After She Left - Side Story 5
“Oh my, you look so beautiful.”
Kilianerisa, who was being dressed by the maids, gently opened her eyes at her mother’s voice. The maids had just finished dressing her, and she turned her head to look at Arne. Then she smiled mischievously.
“Of course. Whose daughter am I?”
Arne burst into laughter at the sight of her daughter.
“What? Ahahaha. You’re not wrong.”
Kilianerisa’s gaze moved back to the mirror after looking at Arne for a moment. She had always been called a beauty, but today, she shone even more brighter than usual. Despite the subtle makeup, her face exuded a delicate and elegant beauty.
At the moment of satisfaction as she examined herself—
“Lia! Do you really have to get married?!”
Fabius’ tearful words made Kilianerisa’s satisfied expression crumple with displeasure.
“How many times do I have to say it? I’m absolutely doing it.”
Kilianerisa’s blunt response made Fabius frown.
“But……”
Arne clicked her tongue as he looked at the disgruntled Fabius.
“Honey, how long are you going to keep this up? Today is already the wedding day.”
At that, Severus grumbled with a serious expression.
“Mother, I also agree with Father’s opinion. We can’t give Lia to such a bumpkin.”
Severus spoke in defense, and Fabius nodded his head dejectedly. Euclid, who had been silently watching Kilianerisa from the side, also nodded secretly in agreement. Arne, who had been watching her husband and two sons in dismay, approached Kilianerisa and placed her hand on her shoulder. Then, she spoke softly.
“Oh dear, why does your opinion matter? After all, it’s our Lia who’s getting married.”
Then everyone’s anxious gaze turned to Kilianerisa, and she burst out laughing when she suddenly received their gazes. She said firmly.
“Wake up.”
Then she stood up as if she had no regrets. Her white dress fluttered like butterfly wings following her movements. Fabius looked at Kilianerisa with pity. It was depressing to think that he had to give away his daughter, who was so precious he couldn’t even bear to put her in his eyes, to such a bumpkin.
Of course, Marquis Etrom’s household was one of the prestigious families in the Empire, but he was far from being a suitable husband for his daughter. Even if they brought the Emperor of the Empire, his daughter would be a hundred times more precious. Who would give such a beautiful child to anyone?!
Severus, who was beside him, also thought similarly to Fabius and secretly teared up. What’s so good about that unremarkable guy?!However, since it was his beloved sister’s chosen man, it was difficult to openly show disdain.
Euclid, though he didn’t openly express his feelings, was ready to draw his sword at any moment he saw tears in Lia’s eyes.
In contrast to the feelings of the three men, Arne and Kilianerisa were in high spirits. It was understandable for Kilianerisa, but it was surprising for Arne to be the same. The three men felt a bit resentful towards Arne for the first time.
“Lia.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to the unfamiliar voice coming from somewhere. At the same time, Kilianerisa and Arne’s expressions brightened, while the three men’s faces darkened with caution.
“Cal!”
Kilianerisa approached Callisis with a bright smile. Callisis’ mouth curled up when he saw his fiancée, who was always beautiful, was especially more stunning today. Arne, who had been looking at them with a smile, said with a belated look of realization.
“Oh my, the groom is here, and I was oblivious.”
Callisis said in embarrassment.
“N-no, Duchess.”
Then, Arne grumbled with a disappointed look.
“Duchess? How disappointing. When will I be able to hear Callisis call me mother?
At the sound of her disappointed voice, Callisis made a troubled look and then opened his mouth with a stammer.
“Uh, well… Mo, Mother….”
Embarrassed, the tips of his ears turned red, and seeing this, Arne and Kilianerisa burst into light laughter.
“Well then, I’ll be going. Lia, see you later.”
“See you later.”
Kilianerisa waved her hand as if she was glad to see Arne leave. To be precise, perhaps she was even more glad that the three men accompanying her were leaving.
Arne was her only support. It was only when the noisy room fell silent that Kilianerisa was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. She was embarrassed and sorry to show Callisis how those men were making a fuss. Why make such a fuss about getting married? She couldn’t even raise her head in shame.
Once married, she would be living with Callisis, so she wouldn’t have to worry about such things. Thinking about it brought a smile to her face. Kilianerisa turned her body playfully to face the man who made her heart flatter just by looking at him.
“How do I look today?”
The hem of her dress rose and fell slightly with her movement. Callisis, who was watching her, couldn’t help but smile.
“Beautiful. More than anyone else.”
Though it was a common phrase, her heart skipped a beat. She felt her face blush for no reason. Anyone in the empire would have given her the same answer, but she was happy, nonetheless. She knew that the man in front of her had said it sincerely.
But she wanted to hide her excitement, so she grumbled for no reason.
“Come on, that’s so cliché.”
It wasn’t a particularly impressive conversation, yet it felt strangely good. It was like someone was gently tickling her chest with feathers, or like she was walking on fluffy clouds. Feeling sufficiently euphoric, she giggled.
Callisis felt the same way. They gazed at each other intently. No words were exchanged. Still, the moment and space they shared felt pleasant. With that happy feeling behind them, their faces gradually drew closer.
She closed her eyes and felt a soft sensation covering her lips.
***
The marriage between the Duke of Hameln and the Marquis of Etrom was a big event even in the Empire. Many guests gathered to congratulate them on their wedding.
The protagonist of the day, Kilianerisa, had nothing to do until the ceremony began, so she sat in a chair and waited for the time to pass quickly. Then, she heard the chatter of ladies who seemed to have come as guests.
“Have you heard that story?”
“What story?”
Her idle attention was drawn to that conversation.
“About the Empress. I heard that she’s infertile.”
Intrigued by this rather interesting gossip, she directed her gaze towards them.
“Really? I thought it was weird how there’s still no news after all these years.”
“So, it seems the palace is in chaos. I heard that Marquis Illimax took advantage of this opportunity to promote his daughter as a candidate for Empress.”
“Too bad. I was going to ask my father to recommend me as a candidate for Empress.”
“Forget it. The Marquis of Illimax enjoys power no less than a duke. How can a mere count’s family compete with them?”
“That’s just what they say. Anyway, what about the current Empress?”
“How would I know? Well, she probably won’t be able to stay as the Empress. She rose to the position of Empress from a viscountess with the love of the Emperor alone, but now that she can’t even give birth to a prince, do you think other nobles will just watch that happen?”
“I guess so, but it’s a little pitiful.”
“Anyway, it seems the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress isn’t the same as before because of that issue. After all, how long love can last?”
“That’s true. Oh, but more importantly…”
It wasn’t a topic to be taken lightly, but they soon turned the conversation to another subject. After the interesting discussion ended, Kilianerisa turned her attention away from their conversation and thought about the Emperor she had seen some time before.
He was definitely handsome. Moreover, being the Emperor, anyone might have considered aiming for the Empress position at least once.
‘Unfortunately, he’s not my type.’
She wasn’t particularly interested in power, either.
She nodded lightly and erased the image of the Emperor she had briefly thought of from her mind. She didn’t care about the affairs of the country, and as long as there were no wars, there was nothing more she could wish for.
She closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the conversations around her. She could feel the cool breeze and smell the refreshing scent of grass. The warm sun shining down on her and her being in top condition—it was truly a great day to get married.
Time passed and music began to play, signaling the start of the wedding.
Many people had gathered to witness her wedding. She slowly looked around, savoring the moment. There were faces she had never seen before, and some she had seen a few times. After that, she saw Fabius, resentful and shedding tears as if he still refused to accept her marriage, and Severus, glaring towards the place where Callisis was.
Of course, aware of Kilianerisa’s gaze, they quickly changed their expressions, but it was too late as she had already seen them. She scowled disapprovingly at the two, as if to warn them, before turning away and walking.
A long, red carpet and scattered flower petals adorned her path. After a few steps, she saw the figure of the man she loved in the distance. As the distance between them, which had seemed so far away, gradually narrowed, Kilianerisa’s smile deepened.
Even if she tried to hide it, she couldn’t help but smile. Ah, who cares. Is there any need to hide this joyful feeling? So, she chose to smile. If not today, then when would she smile?
A similar smile to hers was now on Callisis’ face. She thought she wouldn’t be nervous, but as she got closer to him, the pounding of her heart grew louder. Suppressing a strange tremor, she met his gaze once again. Soon, the distance between them became close enough that each other was reflected in their eyes.
They looked at each other without saying a word. Kilianerisa was now a little fearful. Currently, just seeing him brought joy and excitement, but there was no guarantee that this feeling would last forever. Love and marriage were different. Just because she was happy in a relationship, that didn’t guarantee that she would be happy even after marriage.
Callisis, who had been watching Kilianerisa, paused for a moment, approached her confidently, and extended his hand. Kilianerisa stared blankly at his hand.
Will I truly be happy if I took this hand? Or will I regret it?
Such doubts arose, but in reality, they might have been pointless worries.
Yes, maybe she would really regret this marriage after fighting and crying over something really trivial, but maybe after that fight, they would be able to reconcile, and their relationship would become stronger. Life was like that, no one can predict it. Of course, she would rather hope for the latter, but she couldn’t know if it would go her way.
However, she didn’t think she would regret it. Therefore, she decided to take the hand that was extended to her. She trusted the man who had made her happy until now, so she wouldn’t worry about the future that hadn’t come.
Kilianerisa placed her hand on top of his. The warmth and softness she felt through the glove made her heart flutter. She looked into his eyes, but he had been looking at her since a long time ago.
His blue eyes, the ones she loved, would continue to hold her image in the future. Perhaps it would capture the ugly side she didn’t want him to see, and it might capture not only the lovely images she wanted to show but also the image of her getting old with time. No, it would definitely capture all of it.
She wanted to be together with him even with such costs. She wanted to share sadness, joy, and happiness. That’s why she chose this place. Even if everything changed, the emotions they hold for each other would remain unchanged.
They had been happy until now, and they would continue to be happy in the future.
After She Left
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tl: thank you very much for reading~ I hope you shed some tears lol