Chapter 139

When the name slipped out unintentionally, Theodore sighed and rubbed his forehead. Since he was usually the one with a good-natured expression, both Minuelle and Esadien found it puzzling.  

“What is it, Theo?”  

“Well… in fact, Lady Celeste has been staying at our estate.”  

“What?”  

“What?!”  

How on earth did things end up like that?  

When they pressed him for details, Theodore explained the situation as if he had no choice.  

“After the incident at Chitrum, she had nowhere to go, so I let her stay until she could find a place… but somehow, she ended up meeting my grandfather.”  

Now, it seemed she had even become his disciple. The count’s family officially welcomed Lapheche as their guest.  

“But for some reason, she keeps following me around. She’s not a child… it’s a bit troublesome.”  

Minuelle felt a strange sentiment.  

‘That Lapheche over there is different from the one in the original story, and yet she still ends up falling for Theodore.’ 

She said she disliked him so much, but the movements of the heart were always unpredictable.  

Theodore’s lament continued.  

“I can overlook her childishness, but the way she talks and acts… sometimes it feels like she’s not of this world.”  

“Cough!”  

The sudden remark caught Minuelle off guard, and she burst into an unexpected cough. Of course, Theodore probably hadn’t meant it literally, but it still struck too close to home.  

“Minuelle, maybe we should go—”  

“There’s still a long way to go. What are you talking about?”  

Minuelle patted the arm Esadien had wrapped around her waist, coaxing him gently.  

Perhaps feeling lonely lately, Theodore gave them an envious look before waving to Lapheche.  

“You attended the wedding banquet, yet you won’t even greet the bride and groom? I really don’t understand what you’re thinking.”  

But there was something peculiar about it. Even while grumbling, he looked after Lapheche quite naturally.  

And Lapheche too—though she pouted as if reluctant, she eventually did as Theodore said.  

“Um… congratulations.”  

Her eyes now had far less hostility than before, which allowed Minuelle to reply more comfortably.  

“Thank you.”  

After that brief exchange, Theodore stepped aside with a satisfied look, as if he had done his duty.  

Lapheche naturally followed him, but after a few steps, she froze, spun back around, and hurried over to Minuelle.  

“Um, back at Chitrum… I think I said some mean things, but I didn’t mean them, really! O-of course, it’s not like I never thought that way, but it was only for a moment!”  

It was a rushed confession, like a woodpecker hammering away.  

Now that she had found a steadier footing, Lapheche seemed to have grown a little more honest, though clearly embarrassed.  

“I see.”  

“…Will you forgive me?”  

Minuelle shrugged lightly.  

“We’re not even friends. It’s fine if you curse me in your head once in a while.”  

“…You are…”  

Lapheche seemed about to say more, but shook her head and ran after Theodore.  

Just as he had said, she really did trail after him. Minuelle and Esadien, both recalling the original Lapheche, exchanged strange looks.  

And when they finally caught each other’s eyes, they burst into laughter.  

“Pfft!”  

“Haha.”  

Esadien even laughed aloud this time. Though it was small and low, Minuelle loved that sound.  

She squeezed his large hand, and he said, “Thank you for keeping your promise.”  

“What promise?”  

“The one where you said you wouldn’t abandon me, that you’d take responsibility for me.”  

Hmm.  

Minuelle furrowed one brow deliberately.  

“Are you trying to make me feel guilty? You were the one who tried to break up in the middle.”  

And as always, Esadien fell for her teasing completely.  

“N-no… that was… I consider that my punishment for my mistakes. And in the end, we’re still together, so…”  

Minuelle bit her lip. The way he fumbled to explain himself was so adorable that her heart felt like it would drop.  

“You’re too cute, seriously!”  

“…What?”  

Luckily, no one was watching.  

After sweeping the area with hawk-like sharp eyes, Minuelle rose on her toes and gave him a swift kiss.  

Esadien’s blue eyes went wide.  

But despite those innocent eyes, his actions were anything but. In an instant, he chased after her lips like a starving beast.  

“……!”  

Good grief, this man.  

Even when Minuelle smacked his shoulder, he only pulled her closer.  

And since they were the stars of the wedding, of course their display of affection couldn’t go unnoticed for long.  

“Oh my, look over there.”  

“They’re already showering each other with love.”  

Now that they’d been caught, Esadien grinned and swept his new bride into his arms.  

“Wait, wait! Esadien, we still need to stay here!”  

Minuelle struggled, but froze at his quiet words.  

“I can’t hold back any longer.”  

“……”  

Then it struck her—it was their wedding night.  

The thought that from tonight onward no one could interrupt their intimacy made her mouth go dry.  

Suddenly nervous, Minuelle forgot to stop him and simply let herself be carried away toward the bridal chamber.  

Tradition said newlyweds should attend the evening reception and see off the guests the next day.  

But who among the guests didn’t know the Third Prince had made a noisy proposal to the youngest daughter of the Karnian family?  

“When the time comes, he acts, hahaha!”  

Even the Emperor clapped with booming laughter, so everyone else could only follow suit.  

* * *  

Face, neck, shoulders—  

Kisses scattered everywhere like raindrops. Her heart raced faster and faster, yet her body melted into languidness.  

‘I wish this moment would never end.’ 

Even so, Minuelle forced herself to lift a hesitant hand.  

“Esadien, wait. I have something to say.”  

When she pulled his face up, he followed reluctantly but obediently.  

“Is it important?”  

“Of course.”  

After taking a deep breath, Minuelle spoke clearly.  

“Esadien. If you’re afraid of having children, then it’s fine if we don’t. I think it’s enough for us to just be happy together.”  

Now that the wedding was over, their frantic work was done.  

She didn’t want Esadien to torment himself again with worries that couldn’t be solved.  

“Minuelle.”  

But Esadien was not someone who stayed still in such moments. He kissed her hands and smiled brightly.  

“I’m fine. I want to see children who resemble you.”  

“Esadien…”  

“I will protect them with all I have. And if misfortune ever strikes, I’ll raise them to be strong enough to overcome it.”  

He couldn’t drown in thoughts of his own father forever.  

It was clear—if he wanted to make Minuelle happy, he had to move forward with her.  

“Don’t worry. Our children will grow up bright enough to overcome any misfortune. Just like you.”  

He spoke with a conviction that felt almost prophetic.  

It was unfamiliar, but it made Minuelle’s chest swell warmly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “I want to see children who resemble you.”  

A little Esadien—how precious and adorable would that be?  

He laughed again, but this time it was lower, darker.  

“Then we’ll need at least two. Will that be too hard?”  

“Hmph. You’d better make sure it isn’t.”  

His gaze deepened, almost navy in its intensity.  

“…I’ll do my best.”  

Their kiss grew deeper.  

Esadien’s strength pushed Minuelle down onto the bed, breaths tangling hotly—  

BOOM!

With a loud noise, fire suddenly burst in the fireplace, though there was no wood burning.  

— It’s too boring to be alone in that cold ice pond!!

“…Gabbie…?”  

The ominous tone in Esadien’s voice was clear:  

‘Why are you here…’

Minuelle rubbed her eyes, wondering if this was a dream.  

That spirit, who had been thrilled to return to his stone after being freed from the contract, suddenly barged into their bridal chamber because he was “bored”?!  

— Uh…  

Now even Gabbie had beads of flame-like sweat rolling down his face.  

Judging by their position, even a spirit could tell he had interrupted a very important moment.  

— Sh-should I come back later? Tomorrow, maybe…  

As his figure began to fade, Esadien sighed and sat up. Gabbie had always been good to him since his days as El. He couldn’t just kick him out.  

“Come here.”  

At once, Gabbie’s form sharpened and his voice regained its spark.  

— Really?!  

“Yes… come.”  

Finally, Minuelle gave up and sat up too.  

It wasn’t the end of the world. She could be thankful enough just to go to bed early on her wedding night.  

‘Damn it!’

She’d been looking forward to it!  

But what else could they do? Tomorrow was another day.  

Esadien patted the space behind Minuelle.  

“We need to undo her hair. Will you help?”  

— Of course!  

Chattering happily, Gabbie and Esadien began removing the more than eighty pins that held up Minuelle’s wedding hair.  

— How could you not invite me to the wedding?  

“You said you were free and that I shouldn’t call for you again.”  

Though he whined and got scolded by Minuelle, when he heard of her capture by the sea tribe, he raged furiously.  

— I knew it! Those creepy guys were definitely up to something!  

Then he made a bold promise.  

— Don’t worry! I’ll protect your children no matter what!  

“You mean you’ll stay with us until they’re grown, even without a contract?”  

At that, Gabbie’s flames shrank a little.  

— So… I guess a contract really is necessary?  

“Good grief.”  

Minuelle smacked her forehead.  

If she let him wander off like this, someone like Austin might trick him into a slave contract.  

“Idiot. That’s what friendship means.”  

— Friend?!

Gabbie flared up in surprise, then cleared his throat and spoke solemnly.  

— To be the friend of a great spirit—consider yourself honored. In that case, from now on…  

He started making all sorts of strange demands:  

Only wanting to eat the first harvest of spring Yoshicho within a week of sprouting.  

Insisting on purified water containing the essence of water during summer.  

But Minuelle didn’t indulge his nonsense. She blew out his flame with a puff and lay down on Esadien’s arm.  

“Sleep.”  

— Hey, come on!  

When Gabbie rushed at her, Minuelle laughed and made some space.  

Nestled between Esadien’s coolness and Minuelle’s warmth, Gabbie closed his eyes in satisfaction.  

Human lives were short, but so were moments of joy—just like a flame.  

So it was only natural that the place of the fire spirit was here, by their side.  

— Still, let’s all be happy together for a long, long time, humans.  

On that spring night, the spirit’s whispered wish descended like a blessing, quietly embracing them all.