Midnight.

“I was so busy making rice balls, I failed to realize it had gotten this late…”

I went to the castle’s rooftop balcony to gaze at the moon.

The full moon hung in the night sky.

I felt nostalgic.

“…Back then, on this balcony, Nigel asked if I was the saint…”

It felt like yesterday.

“I want to spend more time with you.”

His expression as he passionately held my shoulders, trying to persuade me, came to mind.

—Now that I think about it…

Not even in my wildest fantasies had I dreamed of becoming Nigel’s fiancée. After all, he was such a nice man.

In the beginning, I couldn’t stomach the fact that I was his fiancée and would brood alone.

“If it were the past me, I’d surely return to my former kingdom without telling anybody.”

I made a bitter smile.

In truth, I wasn’t strong enough to save my former kingdom.

Also, rushing off on my own would trouble Nigel.

“Have I matured?”

…I couldn’t say.

However, compared to the time I was still in my former kingdom, my way of thinking and perspective had changed considerably.

Surely, the past me wouldn’t have even considered saving that kingdom in the slightest.

“Fufufu, what am I doing here? Am I perhaps feeling sentimental? To prepare for tomorrow, I need to sleep early.”

It was when I was about to return.

“Eliane?”

A voice came from behind.

I turned around and found Nigel.

“Nigel, what’s wrong? It is already late. Tomorrow, we need to rise early.”

“That should be my line… how about you? Are you alright?”

“Of course I am.”

Nigel stood beside me and rested his arms on the balcony’s railing.

“A lot of time was spent preparing for tomorrow. The excitement is keeping me from falling asleep. Hence, I was thinking of staring at the moon until I recovered my peace…”

“What a coincidence, I cannot sleep, either…”

“Haha, that’s very much like you, Eliane.”

“The same goes for you.”

We shared a laugh.

“This place reminds me of the old days…”

“Indeed. There was a full moon at that time, the night when you proposed to me. It feels like the moon is always watching over us.”

“I feel the same.”

I felt comfortable simply talking to Nigel.

Was it because we connected?

When it came to conversing with him, I did not need to think much.

It was a stark contrast with Claude.

For a moment, I recalled Claude.

“Eliane, could it be, you are reluctant to go to your former kingdom?”

“Eh?”

What an odd question. I turned to stare at him.

“What makes you think that?”

“No… it’s just that when I look at Eliane’s expression, I get that impression. The kingdom that exiled you, surely, you detest the thought of returning there?”

“Certainly, that is true…”

I held a finger under my mouth and fell into though.

“Yes, I am reluctant to step foot in that kingdom. If I do so, surely, I’ll relive the painful memories of that time.”

“That’s only natural. That kingdom was terrible to you.”

“If I were to meet Claude, that would also be awkward. I would not know what to say.”

I shrugged.

“Then, why did Eliane decide to save that kingdom? I have heard your reasons, but it still doesn’t add up for me…”

“Hmm…”

There was also the issue regarding the revival of the Demon King—but, I only learned about that, recently, after being told by Philip.

As for the other reasons—

—The idea that the people living in that kingdom were invaded by the demons pained my heart.

—as long as I bore the title of the saint, turning a blind eye towards that kingdom’s demise felt wrong.

I could come up with as many reasons as I wanted.

However.

“…Maybe, there is no true reason. It is merely something I believe anyone would do.”

“I see. That is a very Eliane-like reason. But, perhaps, you’re trying to find something in that kingdom?”

“Something?”

What would I want to find?

I hadn’t left anything behind in that kingdom…

As if he had read my thoughts, Nigel resumed.

“It’s probably vague, but I’m sure you forgot something in that kingdom. That’s why, you are trying to find it.”

“…That may be the case.”

Although I responded like that, I still couldn’t wrap my mind around Nigel’s words.

When it came to my former kingdom, I had no regrets.

However, if it was about something I had left behind…

Nigel’s following words surprised me.

“I hope that kingdom is still safe. If it has collapsed, you may not be able to find what you’re looking for.”

“Certainly.”

If it was too late…

The thought constricted my chest with pain.

However, judging from what Philip said, it seemed that Baldur was trying to revive the Demon King by sacrificing those people…

…If so, it was highly possible none of them had died, yet.

“…There’s also the matter regarding Claude and Leticia…”

Because of them, I was condemned as a fake saint. Afterwards, was the annulment of my engagement. My banishment followed soon after.

The entire time, Leticia was grinning as she hugged his arm.

To be honest, I only had bad impressions of her. I didn’t want to see her again.

However, going to that kingdom meant that we would inevitably see each other.

I couldn’t turn back anymore.

“Eliane, are you anxious?”

“Well… I don’t know what to say.”

“Who asked for your help!?”

If Claude were to tell me that, what do I do? He was that kind of person, after all.

…When I thought about that, my anxiety swelled.

“Eliane?”

Was it because of my gloomy face?

Suddenly, Nigel spread his arms and embraced me tightly.

“—!”

I was at a loss for words.

Him doing that made my anxiety vanish as though it were a lie…

“If you’re anxious, you can always talk to me. I won’t be bothered, at all.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The nights were getting colder and I wasn’t even wearing a jacket. As such, I should had been freezing.

Except, I was enveloped by Nigel’s warmth. I wished the embrace would last forever.

It was such a pleasant moment.

“…Let’s head to bed, soon.”

Nigel released me.

“Once we return, let’s discuss our wedding. It’s about time for everyone to acknowledge Eliane. Our engagement shouldn’t remain a secret anymore.”

“Y, yes, Nigel, but you shouldn’t talk about that, especially right now…”

“…Why?” Nigel tilted his head.

A man who promised to marry his lover once he returned from war yet never came home… I had often heard of such stories.

Still, I had promised Cecily—that we’d return safely to Lynchgiham.

I wouldn’t allow any bad outcomes.

I firmly resolved myself.

---

***T/N: Of course you’d return safely to Lynchgiham. After all, once you encounter a problem, Author will install new skill into you or your harem!

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