Chapter 145

Taking advantage of the momentum, Minuelle and Ramande headed to Chitrum.

Thanks to his preparations, they were able to join a group of priests moving their posts and enter the gates of Chitrum without any hindrance.

It had been less than a day since Austin’s defeat, so even the Apostle of the Sand God wouldn’t have known about their visit.

“Help me, please. Please! God, Buddha…”

This allowed them to rescue a nearly hysterical Lapheche.

“Ismail Ataliani! You are to be brought to trial before the Continental Religious Union Council for bewitching people with the name of a forgotten god.”

The Apostle of the Sand God and his so-called Warriors of Fire were all arrested and brought to trial.

Ramande’s divine power, which he used to help Minuelle return all the fire power to Gabbie, disappeared without a trace.

“That’s really amazing.”

“Maybe they were looking out for you so you could help me.”

“…Maybe.”

Minuelle silently agreed.

The god she had met briefly seemed to have little interest in humans, but she thought, what did it matter as long as Ramande was happy?

For the record, Lapheche, who had fallen for the paladin who saved her, became an avid follower of Plendena.

“Pffft!”

When Minuelle heard about it later, she laughed heartily but soon admitted that it suited her quite well.

Everything really went well.

Everything.

However, it was after their wedding and when they were on their honeymoon that Minuelle faintly realized, ‘Ramande is anxious. Why?’

After observing him for three or four months, she noticed it was mostly when he didn’t know her whereabouts. It was especially noticeable when he first woke up.

‘We’re almost always together, so it doesn’t show usually…’

They could have just continued on like this. But anyone would want their loved one’s heart to be at ease.

Minuelle thought the reason for Ramande’s anxiety was connected to one thing he hadn’t told her.

‘If you’ve thought about it, you have to do it.’

That very night. Minuelle snuggled up next to Ramande and smiled brightly.

“Darling~”

Ramande smiled back reflexively and caressed her cheek.

“You look even prettier today. Who told you to be this pretty? What do you want to eat?”

“Hmm. Paprika.”

She wasn’t particularly hungry, but as soon as he asked, the first thing that came to mind was paprika, and Ramande’s hand froze.

“…You’re not sick, are you?”

“No, I’m not. I’ve just been craving something a little different lately.”

“If you’re playing around with food…”

“Oh, whatever. I won’t eat it.”

Minuelle snorted in mock offense.

When she tried to get up, Ramande apologized and made her sit back down.

Still suspicious, he was surprised when she really ate the paprika with gusto and even fed it to her himself.

“They say your taste changes as you live.”

“It’s crunchy and delicious. Why didn’t I eat it before?”

“Do you want to eat a cucumber too?”

“Ew, no.”

“Alright, well. The fact that you’re eating paprika is enough for me.”

Ramande even rubbed her belly to help her digest.

His warm hands moved slowly, like putting a baby to sleep, and Minuelle almost dozed off.

‘I’ve been so sleepy lately, it’s a big problem.’

She quickly forced her eyes open, shook her head, and got to the point.

“You know, Ramande. There’s something you still haven’t told me.”

“Hmm?”

“The reason you knew about everything that was going to happen at the Imperial Palace and in Chitrum. You said you’d tell me when everything was over.”

“…”

Ramande’s smiling face grew abruptly serious. He seemed more afraid than upset, so Minuelle quickly added,

“When you asked me to trust you without any reason, what did I say?”

“…How can I trust you without hearing it first?”

“No, not that!”

She slapped his shoulder, and a faint smile returned to Ramande’s face.

“You told me to speak with my trust on the line.”

“Exactly. That meant I trusted you, didn’t it?”

“It did?”

“…I hate you.”

Thinking Minuelle was about to flutter away again, Ramande quickly hugged her.

He thought she would push him away, but instead, Minuelle kissed his cheek and whispered, “This time, you trust me and tell me. I’ll tell you a secret too.”

“…You have a secret from me?”

He asked, but Minuelle just smiled brightly.

‘With this…’

He couldn’t hide it any longer. Ramande had never won against Minuelle, and it was the same this time.

“Minuelle. I had one wish…”

The story, which began with a sense of resignation, went back through a person’s life and returned to the present.

“…That’s how it happened.”

Ramande felt a rare sense of nervousness as he watched Minuelle’s expression.

She had just listened without adding a single word. It made it easier to speak, but the reaction he would get was becoming more and more terrifying.

Minuelle tilted her head and finally spoke.

“Wow. I married Esadien?”

“…You… Is that what’s important right now?”

“It’s just amazing. Anyway, the main point is that you’re scared this moment might be a dream, right?”

The hand of Minuelle, who asked this, was clearly gauging an angle that would hurt him.

“…I’ve had enough pain experiences.”

Hitting him would not be enough for a clear answer. She hit so lightly.

“And I know this is reality. What I’m afraid of is…”

Ramande paused for a moment. He was too embarrassed to say the next part.

But at the same time, he felt a tickling sensation on his side. It was playful, but it conveyed her meaning: be honest.

“…What I’m afraid of is that you’ll just disappear from here. And that you won’t believe me. That’s what I’m afraid of.”

He had no retort if she called him pathetic and clicked her tongue. He was already thinking the same thing himself.

Then, warmth touched his face.

Minuelle pulled Ramande’s face towards her. She pressed her forehead against his, met his eyes, and said very clearly,

“I’m here. And I believe everything you said.”

“You believe me? How?”

“Oh, psh. Anything with a god’s power in it is possible, right? People can fly from here to there with magic, so what?”

Minuelle was nonchalant. So nonchalant that Ramande even had this thought, ‘Was she always this faithful?’

No. She was always more interested in dragging him over the temple wall to go play.

But clearly, Minuelle’s words had the power to calm Ramande’s heart.

“…Thank you.”

“Good. I’ll be by your side forever, so be grateful forever.”

“That’s a given.”

Ramande laughed softly and was about to kiss her when he suddenly froze.

“Hey… if you count my old age, I’m technically an old man. Doesn’t that make you uncomfortable?”

“Huh? I guess so. This is fraud… Mmmph!”

They were a couple who would get a canker sore if they didn’t tease each other for a day.

Minuelle, who had been about to tease him, was punished with a deep kiss on the lips, and only then did she speak seriously.

“I don’t feel uncomfortable at all. The Apostle has also lived for a very, very long time, but when she talks to us, she seems like our peer. You’re the same.”

Ramande wasn’t sure if that was a good thing, but he soon didn’t care after hearing Minuelle’s next words.

“I’m telling you not to worry about it. Because I, who love you, accept it without any discomfort.”

“I love you too.”

“Okay, okay. Let’s go inside and sleep.”

Minuelle yawned, suddenly sleepy again, but Ramande said with a serious tone, “Wait. You have to tell me your secret too.”

“Oh…”

Minuelle was in a bit of a predicament.

‘The secret story… was that I’m pregnant.’

It was happy news she had just heard from the doctor the other day.

But if she told Ramande, he would get all flustered, so she had planned to tell him once it was stable.

But she had decided to use it tonight, and it turned out Ramande’s secret was that he was a regressionist.

‘Shouldn’t I match his level?’

This thought popped into her head.

Ramande, who had no idea what she was thinking, was already revving up his engine to tease her again.

“A promise is a promise, you know. You betrayed my trust…”

“Ugh, Old man Ram.”

Minuelle just threw away her worries and blurted it out.

“I’ve died once too!”

“What?!”

She was satisfied when she saw his surprised face. Minuelle decided to take it easy.

‘I can just tell him tomorrow or something.’

After all, they say a mother’s peace of mind is the best prenatal care.

So Minuelle confidently held out both arms to Ramande.

“The details are in the bedroom. Carry me.”

“…Alright.”

Ramande chuckled to himself but willingly picked Minuelle up. He had somewhat achieved his wish from before their marriage to not let her feet touch the ground.

But a few steps before the bed, Minuelle urgently hit his arm and wiggled her legs.

“Ramande, Ramande!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Lower your head for a second. I think something got in my eye.”

Ramande desperately suppressed the laugh that threatened to burst out. Minuelle sometimes did this when she suddenly wanted a kiss.

He enjoyed playing along even when he knew, but pretending not to know was the most fun. As Minuelle would say, “super fun.”

“Just a second. I’ll get it out after you lie down.”

“Now, oh teacher. Now! Right now! Please?”

“You can’t wait a few steps?”

“Can you stand something tickling you?!”

The super fun of all super fun was watching Minuelle get overly invested.

His stomach hurt from holding in his laughter, but Ramande managed to not burst out laughing and gently blew into Minuelle’s eye.

“Eek!”

And as she reflexively closed her eyes, Ramande’s lips found their place.

After a kiss that was a little deeper than Minuelle had wanted, he smiled softly and asked, “Is this what the lady wanted?”

“Oh my. I’m a married woman.”

“What a lucky husband he is.”

“Right? His name is Ramande Karnian.”

“That’s me.”

Minuelle giggled. Ramande laid her down on the bed and said with the same smile, “So, you’ve died before?”

Minuelle immediately regretted it.

‘I should’ve just told him I was pregnant.’

She felt like she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight, being subjected to Ramande’s questions.

…Only five minutes later.

With a wry smile, Ramande pulled the blanket over the shoulders of a peacefully sleeping Minuelle.

“To fall asleep just from me stroking your head… What am I going to do with you? You’re so cute.”

He was curious about Minuelle’s secret, but he could wait.

He would hear it tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that. Or maybe even later. They would always be together.

For now, his biggest concern was what kind of flower to get Minuelle tomorrow.

“I love you, Minuelle.”

He whispered, and Minuelle, even in her sleep, gave a faint reply.

“Me too…”

Ramande smiled quietly and rested his head on the same pillow as her.

He could now say it with confidence. That he was happy without a single trace of doubt.

Because he could be with the person who scattered all his fears like mist.