🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 17
“Back then… what were we like?”
Cherylrot asked quietly.
Aeonian’s blue-gray eyes met her gaze. Her hair was swept by the wind as she muttered,
“Honestly, I can barely remember. What were we like? We grew up together, sure, but… were we really that close?”
“Liar.”
“……”
“If you didn’t remember, you wouldn’t have kept contacting me all the time at the Academy.”
When Aeonian pointed it out so calmly, a crack spread across Cherylrot’s expression. Her cheeks trembled as she let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
“…You know me well, huh?”
“……”
“Then why’d you do it?”
That was it. Pretending wasn’t her strong suit. Laughing loudly, she grabbed her head.
“…Yeah, I practically clung to you, contacting you by magic communication, letters, even trying to talk in person…”
“……”
“But you never answered. Not once. You ignored me like I didn’t even exist in this world.”
“……”
“Why?”
Sitting with her knees together, Cherylrot propped her chin on her wrists, her eyes reflecting the full moon.
“We were practically like siblings…”
Aeonian didn’t answer. But as he turned his head, the blue veins along his neck showed, and the knuckles of his hands were stark white.
Anger. He’s angry? Ridiculous—who’s the one who should be furious here? Frowning, Cherylrot shot to her feet.
“Forget it. I’m leaving.”
“Cheryl.”
“Don’t call me.”
She stormed down the watchtower stairs, her steps echoing sharply.
“Cheryl, the truth is, back then I…”
“No matter how I think about it, there was no reason to ‘accidentally’ leave out my funding documents.”
“……”
Aeonian’s lips sealed shut.
Her now-cold eyes pierced him.
“You remember, Aeonian?”
“……”
“We were in the same practicum group.”
Months ago, there had been a practical training course. If you achieved top marks, you could either get a position at a prestigious institution or receive major funding to start your own enterprise.
At the time, Cherylrot needed both honor and money. Before returning to the north, she’d planned to open a workshop with like-minded peers, build connections, make some money, then go home.
She worked desperately under a professor known for grading students selectively, managing to secure good scores. But then…
“You said you’d collect all our group’s additional documents and submit them to the professor, didn’t you?”
“…Yeah.”
“And you left mine out.”
He had deliberately excluded only Cherylrot’s paperwork, ensuring she alone wouldn’t be chosen for the temple’s funding program that the others all qualified for.
“The student of the year across all departments is… Aeonian Bascalia! Congratulations!”
Because of that, Cherylrot had no choice but to hand over the top rank to Aeonian.
“This student has always been diligent and exemplary in conduct…”
Academy-wide first place was a prestigious title recognized across the continent. It had always been a fierce competition—Cherylrot hadn’t always been number one—but this time, she knew for certain Aeonian had stolen her rightful place.
“In this practicum, he was also the only student to receive the Grade Zero rating…”
Grade Zero—a rank only given to students selected for additional funding. That was supposed to have been hers.
In the end, Cherylrot had to find another path. Meanwhile, the pressure from Odely to marry grew worse, and she also had to deal with Noril, who—despite entering the Academy a year later—constantly begged her for help and guidance. It was no wonder her mind began to crumble.
She couldn’t even face the peers she’d once promised to start a workshop with. Humiliated and shamed, she chose to stand alone.
“…Anyway, there was no reason to block me from the funding. You know that, don’t you?”
“……”
Aeonian nodded silently. That he’d done it knowingly was infuriating enough, but the look of remorse on his face now… she hated it.
Cherylrot glanced out the window at the overgrown, unmanaged trees. She walked with him down to the first floor and opened the back door.
The garden. A place where, when the adults had tea, Aeonian and Cherylrot used to play outside, weaving flower crowns.
Now it was full of withered leaves, reeking of dryness. An old, splintered swing creaked in the wind.
“If you understand, then you know why I can’t accept your proposal.”
“…Yeah.”
“Betrayers must never be let back within the walls. You knew that, and yet you asked me to marry you.”
“You’re right. Winning back your trust may be the hardest thing in the world for me.”
“……”
She glared at him, unsatisfied with his easy acceptance.
He was never supposed to have her trust to begin with. And yet…
She let out a short, broken laugh.
“…You don’t remember?”
“What?”
When she turned her head, he was staring at her with a stupid expression.
She lightly brushed a vine of climbing roses on the garden arch as she walked inside.
When Aeonian didn’t follow, she beckoned impatiently.
“You’re supposed to be smart, so why pretend not to know now? You were the one who asked, ‘Do you even trust me?’”
“……”
“And what did I say back then?”
His mouth fell open. “Ah—” he stammered, then quickly hurried to her side.
“Cheryl, I—”
“Shh. Quiet for a moment.”
Aeonian obediently shut his mouth. Satisfied, Cherylrot walked toward the center of the garden.
There stood a dried-up fountain. She brushed dust off the marble and looked around until her face lit up.
Lily of the valley. She carefully pulled it from the earth, roots intact.
“It’s still alive.”
“They’re hardy plants, they grow well even in the cold.”
“Then why did you pick it?”
“……”
She lifted her eyes to him without a word. Clutching the delicate flowers so they wouldn’t break, she stepped forward.
“Because lily of the valley means ‘happiness regained.’”
Aeonian’s pupils trembled violently.
“Well, Aeonian?”
“……”
“Don’t you think it’s a fitting way to accept your proposal?”
She was accepting the contract marriage he’d suggested.
His lips trembled. Then suddenly, he took a step back. What—was he going to refuse now? Alarmed, Cherylrot stepped toward him, but his pale hand suddenly blocked her view.
“W-wait.”
“……”
“Don’t come closer.”
Head bowed, he hid his face. His ears were red.
Don’t tell me he’s embarrassed right now?
Spotting the sweat on his neck, Cherylrot smirked.
Honestly. He always seemed so polite and composed with the maids and other students—yet in front of her, he acted like this. Pathetic… no, maybe just a little funny.
She gently planted the lily of the valley into a nearby pot, added soil, then used a water-imbued mana stone to moisten it and wash her hands.
“Here, take it.”
Only then did he raise his head. Rubbing his flushed cheeks with his knuckles, Aeonian swallowed hard and accepted the pot.
“T-thank you.”
“Why are you stuttering?”
“Because I’m… grateful.”
What a strange answer. Almost circular logic.
“…I’ll treasure it.”
“You’d better. I searched hard yesterday to find it.”
“For me?”
“In a way, yes.”
Her eyes narrowed sharply at him.
“And don’t you dare look smug about it. Or I’ll really kill you.”
Though she threatened him with a frightening look, Aeonian nodded eagerly, as if he didn’t care. His expression softened like he’d sunk into a hot spring. Even Cherylrot’s scowl began to ease.
They sat side by side on a stone nearby. The full moon cast a gentle glow over the garden.
After staring at it for a long time, Aeonian suddenly spoke.
“Cheryl.”
“What.”
“Does this mean… we’re married now?”
“For five years.”
“…Right.”
He stroked the flowerpot with his fingers.
“I just thought of something. Want to hear it?”
“What is it?”
“You said you wanted to restore your duchy. So… how do you want your people to remember you as their Grand Duke?”
“……”
She fell silent. How did she want to be remembered? That much was obvious.
“As the Grand Duke who brought revival to the North.”
She wasn’t building a domain from scratch. She was reconstructing ruins. She would become Chartruese’s archaeologist and architect.
And also…
“I want to be seen as strong, cold, and charismatic—like my father.”
“…Really?”
Aeonian’s gaze fixed on her.
“But to me, you and your father are nothing alike.”
“I know. We don’t even look alike. I just meant… as a ruler, he’s the one I respected most.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what—”
“Grand Duke Richard only ever managed to maintain the status quo.”
Cherylrot was struck speechless.
It was an insult to her father. She should protest immediately. But reason overrode emotion. She knew her father’s strength had always been defense.
That ability worked against monsters, but not against human wars. His disappearance was proof enough.
“……”
“But you said you’d go further than he did.”
When she closed her mouth, Aeonian cupped the flowerpot in both hands and soothed her.
“You want to bring spring to the North, don’t you?”
“……”
“Then you’ll be the spring.”
She wanted to scoff at the cheesy line, but words failed her.
Because behind him, the garden was changing.
A soft fragrance wafted to her nose. Startled, Cherylrot turned her head—the lily of the valley buds were swelling, then bursting into bloom.
The trees followed. Elegant magnolias stretched their branches skyward, blossoming pure white. Withered forsythia stiffened and bloomed in the same golden hue as her hair. Tender sprouts unfurled fresh green leaves.
Was it an illusion? Cherylrot rubbed her eyes. But when a petal brushed her cheek, she realized it was real.
She widened her eyes, meeting Aeonian’s gaze. Their mismatched irises locked, and he spoke first.
“Cherylrot, if you want to rebuild your duchy, you don’t need to follow your father’s path.”
He shook his head, voice firm with conviction.
“You’ll be the North’s guardian—and its one and only spring.”
He held out his pinky finger. Dazed, she hooked hers with his.
“I swear it.”
He smiled deeply. The air was thick with lily of the valley’s sweet fragrance.
A union was born.
