After Hellebore left, Olivia and Marsden strolled through the garden for a while before heading back into the palace. Though they walked in silence, holding hands tightly, countless words were being exchanged in the quiet.

Unlike in the past, when they would speak endlessly yet still doubt each other, now they could fully trust each other without saying a word. Although lying, deceiving, and speaking harshly were never the right things to do, they now genuinely understood that their affection had been misguided due to their immaturity.

There were still many issues to resolve, such as removing the side effects of Marsden’s magic or truly forgiving him, but Olivia wasn’t too worried. Somehow, she felt confident that, as long as they were together, they could overcome anything.

“Huh? Isn’t that the Marchioness and the Duke?”

A familiar voice snapped Olivia out of her thoughts. Cotton, looking much healthier than before, greeted them cheerfully.

“You’re still in the palace. Why aren’t you resting?”

Marsden, delighted to see him after some time, shook hands warmly with Cotton. After a brief handshake with Olivia, Cotton scratched his cheek slightly.

“Actually, I couldn’t sleep. As you know, thanks to His Majesty’s consideration, I’ve been tasked with coordinating the talks between the Empire and the Kingdom. We’re leaving for Katlan tomorrow morning with His Majesty, so I guess I’m a bit nervous.”

“Have the discussions with the Kingdom gone well?”

Olivia asked with concern, as Cotton had effectively become a whistleblower against Katlan. Cotton reassured her in a gentle tone.

“Whether it becomes part of the Empire or remains a Kingdom, the ruling family of that land has changed. They’ve expressed their eagerness to meet with me.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I’m not sure if I’m in any position to say this, but His Majesty seems to be a fair man. Even if the land is annexed into the Empire, he said he’d respect its identity as an autonomous region.”

It seemed that Cotton was mentally preparing himself for various possibilities. Even though he had overcome a significant crisis, the change in his country’s fate would naturally make him anxious.

“You have a younger brother, right?”

“Yes? Ah, yes, that’s correct. I have a younger brother.”

“The nation and your duty are important, but isn’t family the most important thing? When you return to the Kingdom, make sure to greet your brother and let him know you’ve returned safely, alright?”

Cotton’s eyes reddened slightly, perhaps due to the unexpected words. He pretended it was nothing, scratching his eyes gently to hide it.

“Yes, of course. …Thank you for your kind words.”

Cotton’s voice trembled a bit, perhaps because he was no longer tense. Olivia looked at him with a sense of unfamiliarity.

When she first saw him after the bomb theft incident, Olivia thought he was arrogant and rude. She believed he looked down on others, was engrossed in his mission, and wished never to see him again once the incident was resolved.

“It might take some time to mediate between the Empire and the Kingdom, but I hope we can meet again in the meantime.”

Olivia extended her hand to Cotton once more. He grasped it, looking pleased.

He was not an enemy. Although he could have been under different circumstances, fortunately, that was not the case. He wasn’t arrogant or rude, nor did he look down on others due to his mission. He was just an ordinary knight trying to protect his home.

“I feel the same way. I hope to see you soon, Marchioness, Duke.”

Cotton’s face brightened with a smile, as clear as that of a boy. Where prejudice had cleared away, only a kindred friend remained.

* * *

Olivia and Marsden sat side by side in the carriage, moving somewhere. Except when meeting Cotton, they hadn’t let go of each other’s hands for a moment.

As night ended and dawn arrived, the sun rose into the sky. Despite staying up all night, instead of feeling exhausted, there was only a refreshing afterglow.

“By the way, can I ask why we’re heading to Flatd Castle first, Buddy?”

Marsden, who had been gazing at Olivia the entire time, asked as he gently leaned his head on hers. Olivia hesitated to speak but had resolved to tell him on the way. She turned to Marsden and spoke.

“Shall we get off and walk for a bit?”

“Sure.”

Without asking why, Marsden readily agreed to Olivia’s request. Olivia asked the coachman to follow them slowly and began walking with Marsden along the morning path.

The spring morning was cool yet refreshing. She even regretted not savoring this air properly since she arrived in this world.

“Marsden, do you remember when I told you I had an older sister in my previous life?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Unlike my sister, I was timid and sensitive, so people didn’t like me very much. Sometimes, I even wanted to go astray, but my sister always kept me on the right path.”

Though small, like a sparrow, she was a remarkably strong-willed sister.

“I was glad to have a sister like her. Even after I became an adult, she remained a wonderful role model for me. Maybe that’s why, when everyone else wanted to have puppies or kittens, I wanted to adopt a child like me.”

Marsden seemed to be listening attentively to this story he was hearing for the first time.

“In reality, any child would probably have a better personality than I do, but that’s not the point. I just… want to adopt a child who seems lonely. A child like that would feel like they have the whole world with just one family member or friend they can rely on.”

Olivia looked directly into Marsden’ eyes.

“That’s why I want to adopt Lizzy as my child.”

That child had been on her mind for a while now. The skinny little girl who used to clean chimneys. Despite being scared, she was brave enough to report the knight’s misconduct. And she was a child who seemed like she would remember a single word of praise for the rest of her life.

“Alright, Buddy.”

“……”

“I agree.”

Marsden, with a gentle expression, swung their clasped hands.

“I’m happy. You told me before making such an important decision. Ah… Now I need to earn some points with Lizzy to impress you.”

Marsden didn’t ask why she wanted to adopt a commoner girl. Perhaps he genuinely understood how happy Olivia was when she was with Lizzy. Thanks to his calm yet considerate attitude, Olivia felt at ease.

“Anyway, that’s why we’re heading straight to Flatd Castle. I want to bring her in before anyone else says anything.”

“That’s a good idea, Buddy. Perfection often begins with unplanned spontaneity.”

Marsden seemed quite pleased. It had been a long time since she had seen him this genuinely happy.

“So, what do you think?”

“About what?”

“Do you think it’s okay to have a daughter before we even get married?”

Marsden suddenly stopped in his tracks. He blinked, as if his thoughts had come to a halt.

“Uh, Buddy, so if I’m understanding this correctly… you mean to say….”

“You’ve said ‘so’ several times now. Well, I guess I was a bit vague in my explanation.”

Olivia admitted as she turned to face Marsden, taking his other hand as well.

“When are we going to stop beating around the bush? Let’s get married already.”

The peaceful surroundings instantly fell into a deep silence, with only the sound of their breaths remaining.

Marsden, unable to control his trembling breath, blinked slowly. Olivia found it amusing and finally spoke up.

“Well? Are you going to do it or not? Aren’t you going to answer?”

As Olivia playfully shook their hands from side to side, Marsden finally laughed.

He gazed at her for a while, savoring the moment. He looked at her as if witnessing the wonders of the universe.

“Let’s do it, let’s get married.”

“Yes.”

“Please marry me, Olivia.”

With a heartfelt proposal, Olivia leaped into Marsden’ arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and hugging him tightly without any space between them.

The coachman, who had been following them at a distance, stopped the carriage. Even from his vantage point, the sight of the lovers embracing in the morning sunlight on the path was breathtakingly beautiful.

* * *

Even after causing a ruckus in the romance fantasy of regrets, Olivia remained the same Olivia. She continued to dart around everywhere and never let any injustice slide. It wasn’t because she was particularly righteous, but because that was just her nature.

And by her side were her handsome husband and their lovely daughter, who followed them with bright, intelligent eyes.

~~End of the Main Story~~

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for the side story and other interesting stories.