Erin looked at Titi clinging to her shoulder. Though Titi was Dayna’s spirit, it preferred being with Erin over Dayna.

At first, Erin worried that Dayna might feel hurt, but she accepted Titi after hearing what Dayna said.

“Dayna has many friends.”

Hearing Alexis’s words, it made sense.

“Princess Dayna is a genius. In terms of spirit magic, she’s a genius comparable to me.”

Alexis was someone who always viewed his own genius objectively.

He was the most talented mage in magical history, and being called a genius comparable to him was the highest praise possible.

“Besides the spirit called Titi, she’s probably communicating with many other spirits. So you don’t need to worry.”

She had heard that spirit materialization happened through contracts. Alexis explained that Titi had a strong desire to materialize, which allowed it to reveal itself first.

“This is also something I’m seeing for the first time. A spirit showing affection toward someone with absolutely no affinity for spirits.”

Unfortunately, Erin, who had exceptional talent in swordsmanship, was told she had no talent for spirit magic.

The same was true for Ferdin.

Alexis said he couldn’t understand how Dayna, born between such parents, could become a spirit mage. 

Erin petted Titi lovingly. Just like Erin had crossed long years to protect and meet Ferdin, Titi was fighting its own battle.

Ferdin also carefully petted Titi’s head.

Titi narrowed its eyes for a moment, looking at Ferdin like he was bothersome, then closed them like granting special permission. Erin almost laughed at Titi’s behavior.

That’s when it happened.

The chamberlain’s voice was heard, “Your Majesty, Duke Hedor and Duchess Hedor have come to visit.”

After Ferdin gave permission, Princess Asili and Amon appeared. Gerald was with them.

Gerald bowed to Ferdin and Erin, then hurriedly looked around. Erin almost laughed at his reaction. The person Gerald was looking for was definitely Dayna. Every time he came to the imperial palace, Gerald always looked for Dayna first.

Princess Asili blushed and bowed her head, “I came because there’s something I’d like to ask of Lady Erin and Your Majesty.”

The Princess carefully grasped her son Gerald’s shoulder.

“Would you possibly be willing to become Gerald’s godmother and godfather?”

Erin blinked in surprise. Amon was also scratching his cheek shyly. Ferdin looked at Erin. She carefully nodded. Princess Asili and Amon were comrades who had weathered difficult times together.

Becoming the godmother of their child Gerald was meaningful for Erin too. At Ferdin and Erin’s reaction, the Princess joyfully grasped Erin’s hand.

“The goddess once showed me a future.”

The children beside Erin and Ferdin. And a man beside herself whose face she couldn’t see clearly. As time passed, she learned that man was Amon.

But the Princess was happier not knowing that fact.

That’s why she was grateful to the goddess. If she had known that man was Amon, things might not have worked out well with him.

Knowing the future was more painful than expected. It made her think that the choices she made might actually be someone else’s choices. But the Princess was certain.

There was a reason the goddess didn’t show her the man’s face when revealing that future. Meeting Amon was her choice. Asking Erin and Ferdin to become Gerald’s godmother and godfather was also her choice.

At some point, the goddess stopped showing the Princess the future. The Princess was happier about that fact. She could pioneer her own future.

“I never thought I’d have this kind of relationship with Sir Amon.”

“…”

“Being able to choose my own future seems truly happy.”

Princess Asili said this while embracing Erin.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to choose. For letting me have a future where I exist.”

“…”

“Thank you also for becoming my child’s godfather and godmother.”

* * *

It was deep in the evening.

Erin was looking at Dayna and Casion’s sleeping forms with Ferdin. Dayna and Casion were lying on Erin and Ferdin’s bed. The bed used by the Emperor was so enormous that it was large enough for four people to lie down.

This happened because Dayna and Casion had whined about wanting to sleep together tonight. Erin briefly kissed the foreheads of the children sleeping so lovingly. The Princess’s words from earlier wouldn’t leave her mind.

‘The opportunity to choose…’

The life Erin was living and breathing now was a life she had chosen. Erin could have chosen not to be reborn here. She could have lived burying the pain of the past.

But she chose a life where she saved Ferdin and bore children with him. Erin felt her heart swelling. Ferdin took her hand.

He whispered in her ear, “Erin, thank you for marrying me.”

Erin looked at him.

“You don’t know how happy the life I gained through your efforts is.”

“I wasn’t the only one who made an effort…”

The next moment, Ferdin gently embraced Erin.

This moment felt dreamlike to Erin. After first defeating the Emperor, she used to have nightmares.

Nightmares where the Emperor came back to life and killed Ferdin. She also had nightmares that defeating the Emperor was actually her dream.

Erin asked Ferdin, “This isn’t a dream, right…?”

“A dream?”

“This daily life that’s happy enough to bring tears… I sometimes worry it might be a dream.”

“Erin…”

“I know it’s a foolish worry.”

“It’s not foolish at all.”

At Erin’s words, Ferdin carefully kissed her lips.

Erin was the strongest person in this empire. But very occasionally, she would become small because of past pain.

At those times, Ferdin was always there beside her.

Ferdin completely understood Erin’s pain. He too had times when he was anxious that current happiness might scatter like grains of sand.

“Erin, this isn’t a dream.”

Ferdin stroked Erin’s back. So she could feel his body temperature.

“Our happiness isn’t a dream. I can’t be a dream either.”

“…”

“Whenever you feel anxious, I’ll always let you know.”

Erin caressed Ferdin’s face. This warm temperature told her that his existence wasn’t a dream.

Ferdin continued speaking, “After Mother passed away, I also had various dreams.”

“What kind of dreams?”

“Situations similar to now. Dreams where I watched a loved one beside me and children sleeping peacefully…”

Hearing Ferdin’s words, Erin thought that if it were such a dream, she would want to keep having it.

“The dream came true.”

Ferdin took Erin’s hand. He nodded with a gentle smile.

“Yes, so I’m truly happy, Erin.”

Erin, who had been looking at him, slowly opened her mouth.

“Me too, Ferdin.”

Erin felt certain she wouldn’t be anxious anymore.

“Mom, Dad?”

Erin smiled awkwardly. Dayna and Casion, who had woken up, were looking at Ferdin and her. Casion reached out his hands toward Erin. Erin hugged Casion. Dayna was already in Ferdin’s arms. Casion whined in a voice full of sleepiness.

“I had a dream.”

Erin asked Casion in a gentle voice.

“What kind of dream did you have?”

“A dream with Mom, Dad, and Sister Dayna.”

Dayna opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“I had a similar dream too…!”

“Dayna had a dream too?”

“Yes, I dreamed of eating delicious cake with Mom and Dad.”

Dayna said this while wiggling her fingers.

“But there was a really kind lady there.”

“A kind lady?”

“She looked like Dad…”

From Dayna’s mumbling, Erin could guess who the kind lady Dayna mentioned was. She had dreamed of the previous Saint.

“Dayna, let’s eat delicious cake tomorrow.”

“Really?”

“Of course, such happy dreams should be made into reality.”

Dayna looked excited. Erin and Ferdin carefully laid the children back down. Then they too lay on the bed. It was a night with the family of four together.

Even the moonlight was shining brightly, seemingly blessing them. Erin felt Ferdin taking her hand. Dayna and Casion snuggled into her arms. She closed her eyes and prayed to the goddess.

‘May this happiness be eternal…’

Erin fell asleep with a happy face. Soon the goddess’s answer reached her ears.

[“It will be as you wish.”]

fin.