Chapter 0: Separation

Louisa was crying.

Due to the unimaginable sadness, she cried and cried—

Despite knowing that a princess shouldn’t cry in public, she just couldn’t hold it in.

After all, she’d be separated from Gaius, the man she loved and deemed as the most important in the entire world.

Large, droplets of tears overflowed from her violet eyes—which resembled the amethyst, as she hugged Gaius’ waist and shook her petite head several times. Each time, her soft, pale blonde hair would sway.

“No, no—! Why do I have to return to my father’s place!? Aren’t I supposed to be your wife!? Didn’t I come to Valentia to be properly wed to you!? So why do I have to return to Charule!? Isn’t that strange!? No way, I want to stay here with Gaius!”

Last year, Louisa had married Gaius.

However, it was a marriage of convenience, arranged between the Holy Kingdom of Charule—where Louisa’s father was the emperor; and the Duchy of Valentia, which was ruled by Gaius’ father.

At first, her mother and servants would lament the fact that she’d marry when she was only six-years-old.

“Poor thing.” They spoke.

Even Louisa was anxiety-ridden at the beginning, but she soon found out that Gaius—who appeared to be blunt at a glance—was actually very kind.

Gradually, they became friends, and after a year of marriage, they became inseparable.

They were indispensable to each other.

Louisa loved Gaius.

She loved Gaius’ jet-black hair, his soft gray eyes, his warm embrace, his gentle smile—

—she loved everything about him, and couldn’t imagine letting him go.

As long as it’s with Gaius, I’m willing to go anywhere.

As long as I’m with him, I’m sure I can do my best.

After all, there’s no way I’ll be unhappy when I’m with him.

She’d never fallen in love with someone to such a degree.

More than my father, my mother, or my brothers and sisters—

—I love Gaius the most!

But one day, suddenly, Louisa was sent back to his father’s country.

“You’ve done an excellent job until now, Your Highness. Thank you very much for all your hard work. Your father and mother are waiting for you, so please return to your country.”

Gaius’ father—Duke of Valentia, smiled as he caressed Louisa’s head.

She had no idea what was going on, and simply said, “I don’t want to go home!”

However, despite her protest, Duke Valentia just looked troubled, and didn’t say anything else.

Thus, the adults around her prepared Louisa for her return. Soon, the day where she was supposed to set sail to the Holy Kingdom of Charule arrived.

A day before that, not knowing what to do, Louisa clung to Gaius’ waist and sobbed profusely. At that time, he was supposed to prepare for his morning classes right after breakfast.

She didn’t want to go home.

She wanted to be with him.

…But no matter how many times she repeated that, Gaius merely stroked her back without saying a word.

The truth was, Louise knew.

Since the decision came from both the Emperor of the Holy Kingdom of Charule and the Duke of Valentia, there was no way for anyone to overturn it.

Therefore, there was nothing he could do.

“I don’t want you to leave, either. But there’s nothing I can do about it. Don’t cry, Louisa.”

Gaius spoke with a bewildered face, and sounded about to cry.

…Gaius is sad, too.

Upon discovering that he’d also be sad about their separation, her grief was somewhat alleviated. To Louisa, if Gaius was sad, then she’d be sad, too. Hence why she had to stop crying, otherwise she’d be making him sad.

Thus, Louisa lifted her tear-stained face and apologized.

“I’ll stop crying, but in exchange, I want to stay with you all day today.”

Although she prefaced it with an apology, it soon turned into a preposition.

At Louisa’s selfishness, Gaius narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“Alright.”

That smile made Louisa’s heart ache.

Gaius seldom laughed.

After his birth mother was murdered by his stepmother, Gaius confessed to not being able to smile properly. Apparently, he could only smile naturally when he was with her, and would otherwise show an awkward one in the presence of others.

…Even so, he forced himself to smile because that day was also their last, special day.

When the realization that it’d indeed be their last meeting dawned on her, Louisa was devastated.

Even Gaius’ tutors—who were usually strict, seemed to be aware of it, and saw them off as the two joined hands and ran outside.

Gaius’ pet dog, Hoover, chased after him.

Hoover was a large hound—larger than even Louisa when he stood up. If she weren’t careful when playing with him, she could be crushed. At the same time, the dog had a smart and kind personality, and was obedient to his master—Gaius. Thus, it was also very close with Louisa.

As Hoover walked next to Gaius as if to protect his master, Louisa whispered to the dog.

“Good boy.”

After all, Louisa was also fond of the big dog, who was loyal to her husband.

Although I want to be alone with Gaius, I don’t mind if it’s Hoover, since he’s always been by our side.

Louisa had a place in mind.

It was none other than her favorite place in Valentia Castle—the Northern Garden.

Despite not being a very large castle, Valentia Castle still had gardens on the North, South, East, and West sides. The Northern Garden was the smallest of them all, with only a single, tall lilac tree for flowers.

…However, that garden was also full of precious memories.

Upon arriving at the Northern Garden, the sweet fragrance wafted from the lilac tree in full bloom.

As the scent permeated her chest, Louisa recalled what it was like a year ago.

After she had arrived at Valentia to be married, she was both anxious and lonely. Every day, she’d come to that garden to cry secretly. She thought that since it was the innermost part of the castle, people would seldom come.

The adults around her were cold, using their polite words and attitudes to keep her away. Louisa’s story went unheeded, and no one was there for her. Unlike her father and mother, they wouldn’t listen or smile at her, or give her a goodnight kiss before she went to bed.

Every day was the same.

Louisa would simply get dressed, eat, before going to sleep at night.

She felt like her existence was meaningless.

She felt left out, sad, and homesick.

She’d often find herself crying for her father and mother in her mind, but of course, neither of them responded, nor came to her aid.

Nevertheless, she was still a princess, and a princess mustn’t cry in public.

My father and mother used to emphasize that.

Ever since the moment she was born as the emperor’s daughter, she had to bring prosperity to those below her. Moreover, her parents also taught their children that grace consisted of smiles and kindness, not anger or sadness.

For that reason, even when she was sad or lonely, Louisa would never shed any tears.

As a princess, she had to smile.

In front of everyone, she’d maintain a smile.

When she couldn’t stand it anymore, she’d secretly cry here.

That day, just like any other day, Louisa missed her parents.

Alone, she knelt under the lilac tree and cried.

Then, Gaius appeared.

She was found out.

“Oh, no.”

At that time, the relationship between the two was still awkward. Not to mention, Louisa saw him as a brusque, curt, and overall, a scary person.

Upon seeing Gaius for the first time, she was amazed at how handsome he was. Not only did he have lustrous black hair, his face was also doll-like. To put it simply, he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. To be wed to such a good-looking man, she remembered how thrilled she was.

…However, said excitement soon turned into disappointment.

Gaius was cold towards Louisa.

Whenever she laughed, he’d avert his gaze, as if repulsed. He also wouldn’t speak to her. At the thought that he disliked her, she was sad, but soon decided not to care. The reason was because he treated everyone else the same.

Hence, since it was that Gaius, he’d probably be dismayed at the sight of her tears. Surely, his expression would be distorted in disgust. Despite how nonchalant she appeared to be, who wouldn’t be disheartened at that?

…But Gaius didn’t look annoyed.

On the contrary, he came to her side, and even caressed her head.

His gesture was a bit rough, as if he was petting a dog.

Nevertheless, she was happy.

Ever since she came to Valentia, it was a first for her to receive someone’s warmth, that she even forgot her tears.

As she blinked in surprise, Gaius mumbled awkwardly. But then, as if he had made up his mind, he peered straight into her eyes.

“Don’t cry by yourself! I’ll be here for you!”

Although his words were blunt, they were also very kind.

It turned out that Gaius—whom she always feared, was actually a very kind boy.

For the first time, she felt grateful that he was her husband.

After that incident, Louisa and Gaius became good friends.

In the royal palace, some adults would inexplicably bully the two, so they’d protect each other.

In the year since they got married, the two had shared delightful times, sorrowful times, joyful times, and painful times.

If not for Gaius, Louisa might’ve succumbed to her loneliness.

For that reason, Gaius had become an irreplaceable existence to Louisa.

…And yet, they had to part.

Upon arriving under the lilac tree, Gaius quickly removed his cloak and laid it on the ground, before sitting cross-legged right across her.

Then, he beckoned to her.

“Come here.”

Louisa loved the fact that he’d always place her on his lap.

Thus, as usual, Louisa happily slid into his arms and snuggled comfortably against him.

Gaius—who was four years older than her—looked much bigger and stronger than Louisa, who was only seven-years-old. Even so, compared to her own parents, his body was thin. As she leaned against him, she realized that he was also a child.

After the two had adjusted themselves, Hoover sat beside them, as if keeping guard.

Looking up at the lilac tree, she could see both the purple flowers and the green leaves. A glimpse of the bright blue sky—dazzling and mesmerizing as always—could be seen through the gaps of the leaves.

…And then, Gaius’ jaw entered her vision.

“Hey, Gaius.”

“What is it?”

Above her head, Gaius’ voice echoed.

His voice was high-pitched—it hadn’t yet broken.

That voice, which she had grown accustomed to over the past year, comforted her the most.

“I’m going to return to Charule tomorrow.”

“…I know.”

Nodding, Gaius rubbed his cheek against the top of Louisa’s head. Without fail, he’d always do that when he held her, and Louisa liked it.

However, the moment her eyelids fluttered close to bask in the sensation, they gradually became hot, as the back of her nose stung.

She must endure.

But when she thought that it’d be for the last time…

…Regardless of what she did, tears welled up in her eyes.

No, no…

You can’t, Louisa.

You have something to ask him, don’t you?

If she cried, she wouldn’t be able to ask him, and time was slipping away.

As Louisa rebuked herself, she opened her purple eyes and looked up at Gaius.

In response, Gaius looked down towards her.

A boyish, sharp chin. A straight nose. A gently-curved, shapely lips. In the sunlight—or even in the dark, his gray eyes always had a silvery gleam to it.

“Although we may be separated, we’ve been married. Therefore, Gaius will still be my husband, right?”

Such was the question she had been meaning to ask all along.

Ever since she discovered that she’d return to Charule, the concern had resided in her heart for so long. However, she was too afraid to ask him. Only now did she find the courage to do so.

If he said otherwise, she’d be destroyed.

At Louisa’s question, Gaius widened his eyes.

Beneath his silver retinas, his pupils contracted sharply.

As her heart thumped with anxiety, Louisa awaited his answer.

What if he said no?

…Wouldn’t it be as if she was told that they’d never see each other again?

As if the moment she stepped foot inside Charule, she’d lost contact with him.

As if their bond would vanish.

As if she never existed in his life.

—She absolutely didn’t want that!

Seeing that Gaius had become silent, Louisa was flustered, yet still insisted.

“I-I’m already considered as your spouse. If it isn’t with Gaius, I don’t want to get married! H-hence, can’t we just be married forever?”

As she said that, her nose became stuffy once again.

Gaius cradled the tearful Louisa in a strong embrace.

Burying his face in Louisa’s slender neck, he replied with a trembling voice.

“Yes. You’re my wife. Even if we’re apart, you are—and always will be—my wife.”

Upon receiving her desired answer, Louisa was at ease.

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

He even affirmed it.

Overjoyed, Louisa began to move. While she enjoyed being in his arms, she wanted to hug him back—and that was what she did.

As their bodies overlapped, she could feel the beating of his heart on her chest, and the opposite must be true as well.

Feeling extremely pleased, Louisa uttered.

“I love you, Gaius. In this world, I love you the most. You’re my husband. Even if we’re apart, I’ll definitely think about you every day. I’ll pray to God every single day to reunite us again…”

As long as he said that I’m still his wife, I’ll be fine.

As long as she prayed to God, her wish would come true.

…Surely, they’d be able to meet again someday, because they were husband and wife.

Towards Louisa’s words, Gaius nodded.

“I’ll come for you.”

“Then, I’ll wait. I’ll continue to wait. Even if I become a grandma, I’ll continue to wait for you.”

Unraveling their embrace, Gaius took Louisa’s hand, and kissed the back of her palm.

Previously, he had kissed the back of her hand as well.

But that day, Gaius’ lips lingered for a while, as if he was dedicating a prayer to God.

Louisa was confused.

Eventually, Gaius lifted his head, and sent her a passionate gaze, as if he had made a resolve.

“I pledge my eternal love, loyalty, and devotion to my beloved wife, Louisa.”

After hearing his vow, she couldn’t bear it anymore.

As her lips quivered, transparent droplets of tears overflowed from her eyes…

Her small shoulder began to tremble.

Unable to suppress it, she began to sob.

Thus, the boy embraced his wailing, young wife.

As the young couple were washed away in the sorrow of separation, a large lack dog sled and snuggled up to them.

The sky in early summer was clear and blue, as if see-through.

The gentle breeze that swirled brought upon the fragrance of the blooming lilacs, sweeping away the faint cries of the two.