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Volume 2 — Epilogue — Family Part 3
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“I love you, Zechs-sama.”
I was surprised. I didn’t think that she would confess her love to me at this point in time, and I was at a loss for words.
Then while I was gathering my thoughts, she continued her words.
“You don’t have to give me an immediate response. I could not help but express my feelings, but I am not qualified to stand next to you.”
“Qualified?”
It was a question I could barely squeeze out.
In response, Shion nodded her head.
“Yes. I have caused you a lot of trouble about that incident.”
“I don’t really mind.”
“I know. However, I myself cannot forgive. I’m not satisfied unless I make this redemption. Even if it is only for my own satisfaction.
She stared straight at me with her green eyes and said,
“This confession is what I really wanted to tell you, even though it may have inconvenienced you. My body and heart are dedicated to you, Zechs-sama. I will continue to stand by your side. I hope you will keep this in the back of your mind.”
“Why did you go this far…?”
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I understood that Shion had an immense affection for me. Not only in words, but also in the feelings of affection that have been radiating from the time of her confession, filling the entire area around her.
It was clearly showing. It wasn’t surprising if she said, “I couldn’t hold it back.”. I was amazed that she could keep it a secret until now.
However, I did not remember doing anything to Shion that would make her pledge eternal loyalty to me. I could not hide my surprise at the magnitude of her affection that was greater than I had imagined.
In contrast, Shion smiled bitterly.
“I can understand your confusion. From Zechs-sama's point of view, it wasn't a big deal. I was deeply touched when you called me a part of your ‘Family.’ I only had a family that never looked at me, even though I was related to them by blood.”
The Sawade family has treated Shion coldly since her birth. Perhaps recalling her past circumstances, she looked somewhat distant.
“I fell in love with Zechs-sama when you assured me that I’m part of your family with a powerful will. I felt that I wanted to share my life with you, even though it was disrespectful. For the past month, I have struggled to hold back my feelings. That’s why I confessed to you...”
Shion said so embarrassingly. She looked so cute, and her voice contained such heat that it almost burned as she spelled out her thoughts.
I put my hand on my forehead and confirmed that fact.
“I like Shion as a family member, so I don't want to make you my significant other.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Even if we get into that relationship, your position would not allow you to be my lawful wife. Perhaps—no, considering the laws of the Holy Kingdom, there is a high probability that I will have to take a concubine.”
“Being a lawful wife is too much for me. If it were possible, I would be delighted if I could have a piece of your love.”
“I’m colorless. People would look down on you.”
“I don't care what other people think. I would hate not to be able to be next to the person I love. Besides, I have Zechs-sama, Caron-sama, and everyone at Foranada Castle.”
“...I see.”
I laid out all the disadvantages of choosing me as a life partner, but they were all easily dismissed.
I wonder what attracted Shion to me? She gave me her reason earlier, but I still don't quite get it. Perhaps only she could understand that feeling.
That's why I had no choice but to take it head-on and answer. She told me I didn't have to respond, but I decided I just needed to give her some advice.
“I have something I have to do. It will probably be ten years before I can say for sure that it will happen.”
To Caron from her destined death. That was my longing and starting point. Until the day I graduate from the Academy, I don't think I'll have time to be distracted by love.
Even if Shion were to gain confidence and beg me for an answer, there's a good chance I wouldn't be able to give him one.
Of course, I would be happy to have her as a partner if I knew her well enough. Even if it was familial love now, there was a probability that I would change my mind.
But ten years was a long time. Shion was now thirty-three years old. In this world where marriages were earlier than in my previous life, it was hopeless for her to find a new love at her age.
Because I considered her a family, I felt sorry for this conclusion. I didn't want her to have to wait so long for me that she had to give up her own life. Ten years was a long time, I’m sure that was enough time for her to find a new love. She was now a free woman.
If I clearly presented the age difference between us, she would be more or less convinced. That's what I thought.
However, Shion's reaction was the exact opposite of what I had imagined. She smiled fearlessly at me.
When I raised my eyebrows in doubt, she said with a smile–
“Have you forgotten, Mr. Zechs? I’m an elf.”
“But what abou—ah.”
In the middle of asking the question, I guessed what Shion intended to say. And I also understand that this way of worrying was a bad idea.
Shion replied with a chuckle.
“The average life span of an elf is two hundred years, twice as long as that of a human being. Moreover, aging does not begin until after 150 years of age, which means that a 33-year-old is considered a child.”
It was pointless to worry about age-related issues. Rather, because I presented this reason, Shion would not look for another love. For sure, she would say that she would wait for me to be ready.
“I will wait for you, Zechs-sama.”
Shion looks at me with a firm attitude. It was a foregone conclusion.
“Even if it is twenty or thirty years from now, I will wait. Unless, of course, if it troubles you, Zechs-sama…”
“N-No, I don’t really mind.”
I’m an idiot. Why did I say, “I don’t really mind”? —I mean, if someone asks me with tears in their eyes, “If it troubles you…” I would be tempted to deny it. I like her, even though our vectors are different.
“Then, there's no problem.”
She said so with a refreshing smile. I want to hit her once.
And then, Shion added a few more words.
“The purpose you have to achieve is something related to Caroline-sama, isn't it?”
“That’s wro—”
“No, you don't have to answer. There’s no way Zechs-sama would give priority to others unless it’s related to Caroline-sama.”
“.......”
I was not allowed to make any kind of excuse. Perhaps it was because of my usual conduct, but there was an atmosphere in which no matter what I said, she wouldn’t believe me.
I let out a sigh.
“And if that's the case, what do you do?”
“Let me help you.”
“Haa…?”
I made a stupid sound at Shion's immediate answer.
She then continued without caring.
“Caroline told me that a close family supports each other. If that is the case, I will support Zechs-sama since you recognize me as family. It is also a good opportunity for me to make up for my failure this time. Also, if Caroline is in danger, I would like to help her. She is the one who looks up to me as her older sister, after all.”
“Two people are more efficient than one,” she concluded.
I stared at Shion and she looked straight at me too.
Both of our gazes crossed each other.
““........””
Silence reigned over the area, but not for long. Within a minute, I let out a huge sigh.
“All right, all right. I lost. I'll tell you what happened, but you have to help me.”
“Then…!”
“But whether or not I will respond to your feelings is another matter. Ten years is a long time. If you find new love at that time, don't worry about me and go ahead with it.”
This one thing was non-negotiable. It was something that must not happen that Shion misses out on her happiness because I got her involved in my mission.
She must have realized that my will was firm. Shion nodded her head reluctantly.
“I understand. But please don’t refuse my affection for you, okay?”
“I understand. I'm not that insensitive.”
I understand well that emotions were something that couldn't be controlled.
Therefore, as long as Shion likes me, I would do my best to meet her needs. I'm just going along with what she wants.
“Fufufu. I look forward to working with you from now on, Zechs-sama.”
“—Likewise.”
Her smile was both cute and beautiful, which was hard to imagine from her usually cool personality.
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ReplyDeleteNoice. Thanks so much for the chapter!
ReplyDeleteGood jod MC
ReplyDeleteI see wincest is probably the reason why Caron is making team with Shion
ReplyDeleteAge just a number
ReplyDeletePolicemen are just people
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