Chapter 44

The mansion had been almost completely restored by Verneli and the others, and Laila and Julius spent a few days in a cozy, private state.

Helca, who had been injured during the attack, was able to get up quickly thanks to Verneli's prompt treatment.

"Verneli looked unusually handsome that day," Helca teased, to which Verneli retorted, "It's not that I looked handsome, it's just that you were weak and pitiful."

However, Laila noticed that both of their ears were slightly red, and Julius even said frankly, "You two aren't being honest," which made the atmosphere freeze.

After spending a few days relaxing at the mansion and dealing with the visits of their parents and the relatives of the Bartschek family, Laila and Julius decided to visit the magic research institute.

"…Those children, after about a year of training, are going to be adopted by a family of mages, right?"

As they walked down the corridor of the institute, Laila said, and Julius nodded with a calm expression.

"Yeah, there are already several families who have volunteered to take them in. …Like me, I'm sure those children will grow up to be excellent mages."

"…That's true."

A few days ago, Julius had revealed more about his past.

He was from a poor farming family in Orva and was put into a facility at around the age of five, where he was raised as a "weapon." During the Miasis border war fifteen years ago, he was sent to Rendia and, after losing control of his magic, was rescued by the magic military.

That's why he disliked vegetables and was interested in children's education. He also said that if he had to use magic, he preferred to be appreciated rather than feared.

The rescued children were properly dressed and waiting for Laila's visit. Their unkempt hair had been tidied, their bodies cleaned, and they were given appropriate clothing.

Despite this, their emotions and knowledge were still immature, and when they saw Laila, they immediately ran up to her, shouting, "Mommy!"

"…I've been wondering. When did Laila become a mother to five children?"

When asked seriously by Julius, Laila mumbled, and the oldest child, about seven years old, stared at Julius and exclaimed, "Lord Julius, I know!"

"Huh? Did you hear it from Laila—Mommy?"

"Yeah! Mommy is going to marry you!"

"Mommy loves you!"

"You're handsome and strong!"

(Oh, oh noooooo!)

Laila, hearing the children proudly recite what they knew, collapsed to the floor.

(Yes, I did say that! I did!)

But she didn't want them to sing it out loud in front of the person himself. And she definitely didn't want them to add, "If Mommy is going to marry, then Lord Julius is Dad!" and "Dad!"

She couldn't raise her head. She couldn't look at Julius's face.

"…Hmm, I see. So Mommy talks about me like that, huh?"

"Yeah! Does Lord Julius like Mommy?"

"Yeah, I love her. She's cute, brave, and kind—my perfect bride."

(Oh, oh noooooo!?)

Her face was hot. Though she wasn't sad, tears welled up in her eyes.

While still on all fours, she glanced sideways and saw Verneli and Helca standing against the wall. When she looked to them for help, Verneli turned his face away at an incredible speed, and Helca smiled gently and mouthed, "Congratulations."

It was all over.

After playing with the children and returning to the mansion, the sun had already set low in the sky.

"…By the way, we didn't get to go out for dinner, did we?"

Standing at the entrance, Julius said, and Laila, remembering, let her shoulders drop.

"That's right… But, we can always go another time, right?"

"Yeah. Both Laila and I, Verneli and Helca… none of us are missing. We can have many opportunities until next summer."

"Next summer…?"

"Did you forget? We're getting married."

"Of course I remember!"

For a moment, Julius looked as if the world had ended, so she quickly said,

"That's not what I meant… I was thinking that even after we get married, the four of us can go out together."

"That's true. But…"

Julius turned and gently took Laila's hand.

"We are still engaged. I want to build many memories and have many experiences during this time… and then I want to marry you."

"…"

"I'm looking forward to you becoming my bride. But for now… I want to make the remaining six months as your fiancé as fulfilling as possible."

Julius's words settled deeply in Laila's heart.

Even after marriage, Verneli and Helca would still be there. Living in Julius's mansion, there wouldn't be a significant change in their lifestyle.

After marriage, Laila would no longer be Laila Kilka but Laila Bartschek. Just that change alone—many things would look different from her single days.

Even looking at the same flowers with Julius, something would change. There must be things they can experience only during this time before becoming a family.

"…I feel the same way."

"Laila…"

"I want to see the same world as you right now. I want to eat delicious food together, sleep together, wake up together, and laugh at the same things."

Laila is not a mage. But as Julius once said… there must be a magic that only Laila can use.

(If you are with me, I can become a mage. Even though I am powerless, I can have the strength to do what I believe is right.)

Julius's hazel eyes wavered. His mouth opened and closed once or twice, as if he was about to say something or just breathe, and then he hugged her tightly.

"…I'm happy. So happy, Laila. I… am really a lucky person."

"Me too. You make me happy."

"Me too."

They said it in the same tone and then laughed softly.

They wanted to continue exchanging words and laughing like this. There will be difficult and painful things, and times of worry. But with Julius, they could eventually laugh it off, saying, "That happened, didn't it?"

The kind great mage who picked up the betrayed woman. Despite many things happening along the way, they lived happily ever after.

"…Achoo!"

"Ah, sorry. It's cold, isn't it?"

"Sorry…"

Even though Julius was hugging her, the winter evening was quite chilly.

Julius gently stroked Laila's cheek as she sneezed and sniffled, then released her from the embrace. He dramatically bent his waist and offered his hand to Laila.

"Shall we go? …My future bride."

With a playful look, Julius said, and Laila laughed and took his hand.

Holding hands and walking towards the mansion's entrance, it was just a simple gesture. But to Verneli and Helca, who had been watching them tenderly, it looked like a happy bride and groom about to get married.

And so, it is concluded.

Thank you for your attention!