Lewis looked up.

“—When everything was over, I should’ve asked you to marry me.”

What…?

“I shouldn’t have feared rejection. I should’ve at least tried.”

Mareena’s face was bright crimson as she clasped her hands.

“Are you serious…?”

Mareena nodded to Lewis as he meekly listened.

“Even though I’m just a commoner?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“But rumors might spread…”

“I’ll silence them.”

“…Kingston will be hurt.”

“He wants me to be happy.”

“Would you be? With me?”

“Yes, I would.”

Halfway through her words, she lifted her face, only to bury it inside her hands once again. Lewis came up to Mareena, got on his knees, and pried her hands away.

“…I regretted it, too, quite honestly. Even though I managed to fulfill the request, I felt nothing but emptiness.”

“…”

“After all, I wasn’t able to see you anymore.”

“Did you want to see me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you still feel the same?”

“Absolutely.”

“Will you marry me?”

“…If Kingston allows it.”

“I’m sure he would.”

“I hope so.”

He drew her into an embrace. She was still as gorgeous as ever. No matter how many times he tried to recall it, the sweet scent of his beloved was fading from his memory.

Enveloped in his arms, Mareena burst into tears.

All this time, she’d been alone. Of course, there were those who supported her. However, she never allowed herself to depend on them. After all, she was their leader—she had to lead everyone.

…Right now, am I allowed to be “just” a woman and entrust myself to his loving embrace?

““…””

Multiple pairs of eyes secretly watched the two from the door that had been left ajar. They belonged to Kingston, Johan, and Beth. Kingston blushed slightly.

“Will I have a father?”

“It seems so.”

“It all depends on you.”

“Alright, leave it to me.”

“It’d be nice if he could also take over right away…”

“But Johan, didn’t you say that you’ll wait for me?”

“Should we celebrate?”

“I think a cake with lots of strawberries would be nice.”

“Isn’t that young lord’s favorite cake?”

“If it’s Lady Mareena, she prefers a rum cake with plenty of dried fruits.”

“Yes, but I hate that.”

“We seem to be in the way. Why don’t we leave the two for the time being?”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

Both the servants and the young lord loved Marena. Johan and Beth returned to their posts, while Kingston returned to his room.

—I’ll have a father! Not to mention, my father is good-looking! Lilia always boasted about how handsome her father is, but my father is the best!

—Besides, my father is also the guild master of the largest guild in town.

My father is the best—!

Kingston clenched his fist as he suppressed the urge to yell.

The two hadn’t come out of the parlor, yet. But surely, nothing happened between the two? Kingston was perceptive like that.

In a daze, he sat on a chair. Spending his time like that once in a while wasn’t bad.

Even when the excitement finally subsided, he couldn’t stop grinning.

While recalling his mother’s face, he also remembered Lewis’ face, and imagined a happy future.

As he rested his back on the chair, Kingston heard some murmurs.

“Will you watch the practice today?”

“Sure.”

Suddenly, the door to his room opened, and Lewis peeked inside.

“Master!”

“You want to win the competition, don’t you?”

“Yes!”

“Then, you’ll have to practice.”

“Hehe, I will!”

After that, the two went to the garden and practiced for a long time. Mareena stared adoringly at the two, filled with utmost joy. From that day onward, Lewis would to teach him.

***

The wedding for the two was held on a day brimming with warm and gentle sunlight. The wedding party itself was a modest one, with only a limited number of guests. Most who attended were close with the groom and the bride.

Lewis’ parents and two older brothers also attended.

The party was filled with happiness, surrounded by kind people who sincerely wished for the happiness of the three.

***

At the competition, Mareena and Lewis cheered Kingston together. At the sight of the two, the other parents who went to support their children whispered to each other.

“Father! Mother!”

When Kingston waved his hand from the distance, the two immediately waved back. The people in their surroundings were vexed, but they wouldn’t be losing much by ignoring them.

The gossip-loving Countess Essen approached.

“Countess Westmont.”

She approached them in search of juicy rumors.

“Countess Essen, it’s been a while.”

“You’re welcome. I’m relieved to see that the countess hasn’t changed. Also, thank you for your generosity towards my son’s uncouthness the other day.”

The deal with Count Essen had been suspended due to her child’s careless remarks. However, it was soon resumed after the count paid a hefty sum. Mareena wouldn’t forgive anyone who dare to disrespect her son. Although, Countess Essen didn’t seem to understand that.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had the gall to approach Mareena like that.

Deep down, the countess probably saw Mareena as a woman with loose morals who didn’t only cheat on her former husband, but also dared to call herself a countess.

The Countess of Essen was looking down on her. At the same time, she was trying to reveal Mareena’s scandals.

…Actually, it wasn’t that far from the truth.

“No, it’s nothing. It was difficult for me, too. Even though I had an opportunity to do business with you, that kind of thing happened…”

As she glared at Lewis, Countess Essen covered her mouth with a fan.

“Well, how kind of you. So, is this the new count?”

It was obvious that the countess didn’t pay Mareena any heed. After all, her prime goal was to create a scandal.

“I’m her husband, Lewis. A pleasure to meet you, Countess Essen.”

They exchanged greetings.

With a fan concealing her mouth, Countess Essen’s eyes narrowed like crescent moons. Then, she began to speak in a loud voice—no doubt so that everyone could hear her.

“…Even so, what a strange coincidence! Your new husband look a lot like Kingston, no? Now, how did that happen, I wonder? No way, could it be…?”

Not even a fan that large could hide the countess’ lack of dignity.

—and Mareena refused to back down to such a person.

“Countess Essen. Children are the mirrors of their parents. Your mouth, which is lighter than a feather, spouts nonsense as if it were the truth and annoyed my son. …Yes, I still remember what you did.”

“Wha—…”

“At the same time, I understood words were meaningless. After all, there’s no arguing with stupid.”

“W-what are you saying…?”

“I refuse to engage with stupid.”

“Are you making a fool of me!?”

Countess Essen clutched her fan in anger.

“Fine with me! Better watch yourself, now!”

Mareena only smiled. Lewis bowed, and the two left.

—What a pity, even though I’ve done business with Count Essen for a long time…

After that, she stopped trading with Count Essen again, and never resumed it.

While Kingston lost in the 3^rd round, it was a great performance, so he had nothing to be ashamed of.

In the second round, Kingston fought another second-year student, but in the third round, he was matched against a third-year student. Not only was the opponent twice his size, he was also a favorite to win. Everyone believed Kingston had no chance of winning.

Still, Kingston didn’t yield, but the difference in strength was still massive.

Trying to make an opening, Kingston swung his sword only for it to be deflected. As he was being pushed back, the opponent closed in on him.

Kingston couldn’t intercept the next attack. He wasn’t strong enough. Thus, he twisted his body to evade. Seeing that his opponent had lost his balance, he began to strike. However, the opponent was much stronger than he thought. When Kingston swung his sword, the opponent struck his sword from below, essentially disarming him. In the end, the victory was decided.

“Well done, Kingston.”

Even though he lost, Lewis was proud of his son. After all, he did his best. Kingston smiled as Lewis patted him on the head.

“Will you continue to teach me?”

“Of course, so that you’ll become stronger.”

Mareena smiled as she watched over her husband and son.

She never thought she’d chance upon such happiness. When Kingston was born, she was trembling with joy. She thought she couldn’t be happier, and that it was worth it.

—Yet, somehow, the happiness of having Lewis and Kingston by her side outweighed that.

Kingston waved his hand and called out to Mareena.

In turn, Mareena walked towards the happy couple.

---

***T/N: FInally, Mareena has ended…!

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