Chapter 171: Epilogue

My father was secretly relocated.

If witches truly exist, and if, as Vivian said, the curse would be lifted when distanced—then that being must not follow my father.

The ones who struggled the most through this process were my younger siblings.

They were the ones sacrificed by my gamble and choices.

If they followed, who knows what misunderstandings might arise?

And since I didn’t know how much time my father had left, I couldn’t take all of my siblings with me when we needed to move quickly.

Yet, uncertain of how this gamble would turn out, I told my siblings to say their final farewells to our father.

At first, they were bewildered, but in the end, they followed my decision, crying and wailing as they bid their last goodbyes.

However, I did not think this was a mistake.

He would pass away if he stayed put anyway—wasn’t it better to at least grasp at this last chance?

If things went wrong, he wouldn’t get to pass away surrounded by his children back home… but by now, I understood my father.

He had always been prepared to die on the battlefield.

Rather than having dreams or romanticized notions about death, I knew he simply wished to stay with us.

I held my father in my arms and moved him into the carriage.

I was shocked by how light he had become.

“Brother, please… take care of him.”

I recalled Kayla’s trembling voice.

Though she tried to act strong, as she was set to become the head of the family, I couldn’t erase from my mind the image of her pitifully shaking in fear.

Fortunately, Vivian was there to stay level-headed in my place.

As I was unable to stop my mind from spiraling between worries about my father, fears that I had made a reckless decision, and guilt toward my siblings, she quietly covered my father with a blanket, checked if he was still breathing, and continuously moistened his lips with water.

And so, we arrived in Loctana.

…A month passed.

I sat in the room given to me, checking the letters Kayla had sent.

“…No, not yet. We’re still searching, but we don’t even know what to focus on, so we’re struggling. The citizens are also uncomfortable with soldiers entering their homes. So…”

“Kailo?”

Hearing Vivian’s voice, I lifted my head.

Red hair, red eyes, sharp features.

After the turbulent past few months, we were finally regaining our former selves.

The once-thin arms were now regaining healthy flesh and muscle.

The once-sunken cheeks had filled out again.

Strength was returning to me as well.

All my wounds had healed, and I could move without issue.

The moment Vivian saw me, she frowned—just like in the old days.

Her face was full of barely suppressed displeasure and irritation.

But at least now, she wasn’t expressing it as openly as before.

Still, this time, I was undeniably at fault.

“Sorry.”

“…Do you really have to do this today too? Can’t you hold back just for one day? Am I the only one who was looking forward to this?”

I looked Vivian up and down.

She had clearly been anticipating today.

Her entire appearance had been carefully prepared—light makeup, neatly styled hair, a luxurious dress made of fine fabric, bracelets, rings, a necklace, earrings—various accessories adorning her.

Meanwhile, I was still in rough brown pants and a worn-out white shirt.

I hadn’t even washed, and my hair was a mess.

Scratching my nose in embarrassment, I stood up and set the letter aside.

“I’ll get ready. Just wait a bit.”

Vivian sighed, venting her frustration, and shook her head.

“There’s no need. Let’s just go.”

“Huh?”

She tried to act upset, but soon turned her head away from me, her ears turning red.

Then, she muttered,

“…I like you just the way you are.”

“…As long as you’re here, that’s all that matters.”

We sat by the riverside, where we had always spent time together.

Spring had fully arrived, and the warm sunlight gently enveloped us.

In the past, this warmth had felt suffocating, but now, it made my body feel relaxed.

The fragrant scent of flowers drifted from all around, and birds chirped melodiously.

The murmuring of the flowing river added to our peace.

Behind us, lush trees cast cool shade over us.

There was no one else around.

Just me and Vivian—alone.

Since long ago, this place had always given us a sense of peace.

It was one of the few places where we could escape from the fear of adults.

Now, there were no longer any terrifying figures looming over us, yet the comfort we had felt back then still lingered in our hearts, wrapping around us and filling us with serenity.

Of course, there were certainly times when Vivian and I exchanged harsh words in this very place… but now, they were nothing more than amusing memories.

Now, we were holding hands like this.

As I took in the scenery, I asked,

“…Are you really sure this is enough?”

Vivian smiled faintly, gazing at the flowing river.

She didn’t answer for a long time.

“…Vivian?”

Closing her eyes, she finally spoke.

“…For a lifetime.”

“…Huh?”

“…For a lifetime, this is all I ever wanted.”

She didn’t need to explain for me to understand.

I felt the same way she did.

For a lifetime, all I had ever wished for was this peace.

The wind blew, making Vivian’s hair flutter.

At that moment, she opened her eyes.

Tears welled up in them.

It seemed she would never outgrow her habit of crying.

And yet, for some reason, these tears were pleasant to watch.

Perhaps because I knew they were not born from sorrow.

Maybe that’s why tears of joy looked so beautiful.

For the first time, I had no desire to complain about her crying.

“…Here.”

Vivian carefully extended her left hand toward me.

In my pocket, there was an engagement ring.

I scratched my disheveled hair, repeatedly questioning myself if this was really the right way.

Unable to find an answer, I turned to Vivian.

“I don’t know much about women… but don’t you want to receive this in front of many people’s blessings?”

Vivian was resolute.

“I don’t care about anyone’s opinion but yours. I don’t need anyone else.”

“Or… do you want to be blessed in front of people?”

At her question, I let out a dry laugh.

“No way. That’d be a hassle.”

“Then it doesn’t matter. Actually… the fact that it’s just the two of us makes your promise feel even more sincere.”

Even with her reassurance, I couldn’t shake off a lingering discomfort.

Something about the way she insisted it was okay…

“…No, still. Even so, if you’d given me some time, I could’ve at least dressed up a bit—”

“—It was a trap, Kailo.”

Vivian threw out those cryptic words with a sly smile.

“…Huh?”

“From the moment, for the rest of your life, I’ll have this as leverage over you. Whenever I feel slighted, I’ll bring up this day.”

“…Ah.”

As realization dawned on me, Vivian beamed.

Her bright laughter seemed to echo across the river.

And at that moment, I felt my emotions waver as well.

I caught a fleeting glimpse of what it meant to be overwhelmed by happiness.

Awkwardly rubbing my nose, I finally pulled the ring from my pocket.

We would probably have a public wedding.

Politics, social obligations, and all that would demand it.

But an engagement—this could be just between us.

Vivian had told me she wanted our engagement to be here, by this river.

I looked into her crimson eyes.

She looked back at me.

Who would have thought, on the day we first met, that we would end up like this?

From being the ones who resented each other the most, to the ones who loved each other the most.

I took her outstretched left hand and slowly slid the ring onto her ring finger.

“…Why are you shaking so much?”

I chuckled as I asked her.

She didn’t answer.

When I looked up at her, I realized why.

She couldn’t answer.

Tears were spilling freely from her eyes.

I decided not to tease her anymore and instead said what I had been preparing.

I had thought about it for a long time, but in the end, this was the only vow I wanted to make to her.

One I had made before and one I was confident I could keep forever.

“…No matter who threatens you, no matter if you become anyone’s enemy… I will protect you for a lifetime, Vivian.”

Vivian squeezed her eyes shut and covered her mouth with her hand.

As if she didn’t want to cry on such a happy day, but couldn’t help it.

“I love you.”

Vivian nodded, then took my ring from my pocket.

She held my left hand and sniffled again.

“…I know how calloused this hand is.”

She said as she slid the ring onto my ring finger.

“…You won’t be able to take it off for a lifetime… so make sure you know that.”

I smiled.

Then, I gently pulled her head towards me, letting her rest against my shoulder.

We sat there in silence until evening fell.

We didn’t exchange a single word, yet the time passed far too quickly, without a moment of boredom.

As the day came to an end, Vivian began to fumble, getting up from her seat.

I spoke, feeling an odd sense of reluctance.

“You’re already leaving?”

Vivian hesitated at my words, but soon sighed as if she had no choice.

“Your father is waiting.”

I shrugged.

Why was my father recovering so fast again?

Didn’t he say he hunted a wild boar yesterday?

Sighing, I stood up.

“Well then, let’s head ba—”

Thud!

However, as if feeling regretful, Vivian suddenly embraced me.

“…There’s still something I haven’t told you.”

She whispered.

Perhaps she had been sitting all day, thinking about what she wanted to say to me.

As I waited patiently, Vivian spoke.

“Kailo, you are the greatest blessing of my life. You are my reason for living.”

She slowly wrapped her arms around my neck.

“For my entire life… I will spend it repaying everything you’ve given me. I will live only for you.”

I never thought I would want to protect someone for the rest of my life.

After all, I never even had the desire to become a knight in the first place.

I never wanted a life of sacrificing myself for others.

But now, that thought has changed.

Vivian Rondor.

She changed my resolve.

And perhaps, this feeling will never change for the rest of my life.

After placing a gentle kiss on my lips, Vivian said,

“I love you, Kailo. More than anyone else.”

I responded.

“I love you too.”

TL Note: Some short stories still left. Finally this damn novel is ending. was tired of this.