TYBMB 29

Chapter 29: “They Lived Happily Ever After”

Adelheit’s face looked exactly the same as it had before the regression.

Just as I remembered—black hair and blue-gray eyes.

Her round face and petite frame gave off the aura of someone you’d want to protect.

Most likely, Adelheit’s fate would turn out to be just as tragic as it had been before the regression.

With that thought, I let out a shallow sigh, too soft for others to hear.

Truthfully, before the regression, I hadn’t particularly liked Adelheit.

Part of it was because her family background was lacking, but mostly because she seemed too small and fragile.

I had thought that if someone were to marry Johannes, it should be someone stronger, more dependable—a knight.

But if Adelheit were to die in the same carriage accident again, Johannes would fall apart completely.

Even if I didn’t personally approve of her, Johannes had chosen Adelheit.

He loved her sincerely.

I still vividly remembered how broken Johannes became after Adelheit’s death, unable to bear the grief.

That’s why this time, I had to protect her.

Both Johannes—and Adelheit.

Once I firmly resolved myself, I smiled toward Adelheit, who was nervously awaiting my response.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Johannes. You really do seem like the lovely lady he described. Is he treating you well?”

“……!”

Both Adelheit and Johannes looked startled at my words.

They must have expected that I’d disapprove of her.

Even though I had previously told Johannes that I’d be okay meeting her, he probably couldn’t help but worry deep down.

Wanting to completely ease their concerns, I added:

“If Johannes ever gives you a hard time, come tell me anytime. I’ll scold him for you.”

“S-Sister! When have I ever given her a hard time…? I always treat Adel well! I take care of her with the utmost love and consideration.”

“Is that so? Is it true, Lady Adelheit?”

When I asked, Adelheit beamed and nodded brightly.

“Yes, it’s true! Lord Johannes is always kinder and more thoughtful than I deserve. That’s why I’ve always wanted to thank you, Lady Yulia. I’m sure it’s thanks to you that Johannes became such a wonderful person.”

Why had I opposed Adelheit so stubbornly before the regression?

Now that we were speaking properly, I saw she was cheerful, proactive, and knew how to make people feel good—a wise young lady.

If I had known she was such a wonderful person, I would have supported their love back then…

Regretting the past, I replied to Adelheit,

“Thank you for saying that, Lady Adelheit. I want to do something in return… How about I send you a new carriage?”

The Viscounty of Franverque, Adelheit’s family, was currently facing financial difficulties, and their carriage was notably worn out.

That worn-out carriage was what caused her death.

A part of the wheel broke while going up a narrow mountain path.

The carriage wobbled and ended up tumbling off the mountain.

That’s why I intended to gift her a carriage first, to prevent that horrible accident. But Adelheit flinched and shook her head firmly.

“Oh no, I can’t accept such an expensive gift! That’s far too much!”

“There’s no need to feel burdened. I’m giving it because I want to. You’re someone my precious little brother cherishes. I want you to always have the best things to wear, eat, and ride in.”

“Lady Yulia…”

After hearing that, it seemed Adelheit found it difficult to refuse any longer and eventually accepted the gift.

“Then I will gratefully accept it. I’ll take good care of it.”

Afterward, Adelheit left to go boast to her friends about the carriage gift.

I, too, had something to say privately to Johannes, so I called him out to the second-floor terrace of the ballroom.

“She’s a wonderful young lady. Treat her well.”

“Yes, Sister. Actually… I’m surprised. I didn’t expect you to welcome Adel so warmly, let alone give her a gift.”

“It’s because I’m worried. I heard that one of our order’s distant relatives died in a carriage accident. The carriage broke down on a steep mountain road and fell off the cliff…”

“Because of an old carriage? Ah… Now that you mention it, the Franverque carriage was pretty old. I didn’t think to check.”

Only then did Johannes seem to recall how worn out Adelheit’s carriage was.

Since I’d soon be sending her a new one and had even hinted to Johannes about the accident, everything was in place.

Adelheit would never die.

Having steered their fate toward a better path, I softly called Johannes’ name.

“Johannes.”

“Yes?”

He looked at me with the same violet eyes as mine.

Unlike before the regression, Johannes’ eyes were clear now.

No sadness lingered there.

Looking into those eyes, I finally said something I had long wanted to say.

“I’ve always wanted you to be happy. In the past, now, and forever.”

If only I’d said this back then, when he was grieving Adelheit’s loss.

But I hadn’t.

I was a fool who loved her brother deeply but didn’t know how to express it.

Hearing my heartfelt words for the first time, Johannes stared at me in a daze.

Then, as a cool night breeze brushed our cheeks, he finally smiled and replied.

“I hope you’re always happy too, Sister. That has always been, and always will be, my most earnest wish.”

After Johannes left the terrace, I remained alone for a while, looking up at the night sky.

The baby I had cared for since infancy had grown up.

He had become a fine man and was now with a wonderful woman.

Their ending would likely resemble the ending of a typical fairytale.

Just like most fairytales end with “And they lived happily ever after,” Johannes and Adelheit’s story would probably end the same way.

Some might say this is just another ordinary love story.

But to me, who had watched over Johannes as his guardian, it was the most precious and beautiful story of all.

A story to carve into my heart and treasure for a lifetime.

“……”

I continued looking up at the stars for a while, trying to sort through the emotions that were rushing through me.

Then, just as my neck began to ache from looking up too long, I lowered my head—and saw a familiar face in a quiet corner of the garden.

It was Karl.

Because I was on the second-floor terrace, higher than Karl’s eye level, he hadn’t noticed me yet.

I thought about calling out loudly to greet him—but then closed my mouth.

He wasn’t alone.

He was speaking with someone.

But I couldn’t tell who it was.

That person had their back turned to me.

What were they talking about?

Whatever it was, it was rare to see Karl looking so serious.

He was always grinning, after all.

But now, his expression was so tense, he looked like someone at a funeral, not a party.

So I simply watched quietly, unable to call out to him.

And then—

“Ah.”

As if sensing my gaze, Karl suddenly looked up toward the second-floor terrace.

I quickly gave him an awkward smile and waved.

Karl looked briefly startled at my greeting, then soon returned to his usual smile.

He sent off his conversation partner and walked toward the terrace.

“Vice-Commander, you were up there?”

“Yeah. What were you doing in the garden? I saw you talking to someone—was it a friend?”

“Not a friend… more like a business associate.”

A business associate?

I couldn’t understand what kind of business associate a Silver Knight like Karl would have.

I was about to ask if he was working on something privately when Karl spoke first.

“More importantly, what are you doing on the terrace? You look stunning tonight—shouldn’t you be dancing?”

“I came out to talk to Johannes for a bit. I’ve just been gathering my thoughts alone.”

“Gathering your thoughts? Was it something serious? Should I come up there to talk with you?”

“No, stay there. It’s faster if I come down.”

Karl would have to climb the stairs to reach me.

But I could get down to the garden much faster.

“Vice-Commander?”

I kicked off my cumbersome heels, letting them drop to the ground below. Karl looked flustered.

Leaning against the terrace railing, I smiled at him.

“Hold onto my shoes. I’ll be coming down there now.”