“It’s quite mysterious. Murasame tries to minimize contact with other countries as much as possible.”
Himari nodded. “Yes, it is puzzling indeed. However, the Murasame clan was overthrown in a rebellion orchestrated by an offshoot of their family. My family, the Fuuma clan, used to serve them…but how things have changed since their demise, I cannot say.”
It all came back to me then. Himari’s family was torn apart by a power struggle, causing her to seek refuge in Parnacorta. I could vividly remember the look in her eyes as she recalled the day she lost all of her siblings.
“Himari, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories…”
The harrowing life she lived in Murasame was surely something she’d rather forget—and yet I’d let my curiosity get the better of me.
“Fear not, Lady Philia. As your retainer, I am honored that you take an interest in my past.”
Himari spoke with a calm smile, gently squeezing my hand. Her icy touch contrasted sharply with her warm display of consideration, causing a wave of emotion to surge inside me.
“You must have cherished your family above all else, Himari. That’s why you took such good care of Mia when she was in danger, isn’t it?”
When Mia’s life was threatened, Himari had been there to protect her for me. From what I’d heard, she respected Mia’s decisions, no matter how questionable. I was sure that her compassionate nature stemmed from her love for her own family.
“Perhaps. I do see myself in the way you care for Mia. That’s a fact I could not deny.”
“Himari…”
“All the same, Lady Philia, it is only natural for a Murasame ninja to do everything in their power for their master. I protected Lady Mia because you asked it of me.”
Her eyes gleamed like two orbs of obsidian. There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in her resolute gaze. Having someone like Himari by my side was a blessing in itself.
“Thank you so much for sharing that. I’m so glad that I was able to learn a little more about you.”
“Lady Philia… You are too kind. I am of no great import—”
“No. Learning about the people one treasures is an important part of life. I’d love to know even more about you.”
Himari’s face flushed red and she looked down at her feet. “D-don’t be absurd…”
I was only telling her how I felt. What was the problem?
“Look!” Lena clapped her hands together and laughed. “Himari’s all embarrassed! That’s not something you see every day!”
“Lena! I am most definitely not embarrassed!”
That only made Lena laugh harder. “Not very convincing, Himari.”
“What did you just say?”
It wasn’t often that Himari flew off the handle, but this was an exception.
Sir Osvalt laughed as well. “Himari’s undergone a transformation of her own,” he remarked. “Like you, she used to struggle to show her emotions.”
“Really? That’s surprising to hear. I’ve always seen her as a passionate person.”
“Well, yes, but she definitely seems more upbeat now that she’s working for you. If that’s how you see her, it must be your influence.”
“Sir Osvalt…”
I’d never considered that I could have such an influence on someone. That being said, I was acutely aware of how I had changed since I’d met Sir Osvalt.
“People are peculiar, aren’t they, Sir Osvalt? Other people make an impact on us, just as we make an impact on them. If we’d crossed paths with different folk, we could have ended up as entirely different people. It’s so strange to think about.”
Only recently had I come to realize how much the people in my life had changed me. Exploring the past wasn’t just a way to learn more about them. It could help us uncover what was truly important.
“That’s right,” said Sir Osvalt. “Naturally, your own personality plays a major role, but you can’t deny the influence of the people around you.”
“Yes. Learning about Kamil helped me discover a new side of myself. I realized that understanding one’s roots can lead to new discoveries.”
“Interesting…”
“Maybe that applies to countries as well as individuals.”
I felt as though I had gained a wealth of knowledge from reading and study. But there were still plenty of things I had yet to learn, and many emotions I had yet to experience. Yes, I was the Saint of Parnacorta, but I’d barely been in the country for a year. There was much I didn’t know about the nation itself.
When Lena heard what I said, she abruptly clapped her hands together. “Oh! I get it now! That’s why you chose to stay in Parnacorta for your honeymoon!”
Always quick on the uptake, she had immediately grasped why we’d chosen not to go abroad.
“You’ve hit the nail on the head,” I told her. “Despite being this country’s saint, there is still so much I don’t know about it. I want to learn more about Sir Osvalt, too, so I asked if we could spend time somewhere that would bring me closer to both.”
We initially talked about traveling to a tourist destination in another country, but I wanted us to take our time exploring the kingdom of Parnacorta instead. Fortunately, Sir Osvalt respected my wishes.
“Heh… Hearing you say that in front of me makes me blush.”
“But it’s the truth.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I want to learn more about you as well, Philia. Now that we’re finally married, I want to learn everything there is to know.”
“Th-this really does feel embarrassing, doesn’t it?”
“Right? Ha ha…I got you back, didn’t I?”
“You’re so mean, Sir Osvalt.”
Sir Osvalt grinned mischievously.
This was just one of countless cheerful days we would spend together. That thought made tomorrow—and all the days that would come after it—seem so much brighter.
“Philia… Let’s make this a great honeymoon!”
“Yes! I’m excited already!” I nodded.
When Sir Osvalt and I first met, it never even crossed my mind that we would one day be married.
Sir Osvalt, even if it embarrasses you to hear it, I can’t wait to learn more about you.
No one makes me feel as safe as you. You’re always on my mind, even when I don’t realize it.
Teatime in our new mansion. As the aroma of Lena’s black tea drifted through the air, I found myself captivated by my husband’s easygoing smile once again.