Ch.343Chapter 343 Epilogue – This Should Be Fine, Right?

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Even though it felt like the day would stretch on forever as I lost myself in the magnificent view reflected in the train window, all of today’s events seemed to unfold in the blink of an eye.

After disembarking from the train that had stopped at our destination.

Boarding the carriage heading toward our lodgings for a rather long vacation.

I spent time watching Shizu, whose gaze was captivated by the southern region’s abundant scenery, completely contrasting with the desolation of the northern region where we had been staying.

From train to carriage, though less tiring than walking on foot since we could travel faster, the boredom should have been unavoidable, and yet.

“What a charming carriage. You can really feel how much care they’ve put into preparing it for tourists.”

I felt grateful seeing Shizu, who showed no sign of boredom as she quietly gazed out the window after waiting for the carriage, then boarding it, and making casual conversation with me.

By the time we reached our actual destination, Odorem Bere, the finest hotel in the southern continent, the evening glow was already setting, yet everything felt like it had happened in the blink of an eye.

Contrary to my desire to spend this time more fully and longer.

The truth that good times pass quickly seemed to strike with uncanny accuracy whenever I was with Shizu, almost making me feel a bit depressed.

“Maybe it’s because this is my first time here. Even just riding in carriages is fun. Hehe.”

Thanks to Shizu, who seemed to read my mood without me saying anything and tried to lighten my gloom, I didn’t completely sink into melancholy.

“Karl, did you know? The name of the hotel where we’ll be staying, in the old language, means ‘the fragrance of spring.'”

“I see. I was so focused on making the reservation that I didn’t think about the origin of the name.”

“There are many place names and buildings here named in that old language. Let’s check them out together while we’re here.”

“Sure.”

Even when a bitter smile threatened to form at the thought that the trip wouldn’t go as planned, Shizu would speak to me at just the right moment to lift the mood, leaving no room for gloom to settle.

When our duties in the north were almost complete, I suggested we take a vacation together in the south, and I wanted to make your bright expression even more radiant.

Yet somehow, I felt that it was my expression that brightened more from spending time with you like this, which made me feel a bit apologetic.

No, that won’t do.

If I’m going to make an important confession, I should create the right atmosphere while giving you unforgettable memories here—that would make you happy.

What meaning would there be if only I enjoyed myself?

Isn’t that gentle smile one you’re wearing while thinking of me, moderating your own feelings?

I’ll take you to better places, build better memories together, and make you smile genuinely from the heart.

This momentary gloom I felt on the way here—I’ll shake it all off by making the most of this vacation schedule, which is quite long.

With these thoughts, I was about to enter Odorem Bere with the evening glow as a backdrop.

But at this point, I didn’t know.

That even the most perfectly planned vacation.

Could be derailed by external factors—such an ordinary fact.

“We have no words to offer our guests! We are truly sorry!!”

That it would happen to me as well.

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The beginning of this unexpected turn occurred, as I mentioned earlier, when we were approaching Odorem Bere.

Though seasonally it was spring, just emerging from winter.

Unlike the north, the central continent boasts warm weather year-round, and the south in particular is known for its warmth.

It all started when Shizu, feeling stuffy in this mild climate so different from the north, gently opened the carriage window.

“Mmm…”

Seeing Shizu pleasantly stretching by the window, breathing in the spring fragrance, my lips unconsciously curled into a smile. At that moment, I had no doubt this trip would be the best ever.

Pleasant things kept happening.

After stretching comfortably, Shizu turned to me with a bright smile.

“I hope this will be a good trip.”

When I conveyed my wish for good things to happen during this vacation.

“Of course it will be a good trip.”

Shizu replied, moving a little closer to me.

“How could it not be a good trip… when I’m traveling with Karl?”

Hearing those words that delighted me just by listening, I felt as if I possessed the whole world.

It’s quite remarkable. This trip was planned solely with the desire to make you happy.

From the night before our departure, I agonized over how to make you happy.

Yet even before the trip properly began, your declaration that just being with me would make this an overwhelmingly good journey gave me a small boost of courage.

After making you experience something better than this and hearing you thank me profusely.

I would gather the courage to confess my sincere gratitude for your presence alone.

And the courage to make a once-in-a-lifetime confession—that if you would have someone like me, we should spend the rest of our lives together.

Having made up my mind and convinced that only good things awaited us, even the occasional vibrations from the carriage cabin felt soothing.

Even the strange burning smell coming through the window calmed my mind and body, so what more could I say?

…I should have noticed something was wrong when I smelled burning, but I was too excited to notice—that was the cause.

Anyway, those swelling expectations and hopes were shattered to pieces as the carriage approached Odorem Bere.

Odorem Bere, as Shizu mentioned earlier, was an establishment whose name meant “fragrance of spring” in the old language, and it was to be our lodging for this trip.

About two years ago, when the continental railway line, which had been operating on a trial basis, officially opened, the number of tourists visiting the already prosperous south exploded.

It was the south’s finest hotel, thriving on the motto of providing the best service at reasonable prices to such tourists.

Even before my regression, it was praised as the “brilliant star of the south” where telephones had not yet reached, highly regarded by those visiting for tourism.

And now, that magnificent lodging…

“Karl… I think there’s a fireworks festival going on.”

With a scene befitting Shizu’s innocent observation beyond the window.

Crackle- Crackle-

Clearly burning so loudly that the sound could be heard even from this distance.

It was blazing brilliantly, like firewood burning.

…Thanks to my experience navigating countless chaotic situations.

I had the guts and thick nerves to not bat an eye at most horrific scenes.

But the sight before me was too much even for someone with such thick nerves and guts.

“Uaaah…”

A faint moan escaped my lips like air from a deflating balloon, the kind that would come from someone in shock.

This is terrible.

The first button of the journey, whose importance cannot be diminished no matter how many times I repeat it, is now.

Watching it go awry, turning into flames before my eyes, I couldn’t stay in my right mind.

“Karl…?”

“The… the fire needs to be put out.”

“C-calm down…”

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I don’t know how much time had passed.

The evening glow that had been visible in the sky had given way to starlight, welcoming Shizu and me.

“It’s okay. It’s not like it was your fault, Karl.”

I continued my trudging steps while receiving Shizu’s calm consolation.

Though visibly tired from calming me down after I had run toward the fire like someone in a daze as soon as we got off the carriage.

“Still, it’s fortunate. That it ended without anyone getting hurt.”

That voice comforting me showed only kindness, without revealing any of that fatigue.

The destination of my trudging footsteps was Odorem Bere!!… No, a different hotel.

From a distance in the carriage, it had looked like a major fire that would consume the entire hotel.

Fortunately, the hotel wasn’t completely destroyed, and despite the apparent intensity of the fire, the accident ended without any casualties.

However, with the lobby and reception facilities unable to function properly, Odorem Bere was in no condition to receive guests. They refunded half the reservation amount and arranged this alternative hotel for us.

Normally, I would have expressed admiration for the hotel’s response—apologizing sincerely to guests despite such an accident and taking measures to ensure their comfort.

But the heavy fact that the cornerstone of my meticulously prepared plan for our private trip—comfortable rest at Odorem Bere—had instantly turned to bubbles.

Made each step I took heavier.

“…Thank you.”

I could only give a weak response to Shizu’s active consolation.

Sigh… Will this trip really go well?

I feel like the confidence that had filled my heart suddenly had a chunk torn away, flying into the void.

If Fafnir were still in my consciousness, he would have scolded me for such a pathetic display.

But what could I do? At this most important moment in my life.

When the first step to decorate that important moment had gone so awry.

Anyone would be flustered and discouraged, so what’s wrong with me being a bit downhearted?

Moreover, this bewilderment was amplified by what happened next.

“I’m truly sorry for this.”

Looking at the hotel lobby staff who apologized to me with the demeanor of a seasoned service industry professional.

“So, you’re saying you can only give us one room for the two people who had temporary reservations?”

I asked the staff to confirm what they had told me, trying to maintain a natural voice without showing my confusion.

“As a token of our apology, we will provide you with the best room our establishment can offer for two guests.”

In response to my calm inquiry, the employee conveyed an impressive alternative to us who couldn’t stay according to the original plan, with an indescribable sense of humility.

From the way they spoke, it seemed they were prepared to provide even a suite.

Normally, upon hearing such an offer, I would have calmly accepted the hotel’s Plan B without showing too much excitement.

But now, accepting this outright was quite difficult.

As conveyed through the employee’s words.

Originally, when I made the long-term reservation at Odorem Bere.

I had booked separate rooms for Shizu and me.

Considering we were engaged, and recalling Father’s letter after our last affair asking when we planned to marry.

Choosing to stay together in a single room rather than booking separate rooms wouldn’t have been a bad choice.

But since the original plan was to do so calmly after the trip progressed and the mood ripened.

I had intentionally booked separate rooms.

When I told Shizu about this arrangement, she made a subtle expression that would be hard to notice if it weren’t me, but ultimately agreed.

My initial plan was to gradually reduce the already close distance between us as the trip unfolded, then switch to a single room to spend time together.

Hearing the employee’s words indicating that this plan was going awry from the start, I felt my mouth go dry without realizing it.

It seems I need to make a decision here.

Either book a single room and spend the night with Shizu.

Or decline the hotel’s offer and search for an establishment that could provide separate rooms for both of us—I had to choose one of these two options…

“A single room for two people instead of separate rooms? That’s fine. Is the room spacious?”

Before my thought could be completed, Shizu’s enthusiastic response to the employee’s offer cut it short.

I was about to speak to Shizu to calm her down and gather my thoughts for a final decision, but.

“Of course it is!”

Hearing the employee’s confident, bright voice, which seemed to sense something from Shizu’s reaction.

“Karl, I think this will be fine. Let’s go with this.”

Shizu turned to me with a bright expression that showed she had already made up her mind.

“Could we see the room first?”

I could only convey an intention that showed I was half-agreeing.

I’m not sure what expression formed on my face as I continued speaking.

“I’ll guide you there.”

My footsteps following the employee, who seemed relieved as if a burden had been lifted, continued lightly nonetheless.

With my own rationalization that how could I suggest going elsewhere when she looked so pleased.

My thinking expanded to the conclusion that it would be better for my plan to go slightly awry than to see any expression other than a smile on your face, which made both my body and mind feel lighter.

Needless to say, seeing Shizu’s excited footsteps as she followed the employee ahead of me made me feel even lighter.

At this point, I can only hope that the room we’ll get will be to Shizu’s liking.