16. My First Joyful Life
ONE day not long after my birthday, Ed and I went into town together.
We wanted to head to the jewelry store to buy an earring stud onto which I could affix my Magic Stone.
I looked up at Ed, walking beside me. He’d finally reached his full height. The same height he’d been in the old world, around a full head taller than me.
“What’s up?”
Ed noticed me looking at him and raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve gotten taller.”
“Ah, indeed I have. Just as you predicted, Princess.”
“Like I told you.” I puffed out my chest. “It feels strange somehow. Being out in town so openly with you, Ed.”
Our relationship had never been one where we could stroll publicly together away from the palace. The only time we went to town was when Ed used his Illusion magic on us. And that was only for a very short visit.
“You’re right. But there’s no need for us to hide, not anymore. As long as I get to be with you, I’m happy.”
Ed smiled with satisfaction. I gazed up at him, hit all over again with the realization that this happiness was truly real.
“There are so many places I’d like to go with you, Ed.”
“I have many places I’d like to go with you too, Princess. Let’s visit them all.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. And we have all the time in the world.”
All the time in the world…
Ed’s offhand remark went around and around in my mind.
How truly joyful it was to know that there was nothing ahead of us that’d impede our happiness.
We headed straight to the jewelry shop that was most highly prized by the royal family: San Cleart. Ed had bought the engagement ring for his Magic Stone there.
After looking at various items of jewelry, I ended up choosing a plain, silver earring stud. I thought silver would go much better with Ed’s black hair and red eyes than gold would.
After purchasing and receiving the earring stud, I placed it in my hand and focused all of my magical energy on it. My Magic Stone was securely affixed to the stud backing when I opened my palm. I was relieved to see that I’d apparently done a good job with it.
“Here you go, Ed.”
“Thank you.” Ed smiled as he accepted the earring from me. “What kind of protective spell did you cast on your Magic Stone, Princess?”
I wasn’t sure how to answer at first. There was no need for it to be a secret, though. So I told the truth.
“It’s a kind of protective magic that’ll keep you from suffering any kind of disastrous fate.”
“Disastrous?”
Ed looked curious.
The magic I’d cast would activate to protect Ed if he ever found himself facing an impossibly dire situation, like the one we’d ended up in in my first timeline.
“Yes. Well, hopefully it never comes to that…”
I tried to backpedal and make my statement seem vaguer.
Ed looked puzzled and suspicious, as if he wondered why I’d cast such a spell as that. But a few moments later, he shrugged and smiled.
“Thank you. I’ll treasure your Magic Stone, always.”
Ed quickly put the earring on and I gasped as I looked at him wearing it.
He looked exactly like the Ed of my old world…
“How does it look?”
Ed turned to me, smiling. The green stone sparkled between the fronds of his black hair, which had started to grow out recently.
“It looks amazing.”
My voice was thick with emotion. Ed frowned, looking at me.
“Princess? Are you all right?”
“Sorry. I’m just so happy. Hey, Ed…”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to make you so happy, I swear it.”
Ed’s eyes widened.
“Princess. That’s my line. I’m the one that’s going to make you happy.”
“Hehe. Then let’s just agree to make each other happy.”
We gazed into each other’s eyes and chuckled.
“So, would you grant my wish, Ed?”
“What is it?”
“I want to go to a café with you and have a drink. As our real selves, this time.”
“I think I can manage that. Let’s do it.”
Ed took my hand and we set off walking.
Out in public, in broad daylight together, we made our way down Main Street.
This is what true happiness is. This is what I was looking for. Just to spend our days quietly together, Ed and I, forever.
✦ ✦ ✦
SIX months after we were engaged, Ed and I were married.
The ceremony had many guests. Our domestic aristocracy, of course, but also in attendance were all my friends from my days at Grail Academy, plus many foreign guests from our neighboring countries. Among them, Princess Karina of Nigren and Prince Daniel of the Sunruta Kingdom.
Daniel had become king, taking over for his father, whose health was failing. This fell in line with what I remembered happening by this point in the first timeline. Daniel was only twenty-two, but he was already doing a fine job as king.
“Congratulations, Bel!”
Karina’s face lit up with joy as she came to greet me. She had regained all but a small part of her memories. Apart from that missing piece, she was completely back to her old self. Friendly, kind, and vivacious, with an infectious smile. We’d managed to repair our friendship through letters, and we were back to being as close as sisters again.
“Thank you. It won’t be too much longer until it’s your turn, Karina.”
Clad in my pure white wedding dress, I shot Karina a meaningful smile. She blushed and looked up at the man by her side…Daniel. Daniel noticed her looking at him and returned her gaze, smiling.
A few months after my engagement to Ed was announced, we got the news that Karina and Daniel were to be wed as well, forming a union between Nigren and the Sunruta Kingdom.
Considering their ages and their countries’ close proximity, it seemed to be a political marriage. Still, seeing the way they were interacting with each other, I was pleased to discover that love had clearly blossomed between the two of them as well.
“Thank you. You’ll come to the wedding, right? You’ll be on the top of the guestlist for sure!”
“Of course I’ll be there.” I smiled.
“Congratulations, Ed! And thank you again for your assistance with the study abroad program’s setup.”
Daniel turned to address Ed, who was standing beside me. The study abroad program would see young, promising magicians from the Sunruta Kingdom come to study magic at Najir’s Magical Research Lab. The program had begun last year, and there were currently four foreign students in residence.
“We are always happy to welcome young minds.” Ed lowered his head politely to Daniel.
“Also, you wouldn’t believe how things have changed for Sunruta since your Magic Sigil invention came about. It’s very expensive, so as of yet, only the rich aristocracy have been reaping the benefits. But in the future, we hope to make it available to every citizen.”
“I’m delighted to hear that our research has been of use to your country.”
Ed smiled. He seemed genuinely pleased to hear that his invention was seeing use in other countries as well as here in Najir. I smiled as I watched the two of them chat.