Epilogue 1
I had been curious about what would happen after everything ended perfectly. And I was excited to be a part of that story.
I could witness the unknown epilogue with my own eyes.
But contrary to my expectations, I was faced with a rather mundane reality.
“I’m tired…”
Sylvia, leaning against me, sighed softly. It seemed like her duties as Empress were more demanding than she had anticipated.
“His Majesty reformed the tax system and expanded the territory after his coronation, so it’s understandable that you’re tired, Your Majesty.”
“Lily, don’t call me ‘Your Majesty.’ Just Sylvia.”
“You know there are ears everywhere in the palace.”
“The spirits will take care of it. Do you think I can’t even control that?”
I couldn’t argue with her, smiling brightly.
“Alright, Sylvia.”
“Yes, Lily.”
“Anything else bothering you?”
“I expected the workload to increase, but I’m a little lonely because I don’t see Aaron often. He’s always busy with state affairs, so I see him even less than before we were married.”
Seeing her dejected expression, I wanted to comfort her.
To think he was focusing on work, leaving such a lovely wife…
“The Emperor is a bad husband.”
“No, it’s not his fault. Aaron is busy, so I can’t complain as the Empress. And I also have a lot to do.”
“What do you have to do?”
“I can wield spirits. So I’m thinking of establishing friendly relations with a country we haven’t interacted with much before.”
“If it’s that country…”
“Yes. The country where my Spirit Arts teacher is from. You know him, Lily.”
“Why did you think of that?”
“Well, if we establish a proper exchange, Spirit Summoners in the Empire whose talents haven’t been discovered might be able to shine. Like me. And that would help the Empire prosper.”
I smiled, watching her.
I wouldn’t have been able to see this precious sight if I weren’t here. Sylvia, smiling like a true Empress, it was a sight I could only see now.
After listening to Sylvia’s worries, I left the Imperial Palace. I thought about what to get Cesar as a gift on my way back.
After the wedding, I officially received an honorary title and a regular income. Having money I earned myself, money I could freely spend, felt different from before, when I had nothing.
‘I feel great. Money is the best.’
I had to protect the Empire in return, but being compensated for protecting the place I chose to protect felt different from being forced to sacrifice.
‘I hope this place remains peaceful for a long time.’
As I was about to board the carriage, my body suddenly disappeared. Or rather, I was teleported somewhere.
‘This feels familiar.’
I felt the soft cushion of a chair and saw the Tower Master, smiling, in front of me.
Summoning and teleporting people without warning seemed to be his habit.
“It’s been a while, Tower Master. And your habit of teleporting people without their consent hasn’t changed.”
I hoped there wasn’t a commotion at the Imperial Palace. The coachman and the Imperial attendant who were guiding me must have been startled by my sudden disappearance.
Of course, the person in front of me didn’t seem to care.
“I thought you had forgiven me. It seems you still resent me.”
“Who would like being teleported around like this?!”
“Perhaps I’m getting old; my hearing isn’t what it used to be. Now that you’re human, you should learn to respect your elders, Lily.”
Respect my elders? He could hear perfectly well; he was just pretending not to.
But I knew I would lose if I argued with him.
“Alright. So what did you call me here for?”
“I wanted to thank you.”
That was unexpected. What was there for the Tower Master to thank me for?
“Did I do something to deserve your gratitude, Tower Master?”
“Of course. You changed my disciple’s fate. His future will no longer be filled with darkness.”
The Tower Master’s smiling face was brighter than I had ever seen it. It was the most peaceful expression.
Unlike me, struggling to change his fate, the Tower Master, knowing what awaited his disciple, hadn’t intervened even when Cesar’s life was in danger.
He had only given warnings. He couldn’t change fate with direct intervention.
Showing favoritism was a personal feeling unbefitting the Tower Master, who had to maintain neutrality in this world.
“You must have suffered a lot. You truly care for Cesar. Don’t you ever resent that position?”
At my question, the Tower Master was silent for a moment before replying,
“I can’t simply resent it. My burden is too great. I’ve lived for a long time. I haven’t been greatly affected by the unfortunate fates of others. But there are always exceptions.”
“Was Cesar that exception?”
He nodded without hesitation.
“I knew I shouldn’t have such feelings. But he was the first disciple I personally raised, so I’ve grown attached to him, whether I like it or not. I’m also human, after all.”
The Tower Master’s bitter smile and his eyes held a depth that belied his youthful appearance.
“How agonizing must it have been for a master to watch his disciple walk down the wrong path, knowing there’s nothing he can do? No one can understand.”
It hadn’t happened in this world, but there was a future where Cesar died on the execution grounds.
“But not anymore. Cesar loves me, and I love him. We’re no longer lonely, sad, or empty. We know there’s someone waiting for us when we return.”
“Your fate is also on a different path now. It’s like a beautiful melody.”
The Tower Master never lied. If he saw it that way, then our fates truly were beautifully intertwined.
“Thank you for coming here. You’ve saved everyone’s happiness, Lily.”
His hand gently touched mine, its warmth comforting. I closed my eyes, and the bird’s voice, whispering to me on a day that felt like a distant past, came to mind.
‘If you don’t want to die, why don’t you try?’
It must have been when I was begging to be saved, having faced death for the first time in my previous life.
I had replied without hesitation,
‘Try what?’
‘Try changing this life, a life no different from death.’
‘How?’
‘By regaining your freedom and creating a place where you belong. And by becoming so happy that you want to keep living.’
‘This isn’t a scam, is it?’
‘How could it be? I’m giving you my life. It will be difficult, though. My life wasn’t a happy one.’
‘Were you that unhappy? Enough to entrust your life to me?’
‘Yes. I was unhappy. Enough to entrust my life to someone else.’
Its calm voice had sounded so sad.
And I had been moved. I thought it might be better to accept its offer than to die like this.
‘Don’t be sad. I’ll make sure your wishes are fulfilled. Let’s be happy together.’
And a voice, laced with a chuckle, had enveloped me.
‘Thank you. I’ll entrust my life to you.’
I opened my eyes, and the Tower Master, a kind smile on his face, was looking at me.
“You seem to have been lost in thought.”
“Just like you thanked me, Tower Master, the soul within me also wanted to express its gratitude. I remembered everything from that day.”
I had been so reckless. I had agreed to try, even though it had told me it would be difficult.
And I had suffered so much because of it.
“Back then, I was so resentful that I gnashed my teeth, but… I’m glad I accepted that bird’s offer.”
“You did go through a lot. Why don’t you rest here for a while? You’re still feeling the effects of absorbing so much divine power at once, aren’t you?”
“That’s true, but I’m not sure if resting will help. Cesar said it’s not something he can do anything about. And there was that sudden surge of divine power during the wedding ceremony…”
“Do you think there’s anything I, the Tower Master, don’t know? I’ll help you recover, so just relax. Consider it a small token of my gratitude.”
“Then I’ll gladly accept.”
“I won’t keep you for long. My disciple’s possessiveness is… extraordinary.”
I laughed, and the Tower Master chuckled along with me.
Having overstayed my welcome, I nervously stood before Cesar.
“I had a hunch you went to the Magic Tower after you disappeared from the Imperial Palace, but to stay there so long without even sending me a message… what am I supposed to do with you?”
“S-sorry.”
‘Ugh, Tower Master! You should have told me about the time! You said you wouldn’t keep me for long!’
I blamed the Tower Master, trying to defuse the situation.
“Cesar, are you very angry?”
“I know you’ll always come back, but Lily, I don’t like you being away from my side for so long.”
It was my fault. I had a habit of disappearing.
“I’ll do anything, so please don’t be angry.”
Cesar raised an eyebrow at my words.
I desperately hoped he would be appeased, but his next words surprised me.
“Then, can we hold the wedding ceremony next spring?”
“Huh? The wedding?”
“I already proposed. I postponed it because of the coronation. I want to do it as soon as possible, Lily.”
“Spring is too soon! Next month is already next year!”
“That’s true.”
“What do you mean, ‘that’s true’?! There’s so much to prepare for a wedding!”
And noble weddings were a union of families, so there was even more to consider. Why was he being so hasty?
And this sly man was shamelessly trying to seduce me.
“Lily, do you not want to be my wife soon?”