Volume 2 – Those Who Awaken
– Isekai, After –
◇ Aerith’s POV ◇
It had been several days since Yuuki-sama returned to his world.
Only now was I finally able to step out of my room.
(How many days did I cry…? I couldn’t bring myself to face him even once after we returned to the castle. Because if I had seen him… I know I would’ve begged him not to go. I would’ve pleaded with him to stay, over and over again, until I ran out of words.)
This summoning came with a condition: once the Evil God was defeated, Yuuki-sama had to return.
Even the gods seemed apologetic, saying it was simply how the contract worked.
I walked slowly, climbing up to the bell tower built into the castle.
Bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, this was the place with the best view in the castle—maybe even the entire kingdom.
Not the whole world, of course, but up to the horizon—a word Yuuki-sama had taught me.
It was the farthest stretch of land the eye could see.
(The wind feels so nice up here… I remember how often we talked about Yuuki-sama’s world in this very spot…)
Since arriving in this world a year ago, Yuuki-sama had grown incredibly strong.
In the beginning, he couldn’t even handle a goblin properly.
But before we knew it, he was enduring the training of the knight captain, and grew both physically and mentally.
He fought off the horde of monsters that attacked Yuki’s village, and when one of the Evil God’s generals assaulted the Forest of Sages, he nearly died but still emerged victorious.
(Back then, he was cursed too… I remember tending to him at the Fountain of the World Tree for three days and nights…)
Through all the battles with the ever-growing forces of the Evil God,
Yuuki-sama kept fighting, even as he bled and cried for the lives he couldn’t save.
Even though he must’ve been hurting too, he inspired everyone, never letting his spirit break.
By the end, he had even won over the Demon King, and led the united armies of humans and demons together…
Watching him grow stronger like that…
When did it start, I wonder?
When did I fall so deeply in love with him…?
The breathtaking view of this world that Yuuki-sama once praised so dearly
was now starting to blur before my eyes.
◇◆◇◆
How long had I been crying?
Before I knew it, the sun had set and the stars had begun to twinkle in the sky.
(I thought I had no more tears left…)
With a bitter smile at my own foolishness, I realized that someone was standing at the balcony entrance—Yuki.
Yuki had once been Yuuki-sama’s attendant, but after his departure, she became mine.
That was part of the promise father made with Yuuki-sama—to secure her position and future, she was officially appointed as my personal handmaiden.
When Yuki noticed I had seen her, she quietly approached and gently draped a blanket over my shoulders.
「Princess, His Majesty wishes to speak with you, now that you’ve left your room.」
「Father does? I understand. I’ll take a bath first, then go see him.」
「As you wish. Let us return to your chambers.」
And so, I returned to my room and took my first bath in days.
The warmth of the water slowly unraveled the tension in my body.
Yuki carefully untangled and washed my hair, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt human again.
After the bath, she used a magical device—one of Yuuki-sama’s inventions—to dry my hair.
Thanks to his knowledge, our world had advanced rapidly in just five years.
As I let the warmth of the dryer wash over me, I found myself lost in memories of him.
◇◆◇◆
「Come, Yuki. Let’s go.」
With Yuki at my side, I made my way to my father’s study.
She knocked and opened the door for me, revealing my father’s face for the first time in days.
The moment he saw me, he rose from his seat and wrapped me in a warm embrace.
Feeling his familiar warmth, I realized just how much I had worried him.
「I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Father.」
「Aerith… I’m so glad you’re feeling better…」
「So, Father, you said you had something to speak with me about?」
「Isn’t that a bit rushed? Shouldn’t we take a moment to appreciate this reunion…?」
「That’s quite alright. I’m fine now.」
I said it firmly, and Father let out a sigh, his shoulders drooping.
But he quickly composed himself and met my eyes with a serious expression.
「Aerith, I need you to stay calm and listen. The sword you gave to Yuuki—stored in the castle’s treasury—was discovered missing as of yesterday.」
In that instant, something within me snapped.
My vision went white and my knees buckled beneath me.
I could see the two of them rushing toward me, but my consciousness slipped away before they reached me.
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Afterword
Author here. Volume 2 has officially begun!
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