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This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Chapter 81 — The Wedding
81.1 An Agenda for Marriage
It was nearly seven in the evening.
The lobby vibrated with technicians, waiters, flowers, and children playing among antique armchairs.
Outside, the sky was tinged with shades of orange and violet, as if it knew that something important was about to begin.
Ryu watched in silence, standing by a column.
He wore a dark suit, perfectly pressed, yet his expression carried a slight tension.
His fingers curled imperceptibly at the edge of his jacket, and his eyes blinked rapidly, as if fighting not to lose control.
The feeling of being in a ritual he did not yet fully understand made his body tense.
—"How is it that I haven't seen her all day?"
He murmured.
Zayra had vanished since the morning.
He sighed softly.
To him, 'getting ready' was starting to feel like a diplomatic disappearance.
He frowned slightly, blinking fast as if that thought disturbed him.
He forced himself to observe the two halls being prepared to distract himself from her absence.
The first, smaller one, had an elegant table at the front with legal documents, white flowers, and chairs arranged for the civil ceremony.
The second, larger one, overflowed with lights, floral arrangements,
a dance floor, and the murmur of an orchestra tuning their instruments.
Two stages, one single event.
"And I still haven't seen the bride."
***
—"Ready, brother-in-law?"
A familiar voice said at his side.
Mariano appeared with a smile, a small box in his hand,
and an air of tranquility that contrasted with the general chaos.
"The registrar is here. If you want to review the documents before signing, now is the moment."
Ryu nodded. He felt prepared... more or less.
"One more thing," Mariano added, stopping mid-step. "
Since we are about to begin, you stay standing by the table, okay?"
Ryu looked at him, waiting for the part they hadn't told him yet.
"Zayra will enter on my father's arm, and he will give you my sister's hand.
Even if it's not a religious ceremony, for us, that gesture is sacred and deeply symbolic."
Ryu lowered his gaze for a moment, thinking of his own family and how each culture had its own way of honoring invisible bonds.
For Zayra, it was tradition; for him, another way of understanding family.
He looked at Mariano and replied:
"I understand."
Mariano smiled and added:
"Thank you. It might be new to you, but for us, it is very meaningful."
For a moment, he imagined that gesture in his own family and understood that,
though different, it reflected the same trust and respect that unites generations.
***
"Ah, and this."
Mariano showed him a small box with two gold rings of different sizes that shone softly.
Each ring held a small Bolivianita stone, discreet yet brilliant.
Ryu examined the large ring, where a small square rested in the center,
while Zayra's featured a delicate circle.
Ryu took the large ring and saw the word 상생 (Sangsaeng) engraved alongside the wedding date.
He raised an eyebrow in a mix of curiosity and analysis.
He wondered why they had engraved Sangsaeng on the rings.
He didn't fully understand the reason for that word, but something in its weight was impossible to ignore.
Mariano smiled, waiting for the moment to explain.
He cleared his throat and said:
"These are the wedding bands, made by my parents with minerals from our mines, as a gift for you.
The large ring is yours; the other is Zay's."
Ryu arched an eyebrow.
"Bands?"
A small laugh escaped Mariano.
"Yes. After signing, you ask me for the box.
You put the ring on Zay, and she will put yours on. Nothing exaggerated, but necessary."
Here, the wedding bands were a gift, a blessing between families.
Mariano continued indicating the itinerary:
"Then come the vows.
I imagine you have yours ready.
My sister was very clear about that, wasn't she?"
Upon hearing the word 'vows,' Ryu placed a hand on the back of his neck and rubbed it gently.
He showed a brief, almost forced smile.
In a soft tone, he replied, touching the inner pocket of his jacket:
"I have them."
Mariano gave him a sympathetic smile.
"Perfect. After the vows, the crossed glasses, and the waltz, things will be calmer at least until you throw the garter."
Ryu sighed.
"That worries me more than the ring."
Mariano looked at him with some compassion, understanding that a Bolivian wedding could be overwhelming.
He smiled and said, like one bringing good news:
"I understand. The good news is that the honeymoon will be in a private cabin in Samaipata,
a quiet place before leaving for Korea the next day."
Ryu remained silent for a moment, absorbing the cascade of information.
"That is all."
Mariano nodded and then asked.
"Do you want to review the documents?"
Ryu inhaled and replied.
"Let's go."
And as they walked down the hall leading to the civil room, Ryu couldn't help but think:
"I may not understand all the traditions, but I like what they mean."
And, for the first time that day, he felt excited.
81.2 Silence as a Promise
The air seemed charged with anticipation, and every breath held the weight of promises to be kept.
Zayra was already standing beside him.
Her dress seemed to float.
Her hand, though firm, trembled slightly as it touched his.
She looked at him with emotion, grateful to have him before her.
Ryu was left speechless upon seeing her; she shone with a pure and serene beauty.
From the Toborochi flower in her bun to the locket on her wrist, everything about her filled him with a deep love.
A soft, almost imperceptible smile formed on Ryu's lips.
He couldn't help but think:
"All of this is worth it if it's by her side."
The Civil Registrar, with a clear and slow voice, began the formal part of the ceremony.
"We are gathered here to celebrate the civil marriage between Zayra Choi Yaritú and Ryu Kang."
Suddenly, as if the script had been torn apart, a voice erupted from the back:
"I object!"
Everything froze. Ryu did not turn his head.
He knew who it was before seeing him.
He remained completely rigid, jaw clenched and breath held.
Sebastian.
Dressed in black, as if he had come to a funeral.
With wild eyes and that absurd attitude of someone who believes cheesy soap operas are life strategies.
The murmur in the hall was immediate.
Some people stood up. Others were left speechless.
Ryu's chest tightened, but he straightened his back.
He closed his eyes for a second to calm the trembling of his hand.
Faced with such a situation, he thought only one thing:
"I will not give him the power to ruin this."
She felt a weight pressing on her chest not because of Sebastian,
but because of the fear that Ryu might decide not to go through with the wedding.
However, she believed that staying with her was a decision he would have to make.
She took a deep breath and chose to focus on the man in front of her.
She didn't turn to see what was happening on the other side of the room.
For Ryu… the world seemed to compress.
He didn't hear the rest of what Sebastian was saying.
Only the arrogant tone, his shadow cast on the floor, and his audacity.
A knot formed in his throat.
The noise of the room became distant. It all came down to that arrogant shadow and the insolent words echoing in his mind.
"Why now?"
Then, without planning it like a business deal or a diplomatic decision, the thought surfaced:
"I am not going to let him ruin this."
Simple, brutal, and human.
Zayra was that peace he had learned to value.
That silent complicity that not everyone had the privilege to experience.
That woman who had challenged him, respected him, and waited for him…
When he himself didn't even know if he was worth waiting for.
And now that man that noise from the past, that undignified echo intended to intrude as if she were an open choice.
No.
***
Bruno stood up with his characteristic elegance.
Two police officers approached.
Everything was fast, clean, almost elegant.
Sebastian was removed.
There was no scandal.
Bruno returned to the hall and gestured to Mariano,
letting him know the situation was under control.
***
And Ryu… he simply remained standing, quiet and motionless. After a few minutes, with a firm gaze, Ryu signaled Mariano.
He handed him the case carefully, almost as if holding a fragile treasure.
The couple exchanged rings and placed them on their left anniversary fingers.
He squeezed Zayra's hand tightly a silent promise to stand firm as an anchor against any storm.
He looked at her with tenderness and strength.
She noticed the gesture and smiled at him that smile that always brought him calm.
And in that shared silence, without words but through gazes, they both made a promise:
that no matter what happened, they would be together, just like the word engraved on their bands.