Chapter 121
The morning they left for the South was bright and sunny.
Even though he was busy, the Emperor came to see them off.
“I don’t know when I’ll see you again after this.”
Hestia looked sad, but Ruslan didn’t seem very affected.
He had grown stronger and now had many people who cared for him. He no longer desperately needed his parents’ love.
He comforted Hestia calmly.
“When you retire later, Mother, come visit the South.”
Then he glanced at Danilo behind her and grinned playfully.
“Ah! Older brother will probably get married first. Mother, he always gets what he wants. Don’t oppose him for too long.”
Danilo winked gratefully.
I couldn’t help laughing, and even the Emperor smiled helplessly.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it.”
He lightly smacked Ruslan’s back.
“Hurry and leave. If you want to reach the next city before dark, you don’t have much time.”
Martin didn’t come today, but we had already said goodbye a few days ago. He would come south soon anyway.
“Then we’ll be going.”
Ruslan hugged Hestia one last time, then tightly embraced Danilo before stepping back. I bowed to them and followed Ruslan.
I expected Ruslan to look sad, but instead he seemed relieved.
“You look happy.”
“I think a clean break is better. I don’t have to keep hoping things will improve anymore.”
I understood how he felt. I gently held his hand.
“Yes… maybe this is better.”
We got into the carriage.
Through the window, I saw the Emperor suddenly leave after receiving a report. Danilo waved at us with a helpless smile.
If Danilo became Emperor, would he change?
Somehow, I didn’t think so. He was busy even now, yet he still cared about us.
Ruslan and I waved at him for a long time.
On the Road
The journey went smoothly.
After riding for a long time, the carriage stopped near the entrance of a forest. We got down to eat and rest before continuing.
After eating, Ruslan approached me.
“Want to take a short walk?”
We would be sitting for hours again, so it sounded nice.
“Yes, walking would be good.”
He held out his hand, and I took it with a smile.
“Let’s not go too far. We don’t want to get lost.”
Ruslan’s face turned red. When we were children, he once got lost in a forest and it had been dangerous.
“That was when I was a kid!”
“Yes, yes.”
When I teased him more, his cheeks became redder.
“I regret that day. I didn’t know you’d be left with such a big scar.”
His eyes fell on my arm.
Back then, I had been scratched by a fairy’s claws and left with scars on my back and arm.
“It doesn’t bother me. You can’t even notice it much.”
We walked only a short distance and then turned back.
“We still have a long way to go. Just thinking about it makes me tired.”
“It’ll take weeks.”
Ruslan looked worried.
“Will you be okay?”
“I’m not that weak.”
Lately, he had been too overprotective.
The forest air felt especially fresh.
“What about building railways?” I suddenly suggested.
“Railways?”
“Yes. There are trains near the capital, but not to far places like the South. Travel is so difficult that Isias was able to secretly do terrible things without anyone knowing. If railways were built all over the country, it would be easier to travel and prevent things like that.”
“It’s a good idea… but money is the problem.”
He was right. Big construction projects always required a huge budget.
But we had recently gained a massive amount of confiscated wealth from Isias.
“We can use the money seized from Isias to build railways in our territory.”
Isias’s wealth was enormous — family inheritance, magical tools, and artifacts. Even after spending a lot cleaning up his crimes, there was still too much left.
No one would complain if we used that money.
“That’s a great idea! Let’s send a letter immediately. Mother will definitely agree.”
Ruslan excitedly talked about where stations could be built and which territories to cooperate with.
Seeing him like this made me smile.
The small child who once clung to me was now imagining the future of his territory with shining eyes — like a bird finally spreading its fully grown wings.
“If we get permission from His Majesty, we can inspect everything on the way south.”
“That would make the trip less boring. Do you have any route ideas?”
“I just thought of it. Of course I don’t.”
He scratched his head and smiled.
“Let’s hurry back to the carriage. There’s a map inside.”
“Okay.”
When he became interested in something, he focused completely. Very wizard-like.
“Melissa, hurry—!”
His eyes suddenly widened when they met mine.
I didn’t understand what was happening.
Something hot rose in my throat.
“Ah?”
“Melissa!”
Ruslan rushed forward and caught me.
When I looked down, red blood was spreading across my clothes from my abdomen.
Ruslan desperately tried to stop the bleeding with magic.
“Bring a doctor! Now!”
His voice sounded distant.
After finally solving all the troublesome problems… was I going to die like this?
It felt absurd.
I had struggled so hard to survive in this world. I had worked so desperately to heal Ruslan.
“Melissa, can you hear me?”
I tried to nod, but it was difficult.
Ah… I’m dying.
Even though I had died twice before, I still didn’t want to die.
There was no such thing as a life without regrets.
In my previous life, I had died without accomplishing anything. This time, I thought I had done my best… but regrets still surfaced.
“R-Ruslan.”
“I’m here.”
He stopped shouting for the doctor and focused on me.
I grabbed his hand and took a deep breath.
“If I die…”
“No. You’re not dying. Don’t say such nonsense.”
“Let me… finish.”
Tears fell from his wide eyes onto my face.
I wanted to wipe them away, but my hands wouldn’t move.
“If I die… meet someone good… and live your life.”
“Melissa…”
“Promise me.”
He forced himself to nod.
Everything was growing dark.
I felt cold and buried myself into his arms.
I wanted him to be happy.
Even if I died, I wanted him to live his own life.
And if he remembered me for a long time…
Ah… why didn’t I ever say I liked him? That I loved him?
“Gasp.”
When I opened my eyes, I saw a white ceiling.
