Chapter 193 – Epilogue 3
We were to meet in front of the fountain in the royal plaza, at eight.
After finishing up my work, I went home in order to prepare to go out.
If I was going to meet Luke, then the usual clothes should do, I thought as I picked them up.
However, there was something different about him today.
Something special compared to when we usually meet.
I thought about it for a while.
And then, I picked up the clothes that were the fanciest, and my favorite out of my closet.
“Noelle. Are you going out somewhere?”
“Yes. Just for a short while.”
“Oh, is it to see that old friend of yours?”
“It is.”
“Well done! That’s my daughter! Oh, but you must do your makeup properly. Though, I fear you’ll just wear random clothes as always…”
She said as she opened the door. And then she froze.
“Now that’s the spirit. I have nothing to worry about.”
“We-well, it’s nothing really. I just felt a little different today.”
I was starting to feel a little embarrassed.
“You know how important it is…! A real expert in love now! A beloved girl!”
My mother said in a quivering voice.
“I have no advice to give you. Just go on and fight like you always do.”
I had no idea what she was going on about, but decided to not think about it.
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something.
“Ah, so I suppose you won’t be needing lunch.”
“I do.”
“But surely you will be dining with him?”
“I still need it.”
I believed that dinner could be eaten as many times as you wished.
Especially if you don’t eat seconds.
And so I had some mutton stew, chestnut bread, and a spicy salad before leaving the house.
I walked down the stone paved streets.
The days were longer now, and the last remaining rays of the sun could be seen beyond the mountains.
I felt that something was about to happen.
Something decisive. And there would be no return.
But I could not think clearly.
There was something in my chest that was soft and shapeless.
Expectation.
Anxiety.
Fear.
However, I knew I had to hear it.
I suppose I was nervous.
As I arrived thirty minutes early.
There were a lot of people in the plaza.
I suppose it was because it was the weekend.
It was a popular spot for meeting up, and so there were quite a few people waiting there as well.
And so I sat down at the fountain and waited for him to come.
While tracing my fingers across the marble.
◇ ◇ ◇
I finished the last of my work, and walked through the Royal Magicians Order headquarters.
“I heard about your promotion.”
Said a familiar voice.
I turned around and saw the superior who had supported me ever since I joined.
Captain Gawain of the 3rd unit.
“Are you going to tell her?”
I nodded seriously.
“I am.”
He smiled. And then his large hand patted me on the back.
He didn’t say anything, because words were not necessary.
And then he walked away.
I smiled back and turned away.
I returned home and changed into my favorite clothes.
No, but wait.
Perhaps I was getting a little too excited.
It might be best to dress normally. Such thoughts came to me. I was unsure.
Before I realized it, some time had passed.
(Damn it. I have to hurry.)
In the end, I decided to wear my favorite clothes after all.
That was fine.
I had waited so long for this day.
It was only natural that I should get excited.
(But I have to be careful. That I don’t convey it too heavily.)
What I had been secretly harboring since I was a fifteen year old student.
No, surely I was drawn to her even before that.
She seemed special. Completely different from the others.
You could find her immediately, no matter how many people were around her.
Her voice, face, body, personality.
All of it was the best for me.
Even the parts that others said were strange. To me, they could not be more beautiful.
I wanted to be next to her and look at her always.
But it was not possible. Everything changes.
Your heart. your relationships.
Because our worlds were so different.
The day I joined the Royal Magicians Order, I nearly froze when I realized she was not there.
There would always be a day where we are parted.
And so I reach out my hand. To be near.
No, I want more than that.
Your heart, body, love, gentleness, jealousy, anger, frustrations and anxiety…
I want all of it.
I want to cherish you and make you happy.
I want to see your smile.
Your laugh.
Your weakness.
Comfort you.
Trouble you.
Cheer you.
Anger you.
Just look at me.
Say you love me.
Choose me.
Stay by my side.
In conclusion, I love you.
The only one in the world, I can see as my partner, 100 percent.
For that, I would gladly throw away everything else.
As long as I have you, I am happy.
(…No. That will make things too heavy.)
I scratched my cheek and thought over the words.
It couldn’t be heavy.
It should sound like I just thought of them.
My pace quickened.
I wonder how she will react?
With surprise.
Annoyance. Sadness.
Will she reject me?
Perhaps she will be happy.
I was filled with emotion. I could finally tell her.
Even if it didn’t go well. That was fine.
I just hoped that the best future was waiting for us.
I was nearing the plaza in the center of the city now.
Just as I saw the outer rim of it up ahead, it happened.
I bumped into someone and lost my balance.
I had not sensed any hostility or presence.
Staggered, I looked up at the face.
Long bangs. A plain face you might see anywhere.
And then something red in the corner of my vision.
A gripped knife.
Red liquid poured.
My vision blurred.
Instinctively, I activated my magic.
However, it dispersed without any effect.
My consciousness faded.
“You know too much.”
Said an eerie voice.
And the strength left my body.
◇ ◇ ◇
I was waiting for Luke at the fountain.
Then I saw a familiar figure, and I turned my head.
It was just someone similar, but not him.
And so I continued to wait.
There was still some time left before he was actually late.
I sensed that something was about to happen.
What was he going to tell me?
And what would happen when I heard it?
I was anxious and expectant.
My fingers moved across the marble. I waited.
The plaza was filled with the voices of the crowd.
thanks for the chapter
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