Chapter 82: Townsman A Celebrates the Villainess's Birthday

With a maid’s help, I got dressed in my formal attire. My hair was styled to perfection, and I made sure I had the gift ready.

Okay, I was all set.

I headed over to my mother’s room to pick her up. Ever since the Duke officially recognized my engagement to Ana, my mother has been staying here at the Territorial Capital Mansion as well. The logic was that as the mother of the lady's fiancé, she was now a potential target and needed protection.

Fair enough. I suppose that’s just how things work in this world. Noble society is a massive headache, but I stepped onto this path with my eyes wide open. I just have to deal with it.

After waiting for about ten minutes, my mother emerged from her room in a full gown. She looked like she was struggling with the unfamiliar heels and the restrictive dress, but she looked quite different from her usual, gentle self. How do I put this? She looked truly beautiful.

I took her hand, offered my arm, and escorted her to Ana’s room.

The maid opened the door for us. Inside, we found the Duke, Elizaveta, and Friedrich already gathered. They were chatting warmly by the bed where Ana remained in her deep, unending slumber.

“Sorry we’re late,” I said.

“Thank you so much for inviting us today,” my mother added, much more politely.

I kept my greeting casual as usual, while my mother was the picture of courtesy.

“Hahaha. We all just happened to get here before the scheduled time,” the Duke replied.

I glanced at the clock; as he said, we were still ten minutes early. I suppose everyone was just that excited for Ana’s birthday.

“Ah, you’re right.”

“Well, it’s a bit early, but let’s begin,” the Duke said. He cleared his throat once, then spoke softly to Ana. “Ana, happy seventeenth birthday.”

Taking the Duke’s words as a signal, we each began to offer our own quiet well-wishes.

“Now then, Ana. There is something I wanted to properly report to you today.” The Duke took Ana’s hand, a prayer-like expression crossing his face. “Ana, your Allen has officially become your fiancé.”

He waited, but when she continued to sleep like a silent statue, his shoulders slumped in disappointment.

“Besides, I’ve prepared so many of the things you like today. You can eat as much as you want, alright?” He pointed to the spread of extravagant dishes on the table, but Ana remained unresponsive.

“Ana, happy birthday,” Elizaveta said. “I’ve prepared that handmade cake you’ve loved since you were a little girl.”

“Happy birthday, Ana,” Friedrich added. “I’ve prepared that white horse you always wanted. It’s waiting outside. What do you think? Don't you want to try riding it?”

“Lady Anastasia, happy birthday. And thank you, truly, for choosing my son, even though he still has much to learn. I heard that you were fond of these.”

Elizaveta had brought the cake of memories; Friedrich had prepared a horse—which was news to me—and my mother presented a box of sweets. Still, Ana slept on.

Next was my turn.

“Ana, happy birthday. I’m sorry I was so useless—I'm sorry you had to go through this because of me. Here, this is the Sword of the Sky Knight I promised you.”

I drew the sword and held it up, letting the beautiful, slender, sky-blue blade catch the light in front of her. Her peaceful face was reflected in the steel. Carefully, I wrapped Ana’s fingers around the hilt of the Sword of the Sky Knight.

That was when it happened.

A dazzling light erupted from the blade.

“Wha—? Ana!”

I lunged forward to grab her hand, but the light was so blinding I had to screw my eyes shut and turn away.

The moment the light faded, a faint voice reached my ears.

“Al... len...?”

It was the voice I had been desperate to hear. It was the miracle I had prayed for every single day.

I couldn't hold back my emotions. I pulled Ana into a fierce embrace right there on the bed.

“Ana! Ana!”

The tears started falling and wouldn't stop. Dammit. I was supposed to greet her with a smile!

In a weak, fragile voice, Ana answered me.

“...len. Don’t... cry.”

She moved her left hand—the one not holding the sword—to my back. Her touch was incredibly faint and weak. A wave of joy and relief washed over me, but at the same time, my heart wrenched with a painful ache.

“Ana, I’m never letting you go again. I don’t care what anyone says, I’m not letting you go off on your own ever again.”

“Al... len.”

As we held each other, a soft cough sounded from behind us.

“Ah.”

I pressed a kiss to her forehead and slowly, reluctantly, pulled away.

“Fa... ther... Mo... ther... Bro... ther... Whe... re... am... I?”

Her voice was still strained, coming out in weak fragments as she called out to the three of them.

“Ohh, Ana! You’ve come back to us! You’re at the Territorial Capital Mansion. Ana! Ana!”

The Duke broke into a loud wail as he threw his arms around her. Elizaveta and Friedrich followed suit, sobbing just as hard as they embraced her.

We all sat there crying for a long time. It took a while for everyone to settle down.

“Once again, happy birthday, Ana.”

“Thank you very much.”

Ana was sitting up in bed now. Her voice was much firmer after having some water to moisten her throat.

The Duke continued, “Ana, Allen went alone to rescue you from the Empire’s palace. He's the one who brought you home.”

“Wait, Allen? You did that...?”

“I just... I had to. I couldn't do anything else.”

“Allen...”

Ana’s expression was a mix of happiness and lingering sadness. She was probably worried sick hearing that I’d gone in solo.

“Ana,” the Duke said, “the man you chose is a remarkable one.”

“Father... does that mean...?”

Ana’s eyes went wide with surprise. Just seeing her make a face like that made me the happiest man alive.

I knelt by the bedside and took her hand, looking her in the eye.

“Ana, as promised, I’ve received the Duke’s blessing. Will you marry me?”

I offered my proposal one more time.

“...Yes.”

She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. I gently wiped them away, then pulled her close for a tender kiss.