Side Story Episode 1

Having resolved all matters related to the deceased Hestia, Iris and Cassius finally found some free time to relax in the greenhouse garden, enjoying a leisurely tea time.

“It’s fortunate that the knights who were protesting against the disbandment of the 3rd Order readily backed down.”

Iris, who spoke first, sipped her warm tea.

“It’s better for them to withdraw gracefully. I proposed a condition that if they nominated a knight from the Order who wanted to defect and that knight won a duel, we would let them defect. But even though they chose relatively weaker new knights, they couldn’t win. It’s a natural result since Hestia selected them based on appearance rather than skill.”

“There was a knight who nominated May, right? The match ended in 3 seconds, which was hard to believe. It’s unfortunate, but within our Order, there aren’t many knights who can beat May.”

“It was a mistake to challenge her in the first place.”

Thinking of May brought smiles to the lips of Iris and Cassius. May’s positive energy was so strong that just thinking about her made them smile involuntarily.

“People were hesitant to approach May due to her status, but I think there are quite a few who secretly like her, don’t you think?”

“Definitely. We have a few in our Order as well. There’s even someone whose face turns red every time their paths cross during training with your Order.”

“How adorable.”

Iris softly smiled as she closed her eyes, then looked at the tea cup in her hand. Her beautiful face was reflected in the fragrant floral tea.

“Our May should meet a good person someday…”

“It would be quite unusual when May gets married. When we first met her, she was just a ten-year-old kid.”

“That’s true. I wonder who May will marry.”

“According to rumors, she has been showing signs of not being able to take her eyes off Diego recently. They’ve been spending a lot of time together during training.”

Iris looked surprised as if she didn’t know.

“Oh my, really? Our little one has someone she’s interested in?”

“That’s what the rumors say. It’s not confirmed.”

“I’m curious though…”

As Iris expressed her curiosity, Cassius put down his tea cup and stood up from his seat.

“Just wait, I’ll bring Mirocagon.”

“Really? No, there’s no need to go to such lengths—”

With decisive action, Cassius disappeared before Iris could finish her sentence.

“He’s really quick…”

Ten minutes later, Cassius returned with Mirocagon, tightly bound in his golden aura.

Mirocagon burst into tears and cried out.

“P-Please spare me…! I don’t want to die like this…”

“I’ll say it a few times. I didn’t bring you here to kill you, I just had some questions.”

As Cassius spoke, Iris nodded in agreement, and only then did Mirocagon seem to find some calm. His tears had also dried.

With the assurance from Cassius, Mirocagon had regained his composure, and he was ready to get to the point.

“…What is it that you’re curious about?”

After gently setting Mirocagon down by the table, Cassius took a seat on the couch.

“I’m curious about who May will marry in the future.”

“May Flotina? Well, in that case…”

Using his ability to see the truth, Mirocagon attempted to predict May’s future. He couldn’t directly see the future, but based on the present circumstances, he could make estimations.

“As things are, she’ll marry Diego Stacia.”

“Oh my, does May really have feelings for Diego?”

“It’s not just her. The prince also has feelings for her. Originally, it was the prince who fell for her and pursued her.”

Iris and Cassius were curious about the love story that had developed between them.

“So, how does their relationship progress from there?”

* * *

It had been four years since Diego left. The twenty-year-old May carried herself with elegance and grace, resembling her birth mother, Viche, but with hair that flowed long and straight unlike Viche’s curly locks. May was sitting in the reception room where Nazret was present.

May was engaged in conversation with her longtime friend, Stella.

“So, you won’t be able to go on a picnic with me this weekend because of the hunting starting tomorrow?”

As May raised her cup, her gesture was filled with grace.

“Yeah. Let’s go next weekend.”

“This week is when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and it’s the most beautiful time… It’s a pity.”

“Go with the Marquis and Milo. I’ll go with you again next weekend. There will still be cherry blossoms next week.”

“Hmm… Dad is busy, so I should go with Milo.”

“That’s a good idea.”

As May smiled gently and savored her tea, Stella sighed, as if she couldn’t help it.

About 4 and a half years had passed since May returned from the Dream Lake and saw the truth.

During that time, due to Persis’s active efforts, the law was amended to allow daughters to inherit the family. Thanks to that, May was able to inherit the family and took her place as the official heir of Flotina.

She continued to serve as a guardian knight, and she still received love from her doting father, Persis, and from Floa.

At breakfast this morning, seeing Persis, who promised to be informed immediately if anything happened and that he would handle any bothersome individuals, and Floa, who said he burned all the love letters May received, love seemed to remain steadfast.

Thankfully, they were all in good health, not much different from four years ago, including May herself.

Despite having spent peaceful days for the past four and a half years, after May and Diego’s kiss, there had been complications in their romantic relationship.

The ultimate reason for their kiss with Diego was due to their commitment to embark on an adventure.

May had always hoped to date someone she liked, rather than someone who liked her, since her past life. She had experienced many crushes, and therefore, there were many times when those feelings were unrequited. However, she decided to change this perspective after being hurt by Jed, who tried to enjoy her unrequited love for him.

She decided to meet someone who liked her.

Trying something she had never done before was an adventure. Of course, the kiss wasn’t simply an adventurous act, as she also had a certain level of affection for Diego. Although it wasn’t as strong as her feelings for Jed.

Unlike May’s casual thought of “let’s try it,” Diego took it very seriously.

Right after receiving her kiss, he tried to suppress his racing heart and began planning their future, such as when they would hold the wedding, how many children they would have, and so on. He truly loved May.

However, Diego’s marriage plans didn’t last long. He had brought up the topic of marriage with May, only to find out she had no intention of marrying him.

“I’m only sixteen. It’s too early for me to get married.”

Although Diego understood this logically, it was difficult for him to accept emotionally. Whether she was sixteen or fifteen, she would have married him anytime, as long as he was May’s partner.

She didn’t even seem to consider engagement.

“We’re only on our third date. Isn’t this moving too fast? The reason the I supported us meeting wasn’t for a serious relationship like engagement. I just wanted to date normally.”

At that time, Diego was deeply hurt by May’s words, which implied that he was too emotionally attached. He asked if she was trying to have a casual relationship with him, whether her feelings for him were genuine.

On the contrary, May couldn’t understand Diego’s emotional response and responded firmly.

“Yes, I was trying to have a casual relationship, and although I do like you, it’s not to the extent that the Prince likes me.”

In response, Diego left, saying they should consider this seriously if that’s the case.

Afterward, he avoided May during guardian knight activities and left for extended training conducted by a select elite group to avoid running into her.

In this way, Diego ended up in extended training for a whopping four years.

May glanced briefly out the sunny window, and Stella opened her mouth.

“By the way, wasn’t the extended training supposed to end today? Then, You’ll see each other during the hunt tomorrow, right?”

Upon hearing about May and Diego’s relationship for the first time, Stella initially pestered her, asking if she had gone crazy and warning her not to meet someone who tormented her. However, upon seeing May waiting exclusively for Diego for four years without showing any interest in other men, Stella’s perspective gradually changed.

She decided to support May so wholeheartedly loving someone. However, she also made up her mind that if Diego caused May any more distress, she would vehemently oppose their relationship.

“Yeah… We’ll meet tomorrow.”

Although May’s expression darkened a bit, she hid her concerns, not wanting to worry her close friend sitting in front of her.

* * *

The next day, when May arrived at Mount Lyrath for the regular hunt, a sigh escaped her at the thought of seeing Diego.

“Should I transfer to the Second Knight Order…”

She regretted her cold words to Diego. She could have talked to him more gently, but she hadn’t. Nevertheless, she didn’t regret it enough to want to hold onto him. Even if she could turn back time, she would still refuse marriage and engagement.

Because Diego claimed to be in deep contemplation, May hadn’t seen his face for four years. At this point, her own self-esteem made it awkward for her to even look at him.

At the entrance of Mount Lyrath, guardian knights had gathered. They were bustling with activity, and in the midst of it all was a man exuding a wild air.

Diego Stacia had grown taller and more mature, emanating an air of dignity even more than before.

May easily spotted him. Unconsciously, she stopped in her tracks and her gaze was captured.

It wasn’t the same as the nineteen-year-old Diego leaving her with a blushing face. 

The twenty-three-year-old Diego now bore the aura of a prince, exuding an even greater sense of authority.

“Your Highness, you’ve become even more impressive. You radiate light from your figure!”

“I didn’t expect you to go on extended training. Many knights give up midway, so returning after a full four years is truly a testament to Your Highness’s dedication!”

As the guardian knights crowded around him, showering him with compliments, he merely showed a faint smile. Then, his gaze turned to a particular direction.

“!”

As soon as May’s eyes met Diego’s, she instinctively averted her gaze and turned away.

Stella’s assumption that May was waiting for Diego turned out to be wrong. May had given up on Diego long ago, shortly after their encounter, and other men hadn’t caught her eye much due to occasional thoughts about him.

I didn’t expect it. We’d feel awkward if we ran into each other.

May wore a listless expression, deliberately ignoring his gaze as she ventured into the hunt.

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