When they heard footsteps, the father and daughter looked up simultaneously.

“Mommy!”

“You’re back?”

“What are you doing?”

“The child said she was hungry.”

He looked somewhat uncertain. When Achilleon hesitated, Roye quickly urged him to put in a handful of plums.

“Try it.”

“The kitchen’s a complete mess. I asked you to watch the child, not create more work.”

Silence fell at her cold response. Just then, a low thunder sounded, followed by the sound of heavy rain.

Whoosh—

Wind rushed through the slightly open window for ventilation, extinguishing the lamp.

In the dark and gloomy kitchen, only one candle flickered weakly. With a complicated expression, Hari passed by Achilleon, who was gripping and releasing the pan, and carried Roye to the living room.

Dinner was set in the living room instead of the chaotic kitchen table. Hari asked suspiciously.

“Did you make this?”

“Just the stew… I got help with the rest.”

The food looked delicious at first glance, with steam rising from it. However, Hari coldly put down her fork after taking only a few bites.

“That was good.”

“Try the pumpkin pie. I put the most effort into making it.”

“The chef did?”

Achilleon remained silent. Reluctantly, she took a small piece of cake with her fork. While chewing it in her mouth, she caught something hard. It was a ring with a small ruby embedded in it.

“Marry me, Hari.”

“……”

Swallowing the sigh she almost let out carelessly, she checked the calendar on the table. Yesterday was a black sapphire, the day before was turquoise, and what was it the day before that?

Hari learned for the first time that there were so many different types of gems in the world. On the other hand, Achilleon seemed foolish for repeatedly making blind proposals to someone who remained unmoved.

Each time, Hari avoided answering. Her rejection reaction jumped out before her will. It was also petty spite, wanting him to suffer heartache just like she had. However, even with cold rejections, Achilleon didn’t know how to give up.

For one month, two months, he came to court Hari with the most beautiful and precious things. Waiting in the rain, steadfastly keeping his place until she would look back at him.

‘What a persistent person.’

It was foolish love.

Today too, she had tried to drive Achilleon away without fail…

Rumble —whoooosh—

If she drove him away, would he stand outside in the rain again? Of course, it wasn’t her concern, but…

When she turned her head, she saw Achilleon removing dough from Roye’s forehead and nose bridge. Feeling her gaze, Achilleon looked at Hari while holding Roye on his lap.

“She’s my child.”

“…I know.”

Achilleon hugged the child tightly, like Roye was the only thread connecting him and Hari, and asked.

“Are you going to tell me to leave again?”

“If it weren’t for the rain, I would have.”

After a silence, Hari asked with a calm expression.

“Can you do anything for me? Do you truly love me?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

He nodded without a moment’s hesitation. In the green eyes looking up at her, moisture seemed to glimmer briefly. It might be her imagination. This person, over something like this.

Ah, speaking of moisture, she suddenly remembered three days ago. Achilleon had caused a flood in the house when he burst the water pipe while trying to fix it with Roye. The day when the father and daughter, soaked to the bone, greeted Hari.

Roye had been completely excited about experiencing this for the first time, and Achilleon was…

‘Why did he step forward when he could have called a court engineer?’

She wondered. And even now, everything was full of things she didn’t understand.

“How can you be so certain? How can I believe that?”

Hari asked, looking into the green eyes that showed moisture like before.

“I love you, Margharita.”

Achilleon knelt on one knee and grasped her hand. Pressing his dry cheek against the back of her hand, he gathered his sincerity and whispered. Mixed with tongue sounds, it sounded like a beast in pain. The sound of rain covering the surroundings grew distantly far.

“I love you.”

I love you, I love you…

The voice that kept repeating touched memories buried deep inside. When was it? A season when fresh greenery was abundant. The lush leaves sparkling under dazzling sunlight blurred before her eyes. Memories of all the times she had loved shone brilliantly like a rainbow. 

Through the gaps in those memories, she could see a black, round beast’s head. A red, long tongue. She had once thought that the voice whispering love while looking up at her blankly was like a lullaby. Even as its scales dried up under the hot sun, the snake circled the same spot and sang for her.

Simply because Hari liked it.

When was that?

At that moment, an intense memory like lightning flashed through her mind. The starting point of a relationship that was both misfortune and love.

“…Radamut.”

Hari muttered unconsciously. Even after saying it, it took time for her to understand why she had said such a thing. Hari looked down at the man kneeling before her.

‘Return to the one who loves you.’

A prophecy she had heard once echoed like a hallucination. Hari bit her lips. Her stomach churned and one corner of her chest ached.

Revenge, love-hate, all sorts of things swirled in her chest. Her trembling hand grasped his black hair like seaweed.

“I want you to suffer as much as I was in pain.”

“…”

“I want you to suffer beside me. Do you still want to be with me?”

Achilleon silently buried his face in Hari’s knees. Hari, who had been quietly watching him let out a low whisper of agreement, whispered.

“You’ll have to sing until your throat is dry. Foolish Radamut, you’ve always done that for me.”

Achilleon’s body trembled with a start. The eyes that finally looked up were sharply pained, but that was all. Radamut, he repeated blankly, drawing a mysterious smile that seemed both dejected and happy.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The black snake whispered while tenderly kissing the back of Hari’s hand.

“But if you want it, I’ll do anything.”

Foolish person. Stubborn beast.

You haven’t changed at all.

Hari quietly gazed at Achilleon who was kissing the back of her hand.

For the first time, for the first time since knowing him, strong ripples formed in her previously calm heart. Like being dipped in hot water, strength left her fingertips and she became peaceful. 

The feeling of something tightly closed pouring out in waves, moistening her dry body. Tracing distant memories, Hari smiled hazily. It was a complex smile that seemed both crying and laughing. She silently embraced Achilleon.

* * *

The statue of Goddess Igrito that had been removed from the Lagonia temple returned to its place after three years. It was Achilleon’s order. On the day the goddess statue was erected, the sacred fruit seeds that Hari had planted with Roye had become quite a large tree.

What had been a sprout seemed like just yesterday, but it had grown past waist height to the point where even adults had to crane their necks to look up at it.

“Wow, wow!”

Roye, wearing a pure white angel dress, cheered and ran around.

“Roye, you can’t run. You’ll get hurt!”

“The tree, mommy, and daddy are all so pretty.”

“What about Roye?”

“Roye is the prettiest!”

A long white carpet was laid under the sacred tree decorated with pure white paper flowers. The surroundings were filled with the fragrant scent of fresh flowers.

Hari took a deep breath and gripped her white dress. She relaxed her lips that had been stiff with tension and practiced smiling. It wasn’t much help though.

The Igrito temple was filled with lively musical performances and the laughter of guests. They were all distinguished guests who had come from far away to celebrate Hari and Achilleon’s marriage.

Hari looked around at the familiar faces. Geta, Ipea, and Doris with a troubled expression.

“Doris, what’s wrong?”

“These flowers. I’m wondering where to put them.”

He had arrived a couple of hours earlier pulling two huge flower carriages. A wedding gift sent by former Crown Princess Madalena, who had returned to her homeland, through Doris. The first carriage had gifts for Hari and Achilleon buried in piles of flowers, and the second carriage was full of clothes and toys for Roye.

They had already decorated not only the ceremony venue but also the house with flowers from the first carriage. Yet there were still enough left over.

“How about giving each guest a bouquet as a gift?”

“That’s a good idea.”

Doris, having found something to do, went off carrying flowers. The noble ladies attending as Achilleon’s guests were busy stealing glances at the tall and handsome priest.

“Mommy, fruit!”

Just then, Roye, who had run over holding Geta’s hand, held out her tiny palm to Hari. It was a small, red sacred tree fruit.

“The fruit has already ripened.”

“The number of magical beasts appearing in the southwestern villages has noticeably decreased. The black earth and trees that had been tainted with poison have also been restored to their original state. The abnormally high magical power levels are also dropping, so these are good signs, brother.”

A calm voice suddenly interrupted. When she turned around, Achilleon and King Trinita, who had been crowned as the new king of Hitais, were standing there.

“It means the tree is fulfilling its role. Thanks to Lady Hari and the residents of Lagonia who took good care of the sacred tree.”

The young king was very pleased and handed Hari a congratulatory gift. It was a large box wrapped in luxurious velvet and quite heavy.

“Miss, could there be such a joyful day! Congratulations on your marriage!”

“How could you keep the fact that you have such a lovely daughter completely secret from us? You should have at least sent a letter.”

Julia and Ilisei pouted, saying they were both happy and disappointed. There wasn’t much time left until the wedding ceremony. While Hari was comforting the two, she suddenly felt a gaze and turned her head.

“Hari.”

Achilleon stood there, like her, in pure white ceremonial clothes with a yellow orchid pinned to his chest. His peplos flowed elegantly to the floor and the golden crown was visible on his head. 

Approaching with a fresh scent of grass flowers, Achilleon was as beautiful as a god painted in temple murals.

“Beautiful.”

“You too…”

Are beautiful. She swallowed the last words. Hari smiled awkwardly, feeling her cheeks grow warm. Their figures standing side by side were reflected in the oasis. Achilleon, wearing a smile, squeezed Hari’s hand firmly.