Chapter 119

Hello, Vivi.

I’m sorry for the late letter.

To be honest, I’ve been so busy with so many things happening. It feels like I’m finally catching my breath.

How are you? And the Captain too.

Oh, is he no longer the Captain? What should I call him? Costance? Orsi?

Ah, right. He’s not Orsi anymore either.

Anyway, you’re doing well, aren’t you?

Is Alres doing well too? I wonder if he got married in the meantime.

I’m doing fine. To summarize, after ‘that incident,’ Rando and Toramde signed a peace treaty and exchanged prisoners.

My father was among them. I followed him to Rando and have been living here since.

The language here is different from Toramde’s, so it’s a bit challenging, but it’s manageable. Probably.

If the words of Rando and Toramde were even a little similar, life here might have been more enjoyable. At times like this, I envy your memory a little.

I have many excuses for sending this letter late. My father and I have to be careful for three years. Traveling is out of the question.

The reason I’m writing now, after a year has passed, is because of that. This letter will probably be read by someone from Rando before it reaches you.

But it’s fine, right? There’s nothing important in it anyway.

Just a little over a year remains. Even then, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to travel freely like others, but I want to.

The first thing on my bucket list is to visit you in the Papal States.

Until then, take care. Please welcome me warmly when I come, Vivi.

From your senior, Julia.

***

“Alres! Dr. Rydier!”

Winter had passed, and spring finally arrived in the Papal States.

Alres and Dr. Rydier, who were tending to a small field, looked up and smiled warmly upon seeing Benny.

She walked across the soggy ground, holding a stack of documents. The soil was soft beneath her feet, likely due to the rain from the previous night. Carefully avoiding the sprouts dampened by rainwater, she finally reached Dr. Rydier.

“We could have come out. Why did you come all the way here?”

Dr. Rydier scolded her, glancing at her now-dirtied shoes.

“I just wanted to help. Could you hand me the watering can?”

Placing the documents down for a moment, she picked up the watering can.

It was surprisingly heavy. Dr. Rydier squinted, seemingly anxious about her actions.

“Am I doing well?”

“……It rained yesterday, so there’s no need to water that area, Vivi.”

“Oh.”

So that’s how it was.

She smiled sheepishly and quietly set the watering can back down.

“You’re working on a weekend?”

Dr. Rydier, pulling weeds, asked her. Benny joined in to help.

“Yes, the councilman suddenly called me in. The library’s been busy lately, probably because of a major upcoming transition.”

“And yet you’re moving as well. Didn’t you pick the worst timing?”

“Well, Costance is handling most of the moving since he’s off for the weekend.”

Dr. Rydier didn’t bother to hide his displeased expression.

Ever since Benny and Costance’s move had been decided, Dr. Rydier frequently wore that sulky look.

His expression clearly conveyed his thoughts: Was there really a need to move when they’d only been here for just over a year?

A year. It was a short time, but within that year, they had adjusted to life in the Papal States.

Benny had prepared for and passed the exam to become a librarian at the Papal States Library, while Costance, now a Paladin, worked for the Papal Court’s judicial branch.

Dr. Rydier and Alres had joined educational institutions suited to their expertise, teaching children and priests. Everyone had found their place.

“Vivi!”

Alres called out to her from behind.

“Stop pulling weeds and come help me!”

Hearing this, Benny glanced at Dr. Rydier for permission.

“Make sure to invite me after the move.”

“Of course. You’re a VIP guest.”

“Alright then, go on.”

Straightening her back, Benny gathered her papers. As she stepped out of the soft ground, Alres watched her actions with a somewhat uneasy gaze. In front of her lay a clean, weed-free field. She figured Alres must have called her for something else.

And she had a good idea of what that “something else” might be.

“A letter came from Julia, didn’t it?”

Alres flinched.

“What?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Julia wrote to you too, didn’t she?”

“……There wasn’t much in it.”

“She seems curious though. She asked if you’re married.”

Alres slightly furrowed his brow.

“If I were married, I wouldn’t be out here pulling weeds with the doctor every weekend, would I?”

“The doctor would be hurt if he heard you.”

Fortunately, it seemed Dr. Rydier hadn’t overheard. Benny quickly diverted her gaze from the doctor’s back as he remained focused on pulling weeds.

“How’s the new house?”

“We’re still unpacking.”

“Isn’t it inconvenient being so far from the Papal Palace?”

“It’s only a 30-minute drive. Did I mention that Costance is diligently learning how to drive?”

Alres chuckled.

At some point, Costance’s notoriously slow progress in driving had become a well-known topic, not only among the doctor but also among the orphanage children and even the dignitaries at the Papal Palace.

Costance, however, seemed blissfully unaware of this.

And that was another one of Benny’s small joys.

“Even if it’s far, it’s good to have a bigger house if you’re living with Eugene.”

“Yes. But we have to finish unpacking first.”

“Alright, Costance must be waiting for you. Go on, then.”

“I’ll invite you once everything’s settled. You and the doctor.”

As Benny prepared to leave, Alres straightened up as well. After helping him out of the field, she brushed the dirt off her shoes.

Then, she hugged both Dr. Rydier and Alres in turn.

“Don’t forget to write back.”

She whispered this while hugging Alres. Though he pretended not to hear, Benny could vividly imagine him sitting at his desk tonight, agonizing over how to start his reply.

***

Time had flown; it had now been well over a year since they began living in the Papal States. As Benny boarded the bus, she gazed out at the narrow road running along the coastline.

Several fishing boats could be seen on the clear waters. When she cracked the window open slightly, the faint scent of the sea wafted in.

The decision to move out of the apartment provided by the Papal Palace had been driven by two reasons.

The first was their desire for a space of their own, especially after the surveillance imposed by the Papal States was lifted a month ago.

That night, Benny and Costance had indulged in a small rebellion, drinking and talking under the dark sky. It had been a simple yet deeply joyous and memorable experience.

The second reason was that Eugene was now legally recognized as Costance’s younger brother. They wanted a larger house where they could all live together.

Thus, they had chosen the house they moved into today.

Nestled within a forest, the house came with a garden and enough space for Anne and Seth to run around when they visited. While the distance to school was a minor inconvenience, Eugene didn’t seem to mind, which was a relief.

Much had changed over the past year. They had all settled into their respective roles in the Papal States, and Benny had officially become Vivi Ferren.

Having used the name for 14 years, she found it comfortable. However, the doctors often slipped up, though they seemed to be adapting to calling her Vivi now.

……Indeed, much had changed.

Not just for them but also for Toramde and Rando.

The long-delayed international sports competition had finally been held this summer. Co-hosted by Rando and Toramde, the event drew significant attention and concluded successfully.

Throughout the competition, people gathered in front of televisions, united in cheering for the athletes. Restaurants were always crowded, with patrons ordering beer or wine and spending hours discussing the day’s matches.

One athlete, unfortunately, lost their chance at a medal due to someone else’s mistake, leaving everyone feeling regretful.

Screech.

The bus came to a stop.

After alighting, Benny took in the serene neighborhood. Ahead was a wide road lined with trees. Following it would lead to a small church and a school. The roofs of the scattered houses were all painted in different colors.

She turned onto a side path. Pushing through the trees, she soon arrived at an open space with a blooming garden. A wooden two-story house came into view.

Her and Costance’s home.

“Vivi!”

Costance called out to her. As she entered the garden, she was amazed by the scene, so different from the morning.

Everything was clean and organized, as if all the unpacking had already been done. The interior of the house was no exception.

“Costance!”

She ran toward him, and he spread his arms wide. Benny leaped into his embrace.

“I’m back!”

“You’re early. How was work?”

Costance kissed her on the forehead as he asked.

“Nothing special. But did you already finish unpacking?”

“Yes. It was quite enjoyable. Let me show you, Vivi.”

Costance spoke proudly. Grabbing her wrist, he led her to the master bedroom. His bright smile and eagerness to show her everything made Benny laugh.

“This is the bedroom. I moved the bed myself.”

“By yourself?”

He nodded.

“This big bed? Did you decorate the lamp? And when did you arrange the flowers?”

“I did it all myself.”

“It’s beautiful. So much…….”

“Really?”

Costance was like an excited child.

“Tell me more about what you think.”

What more was there to say? The room was perfect. Sunlight streamed in beautifully, and the cozy atmosphere was exactly what she had dreamed of.

The charming wardrobe and the green plants placed here and there were a delight to the eyes.

“I’m speechless. I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave this bed.”

“Then stay here all day. That would make me happy too.”

She playfully nudged his side.

“I’ve also organized the dining room. Let’s go, Vivi.”

When she hesitated, he picked her up impatiently.

“Ah, wait! Costance.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. Upon reaching the dining room, the first thing she noticed was the six-person dining table.

She was familiar with it, having helped decorate it the night before. Then her eyes fell on the newly purchased dishes and the charming cups in the kitchen.

“What do you think?”

“These plates—I picked them out, didn’t I?”

“Yes. I like them the most too. But right now, the plates aren’t the priority…….”

Costance moved again. Smiling brightly and stepping quickly, he seemed genuinely thrilled.

Beyond the dining room was a large sofa on a red carpet.

It was a space perfect for lounging and watching TV. Costance laid her down on the sofa and then sat beside her.

“This is so comfortable. It feels even better than the last time I sat here!”

“You’ll be even more impressed upstairs.”

He whispered as he stroked her hair.

“Upstairs has Eugene’s room and the library, right?”

“Yes. After exploring the second floor, I’ll show you the back garden. You’ll be amazed, Vivi.”

He kissed her lips.

“Well then, shall we go take a look?”

“Of course. Lead the way.”