Pray, Beg, and Love

“I want to become that man’s wife.”

Epona saw Karos for the first time at the Temple of Beatrice and fell in love at first sight.
But she soon discovered that he was the eldest son of the Ordo family, which was practically an enemy to her own house.
Falling into deep despair, Epona knew her wish could never come true, yet she prayed to the Goddess Beatrice anyway.

The next day, a divine revelation descended upon Epona of the Laura family and Karos of the Ordo family—commanding them to marry.
For a moment, Epona was overwhelmed with joy at being able to marry Karos, but soon, guilt crept in for sacrificing Karos to fulfill her selfish wish….

* * *

“If, someday, you meet someone you truly love and wish to marry that person…….”

That’s when I’ll leave you.
She only needed to say these last words, but strangely, her throat tightened and she couldn’t speak. Just as she struggled to force out her voice, she felt a sharp gaze pierce her.
Surprised, she looked up and met Karos’s eyes, who was smiling at her. Unlike the smoothly raised corners of his mouth, his eyes were not smiling at all.

“I don’t understand why you still say such things, Madame.”
“Huh?”
“Now and in the future, I will never marry anyone else.”
“What do you mean….”

Before she could even be flustered, Karos gently took Epona’s hand in his.

“That applies to you as well, Madame.”