Before they knew it, the final day of the week-long festival had arrived. On this day, it was customary for the Grand Ducal Couple to address the people together for the last time that year.

Selina and Calix therefore rode together in the same carriage towards the plaza.

“My lady, are you cold?”

Alter, who was escorting the carriage, cast Selina a look full of concern.

“If you are, please hold on to this.”

Sion held out a flask filled with a warm drink.

“Ah… thank you.”

Selina accepted their kindness with gratitude.

However, there was one person who found all this attention directed at her rather uncomfortable.

“Everyone seems overly concerned about my wife.”

It was Calix.

As he sat beside Selina in the carriage, he waited for the right moment. He had noticed her coughing occasionally and had planned to offer her a pair of woolen gloves or a warm drink when the time was right.

But that opportunity had already been taken.

“I believe my wife can take care of herself just fine.”

It was the only way he could express his irritation.

Unfortunately, it seemed to have the opposite effect.

“I–I’m sorry. I should have taken better care of myself from the start…”

The person he had wanted to make self-conscious was someone else entirely—yet the one who ended up flustered was Selina, sitting right beside him.

“No, that’s not what I meant—”

“We’ve arrived!”

Before he could explain what he truly meant, the carriage reached its destination.

As a result, Selina stepped down from the carriage without hearing Calix’s words, leaving him behind to swallow a groan.

“It seems things aren’t going the way you hoped.”

Zenfri, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation through the carriage window, murmured quietly to himself. Was it just his imagination, or did he see the corner of his lips lift?

“Well. Just because a marriage doesn’t go as planned doesn’t mean everything else has to fall apart. I trust you’ll finish the address properly and return.”

Whether it was a curse or encouragement was hard to tell.

Thinking that, Calix stepped down from the carriage and entered the crowded festival grounds with Selina.

“May blessings abound upon Their Graces, the Grand Duke and Duchess!”

When the Grand Ducal Couple arrived, the people bowed deeply to them. Some scattered winter-blooming plants at their feet, while others sang songs to bless them.

The peace that followed the great tragedy seemed ordinary, yet for that very reason it seemed all the more radiant.

“Thank you all for your hard work throughout the year. Next year will be even better than this one.”

Selina spared no kind words as she took the hands of the people gathering around her, one by one.

‘Even without her memories, her nature remains the same.’

As he watched her, Calix found himself smiling involuntarily.

Come to think of it, this was the side of Selina that he had always liked. Perhaps she was like a wildflower, refusing to bend even in harsh conditions. Some wildflowers are so beautiful that they outshine even the most extravagantly cultivated blooms.

Selina was just like that.

She was a beautiful wildflower who never lost her radiance, no matter how many splendid flowers stood beside her.

As Calix stood there for a while, gazing absentmindedly at his wife—

“…Calix?”

Selina, who had been speaking with the crowd, glanced over at him.

“Is there something on my face?”

She seemed flustered by the way he was staring so intently.

“No. It’s nothing.”

Calix turned his gaze away.

Suddenly, he felt that his choice had been the right one. Even if she felt uncomfortable around him, perhaps it was better for Selina not to recall those painful memories at all.

‘At least she won’t be tormented by nightmares for a while now.’

Every time he saw Selina waking from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat, it felt as though his chest were collapsing in on itself. Just seeing her no longer suffering made him think this had been the right decision.

“Now then, the fireworks will begin shortly.”

A courtier approached to inform them of the festival’s approaching cl*max. The sky had already grown completely dark—perfect timing for painting it with fireworks.

“Alright, then.”

Every year, the Grand Ducal Couple would sit together in a designated spot to watch the fireworks. They weren’t the only ones, of course; many others gathered to watch the fireworks and bring the year to a close.

Just as Calix was about to head there without much thought—

“Wait a moment.”

A hand emerged from the crowd, seized Calix, and pulled him aside.

“Please spare me a little time.”

It was Selina.

In recent days, she had never once approached Calix of her own accord. When he looked at her in surprise, she gave an awkward smile and said.

“There’s a place Roche told me about. I’d like to go see it with you.”

…When she smiled so beautifully like that, who could possibly refuse?

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Calix gave in and let Selina lead him out of the crowd, holding his hand.

They headed for an old, abandoned building near the plaza. It appeared to have been closed for a considerable amount of time, as there was no evidence of recent activity.

“How did Roche even know about a place like this?”

“She’s at that age where she’s full of curiosity. I think she heard about it from the knights.”

Still holding Calix’s hand, Selina led him upstairs.

Her behavior was completely different to how she had been acting until now, when she had been constantly uneasy around him, and this made him doubt himself.

‘Could it be that her memories have returned?’

The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly steadied himself. That was merely his own wish—and it wasn’t necessarily what would be best for Selina.

“We’re here.”

Selina pushed open the tightly shut door.

A cold wind swept in, revealing the view outside.

Bang!

At that very moment, fireworks as vivid and beautiful as Selina’s eyes burst into bloom across the sky. Tall trees grew on either side of the building, framing the view, and the fireworks rising between them were as beautiful as flowers in full bloom.

“…It truly is a spectacular sight.”

He had seen these fireworks every year, yet this time, they somehow felt even more beautiful.

As he stood there, transfixed by the scene—

“Roche gave me this.”

Selina carefully took something out of the bag she had brought and held it out to Calix.

The thick book was one he recognized.

“It’s been a long time.”

Calix smiled faintly as he flipped through the pages.

“If I remember correctly, it’s a picture diary you’ve kept since you were little.”

“That’s right.”

As the book opened, clumsily drawn illustrations came into view. One depicted a dark night sky dotted with golden stars.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve been afraid of the dark. I was afraid of being alone, too. I think that’s why I came to admire the stars.”

Selina smiled shyly and pointed to the star in the drawing.

“When starlight brightened the sky, it felt a little less lonely.”

“Yes. Well… I suppose it’s better than nothing.”

Resting his chin on his hand, Calix let out a soft, amused laugh.

“After Roche was born, I started writing in it again.”

Selina slowly flipped through the pages of her picture diary, showing Calix the entries as she went. It was filled with photos of the many small, happy moments following Roche’s birth, as well as pictures of the night sky with an extra star.

“After I met you, I was happier than I’d ever been. I thought I couldn’t possibly be any happier, but then I met Roche and realized that there was a happiness that was even greater.”

Calix, who had been watching quietly, tilted his head.

“Don’t tell me your memories—”

“Yes. That’s right.”

They’ve come back.

Selina murmured softly as she leaned her face against Calix’s shoulder.

“Reading this diary made me realize it again.”

She opened the very last page of the picture diary. On a sheet painted pitch-black like the depths of night, three figures were drawn, each shining with a gentle light.

“The reason we can endure dark times is because there is light.”

Carefully, Selina wrapped her arms around Calix, who was staring blankly at the drawing.

“I have so many painful and terrible memories. But what matters more than all of that… is you.”

“…But.”

“What if I’m one of your bad memories, too?”

Calix bit his lip, unable to voice his thoughts. Beneath his wish that Selina had never regained her memories lay a deep sense of guilt and fear — fear that he might be responsible for her suffering.

“No.”

Selina shook her head firmly.

“The reason I was able to endure those hard times was because you were there.”

Because you were my light.

She whispered the words with her face buried against his chest. Then, slowly, she lifted her head.

“So promise me.”

“A promise?”

“Tell me that you’ll continue to be my future.”

Her expression resembled the one she had worn long ago—the day Calix had yearned for her so desperately.

“Promise me you’ll always be my past, my present… and my future.”

The way Selina rounded her eyes and held out her finger made him feel as though he might laugh.

No—this wasn’t something to laugh off. It was a promise to be made.

“If it’s that kind of promise…”

Calix gently drew both of Selina’s hands toward him. Lifting her chin carefully, now pressed against his chest, he leaned in.

“Then as much as you want.”

He cupped her chin and kissed her lips.

“I’ll be your future.”

His lips claimed Selina’s, hot and unyielding. It was as though he would never let her go, but it was actually more like a plea; as though he were begging her never to let him go.

“If you don’t push me away.”

No—even if you do.

Even if you come to hate me.

“There will never be a moment when I don’t love you. Never.”

As Selina listened to Calix’s confession, she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck.

Above them, the dark night sky was adorned with brilliant fireworks, as though their promise had been etched into the heavens themselves.

Side Story — Complete.