Chapter 87

There are many people, but because there are also many stalls, the entire capital looks like a festival venue, so it’s not that crowded. They must have divided the areas skillfully.

As they walked from the square towards the river, stalls lined the way continuously.

There were rare glass crafts, pottery, machinery, and plants, all of which were novel and enjoyable. Today, they were incognito, so it was a shame they couldn’t buy as much as they wanted.

What particularly caught the eye was a mother-of-pearl box decorated with iridescent shells.

"Wow, it’s beautiful..."

"Is this your first time seeing it?"

"Yes."

Though she had seen something like it in her past life.

She hadn’t seen much of the Oriental style. She had seen ceramics, but lacquerware and such intricate crafts were technologies she thought didn’t exist in this world. It felt somewhat nostalgic.

"——I heard it’s a developing technique from a minority tribe. If they refine their skills a bit more, it might be handled among the nobility."

"Is that so? It’s already beautiful enough..."

"It’s because it’s night. In the sunlight, the roughness is more noticeable."

The box Cynthia held had a pattern of butterflies fluttering and sparkling.

"Let’s buy it as a memento of today."

"Oh, thank you."

Perhaps because she was so engrossed, Rias had already handed over the coins to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper had a distinctly foreign appearance and wore ethnic clothing. They seemed to understand the language.

"The current shopkeeper somewhat resembles Tan in atmosphere."

Dark-skinned, with deep-set features and black hair.

After leaving the shop, Cynthia mentioned this, and Rias answered thoughtfully.

"——Yes, I think it’s close to the country where Tan’s mother is from."

Tan’s father is the head butler and a noble with a title. However, he married a traveler from a foreign land after a great love affair. As a result, Tan doesn’t inherit the title, but apparently, he’s fine with it because he wants to become a knight. This was something Cynthia heard when choosing a squire.

She didn’t know which country he was from.

Putting the purchased box in her pocket, Rias extended his hand. Cynthia took it and walked with Rias.

Several shops selling lanterns lined the riverbank.

The flower lanterns were simple lanterns made of a single candle and thin paper, decorated with flowers.

"These... the cleanup afterward must be quite troublesome, right?"

"Yes. The paper dissolves, but nets are set up downstream to collect the garbage. Every year, the morning after the festival, the waterways at five locations are cleaned simultaneously from early morning."

"Oh..."

Hearing this made her hesitate a bit.

However, it’s a good source of income for the townspeople because it’s a profitable job.

"These flower lanterns are for lovers only."

Rias handed the lantern he bought to Cynthia.

She thought he didn’t particularly care since he bought it immediately from among many varieties.

Cynthia looked at the lantern in her hand. It was indeed pink, with birds depicted.

"These flower lanterns, when floated, symbolize a pledge of mutual love, creating a stronger bond."

"Oh. Did you look it up?"

"It’s my first time floating a lantern, so I asked Ruben."

"Eh, Ruben?"

An unexpected name came up. Not the one who spreads rumors in the Peninsularia Knights or the one known for being a devoted husband.

"Ruben... is single, right? Does he have someone like that?"

He’s quite old, but she thought he found his purpose in work.

"No. He said he’s dated before, but it never lasted. He said he can’t find a woman who matches his interests."

Ah, that makes sense.

Cynthia recalled Ruben’s usual somewhat troublesome speech.

"Apparently, floating these lanterns with a couple is a staple of the spring festival. He strongly recommended it."

Cynthia felt a bit conflicted.

An event strongly recommended by someone whose relationships don’t last...

No, it’s better not to think too deeply. Now, Ruben is a trusted confidant who supports Rias and Cynthia. His information has never been wrong. As long as she doesn’t overthink it.

Rias and Cynthia released the lantern into the water.

The many lights that create a path of light, which they usually only see from a distance. Thinking that one of those lights was released by them made her feel happy.

People were scattered, gazing at the path of light.

Cynthia also watched the beautiful water flow for a while. Rias gently draped his jacket over her and pulled her closer.

"Ah, warm."

"Good."

Rias always has a high body temperature. Just being close to him made the cold spring night air unnoticeable.

Cynthia rested her head on Rias’s broad chest.

"Thank you for bringing me here."

She knew it wasn’t an easy thing. She was well aware that Rias always kept his nerves sharp to protect Cynthia and the children.

He always repels those who target the light magic, even if it’s not obvious.

Yet, he doesn’t seem to find it difficult, and he’s smiling genuinely, not forcing it.

"I’m the one who should be grateful. I was happy to be invited on a date."

Rias gently embraced Cynthia.

"Actually, I should have invited you much earlier."

In Rias’s strong arms, Cynthia gazed at the water, feeling content.

Forgetting the busy daily routine, she just let time pass peacefully.

Suddenly, she felt the urge to speak about something she had never been able to say.

"Rias... there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time."

"Yes."

She had been thinking about saying it for years.

Rias didn’t prompt her to continue but waited quietly.

"I know another future."

When she remembered her past life. She felt like she had died in her past life and transferred into this body, and she desperately tried to give birth to Eidan.

While hovering between life and death, her memories slowly mixed—

She tried to investigate why this happened, but she never met anyone who had a similar experience, nor were there any records or magic that could explain it.

"I passed by you, and I mistreated Eidan..."

Just thinking about it made her spine chill. Now, she loves her child so much, but she had hurt, neglected, and cursed him with harsh words.

She didn’t know the details of what she had done. But even the parts not mentioned in the novel, Eidan must have been hurt continuously.

Even a minor scratch made her heart ache. Thinking about those wounds made her feel like her heart would burst.

"I said I couldn’t understand Alro’s father... but I might have been doing the same thing."

"That’s impossible."

Rias firmly stated.

But if she hadn’t remembered her past life, that’s the world she would have been in.

"——I also remembered the past."

"The past...?"

"The life before this one. My past life, you could say."

Despite her bold confession, Rias didn’t seem surprised.

"If I didn’t have those memories, I would have done some truly terrible things."

Her voice was so intense that Rias grabbed her shoulders. He looked at her intently, as if trying to convince her, and spoke slowly.

"Even if that were the case, the responsibility for you becoming that way lies with me. Whenever I think back, I feel so ashamed of myself when Eidan was born... I always want to hit that version of myself."

"Such a thing..."

Cynthia had thought the same in the past. How could Rias be such a terrible father and husband?

But it wasn’t just Rias’s fault.

"As I said before, you are the pillar of our family. The children are growing up well, aren’t they? Today, they were all splendid. ——It’s all thanks to you."

Rias embraced Cynthia again.

"Thank you so much."

"Rias..."

For how long did they stay like that? Just watching the gently flowing river of light and silently hugging each other.

There was still a lingering, unresolved feeling in her chest. But thanks to Rias, she felt relieved to have spoken about it.

"Let’s head back soon. It’s a bit sad to leave, though."

When Cynthia said this, Rias nodded and loosened his arms.

Naturally.

Cynthia looked up at Rias, feeling curious.

"How do I put it... you’re not at all surprised."

It was quite a bold confession, after all.

Did he even believe in past lives and futures?

Rias said nonchalantly.

"You didn’t seem very surprised when Eidan manifested his light power. It seemed like you already knew. So, I thought you might have clairvoyance."

"Again, such a thing..."

She was about to laugh it off, thinking he was calling her an angel or a goddess, but Rias continued seriously.

"Magic has unique powers beyond the typical elemental magic. For example, earth magic can strengthen the body, and wind magic can detect distant sounds. I’ve heard that some magic powers only appear when they reach their limits. Since light is only known for its healing power, it wouldn’t be strange if it had clairvoyance or clairvoyance as a limit power."

Now that he mentioned it, each element has its own unique abilities. Light is the only one known for its healing power.

If the ability was awakened during childbirth, when she was between life and death, or by the most intense pain in history.

"Memories of a past life are etched into the soul. If you think of it as a restoration of those memories, it seems like a light-like ability."

Rias kissed Cynthia’s forehead lightly.

"If you have clairvoyance and know many things... my only concern is whether you are hurt or anxious."

Because she had called him a demon king or a holy maiden before.

"From now on, please share all your concerns. Let’s prepare together, thoroughly."

Just like when she told him about the miasma, Rias said this.

Looking at their clasped hands, they were large and gave her a sense of security just by holding them.

"Thank you, Rias. I’m so glad to be your wife..."

" Cynthia..."

Rias called her name, moved.

Looking up, his dark brown eyes gazed at her lovingly.

"We floated the flower lantern but didn’t pledge our love. I love you, Cynthia. Always."

It was a passionate line that cleared the air of her worries. No matter how many times she heard it, it always made her feel fresh and happy.

Cynthia looked back at Rias.

"Me too. I will always love you."

They shared a light kiss in the darkness of the night.

It felt like everything would be okay.

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 3 is now complete.

It ended up being more like Alro’s chapter.

Chapter 3 was unexpectedly disliked by many... I was a bit confused (laughs).

Mary is caught between the expectations and inferiority complex, and as they say, the age of 10 is a difficult time.

But, it’s part of the growth process... I received many interesting and valuable comments.

It got a bit busy, and the stock ran out towards the end, and daily updates were in doubt, but I managed to finish a section.

(A personal obsession I imposed on myself?)

I will take a little preparation time before Chapter 4.

Having so many readers is a great motivation. It’s not just about writing, but it also gives me the energy to work hard every day.

Thank you so much, always and always, to everyone.

I’ll restart before it gets warmer, probably.

I look forward to meeting everyone again!!

It’s suddenly getting cold, so please take care of yourselves.