Episode 55
Kaiden headed to a towering structure.
Its dizzying height suggested a long climb to the top.
“We’re climbing that?” Reina asked, alarmed.
“Yep.”
Despite her hesitant tone, Kaiden entered without pause.
Endless spiral stairs stretched upward, but he ascended without a hitch in his breath.
As he’d said, her pace would’ve stopped her halfway.
Already, others rested, panting, on the steps.
“You okay?” she asked softly.
“Fine.”
He answered casually, as if it were nothing.
A man used to intense training, this was easy.
‘What’s up there that he’s rushing for?’
Chirp chirp chirp.
Ritsi flapped, singing an encouraging tune.
“Annoying,” Kaiden muttered, waving a hand.
Ritsi squawked, Chirp! and perched on Reina’s head.
After some time, light appeared above the endless stairs.
“There’s the exit!” Reina pointed eagerly.
Kaiden quickened his pace.
As they reached the top, a bell tolled.
Ding, ding—
A hymn rang from the clocktower.
The view was beyond imagination.
“Wow.”
Reina gasped.
The sky was pink with sunset.
Letter City sprawled below the spire, like a mountain summit.
Crensia Castle stood grandly in the distance, the setting sun casting a majestic glow.
“Put me down,” she murmured.
Kaiden crouched, and she slid off, extending a hand.
“Let’s get closer.”
Her flushed cheeks glowed with excitement.
Her sparkling eyes shone brighter at beauty.
It made him want to show her more.
Holding her hand, he let her lead.
He stared, dazed, at her back.
“Couples who swear love at the clocktower stay together forever. Stop there, got it?”
“That’s just merchant nonsense. If love lasted because of that, there’d be no divorced couples or breakups.”
“Who doesn’t know it’s a myth? Love makes you do it anyway. Plus, the sunset from the tower is stunning. It sparks love where there was none!”
Aiden’s insistence brought him here.
Seeing Reina’s joy, Kaiden was glad he listened.
Now, he wanted to believe that silly myth.
Impulsively, he called, “Reina.”
“Yes?”
She turned from the fading sky.
He slipped a bracelet onto her wrist.
Click.
Her gaze dropped to it.
“What’s this…?”
“Birthday gift.”
“…”
“A bit late, but will you accept it?”
She stared at the gold bracelet, set with a purple gem.
It matched Kaiden’s eye color.
That made it even dearer.
A surprise gift made her heart race.
“Thank you.”
“Like it?”
“Yes. Especially this gem—it’s like you.”
“It’s a magic tool made with a mana stone. Wear it always. Press the gem in danger, and it’ll warp you to me.”
“That’s possible?”
“I infused it with my aura.”
He showed a matching bracelet on his wrist, with a blue gem like her eyes.
They were a pair.
“They’re the same.”
“Right. A medium makes activation easier.”
Not just that—it was a couple’s bracelet, born of his possessiveness.
Reina touched it, murmuring.
“It feels reassuring… like you’re always with me.”
“With you…”
“No one’s gotten a better gift.”
She thanked him sincerely.
Aiden was right—gifts were always good.
Kaiden kissed the back of her hand.
“!”
Her hand trembled at the sudden touch.
Holding it gently, he gazed at her.
“I’ll be your loyal husband. I’ll go wherever you go.”
“…”
“I’ll make sure you never regret coming here.”
His lips brushed her hand.
His purple eyes held her more intensely.
His solemn vow captivated her.
The scenery faded; only Kaiden was vivid.
“Regret…?”
With him, her world was bright, warm, clear.
He was the sun she found after wandering in darkness.
She could say with certainty.
Meeting him was one of her life’s rare fortunes.
“I’ve never regretted coming here, Kaiden.”
Her voice quivered with swirling emotions.
Swallowing tears, she smiled.
“I’m grateful to you. Even now, you only give me good things.”
“It’s nothing.”
“These ‘nothings’ are miracles to me.”
Yes, only “miracle” could describe this.
Her small actions created a butterfly effect, freeing her from hell.
“Kaiden, you’re my miracle.”
Did he know?
What each day here meant to her?
How earnest this confession was?
He’d never know.
The sun had set.
As darkness loomed, torches lit the tower.
The fleeting shadow gave way to soft light.
In it, Kaiden saw only Reina.
She didn’t know.
What drove his confession.
What her words meant to him.
“That goes for me too, Reina.”
Even if she never knew, he’d cherish this moment forever.
* * *
Hook Company wasn’t the only merchant group regularly visiting the North.
The North was the empire’s frontline defense.
To protect its people and combat endless beasts, outsider access was once restricted.
The problem was the North’s barren land, unable to sustain itself.
The palace used supplies to control it.
Three years ago, during a famine, they sent meager aid to curb the North.
Nothing was pettier than toying with food.
Kaiden saw the need for reform.
The North, unfit for farming, was rich in rare resources.
This attracted merchants, and Kaiden capitalized on it.
With smooth bartering, they’d rely less on the palace.
He built safe land routes.
Through strict vetting, he partnered with select merchants for grain.
Hook Company’s eager involvement was an unexpected boon.
