The End, and My Meeting with Carlos (1)
“You really shouldn’t have thoughts like that. You’re an elf who can love everything in nature, aren’t you?”
“This is the first time I’ve felt this emotion… I don’t quite understand it.”
Elena’s expression grew distant as she stared into the distance, lost in thought. “But even among other races, there are plenty of males who keep multiple females. I can understand that. If Cloud wants many females, I’ll understand.”
“Good thought. By the way, I’m a polygamist from now on. No exceptions.”
Cloud shrugged his shoulders cheerfully. Nobles didn’t just have a wife—they kept several concubines as well. For him, such an incredible story could become reality any day now. Money was all he needed. What couldn’t you do with money? Cloud patted the sack slung over his shoulder. A full sack of snow boots, five million zents per pair. Laughter spilled out as he looked forward to his bright future. “Cloud.”
“Huh?”
“Marry me.”
“W-what?” Cloud blinked in pure shock at her sudden declaration. Elena brushed aside the wind-tangled sky-blue strands of her hair and spoke again, voice soft yet firm. “Let’s get married.”
“W-why so suddenly? What kind of nonsense is that?”
“In an old elf saying, if a man who doesn’t know you gives you two chances, he’s the one.”
“Why two chances?” Elena held up one finger. “Once from the witch.” She held up another, forming a V sign. “Once because of the Moyuchung poison. Two chances like this.” A faint smile curved her lips. She was beautiful. “Does an elf suddenly get to marry anyone?”
“Suddenly? What do you mean by ‘suddenly’?”
“I mean… so an elf can marry anyone, regardless of race?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Orcs? Trolls?” Cloud frowned. “If I love you, then yes.” To an elf, humans looked like goblins or trolls. Cloud’s face twisted in rejection. “But we don’t even love each other!”
“We do.”
“Where?”
“You proposed. Let’s go on a world tour together.”
“Is that a proposal?!” Cloud panicked. He had no fixed home, no assets. Marrying right then would be reckless. If he kept chasing money like this, Elena might soon find herself pregnant and forced to beg on the streets. She’d have to sell the snow boots for cash, but he hadn’t even received the payment yet. While Cloud was still reeling from the shock, far away, Sylvia and Carlos were deep in conversation. Sylvia’s gaze, fixed on Carlos, was full of admiration. Those noble eyes, filled with lofty character and iron will, shone with the bright sunlight like a beacon pointing toward his future. As a fellow knight, she envied him and felt truly dazzled. The wind ruffled Carlos’s golden hair. “Seven years have passed. When will you return to your hometown?”
“Until the waiting period for my new assignment ends, I plan to stay put.”
“The waiting period can last up to half a year. I hated that time the most.” Graduates of the national knight academy received their titles and were assigned various posts after the royal family’s screening. During that wait, most stayed in their hometowns to rest while awaiting orders. Those with exceptional records were usually transferred to the capital, while others were sent to border regions or allied nations. “How’s Leonald?”
“My brother is doing well.” Her older brother was Carlos’s same-age friend. “I wish he’d graduated from the knight academy too.” A bitter smile crossed his lips. Sylvia lowered her eyes in sympathy before lifting her head again. “And I heard you’ve been assigned to the Royal Guard of the capital.”
“So you knew. I’ll leave next week at the earliest.”
“Congratulations. I believe it’s best for someone like you to serve in the capital rather than here. This country needs its most valuable talents to stay in the capital, not rotting in the provinces.” He smiled. “I see another valuable talent right in front of me. I hope you do well and work together in the capital someday.” Sylvia smiled shyly, but her smile faded, her complexion growing sickly. Carlos noticed and asked gently, “Is there something troubling you?” Sylvia hesitated, then answered reluctantly. “Actually, I plan to stay in my hometown. Even if I’m assigned by the royal family later, I’ll refuse with a valid reason.” Carlos narrowed his brows slightly. “Is this what Lord Aaron wishes?”
“No. It’s purely my own desire.” Her reply left Carlos looking grave, as always. After a moment of thought, he spoke. “Why turn down such a good opportunity? If you abandon your knightly title, the House of Valua will lose its path to the center. Your lord father is already in that state, and if you give up your dreams too, his disappointment will be great.” “……” Sylvia, having anticipated this, simply lowered her head without a word. Carlos watched her for a long time, then turned his gaze toward the distant mountains. That was the place where Cloud and Elena stood. “Could it be because of that man?” Sylvia remained silent. Seeing her reaction, Carlos nodded, as if only now understanding. “I wasn’t planning to ask, but why has a noblewoman without any armor come to this dangerous place dressed like a commoner?” “It’s a difficult question.” Sylvia couldn’t answer, simply tucking her long hair behind her ear awkwardly. Carlos scanned her torn clothes and the claw marks covering her body. As someone who had known her since childhood, the sight made his heart ache. It angered him that a noblewoman like her should suffer so. “Tell me honestly. Are you being blackmailed by that man?” His voice was both serious and kind. “You don’t have to suffer alone. I’ll help you. Tell me everything. I’ll only hear it, and I’ll forget it the moment I leave.” “No!” Sylvia cried out in panic. “He’s a good person. He saved my life several times!” After a short persuasion, Carlos relaxed. Judging by her sincere eyes and voice, it didn’t seem like blackmail. Carlos turned his head and gazed at Cloud with growing curiosity. “He looks like a commoner, yet… as a noblewoman, you’ve brought him to this dangerous place and dressed him in rags. It’s not something you see often—humans and elves talking intimately.” The value Cloud held in Carlos’s eyes kept rising. “He’s a man who stirs curiosity.” Muttering this, Carlos turned back to Sylvia. And then he froze. Sylvia was staring at the man beside the elf, brows furrowed in clear jealousy and worry. “Is… do you have feelings for that man?” “Eh?” Sylvia startled, voice faltering. Her face burned on its own. A heavy silence fell between them. Carlos had apparently turned interrogator against his will. He broke the awkward quiet, eyes drifting to the distant mountains. “Sorry. It’s not my place to interfere with an adult woman’s choice of love. I’ve treated you like a little sister, so I must have asked something impolite. Forgive me.” “No… it’s fine…” “Commander.” Marcia arrived at the perfect moment, carrying three thick books in both hands. “I’ve collected all the ledgers containing the trade records.” Carlos flipped through one of them and scanned the names inside. Familiar names appeared. A satisfied smile formed on his face. “Good work.” The moment Carlos finished speaking, Sylvia smiled at Marcia. “Marcia, right? Thanks to you, I survived. Your martial skill is quite impressive.” “I am unworthy of such praise.” Marcia bowed with perfect posture and answered courteously. In her single good eye burned a fierce spirit. That gaze stirred an equal sense of resolve in Sylvia herself. She considered it a truly excellent commanding eye. “I only followed Commander Carlos’s orders to the best of my ability.” Carlos looked at Marcia with a pleased smile. “Marcia will soon be dispatched as an instructor to Valua.” “I heard there was talk of that. As a Valuan, I’ve never heard this before.” “It was planned before you even returned home.” Carlos spoke. “Lord Aaron mobilized large forces for the witch hunt this time. To supplement the troops, they’re recruiting soldiers, but apparently there aren’t enough instructors for the number of recruits. That’s why Marcia joined our side.” Sylvia nodded lightly. “If a talented instructor like Marcia joins us, the House of Valua will welcome her anytime.” After rounding off the conversation, they were about to leave when Carlos suddenly said he wanted to greet Cloud as well. She had no choice but to bring him along. Inside, Sylvia worried that Cloud might do something rude.