Chapter 114

The old Wintlet estate.  

The first guest to be invited to what had now become Sabrina’s cozy sanctuary was Elena, her closest friend, who had once offered her a place to stay without hesitation when Sabrina was uncertain about her future.  

After playing with Lay in the garden for quite some time, the two women lay side by side on the well-manicured lawn, catching their breath. The cool breeze soothed their flushed skin, bringing a pleasant sensation.  

Turning to look at Elena lying beside her, Sabrina spoke.  

“It feels refreshing to run around after so long, doesn’t it?”  

“It really does. Spending time like this is nice every now and then. Staying indoors all the time can get suffocating.”  

Elena scratched Lay’s golden fur as she replied.  

“Can I visit often to see Lay?”  

“Of course. Anytime.”  

“After spending a few months together, I’ve grown so attached. It feels lonely now that you and Lay are gone. The mansion feels so empty these days. I wish we could go back to living together like before…”  

Huh? What’s this?  

Sabrina looked at Elena with a puzzled expression when her words suddenly trailed off. Elena quickly shook her head with an awkward smile.  

“I’m just rambling. Don’t mind me. I was just saying whatever came to mind.”  

Elena swiftly changed the subject.  

“By the way, have you heard? The eldest son of the Raymond family is marrying Lady Meison.”  

“Really? That must be the talk of the social circles. Both the Raymonds and the Meisons are families that hold significant sway in society.”  

Elena nodded.  

“They say the proposal event was extravagant. They invited close acquaintances and turned it into a party.”  

“Hmm.”  

“Speaking of which…”  

Elena’s voice took on a meaningful tone as she asked with a sparkle in her eyes,  

“Don’t you have any dreams about proposals? A romantic ideal, perhaps?”  

At Elena’s question, Sabrina replied indifferently,  

“Not really. I’ve never given it much thought.”  

“Well, you can start thinking about it now. Doesn’t just imagining it make your heart flutter? Be honest with me. Come on.”  

Elena leaned closer to Sabrina, shaking her arm insistently as she pressed for an answer.  

Though Sabrina found Elena’s behavior unusual, she decided to humor her and gave it some thought.  

‘If Chase were to propose to me…’  

After a moment, Sabrina spoke.  

“I wouldn’t want anything too flashy or grand. Honestly, the simpler it is, the better. I think it would be nice if the atmosphere allowed us to focus solely on each other.”  

“What else?”  

“Well… I think it would be even better if it were a place that holds significant meaning or importance for both of us.”  

“Interesting. A meaningful, important place, you say.”  

“Of course, the most important thing is the person saying those words.”  

A soft smile appeared on Sabrina’s lips as she thought of Chase.  

“If it’s someone I love, I don’t think the method matters all that much. Even if it’s not particularly stylish or extraordinary…”  

“……”  

“That person is already the most wonderful and special to me.”  

As Sabrina finished speaking, only the sound of the wind rustling through the grass filled the garden. Elena silently watched Sabrina’s serene expression before her lips curved into a gentle smile.  

“…You’re right.”  

Elena’s smile brightened as she spoke in a cheerful voice.  

“You’re absolutely right. A proposal from someone you love with all your heart—there’s nothing more perfect than that.”  

Elena stretched her arms upward as if reaching for the sky. Looking up at the cloudless blue sky, she murmured softly,  

“…He’s really lucky, you know.”  

“Hm? What did you say? I didn’t catch that.”  

“Oh, nothing. I just said I’m jealous. You’ve already found someone like that, Sabrina.”  

With a small grunt, Elena sat up and extended a hand toward Sabrina.  

“You deserve to be even happier than you already are, Sabrina.”  

***

After Elena left, Sabrina lay on her soft bed, slowly reflecting on their conversation. Tilting her head slightly, she murmured to herself.

“Today, Elena was acting unusually.”  

She had brought up gossip from the social scene, something she never cared about, asked random questions, and even pried persistently. It was all so unlike her usual self.  

“Why was that? Did something happen?”  

Perhaps she had met someone new she liked. Maybe she had grown interested in marriage after feeling lonely in her empty home. Or could it be that someone around her was preparing for a proposal?  

As Sabrina thought carefully, trying to piece things together, her lips parted slightly.  

“Ah.”  

She murmured softly.  

“Elena and Chase were quite close, weren’t they?”  

Their relationship had never been particularly deep. They didn’t go out of their way to meet or share jokes and laughter.  

In truth, even if their interactions had been more of a means to an end, there had been rumors between them. Both had maintained a deliberate distance to avoid unnecessary gossip.  

But there was one undeniable commonality between them—a shared affection for Sabrina. For her sake, they would join forces without hesitation, aligning their intentions.  

‘They’re plotting something together again.’  

Sabrina chuckled softly to herself.  

‘Chase must have asked for her help. He’s preparing a proposal and needed someone who could confirm my preferences.’ 

Realizing the full story, Sabrina’s body relaxed. She buried her face in her pillow, laughing aloud. 

“It seems like I wasn’t supposed to figure it out just yet… Knowing Chase so well isn’t always helpful in moments like these.”  

Though she had discovered Chase’s plan to propose, it wasn’t an unwelcome spoiler. Instead, it felt like a thrilling preview.  

With a face full of anticipation, Sabrina murmured,  

“When will he do it? I hope it’s as soon as possible. Waiting is hard.”  

***

“Sabrina, what are you thinking about so deeply?”  

Chase’s worried expression broke through Sabrina’s brief recollection. Her prolonged silence seemed to have made him uneasy, prompting a stream of anxious questions.  

“Is the ring not to your liking? Was the study too plain of a setting? I thought about filling it with flowers…”  

“No, no, Your Majesty.”  

Sabrina placed a reassuring hand on Chase’s shoulder, her smile radiant like the moon. She spoke each word with deliberate emphasis.  

“I love everything. It’s perfect, Your Majesty.”  

“……!”  

“You should put it on me now. The ring.”  

Sabrina extended her left hand.  

With trembling fingers, Chase carefully took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger.  

Sleekly and effortlessly, the ring fit her finger perfectly, as though it had been made just for her.  

Chase held her hand firmly. Their slender fingers intertwined, their hands fitting together seamlessly, like two halves of a single heart.  

As he gazed down at their clasped hands, Chase slowly opened his lips to speak.  

“I love you, Sabrina.”  

Chase confessed with all his heart.  

“I’ll love you more with each passing day.”  

In response to Chase’s confession, Sabrina gave him the brightest smile in the world. Her voice was tender as she replied,  

“Me too, Your Majesty. No, wait.”  

Shaking her head, Sabrina looked directly into Chase’s eyes and confessed,  

Words she had never spoken before, but ones she would say as naturally as breathing for the rest of her life.  

“I love you, Chase.”  

At last, the shadows of the two figures on the wall slowly merged into one. It was the perfect end to a perfect day and the beginning of a perfect night.  

***

「Imperial Calendar, Year XXX, Month XX, Day XX  

D-Day.  

Today marks the start of a new chapter with my perfect superior.  

As lifelong lovers, steadfast family,  

And as each other’s one and only partner.」  

Fin.