words. He was probably gritting his teeth. In two years, his spouse’s molars might be worn down. Yet, Maël eventually picked up the ring and slid it onto Yves’ left ring finger.

Having never worn anything on his finger, the sensation was unfamiliar.

“How is it?”

His shoulders flinched. I asked for his opinion just to see the annoyed look on his face. Maël glanced at the staff beside him and spoke.

“It suits you.”

Like someone who perfectly understood his role, he wore a soft smile.

It was quite a blow. Annoying, yet impossible to look away from.

As they left the boutique, the driver emerged from the waiting car and opened the door. Maël hesitated and spoke.

“Do we have to take the car? I can walk.”

I understood the meaning behind the question. Monaco was like a large magazine. Just as a new brand appeared with each page turn, crossing an alley revealed a new luxury brand.

“Don’t make unnecessary gestures.”

When Yves looked at him silently, Maël repeated with emphasis. He probably thought the car was called because he occasionally rubbed his thigh and back while walking.

‘A cute misunderstanding.’

But I had no intention of playing along.

“Can you make it to City Hall in fifteen minutes, whether you run or crawl?”

From Monacoville to City Hall, it would take at least 30 minutes on foot. Maël’s mouth opened slightly.

“City Hall… are we going there?”

“We’re getting married in fifteen minutes.”

Only then did Maël’s expression twist. For a moment, Yves thought he wouldn’t get in the car. But Maël quietly climbed in, clutching his ringed hand tightly.

* * *

Marriage, being a contract, was ultimately a series of documents.

In the car, Maël meticulously reviewed the documents necessary for the marriage.

Yves first signed the prenuptial agreement, printed by Mikola as Maël had revised. When he handed it over, Maël read everything from the beginning, checking the names with his finger before signing.

By the time all the documents were gathered, the car stopped in front of the pale yellow City Hall. Under the half-white, half-red flag, Maël spoke like a warning.

“Marriage today is impossible. We skipped the marriage announcement. Even after submitting the application and documents today, we have to announce the marriage for about ten days to check for any issues.”

Marriage announcement. A traditional procedure to officially declare the couple’s intent to marry before the wedding.

Well, Maël was probably right. He’s a family law attorney. But Yves just shrugged and entered the quiet City Hall.

He filled out his personal information on the marriage registration form and handed it to Maël, who was waiting. Maël carefully read everything Yves had written before picking up the pen.

“Should we wait for the witnesses? With the document verification, we can start the civil ceremony in about fifteen minutes.”

The official who received the documents spoke matter-of-factly. Maël asked, as if he didn’t understand.

“Isn’t it impossible to proceed right away? What about the announcement?”

“Oh, well, it’s a law that’s only been in effect for a few hours. Considering that those opposed to same-sex marriage might cause unnecessary interference after seeing the announcement… This was discussed even before it was enacted, so you can proceed with the ceremony immediately.”

“I see…”

His voice was reluctant, barely managing a response to the news that there was no grace period.

Sure enough, Maël, who slumped into a waiting chair in front of the City Hall ceremony room, couldn’t hide his expression as if he were chewing sand.

Yves sat next to him. He had already told Mikola to arrange for a witness on Maël’s side, but he didn’t know who Mikola would bring. Yves opened his phone again.

Just as he was about to contact his secretary to arrive within five minutes, someone came running down the corridor with Mikola, waving a casted arm.

“Maël!”

“…Diane.”

The woman who arrived with Yves’ secretary grabbed Maël’s hand.

“What’s all this, suddenly? Do you know how shocked I was when I got the call at work? I thought it was a scam call. You didn’t answer your phone, and the secretary just said you were really getting married. I came just in case, but I thought you were with Charles…”

Diane Croix, the attorney, stopped herself and closed her mouth. She brushed back her short blonde hair and added.

“Mr. Valois, I apologize. I was surprised to hear my dear friend was suddenly getting married. Especially the day after his brother’s chaotic wedding.”

“The sudden part was the marriage license. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity.”

Yves replied leisurely. Maël hesitated but finally spoke.

“I didn’t mean to keep it a secret. It was a spontaneous decision because of the law that came out yesterday. I didn’t know it would turn out like this until yesterday.”

“There’s a limit to spontaneity, especially for a family law attorney! Did you know Mr. Valois before the consultation? Before the case?”

The lawyer who claimed to hate lies hesitated again. Acting like something was stuck in his throat, Yves had no choice but to step in again.

“I met him at the casino a few days before the consultation and was smitten, so I deliberately asked for the consultation. It must have been a common occurrence for Maël.”

“Oh my. Did he fall for it all at once? In less than a month?”

“I’m quite lucky.”

At Yves’ retort, Maël twisted his lips. It seemed like he wanted to say something but didn’t. The lips that eventually stayed shut were quite a sight.