Chapter 271: The Reason I Knelt Was... (5)[R-18]
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 271: The Reason I Knelt Was... (5)[R-18]
“──Phew.”
Elena lit her pipe, packed tight with medicinal herbs, and took a deep draw.
The smoke drifted toward the portrait on the wall, brushing against her husband’s face before scattering into the air.
“Daniel...”
A cracked voice escaped Elena’s lips.
The voice her husband had once praised as fairy-like had long since been altered by the harsh herbal smoke.
“I’m begging you... anything will do. Truly... just one word... please, speak to me.”
Having finished her plea, Elena stared at the portrait for a long time, waiting.
...Naturally, no answer came.
“Ha... I must be going senile.”
Elena let out a hollow laugh and shook her head, her mind drifting to Evelyn, who had left the room earlier with a hardened expression.
I’m sorry... Evelyn.
She didn’t even need to look at the documents to know.
Evelyn had sold herself to Yellow Pansy for the sake of the man she loved.
Because Elena knew the weight of love, her great-granddaughter’s choice felt all the more painful.
...Originally, Elena had intended to die alongside her husband.
But had her husband seen through her heart even then?
On the threshold of death, he had stroked Elena’s cheek and left a final wish that felt like a curse.
—The children... Yellow Pansy... I’m counting on you.
That single sentence became an invisible shackle, making it impossible for Elena to follow him.
Instead, she did her absolute best to care for their two sons to honor his final wish.
Perhaps thanks to those efforts, her sons grew up to be fine men...
And they preceded Elena in death.
As if they had made a pact, they passed away just one night apart, falling into an eternal sleep with smiles on their faces.
“....”
A person who loses a spouse is called a 'widow' or 'widower', and a child who loses parents is called an 'orphan', but there is no word in this world to describe a parent who has lost a child.
Elena understood the reason for that deep in her bones.
Though her two sons had grown much older than her by the time they passed, in her eyes, they still looked like the infants she had once cradled and nursed.
Elena had clung to her children’s cold bodies and wept for three days and nights.
Yet, she had to force herself to overcome even that sorrow.
Because her husband... and even her children, who would occasionally mention their own deaths, had begged her not to grieve too much.
So, after the funerals of her two sons, Elena lived on as a kind grandmother.
If her grandchildren, Alet and Audrey, desired anything, she gave them everything she possessed and prayed for their happiness.
There was nothing Elena wanted for herself.
Simply seeing them grow up healthy was enough.
No, there was actually one thing she wished for.
“You rascal. Even a grandmother can’t live forever. Isn’t it about time you showed me a successor?”
“I know, I know. It’s time for me to head out now.”
“You... don’t think of everything your grandmother says as nagging.”
“Haha, I told you, I get it. I’ll think about it seriously when I get back. Well, I’m off.”
Elena smiled warmly as she watched Alet’s retreating back.
He possessed the dignity of the Head of Yellow Pansy without being arrogant; he was a kind and gentle child loved by everyone.
He seemed to find the topic of marriage burdensome, slipping away whenever it came up, but other than that, he was perfect.
Throb—
As she smiled, a faint pain radiated from her heart.
Her body, over two hundred years old, was beginning to creak. It was a sign that she was reaching the limit of her lifespan, but she felt no sadness.
If anything, she felt a sense of liberation.
Now...
I can finally go to my dear husband’s side.
I should be able to stand tall and tell him that I kept his final wish, that I protected Yellow Pansy and our children.
That was what she had thought.
—Well, I’m off.
She never imagined those would be her grandson’s final words.
“....”
Even as she looked at Alet lying in his coffin, it didn’t feel real.
She would have preferred it if it were an act of malice from someone.
If that were the case, she would have poured everything Yellow Pansy had into seeking revenge.
However, no matter how much she investigated, there was no culprit.
Alet’s death was simply an unfortunate accident.
Since it was no one’s fault, there was nowhere to direct her resentment.
Throb—
Her heart began to ache again.
Soon after, a chilling fear gripped her.
If she were to die like this, what would happen to Yellow Pansy?
A bloody fratricidal war would break out to claim the vacant seat of the Family Head.
That could not happen.
If she, who couldn't even protect her child, lost Yellow Pansy as well, she wouldn't be able to face her husband in the afterlife.
Grip—
...I cannot die.
At least not until she secured a successor to lead Yellow Pansy.
Only then could she beg her husband for forgiveness for failing to protect Alet.
Throb—
However, the issue with Elena’s heart was not a disease, but a matter of lifespan.
No matter how large a donation she gave, there was nothing the Church could do for her.
In the end, what Elena chose to extend her life was...
“──Phew.”
The pipe she was currently smoking.
By forcing her heart to keep beating with tobacco made from herbs so potent they changed her voice, Elena dragged her life forward day by day.
...But it seemed even that had reached its limit.
Tremble—
Elena’s hand, holding the pipe, shook thinly.
Because she couldn't let this opportunity slip away, she had even brought up her remaining lifespan and the unborn child to Evelyn...
But in truth, she could feel it.
The life she was extending with herbs would last ten years at most.
“Ha...”
Elena let out a cold sneer.
She, who knew the sorrow of losing a child better than anyone...
Could not believe that she had threatened someone to give up their child—not once, but twice.
How hideous, Elena. How utterly pathetic...
Elena looked at her husband’s portrait once more.
Just one word.
If her husband would just say, even now, that this wasn't what he wanted...
Elena would give everything up without a moment's hesitation.
But...
The dead cannot speak.
Therefore, even if this felt wrong, she had to fulfill her husband’s final wish.
“───Phew.”
Setting aside good and evil, one does what they believe must be done.
That was the nature of the race known as Elves.
*
“Hum~ hum~ ☆”
Elfriede’s humming filled the house.
“Mmm! This is delicious. Haa... My goodness, how am I even good at cooking? I’m actually starting to scare myself. Truly.”
As she prepared dinner to eat with Ian, Elfriede recalled what had happened that morning.
“Ah~ really? Do you truly think I could take on such an important role as the Grand Elder? I don’t feel like I’m qualified for that yet~.”
At Elder Sa’s words, Elfriede had covered her mouth with her hand as if shocked.
“...Take that hand away.”
“Hehehe.”
“Sigh... At least wipe that smirk off your face before you speak... You’re saying that knowing full well there’s no other elf but you to take the position of Grand Elder, aren't you?”
Of course she knew.
If another elf who had contracted with a Spirit King had appeared besides her, there was no way she wouldn't have known.
But she couldn't exactly say that.
“No way~ really~ I was sooooo surprised~?”
“...You’re lying through your teeth. Is that how I taught you?”
“Well, half of it was sincere. It’s true I didn't expect it to happen this quickly.”
Elfriede shrugged her shoulders.
She thought they would drag it out for at least a month, maybe longer.
She had even planned to break in by force if those stubborn elders refused to hand over the position of ‘Grand Elder’ until the end...
This isn't bad at all. Actually? It’s great.
Elfriede swallowed a laugh.
The fact that those fossil-like elders had decided to hand over the position of Grand Elder so quickly meant her acting had been that superb.
Actually, it wasn't 100% acting.
Life in Elvenheim with Ian was...
How should she put it? It really felt like the newlywed life she had dreamed of, and she genuinely enjoyed every moment.
Grocery shopping together, eating together, and falling asleep in his arms at night.
Those peaceful times were so much fun.
But...
...Is that over now?
Elfriede suppressed a small surge of regret.
The short time of peace and rest was over...
It was time to return to being the ‘renegade’ Elfriede.
Creeeeak—!
“Ah!”
Just then, Elfriede heard the sound she had been waiting for.
Ian had returned from his training.
“Welcome back, Senior~!”
“Yeah, Elfriede, I’m back. Oh, I saw some mushrooms on the way, so I picked a few.”
“Hehe! Then, would you like to eat first? Or a bath? Or... me?”
“All three sound good... but I should probably wash up first.”
“Ehehe... Okay~! Senior, you can go right in. I already drew the water for you~.”
A short while later, when Ian came out after his bath, Elfriede handed him a towel and spoke.
“Senior. Elder Sa came by this morning. He told me to take over as the Grand Elder.”
“Oh? Really? This early?”
“There’s no elf who can replace me anyway. Plus, we’ve been getting along so well.”
“....”
Ian gave a bittersweet smile at Elfriede’s answer.
The image of Elfriede laughing happily in Elvenheim flickered before his eyes.
Whether this plan succeeded or failed, Elfriede would no longer be able to live in Elvenheim like this.
Thinking about that...
Squeeze—
Just then, Elfriede leaned into Ian’s arms and said,
“Don’t worry. I told you before, didn't I? My home is the World Tree, not Elvenheim. Well, I did make some good memories this time, but that’s not because it was Elvenheim—it’s because I was with you, Senior. So...”
—Mwah
Standing on her tiptoes, Elfriede kissed Ian’s lips and smiled softly.
“As long as I have you, Senior, I’m fine anywhere.”
