Following the two women's flustered explanation—that they'd go get dressed quickly and meet her in the dining room—Sharen now sat in a chair, swinging her legs.
'Seriously, what was that.'
Even though she'd received a proper sex education, it was, of course, her first time witnessing something like that up close.
Strictly speaking, she hadn't really seen anything.
But even so, the experience had left her with a level of shock as if she had.
As Sharen sat there dazed, she heard footsteps approaching.
Had the two returned earlier than expected?
Or was it Isaac?
Thinking as much, she looked toward the entrance—and saw someone she never expected, in an outfit even more unexpected.
"Huh?"
At first, she thought it was a maid.
Because she was dressed exactly like one.
But it was someone who absolutely should not be acting like a maid.
None other than Princess Clarice Evangel Legardia.
"..."
Clarice, looking slightly embarrassed, flushed and gave an awkward cough.
"Ahem. Would you like some tea?"
"…What are you doing?"
It was a question that slipped out purely from instinct. Sharen herself didn't even realize she'd asked it at first.
At the question, Clarice blushed deeper. She thought she'd gotten used to it, but being seen by someone she knew was still mortifying.
"Sigh…"
Clarice sat across from Sharen and immediately began complaining.
"It's because of my sister!"
The reason she was living like this was none other than her sister—Queen Adeline, who now held full authority and had officially succeeded the throne.
"She said something like… I'm officially being treated as a nun from some church?"
"Ooh."
"So I'm not supposed to use my real identity. But since being Isaac's wife would naturally draw attention, she told me to disguise myself as a maid!"
"Oooh?"
"Sigh… Well, I'm not actually doing anything different from everyone else. But still, it stings a little, you know? It's all her fault!"
"Oooooh."
"Even Isaac said it was too much, but then she snapped, 'Are you talking back to the Queen?' and shut him down just like that."
"Ooooooh."
"Of course, it's not all bad. It's kind of fun—like I'm hiding my power or something. I get to hear all sorts of things a princess would never normally hear. That part's interesting."
"Mmm."
"And then there's that trope, right? The final weapon of the Logan estate. A maid who turns out to be a princess all along? I kind of want to try that."
"Oh, that's cool!"
"Right, right? So I'm just waiting for that day to come—when I can finally reveal my true identity!"
As Sharen nodded along, she suddenly recalled something from earlier and asked curiously,
"But why are you here, Clarice?"
"C-C-Clarice? Hey, just because I'm not a princess anymore, doesn't mean you can talk so casually…"
"I saw Sis and Silverna in the bedroom earlier."
Clarice grumbled, but to Sharen, she was already just a maid.
"Ah, that?"
Clarice slumped her shoulders in resignation and replied.
"Last night, I was with Isaac. And the two of them got mad and barged in while he was trying to read."
"..."
"Isn't it funny? They're adults, but they act like children sometimes."
Sharen had to bite her tongue to stop herself from saying, 'Wouldn't this whole mess have been avoided if you hadn't gone in there at night?'
"I've matured too."
"Sorry?"
Instead, she proudly praised herself for holding her tongue.
Just as her confident shoulder shrugs turned into a little dance—
Isaac entered the dining room.
Unlike the days when he was constantly busy fighting the Transcendents, his face and movements were now filled with ease.
Though he still carried himself with the dignity of a noble and a lord, it wasn't for his own sake, but to avoid disgracing the people of his territory—so he kept it to a minimum.
"You really came?"
"Isaac!"
Sharen beamed and ran into his arms. Isaac's eyes widened in surprise as he hugged her back.
"I heard you were traveling. Is it over?"
"Hmm, should I say it's over? It's still going, technically… but I think it's kind of wrapping up."
"…What does that mean?"
"I guess you could say I'm taking a break. You know, on a journey like ours, resting is super important."
She spoke as if she'd just had some great realization, but to anyone else, it was just empty words.
Isaac didn't bother pointing that out.
If that's how she felt, then so be it.
"So you just dropped by to say hi after a long time?"
As Isaac shifted the topic, Sharen cheerfully nodded, not suspecting anything.
"Yep!"
"All right, then today—"
"And I have something to tell you!"
"Hm?"
Isaac stopped mid-sentence and looked at her, puzzled.
With a bright smile, Sharen answered.
"I have a boyfriend now!"
Isaac's expression twisted in the most bizarre way.
"..."
Sharen wasn't sure how things had ended up like this.
The original plan was simple.
[It's Isaac, of course!]
If she said it like that, he'd fall head over heels—at least according to a self-proclaimed romance expert she met during her travels.
So she should've said that line right away.
But things got jumbled out of order.
Right at that moment, the timing couldn't have been worse—Liana and Silverna walked in.
And now, when she came back to her senses—
"No, Sharen's not at the age to be dating yet."
"Shouldn't we respect her decision? When did you even meet the guy, Sharen?"
"..."
"Tsk. You need to bring that guy over. We have to see for ourselves if he's any good. He should at least be on Isaac's level."
"Are you all trying to stop me from dating?"
With everyone talking over each other, Sharen couldn't think straight.
All she wanted was to tease Isaac a little and also announce that she was going to be staying here in Volten.
She let out a bitter sigh, wondering how it had come to this—but no answer came.
At some point, the conversation had turned into loud arguments and raised wine glasses.
And Isaac—through it all—quietly listened.
He looked somewhat conflicted… maybe even a little bitter.
'Oh?'
Sharen's eyes lit up as she noticed Isaac's unexpected reaction. Could this mean… there was still a chance?
Truth be told, Sharen had been a little disappointed with herself lately. She hadn't grown as much as she'd hoped.
In her ideal version of now, she should've had a voluptuous figure that could rival Silverna or even the Grandmaster.
But due to a tiny miscalculation and one unintended tragedy, Sharen believed she was still stuck like this.
Still, seeing Isaac react that way sparked a little hope in her heart.
'Is he… regretting it? That he let me go?!'
It could be.
Or maybe Isaac had some kind of "Helmut quota"—he just had to have at least one Helmut woman at home to feel satisfied.
After all, Liana wasn't a Helmut anymore—she was a Logan now.
That creeping sense of expectation continued to rise.
And what made it swell even more was Isaac gently patting her head.
"...!"
There was a softness in his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.
It held a touch of sadness… and a strange sense of peace.
"So Sharen's old enough for that now, huh."
"..."
The moment she heard that, Sharen realized that Isaac's thoughts were the exact opposite of what she had hoped.
It wasn't that he was shaken because of her, but more like a big brother watching his little sister grow up and leave.
She bit her lip in frustration—and suddenly, a quote from her older brother flashed through her mind:
[If someone treats you like shit, make sure you treat them like shit right back.]
'Oh?'
[That's the Helmut way.]
She didn't know if that really was the Helmut way, but to Sharen, it felt like a free pass.
No matter what happened, she could always blame it on the Lohengrin.
And so—Sharen took action.
Now was the time to use all the things she'd practiced so passionately in the air.
"Ha, Sharen. Make sure you bring that guy over next time. I've got a great gift—"
Isaac didn't get to finish his sentence.
Because Sharen suddenly kissed him, her tongue boldly exploring his mouth.
"...?!"
A flustered Isaac tried to pull away—but it was too late. Sharen had already activated her crimson aura, just to hold onto him a little longer.
The other women stared in disbelief for a moment… then all rushed in.
"Sharen!"
"What are you doing!?"
"Ugh, seriously?! Are all Helmuts like this?!"
"Hehehe!"
Eventually, with everyone's help, Sharen was pulled away.
Still dazed, she smacked her lips and mumbled,
"That felt… really good."
"..."
Isaac, equally stunned, wiped his mouth with a blank look and stared at her.
Honestly, he had felt a bit relieved before.
He thought Sharen had moved on—left behind that childish first love, and found someone real.
But now, being ambushed like this… he felt lost. Completely confused.
What should he even do about this?
As he wrestled with that thought, Sharen smiled brightly and said,
"So now I'm one of Isaac's wives too, right?!"
"Sharen, this isn't something you can just decide so easily."
"What are you even—?!"
Liana and Silverna immediately started scolding her. Sharen was being shoved and dragged between both women like a ragdoll.
Just then, Isaac felt lips on his again.
It was the Grandmaster.
She had slid up beside him and kissed him squarely while wrapping herself around his waist.
"Pfft. Every time I drink, I need something like this to snack on."
"Do you always do this?"
"Can't help it. Seeing others have a taste makes me want some too."
"Move over. It's my turn."
Clarice was already trying to butt in while the Grandmaster chuckled away.
Isaac let out a helpless laugh.
It was ridiculous. Completely absurd. And yet… it all felt strangely warm and familiar.
"Isaac, say something to Sharen!"
"Tell that brat the world isn't that easy!"
"Isaac's just tired of dealing with you—mmph?!"
It was chaotic.
But looking at all of them together like this, Isaac felt a strange, comforting satisfaction.
Every person in this room… had once faced a tragic end.
And yet here they all were, laughing together.
That thought made all the little things feel meaningless in comparison.
He was going to make them happy.
And Isaac believed—at least compared to saving the world—this would be a little easier.
***
"There's a spare room—stay there."
"Yesss!"
He just wanted to see that happy face up close.
Yes, that was all.
Isaac looked at them and quietly took a deep breath.
The view he had protected with his own hands stirred his heart deeply.
The sword that once protected the world had now become arms that could protect people.
With hands that no longer needed to shed blood, he now held theirs.
The sunset stretched across the sky beyond the mansion.
It was the same sunset he had seen in front of Liana's grave—the place where, in a way, it had all begun.
He let go of the identity of a hero and laid down the burden of a swordsman.
Someone who loves.
Isaac Logan.
"Heh."
A smile spread on his face.
Swordsmanship and life shared a common thread.
Not realization—but arrival.
Isaac Logan once again took in the view he had finally reached.
"Truly—"
It was beautiful.
***
Because of the split river, the current was too strong, so they couldn't sail that day.
So the two of them ended up sitting in the grassy area near the riverbank.
A bit shy and awkward, Liana hugged her knees, her cheeks flushed red.
"Thank you… for accepting my proposal."
Her honest words of gratitude left Isaac feeling slightly dazed.
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that? I mean, I'm becoming the son-in-law of the great Helmut family."
"..."
Liana didn't respond immediately.
After thinking for a bit, as if worried, she cautiously asked,
"What's your dream, Isaac?"
"That's kinda sudden."
"..."
In the silence, Isaac realized what she meant.
Becoming a son-in-law meant leaving behind everything he'd been until now.
That included his dreams as well.
'Although just now… I might've gained a new dream after seeing your sword.'
The sight of her cleaving the river had left him like a fanatic, worshipping the beauty of the blade.
But feigning ignorance, he answered honestly:
"To be able to say, when I die, that it was a fun life?"
Liana's expression turned sour. She frowned.
"Why would you talk about dying when I asked about your dream?"
"Death is the end of life. If the ending is good, we can say the middle part was good too."
"..."
"No matter how painful it was."
Liana took a moment to reflect on his words, then whispered softly, almost timidly:
"Don't die."
"That's… not what I meant."
"I know. But still, don't die."
"..."
He wondered if he'd accidentally made her imagine scary things by mentioning death.
It was kind of adorable, and Isaac laughed to himself for having made her worry needlessly.
She gently took his hand.
A hand so small and soft—it was hard to believe it had just split a river.
"You're not allowed to die before me."
"..."
"And I won't die before you either."
"So we're living forever then?"
Isaac gave her a look, as if asking, "What kind of childish tantrum is that?"
Liana puffed up her cheeks slightly and glared at him.
She knew.
That it was a ridiculous thing to say.
But she still wanted to hear his answer.
Even if it was meaningless, it meant something to her.
"Heh."
Isaac had never seen this side of her before.
So, holding her hand gently, he nodded.
"Yes. I promise."
"Thanks."
A brief silence followed.
A quiet, warm exchange of feelings passed between them.
"But does this really mean anything?"
"..."
"I mean, telling each other not to die forever—doesn't that sound kind of impossible?"
"Why is it that you're always so poetic normally, and today you're just grumbling?"
"...Well, I guess we all have days like that."
As Isaac shrugged, Liana couldn't help but laugh softly.
Seeing her, Isaac chuckled too.
He didn't know what the future would bring—
What trials, hardships, or unexpected changes might come.
Maybe something would happen that would change him completely.
But right now—
This was the simplest and purest wish Isaac had.
"A life where, in the end, I can smile."
That was it.
"Yes. That would be enough for me."
With a refreshing smile, Isaac said those words.
– The End –
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[TL Note]
Thank you so much for reading this novel until the end! Your support and encouragement mean a lot to me.
Due to a recent DMCA takedown from Novelpia, I had to release all the remaining chapters at once. Despite the setback, I wanted you to enjoy the full story without interruption.
If you liked the translation and wish to show a little support, you can do so via PayPal — even a small amount like $1 is appreciated. This is entirely optional, and simply reading and enjoying my work already means a lot to me.
Link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AMavi143?country.x=IN&locale.x=en_GB