In Order to Meet You, Beloved - EPILOGUE: TO OUR FUTURE (1)

EPILOGUE: TO OUR FUTURE (1)

The fact that a group of rebels had attacked the royal palace during the festival was only announced to the public three days after the celebrations ended. Perhaps considering the festive spirit of the people, the royal family declared a thorough investigation of the incident with a three-day grace period.

The festival’s prize, the crystal orb, was claimed by a clever and composed common boy. Instead of expressing joy upon receiving it, the boy bluntly asked how much he could sell it for, leaving the attendants stunned.

Ultimately, the boy succeeded in negotiating with the royal family to receive a noble title along with his territory instead of the crystal orb, but this was an unpublicized secret.

After the tumultuous festival, everyone returned to their usual peaceful lives, as if to prove that life simply flows on.

* * *

“Are you going back already?”  

At Lyneth’s question, Silkion nodded. He was dressed simply, carrying a small bundle of his few belongings.  

“My mission is complete. I have observed the magical phenomenon for three days, and since there have been no abnormalities, it’s time for me to report back to my home country.”  

His clear and dry voice revealed no hesitation. Even from the first time she met him, Lyneth thought he lacked humanity, and he remained that way until their parting.

Well, it would be scary if a person changed too quickly. Lyneth crossed her arms and spoke up.  

“Um, how is the magic of the Yurite Sanskria duchy manifested?”  

“Pardon?”  

“Meeting you has made me quite curious. What about the cultures of other countries?”  

Having stayed in the temple, Lyneth hadn’t deeply considered the level of magic outside.  

But lately, both this man from the principality and the wizard who left notes from Heritha, had sparked her desire to know more through their experiences over the past few months.  

After all, she was a wizard too. Pursuing knowledge and truth was instinctive for them.  

“In that sense, I’m considering proposing a cultural exchange with the principality’s wizards at the altar. I plan to grow even more in the future—more than anyone else.”  

Seeing Lyneth express her ambition to become stronger, Silkion let out a soft sigh. When Lyneth asked why, he shook his head.  

“You make it sound grand to say we’ll meet again. Are all the priests of Creitz like this?”  

“Shut up. That’s not something you should say…”  

Before Lyneth could finish her embarrassed retort, Silkion extended his hand as if to offer a handshake. He smiled at her, an unexpectedly gentle expression for such a stoic man.  

“I’ll be looking forward to the day we meet again, Lyneth.”  

Lyneth firmly grasped his hand and shook it, smiling brightly.  

“Same here, Kion.”

* * *

Aileen, sitting in the armchair, gazed out the window into the distance. As she remained still like a statue, she faintly heard the sound of footsteps. Turning her head slowly, she saw the door at the end of her line of sight swing open, and someone stepped inside.

Franz stood at the door, locking eyes with Aileen. Instead of reproaching her for the rudeness of not standing before the king, he spoke in a blunt tone.  

“The situation is all sorted out. Thank you for your cooperation.”  

Had he come all this way just to say that? Aileen stifled a laugh of disbelief and asked the most pressing question in a trembling voice.  

“What about her?”  

At the mention of Dolores, Franz replied calmly.  

“I’ll keep my promise and let her live, so don’t worry. Of course, she can’t serve you as before.”  

Aileen knew that the man before him always kept his promises. Understanding this all too well, she simply gaped, unable to respond.  

“Do you have anything else to say?”  

“…What about Ian?”  

Franz sighed softly, observing Aileen’s lingering concern for her child with a peculiar gaze.  

“I have more than enough to do. I have no time to dwell on the past.”  

Aileen’s eyes, still unable to hide her distrust, now bore mixed emotions different from before. The moment he sensed what those emotions were, Franz rubbed his neck.  

“If you’re referring to what you did to me back then, forget it. I will do the same.”  

He hesitantly brought up the long-ago events. A woman who had choked him while he slept in the grass two decades ago. But she hesitated for just a moment and left behind the greatest burden of all.  

The boy had used that fact to strike a deal with the woman before him and somehow survived to become king. Now, he had merely developed the habit of rubbing his neck, with no visible scars remaining.

Aileen blinked in disbelief at his claim to forget it.  

“That’s nonsense.”  

How could he say such a thing?  

“I’m not forgiving you. I simply don’t want to dwell on it.”  

Franz added softly, recalling another face strikingly similar to the woman before him. Thinking of the unwavering gaze that had looked at him with concern, he felt that there was no need for worry anymore.  

Neither then nor now did he harbor any pity. Just.  

“Ian is your son, but he is also my brother. It’s not unusual to wish for the happiness of blood relatives.”  

Franz, somewhat uncertain, added that simple statement while staring intently at Aileen. The emotions slowly rising in his crystal-clear eyes flustered her.  

“If you say it that way, then yes. I’ll live.”

There were moments when she thought he was cruel, cold, and devoid of any emotion. So she justified her actions, telling herself she didn’t intend to kill anyone. She hated him for that reason. Naturally, she believed he would despise her and her child in return.  

“Are you going to mock me?”  

“…No.”  

Aileen fell silent, feeling unworthy of even asking for forgiveness. The burden of guilt was something she would carry alone. She had that much shame. Instead, she added one more thing.  

“I hope you find happiness. Your Majesty.”  

Perhaps time had softened him, for Franz could accept her words with calmness.  

“You too.”  

As he turned to leave, Franz suddenly added.

“Oh, and I found someone to attend to you.”  

“What?”  

“You’d better get used to it, even if you don’t like it. It’s a royal decree.”  

Since being confined to the mansion, Aileen and Ian had not had a personal servant. This was likely a measure to bind their hands and feet.  

“Who is it…?”  

Without answering, Franz left the room. After a while, hurried footsteps echoed, and someone appeared.  

“Beth?”  

Although many years had passed, Aileen immediately recognized her. She was the maid and confidante from her childhood, the one she had secretly spent time with. Unlike her nurse, Dolores, Beth was of humble birth and couldn’t be brought to the royal family.  

Aileen felt relieved that things had turned out this way.  

“Queen! No, um…”  

“Aileen.”  

“Lady Aileen. I’ve really, really wanted to see you again.”  

With tears brimming in her eyes, Beth approached and embraced Aileen tightly. Taken aback, Aileen blinked in surprise as she found herself in Beth’s arms.  

“How did you get here…?”  

“I don’t know. Someone asked if I want to see you again… After everything that happened to your family, I can’t express how worried I was. I’m so glad you’re safe.”  

The warmth of Beth’s embrace, gentle as if holding a fragile being, made Aileen speechless for a long time. It felt like confronting memories from a time long past when everything was simply happy.  

How could he know her so well?  

Who could have spilled this story to the king? As far as she knew, there was only one person.  

Her eyes grew warm, and heavy tears of regret slowly streamed down her face.  

She already knew that the days when she had to rely solely on her child had gone wrong. She didn’t deny her efforts to survive, but those times had not been easy.  

She thought she was okay, but in truth, nothing had been fine. Aileen could finally acknowledge that.  

“Yeah, I missed you too, Beth.”  

With heartfelt sincerity, Aileen buried her face in Beth’s shoulder.

* * *

“So, for now, I think I’ll prioritize these six themes. I’ll finalize the rest after visiting the territory again.”  

A smile blossomed on the face of Marquis Paulette as he stared intently at the six sheets of paper.  

“Interesting idea.”  

“Do you like it?”  

“Of course. To be honest, I would have said the same no matter what you brought. The moment I saw that mural, I was sure of it.”  

Noah, observing the chuckling marquis as he stroked his chin, asked. 

“Forgive my impudence, but what exactly did you see in the mural that makes you trust me so?”  

The marquis grinned and replied.

“Is that what you’re curious about now?”  

“I’ve been curious for quite some time… but I didn’t want to be a bother.”  

It was said that nobles should avoid asking directly and instead speak in riddles or pick up on hints. The expected demeanor was to sense and respond before the other person spoke.  

In other words, being overly verbose wouldn’t be of any help.  

“You’re quite articulate, even though you’re not afraid of me.”  

After handing the papers back to Noah, the marquis pretended to contemplate deeply.  

“Your artwork is indeed technically excellent, but…”  

The marquis paused slightly before adding,  

“I can feel that you truly love this work. It’s clear that you’re a person with rich emotions.”  

As he savored the look of surprise on Noah’s face, he continued slowly.  

“No matter who created it, I was certain they must be someone who sees the world beautifully. It’s not easy to convey warm feelings in such tense and desperate situations.”  

His sharp insight made Noah acutely aware that the man before him was the kingdom’s one and only chancellor.  

“That’s why I was initially surprised by how reserved you were. Hah! You asked me everything needed for the project without hesitation, yet you never shared anything about yourself. Do you know how disappointed I was? I was curious about you, not just the art.”  

“I’m sorry.”  

“Don’t worry about it. It’s all in the past. I have no intention of prying.”  

As the marquis let out a hearty laugh, he stared thoughtfully at Noah’s well-formed face before casually remarking,  

“Now that I think about it, you bear a striking resemblance to someone I know.”