“You’re hereee!”

Like a ray of sunshine, she ran toward them, and they opened their arms wide to embrace her light.

Thanks to that light, Olivia was able to manage both the household and her duties in the dungeons comfortably. She also continued preparing for her wedding to Marsden.

Their wedding had been delayed several times due to Hellebore constantly calling Olivia under the pretext of giving her various titles and accolades for her accomplishments.

“So, are you really going to have such a simple wedding? It’s a pretty high-profile marriage,”

Hellebore had teased in his usual manner, suggesting a grander ceremony and even offering to attend to make it more extravagant.

“I’m deeply honored by your offer, but I’ll have to decline. The bride is supposed to be the star of the wedding,”

Olivia responded bluntly. Hellebore grumbled but half-jokingly mentioned he’d send a gift instead. Nevertheless, it was clear that he was genuinely happy for them.

But there was an unexpected issue—Olivia’s own heart.

“Don’t tell me you’ve lost interest in me? Not that I’d ever let you go,” Marsden teased, noticing Olivia’s occasional somber expressions. He knew her well enough to understand that her worries weren’t about their relationship. Olivia’s anxieties lay elsewhere.

“How many months has it been since the side effects stopped showing?” she thought.

Autumn had arrived, and they planned to have their wedding in October. They had agreed to invite only a few close people, including their house servants. Lizzy had eagerly volunteered to be the flower girl and was busy practicing her steps daily.

Marsden was healthy. Ironically, that was exactly what worried Olivia.

“Aren’t you scared? What if your body suddenly explodes?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“Buddy, could you not say ‘explode’? It sounds like I’m some kind of human bomb. Let’s go with ‘break apart,’ okay?” Marsden replied, wrapping his arms around Olivia from behind and resting his chin on her shoulder.

“I know you’re worried because the side effects of the spell haven’t shown up lately. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not asking for an apology,” Olivia said gently, running her fingers through Marsden’s hair.

Although Marsden had blamed the Hellebore earlier, both he and Olivia were still worried about when the side effects of the spell might return. In the worst case, if the side effects reappeared just before or on the day of the wedding, not only would the guests be shocked, but they were also concerned about how much Lizzy would be affected. More than anything, Marsden didn’t want Olivia’s heart to break from witnessing it again.

“I’m fine with taking our time with the wedding. After all, both our names are already inscribed in the family heirloom.”

In their world, adding the spouse’s name to the family heirloom was equivalent to a marriage certificate. Since it made them practically husband and wife already, Olivia didn’t feel a strong urge to rush the ceremony. However, it seemed that Marsden was more concerned about it.

“Alright, if we have to delay or postpone it, I’ll make sure the actual wedding will be twice as joyous.”

“Aren’t you putting too much pressure on yourself?”

When Olivia smiled, Marsden nuzzled his head against the back of her neck. The ticklish sensation made Olivia try to pull away, but Marsden wrapped his arms around her tightly, almost binding her.

“I want to show the world as soon as possible that you’re my wife, and I’m your husband. I’ll make sure the problem is solved.”

As Marsden kissed Olivia on the forehead, she gently stroked his cheek.

“Don’t rush things. I’m going to train with Lizzy now.”

Every day at 3 PM, Olivia gave Lizzy sword training. Olivia waved with a bright smile as she said goodbye, and Marsden waved back in return.

“…Ha.”

But as soon as Olivia left, Marsden’s expression darkened. Although Olivia had teased him about looking gloomy, the truth was that he was just as anxious as she suspected.

He was impatient to let the world know that Olivia was his. Even though he tried to hide his obsessive feelings with a cheerful demeanor, inside, Marsden was burning with urgency.

‘Is there really no way?’

Even though he was skilled in sorcery, he still couldn’t figure out why the spell’s curse-like side effects had disappeared so suddenly.

‘What would Themis have said in a time like this?’

Themis was his younger sister, who had died along with their family when the duchy was wiped out. Despite her young age, she had been so sharp-witted that she would often correct her older brother without hesitation.

“This is your fault, brother! You shouldn’t talk to mom like that!”

If Themis had lived, she might have grown up to be as sharp and wise as Olivia.

‘Maybe I should visit home.’

Suddenly, Marsden thought about the old family estate.

The current duchy’s mansion was one he had rebuilt after his entire family had perished. The old estate, though cleansed of the traces of tragedy, had been left untouched, not sold. His parents’ room, his brother’s bedroom, and his sister’s playroom all remained as they had been.

‘Now that I think about it, I never really informed my family.’

Slowly rising from the sofa, Marsden decided he would visit the old house while Olivia spent time with Lizzy.

‘I’m a little nervous.’

It was a breezy day, perfect for paying respects.

* * *

Marsden informed Olivia of his plans before he left, and she kindly bid him farewell, understanding his need to go.

“Be sure to come back like a proper adult.”

Her comforting words, that the tragedy had passed and it was okay now, gave Marsden the courage he needed to face the old home.

The former duchy estate was regularly cleaned by the staff, so it felt peaceful rather than eerie. Flowers bloomed in the garden, and Marsden felt grateful to the servants for maintaining the place so well.

Marsden slowly opened the door to the main hall. It was immaculate, without a speck of dust. There had been times when the house was full of laughter.

“Are you really going to keep fighting with your sister? Don’t you know you’re her older brother?”

“Ah, just leave me alone, brother!”

Every time Marsden bickered with Themis, their older brother, Servo, would scold him. In hindsight, Servo had been right. Marsden had no business getting worked up over trivial matters with his younger sister. Even now, he felt embarrassed about his behavior.

“You know I’m going to be the head of the family, right? Don’t think I won’t kick you out without a penny!”

Even as Servo playfully threatened him, his lips would twitch with amusement. Though Servo always sided with Themis, Marsden had been comforted by the fact that, before bed that same day, his brother had given him heartfelt advice, along with a tender nickname.

“Roy, right now, the two of you are similar in strength, so it’s okay. But one day, that difference will grow, and Themis might get seriously hurt if you’re not careful. And if she gets hurt, it’ll hurt you too.”

Servo, even as a young boy, was mature beyond his years—exactly what you’d expect from the future head of the family. Marsden often found himself missing him deeply.

‘I think I understand how Buddy feels.’

Before Olivia returned to this world, she had an older sister in the other world. She had even had a niece. How much must they weigh on her mind?

It was as if she had been torn from them. And yet, Olivia had forgiven him.

Marsden opened the door to Servo’s bedroom. Servo had taken on the role of parent for both Marsden and Themis when their actual parents had been too busy.

“Did my little ones have another nightmare today?”

Whenever Marsden and Themis came to him with their pillows in tow, Servo would stop whatever he was doing and pat the sides of his bed. The two siblings would then climb up and lie down beside him.

“My name, ‘Servo,’ means ‘to protect’ in an ancient language. With me here, no nightmare can come near you.”

Marsden pulled back the white bedspread. Though it was a large bed for a boy, it now felt small to Marsden, who was fully grown. Sitting down, he stretched out, his legs hanging over the edge of the bed.

‘Servo, come to me in my dreams, just once. Tell me how to solve this. Help your foolish little brother.’

‘I want to make Olivia happy.’

Marsden closed his eyes in prayer. Despite all the time that had passed, the room still seemed to carry Servo’s scent—the warm, comforting scent that Marsden had always associated with him.

Curiously, a drowsiness came over him, and before he could question it, Marsden fell into a deep, unconscious sleep.

* * *

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more chapters of the side story.