Chapter 8 – Part 4 (End of the Main Story)

“I have conveyed the master’s words to the convent.”

The convent mentioned by Damon was the Lauf Convent, where Arlen was detained.

Upon awakening, Eli had someone check on her and found that she had a large scar on her face and had locked herself in her room, never seeing anyone except for the minimal tasks the convent required of her.

Surprisingly, it was Marie who attacked her. She quickly confessed that she had snuck into the convent and waited in the bushes, knowing that Arlen was coming. How she knew is beyond their knowledge.

However, Marie’s punishment for harming Arlen was light, and Arlen did not even receive treatment for her face.

Unbeknownst to the world, she was technically a criminal, having been sent to the convent for attempting to murder a high nobleman, and Ruby had made that clear when she requested that she be sent there.

So there was no way they would give her the expensive medical treatment reserved for the nobility for her facial injuries.

She would have to live with an indelible scar for the rest of her life.

“Keep an eye on her in the future.”

However, Eli periodically reminded the convent that he was still watching over Arlen just in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

“Yes.”

“How’s the construction?”

“It’s going well.”

“Don’t worry about the money; build the best mansion with the best people. The sooner, the better.”

“Understood.”

And he began building the mansion he wanted to build since Zenfield, the mansion where he would spend his life with Ruby.

When it was finished, he would truly leave the Marquisate of Grit and be with Ruby in a new place.

He was looking forward to that day.

* * *

“His Majesty the Emperor would like to…”

“I decline.”

Before the messenger sent by the Emperor could speak, Eli refused.

“……My lord. Please…… reconsider.”

“He is used to my constant refusal,” Eli said pleadingly, unfazed.

“Try saying that to His Majesty. Then you won’t have to go through all this trouble.”

It had been three years since Eli woke up and a year since he handed over the Marquisate to Emily Grit. Withdrawn from everything, Eli has been living with Ruby at the Marquisate of Grit ever since.

But suddenly, half a year ago, the Emperor began sending people to offer him the title of earldom.

There were many political reasons for this, but in the end, he wanted Eli by his side, someone he could trust. Both Eli and Shannua knew that the title was a mere formality.

“Today, His Majesty told me to find out at least one thing you want. His Majesty will consider anything.”

“Tell him I’ll inform him if I think of anything. Go now. It’s time for Ruby to wake up.”

Despite the fact that this was the Emperor’s chancellor, Eli could only sound annoyed.

“Please let him know. I will inform His Majesty of your words!”

The chancellor shouted after Eli as he left the parlor.

* * *

“You’re tending to the garden?”

“Yes. Only a part of it is left.”

“Well, there’s not much left.”

The mansion they had started building three years ago was now in its final stages of construction.

“You’re sure there’s no problem getting there today?”

“Yes, I’ve already called ahead.”

Eli nodded in understanding before heading into the room, and Damon slipped quietly out of the room.

* * *

“Are you up?”

Eli, who had finished his tasks before Ruby woke up as usual, greeted her in the morning while looking at Ruby.

Ruby nodded and burrowed into Eli’s arms.

Although it had been three years since he woke up from a coma, Ruby realized every moment that the seemingly trivial everyday life she shared with him was precious. She began to express herself more, knowing that she could miss the timing if she hid her emotions too much.

Eli’s lips curled into a smile at Ruby’s cute behavior.

“So, what are you doing today?”

“We’re going to take a tour of the new mansion.”

With that, Eli wrapped his arms around Ruby’s waist and kissed her.

“Can I see it?”

The question came only after a long kiss.

“I told you, you’ve been dying to see it.”

“I’d better get ready.”

Ruby stood up while receiving a barrage of kisses from Eli.

Eli stood up after her, too, leaving him with a disappointed look on his face.

* * *

“This is really our home.”

Ruby’s heart swelled with excitement as she saw the space she had only imagined.

Especially when she saw the portrait of the two of them hanging in the entrance of the mansion.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes.”

“Already? It’s only the entrance.”

Eli looked at her cute expression, as if he found her adorable, in response to Ruby’s quick answer.

“That’s the space I’d like to see the most. A painting of you and me hanging there.”

The painting was the beginning of something that set her in motion, even though she didn’t think much of his suggestion.

“Let’s do more paintings in our lifetime.”

Eli held out his hand to Ruby. She nodded and clasped his hand.

Then, as if to guide her, he pulled her along.

“Don’t you want to see the room first?”

Ruby, who thought they would see the room they would share first, asked.

“Here first.”

But the room Eli led her to was one she hadn’t designed.

When Eli opened the door, a cozy room appeared. There was a bed, too small for an adult, with a mobile sitting on top of it.

On one side of the room were all the toys a baby could play with.

Ruby’s eyes widened in surprise.

“This is……”

Eli hugged Ruby from behind as she looked around the room.

“When are you going to tell me? I’m tired of waiting.”

“Did you know ……?”

“You went to see the doctor, so I was worried and went to see him. Did you think he wouldn’t tell me?”

Ruby released the arm that held her and turned to face him.

“What’s making you anxious?”

Eli asked her, a little worried and anxious.

“It’s just… I’m afraid something might happen because my body is weak.”

“…….”

“So I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, too.”

It was an unexpected blessing.

Ruby was clearly too weak to have a child.

Even if she had gone back in time, it would have been too late. He knew that better than anyone, and he was both happy and anxious to have a child.

“I know how you feel.”

Eli had thought the same thing as Ruby when he first heard the news and the hurt it would cause her.

“But I don’t want to make our child feel bad for coming to this world; she hasn’t even arrived yet. I’m just happy that she would come to us, even if it’s just for a little while.”

Eli looked up at Ruby, who looked back up at him.

“You really think so?”

“I do.”

“…Your words are right.”

She nodded and pulled him into a hug.

“And your body is healthy now, so the child will surely be healthy too.”

Eli said, still hugging Ruby. Ruby pulled away from his embrace a little and looked up, her eyes wide.

“Priest Cedric gave you a blessing of good health, too.”

When Ruby looked puzzled, Eli said.

“You’ll never be sick again.”

Vaguely aware of Ruby’s concern, Eli had traveled to the temple to ask Cedric if Ruby could receive the blessing too.

“So…….”

“Yes. The child will be healthy, and so will you.”

“…What should I do about feeling sorry for our child?”

This was a moment she hadn’t expected to happen, and it made her feel even more anxious.

Tears welled up in Ruby’s eyes as she felt sorry for the child. She couldn’t even welcome her with gratitude.

“From now on, we’ll just have to say how we love her every day.”

Eli hugged Ruby, who began to sob.

When Ruby had stopped crying for a while, Eli bent down to her eye level.

“When this mansion is finished, I’m going to marry you again.”

He took her left hand in his and slipped a ring on it—a ruby ring of his own choosing.

“Since it’s too late, I’ll make it the most beautiful and colorful wedding ever.”

“…….”

“I’ve personally chosen the ring this time, and I’ll prepare everything. You just need to choose your favorite dress and jewelry and come out. To prevent a second divorce between us, I’ll treat you and our child well.”

Eli waited for Ruby’s response.

“I’ll keep an eye on it …….”

“Good. If I screw up, you can serve me divorce papers.”

With a determined expression, Ruby blushed and was about to give him a firm look, but she softened at Eli’s words.

Soon, Ruby threw her arms around his neck, and Eli leaned down to match her height, and their lips met.

-End of the Main Story-

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