THE weather outside was refreshing and spring-like. In the gardens, all kinds of flowers were blooming. Ellie, Hendrick, and I made our way down the garden path.
Ah, a nice leisurely stroll like this can be so nice.
I came to a stop at the tulip beds. Neat rows of yellow, red, and pink tulips were laid out like carpet, swaying in the gentle breeze.
“How beautiful…”
I reached for one of the flowers, addressing my two companions behind me. Then I heard gravel crunching underfoot.
“I agree.”
I paused; the voice was so familiar. I knew that voice so well. It was…
“Ed?”
I turned to see Ed standing there, not dressed in his usual Royal Magician cape. He wore a splendid black frock coat with gold embroidery on the sleeves. The fashion of an upper-class aristocrat.
“Happy birthday, Princess.”
Ed and I gazed into each other’s eyes and both smiled. Then Ed raised his open palm, where golden particles danced. All of a sudden, he was holding a bouquet of beautiful roses.
“Oh, thank you. They’re so beautiful.”
I accepted the roses, slightly stunned. Even upon closer inspection, they looked completely real, not like magic at all. Ed’s skills were growing and growing all the time.
“Hmm? Where are Ellie and Hendrick?” I looked around. But there was no sign of my maid or guard.
“I asked them to let me borrow you for a while. It’s all right. The king has given permission, too.”
“Daddy has?”
“Now, as it’s your special day, shall we go for a walk?”
“Oh, yes.”
Ed held out his arm to escort me. I placed my hand in his. Then we started strolling slowly around the gardens.
“So you said you went to see Daddy before coming here?”
“Indeed, I did.”
“So that’s why you’re dressed so fine today.” I giggled.
I hadn’t seen Ed so dressed-up in ages. He looked so different from how he did in his familiar black Royal Magician cape.
“Was it to deal with arrangements for you becoming a Magic Count?”
“That and more. I’ve even been given a new name.”
“What is it?”
“Almarle.”
“Almarle…” I repeated the name under my breath, testing it out.
So from now on, he’d cease to be Edoile Licht La Boulacherie, son of a duke, and become Edoile Licht Almarle, Magic Count.
“It’s a splendid name. Congratulations, Ed.”
“Thank you.”
Just then, a gentle breeze started to blow, and pink petals began to float down like snowflakes.
“Cherry blossoms. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”
I looked up at the cherry blossom trees that lined the small avenue we were walking along. The trees were in full bloom and were dressed with pink petals. They looked like cotton candy trees.
“I love cherry blossoms. Every time they bloom, it reminds me that another year has safely passed.”
I never really noticed them in my past life. But this time around, I’d realized how wonderful it was to pass each year peacefully. And the cherry blossom trees always bloomed around the time of my birthday. I’ve loved cherry blossoms ever since living in this timeline.
“Then, once the mansion is all built, we’ll have to plant lots of cherry blossom trees in the gardens.” Ed squinted as he gazed up at the pink canopy above. Then he softly removed my hand from his arm.
“Ed?”
I stared at him, wondering what he was doing. But he simply smiled back.
“Princess, I have your birthday present here. Would you accept it?”
“My birthday present?”
Ed produced a small black box from within his frock coat. He turned it to face me and opened it so I could see what was inside…
“This is…”
There was a ring inside. A small red stone was set in the center and it was ringed with tiny diamonds.
“It’s my Magic Stone.” Ed took my hand as I stood there stunned. Then he got down on one knee. “Princess, I swear to treasure you always. Will you marry me?”