Chapter 127 Epilogue - The Future Woven By Cute
The castle in this country, now called the Holy Yumie Empire, has become my private room, where I sit by the window and grumble alone.
"Well... really, why did it turn out like this...?"
"It's probably because it was you, young lady, that's all I can say."
No, I wasn't alone.
When I looked back, there was my maid Lisa.
Since the war started, I had gone back to see how my mother was, but now that the war is over, she has joined me here.
Right now, Lisa and Gray is taking care of me, who became a saint.
"Then that doesn't explain anything at all. Sigh, I just wanted to live peacefully with my family in Granbell."
"You were born under such a star. Please accept it."
"Lisa, you could comfort me a little more, you know?"
In a situation like this, shouldn't I be crying about the tragic fate I was caught in?
Hearing my complaints, Lisa gave a wry smile.
"So, do you regret what you've done until now?"
Suddenly hit with the main point, I was taken aback.
Do I regret it? Well──
"Yumie, are you here?"
Just as I was about to open my mouth, a voice came from outside the room.
There was no particular reason to hide anything, so I welcomed him.
"Yes, I'm here, Sigurt. Come in"
The person who has arrived is Sigurt, King of the Kingdom of Ortria.
Since this country has become a de facto vassal state of Ortria, my coronation ceremony will be held today... the inauguration ceremony of the saint?
Anyway, Sigurt was invited to this event.
It feels like it's been months since we last met, and even then we only saw each other for one night, so it feels like we haven't seen each other in ages.
Maybe that's why, as soon as Sigurt opened the door and came in, I embraced him.
"Oh... It's been a while, Yumie. I missed you."
"I wanted to see you too, Sigurt. I'm glad to see you looking well."
Last time we met, he looked really tired, but now his face looks much better.
When I pointed that out, Sigurt scratched his head and said, "Oh man."
"Yumie, you see right through everything. Since the war ended, my work has calmed down and I've been sleeping well lately. This is all thanks to you, Yumie. Thank you."
"Hehe, I'm glad I could help you, Sigurt."
As I said that and smiled, Sigurt smiled back and gave some kind of eye contact to Lisa.
Receiving that, Lisa understood something and went out of the room.
"Well then, take your time."
"Lisa?"
I understand that she wants us to talk slowly together, but did Lisa really need to leave?
As I tilting my head, Sigurt put his hand on my shoulder.
"Yumie, do you remember? I once said you could be my fiancée."
"Oh, yes, I remember that."
It was still right after I met Sigurt.
When Sigurt said he wanted me, Elder Brother got mad, and seeing that made Sigurt laugh... it really feels nostalgic.
It was only about a year ago.
"You said back then that you, an illegitimate child, are not worthy of being my fiance."
"Haha, is that so?"
"That's right. In fact, if I had been engaged to you at that time, there would have been opposition from many quarters."
Indeed, the Neithardt family was still alive and well at that time, and there were many of their friends.
If he'd gotten engaged to me in that state... well, I probably would've been assassinated.
"But now it's different"
"Huh?"
Sigurt's serious gaze pierces me straight through.
Perhaps because he had changed from a prince to a king, there was no teasing look on his face like before, and I couldn't help but feel my heart pounding.
"You are now a saint who saved Ortria from peril, a bridge of friendship with Euphemia, and have even risen to become the symbol of the Holy Yumie Empire. It is no exaggeration to say that you are in a higher position than me, who has become the king of Ortria."
"...You think too highly of me. I could only do my best because everyone was here."
I am weak.
I have no power, and I don't have any special skills either.
But if there's one thing I can be proud of, it's that I am very lucky to have good people around me.
When I'm in trouble, there are people who come to help me.
When things get hard, there are people who support me.
On lonely nights when I feel like crying, there are people who hug me tightly until I feel better.
So I can keep moving forward, no matter what happens, without giving up.
"If I have any strength, it is because everyone has given it to me. So, I...?"
When I honestly share my feelings, Sigurt hugs me tightly.
While I wonder what is going on, I hear a big sigh near my ear.
"You are really slow... If I say anything smaller, you just get that.
"Huh? Um...?"
"I guess I have to say it clearly so you understand. I like you, Yumie. I love you."
"Huh... What!?"
I was surprised by the sudden confession, and I locked eyes with Sigurt, who moved a little away from me.
No matter how many times I looked, there was no sign that he was joking with me.
Does that mean he really likes me...?
"Um, uh... well..."
My face was getting hot because his confession was so clear, there was no way to misunderstand it.
I had been proposed to a few times in Euphemia, but back then, we didn't know each other well, so it didn't matter.
But this time, it's Sigurt.
We have met many times, he has relied on me, and he has protected me... The time we spent together is still short, but we have shared a lot of experiences.
Because of Sigurt's feelings, I couldn't give an answer right away.
"......"
Without waiting for my reply, Sigurt's face got closer to mine.
With my mind going blank, I didn't push him away.
I just listened to my quickening heartbeat and waited for that moment──and then.
"Wait upppp!! "
Boom!!
Startled by the loud sound of the door flying open, my body jumped.
When I turned around, I saw Lisa shrugging her shoulders as if to say 'I give up', and... there was Monica, burning with flames all over her body.
"Your Majesty Sigurt, you can't just show up and take Ms. Yumie like that! Because!!"
After pulling my body away from Sigurth, Monica hugged me as if to claim me as hers, and said loudly.
"Ms. Yumie is destined to be my bride!!"
Yes, she declared forcefully.
What... Yes!?
"Hey, Ms. Monica, what are you talking about!?"
Feeling my face getting hotter and hotter at the unexpected confession, I somehow managed to ask.
Monica answered my question confidently.
"I threatened Gray... ahem, by having him as my ally, I've finally completed it!! Ms. Yumie and I have a magic that allows 2 girls to have children together!! With this, the ethical issue that prevented us from getting married has been resolved. Now is the time to get engaged to me, Ms. Yumie!!"
"What!?"
Things are happening too fast, I can't understand anything.
What is this kid doing, dragging Gray into all of this?
Wait... huh?
Does Monica really like me enough to want to marry?
No, I just got confessed to by Sigurt... what?
"Hey, wait a minute!! I won't give Yumie to anyone, she's staying with me!!"
Just when my head was already confused, Elder Brother shows up and makes things even harder.
He grabbed my body from Monica and started growling like a guard dog.
"It's you again, Mr. Neil!! You need to let go of your sister already, someday Ms. Yumie will marry me!!"
"No way, I won't accept it!! Yumie doesn't have to get married!!"
Elder Brother and Monica started their usual argument right by my ear.
I hoped Sigurt would calmly step in to help, and he nodded like he understood──
"Sorry, but both Yumie and I are getting married with Rifine's support. It's my win by majority vote"
He tossed my wishes aside with a crazy argument.
Wait, where did your usual king-like dignity go!?
You were supposed to be the smart one, Sigurt!!
"There is no majority rule in marriage!! What's important is love, love!! "
"If it's love, I always say that I love Yumie more than anyone else!!"
The argument is getting more and more out of hand, and I can't help but stare off into the distance.
What should I do?
I wondered, but Thea suddenly came into the room and started tugging at the hem of my shirt.
"Yumie... You can marry anyone... but please keep me by your side..."
"...Yes, we'll always be together, Thea"
My head is all messed up, so cute Thea is my comfort as always.
Thinking this, I hugged Thea, and Sigurt clapped his hands as if to sum up the situation.
"Oh well, let's talk about this later. Today is Yumie's big day."
"Yes, it's time to celebrate Ms. Yumie's appointment as a saint."
"Right, and my dad and the others are waiting too."
It seems that Thea's animal therapy has the power to calm Sigurt and the others.
Yeah, Thea is the best.
With her around, the world will be peaceful.
"Well then, we have preparations, so let's go change, young lady."
"Yes! ...Oh, right, Lisa."
"What is it?"
Just before I stepped out with Lisa to go to the costume room.
I looked up at Lisa and smiled widely.
"About what we talked about earlier... I don't have any regrets. I am very happy now."
Since I remembered my past life, there have been many hard times.
I was pushed to bear the burden of the country without being ready, and I am full of worries about the future.
But... more than that, I am living now, surrounded by important people who care about me so much.
There is nothing happier than that.
"So, thank you, Lisa. I hope we can continue to get along."
When I told Lisa, my first ally and greatest supporter, this, she blinked and smiled softly.
"Yes, young lady. No matter who you choose... even if you can't choose anyone and end up surrounded by so many flowers you can't hold them all in your hands, I will be with you for the rest of my life."
"Don't say scary things!?"
Even though I couldn't help but make a comment, I took Lisa's hand and started walking.
A large crowd is waiting, on the stage surrounded by light and cheers.
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