Chapter 45: Echoes of What Should Have Been

Imperial Capital, Arcadia Square.

“Long live the Hero! Long live the Saintess!”

Irene doubted her ears.

It wasn’t cheers directed at her.

It was an enthusiastic outcry for others.

A huge crowd had gathered, and at its center.

Were Lian and Sera, smiling brightly and waving.

Immediately, Irene felt a sense of unease.

Because.

First, Sera.

‘That sly and detestable b*tch.’

‘She definitely got slapped by me today and should have been beside herself with anger and resentment, wearing a humiliated expression…’

Slap!

– Kyaak!

– “Betrayal!? What kind of bullsht is that! You crazy btch!”

– “No, what kind of crazy stunt are you pulling!? Slapping someone out of the blue, spouting bullsh*t! Is your head really empty?”

Slap!

– Kyaak!!

– “You deserved it! That’s why I hit you! And what? Whose head is empty!? You vulgar thing!”

– “Ha…! Seriously…! I’m saying your head is empty because you’re asking such ridiculous questions! Abandoning Logan for an idiot like Lian…”

Thwack!

– “Kyaak! Can’t you stop!? I have my limits too…! L-let go of my hand!”

Thwack!

– Kyaak!

– “What! What are you going to do if you don’t hold back? And when did I ever say I abandoned Logan! And you call Lian an idiot!? This one’s really a crazy btch, isn’t she?”

– “Ha…! You’re the crazy btch! Isn’t anyone there!? Kyaaak!!!”

Slap! Slap! Slap!

– “Now you’re showing your true colors, you sly b*tch!”

– Kyaak!

– “S-Saintess? Mage, please stop!!”

Because the priests rushed in after hearing the screams, she couldn’t beat her up as much as she wanted.

Still, she had beaten her enough for her face to swell up and her lips to burst.

But why.

“Everyone, thank you so much.”

“I will always follow the Goddess’s will and dedicate myself even more to the people of the Empire!”

Was she captivating people with that same pretentious smile as usual?

At first, she thought Sera’s wounds might have completely healed thanks to her specialty, healing magic.

However, because of Lian’s appearance next to Sera, she couldn’t just let it go thinking that was the case.

Because Lian, who had suffered an accident while drawing the holy sword in the meeting hall and was left with terrible burn scars on his face.

“I swear in the name of the Goddess and the Holy Sword Elysium!”

“I, Hero Lian, will also spare no service and dedication for the people of the Empire!”

Was giving a grand speech with such a clean face, holding the brilliantly shining holy sword.

And the woman who should be cheered, adored, and praised by the people wasn’t a sly woman like Sera.

‘It’s me!!!’

Clearly, today, although it was the slums and not the capital square.

She and Narcissus were the ones praised by many people.

But why now, am I.

“Ah… Ah…”

Looking at Lian and Sera so pathetically, shedding tears in distress?

Like someone who had lost everything.

‘Ah, this is a dream.’

Irene realized it immediately.

No matter how you looked at it, such an absurd scene could only be a nightmare, couldn’t it?

‘Sera, that b*tch must have cast a curse or pulled some trick to avenge the humiliation she suffered today.’

Just as she was convinced of that.

‘Huh…?’

Irene couldn’t help but hold her breath when she saw herself in the nightmare being embraced by a man.

His firm yet comforting chest.

A familiar scent, and the warm embrace surrounding her.

“Logan…”

“…Irene.”

Ah.

Ah.

Ah.

For a moment, Irene was confused whether this was a nightmare or a sweet dream.

Her heart, wounded and cold from seeing Lian and Sera’s affectionate display.

Healed instantly, like frozen snow melting under warm sunlight.

His comforting warmth felt so real, as if it were reality.

His embrace was as warm and comfortable as always.

This sweet dream, or nightmare.

This dream, which she couldn’t quite name.

Showed her various scenes, flowing naturally like water.

---

This time, it was the church square.

Numerous guests had gathered, blessing a grand wedding ceremony.

A beautiful bride in a pure white wedding dress and a handsome groom in a fine suit.

They were none other than Lian and Sera.

The two of them were seen facing each other, pledging their love.

‘Ha…!’

Irene judged that this was indeed a nightmare.

To think she had lost Lian to such a disgusting woman.

And even though it was a nightmare.

A wave of resentment towards Lian washed over her.

His gentle whispers.

His passionate gaze, even the secret kisses they shared.

Was it all a lie?

‘Lian…! Was I not the woman you truly loved!?’

In the previous scenes, clearly.

It wasn’t just words of love.

Didn’t they confirm their love by sharing their bodies?

But how could he marry a woman like Sera?

Her chest felt so tight, like she was going crazy.

Just as she was about to struggle, wanting to wake up from this damned nightmare immediately.

“Logan…”

“…Yes.”

Again, she saw herself sobbing in his embrace.

Ah.

Ah.

Ah.

This time, Irene was truly.

Certain that this was a nightmare.

Logan, who always supported and embraced her.

Whenever she was struggling or sad.

‘He went to Anastasia, that b*tch!’

Hadn’t he gone to that detestable Crown Princess instead of me?

So why was he by her side!

Just as she was about to struggle again, filled with anger, trying to wake from the nightmare.

“Ah… Ah…”

She saw Anastasia, not looking at Lian and Sera, but at herself and Logan.

Wiping away tears as she left.

Her retreating figure looked endlessly pitiful and sad.

At this, Irene recalled another dream she had a while ago.

Logan, comforting her as she sobbed after losing Lian to Sera.

And Anastasia, shedding tears of blood, not knowing what to do about her.

‘Ah… This… really…?’

That dream, which she had woken from in anger, thinking it was the future that should have been, was the real future.

Originally, Logan would not have left her side.

No matter what she did, absolutely.

As proof, as she was seeing now.

“Irene…”

Wasn’t he holding her, grieving, so tenderly and comforting her?

This warmth.

It naturally reminded her of the warmth that had enveloped her that day.

– Sob… Hic…! Lo-Logan…!?

– Waaaaah!

– Logan…! Logan…!

When she lost her parents in a monster attack.

It was so cozy and warm.

Ah.

Ah.

Ah.

And.

Originally, I would eventually.

‘With Logan… as expected…’

Get married.

Irene was overcome with joy seeing the next transitioning scene.

---

Irene, heartbroken by Lian and Sera’s marriage.

To escape reality.

To find solace for her heart.

Said to Logan.

“Logan… Shall we get married too…?”

“What…?”

At those words.

His blue eyes wavered greatly, as if in disbelief.

‘Ah…’

Irene’s heart ached at Logan’s appearance.

Come to think of it.

He had never once.

Asked her for anything or shown any sign of wanting something…

‘Not even once…’

He didn’t crave any affection or attention.

More than anyone.

Even though he must have loved me so much.

He always only gave.

All of himself.

‘This fool…’

Only then did Irene realize.

The fact that he had devoted himself solely to her.

Without expecting anything in return.

No, he must have desperately wished for it.

But even that, he worried would be a burden to her.

She could tell that he had desperately endured.

To not show even a hint of it.

Because.

Drip…

“Huh…?”

“Lo-Logan…?”

Hot tears flowed from his blue eyes, tracing down his cheeks.

Perhaps they flowed unknowingly, overcome with emotion.

The emotions he had suppressed for so long must have burst forth.

‘You fool, quickly!’

Irene shouted at her dream self.

To quickly wipe his tears.

To hold him warmly.

And to say it once more.

To reciprocate his feelings.

Following Irene’s wish.

Her dream self approached Logan and gently caressed his wet cheek.

“Logan… Let’s get married…”

“…Yes.”

Ah.

Irene was ecstatic.

Because she had never once in her life seen Logan smile so happily.

His smile was so precious and beautiful that it couldn’t be exchanged for anything in the world.

Yes, this isn’t a dream.

It is the future that should have been, and reality.

Thus, the scene transitioned again.

To their wedding.

Irene in her wedding dress was more beautiful than anyone, and Logan by her side was also more handsome than anyone.

Even that Crown Princess Anastasia.

“Sob… Please, be happy… Logan…”

While shedding tears…

Blessed Logan and Irene’s marriage.

“Logan…”

“Irene…”

Thus, the two were united.

And shared their beautiful love on their first night.

In his arms, Irene felt a sense of fulfillment and happiness as if she had everything in the world.

‘……Ah.’

Irene felt such sweet and comforting happiness.

Reaching a nobler and higher position than anyone else?

Being praised and noticed by many people?

It all felt meaningless.

Having someone who truly cherished her by her side was enough.

Why.

Had I not realized such an important fact all this time.

And turned my eyes to other men?

Logan.

This one man was more than enough, to the point where saying ‘enough’ felt inadequate.

Why couldn’t I recognize something so precious and was instead captivated by vain desires, becoming even greedier?

Just as that belated realization and regret washed over her.

‘Huh…? What are you doing…?’

Wasn’t her dream self leaving Logan.

And shamelessly seeking Lian again?

“Lian… Lian…!”

Her own figure, escaping his warm embrace and running towards empty desires.

‘S-stop it!’

Irene cried out desperately.

But her dream self ignored Logan.

And continued to yearn for Lian, for other men.

Her foolish self, betraying his true love.

And constantly chasing vain desires.

“Stop it!! You crazy b*tch!!!”

Irene, with a desperate scream.

From the nightmare, not the sweet dream…

No, she woke up from the future that should have been.

“Gasp…! Gasp…!”

Irene shot up from the bed, gasping for breath, and looked around.

An empty room, cold air.

“Ah… Ah… Sob…!”

Irene couldn’t help but cover her face with both hands and sob.

Because by her side right now.

The one who cherished and loved her more than anyone—

That one man.

Logan, was not there.