Chapter 45 Julia'S Wedding
After being attacked by a monster and finishing explaining the situation to the adults, I returned home with Radmila. I brought her home because there was some of the healing potion I made for Lukas the other day.
I invited Radmila over because I was worried about her constantly checking on my wounds. I thought that if she saw the wounds healing quickly after drinking the healing potion, it might help heal the emotional wounds she had from getting hurt while protecting me.
Still, I thought as I held the container in my hand. It's my first time drinking a healing potion to heal wounds.
Staring at the transparent color, I gulped it down in one go. Suddenly, I felt my blood rushing to the affected area - for some reason, this sensation felt familiar. Then it hit me. It reminded me slightly of the feeling when I drank the failed healing potion I had been experimenting with on Elvira the other day.
It wasn't as painful as that time when my veins felt like they were burning. But the sensation of heat spreading throughout my body was quite similar.
(Could it be that it wasn't a failure after all...?)
It's too early to make a judgment with so little information. However, it might be too hasty to label the previous "incident" as a failure.
I thought about trying it again somehow when I got back - but then I felt the heat that had gathered in the affected area subsiding. Upon closer inspection, the scars left by the monster's claws were completely healed.
I extended my right arm towards Radmila, who was still holding back tears, as if to show her.
"Look, I'm all better now."
"Really?"
"Really. Look, see?"
"Laura, I'm really sorry."
Holding my right arm tightly, Radmila shed tears once again from her eyes.
There were no traces left, to the point where it was hard to tell where I had been hurt. Still, Radmila, apologizing while shedding tears, looked adorable.
"Don't worry so much, Radmila. The scars are barely visible..."
"But..."
"More importantly, did any of the liquid I threw get on you? Are you okay?"
As Radmila continued to express her concerns, I changed the subject. She looked puzzled when I suddenly asked her, tilting her head slowly with wide eyes. It seemed like she didn't quite understand the intention behind my question.
I focused on the dress Radmila was wearing as I spoke.
"It's a bit of poison, so if it gets on your clothes, please just throw them away."
It's a medicine with enough toxicity to melt a monster's skin. Just imagining it touching human skin sends shivers down my spine.
If Radmila had been exposed to the poison, she would have screamed in that instant. So, I thought there was nothing to worry about, but if by any chance it got on the hem of her dress — well, it's not impossible.
However, there was still no response from Radmila. With wide eyes, she peered into my face. Wondering what was wrong, I finally knelt down to check the hem of Radmila's dress.
"...Did Laura make that?"
"I got some help from my mentor."
"Amazing!"
Radmila quickly changed her gloomy expression from earlier and crouched down to look at my face with enthusiasm. Impressed by how quickly she switched moods, I found Radmila's honest expression of her feelings in her voice and face appealing.
At first glance, it didn't seem like there was any poison on her clothes. Making that judgment, I stood up, and Radmila also stood up as if following me.
"Hey, hey, tell me all about it! How do you make it?"
Radmila's eyes sparkled as she leaned in eagerly, like a close little sister.
After firmly stating that it wasn't that interesting of a story, I answered each question she threw at me.
* * *
Despite being overwhelmed by Radmila's rapid-fire questions, I continued to answer them. My mother politely interjected, calling out to me, "There's a guest." It was a chance to escape Radmila's questioning, so I stood up and headed to the front door without even checking who the visitor was.
And then, standing at the entrance was...
"Laura, I'm sorry for the sudden visit."
It was Julia.
Surprised by the unexpected guest, I tilted my head slightly.
"Are you okay from the injury?"
"Y-yes. Sorry for worrying you."
"Oh, Julia, what's wrong?"
"Oh, Radmila. You were at Laura's house, huh... I see, is it okay if I join for a bit?"
It seemed Radmila, who apparently followed behind me, exchanged a few quiet words with Julia. I couldn't hear the conversation from here.
After nodding several times, Radmila casually said, "I should be heading off soon. Thank you for having me," and swiftly dashed off while I was still surprised by the sudden turn of events. Despite her relaxed pace, she surprisingly moved swiftly.
Left behind alone, Julia and I locked eyes. She gave a faint smile. Though I didn't quite understand, I smiled back in response.
I subtly urged Julia to come inside the house, but she just silently shook her head. Before I could even ask her what's up, Julia spoke up.
"I'm getting married soon."
――I was frozen for about ten seconds by her sudden confession.
Is Julia married?
My brain went into full shutdown mode, but I managed to squeeze out some clumsy words of congratulations as a friend.
"...C-congratulations!"
"You look so surprised."
Julia chuckled. Her smile was very calm and mature.
Considering Julia is two years older than me, she might be at a suitable age as a girl living in a small village. However, at the beginning of the story, none of the boys and girls of the same age as the protagonist were married. Well, they are NPCs who only appear in the early stages, so if asked if I'm absolutely sure, I would stumble over my words.
I see, marriage, huh.
Slowly, as I digested the surprising fact, my eyes widened once again.
"Well... that's surprising. I mean, I've never heard such a story before..."
"It's something that hasn't been talked about."
It was said nonchalantly. While I couldn't recall it being discussed before, being told so clearly made me chuckle.
Did Petra, Radmila, and Lukas know about this? In a small village with no gossip or trends, news of a marriage would spread quickly, but then it hit me.
Who could the other person be? From what I heard, Julia wasn't working away from home like Petra. If that's the case...
"Can I ask who you're marrying?"
"It's Sergio."
Upon hearing the name, I couldn't react immediately.
Sergio, Sergio... I repeated the name a few times in my mouth, trying to picture the person in my mind. It took me a few seconds to complete this task, and finally, one face came to mind.
He has strong reddish-brown hair and freckles. Yes, Sergio is a boy who lives in Emme Village.
However, I have no memory of him having any friendship with Julia. It's possible that they became closer after I started going to the capital city.
"...Were you two close?"
"We were okay. Laura doesn't talk much with boys other than Lukas, so you probably didn't know, right?"
Ouch. It hit a sore spot.
A few years ago, when I was struggling to break free from the profession of being Hero-sama's childhood friend, I tried even harder to deepen my friendship with Julia and the others as a stepping stone. However, on the other hand, I hardly made friends with the boys in the village.
If asked why, there wasn't any particular reason. They simply didn't approach me much, and besides, I had always planned to leave this village from the start. I didn't feel a particular need — perhaps that's a bit selfish of me.
Anyway, Julia is a smart and beautiful woman. Sergio used to be a mischievous brat who teased Lukas when he was young, but I remember he grew up to be quite strong by the start of the game. I have no intention of meddling in other people's love affairs, but I honestly hope they build a good family.
"Congratulations anyway. If you had told me in advance, I would have bought something to celebrate."
"This is something I wanted to say myself."
Julia blushed at this point. Her expression looked more childish than before, like that of a teenage girl.
It's somehow heartwarming to see her in love.
"Y-yeah, Laura."
"Ah... Congratulations, Sergio."
Perhaps he had been waiting by the door, as Sergio suddenly peeked his head out from the side. His cheeks were even redder than Julia's.
I've had some casual conversations. We both understand each other well. It's natural in this small village. But the last few years living in Emme Village were mostly just going back and forth between home and my mentor's house, so there's been a bit of a gap. In other words — he was more of a person who was hard to gauge the distance with than someone I just met.
"Um... what would be a good gift for the celebration?"
"Send some delicious sweets from the capital city, Julia loves sweet things."
Haha, I chuckled. Seeing that refreshing smile, it made me feel a bit puzzled, as I still couldn't shake off the image of him being a mischievous kid teasing Lukas.
It might be too early to say he had become more mature. But Sergio's expression was so clear that I couldn't help but think he looked rounder, and his eyes were filled with a strong light as if gazing at the life ahead with his future partner.
And, he and Lukas reconciled a few years ago. I don't intend to overlook teasing the young Lukas, but I shouldn't meddle in their relationship.
As expected, the conversation didn't flow smoothly, and silence fell between us. Sensing the awkwardness, Sergio said while scratching his reddened cheek with his fingertip.
"I can't believe I'm going to surpass you guys."
"...You guys?"
"You and Lukas."
――I've tried my best in my own way. Still, it seems like Lukas and I are seen in such a light.
But even without much thought, the boy I'm closest to is Lukas, and vice versa. Since we don't intend to ruin our important childhood friend relationship, it was within expectations to hear such things to a certain extent.
Yeah, it's within the realm of possibility, but it's a bit amusing how the people in this village immediately link close male-female relationships to romance. It's not uncommon for childhood friends from the same village to get married here, so maybe it's just natural for them to think that way.
"Haha... Yeah, Lukas is definitely an important childhood friend, but I don't think we'll end up like Sergio and Julia."
"Is that so?"
Yeah, that's right. When I nodded, Sergio seemed genuinely surprised, and Julia next to him did too. Maybe in Emme Village, Lukas and Laura getting married is already a foregone conclusion for them.
Along with that, I understood Petra's actions seeking forgiveness from me. It might take courage to intervene between the two who are perceived by the villagers in this way - well, 'intervene' isn't the most suitable term, but that's probably the sentiment from Petra's perspective.
"Just because we're childhood friends doesn't mean we'll easily get married. ...Both of you, make sure to invite me to the wedding."
Getting defensive might lead to misunderstandings. I added in a light tone as much as possible.
Julia and Sergio seemed unconvinced, but they smiled and nodded at the words "I want to be invited to the wedding."
――Now then. Should I inform Petra once that 'I don't have that intention'? However, even without my presence, the fact that she will experience heartbreak in a few years will hardly change.
When it comes to Petra's love, perhaps it's best to observe quietly? I was still unable to come up with an answer.
"Of course I'll invite you. I haven't decided when yet though."
Julia smiled beautifully. I wasn't doubting, but I was convinced that marrying Sergio was something she truly desired from the bottom of her heart.
I wish they eternal happiness. Just as I was about to send those words with a hint of teasing, at that moment she opened her mouth.
"Oh, Laura. Will you teach our child alchemy?"
I was unexpectedly asked a favor.
Our child, she said. No way.
Impolitely, I glanced at Julia's stomach. As far as I could see, there was no sign of it swelling.
Rather than frowning at my obvious behavior, Julia burst into laughter and added, "It's about the future."
"I don't have any plans yet."
"Y-yeah, that's right, surprised..."
"...but eventually, right. Emme Village... you know, the villagers are few. Increasing the workforce is also one of our tasks, I think."
In the past life, those words might have been considered outdated, but in this world and era, they are considered normal.
Living in a closed-off village, the young women's job is simply to bear children. In return, the men risk their lives to protect the women and children, keeping the small village going.
The reality of this is now being brought to light. Laura and Lukas from "Last Brave" were persistently pressured by the villagers to marry, probably with the thought of new life ahead. I don't intend to condemn that. While it may seem unreasonable to "me," it's common sense for the villagers in this village.
Taking a deep breath, Julia is trying to find, accept, and fulfill her role in this village. The villagers probably expect the same from me, Petra, and Radmila.
Petra might be aware of her feelings. That's why she might have confessed her love to Lukas.
What about Radmila? She's the youngest and most innocent among us, so she doesn't seem to be aware yet. But someday, she will be too.
Julia, who stands tall to fulfill her role, looked incredibly beautiful and mature.
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