Six months later.

Rumors that Hersion was seeing Meriel spread widely throughout society. The fact that such an intimidating man had gotten a lover became a topic of interest among the kingdom’s people. 

Perhaps because of this, various gossip circulated among the populace.

For instance, some said Meriel had seduced him for social advancement after seeing Hersion’s wealth.

Others claimed Hersion had deliberately seduced a commoner woman to avoid an arranged marriage. All sorts of rumors spread, but Meriel and Hersion closed their ears to them and focused only on their affection for each other.

Since the parties involved met openly and confidently, the rumors gradually died down. After half a year passed and Meriel and Luna’s shop sales gradually increased, people stopped talking about it.

After the marriage proposal with Nancy fell through, Hersion hadn’t told his father Adrian that he was seeing Meriel. Considering his personality and family environment, he’d been planning to discuss it slowly when the opportunity arose.

However, because of the rumors about the two spreading through society, Adrian eventually learned that his son was seeing Meriel. Immediately after hearing the unexpected news, he became angry in his bewilderment.

So at first he disapproved of Meriel, but as time passed and he realized the two truly cherished and loved each other, his heart gradually softened. 

One day, he deliberately made time to stop by Meriel’s weapons shop to meet her, and after seeing Meriel’s sincere attitude in fulfilling her duties and how well the shop was doing, he belatedly acknowledged their relationship.

After the news that Meriel and Hersion were lovers became widely known, customers flocked to her and Luna’s shop. People felt curious about what kind of weapons shop the Rüharen Knight Commander visited.

Perhaps because of the reputation of Hersion and the Rüharen Knights, customers of all social classes gathered to purchase weapons, and shop sales skyrocketed. 

Not just swords, but spears, wooden swords for practicing swordsmanship, and even small weapons for personal protection—a diverse crowd gathered to make purchases.  

Thanks to this, Meriel and Luna managed to earn a significant amount of money within half a year. However, what brought Meriel more joy than the money was the fact that her marriage to Hersion was drawing near.

Reminiscing about the past, Meriel worked hard today as well, waiting for Hersion who would come find her soon. 

Though it was hectic with customers constantly gathering, this was rewarding hardship. Compared to the difficult past of persuading Adrian, this was nothing. 

Compared to the mental anguish of worrying she might have to part with Hersion, the current effort was very manageable. Moreover, this was her main occupation anyway.

“Please form a line.”

Meriel called out kindly. The bustling people formed an orderly line one by one. The line of people stretching long outside the shop continued without end afterward.

* * *

A month later, Meriel and Hersion held their wedding ceremony. After the wedding march ended, Meriel whispered that she loved him and embraced him.

And feeling the warmth from the large hand that had wrapped around her waist first, Meriel couldn’t help but shed a few tears.

“I will love you forever, wife.”

“I’ll love you forever too, Hersion.”

Amid the guests’ congratulations, their lips overlapped.

fin.