kscans

Chapter 138 - As Much Happiness as I Made You Wait

Leonhard and Mireille walked home from Adrian’s house in silence.

Damn you, Adrian. Leonhard thought bitterly, but the man’s word was so on point that he was left speechless.

It was as if he had seen right through all my worries.

Ariel and Darius’s love was built upon a foundation of more than ten years. It was true that if they waited for those two to get married, they might miss their own chance.

I want to get married. Leonhard thought, stealing a glance at Mireille walking beside him.

◆

Mireille, too, was thinking.

Six months ago. Leonhard-san was the man who had come to her, throwing everything away alongside Adrian-sama, who had resigned as chancellor over Master’s case.

What’s more, he was even waiting to get married, prioritizing her feelings of not wanting to leave her master all alone.

When they left the Royal Capital, he had paid a large severance to the building managers who had looked after her, reduced his own belongings, and moved with her into a small house. Because he was quitting the knights, he had even shown his intent to renounce his noble title. And this was a man the royal family still hadn’t given up on.

...Our meeting was something akin to being swept up in events, but I can’t keep a man who treasures me this much waiting forever.

"Ah, um..." Mireille stopped walking.

Leonhard turned around.

"What’s wrong? Did something catch your eye?"

Her cheeks were bright red, but it should have been invisible on the dark road. She took a deep breath.

"W, will you marry me?"

She’d said it. A reverse proposal. It was terribly forward, but.

"Eh...?"

"I, I’m not a noble, and I’m looking after my master who’s like a mother to me, and the only thing I’m good at is alchemy... but... I’ll properly... make you happy..."

She was cut off mid-sentence as he pulled her into a strong embrace.

"Why... did you have to be the one to say it?"

"B, because I was making you wait..."

He had proposed to her many times. That’s why she had wanted to be the one to say it this time, but maybe it wasn’t something a woman was supposed to do after all.

"I’m happy. I’m so happy. But... a proposal is a girl’s dream, isn’t it? Let me... let me do it over properly."

Saying that, Leonhard knelt on the dirt path. The moonlight illuminated him, making his hair glitter like silver.

"Mireille... I’ll say it as many times as it takes. I’m glad I met you. When I’m with you, I am happy. I want us to be happy together, always. ...Please be my wife."

He gazed at her directly, and tears overflowed from her eyes.

She remembered him teaching her how to make a bonfire. Their sudden life together in the Tree Sea. How he had fought monsters until he was covered in blood. How they had run all over to save her master.

And... him. This clumsy, gentle man who, out of his overwhelming care for me, always pulls his hand back at the last moment.

"Fufu..." A smile naturally bloomed on her face.

"I accept. I love you, Leonhard-san."

"I love you too... Mireille."

They held each other tightly, and then their lips met. Their joined shadows melted into one on the dark road.