Epilogue

Because of her nerves, Elsia barely slept.

She couldn’t contain her excitement and happiness at being engaged to Adrian.

After staying awake all night, she was fully awake as the cool dawn air and warm sunlight alternately seeped through the window.

Outside the room, she heard busy movements. Rapid, cheerful footsteps stopped at her door, which swung open.

“My Lady, it’s time to wake… Oh? You’re already up?”

Marie looked at Elsia in surprise, as she had woken her earlier than usual.

“I just couldn’t sleep…”

“On such a good day, you should have sweet dreams. Since you’re up, let’s get ready quickly.”

At Marie’s words, Elsia got up. Led by Marie, she washed up and sat in the chair to get dressed.

Three maids soon approached, bringing a pre-selected white silk dress and matching jewels.

It took a long time to get ready, but Elsia was too busy anticipating the happiness ahead to feel bored.

Wanting to look even prettier than usual, she pointed out anything she didn’t like right away.

“You’re unusually meticulous today.”

Marie carefully checked for any flaws or untidiness as she spoke.

“Of course. Today is a special day.”

Elsia and Marie exchanged smiles.

By chance, this was Elsia’s second engagement.

To consider her situation, they decided to hold a small engagement party in Earl Portman’s mansion garden, inviting only family and close friends.

Earl Brightwell gladly agreed, with the condition that the wedding would be grand.

The Portman garden was covered with neatly trimmed grass, and flower beds were filled with blooming flowers.

Especially in the center, roses that Elsia loved were arranged in various colors, making the garden look like a rose garden.

With Marie’s help, Elsia came out to the garden, where family and friends welcomed her with applause, and Adrian stepped forward to escort her.

When she was engaged to Mars, she only managed a faint smile, but now Elsia was different. Her lips curled up, and she couldn’t stop smiling.

“My Lady, mind your expression. Smiling is good, but right now you look a bit silly.”

Marie whispered several times. Hearing her, Elsia gently lowered the corners of her mouth.

When she was engaged to Mars, she struggled to smile; now she struggled to keep from smiling too much.

Elsia took Adrian’s hand and walked to the center of the garden.

In her dazzling white dress and Adrian’s white tailcoat, they looked like a perfect couple.

With Earl Brightwell’s congratulatory speech, the engagement ceremony began.

But just being engaged to Adrian filled her heart with joy, so Elsia didn’t hear anything else.

After the first part of the engagement, Elsia and Adrian went around greeting the guests.

“Welcome, Richel.”

Elsia spotted Richel and greeted her with a bright smile.

“Congratulations on your engagement.”

Richel handed Elsia a box.

“Thank you, Richel. I was able to reach this engagement with Adrian all thanks to you.”

Elsia replied, accepting Richel’s gift and inspecting the box.

“Is it another necklace? You gave me one before, so I’m half-joking.”

“It is a necklace.”

But Richel’s serious answer made Elsia pause as she was about to open the box.

“Aha, don’t worry. It’s just a regular necklace, engraved with your favorite rose pattern.”

Richel laughed at Elsia’s reaction, and Elsia sighed in relief. But Richel suddenly stopped laughing.

“…Actually, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Richel hesitated.

“What is it?”

Elsia tensed at Richel’s serious attitude, her lips stiffening, afraid of what she might say.

“I told you the necklace I gave you was fake, but the one I showed you was real.”

Richel whispered quietly so others wouldn’t hear.

“Really?”

Elsia relaxed a bit but her eyes widened.

After hearing the necklace was fake, she tried to forget about compatibility, but sometimes she felt a pang of regret.

She often wondered if the necklace was actually real, since she and Adrian seemed so compatible.

“There’s only one, so I couldn’t give it to you. Now that you’re engaged, I’ll tell you. You probably sensed it, but you and Adrian are truly compatible.”

Richel finally said the words Elsia had wanted to hear.

Elsia’s heart swelled with joy. It felt like she and Adrian were meant to be together.

Smiling in delight, Elsia suddenly grew curious about Richel.

“If your necklace is real, what about you? Haven’t you found your match yet?”

“I… I did… I guess?”

“Really? Congratulations!”

Elsia tried to congratulate her happily, but Richel’s expression looked a bit gloomy.

“Isn’t that a good thing? You don’t look happy.”

Elsia tilted her head and asked Richel.

“Well… Unlike you, I’m not thrilled about my match. I’m disappointed, but what can I do?”

Richel sighed. Hearing her, Elsia realized Richel’s mistake.

Just because the color changed for her ideal partner didn’t mean it would for the other person.

“So what will you do? I hope you find happiness, just as I did…”

Suddenly, Elsia worried for Richel, who had helped her but didn’t seem happy herself.

“Elsia!”

Before Richel could answer, Adrian called Elsia.

“Go on.”

Richel gestured for Elsia to leave.

“I hope only happiness fills your days together. Don’t worry about me—I’ll handle it myself.”

Richel smiled brightly, comforting Elsia.

“But…”

Elsia wanted to talk more with Richel, but Richel gently pushed her away, so she couldn’t continue.

Soon, the second part of the engagement began. The orchestra played lively music, and Adrian extended his hand.

“Would you like a dance?”

Come to think of it, Elsia had never danced with him.

“It would be an honor.”

Elsia was led by Adrian to the center. She hadn’t attended many balls, but she was confident in her dancing.

Yet today, she wanted to simply move as Adrian led her.

Adrian’s hand wrapped around her waist, and Elsia was pulled firmly into his embrace.

She surrendered herself to Adrian, moving as he guided. The guests watching their soft and elegant dance couldn’t hold back their praise, and a satisfied smile naturally appeared on Elsia’s lips.

“You’re truly beautiful today.”

When their eyes met, Adrian smiled and spoke.

“So are you.”

It was the first time the two had spoken alone today. Between the engagement ceremony and greeting guests, there hadn’t been a moment for conversation.

Elsia felt shy looking at his face. Though she had only dressed up a little more than usual, he looked so handsome and dazzling that she couldn’t look at him directly. Unconsciously, Elsia avoided Adrian’s gaze.

“Look at me.”

Suddenly, a sweet and gentle voice whispered in her ear, and Elsia’s eyes widened.

She glanced at Adrian, and his face was close enough for their breaths to mingle.

“From now on, be by my side forever.”

Adrian whispered quietly. Hearing those words, Elsia’s heart pounded fiercely and her face grew hot.

Ignoring the eyes around her, Elsia wrapped both arms around Adrian’s neck.

From his chest pressed to hers, she felt his warmth and the beat of his heart.

“Of course. Even if you say no, I’ll keep sticking to you.”

At Elsia’s words, Adrian’s steps stopped, and hers stopped as well.

He looked at her with his characteristic eye-smile.

Elsia’s lips touched Adrian’s cheek first. Then she felt his moist touch on her own cheek, and slowly their lips met.

Elsia gently stroked his lips, gradually sinking into the sensation as if she would melt, closing her eyes and savoring the time with him.

Was it okay to be this happy? Not long ago, she had thought her life was bland.

She never imagined that meeting Adrian would change her life so much. Elsia was certain there was no greater happiness than this.

The guests who witnessed their kiss erupted in cheers and exclamations, murmuring all at once.

At that moment, Elsia and Adrian’s lips parted, and the two looked at each other and smiled bashfully.

On a bright spring day, in the warm sunlight, their happy smiles lit up their faces.

<THE END>