The sky, washed clean after the passing rain, gleamed as clear as glass.

“……”

As Selaia rode slowly across the vast plain, she looked up at the serene, transparent sky, which seemed to suggest that nothing had ever happened.

On that day of torrential rain and landslides, the revolution had triumphed across the empire. Hendrick, the Emperor of Tropez, had been staying in Cheringen when he was crushed to death when a mountain collapsed after being struck by lightning. The Empress Dowager Leticia was escorted to the capital and imprisoned in the palace, while the former Empress Johanna and her family were stripped of their titles.

Shortly after the revolution, the Dowager’s brother, the Marquis Guillaume Conrad, fled in haste. Pursuit parties were sent out to find him, but there was no news of his whereabouts.

Even after Hendrick’s death, Selaia and Laska remained in Cheringen for several more days. There were several reasons for this.

Firstly, they needed to defend the territory until the revolutionary forces sent by the new Emperor of Tropez arrived.

Secondly, they had to devise a plan for rebuilding Cheringen, which had been severely damaged by the landslide.

Since no one knew Cheringen’s conditions better than Selaia, the newly crowned Emperor Dieff had personally asked her to oversee the situation there.

Selaia did not refuse that request.

‘Thanks to that, I was able to see Lord Devonshire again after so long.’

Maximilian—the man who had founded Sapere Aude, the enlightenment and revolutionary group whose name meant “Dare to know”—had finally declared his complete retirement after fulfilling his cause and returned to Cheringen.

Though both Dieff and Elaine had tried to dissuade him, his stubborn resolve could not be swayed.

“I’ve protected everything that needed protecting. What more could an old man like me wish for?”

The old knight laughed, his deep smile creasing the corners of his eyes. Although he admitted that his knees ached, he threw himself into rebuilding the ruined lands of Cheringen without hesitation.

“He really can’t help it. Lord Devonshire is hopelessly devoted to his work.”

Laska shook his head as he watched the old knight, yet he couldn’t bring himself to stop him—because Maximilian truly looked happiest when he was working.

“Selaia, you have nothing left to worry about now.”

‘And please, be happy.’

Remembering Maximilian’s final words as he saw them off, Selaia blinked slowly. The sunlight was peeking gently across the wide expanse of the field.

“It’s gotten quite cool now.”

Came a voice beside her. Before she could turn her head, a thick cloak was draped softly over her shoulders.

“It’s full autumn already.”

Laska said, smiling with quiet satisfaction after completing his mission. His horse trotted close beside hers, snorting lightly.

“Thank you, Laska.”

Selaia pulled the cloak more tightly around herself. Laska watched her expression before speaking again.

“Do you remember this road? We once came this way together.”

“This way?”

Selaia glanced around, puzzled. The scenery felt unfamiliar at first, but as she looked toward the verdant plains and the Teian knights following behind, a memory stirred faintly within her.

“…It’s the road Rote and I took when we first traveled to Terminus.”

“That’s right.”

Laska nodded. Selaia lifted her gaze again, her heart strangely light.

‘Back then, I was filled with so much fear and worry.’

She had been too tense to notice the scenery—too guarded, even toward Laska himself. Now, she murmured with quiet wonder.

“I never realized this place was so beautiful.”

“I know,” Laska replied with a bright smile. “That’s why I wanted to show it to you again.”

Dark blue clouds drifted over the distant mountains, revealing a vast expanse of clear blue sky beyond. Selaia thought that the color resembled Laska’s eyes.

“And passing this road means…” Laska tilted his head forward, eyes gleaming. “We’re almost at Terminus.”

Selaia followed his gaze—and there, far ahead, stood a massive, unyielding fortress wall.

“Ah…”

The impregnable fortress of Terminus stood before them.

“How do you feel?”

Laska asked. Selaia slowly smiled, her green eyes glimmering in the sunlight.

“…Excited.”

She said softly. Her heart swelled with joy, filling her to the brim. She wanted to run ahead and pick up the little girl, who was undoubtedly waiting for her, bouncing impatiently on the spot.

“I can’t wait to see Rote.”

He murmured, her voice trembling with anticipation. At her words, a playful spark lit up in Laska’s eyes.

“Then let’s not wait.”

“What?”

Before she could ask further, his horse had already surged forward.

“Hyah!”

His cheerful voice rang out as he broke into a gallop.

“W–Wait, Your Highness!”

Came the startled cries of the knights behind them.

Selaia blinked wide-eyed, then burst into laughter. It didn’t take her long to spur her horse and chase after him.

“Ah—Lady Selaia, too?!”

The knights groaned, flustered, as the two rode off together.

Wind tangled through their hair, and the earthy scent of soil and grass rose with every pounding of hooves. Even as their breaths grew ragged, laughter refused to leave their lips.

By the time they arrived at the gates of Terminus, they were laughing still—only to be met with an unexpected surprise.

“Um… Laska.”

Selaia whispered, leaning toward him. He glanced her way.

“Yes?”

“Everyone’s… staring at us, aren’t they?”

Laska tilted his head, then grinned.

“Mm. Seems that way.”

He shrugged lightly, remaining calm despite the countless eyes fixed on them. They had managed to pass through the fortress gates, and the knights who had pursued them were catching up, panting. However, as they rode deeper towards the royal palace, more and more people began to stop and stare.

Some even followed.

‘They must have recognized us…’

Trying to hide her flustered expression, Selaia’s thoughts began to race, unease tightening in her chest.

‘Could it be that they’re unhappy I’ve returned…?’

What if they told her to go back to Tropez?

The thought made Selaia bite her lip anxiously.

“Um—!”

Someone suddenly approached their horses. The knights quickly stepped forward to block the way.

Through the small gap between them, Selaia caught sight of the woman’s face.

‘I don’t know her.’

She looked like an ordinary Teian—a woman in a kerchief and apron, holding a child’s hand. Her freckled face was plain and kind, but her eyes flickered with hesitation as she glanced at the armored knights. Then, gathering her courage, she spoke.

“Thank you, my lady!”

“…!”

Selaia froze, eyes widening at the unexpected words.

The woman continued, her voice trembling with sincerity.

“Because of you, I was able to save my family!”

She lifted the small hand she’d been holding, waving it. The little child giggled and waved back at Selaia with bright, innocent delight.

‘Could it be… because Rote and I warned them of the invasion?’

Selaia recalled how, before she had been taken by Hendrick, she’d heard that everyone in the palace had been grateful to her and Rote.

Perhaps that story had spread beyond the palace walls.

Her gaze trembled.

“Our family was saved too, thanks to you!”

Another voice joined in—this time, a middle-aged man, his face alight with gratitude.

“Truly, thank you!”

“Me too! I wanted to say how grateful I am!”

Gratitude, once spoken, was contagious. One person’s thanks drew out another’s, and soon voices overlapped, echoing in the air.

“Thank you for protecting Terminus!”
“We’re so glad you’ve come back!”
“Welcome home!”

“……”

People gathered along the road where her horse passed, every face bright with warmth.

Selaia blinked in disbelief, her heart tightening painfully. Her vision blurred.

“…Thank you, everyone…”

She managed to whisper, her voice trembling. The emotion had swelled so suddenly that it had caught in her throat, making it difficult to speak. Yet no one rushed her. They simply watched, smiling.

Almost instinctively, she turned towards the man beside her. His gentle eyes met hers, his smile soft and full of warmth — and something deeper still.

“Do you see them, Selaia? They all love you.”

Selaia said nothing. She only smiled back with the same quiet emotion.

‘Rote would have been so happy to see this.’

The thought of her child filled her chest.

‘If only she were here right now…’

And with that, Selaia’s longing to see Rote grew even stronger.