Chapter 97
Philome felt her loosely tied hair being swept away violently. Even with her eyes closed, she could sense that Kaien was moving at a considerable speed.
“You can open your eyes.”
When Philome opened her eyes, a large moon unfolded before her.
“The full moon in the north is especially beautiful and big. Unless there’s a blizzard, clouds or fog rarely obscure it, making it perfect weather to see the moon.”
“Wow… it’s really, really beautiful and big…”
Philome muttered in awe.
The moon’s mysterious white light shattered and settled in the night sky. Just as Kaien said, the moon was truly enormous.
It felt so close that she could almost reach out and touch it, causing Philome’s hand to instinctively twitch.
“It’s the second prettiest sight after the aurora.”
Kaien said, watching Philome, who was unable to take her eyes off the moon.
“Still, in my eyes, you are the most beautiful one beside me.”
Philome, who had been staring blankly at the moon, turned her head with a slight smile.
“That’s the most common thing I’ve heard lately.”
Although she meant it as a sign that she was no longer embarrassed, Kaien squinted his eyes.
“Really? That’s quite strange. It feels like I say something different every time I see you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I like you.”
“…”
“I love you.”
Kaien said with a gentle smile as he kissed Philome’s cheek. It was a deeper and sweeter kiss than the light pecks he usually gave.
After pressing his lips against her cheek as if to leave a mark, Kaien left soft kisses around the corners of Philome’s lips.
“I’m happiest when I’m with you like this.”
Kaien cherished every moment spent with Philome, but he especially loved the times they were left alone together in the quiet dawn.
Holding something so precious, he murmured,
“If only this time could be guaranteed for a lifetime, I could live in hell until I die.”
Knowing he wasn’t joking, Philome let out a light laugh.
“Is it really necessary to be in hell?”
“If I can be with you, it means I could live my whole life in a place as terrible and difficult as hell.”
Kaien’s feelings were so intensely warm that Philome could feel heat rising to her face. She fidgeted with her fingers and softly said,
“…I like this time too.”
Philome turned her gaze from Kaien and looked at the moon.
“It’s a blessing to see beautiful things with someone who loves them.”
Kaien knew that Philome’s mention of “someone who loves” didn’t refer to a romantic feeling.
Yet, he still liked her words.
“More than anything, being with you makes everything that tires and burdens me feel like a dream.”
“I’ll make sure you won’t have to experience those hardships even in your dreams.”
Philome smiled softly.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
The two leaned into each other’s embrace and gazed up at the moon.
“Philome.”
“Yes?”
“More monsters will start to awaken now. We might not even have the luxury to do this anymore.”
“I’ll miss it, really.”
It was sincere.
The only moment in this tense northern region when she could completely let her guard down and forget her worries was when she was alone with him like this.
“Every time that happens, I’ll think of the nights I spent with you. They were brief moments, but they were so sweet that I could live a lifetime within those memories.”
Kaien took Philome’s hand.
Their fingers intertwined perfectly, fitting together without any gaps.
As Philome watched Kaien, her lips parted slightly.
“To be honest… ever since I found out that Nadia is the Saintess, I’ve been hoping she would really be the true Saintess.”
“What? Why?”
Philome struggled every time doubts about Nadia not being the true Saintess arose or when evidence supporting that idea surfaced.
She sincerely wanted her to be real.
“Because that would mean you would be a little safer.”
For none other than Kaien.
“It wouldn’t matter if Nadia is the true Saintess or not. No, I actually hope she is.”
Whether Nadia had an incomprehensible mindset or had eloped with Emon, those things were not worth worrying about in light of Kaien’s safety.
“The more I dig into the truth, the more scared I get. What if Nadia isn’t the true Saintess? That’s why… I’m afraid you might get hurt.”
“Philome.”
Kaien furrowed his brows.
“Why do you think that? Whether Nadia is real or not, the absence of a Saintess won’t change much.”
Kaien contemplated whether he should show Philome directly how he fought monsters.
He hoped that if she saw him defeat a monster in an instant, her worries might ease, even just a little.
“I know the Duke is strong, but…”
“If you hadn’t been here, it might have been a bit difficult.”
“…….”
“But you’re right here next to me now, aren’t you? Holding hands, hugging, and kissing.”
Kaien lifted their joined hands and shook them slightly in front of him.
“I only need you, Philome.”
Then he turned his hand slightly and kissed the back of Philome’s hand.
“So don’t worry at all. Now that we know the spirit scroll helps, the chances of getting hurt will be even lower.”
Philome nodded, feeling Kaien’s warmth resting on her hand.
“I have something for you.”
Philome pulled something out of her cloak pocket.
It was a white handkerchief. When she unfolded it, a violet embroidery was visible at the corner.
It was something Philome had made little by little whenever she had spare time.
“Although violets aren’t typically used for embroidery, they’re flowers that caught my interest after meeting you. I’ve heard that giving a handkerchief to a lover or spouse means wishing for their safe return.”
As Kaien couldn’t take his eyes off the handkerchief, Philome felt a bit embarrassed and added more.
“Of course, we haven’t married or are in a romantic relationship yet… but I think it’s a gesture that can be shared.”
“Philome.”
Finally tearing his gaze away from the handkerchief, Kaien met Philome’s eyes.
“When spring comes, we’ll have our wedding.”
“…Wasn’t that already planned?”
“Things are completely different now compared to then.”
At those words, Philome reflected on the past once more.
The time when she suggested having a wedding with Kaien in spring and now are completely different, just as he said.
From the weather to their relationship. The weather was gradually getting colder and freezing, but it seemed like their relationship had already welcomed spring.
“The situation is different, so the meaning is different too.”
“That’s true. It’s surprising how much has changed for us.”
“Back then, it was just a contractual relationship, but now it’s different. I want to spend my life with you, to hold hands more, to hug more, and to kiss more.”
Kaien’s thumb brushed over the back of Philome’s hand.
The warmth of his body left a mark on Philome’s soft hand.
“I want to do it more often than occasionally, and even more than that.”
“…That’s not the main point, right?”
“You caught me. I really can’t win against you. So, you have to live with me for the rest of your life.”
Kaien added that there was no room for refusal as he pulled out the scabbard hanging at his waist.
“Tie it directly to the handle.”
Philome firmly tied the handkerchief to the sword’s handle.
She had debated whether to give it or not while making it, but seeing Kaien looking excited made her feel it was worth it.
Kaien looked at the handkerchief Philome had tied with more satisfaction than any gift and said,
“Ah, please give me the answer to the proposal along with your confession of love. I want to hear it all at once. I think it would make me twice as happy.”
With his brazen words following one after another, Philome finally let out a chuckle.
“Okay.”
Kaien, who hadn’t expected a response, looked at Philome with a surprised expression.
Philome smiled in return.
“I’ll answer together with you.”
Kaien kissed Philome.
From the moment he grasped her chin, Philome had closed her eyes. Kaien gently pressed his full lips against hers, smiling softly as he looked at Philome with her eyes closed.
Then, he pressed his lips against hers again and murmured softly.
“Yeah, after all, the words that come from these lips will be everything I want.”
