Chapter 49

In the end, Fil, who was taken away by five squads of knights, finally visited the Laguren family a week later.

This time, it seemed he had properly completed his work, and his beautiful face clearly showed signs of fatigue.

I went out to the entrance to greet him and, just to be safe, took a look at the road leading to the capital.

Fortunately, there were no surveillance knights following him.

"…Did you come alone today?"

"Yeah. I felt like I had a guard with me part of the way, but I managed to shake them off as usual."

……Hmm. So even Fil had a guard. That makes sense.

And he managed to shake them off as usual.

Well, thinking too deeply about it is probably not good for my health.

I tried not to worry too much and cleared my throat to regain my composure.

"Thank you for your hard work. I wasn't sure when you'd come, so I only made stew. Is that okay?"

"It's more than enough."

Fil's exhausted face suddenly softened.

"Being able to spend time here and having tonight's stew is wonderful. But… I'm happiest when I can see Lucia."

Fil smiled gently and gave a polite kiss on the back of my hand. It was a very natural, perfect, and breathtakingly beautiful gesture.

Then, Fil's smile faded, and he glanced at Albes, who was standing at the end of the corridor.

His face looked somewhat stiff as he took something out of his pocket.

"I have a gift for you. …Well, it's something my brother prepared, but… I want you to accept it."

Saying this, Fil knelt on one knee.

He looked up at me in surprise and slipped the object he had been holding into my fingers. It fit perfectly, warmed by his body heat.

Fil's hand then pulled away, but his fingers were trembling slightly.

A heavy metal ring remained on my finger.

In the light, now tinged with the colors of the sunset, I raised my hand to eye level.

The ring, slightly wider than a typical women's ring, was adorned with intricate patterns. The floral pattern was the same as the one on Fil's ear cuff. The most prominent pattern was the emblem of the royal family.

…Is a ring supposed to be this heavy?

My body trembled from the unbelievable weight, and the more I looked at it, the more I felt suffocated.

"Lucia, if you think it's too heavy… you can take it off."

Fil, still on one knee, said this in a timid voice.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to look away from the ring.

"…What happens if I don't take it off?"

"If you don't, you'll marry me in one and a half years. That's the only time I can give you. In return, I'll protect you by any means necessary."

He said this with the face of a powerful authority figure, but then quickly looked timid again.

"…Even if you choose to take it off, I will protect your pride and honor. I know the weight of this emblem. …I like you, Lucia. I can't guarantee absolute safety, and there will be times when I have to prioritize my brother. But I'm prepared to protect you with my life. So, I hope you'll keep wearing this ring."

Fil's face looked very anxious. He was almost hugging my hand… the hand with the ring on it.

To me, this ring was too heavy.

But what binds Fil must be even heavier.

…If I can bear even a little of that weight.

Will Fil smile more? Will he show me more of his gentle and calm face, like when he's at home?

Thinking of him lying on the floor and his carefree smile, I realized that the weight of the ring no longer bothered me.

I touched my silver hair with my free hand and smiled at his deep blue eyes.

"…I'm pretty tough and strong. I think I'll get used to this weight."

So, please protect me well.

…That's what I intended to say, half-jokingly.

But before I could, Fil stood up and hugged me, and I couldn't move until Albes pulled him away.

As usual, it was a night of simple stew.

I thought he seemed unusually cheerful and was drinking faster than usual.

But Fil, in that momentum, ended up telling Albes everything about his position in the kingdom's army.

I've given up on knife throwing and sword dancing.

But just a week ago, he told me that Albes was a secret and a trump card.

What are you doing now?

"Listen, Albes, you're still my subordinate, so don't defy me! Get back into active duty and take control of the First Army for me and Lucia!"

"Huh? I don't know about that! Hey, rather than that, don't you dare touch Lucia! If you have extra energy, go outside! I'll be your sparring partner anytime!"

"Alright, we'll be your witnesses! Actually, let us join in! We have plenty of wooden swords!"

The argument, which started with throwing knives at a makeshift target, somehow turned into a sword competition involving the knights staying there.

…Everyone looks very happy.

The elite knights of the kingdom's army are really like this, I guess.

Since we live far from other houses, I didn't try to stop them.

But I don't think drinking so much and doing this at night when it's pitch dark outside is a good idea…

Even though I should be exasperated, I kept smiling while looking out the window.

I guess I'm happier than I realize.

Thank you for reading to the end.

(There is a little extra chapter after this.)

This work, "I Was Invited to My Ex-Fiancé's Wedding Even Though Our Engagement Was Broken. I Can't Refuse, So I'll Go with My Brother's Friend," has been published as a book by SQEX Novels.

The first volume, which has been significantly revised and expanded from the serialized version, and the second volume, which continues the story (a new, concluding volume), are now available.

Additionally, the manga adaptation is currently being serialized on Gangan ONLINE. (Volume 2 of the manga is available as of January 12th.)

For more details, please check the activity report.