Epilogue: Until the Fake Ideal Type Becomes Real

The northern soldiers returned safely from the battlefield. Thanks to their early departure by several hours, they avoided the aftermath of the disaster and went straight to fight the barbarians alongside Tehis.

Although they intended to hold them accountable for participating in the rebellion, what greeted them was the corpse of the slain chieftain. The moderates, who had opposed joining hands with Chernin Harpeon and declared they did not wish for further war, killed the chieftain, the leader of the hardliners, as soon as they heard of the shamans’ annihilation.

The remaining barbarians, offering sacrifices and bowing flat on the ground, were allowed to live under the Crown Prince’s tacit approval. Though they could not propose a way to awaken the Emperor, who lay in a death-like slumber, they fully surrendered, accepting all other conditions.

Chernin Harpeon and Britan Fernand were captured in the Kingdom of Pnea. Though they had hidden in the royal family, which was related to the Duke Fernand family by marriage, the prince, certain of the plot’s failure, betrayed them.

Poisoned and dragged to the Superia Empire, the two rebels were imprisoned in the imperial underground dungeon. All members of the Duke Fernand family, except for the Princess Consort of the Kingdom of Pnea, filled an entire floor of the prison.

Protests that there was no direct evidence were dismissed. The drunken and reckless remarks of Demian Fernand were recorded and replayed on an artifact.

Even the Third Consort, the mother of the Third Prince, along with her family and all her maids, was imprisoned.

The execution dates for the rebels were set, but a more significant event took precedence.

The coronation of Kaishan Harpeon. A month after the war ended, the Crown Prince ascended to the throne.

“Congratulations, Kaishan. You’ve finally become the Emperor.”

“Haha, having a Senior Mage from the Mage Tower personally come to congratulate me—I’m truly honored. It’ll be a lifelong source of pride.”

“If you keep saying that, I’ll go back.”

“I’m sorry, just joking.”

The empire had endured countless incidents throughout the winter. To lift the somber atmosphere, grand banquets and festivals were held in the capital.

Among the attendees, Chloe and Tehis mostly stayed in their own world. Many nobles approached them, but neither seemed inclined to socialize, repeatedly putting up barriers.

As a result, the only ones they truly conversed with were Kaishan and Helena. Even with them, the busiest of the imperial family today, the time spent was brief.

Clack.

The door of a carriage bearing the Escalante emblem closed. Chloe slumped into the plush seat, letting out a sigh.

“See? These kinds of events really don’t suit me.”

An imperial coronation was no light affair. Beyond managing the northern region, preparing dresses, gifts, and dances had drained her energy.

A comforting hand reached out to her, naturally belonging to Tehis.

“You’ve worked hard, Chloe. There won’t be any mandatory events for a while, so please take this time to rest.”

“Kaishan and Helena’s birthdays are next month, aren’t they?”

Chloe tilted her head, recalling that their birthdays were in early and late March, respectively. Even though one party would be held mid-month due to the chaotic times, it still meant another visit to the capital wasn’t far off.

Tehis was aware of this fact, though his perspective differed.

“You can attend if you wish, but it’s not necessary. The original contract has lost its validity.”

“Ah.”

Chloe remembered the contract she had made with Tehis. She chuckled at the memory of negotiating all sorts of clauses.

Her attendance at the emperor’s birthday party last year had been solely due to the contract. It stipulated that she must attend banquets bearing the Emperor’s seal as his partner.

But now…

“Why would I bother with that now? I’m your lover, so of course, I’ll follow you to the banquets you attend.”

As if he didn’t already know.

Chloe rested her cheek on Tehis’s shoulder. When she playfully poked his waist with her finger, his large hand covered hers to stop her.

It wasn’t because he was ticklish. He was merely restraining his desires to avoid causing any incidents in the carriage.

When Chloe looked up, their gazes met at a very close distance.

Tehis’s blue eyes, at moments like this, seemed to glow red. Though his expression remained calm and composed, his eyes burned with an intense heat, as if devouring her.

It was a moment that left her breathless without knowing why.

“…That may be true.”

After a brief pause, Tehis spoke in a slow tone. He gently turned his head to press a reverent kiss on Chloe’s forehead. His voice, low and soft, murmured like a whisper.

“But I hope you don’t overexert yourself. That includes matters of marriage, Chloe. I’m perfectly content with our current relationship, so there’s no need for you to risk being expelled from the Mage Tower.”

“Ah.”

Chloe realized why Tehis was saying this. It must have been triggered by the conversation with Helena at the end.

<Who knows? Maybe your wedding will come before our birthdays?>

The princess had teasingly thrown out the remark, which Chloe had deflected with a neutral response, saying they’d set a date when the time came.

‘He’s been waiting to say this since then.’

A faint laugh escaped her lips. She raised her other hand to cup the face of the man who was like a sculpture.

Tracing his face with her fingertips, she spoke gently.

“With everything moving so fast, I forgot to mention it. The proposal I submitted to the Council of Elders has passed.”

“Does that mean…?”

Chloe lifted her head from Tehis’s shoulder. Meeting his slightly widened eyes, she smiled softly.

“I didn’t ask for marriage approval specifically, but they won’t interfere with anything I do. Considering how quiet they’ve been despite all the chaos I caused this winter, it’s clear.”

“Chloe.”

The broad knight enveloped the mage in his arms. As his lips descended as if to kiss her, Chloe’s hand stopped him.

“But you do understand that doesn’t mean I’m agreeing to marry you, right? It just means the possibility is there.”

Having unlocked an unattainable future, the rest was up to them. Without worrying about anyone’s gaze, they could now envision a future they truly desired, as individuals.

“Do your best, Tehis. If you keep wooing me as you’ve done so far, who knows? I might decide to marry you.”

“Chloe.”

Tehis called her name again, moving her hand aside and meeting her gaze with eyes ablaze.

There had always been parts of himself he held back. Though he treated her with utmost care, he often stopped short, considering the uncertain future.

This was especially true when topics like marriage or children arose. He would bite his tongue to suppress his words, and Chloe would change the subject for him.

But now, she was telling him to try harder.

It was as if she had unleashed the beast’s leash.

“You’d better not take those words back. You can’t run away, saying it’s too much. I won’t waste any opportunity that comes my way.”

His words were filled with sincerity. Tehis was determined to push Chloe until she envisioned a future with him.

After all, she loved him just as much as he loved her. If she had no intention of marrying him, she wouldn’t have gone as far as to secure support for their relationship through the Council of Elders.

‘Chloe’s birthday is in April, isn’t it?’

Spring, when life awakens from winter’s slumber and colorful, fragrant flowers bloom under the warm sunlight.

It was the perfect season to propose, marking their first anniversary together.

<The story of a mage from the Mage Tower and a Grand Duke, who fell in love at first sight and caused a sensation with their romance, finally culminating in marriage! Isn’t it a tale straight out of a novel? If it were published, it would sell like hotcakes.>

The princess’s words were true. Though she knew nothing of their circumstances, every event they had gone through felt like a chapter from a novel.

Their first meeting, their reunion, their contract, and all the subsequent events led to a happy ending for Tehis, all because Chloe was by his side.

Who could have predicted that a fake ideal type would turn into this?

‘Though she’s no longer my ideal type from back then.’

His past ideal type, based solely on appearance, was somewhat different from Chloe’s current look.

Her hair, which appeared pink or purple depending on the light. Her eyes, still orange but now softer, like the light of a pale sunset.

At first glance, it was hard to associate her with his old ideal type. Her previous striking colors had been so vivid.

But what did any of that matter?

After all, his ideal type was Chloe herself.

They had built countless memories together and endured various hardships.

While their future might not be all happiness, Tehis was prepared for anything. In truth, his anticipation far outweighed his worries.

From now on, his goals were clear.

First, as he had promised Chloe, he would woo her with all his might. Then, when spring arrived, he would propose and succeed in marrying her.

When that time came, they could summarize their year together in one phrase:

Until the fake ideal type became real.

『Until the Fake Ideal Type Becomes Real』 Complete