The Knight Who Broke Off Our Engagement and Told Me to Never Show My Face Again Still Clings to Me Today, Even Though I Was Possessed and Turned Into a Villainess for Ten Years - 76 - The Promise from Ten Years Ago 2 (Final Chapter)

After the wedding reception and sending off the bride and groom, I was riding in the Langridge Marquis family’s carriage.

Rufus was taking me home, and we sat facing each other.

“It was such a beautiful ceremony. It really moved me.”

“Yeah. I’m glad they looked so happy.”

Rufus, who had helped me investigate the body-switching incident and spent so much time with me, seemed to care deeply for the two of them too. His face showed joy and relief.

“I need to have this bouquet protected with a magic spell as a special memory of today.”

I looked down at the colorful flowers in my arms, and every time I did, I felt happy all over again.

“…Did you hear what the bouquet means?”

“? No, I just heard that something good will happen.”

After the ceremony, Eliza gave it to me, saying, “I absolutely wanted you to have this, Sadie.”

It was my first time attending a wedding, but Eliza whispered that carrying this bouquet would bring something good. Maybe it was some kind of lucky charm.

“I see.”

“Yeah.”

“……”

“……”

After that short exchange, Rufus suddenly became very quiet, and I wondered if he was tired.

I wanted him to rest at least until we arrived at the mansion, so I decided to stay silent and looked out the window. But then, Rufus unexpectedly called my name.

“…Can I sit next to you?”

“Eh? Y-yes, of course.”

His unexpected question confused me, but I quickly nodded. I had ridden in carriages with Rufus many times, but he had never asked me something like this before.

As I moved closer to the window, Rufus stood up and came over to sit beside me.

“……”

“……”

Even though he just sat next to me, my heart pounded so loudly it was almost painful.

After a short silence, I glanced up at Rufus and our eyes met. His gaze was warm and full of emotion.

“There’s a saying that when the bride gives you her bouquet, you’ll be the next one to get married.”

“Eh?”

Of course, I hadn’t known that, so I felt embarrassed for being so happy over it. Eliza must have known. Why didn’t she tell me?

“S-so that’s what it meant… M-maybe that means I’ll get married soon too… maybe…”

Flustered, I accidentally said something silly and quickly shut my mouth. I instantly regretted such an embarrassing comment.

I wanted him to laugh it off, but Rufus stayed serious, his eyes fixed on me.

“I don’t know about that. But I’ve loved you since we were children. I’ve always wanted to marry you.”

“…!”

I was caught off guard by his sudden confession, but I felt happiness spreading through my entire body.

I knew I had to tell him how I felt too, so I looked straight back at him.

“…Thank you. I want to be with you forever too, Rufus. If you’ll have me, please take care of me.”

When I said that, Rufus’s eyes wavered.

“I’m really sorry for making you wait so long. I love you so, so much, Rufus.”

And in the next moment, I was in Rufus’s arms.

He hugged me so tightly it almost hurt, and I wrapped my arms around his back. Rufus whispered “Thank you” in a barely audible voice.

That voice trembled slightly, and my chest tightened with emotion.

“…Thank you for loving me. It’s because of you that I am who I am today.”

I couldn’t count how many times Rufus had saved me.

‘I’ll definitely save you. So don’t worry.’

Whenever I was in trouble, it was always Rufus who helped me.

I think, without even realizing it, I had already been drawn to Rufus back then.

“That’s nothing you need to thank me for.”

“No, it is. I mean, no one else would have stood by someone like me, who lived as a villainess for ten years. That’s impossible for most people.”

“I love you, no matter what happens, Sadie.”

Rufus smiled softly, his eyes gentle, and then added:

“Remember? We made a promise.”

“A promise?”

“You might not remember, but ten years ago, we made a promise. In that flower field we both loved.”

“…Ah.”

Suddenly, the scene I had seen so many times in my dreams came back—soft, warm, nostalgic.

In the middle of a flower field, young me and Rufus sat close together, smiling and having fun.

‘──Then, will you marry me?’

‘Yeah, okay. But we’re still kids, so if we still like each other when we grow up, let’s get married then.’

I had said that, and Rufus nodded, putting a flower-ring on my finger.

And little Rufus smiled and said, “It’s okay. I’ll always love you.”

I could never remember exactly what we talked about, but now, at last, it came back clearly.

Why had I forgotten?

Maybe, during those painful days in that place, I sealed away those happy memories and future promises because remembering them would have been too painful.

Even so, Rufus had remembered that promise and kept it all this time. Thinking about that made tears pour from my eyes.

Rufus gently wiped my tears with his fingers, then held me tightly again, resting his face on my shoulder.

“It really… took a long time to get here.”

“…Yeah.”

His voice shook, and I could feel how much pain he had carried all this time.

It had been ten years since my body was taken by Tabatha, and after that, I had been unconscious for two and a half more years. Rufus had waited for me through all of it.

It must have been a time so long and painful that I couldn’t even imagine. My heart filled with even more love for Rufus, and I truly wanted to cherish him and make him happy.

“Thank you for loving me all this time.”

“Yeah. I’ll make sure you’re happy. Always.”

── The ten years we lost could never come back.

Even so, I was certain that the future ahead, with my precious family, friends, and beloved Rufus, would be overflowing with happiness to make up for the painful past.

The End