“If that happens, I might get so busy that we won’t see each other often. Now it might not be four years, but even longer before we meet. Maybe someday I’ll suddenly appear and introduce another family to you, saying I got married.”

Since it seemed like such a distant future, it was hard to imagine. Lime becoming someone’s lover, becoming a head of household, becoming a dad—such things. Certainly, by then, what they each wanted to protect would be different, so the thought that they might not be able to meet as they were now already made her feel somewhat regretful. Olivia lightly embraced Lime.

“So finally, really finally, I’ll ask you. Won’t you come with me? Spend a little more time with me, build more memories together……”

He wanted to sound cool, but his voice trembled. Lime bit his lip, unable to finish his words as he tried to swallow the rising tears. He wanted to be together a little longer. Even if not as lovers, just continuing to rely on each other as the only family they had, even if it was just his one-sided love, he wanted to remain by her side.

Olivia’s hand, which embraced Lime, patted him. The gentle patting, no different from the warm touch that had comforted him when he cried in pain as a child, was somehow both comforting and sad. Because it truly hadn’t changed at all from back then. While he had come to see her differently at some point, he keenly felt that to her, he was still her most precious younger brother, which made him happy but also hurt his heart a little.

“Even if the form of our relationship changes in the future, the fact that we were each other’s strongest support won’t change. Let’s be the kind of people who smile at each other unchanged even when we meet after a long time. We share the most precious memories that no one can take away, right?”

He buried his face in Olivia’s shoulder like a child seeking comfort. Hiding his flowing tears, Lime answered maturely so she wouldn’t worry.

“That’s right. In a life where I was abandoned without any family in the world, I met Mother and met you, so my past could remain as such beautiful memories.”

“Lime.”

“Thank you so much for everything.”

Lime wiped away his tears without her noticing and stepped back from her embrace with a gentle smile. Olivia’s gaze shifted to the flowerpot he was holding. Lime hugged the pot tighter with a playful smile.

“I was going to give this to you, but I changed my mind. I’ll keep it for myself.”

Because he wouldn’t tell her that he liked her—that he had briefly dreamed of a relationship beyond that of siblings, one of lovers—he would keep this flower that resembled her for himself.

Lime gave up on confessing his feelings. He already knew her heart, and above all, he didn’t want to ruin his position as her precious younger brother with his own hands. He decided to leave a place to return to proudly once his feelings were sorted out.

“We came together, but we can’t go back together, huh?”

“That’s right. Don’t cry if you get lonely by yourself, okay?”

They held each other’s hands, reluctant to let go due to the sense of loss. Lime, gently holding her soft hand, smiled as beautifully as possible so she would remember him fondly, putting his whole heart and all his good wishes into it.

“Olivia. I really hope you’ll be happy. I’m truly glad you’re not alone anymore.”

She felt like crying a little. Though her heart was undoubtedly happy, why did she feel this way? Olivia stamped her feet slightly and forced her lips to curl up, feeling tears coming.

“Oh, looks like they’re done talking. They’re coming back.”

Lime let go of her hand as he sensed someone approaching from behind. Seeing Alois’s unburdened expression, he could tell how the conversation had gone without needing to hear it. Over there, one long-standing past had been resolved, and here, a room full of emotions had been thoroughly cleaned.

“My stomach hurts a bit, so I’ll go ahead.”

Lime waved to Olivia and left before Alois approached. He wanted to remember his time alone with her completely.

“Have you done talking?”

Olivia, who had been watching Lime leave, looked up to meet the eyes of the gentle hands embracing her from behind. Alois, who kissed her forehead, nodded. Her small fingers stroked his cheek. Though nothing was said, some things could be understood without words. Feeling that Alois was no longer trapped in pain from the past, Olivia preciously held his hand and slowly began to walk.

“We might get busy when we return to the territory. Since I’m coming back after a long break, there’s a lot I don’t know and many things that need to be reorganized. Julian said he’d help, but if we’re too close, people might talk, so I’ll try to handle things on my own as much as possible.”

“There are many people besides His Majesty who want to help you, Alois.”

Knowing she was referring to his former subordinates, Alois readily agreed. Many had already responded to his requests. Surprisingly, connections he thought were lost or missed had been waiting for him all this time.

“Then what will you do with the territory and the forest?”

If Alois began directly governing the territory, he could no longer stay in the mansion surrounded by brambles as before. But if they removed the brambles and opened the forest for everyone to freely come and go, she worried about the numerous animals living there. Unlike other animals, those had lived according to Alois’s rules for a long time, so could they easily adapt to the outside world?

“I plan to leave it as is. Since that place moves by my power anyway, there’s no need to bring other people there. I think I’ll just call it my private villa. A place only animals, you, and I can enter.”

“Then for work……”

“The administrator had a lot of things, and I’m planning to examine them one by one anyway.”

He thought it wouldn’t hurt to borrow the place since there was so much to investigate anyway. Of course, the administrator’s consent wasn’t needed for this borrowing. He hadn’t decided how to deal with the administrator, who was still sleeping as a cocoon of darkness. He was contemplating how to make him live the most miserable life possible until he begged to be killed.

The two left the imperial city, discussing the future they would walk together. Since they planned to look around the capital leisurely before returning to the territory, they walked slowly through the city, holding hands and examining the scenery—new to one person and vastly changed to the other.

“How did it feel to enter the palace again after so long?”

“It reminded me of old times. Many things have changed, but the memories from back then are still alive wherever I go.”

“Do you miss it?”

“I’m surprised myself. It didn’t hurt or feel as nostalgic as I thought. Rather……”

Alois lifted their interlocked hands and kissed the back of her hand.

“While we were apart, I only missed your warmth.”

Pleased with Alois’s words, Olivia shrugged her shoulders. Though they had faced their own hardships to stand side by side, she liked how he highly valued her love. Olivia ran a little ahead and turned around. Alois looked concerned as she walked backward facing him, but Olivia vigorously swung their hands together.

“If you ever feel anxious or scared that I might suddenly leave again among the many times we’ll spend together in the future……”

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry about anything else, just let me love you. As long as you love me and I love you, we can always be together.”

“Always together……”

“Yes! From today on, Alois, you only need to think about how to be loved by me every day.”

Don’t worry about how to keep me, don’t be desperate because you can’t have all of me, don’t be afraid I’ll betray you.

Just think about how much more you’ll love me today than yesterday, and try to help me love you more tomorrow than today.

It was a sweet command and a gentle request. Alois quietly repeated her words several times, then pulled their joined hands and embraced her fully in his arms.

You don’t have to wander alone anymore.

Alois felt infinite gratitude for being able to stay by Olivia’s side.

Though he was still under a curse, and he didn’t know how that curse might pull him into more painful places in the future, he felt comfort in knowing that as long as he wore the leash his kind master had put on him, he no longer needed to worry about being abandoned or being lonely.

“You have somehow tamed my entire life.”

Only now did he realize how happy it was to have a life bound to someone.

Wishing that all the rest of their lives would remain in her hands, Alois kissed her forehead.

『I Accidentally Tamed a Beast in Heat』 The End