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AS the familiar scenery came into view, I leaned out the carriage window and looked outside, unable to sit still. I’d often gaze at that mountain range from this poorly maintained road.
“Don’t lean out too far,” Albert cautioned me.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”
When Albert laughed at me for acting like a giddy child, I felt embarrassed. Even so, I couldn’t maintain my composure as we approached my hometown, considering how long I’d been away.
This rural village had nothing to its name—not even a single tourist attraction. Our small population cultivated fields, raised cows and pigs, and collected wool for fabric. In short, we prided ourselves on being self-sufficient.
Some people dreamed of living in the capital, like Stanley. Many of them moved there, got married, and then returned home. But my father’s personality had seeped into the people of Edigma, and it was one of the easiest and most comfortable places to live. That was our strongest source of pride.
“What a lively place,” Albert commented.
When we entered the village, children watched our carriage curiously. Visitors were rare. After spotting me inside, they squealed with delight, chasing after the vehicle.
“Isn’t it?” I agreed with Albert while waving to the children. “Edigma is home to the most spirited people in all the kingdom.”
“That’s certainly enviable.”
When Albert smiled, I couldn’t help but smile back. Even though it was his first time visiting a countryside village, he showed no signs of disliking it. His eyes shone with delight as he took in his surroundings.
“Still, there’s not a single interesting thing here,” I said.
“How could this village not be wonderful when you were born and raised here?”
“You think too highly of me.”
Albert chuckled, his expression peaceful. “I’m only being honest.”
He wore noble attire rather than his usual knightly fatigues. I couldn’t stop staring; I hardly ever saw him in plain clothes. He’d dressed up more than usual because he would be asking for my father’s blessing, further emphasizing his handsomeness. Just looking at him made my heart race.
Also, he’d stopped speaking so formally when we were alone together. Having such friendly conversations with each other filled me with joy.
Since we’d sent word ahead of time, Tobias—my father—was waiting for us in front of our small manor. As soon as the carriage stopped, I jumped out and hugged him.
“Welcome home,” he greeted me.
“It’s good to be back,” I replied.
Though Father recently visited me in the capital, reuniting with him in Edigma was a different experience. He embraced me in the place of my birth. I was finally home.
“Did Stanley not come with you?” Father inquired.
“Do you even have to ask?”
Stanley vastly preferred capital life to the countryside. He wouldn’t come home for anything except errands pertaining to being a feudal lord. Not even his little sister introducing her fiancée would change that.
“Um, on that note…” I trailed off, bashfully hanging my head while looking at the carriage. Albert disembarked, came to stand by my side, and bowed his head to Father.
“I’m Albert McClain,” he introduced himself. “Please excuse my sudden visit.”
Father smiled warmly and held out his hand to Albert. “Thank you for making such a long journey. I’m Tobias Edigma.”
“Of course. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I laughed at the two men, who both wore vaguely nervous expressions. Happiness welled up within me. When I sent a letter to Father about wanting to marry Albert, he wrote back with his blessing. I hadn’t expected Father to oppose our marriage, but when I saw him and Albert together, my lips tugged into a joyous smile. Hopefully, no one would tire of how much I’d been smiling lately.
“Mary, do you mind brewing us some of your wonderful tea?” Father asked. “It’s been too long.”
His words brought me back to reality. “Of course,” I agreed before dashing into my childhood home.
Later, the three of us sat in the small parlor room. After taking a deep breath, Father opened his mouth to speak. “To be honest, this all seems too good to be true for Mary.”
My eyes widened at Father’s brutal honesty. Beside me, Albert spilled a few drops of tea, looking similarly shocked.
Father rushed to explain himself. “My daughter is wonderful, and I’m very proud of her. Even considering my fatherly bias, she’s a beautiful young woman. She takes after her mother, after all. Or does she…? Well, that’s beside the point. In any case, you’re a very important man, Lord McClain. Should you be marrying a baron’s daughter?”
Father made a good point. As a countryside noble, I was unworthy of Albert—a viscount who’d performed great deeds in the capital. Normally, such a marriage wouldn’t be possible. If Albert hadn’t received a peerage, perhaps the circumstances would be different. As things stood, however, this seemed too good to be true for me.
“Honestly, I’m a baron in name only,” Father admitted. “I’m more of a village leader. Now that you’re a viscount, plenty of high-ranking noblewomen must be clamoring for your attention. Is your family not worried about your future?”
Apparently, Father and I shared the same concerns, so Albert gave him the same explanation as he’d given me. “Regardless of my position, I want to take Mary as my wife because I love her.”
“I see,” Father said. He looked at me with a contemplative expression. “Will you be okay, Mary?”
He was probably worried about me becoming a viscount’s wife.
“I’ll manage,” I replied.
This might have sounded like a poorly considered response, but it was my honest answer. If I found myself incapable of something, I would learn how to accomplish it. If I still found myself lacking, Albert and I could think up a solution.
“Honestly, Mary would be a better ruler than me,” Albert said, uncharacteristically bashful. “I only have skill as a knight.”
Apparently, he was also worried about being a viscount.
“Albert has entrusted his region to an administrator,” I said. “Honestly, it makes more sense to call me the wife of the high commander than the wife of a viscount.”
“Oh, I see,” Father replied with a wide grin. “I must say—you two seem like a perfect match for each other.”
Albert and I looked at each other, sharing an awkward smile.
“Well, then, shall we go share the news with your mother?” Father asked.
When he stood, Albert and I followed.
I haven’t visited Mother’s grave in a long time.
A beautiful, solitary gravestone stood in the middle of a peaceful meadow surrounded by nature. Ten years after Mother’s death, the gravestone showed no signs of aging thanks to Father’s conscientious upkeep. Each morning, he visited with an offering of flowers. On the anniversary of her death, he decorated the gravestone with an even more extravagant floral arrangement. Finally, he would sing Mother’s favorite song on her birthday. The depth of his undying love for her warmed my heart.
“Miriam,” Father said. “Our daughter is getting married. Please continue to watch over her.”
He kissed the memorial stone. I walked up from behind, placed flowers at the grave, and offered a prayer. Afterward, I told her about Albert, Rosemary, and everything that had transpired over the past six months. Though telling the whole story took a great deal of time, Albert joined me in a long prayer.
“You have a lot to tell her, don’t you?” Father asked, moved.
“A lot happened in the capital,” I replied.
I still hadn’t told Father about my being a reincarnation. I’d considered telling him, but he brought up a similar conversation as if something had just occurred to him.