Chapter 62

In conjunction with the book publication, I have changed the title and pen name. Thank you very much.

The new title will be "The Life on the Frontier with My Loving Daughter and the Bottom-Dwelling Healer — A Middle-Aged Man Awakens to a Recovery Skill and Rises to Hero."

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

"Valerie Rodenwaldt. Lady Leda, I sincerely thank you for freeing me from my long suffering."

At the dinner table, Valerie, who had tidied her appearance, applied light makeup, and put on a simple white dress, bowed deeply to Leda. When she had seen her earlier, she had the impression of a beautiful woman, but now, seeing her with emotions and expressions, she felt more of her cuteness.

"Thank you! Please, raise your head! You don't have to do that!"

Leda was flustered by Valerie's straightforward gratitude, her face slightly red.

"…Dad, your mustache is growing."

"Dad… are you blushing a little?"

"That's not true! Don't say weird things!"

Leda hurriedly denied the girls' observations, shaking her head and hands. Seeing this, Valerie, who had raised her head, smiled.

"Hehe, — ah, no, I wasn't laughing at Lady Leda, but rather, I found it heartwarming to see such a close family."

"We're not a family. I'm the wife. I'm married to Dad!"

"Oh, you must really love your father. How cute."

"Ugh… This person is scary. She doesn't even acknowledge it."

As Leda, who always claimed to be the "wife" to everyone, caused a headache, Tida, who had been watching the sisters with a wry smile, cleared her throat.

"Let me thank you again, Leda. Thank you. And to your daughters as well. I'm truly happy to see Valerie looking so lively again."

"…Brother."

"I'm sorry, but I can only offer a simple welcome. Please, make yourself comfortable today."

"Thank you."

Leda expressed her gratitude, followed by Luna and Mina. When the food was served, they toasted with wine. Of course, the recovering Valerie and the child Mina had grape juice. Tida didn't forget to take the glass of wine from Luna, who was trying to drink it. Everyone smiled at the pouting daughter, finding it heartwarming.

Such a peaceful and enjoyable time passed quickly.

*

That night, Tida was in the parlor with her wife and sister. Leda and the others had already returned to their rooms to rest.

"It's good to see you smiling again."

Tida's relaxed expression showed genuine happiness. The wine she had been drinking since dinner tasted even better than usual, and she couldn't help but have more.

"Truly. I've been waiting for this day for a long time."

"…I caused you trouble."

Gabriela, who was Valerie's close friend and sister-in-law, also had tears in her eyes. She sincerely apologized for the long worry she had caused.

"You don't need to apologize. Anyone would be shocked after such severe burns."

"…When I first saw my burned skin in the mirror, I wanted to die."

She still vividly remembers the despair of that moment. Removing the bandages and seeing her disfigured body in the mirror is something she will never forget. Her heart's wounds are not yet fully healed. Closing her eyes brings back the painful year. However, thanks to Leda, the burns are gone, and she can now face the future without fear.

"Even when I was closing my heart and staring blankly outside, I wanted to die. But I didn't have the courage."

"Don't say such foolish things. Dying is not an act of courage."

"You're right. And because I lived, I was able to heal. But it was that painful. That's why I am truly grateful to Lady Leda. I wanted to express my feelings more, but I didn't know how to put them into words."

"I am also grateful to Leda. But, there's something else."

Tida seemed hesitant to speak.

"Brother? Is something wrong?"

The young lord, looking at his wife and sister's expressions, finished the remaining wine in his glass.

"Actually, there's something I need to tell Valerie."

"Please, go ahead."

"Well, I wanted to do anything to heal your burns. I really cared about you. But, I went a bit too far. No, I went way overboard."

"…You… I've never heard of this before?"

"S-Sorry, I couldn't say it!"

"Brother, what did you do? I will be grateful for anything you did for me, and I won't complain."

While her wife glared, wondering what he had done behind her back, her sister smiled gently. This made it even harder for Tida. Gathering his courage, he spoke about his mistake.

"Actually… I proposed to the person who healed Valerie to become my husband."