C116
After a complete separation from Doha, Lariette returned directly to the Candel mansion.
She felt strange.
She was relieved as if her heart had been pierced, but there was a hint of bitterness.
It was because she remembered his face when he cried, saying he was sorry. She also felt sorry for Asrahan.
He was gravely injured by Doha, not just the burns from the exploding carriage, but also the wounds of the heart from losing Lariette.
Wishing happiness upon someone who hurt their loved ones was madness even as she thought about it.
There was nothing to say when Asrahan was disappointed in him.
"But that was my true heart."
Lariette, sitting on the bed, tilted her head and buried her face in her lap.
Her feelings for Doha were too complicated.
The hatred was greater than the affection, but she still wished for his happiness.
She prayed that they would never meet again, but someday he would be happy.
After all, he was the one who saved Lariette's life. Without his healing, she would have truly exploded to death. But that wasn't the main reason why Lariette wanted Doha's happiness. Her main reason was that they shared a similar loneliness.
Lariette, Asrahan, Doha, all of them suffered under the shadow of their parents. Lariette had Anne and Asrahan had Hallstein, and although the agony didn't disappear, thanks to them, they could forget for a while and endure it. Until they met and healed each other's wounds completely.
But there was no one for Doha, even the only hope called 'Lariette' had left his side. She knew it wasn't his fault, but she still felt saddened that he couldn't escape the blood-stained shadow. She wished him happiness for that reason as well.
"Lariette."
Lariette looked up in surprise at the sudden voice. When she returned, Asrahan was by her side. She must not have heard him approach because she was lost in her thoughts.
"When did you get here?"
"I just arrived. I was eager to see you."
"Well done?"
Asrahan whispered, gently kissing Lariette on the forehead.
"Are you sick? You don't look well..."
When his sweet voice reached her ears, Lariette involuntarily distorted her face. It was because of guilt.
"Today, I met Doha."
She confessed with a somber look on her face.
"He apologized, saying he was sorry... I said thank you. Thank you for treating the incurable disease, because I can be happy where I am..."
Lariette closed her eyes tightly. She was afraid to face Asrahan, his silence seemed to reproach her.
"I'm sorry, I did something very wrong to Asrahan, but instead of blaming him... I feel even more sorry for saying it sincerely."
After finishing her apology, Lariette bowed her head and waited. Soon, then, Asrahan's large hand enveloped her.
"Lariette."
Asrahan's voice remained sweet.
"I love you like this."
In an unexpected response, Lariette looked at him slowly, and Asrahan was smiling.
"I get angry when I think about what he did to you... but he saved your life twice. I hate him too, but I'm always grateful."
"Uncomfortable..."
"Even if it didn't happen, I would respect your choice. So please, don't feel sorry for me."
Asrahan gently cupped her face and kissed her forehead, eyes, and cheeks in order. The touch was both tender and affectionate.
"I would rather see a smiling face than that..."
His eyes playfully narrowed.
"Can you show us if I do this?"
Shortly after Asrahan made a gesture outside the visit, servants appeared in a row, holding something in their arms. The first autumn flower blooming on a hill in Delphasa. It's a pink color that resembles Lariette's hair color.
"Cosmos...?"
"Yes, it's cosmos."
The fresh scent of the flowers quickly filled the room, and her downcast heart felt brighter in an instant. That's why he said he would go in person. Only then did Lariette realize why Asrahan was so insistent. Then, there was a smile finer than Cosmos around his mouth.
"Lariette, do you know the word 'pink cosmos flower'?"
Asrahan lovingly looked at her smile and asked. Lariette, who knew nothing about flowers, silently shook her head.
"The girl's love, he said he meant it."
Asrahan smiled skillfully and continued.
"You're my girl."
"Yes, this big?"
"How big does it matter, if I love you so pure and deep?"
Lariette burst into laughter at his silliness. She couldn't help but find it cute coming from such a terrifying face. Asrahan also looked at her with a smile, his smile seemed to bloom in his chest.
"...it is said that Cosmos is the first flower God made to make the world beautiful in the beginning."
This legend, which he heard somewhere, was the reason why Asrahan even visited Delphasa in person.
"That's what you are to me. You're the first love that bloomed, making my world beautiful."
Lariette smiled slowly. Her heart filled with happiness, and she felt tears welling up.
"That's what Asrahan makes me feel too."
The two embraced in silence. They didn't need any more words of love, the warmth surrounding them was enough to express themselves. And so, the wedding day arrived.
--------------------
"So, this is on a small scale?"
Arriving at the ceremony ahead of time, Lariette asked with her mouth wide open, and Hallstein responded with a smile.
"Yes, there is no wedding as small as this one."
As he said, the ceremony itself wasn't grand. At most, one could say it was quite small, as it could accommodate around fifty guests. But the amount of capital involved was enormous. First and foremost, there was magic throughout the ceremony. Obviously, upon entering the indoor space, a beautiful flower garden unfolded under the clear sky, out-of-season flowers bloomed gently and adorned the hall, and the fresh spring breeze blew, causing cherry blossom petals to flutter. Everything was created by magic.
"Suddenly, I wondered why they hired all the magicians..."
Lariette looked around with a somewhat tired look, feeling like she was facing a complete version of capitalism and a product of the workforce. She squinted and looked at the fountain in the middle, the fountain water wasn't like normal water, it was bright and shimmering, it was like...
"Are all those jewels?"
"Yes. Crystal, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Garnet, Topaz..."
She couldn't believe it, but they were genuine jewels. Hallstein listed the names of the jewels incessantly with a flushed face. The stress of having to refresh seemed to dissipate by applying money. Lariette, who thought for a moment, "How many bowls of soup can you buy if you have money?" immediately nodded as if giving in, as long as Hallstein was happy. Soon, Lariette and Asrahan changed their clothes and put on makeup. They had to hurry to greet the guests. The first guests were Erzebut, Zenvier, and Juana. They visited the bride and offered their heartfelt congratulations.
"For the last time, you're not getting married because you're being threatened, right?"
"What do you mean to the new bride?"
"Let me see your new bride's face. You don't seem worried."
Erzebut groaned and worried about Lariette's safety. Then Juana responded in a relaxed voice.
"I don't think you need to worry. Lariette kicked the snowbird away once and for all."
"Why would you say that on a good day?"
"Good thing you escaped on your own."
Juana shrugged as if something was amiss. The rough and confident tone was just like Juana, since then, several guests had visited. Most of the aristocrats knew each other moderately, and some had no status at all. They were the Sarmant couple who offered Lariette a place to stay when they were in Yurta. In front of Lariette, they repeatedly apologized for calling Duke Candel an ogive and presented their own harvest, it wasn't expensive, but it was more valuable than anything to Lariette. Anne shook her hand, saying it was strange for her to attend as a guest as a low-class noble and a maid, but she was finally persuaded by Lariette and sat down. The mage Joel, who was also Lariette's master, was there. A bad relationship was also destined to be, and the name Zakaskov was also invited, he considered whether he should come or not in conscience, and finally arrived with an awkward smile to greet her. The well-groomed beard was handsome. Soon she saw a man from afar.
"Lari, you're still beautiful."
"Hamad, you're still sly."
Hamad had ventured into the desert to attend Lariette and Asrahan's wedding. The first woman he fell in love with was getting married, but he couldn't miss it.
"Aren't you going to switch to your husband now?"
"The order of Hamad's ribs will change when Asrahan hears it..."
"Then I'll cancel it. Life is so precious to me."
He trembled, fearing even the thought of Asrahan hearing about it. Then, a few hours later, the main ceremony finally began. A magnificent march played. Lariette walked step by step to the rhythm of the music.
At the end of the aisle stood Asrahan, who wore a beautiful smile around his mouth and approached her. As Lariette approached, Asrahan whispered with a voice only she could hear.
"Will you walk with me?"
No one knows what the future holds for her. There may be obstacles everywhere or beautiful flowers may bloom, but Asrahan believed that he would walk with Lariette on any path.
Sometimes they will stop and look around, sometimes they will run with strength and appreciate the happiness of the moment. Lariette smiled and took his hand.
"I'll be with you forever."
They held hands tightly and walked forward. Thus began a new story.
-------------------------
Lariette gave birth to healthy twins thanks to Asrahan's hair and shakes. Both were boys with black hair resembling him.
The first son was named Evan, and the younger brother was Edwin. They looked almost the same, but the color of their pupils differed through surprising odds; Evan had violet eyes, and Edwin had blue eyes. Aside from that, there were many differences. Evan had been roaring and energetic since he was a baby, while Edwin liked to play alone without crying. As they grew up as children, the difference became even more apparent. But there was a very, very similar side: the first one was talented, and the second one was mischievous.
"Get out of the way, Edwin! It's my turn to sleep with Mom today!"
"Don't be so hard on me, Evan. You slept last night too, show some ignorant memory of yours."
"You rascal! To your brother!"
Furious, Evan swung a wooden sword at Edwin. The child was incredibly powerful and fast. But Edwin moved his head out of the trajectory, as a result, the sofa behind Edwin took the hit and shattered completely. Seeing the scene where the beloved sofa was torn to pieces in an instant, Lariette looked at Asrahan with a cold gaze.
"Who do they resemble to be so energetic?"
"Well, I wasn't that active."
"I wasn't that strong either."
Asrahan turned his head in ignorance and pointed at Lariette, poking his index finger at her arm. However, Edwin's subsequent actions also turned things upside down.
"You're such a fool."
Edwin uttered a spell. Then, a powerful wind magic spilled over Evan, who quickly dodged it, but the decorations fell off the shelf and broke with a loud crash. Asrahan continued, looking at Lariette as if he had been expecting it.
"I couldn't use magic. What do you think, Mage of the Emperor?"
"Hm, hm! It doesn't matter, stop the children. My furniture is going to be destroyed."
While Lariette tried to change his words, Asrahan smiled.
"How can you be so lovely for the rest of your life?" he murmured softly and approached the children who were bothering his wife.
"Evan, Edwin. Stop."
Evan and Edwin stopped fighting, their faces somber at Asrahan's stern voice. He was usually a gentle father but very determined...
"Today, Lariette is going to sleep with me."
It was right when Lariette was in the middle of the game.
"You slept with me the day before, tomorrow, and the day after!"
"That word doesn't exist, you idiot! But it's not cheap, father! It's my turn today!"
Evan and Edwin protested loudly, feeling unfair. But all they received in response was a cheeky answer.
"Originally, couples sleep together. I gave you a concession from time to time. If you feel aggrieved, marry Lariette."
"When did he become so childish?" Lariette looked at Asrahan and wondered. If she left him alone, the children were so upset that they couldn't sleep.
"Stop, stop. Come on, let's all sleep together tonight. It's okay, that's good, right?"
"Yes, Mother!"
The children cheered in unison. She was annoyed at the idea of doing this and that all night long. Another precious day had passed.
Tags:
ITDHL (Novel)