Ch.100After the Happy Ending (After the Romance Fantasy Ending – Complete)

“What are you doing, big brother?”

“…”

“Rahilt, big brother.”

“…”

“Yay, I’m gonna eat lots and lots of candy~.”

“Stop it, Eshtiel.”

“Heeng.”

Suddenly coming to my senses, I stared at my little sister who was fidgeting around me.

Even if dust exploded, I would have remained dazed and unfocused, yet she woke me up instantly. Eshtiel, who had always been just cute, was becoming increasingly cunning.

I was sitting on the bed, endlessly staring at the floor as if trying to bore a hole through it, and somehow I wasn’t getting tired of it.

Eshtiel opened her innocent eyes wide at me.

“Why are you just sitting still? Are you a statue?”

“Haha, your sense of humor has improved a lot.”

“Ahem.”

You’ve grown into a child who knows how to make witty jokes, Eshtiel. I’m sure your classmates at the Academy have been a good influence.

Either way, Eshtiel persistently tugged at my collar.

“So what is it? If you have worries, tell me everything. Just wait and I’ll solve them all for you.”

“Really? How?”

“I’ll tattle to brother Tesser!”

“…”

You’ve grown into a child who knows how to rely on power, Eshtiel. Sometimes I fear for your future. Because I never know which way you’ll go.

I understand that Eshtiel is at an age full of curiosity, but I can’t be completely honest with her.

How could I possibly tell her the truth?

That I can’t focus because I’m lost in the lingering feelings of last night with Serin…

‘For Eshtiel… I’ll keep this secret forever.’

It’s clearly a selfish thought, but I hope Eshtiel doesn’t take after me. How happy I would be if she could remain a pure-hearted girl forever.

I really am a terrible brother.

“Eshtiel…”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry…”

For being a brother who couldn’t maintain premarital chastity. For being your brother when my patience is worse than a mouse-nibbled potato piece. I’m truly sorry.

“Why? If you’re sorry, then ten lemon candies!”

“I take it back.”

“Uuu… you’re mean.”

I’m sorry for making you say I’m mean.

Anyway, I needed to distance myself at least one step from who I was yesterday. So I gently stroked Eshtiel who had plopped down beside me. It felt like spending time like this might somehow purify the fantasies of last night.

“Brother.”

“Yes.”

“It’s my day off.”

“Is there somewhere you want to go?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Where?”

“I want to play with sister Serin.”

“… Ah.”

Well, this is quite the troublesome card she’s played.

I’m not ready to face Serin yet. I’m not confident I won’t blush the moment I see her…

Nevertheless, I wanted to see her so badly that I was stuck repeating the same worries, unable to move forward or backward.

“Why? Is that difficult too?”

“It’s not… difficult.”

What’s difficult is my heart. My extremely lustful and unrestrained failings.

But it was also painful to continue receiving Eshtiel’s suspicious gaze.

So I steeled my resolve and indicated my consent.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Yay! We’re going to see sister Serin!”

Is it really that good?

I suppose it’s not incomprehensible, since Serin has always been extremely attentive to Eshtiel. It was amazing to see how she paid more attention to her than to me, who was already family. Perhaps Eshtiel likes Serin more than she likes me.

‘That’s not bad either.’

Serin will soon be family too. There was absolutely nothing wrong with her having a good relationship with Serin.

And so, our outing destination for today was decided.

Eshtiel hummed a funny tune and held my hand tightly. Until the moment we boarded the carriage.

◇

It was when we arrived at the imperial palace.

Serin, who had essentially given up her position as imperial princess, had left the main palace and was staying in a palace called the Platinum Palace, a place notable for its beautifully blooming white forget-me-nots.

As we stepped inside, we could see Serin coming out to greet us with quick steps, having received our notice.

‘Ah…’

A low exclamation escaped as the wind blew.

Her jet-black hair fluttered gently above the swaying white forget-me-nots. The eyes that had passionately met mine last night were more beautiful than when they reflected the moonlight that day. Surprisingly, Serin changed beautifully with each moment. So much that I wished this wasn’t an illusion that would break.

“Rian!”

She called me with her still energetic voice. And just like that, the embarrassment I had worried about for so long flew away like it was nothing. Instead, the corners of my mouth rose on their own, forming a smile.

“I’m sorry for the sudden visit.”

“Not at all. I was bored, so this is perfect. I can’t tell you how happy I am that our Tiel came to visit too.”

Eshtiel immediately responded to Serin’s kind words.

“Really? Are you happy I came?”

“Of course!”

“Hehe, I’m happy I can play with sister Serin too.”

“How can such a creature exist…”

Serin lightly pinched Eshtiel’s cheek. Eshtiel resisted with strange sounds but soon gave up. Perhaps that made Serin even more excited, as she picked Eshtiel up.

“Well… shall we go in together?”

“Yes!”

“Excuse us.”

As Serin moved, the servants opened the doors of the Platinum Palace on their own. And we followed her into the beautifully shining white palace.

As we climbed the spiral staircase, Serin spoke.

“Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t come, Rian.”

“Umm…”

When I avoided her gaze with an awkward face, Serin immediately changed her target.

“I guess it’s thanks to our cutie?”

“That’s right! I told him I really really wanted to see sister Serin!”

“I see… so that’s how it is?”

Serin sneered.

“How… how can I ever repay you, Tiel?”

“S-Serin.”

It was truly a smile with remarkable swordsmanship.

My spine tingled so much that my lips froze.

“After what happened… wanting you to be with me, is that too much to ask…”

“No, no! I… well, um.”

“You were embarrassed?”

“…”

Oh no.

Silence was as good as confirmation.

And so Serin’s chilling smile deepened.

“Do you think I’m not affected? Because you were so… vigorous. I felt back pain I’ve never experienced before… I wished someone could massage it for me.”

“I-I’m sorry, Serin. I failed to be considerate.”

“I’d rather die than suffer like that.”

Serin dismissed it coldly. Thanks to that, my guilt was growing like a sprouting seed.

That’s when it happened.

Eshtiel asked a simple question.

“Sister Serin? Brother Rahilt? What were you doing so vigorously? And did you two meet yesterday?”

“Ah.”

“Ahem!”

Serin suddenly realized her mistake, and I let out a strong fake cough.

“We… exercised, Tiel. Isn’t that right, Rian?”

“Yes. It was a bit intense… so, I think I did wrong. I should restrain myself next time.”

“Well, there’s no need to restrain yourself… since I rather enjoyed it…”

“R-really?”

Just as my face brightened, Eshtiel added another comment.

“Ooh, if it’s that fun, I should join too! Because today we’re playing together!”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!”

My voice and Serin’s became one as we shouted.

Our intensity was so sharp that the cheerful Eshtiel drooped her head dejectedly.

“Hmph, that’s mean…”

It absolutely was not too mean.

But adult circumstances that are difficult to explain can only seem harsh to a child.

What can we do?

All a tainted adult can do is apologize…

“I’m sorry, Eshtiel. It’s just… it’s still too difficult for you to do.”

“Th-that’s right. It’s not time yet… maybe when your body grows a bit more, right?”

“No, Serin. Even when her body grows, it’s not allowed.”

“While I agree with that…”

Eshtiel, who was unknowingly being deprived of her freedom, pouted without following the conversation.

We sincerely prayed that the day Eshtiel learns the truth would come as slowly as possible.

◇

As time passed and the sunset dyed the world red in the early evening.

Eshtiel, tired from playing, was tossing and turning on the bed in the playroom, purring softly.

After the joyful journey, time for just the two of us approached again.

I helped Serin organize the scattered fairy tale books and placed them on the bookshelf. Then naturally, Serin, who had been close to the bookshelf, slipped into my arms.

We froze for a moment as our eyes unexpectedly met.

I lowered my head slightly and kissed Serin’s lips lightly.

“Mmh, Rian?”

“Yes, Serin.”

“I didn’t see it coming, but you’re quite the beast.”

“I wasn’t like this before, but perhaps Serin made me this way.”

“If that’s the case…”

Serin narrowed her eyes slyly.

“I’m quite pleased, you know?”

“That’s a relief.”

“Why?”

“It feels like I’ve received permission.”

“Wow, I like it when Rian speaks informally too.”

“Just this once.”

“Why? Do more. More.”

“While it’s somewhat unfamiliar… I want to show my respect for Serin.”

That’s when Serin spoke in a slightly sulky voice.

“What? Are you saying I don’t respect you?”

“Your informal speech is fine because I like it.”

“How can that be? I’m fine with it because I like it too! For reference, I prefer semi-formal speech even more.”

“Oh my.”

I’ve trapped myself.

I fell silent after those words. Perhaps interpreting it as avoidance, Serin raised her eyes defiantly.

“Are you really going to be like this?”

“I don’t know how Serin will take this… but it seems I’m quite selfish after all.”

“What do you mean selfish? You’re a pushover. You’re just stubborn in strange ways.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Ahaha…”

As I let out an empty laugh.

Serin grabbed my collar tightly, forcefully holding me.

In the sudden tension, she said:

“Rian, I just thought of a way to break your stubbornness.”

“I’m curious. What is it?”

“I realized I just need to become stronger than you.”

“And what would you do with that strength…?”

“What else?”

For a moment, Serin’s eyes flashed with a wild, beastly intensity.

“I’ll torment you night after night until you grant my wish, and then I’ll devour you.”

“Ha… haha.”

That’s scary.

But also exciting.

It was as if I had become the beast with no way out.

Just as I was closing the gap between our lips.

“Well, not right now.”

Serin pushed me away with her index finger. Then she glanced at the soundly sleeping Eshtiel and grinned.

Somehow I felt like I’d been completely outplayed, and a wry smile escaped me.

“We have plenty of time ahead. Right, Rian?”

“Definitely, yes. It will be very long, Serin.”

I gazed passionately at her, the one who had twisted fate and held me fast. Not to be outdone, Serin sent me an intense look back.

Even such childish moments feel like miracles.

Serin was my salvation and destination.

Hoping this ending will remain happy forever.

Our story continues even after the curtain falls.

As long as our hands touch, forever.

The End – After the Romance Novel Ending