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Volume 3 Chapter 11-2: Nettle Departs

 

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「Lucy you’ve got some cream on your cheek」

I scooped the cream off of her with my finger and put it in my mouth.

Yum. I liked custard a lot, but the light and airy sweetness of whipped cream was good too.

We usually greeted each other with a kiss, but such a slight action caused Lucy’s face to blush a deep red. No matter how much time passes, Lucy was weak to sneak attacks.

「Cyril-kun…」

Kuu called out. I looked over and saw an unnaturally large clump of whipped cream on her face.

I held my laughter in at her obvious ploy and leaned forward to clean off the cream….but this time with my mouth. It was a slight prank and punishment for trying to trick me.

「Wh-wh…that’s not fair…」

As I thought, Kuu blushed deeply in surprise.

I finally couldn’t hold it anymore and laughed heartily.

「Today you seem like you’re having more fun than usual Cyril. Why did you put together such a feast today?」
「Could it be that you did this since this could be our last meal together?」

As the two of them questioned me, I shook my head.

「That’s not it. I don’t have such subversive reasons. Today happens to be our anniversary.」

I said and that seemed to confuse the two by quite a bit.

「Lucy…what anniversary is it? I don’t get it.」
「I don’t either. I can’t think of any anniversary it might be…」

It was no wonder. They wouldn’t know…because I hadn’t told them about it.

「Both of you…hold out your left hands.」

They obeyed while seeming confused.

I took out 2 silver rings with 1 carat diamonds on them and placed the rings on their ring fingers. Then I took a similar one and placed it on my own finger.

「This is so pretty…」

Lucy murmured with a passionate sigh.

「Uu, I haven’t seen such a pretty gem before.」

Kuu was the same as they stared at the rings as if their souls were being stolen.

「Today, is the first memorial day for our engagement. The food and alcohol were all to celebrate this. These rings are the proof of our betrothal. In human cities they often give rings to their fiancee as proof of their bond. I imitated that. Women wearing a ring on their left hand appeals that they have promised their future to a man and should keep some vermin awa….ehem, it means something like that.」

It took a lot of effort in order to create something that I found satisfying. A diamond was just carbon crystallized with extreme heat and pressure so I was able to use Kuiro’s dwarven abilities to create them with magic. However, that was only uncut stones. The real issue was having to cut them into proper diamonds. That ended up being extremely painstaking.

For three months I spent experimenting with different cuts until I finally found a method to make a satisfying gemstone. Other than that, I spent a ton of effort on make the silver rings emphasize the beauty of the diamond.

Also, despite being able to create a much larger diamond, I kept it at a 1 carat size since I believed it was much more beautiful for their delicate hands. If it were to be larger I thought it would look a bit vulgar in some ways.

I had set the stage. Now I only needed to tell them my true feelings without falsehood.

「Lucy…Kuu…please marry me once we finish this war.」

Upon hearing my words Lucy had serious look as tears started to drip from her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak,

「Cyril…I’m so happy….yes I’ll marry you. I’m…so happy. Strange…I’m happy but I can’t stop crying.」

She sobbed as she used the sleeve of her dress to wipe her face and smiled.

It looks like she was truly happy.

「I’m…happy too. So happy…but…can I really be with you?」

Kuu murmured softly as she held her left hand to her chest and covered it with her right. It seemed like she was trying to make sure no one could take it from her.

「Of course. I love you too Kuu. We’ll all get married.」
「You’re…telling the truth right? I’m the second…so I thought I’d only be a mistress…getting married properly…I never thought that’d happen….are you really…really sure?」
「I want you Kuu. But, I won’t force you. If you really don’t want to…I’ll be really sad, but I will let you live your life.」

Kuu shook her head violently.

Then began to cry just like Lucy.

「I’m so happy…I love you too Cyril-kun. But, is it okay Lucy-chan?」

She couldn’t hide her uneasiness and called out to Lucy with a frail voice.

「It’s okay. I know you fell in love with him. Plus it’s you we’re talking about Kuu. If it was another girl I would’ve been much angrier.」
「I’m sorry Lucy-chan…and…thank you.」

My greatest joy was seeing that they seemed to get along.

「Lucy, thank you for forgiving Kuu. Kuu….I’m sorry for being so insincere and having you become the second, but thank you for loving me. I will put all my heart and soul into giving you two happiness for the rest of our lives.」

I spoke with great happiness and love as I stood and approached them.

The two of them looked into my eyes and their expressions loosened.

We wanted to kiss. I could see our emotions overflow. They accepted me. So I hugged them tightly and gave them each a kiss.

I then suggested that the three of us sleep in the same bed tonight and we spent a beautiful peaceful night hugging each other to sleep.

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