“…Where did you go?”

So warm.

I nestled my head comfortably against his chest.

“I’ve been here with you the whole time.”

“…I see. I thought you had suddenly disappeared.”

“Leave you behind? Me?”

“…”

Did I hit a nerve?

He firmly added, “That will never happen. Not again. Never.”

I let out a small laugh.

“I know. We’ve each left each other once, so let’s call it even. I didn’t recognize you, and you didn’t understand my heart.”

“…Thank you.”

I let out another soft laugh, and he too smiled slightly.

“By the way, where did that huge gun suddenly come from?”

“…”

“I just remembered to ask. I wasn’t seeing things, right? When you killed the late emperor, it looked like you were using a weapon from my previous life…”

Ah.

Had I told Alec about my past life before?

I suddenly felt a bit uneasy, wondering if I had said something unnecessary.

But the world Alec fought in against the monsters—no matter how I thought about it…

“…Actually, I have something like an invisible storage space.”

“…What? Like an inventory?”

I pulled away from his embrace to face him.

Inventory.

At the word, he looked at me a little awkwardly, and I too felt a strange sensation.

I never imagined there would come a moment when I’d share traces of my past life with him like this.

After a moment, he nodded, still a bit uncomfortable.

“Yes, it’s one of the weapons I used in the world you came from.”

“I thought so. It’s amazing that it works here too.”

“It’s because I amplify it with my magic, so it’s fine.”

As he finished speaking, he raised his hand, and suddenly, a gun appeared in it.

Startled, I took a step back.

Up close, it looked even bigger and heavier.

“My goodness.”

He spun the gun around casually.

“It wasn’t always there, but around that time, my inventory expanded. It’s all thanks to you, Louise.”

“Really…?”

“And it disappears just as quickly.”

Snap.

“…!”

I widened my eyes in surprise.

In an instant, the gun that had appeared was gone just as quickly.

How incredible!

Should I applaud?

I felt like I really wanted to.

As I stared at him with wide eyes, he opened his hand again.

“And this as well.”

“…?”

A small black velvet box appeared in his palm.

The kind of box that might hold a ring or earrings.

He carefully opened the lid.

Inside was a large, dark red gem with a slight purple hue, sparkling brilliantly.

The gem exuded a certain dignity.

When he took it out, the ring’s band was revealed.

“What… is this?”

Obsidian?

It was a stone I’d never seen before.

But it was shinier than obsidian, like a pitch-black diamond, though it felt entirely different from a diamond.

It was as if the dark, mysterious energy of the gem held the universe within it—much like his eyes.

“It’s so mysterious and beautiful…”

“It’s a ring made from an SSS-rank rare magic stone I found in my inventory. It’s far harder to come by than most jewels.”

“What? A magic stone?”

A magic stone?!

Could it be the kind of magic stone I know from all those novels?

“Yes, it’s the core of a boss monster I defeated.”

“…”

He took a step closer, gently grasping my hand.

Then he slid the ring onto my fourth finger with a rather satisfied expression.

The core of a monster, he said.

In my mind, the image of various grotesque and distinctive monsters flashed by.

I was at a loss for words, feeling a bit perplexed.

As he held my hand, now adorned with the ring, he gazed down at it.

“Do you like it?”

“…”

I stared at the ring that fit perfectly on my finger. Its beauty and mystery were indescribable.

Suddenly, a question popped into my head, and I asked him, “Did you defeat the monster that had this stone yourself?”

He nodded once.

“Yes. I still remember the battle vividly. It was a fierce, relentless fight. Unfortunately, there’s no craftsman in our empire capable of working with this material. I had to personally forge the ring over the past month.”

“Really? You must have gone through a lot. Thank you so much, Alec.”

“It was nothing. I’m just happy I can give you a one-of-a-kind ring.”

“…”

His eyes softened with contentment, almost melting a little.

To him, it must be like a trophy—an item of great significance.

He was so pleased to give me something like this, and it made me realize once again how precious and special I was to him.

But…

“So, you extract this from a monster’s body?”

“Of course. Magic stones emit light, so they’re relatively easy to find. They’re similar to the concept of a human body developing a stone, like a gallstone.”

“…A stone?”

“Yes. Stones as rare as this magic stone are usually found near the genital area. It’s incredibly valuable. In fact, I might be the only person, in this world or the last, to have one like this. The price alone–”

“What? Where did you say the stone comes from?”

“Huh?”

“…”

As I stared in shock, he became more flustered.

“So, this ring…”

“…?”

A kidney stone… from a grotesque monster’s bladder…!

Ugh.

I staggered back, nearly fainting.

“Louise!”

Startled, he caught me, wrapping his arms around my back.

I quickly regained my balance and pressed my forehead with the hand that wasn’t wearing the ring.

My head throbbed. Without me realizing it, he had completely become part of this other world.

The hand with the ring felt frozen, unable to move.

On my finger, the SSS-rank “kidney stone” sparkled with an exquisite glow.

As dirty and unsettling as the thought was, there was no denying the ring was precious and sacred.

It was a symbol of his struggles and growth in the otherworld.

* * *

“How did you manage to come here?”

I stared in disbelief at the figure standing before Wiltsbrook Castle.

An unexpected visitor had arrived, accompanied by Andrew, Brooks, and several horses.

From behind me, Alec also stepped forward, equally surprised.

“Your Majesty.”

“…How did you come all this way without any prior notice?”

They didn’t even have a carriage!

My jaw dropped.

Did that tiny body really ride a horse all the way to the northern lands?

“…My Lady, Alec. I wanted to see you.”

The emperor, Ridit, greeted us with a bright smile.

Andrew and Brooks waved at us as well.

“Louise! Alec!”

I quickly hurried them inside the castle.

We set the table in the banquet hall with so much food that the legs almost buckled, and Alec used his magic to warm the interior.

“I’ve been wondering how Your Majesty was doing. We’ve all missed you. Since you’re here, please enjoy a warm meal and relax before heading back.”

“Thank you.”

Ridit replied, picking up a spoon.

The child’s smile was warm and comforting.

Why was I getting teary-eyed all of a sudden?

Seeing these people, who had come all this way to visit us, touched me deeply.

Andrew and Brooks filled us in on everything that had been happening at the palace.

Ridit had not missed a single day of speech practice. In addition to horseback riding and swordsmanship, he had been diligently studying various books.

Even this journey to the north was part of his physical training and riding practice.

It was after dinner, when we were drinking tea in the sitting room.

“He’s still at an age where he should be able to enjoy his time more. I hope he’s not being pushed too hard. I’m worried it might hinder his growth,” I said.

Ridit blushed slightly and lowered his head.

“I want to grow up quickly. Like Father, and like Alec, I want to be a strong adult.”

“You’re already strong enough. Do you know how incredible it is to survive, just like you have? You’re so mature and brave, it brings tears to my eyes.”

“Louise.”

I pretended to wipe away tears, waving my hand dramatically.

When Ridit and I locked eyes, we both burst into laughter.

He looked back and forth between Alec and me, then shifted his gaze to Brooks. At that, Brooks suddenly stood up as if something had just occurred to him.

“Ah, actually, there’s a specific reason His Majesty came here.”

“What is it?”

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories