Chapter 47

This is a scheduled post.

Thank you so much for your support last year! I hope to update at my own pace in 2019, and I would be grateful if you could continue to follow along.

After finishing dinner, I was leisurely enjoying my post-meal tea when a portrait was presented before me. Although it was called a portrait, the person's eyes were mostly hidden by dark, long bangs, and the facial features were hard to make out. The poor posture gave an impression of dejection. The person seemed to be a young man a few years older than me.

As I wondered who this portrait was of, I looked up at my mother, who had presented it to me. She smiled awkwardly and said,

"Hey, Laura... Have you ever thought about an arranged marriage?"

She dropped a bombshell.

"An, an arranged marriage!?"

I almost spat out the tea I had in my mouth and quickly covered my lips with my hand. I managed to swallow it and muttered, "What are you talking about..."

Suddenly suggesting an arranged marriage. Indeed, Yulia from the same village was getting married, but she was two years older than me. Even if it was a small village where people got married early, an arranged marriage at 15 seemed too early.

My mother, picking up on my stunned mutter, frowned apologetically and gently spoke.

"Well, before that... do you remember Uncle Yoni?"

Uncle Yoni. The name sounded cheerful, but I had no recollection of him.

When I tilted my head in silence, my mother deepened her smile and continued.

"You don't remember, do you? You were only three at the time. He's your father's older brother, and apparently, he has a son who is turning 18 this year."

Your father's older brother, so he's my uncle.

From what my mother said, it seemed I had met him once before, but I couldn't recall anything, not just about him but about my memories from when I was three.

In any case, it seemed I had an uncle named Yoni with a cheerful name, and he had a son who was turning 18 this year.

"That boy... apparently, he's very introverted. The uncles are worried that he won't be able to find a wife if things continue like this."

Introverted. With that information, I looked down at the portrait presented to me. Could this be Uncle Yoni's son? The long bangs hiding his face made him seem like a good fit.

Honestly, I had a bad feeling. In fact, I already knew what my mother was getting at. Being asked about an arranged marriage and then introduced to a boy like this...

"So, as a girl close by... they thought about an arranged marriage for Laura—"

"Are you saying I should marry this person!?"

There was a high probability that they were suggesting an arranged marriage with this boy!

I slammed my hand on the table and stood up.

I absolutely refused the idea of an arranged marriage. Of course, I didn't want it. Especially with a boy I had never met, who was nearly four years older. —I ignored the calm comment that arranged marriages were just like that.

In any case, I was determined not to agree and glared fiercely. My mother waved her hands in front of her face, looking flustered.

"No, no! Of course, I refused such a proposal, but they insisted that at least I should talk to you... I understand it's not something you want."

Her expression was full of relief. From her words and expression, it was clear that this arranged marriage was not something she wanted either, and I regained some composure.

Taking a deep breath, I sat back down, and my mother placed her hand on her chest, sighing deeply.

"I was relieved that Laura clearly refused the arranged marriage. Your father, who was secretly listening, was even more relieved."

"Y-yeah..."

The door—leading to my father's private room—slowly opened. There stood my father with a stiff smile. It seemed he had been listening from the other side of the door.

Knowing I wouldn't be forced into marriage, I also sighed in relief. While I didn't have any physical aversion to the boy in the portrait, it was unpleasant to have my life decided without my knowledge.

My father, looking awkward, sat in the seat in front of me. His expression, with his eyebrows drooping, was truly pitiful.

"I'm sorry, Laura. I've been helped a lot by my brother, so I couldn't be firm... But if Laura doesn't want it, I'll refuse it properly."

"Your father was almost crying, thinking about what would happen if Laura got married. He can't let go of his daughter."

Mother laughed softly, and Father looked down awkwardly. From their actions, it seemed my decision was the best one. The matter was settled—so I thought.

With Yulia's marriage, Petra's love story, and the arranged marriage talk...

"Do you and Father want me to get married soon?"

At my question, the smiles on my parents' faces disappeared.

Father let out a short breath. It seemed he was flustered. Feeling guilty for disrupting the calm atmosphere with my words, I thought this was the only chance to ask a long-standing question.

To be honest, I had no prospects for marriage or love. I couldn't even imagine it. While I didn't particularly care, I wondered if my parents wanted me to bring someone home soon.

In fact, I had been asked about my relationship with Lukas, but that had stopped since I became an apprentice royal alchemist. I couldn't help but wonder what my parents thought deep down.

"Well, that might be nice too," Mother said.

My heart skipped a beat, even though I had expected it.

Of course—feeling awkward for bringing up the topic, I looked down, but in that instant...

"But, it's also wonderful that Laura is saving so many lives in the capital."

Mother's gentle voice fell.

I looked up reflexively and met her eyes, filled with affection.

"There are many ways to live. For some, marriage might be happiness, and for others, pursuing their dreams might be happiness. Whatever path you choose, as long as Laura is happy, that's what I'm happiest about."

My parents had always supported my dreams and encouraged me to do what I wanted. However, they didn't seem to like the idea of me being attacked by monsters and seemed to silently plead for me to come back. So, I wasn't sure if I could continue, but I didn't expect them to answer my question this way.

There are many ways to live. I was aware that this was a way of life that was not easily accepted in this world and this village, which made Mother's words deeply touching.

After a moment, Mother continued.

"Of course, that's separate from the fact that I want you to avoid dangerous situations as much as possible."

Her words stung.

I laughed wryly to diffuse the tension, and this time, Father spoke.

"In this village, there's always pressure to get married and have children early. I'm not saying that's bad, but... Laura, you don't have to worry about that."

Father smiled, showing his teeth. It seemed he agreed with Mother.

It was heartwarming to have both parents affirm my somewhat different way of life. However, there had been a change in their attitude since the last time I visited—last time, they had said I could come back whenever I wanted. I wondered if something had happened during this period to change their minds.

"To be honest, until recently, I thought it would be best for Laura to get married as soon as possible. But when the arranged marriage talk came up, both your mother and I were surprised... It seemed that what we really wanted was for you to be safe, not just married."

Mother blushed and smiled, fidgeting with her hands.

I see, they had subconsciously thought of marriage as a way to keep me safe.

"Even now, that feeling hasn't changed, but... I received a very kind letter from Mr. Casper recently."

I was surprised.

I knew Mr. Casper regretted sending me to Platoven, though I hadn't heard it directly. But I didn't expect him to write to my parents.

Mr. Casper could have at least told me.

"The letter was an apology for putting you in danger and a description of how hard Laura works and how people are saved by her efforts."

My chest tightened. I tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

Mr. Casper is a great boss. Despite his busy schedule, he regularly checks on us newbies and even reaches out to our families. While it's his duty as a boss, from the way Mother's eyes lit up, I could tell the letter was more than just a formality.

I wondered what kind of letter Mr. Casper had written to my parents. I felt embarrassed and couldn't bring myself to ask.

"I've often wondered if it was right to let you stay in the capital... but being an alchemist is a wonderful job."

—My parents had always said they supported my dreams and were proud of my achievements. However, they had never specifically mentioned the profession of alchemy.

Alchemy is not a common profession in Eme's village. The field I was studying was specialized, and my parents, who lacked knowledge, had not discussed it much. I understood and accepted this.

I was aware that I had caused them worry. However, being an alchemist wasn't a dangerous job. While recovery potions are mainly used on battlefields, and alchemists sometimes go to battle, it seemed my parents only focused on the dangerous aspects, which frustrated me.

So...

"Yes, it is. It's a very fulfilling job."

It's a wonderful job.

Those words made me happier than any encouragement I had received before.

While I had started studying to leave the village, I now truly enjoyed being an alchemist.