Ch.BONUSSide Story – The Two of Us Afterward (1)

Like a dream, our vacation in the southern continent and the Divine Realm—a place I once thought impossible to set foot in during my lifetime—finally came to an end.

Though we still had time to spare and both Shizu and I shared the desire to extend our travels,

Regina’s revelation that the fruit of our love had taken root in Shizu’s womb forced us to change our long-anticipated plans in an instant.

It was certainly disappointing that our meticulously planned journey through the southern Central Continent couldn’t proceed as intended.

However, protecting Shizu’s body, which now carried not one but two lives, took priority. Once that was settled, we could always travel again, so I don’t think this decision was wrong.

That’s why I felt nothing but gratitude toward Regina, the Flower Goddess, for helping us notice the changes in Shizu’s body early.

After all, she prevented any potential unfortunate incidents that might have harmed Shizu and the child she carried within her—our child—had we continued our journey.

Though it was the right thing to do, bringing our journey to a close still felt delicate.

Regina did bestow her divine blessing upon us while we stayed at Wehr Palatium.

But knowing better than anyone that one can never be too careful in matters like these, I gently suggested to Shizu that we postpone our travels.

“Yes, I understand…”

With Shizu accepting my cautious proposal without complaint, our journey regrettably had to be postponed to a later date.

Though the precious moment of creating new memories together had to be delayed, I won’t let myself feel disappointed about it.

After all, we now have more than enough time ahead of us.

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After our journey ended, time flowed like an arrow released from a bowstring.

Our promise for the future had remained unshaken and unchanging since my regression, as I hadn’t caused any particular incidents.

With Shizu carrying our child, there was no reason to delay further. Our marriage was the first event to take place in that swift flow of time.

Though it happened quickly, there were many small matters to attend to in between.

After Shizu’s pregnancy was revealed, I faced something even more terrifying than the twisted divine power blazing in Desire’s eyes—the gaze of the Proxian family head whom I hadn’t seen in a long time.

…When I confronted Desire after my regression, cold fury rather than fear had dominated my mind.

But when facing the Proxian family head—a father meeting the unworthy prospective son-in-law who had impregnated his precious daughter—I experienced a fear so profound it became etched into my body, unlike anything I could recall from even my faintest memories. The intensity of that situation needs no further explanation.

Well, fortunately, Shizu resolved it by stepping forward and threatening that she wouldn’t let him see his future grandchild if he gave me a hard time, so the matter was smoothed over.

While this incident, more like a mishap, was the first to occur in the rapidly flowing time, everything that followed seemed like a blessing, as if that initial challenge had warded off further troubles.

The congratulations we received from the precious people who gathered to bless our union.

Shizu appearing before me in her wedding dress, like a literal goddess descending, cutting through the celebrating crowd.

The officiation by Lord Nighthart, who maintained his dignified bearing despite his massive frame nearly bursting out of his formal attire, delivering a ceremony speech rich with life experience while claiming this was his first time performing such a duty.

And Excel, who served as the master of ceremonies, declaring his own desire to marry.

The wedding reached its climax when the audience erupted in cheers and laughter seeing him cast passionate glances at Lady Iriana. It concluded with our vows, the exchange of rings, a kiss pledging eternal love, and finally our honeymoon journey to the western continent.

Looking back, though time passed incredibly quickly and busily, each moment was so intense that it remains vividly etched in my mind.

There’s no need to elaborate on how enriching this period and flow of time was.

These happy memories will give me great strength throughout the long life ahead of me.

In romance stories, tales typically end with the couple overcoming trials and hardships, getting married, pledging eternity, and “living happily ever after.”

But since I had many days left to live beyond being the protagonist of such a story, time continued to flow after the wedding, and my circumstances and surroundings gradually changed through various small events.

Like Shizu, who retired from the Imperial Knights to inherit the position of Proxian family head upon our marriage, I too retired from the Imperial Knights as a viscount consort.

This was necessary according to imperial law, which required both imperial and parliamentary approval for someone inheriting a high noble title to simultaneously hold key positions in the empire’s administration or military.

Though my three years of service in the Imperial Knights were more fulfilling than any moment in the countless repetitions of time I’d experienced—even if I couldn’t remember them precisely—it was somewhat regrettable.

But if what replaced that fulfilling time was promised happiness with a precious person, such regret was bearable.

In any case, my home base changed to the Proxian domain, becoming my fourth after the Ranos domain, the Cradle, and the Solarium Islands.

Well, even though my home changed, my lifestyle—having achieved everything I’d strived for—didn’t change significantly.

As the future duke consort, I had no special duties within the family except supporting Shizu in every way possible as she took over as family head.

Some might envy or resent such a life of leisure with few responsibilities compared to privileges, but I had no intention of living so idly.

Though I had skills to use, my life going forward would be about stepping up without hesitation whenever strength was needed.

But while my life in the broader sense didn’t change much, there was one small, seemingly trivial change that affected me more profoundly than those major life shifts.

What was it? Well…

Starting each day by either gazing at Shizu still asleep or finding her already awake, looking at me tenderly.

Just this one change dramatically improved my quality of life.

I now wake up with an excited heart every morning.

Unlike before, when I would simply stare at the ceiling before getting up.

Would I see Shizu sleeping peacefully beside me like a wingless angel?

Or would I meet your gaze—those beautiful eyes deeper and bluer than the ocean—sparkling as you watch me who was asleep just moments ago?

These two possibilities that greet me before I even open my eyes make each day of this new life fresh, even after considerable time has passed.

Today is no exception as consciousness gradually returns from sleep.

What could be more thrilling than waiting to see what sight will greet me when I open my eyes?

And now, fulfilling my expectations, the scene unfolds before me.

No sooner do I slightly open my eyes than I meet Shizu’s blue gaze, as if my surroundings are being dyed in blue.

“…Did you sleep well?”

Seeing Shizu greet me with a shy voice and a broad smile the moment our eyes meet, I felt today would be another good day.

Normally at times like this, we’d start the day with me saying I slept well and sharing an embrace.

“Did I talk in my sleep or anything?”

Instead of saying I slept well, I teased her with this question.

Since we’d reached a level where we could read each other’s thoughts just by making eye contact, banter was more effective than formal greetings for setting the mood.

Seeing Shizu’s subtle smile after hearing my question, it seemed my intention was well conveyed.

Since I know my own tendency to have nightmares rather than talk in my sleep, I expected Shizu to answer that I hadn’t, and our day would begin…

“You did.”

“…Really?”

…I thought she would say I hadn’t, but apparently I did talk in my sleep.

Damn, has my life become so relaxed that I’m doing things I never used to do?

“What do you think you said in your sleep?”

Seeing my confusion at hearing I’d done something so uncharacteristic, Shizu asked with a mischievous smile.

Though it happened in an unconscious state, I felt anxious that I needed to answer well to maintain Shizu’s smiling expression.

Just as I was about to furrow my brow in seriousness…

“Pfft…”

Shizu let out a soft laugh in front of me.

“I don’t think I did…”

I suggested that her claim about my sleep-talking might be a playful attempt to start our morning differently than usual.

“You really did.”

Shizu’s answer, still accompanied by that gentle smile, shattered my expectations.

The one fortunate thing, judging from her expression and demeanor, was that whatever I’d said in my sleep had pleased her.

While that was my deduction, the truth was that even I didn’t know what I’d mumbled while asleep.

“Hmm, I wonder what I said in my sleep…”

I conceded defeat to Shizu with a slightly apologetic expression and trailing words that were almost a soliloquy.

Seeing this, Shizu chuckled happily and said:

“My name.”

“…Huh?”

“When I opened my eyes and saw Cal sleeping beside me, Cal was tenderly calling my name over and over.”

The nature of my sleep-talking was revealed.

So I endlessly called her name?

I’m confident I could do it right now, here, until she begged me to stop, forgetting about breakfast.

I was about to feel embarrassed at the thought of being so sentimental as to call her name in my sleep, but then…

Shizu, who had already spread her arms and embraced me, said:

“It made me happy…”

The fact that she was so delighted simply because I had tenderly called her name filled me with incomparable joy.

“It’s nothing special…”

I showed humility, suggesting I’d only done what was natural, while extending my arms to wrap around Shizu.

The warmth preserved under the blankets we’d been sleeping under transferred between us.

The already warm morning atmosphere was bound to become even warmer.

How dramatically different the morning becomes depending on who sleeps and wakes beside you.

This moment—which I had only vaguely imagined would be nice—had become reality, and it was the morning I would face for the rest of my life.

It was a morning so perfectly happy that no other thoughts could enter my mind.

To think I can face such mornings every day.

I am happy. So happy.