Now we return to the present...
“And so, that’s what it’s like in the Republic. I feel like I may have told you more than you needed to know, but...what do you say?”
Lucy was speaking to the pair planning their wedding.
But the two only exchanged awkward smiles, neither showing much enthusiasm. Picking up on this, Lucy quickly considered which plan to suggest next.
“Hmm... If the Republic and the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Kingdom are out, then that leaves the ‘Let’s Have Our Weddin’ in a Historic Church in the Euphoria Kingdom and Walk Through the Arch of Triumph Together’ Plan...”
“U-Um...” the bride-to-be hesitantly interrupted.
“Yes? What is it?”
“Excuse me. We’ve already settled on the country where we want to hold our ceremony...”
“Huh? You have? How rude of me. So then, where would you like to hold it?”
“The Kingdom of Lastania.”
Lucy blinked, taken aback.
“The Kingdom of Lastania? I know they’ve done a lot to restore the place, but...I don’t think it has anywhere suitable for holding a wedding. I hate to say it, but we don’t have any official plans there...”
“Oh, we don’t need a special plan. It’s just...that country is where my father-in-law, Hein, lies at rest.”
As she said this, the bride-to-be, Sami Chima, smiled softly.
Perhaps out of consideration, the groom beside her, Gunther Lyle, placed an arm gently around her shoulders.
“Now that I’m going to marry Sir Gunther, I’d like my father down in the underworld to see me in my wedding dress. But since both Sir Gunther and I now belong to the Euphoria Kingdom, holding the ceremony abroad makes it difficult to secure a venue, staff, catering, and so on. That’s why we spoke to Ichiha, and he said that with your connections in so many countries, you’d be the best person to ask.”
“I-I see... So that’s what this is about. I completely jumped to the wrong conclusion. Sorry for prattlin’ on before hearing you out.”
Lucy bowed her head apologetically, but Sami shook hers.
“No, I’m not good at talking, so it was hard to bring it up. And Sir Gunther is a man of few words too.”
Perhaps out of embarrassment, Gunther pressed his lips into a firm line. His intimidating face contrasted with his innocent nature—like a big dog trying to act serious.
Lucy cleared her throat. “Well, that’s a relief to hear... All righty then! I’ll do everythin’ I can so your old man in the underworld can see you in your weddin’ dress and rest easy!”
She thumped her chest with one hand as she made her vow.
Once Sami and Gunther had left, the day’s work was done.
Lucy was finishing up the last of her paperwork when there came a knock at the office door and a young man stepped inside.
“I see you’ve been working hard, boss. I brought you some tea.”
“Thank you kindly. But work’s over for the day, so you can talk to me normally.”
“Oh, yeah? In that case...what were the customers like today?”
“They had a complicated request, but nothin’ we can’t handle. Gotta give the bride the fabulous weddin’ she deserves.”
The man setting down the tea was Lucy’s right-hand man at EHW, and also...
“Of course... But are you really fine with this?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“You come up with all these wonderful plans, but for us you’re keeping the ceremony so plain.”
...the man who was going to be her life partner.
He had once worked for Lucy’s family business, the Evans Company. But his knack for business and earnest nature had won Lucy’s trust, and she’d poached him for EHW. Running a new venture side by side, they’d faced struggles together, and in time, their bond had deepened until marriage felt like the natural next step.
“You’ve got connections with the royal family. We could’ve had a grand, extravagant ceremony, couldn’t we? Although...saying that almost sounds like I’m asking if you’re sure about marrying a commoner like me.”
Lucy let out her trademark cackle.
“What’re you sayin’? I’m gonna have my ideal ceremony with my ideal hubby. Lots of my friends are upper-class and have dramatic stories, but me? I want an ordinary partner, an ordinary weddin’, and an ordinary happy family life. ’Course, since royalty’ll be attendin’, it won’t be completely ordinary.”
“I-Is that how it works?” He tilted his head, clearly baffled by how women thought.
Lucy chuckled, finding that very honesty one of the things she loved about him.
Then, stroking the engagement ring he’d given her, she darted over to him, wearing an expression that mimicked the Little Tanuki Princess she so admired, and threw her arms around him.
“Let’s find our happiness together, little by little, Darlin’.”