Side Story 2. Change and Miracle

The carriage shook as it traveled over rough terrain. Aris tensed her already stiff back.

She was already mentally preparing herself like someone who might encounter an accident while climbing the treacherous mountain range.

Watching her, Kalaian asked.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes, since it’s been a while since I’ve been home…”

She hadn’t seen her parents since their brief meeting at the wedding. She hadn’t visited home even once.

They had come to her wedding to wish her happiness and apologize once again for the past.

In truth, Aris still hadn’t accepted their apology.

During the 3 years without Kalaian, she had visited the Marquis’s residence at Aion’s invitation, but things remained awkward with her parents.

“Seeing you makes me nervous too. It’s been quite a while since I met the Marquis and Marchioness. We’re not exactly on good terms either.”

“…You must feel very uncomfortable, right?”

Aris looked at him with worried eyes. He probably felt more uncomfortable with them than she did.

Long ago, one of his beloved family members had departed sadly due to an incident involving Marquis Eldeiz.

Concerned about that incident, Aris hadn’t visited the Marquis’s residence since her marriage. It would be a long journey to the east, and she didn’t want to go alone. It was even harder to suggest going together with her husband.

So when Aion sent a letter asking how about visiting home after so long, she only wrote back apologizing. Days passed of her sighing upon receiving Aion’s letters, until Kalaian noticed and cheerfully suggested they go to the east together.

“It’s not that bad, so don’t worry. Actually, those uncomfortable feelings faded away long ago.”

He smiled reassuringly.

For him, who spent an unfathomable time in the rift, no anger from the past remained. There, he had discarded all distracting thoughts to survive, thinking only of Aristena.

Therefore, while he might not be able to treat the Marquis couple warmly, he could at least avoid hating them like before.

If Aris had been particularly close with her parents, Kalaian would have even made an effort to treat the Marquis couple warmly for her sake. That’s how unbothered he was now.

Feelings from the past naturally dulled through countless moments of time. Unless it was something that was desperately important to his life, like his feelings for Aristena.

Aris watched his calm expression and let out a faint smile. She turned her gaze to the moving window and murmured.

“Is that so. Really… many things have changed.”

She wasn’t just talking about the changes in him.

Visiting her hometown of her own accord, heading home with him, her family inviting her home… She meant all of these things together.

In other words, she was talking about how much had changed compared to her previous life.

Kalaian caught her meaning and replied.

“These are the changes you brought about, Aristena.”

Her gaze slid back to Kalaian. A fresh smile bloomed on Aris’s lips.

Without needing to say more, they could understand each other’s hearts.

That this miracle was possible because he existed too.

* * *

Aris stared at the familiar mansion’s view before stiffly straightening her head. Kalaian let out a slight laugh seeing her solemn expression.

‘Is she that nervous?’

When the butler came out to greet them, Aris followed them inside. Watching her retreating figure, Kalaian’s smile gradually faded.

‘…How badly must they have mistreated Aristena in this house.’

Why should visiting one’s hometown be such a nerve-wracking affair?

Though he thought his anger towards them had grown dim, remembering that fact made his rage boil up again.

Of course, his past self wasn’t any different. What angered him was that there hadn’t been a single person to comfort Aristena during that time.

That fact painfully compressed his chest. Because it was unbearably heartbreaking. Because he hated himself enough to want to tear himself apart for contributing to that situation.

“Kalaian, hurry! I have somewhere to show you!”

As his slow steps widened the distance between them, Aris turned around and waved her hand, urging him to hurry.

Her lovely green eyes, which had been stiff with tension until just now, were suddenly full of excitement. She looked around searching for good places to show him.

A curve returned to his lips that had been losing their smile. Kalaian strode to her side and lightly wrapped his arm around Aris’s waist.

“The Eldeiz residence is truly beautiful.”

“Right? I’ll admit at least the scenery is nice.”

At least the scenery.

The oddly placed thorn made its presence known. Kalaian kept laughing, amused.

“Kalaian, the most beautiful place in our house is the stone fountain that appears when you go inside the garden. Let’s go there together later.”

“Let’s do that. I look forward to it.”

Aris finally chattered like someone who had come to their hometown. Her voice was like a chirping mountain bird, or like a chorus of clear water droplets falling.

The scent of large roses landscaped throughout the Marquis’s residence drifted on the wind.

The warm east was full of greenery and flowers, overflowing with quiet vitality. It was clear why people from the west said the east was full of vigor and romance after visiting.

Kalaian carefully took in his wife’s hometown where she was born and raised. Every single place, without missing any.

* * *

Ahem. The sound of clearing a throat rang especially loud in the silence. The Marquis opened his mouth at the dinner gathering of family members.

“Thank you for coming such a long way.”

“I should thank you for inviting us. Besides, with my wife by my side, it wasn’t such a long journey.”

Kalaian answered gently while wearing a ceremonial smile. Though he hadn’t put up walls, a cold wind blew between Bendere Eldeiz and Kalaian.

While it might be different for Kalaian, the Eldeiz couple probably still had uncomfortable feelings remaining about the past.

If they would just try to curry favor with him like before, the atmosphere wouldn’t be this frozen.

The Marquis couple, probably feeling guilty about how they had mistreated their daughter in the past, couldn’t brazenly act like before towards Kalaian, who radiated an aura of ‘loving his wife enough to give his life for her’ with just his eyes.

After a brief silence, Bendere shifted his gaze to Aris and spoke.

“Aristena, since you’ve finally come home, rest comfortably while you’re here.”

“Yes, Father.”

Aris showed a faint smile and picked up her cutlery. But throughout the meal, she could barely tell if the food was going down her nose or mouth because of the stares being poured on her.

“Aristena, would you like to try this too?”

“Thank you…”

“There’s something on your mouth.”

Kalaian wiped Aris’s mouth directly with his handkerchief and looked at her as if she was cute. Right beside them, honey-dripping gazes were cast, while uncomfortable gazes came from the opposite side.

Moreover, during the meal, Kalaian even interlocked fingers with Aris and placed their hands on the table as if showing off.

Though he wasn’t much different usually, he didn’t normally show such extreme doting behavior.

“It’s nice to see. This look of being loved suits you, Sister. You’ve found your place.”

Aion suddenly cut in with a bright smile and added his words. Aris looked at her brother with shocked eyes at his embarrassing words.

‘Why is he acting like that?’

Aris felt a bit creeped out since he didn’t usually say such things.

“Your Grace speaks only truth.”

Kalaian nodded seriously. Then they exchanged glances and suddenly started passing compliments about Aris back and forth while laughing warmly.

Caught between them, Aris didn’t know what to do with the discomfort. Hearing the excessive praise that bordered on worship, she wondered if embarrassment was her share.

Finally, Aris elbowed Kalaian.

“Why are you being like this, Kalaian…”

Aris glanced up and whispered in a voice only he could hear. In response, Kalaian reached out and lightly stroked Aris’s cheek.

His violet eyes filled with deep affection lingered on her face, then shifted to glimpse the Marquis and his wife visible behind.

As Aris unconsciously followed his gaze, Kalaian once again took in his wife with his eyes and bloomed a gentle smile.

“Among the many people I’ve seen, my wife is the most deserving of love.”

Anyone could tell his voice was filled with sincerity. His gaze that had been looking at Aris lovingly once again traced up to reach the Marquis.

“Isn’t that right?”

Kalaian asked with a smile. The Marquis, who hadn’t said anything until now, answered after clearing his throat.

“…Yes. I agree.”

Bendere’s quiet answer carried a slight discomfort. However, rather than displeasure, his tone gave more of an apologetic feeling.

Aris blanked out for a moment at her father’s answer, then raised her eyes to stare at Kalaian.

When their eyes met, he first smiled affectionately with wrinkled eyes. In response, Aris couldn’t help but smile too.

I see.

Though the subject and object weren’t clear, Aris’s heart loosened with some kind of realization. A subtle fullness that came during the dinner time embraced her.

Thank you.

Aris conveyed her sincerity through her eyes. He seemed to understand, raising his eyebrows with a light eye signal.

As if to say, ‘You’re welcome.’