Epilogue
The newly enthroned Emperor Urcheka did his best in various fields to abolish the empire's chronic evils and ensure the happiness of many people.
In accordance with the Emperor's will, Duke Bernhard took on the role of manager to extensively renovate the water facilities of all eight districts.
As he was frantically busy, the days Etienne was away from the mansion increased.
Shioana also played a leading role in society as Duchess Bernhard.
She was not afraid to step forward. She skillfully led the conversation and earned the trust of the people.
As she picked up the teacup, Shioana suddenly became lost in old memories.
'I wish my brother had seen this...'
She really wanted to show Eli, who had always disapproved of her, her current self. That is why she wanted to tell him that his opinion was wrong.
'Not that I could, though.'
Just then, the youngest unmarried lady among the women gathered in the drawing room asked a question, and thanks to that, she was pulled out of her thoughts.
"Duchess, I apologize for asking this presumptuously, but what should I do to marry a man as wonderful as His Excellency the Duke?"
Everyone's eyes sparkled as if the question was quite interesting.
Shioana Evgenia was quite an interesting presence to them.
After all, she became Duchess Bernhard after the Duke, who had gone abroad to study, fell in love with her at first sight as a noble of the Caspian Empire.
"Well, is there a separate way to do that?"
As Shioana opened her mouth without dismissing the absurd question, all the women around her pricked up their ears.
"There could not possibly be another person like our Excellency."
"Oh my, even the Duchess."
At Shioana's words, the faces around her were struggling to hold back laughter.
"I have heard much about His Excellency's love for the Duchess, but it seems the Madam feels the same way."
Shioana responded to the reactions around her by giving a gentle smile.
"Anyway, the reason I asked you all to gather today despite your busy schedules is because of the big fire in Zone 7."
Many families lost their homes and workplaces due to the fire. Although the Imperial Household provided supplies and manpower to them, there were still shortcomings.
"They say they need things like clothes to wear or toys for the children to play with right away."
It was Shioana's wish to ensure that the displaced people living in temporary shelters while new houses were being built would have their daily lives as undisturbed as possible.
"Fortunately, Marquis Calix has pledged significant support, and the Bernhard family intends to spare no expense in patronage."
Raul became the successor to the Calix family by the Emperor's command. He naturally refused, but he eventually gave in to the Emperor's persuasion that severing the lineage of a prestigious family would be a great loss for the Empire as well.
'It looks like I’m going to end up playing this sickening aristocracy.'
The words Raul had said on the first day he became a Marquis were still vivid in her ears.
"I think we have put together a pretty good relief plan, so please go back and take good care of your respective duties."
After finishing tea time with the ladies in the morning, Shioana hurriedly changed into her dress.
In the afternoons, she taught literacy to illiterate women in District 8 twice a week. The classes, which she attended twice a week while concealing her identity, were always enjoyable.
It was rewarding to help those who couldn't even write their own names learn one by one, but her heart swelled with emotion at the thought of being able to see the world expanding firsthand.
'I never imagined I would live such a valuable life.'
After moving to Urcheka, she was so preoccupied with making ends meet that she couldn't even imagine helping anyone.
At best, she could only share food with someone in the neighborhood, but now she could go anywhere her hands could reach and help anyone.
"Madam, what shall we do about this?"
When she came out after class, the maid brought news that the carriage had broken down.
"Were the coachman and the others hurt?"
"Fortunately, no one was injured."
"Then it's fine. I can borrow another carriage and take it."
"...However, His Excellency said that absolutely cannot be done."
Shioana looked slightly hesitant at the maid's words. It would be troublesome if Etienne found out.
Because he wasn't even keen on her coming here for class.
'No matter how good the intention, what good is it if you get hurt?'
Etienne was sensitive about her safety.
She had narrowly avoided being exposed to violence in Zone 8, and there was even a man who tried to molest jer.
Moreover, he was even more sensitive because he could not be by Shioana's side due to his busy schedule.
"There are escorts here, so I think it should be fine."
Just then, heavy rain began to pour down from the sky.
"...Oh, no."
Over time, Shioana overcame many things, but strangely, she did not get better at the rain.
"Madam, I will go and ask how long the carriage repairs will take."
"Don't rush, take your time. I'll stay here."
As she quietly watched the raindrops falling from the eaves, she shivered slightly.
Just as Shioana tightened the front of her cloak, someone was walking toward her from up ahead.
"..."
The man's face was half-covered by the slanted umbrella.
Beneath his sharp jawline, which exuded a chill, lay broad shoulders, and a jacket tailored perfectly to his solid chest swayed with every movement. Below his long legs, black leather boots reaching up to his calves repelled the rainwater.
"E, Etienne."
Although she couldn't see his face, Shioana was certain that he was her husband. Before she knew it, Shioana was standing under the man's umbrella.
"May I hold an umbrella for you?"
Although the surroundings were humid and the sky gloomy, it could not obscure the beauty of the man standing before her in the slightest. His eyes, radiating a reddish heat, his sharply defined nose, and his moist lips were dazzling.
"You still have a long way to go before you get back. What brings you here?"
Shioana laughed heartily, overjoyed at the unexpected reunion.
"I can't stand missing you. I dropped everything and rushed here."
"Come on, how can you act like that when you’re His Excellency the Duke?"
"You're acting like I was someone you didn't want to see."
Etienne pouted as he stopped walking under the same umbrella.
"E, Etienne."
"...Yes."
As he stopped, Shioana turned around to face Etienne head-on. She had to tilt her head back even further to see Etienne's face, as he was much taller than her.
"You know what? Etienne."
Shioana, who had called him, stood on tiptoe and gently nudged Etienne's chest.
With his chest almost fully embraced, she gently stroked Etienne's wet bangs, which had caught his eye for a while.
"Shi, Shioana."
Etienne's voice trembled in surprise at her sudden touch. Through their bodies facing each other, the sound of his rough heartbeat could be felt vividly.
"I have lied."
"...?"
"Back then, you know. In front of the cave."
"...Ah."
Was it the first day Mrs. Hooper the governess came?
It meant the time when the two people went out for a walk in the fields and stopped briefly in front of the cave due to the sudden rain.
"I didn't just do it to fix your hair."
At some point, Etienne began to disturb Shioana's mind.
She was captivated by his handsome face, and she gaze kept being drawn to his tall stature and broad chest.
"Then what did you want to do, Miss?"
"I wanted to do it this way."
Shioana wrapped her hands around Etienne's neck and stood on tiptoe. Then, with her eyes closed, she pouted her lips.
"...."
However, as Etienne turned his head, she unexpectedly pressed her lips against his chin.
"Did you reject my kiss?"
As she asked while clinging to Etienne, he twitched his flushed neck and let out a long sigh.
"Are you planning to kill me?"
Shioana was startled by his deep voice and pulled away from Etienne's body.
"Kissing a husband you haven't seen in a long time is a common thing, so why are you making such a fuss about it—"
Shioana, her cheeks flushed, trailed off.
"You don't know my heart at all."
He was the one who ran from Zone 5 to Zone 8 in one go when it started raining while he was maintaining the water facilities.
It was important for many people to live happily and to uphold the pride of the Bernhard family by following in the footsteps of his father and ancestors.
However, the most important thing to him was always just one person.
Because the girl who used to cling to him with a frightened face whenever it rained was embedded in Etienne's heart.
“Why don’t I know?”
Shioana reached out, firmly held his chin in place, and pressed her lips against his. At the very short and soft kiss, Etienne almost let go of the umbrella handle.
"I love you, Etienne."
For a moment, it felt as if the scent of Regbell's blooming roses lingered at the tip of their noses, and the cold yet familiar air of the mountain they had climbed together enveloped them.
"Shioana, let's go on a trip once we finish this job."
Etienne seemed to remember what she had said. Back when the books piled up in Regbell were her only friends, Shioana was curious about the many worlds around her.
'Let's go here later and see the elephants in person.'
'They say there is a strange-looking, shiny building if you go here.'
Shioana whispered as she looked into Etienne's red eyes.
"I like anywhere as long as we are together."
"I love you. My lady."
He lowered his head and stole a kiss from Shioana's lips, and their breaths met.
"...Hmm."
Beneath the noisy sound of rain tapping on umbrellas, the song of a kind person rang out.
[Complete]
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