Epilogue: Lucia Greets a New Family Member

That day, I was lying alone in bed. Sir Celes had headed to Arldat earlier for a meeting. Though the Parliament that His Majesty established had suffered through a few issues at the start, as time went on, it was beginning to move much more smoothly.

At first, the nobles had held the most power, despite people of all statuses being present. But King Edoardo had worked very hard to ensure the voices of the merchants and ordinary people would be heard. Sir Celes had told me that it was on orders from Miss Maria. Even though she was no longer in our world, she continued to be an irreplaceable presence to us all.

“I wonder what she’s doing right now...”

The words slipped out of my mouth, even though I was alone. I pulled the curtains open to look outside, but all I could see was the darkened landscape.

“I hope your daddy gets home soon,” I said to my yet-unborn child, rubbing my big belly. Since it seemed to respond to my voice, I’d gained the habit of talking to it, and it gave me a little kick this time, too.

I’d been a bit afraid when the baby had stopped moving as much as it used to, but apparently, this was normal coming up to the due date. Before, it used to twist and spin around like a little fish, but now most of what I got was little kick responses. I wasn’t sure how to feel. Was I lonely that the little fishy in my belly was gone, or happy that I’d meet him or her soon?

“It’s still early... I guess I’ll sleep for a little longer.”

It seemed I’d napped a bit too long the day before, and it was dawn — or rather, it was still night, since the sun didn’t seem like it was rising any time soon — when I woke up. But thinking about the baby, it would probably be best for me to sleep for a bit longer.

As I closed the curtains shut, suddenly the azure-blue night sky was rent by a flash of light. Seemingly different from lightning, the white flash lit up the whole sky before disappearing in an instant. The return to darkness made it seem almost as if it had been a dream. What was that? I thought. Surprised, I covered my stomach with my arms. It didn’t hurt, but it was instinct to protect it.

I barely slept that night, my mind still stuck on what I’d just witnessed.

◆ ◆ ◆

His Majesty had had our manor in Blanca prepared so that we could live a quiet life. Not only was the furniture carefully selected, but so were the servants.

“The Master should be arriving home soon,” said our butler Anaclerio gently as he read through a letter from Sir Celes.

Anaclerio had previously instructed the Knight regiments on etiquette and manners before retiring to his home a few years ago. But His Majesty had personally penned a letter asking for his help in teaching me the ways of a noble.

He was a playful man, taking up the role of butler simply because he thought it would be fun, despite his own nobility. But due to his respect for Anaclerio as an instructor, even after two years of service, Sir Celes still had trouble being too polite to him. Their back and forth after every time Sir Celes called him “Sir” had turned into their own sort of greeting.

Chicca smiled happily at his words. “So he should be home in time for the baby!”

Mhm, that’s right! My friend Chicca from the laundrymaids quit her job there and moved here with her husband! The two of them had happily obliged after receiving a letter from His Majesty asking, just so I wouldn’t be lonely. It made me so happy — I didn’t even have the words to describe it. Though we could only chat like we used to when we were alone, she never left my side.

“The Master was hesitant to go this time.”

“It’s understandable.”

Both Anaclerio and Chicca nodded to each other as they chatted.

Since the meeting was so close to my due date, Sir Celes hadn’t wanted to go. Even His Majesty had told him that he didn’t have to come, but I had insisted, telling him not to mind... Maybe I shouldn’t have.

“Oh. It seems he’ll be returning with guests.”

“Guests?”

Until I became pregnant, I used to go along with him to the castle. Every time, I’d see a few of my friends. It seemed that since I couldn’t go to them this time, Sir Celes was bringing them to me. It was probably Sir Gaius. He’d sent me a letter saying that he’d race up to see me once the baby was born.

“We’ll have to get ready for the visitors.”

“Yes. Allow me.”

“Ah, I can—”

“Mistress, please focus on your child,” chided Anaclerio as I raised my hand. Chicca rubbed my back comfortingly.

“But we’re already all prepared for the baby. We’ve had the baby clothes and diapers made, and all the little things are ready. Celes even made toys for them.”

“You mustn’t push yourself, Lady Lucia. You have a habit of doing so,” Chicca said, still rubbing my back with a small smile.

“The doctor told me I should be moving. You heard him, didn’t you? Can’t I do at least a little something?”

After my pleading, they finally let me choose the flowers to decorate the foyer with. Of course, they wouldn’t let me do something that had much moving involved.

Thanks to the lovely climate we’d been experiencing, the flowers growing in our garden were all beautiful. Maybe because of the light I had seen the night before, my eyes kept drifting to the white flowers, and they ended up being all that I picked. If they said no to it, we could add some bright colors, but it seemed fine.

After passing the flowers I chose over to a servant, I decided to go for a little walk outside. Our garden was shockingly large, and after growing up in poverty, I had trouble just bringing myself to enjoy it when we’d first come to Blanca. Thinking about how used to it I was now made me amazed at human adaptability.

“I’d like to go out... Would that be alright?”

Getting ahead of myself, I asked if I could leave the garden and visit the town of Blanca. Since it used to be the Crown Prince’s land and was currently governed by Sir Celes, a known hero, it was a very safe place.

But I wasn’t allowed to go out alone anymore. I thought I would be fine, and didn’t think anything would ever happen, but Sir Celes had forbidden it out of worry. Anaclerio also scolded me, saying that it was just how nobles were, and I’d been assigned a female bodyguard since.

But unfortunately for me, my bodyguard had business to attend to that day, and wouldn’t be around in the afternoon. After that, I decided to just walk in the garden...

“Lucia!”

I turned quickly towards the voice calling me from behind. Naturally I would, since I had been waiting for him to arrive home.

“Celes! Welcome home!”

“Wait, don’t run to me, I’ll come to you!”

He stopped me immediately when I began to move towards him. He’d really been overprotective lately. I wasn’t going to run!

Apparently I wasn’t the only one to think that, because someone spoke up from behind him, laughing, “You’re just as overprotective as ever!”

“Sir Gaius! Welcome!”

“How are you feeling?”

“Lord Reynard, thank you for coming all the way out here! I’m feeling fine!”

The guests that Sir Celes had mentioned in his letter were the Canalis brothers, just as I’d thought. While I smiled at my friends, happy to see them after so long, Sir Celes told me about events in the capital, “His Majesty and the Commander wanted to come too, but they couldn’t leave Arldat for any length of time. They were disappointed.”

“They both have important jobs, don’t they?”

“Well, they did give me a letter to give to you, and some presents. Eric sent some too.”

“Oh, how is he doing?”

“He’s working hard at the survey in Kyriest. He said that the Academy is going to send a second research team. The researchers from the Tower of Learning are going to get involved, too.”

Apparently Eric hadn’t left Kyriest since he arrived there to study the Cristallo Sacro two years ago. I was told that he sent letters to Arldat sometimes, but over half of them were just talking about his research.

Hearing that, Sir Gaius burst out laughing. “The kid’s still a research dummy!”

“It’s a good thing that he enjoys his job,” Lord Reynard scolded. Sir Gaius’s giggles showed no sign of stopping.

“I’m glad everyone is doing well.”

“Yes. I’m happy to hear that you’re doing well, yourself. The due date is fast approaching, isn’t it?” After I nodded, Lord Reynard smiled, telling me that Sir Celes had been in a rush to get home. I’m sorry for rushing you...

Thinking, I looked up to the blue sky. Even though I could get news about everyone else like this, there was still one that I didn’t know anything about. Did she make it back okay? Is she doing well? It would soon be two years since Miss Maria had gone home. My short hair had grown past my shoulders, even after cutting out the dyed parts. No matter how much I wanted to see her — I couldn’t.

I patted my stomach with a sigh.

“Luciaaaaa!” came a faint cry. It seemed my wishes to see her were causing auditory hallucinations. Even so, I was glad to be reminded of her voice. Is she happy? I hope she is. I hope she’s smiling back in her home.

While I was thinking that, Sir Celes tapped my shoulder. Both of the Canalis brothers were also shocked.

“Lucia!”

“Hey, look!”

“What!?”

Eyes darting towards where they were pointing, I saw a white bird gliding through the blue sky towards us. As it got closer and closer, I — no, we — all gasped. It wasn’t a bird, but a monster; one that shouldn’t exist anymore. A white dragon. And on it’s back was the black-haired girl that I’d been wishing to see!

“Miss Maria!” I exclaimed.

“I’m ho-ooome!”

She had returned, and looked none too different from the day she left.

Sir Celes and the others didn’t seem to know she was back either, because they were crying out in shock. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, but this wasn’t a dream.

“Surprised, aren’t you?” King Edoardo was also there smiling beside her, looking proud.

“Ehehe, I’m back!”

“Maria, what do you... When did you get back!?” Sir Gaius nearly yelled, still in shock.

“Geez, Gai, you’re still so tactless! Last night!”

“LAST NIGHT!?”

She smiled teasingly at his look of disbelief, nuzzling her face against the dragon she rode. Could that dragon be...

“Oh, this is Shiro!”

“Ah!”

Shiro had been so tiny back then. The little white dragon that had disappeared had come back to Miss Maria as an adult.

As we all went silent in surprise, she pouted. “Where’s my welcome home?”

After the shock wore off and she stepped down back onto the ground, we all welcomed her.

“Sacred Maiden, we’ve been waiting for you.”

“I didn’t expect to come back to this. We’ve gotta have a talk later, Celes!”

“I’m surprised you came back, Maria!”

“You’re so mean, Gai! Was I not supposed to come back?”

“Sacred Maiden, you’ve come back...”

“...Reynard, you two really are brothers, huh?”

As they all exchanged greetings, I stepped closer and closer to Miss Maria. It wasn’t a dream. I could touch her.

“Miss Maria...!”

“Hey, you’ve gone back to the ‘Miss’... Wait, what’s wrong!?”

Just as I was about to hug her, I felt a pain unlike anything I’d ever experienced in my stomach. I could also feel something pushing between my legs. Wait, this hurts! This really hurts!

“We... Welco...”

“Don’t worry about that right now! Lucia, hey, Lucia!?”

“I-It hurts... My stomach... It hurts...!” I gasped. The happy atmosphere from Miss Maria’s return changed to panic in an instant.

“Lucia, I’m going to run.” Sir Celes was the only one who stayed calm. Scooping me up in his arms, he ran towards the manor. But honestly, at that point, I wasn’t all there. Thinking back afterwards, I just kind of felt like he had picked me up and whisked me away.

Oh no. My stomach hurts. Is the baby okay? That was all I could think about as I tried to hold through the pain.

“...Ah.”

But after a while, the extreme pain subsided. There was still some dull panging, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Could this be...

“Celes...these might be contractions.”

“Huh?”

“I think... I think the baby is coming,” I said, pulling on his shirt. In an instant, his calmness vanished.

“T-The baby is coming!?”

“Probably. The doctor told me that I’d have intermittent pain when the baby was getting ready to be born. Since I’m feeling better now, I think that’s what’s happening.”

“Wh, wait! Sir Anaclerio! Chicca! Call the doctor!”

Because I’d suddenly gone into labor, everything was happening in a flurry. I wanted to be glad that Miss Maria was back, but it just wasn’t the time for that! Sorry, but welcome home, Miss Maria!

◆ ◆ ◆

Quite honestly, I couldn’t remember much after that. It was all I could do to hold myself together through what felt like eternal pain. I could hear Sir Celes and Miss Maria, but I had no idea what kinds of expressions they were making. All I could think about was how much it hurt. Was childbirth really this painful? I writhed in agony, my bones feeling as if they were creaking.

The waves of pain became even worse as they lengthened, and when I finally felt like I couldn’t breathe anymore, I heard it.

I opened my eyes at the helpless but strong sound of crying as the doctor smiled at me.

“Congratulations, it’s a healthy little girl!”

That brought me back to reality.

Chicca wiped the sweat from my brow, patting me on the head. “You did great!”

“Baby? The baby was born? Is it okay!?”

“She’s fine. Don’t worry.”

As we spoke, the door opened, and Sir Celes came in. It seemed that he’d stepped out while I wasn’t paying attention.

“Lucia!”

At the same time as Celes ran to me, the doctor came over with the baby wrapped in a blanket. Her little face and the fingers poking out of the blanket were bright red, and there was some white-ish mucus covering it.

When I reached towards the crying baby, she was handed to me. She’s so light... So light, yet so heavy.

“Good work, Lucia. Thank you for trying so hard.”

As Sir Celes thanked me, I touched the golden hair on my baby’s forehead. Her eyes weren’t open, but I wondered what color they were. She didn’t have eyelashes or eyebrows yet, but it was strange how she had hair already.

Calming down, whether from being held or having her head patted, the baby stopped crying, falling quickly to sleep. Oh, she’s so cute! I’m going to cry! She was just in my tummy, but now she’s out here, breathing!

“She’s adorable. She looks like you,” I said.

“Really?”

“Look, her mouth, and her eyes and nose, they look just like yours.”

From her good looks even as a baby, I could tell that she didn’t take after me!

As Sir Celes and I spoke, holding our child, I heard a voice from the door. “Um... Can I come over now?”

“Mari! Welcome home! Come here, I’m fine.”

“Can we come in too?” Sir Gaius asked.

“Guys, show a bit of restraint! It’s tactless, trying to come in right after a lady gives birth!”

“It’s fine. Come in, everyone,” I said, beckoning them inside. As I did, all of the familiar faces lined up beside me. The only disappointing thing was that Sir Agliardi and Eric weren’t there as well.

“Congrats, Lucia! I was shocked that you were pregnant when I got back! How’d you get knocked up so fast?”

“It’s been two years since you left. I’m glad that you’re doing well, too, Mari. I’m so glad that you came back!”

After I handed the baby to Sir Celes, she took my empty hand in hers. I really was happy to see her again. I almost cried, seeing her bashful smile when I thanked her for coming home.

“Congratulations, Lucia.”

“The little lady is a little mom now, huh. Amazing!”

“Congratulations — to the both of you.”

I was happy to hear the King, Sir Gaius, and Lord Reynard’s congratulations. My baby was so lucky to have so many people congratulate her this early in her life!

“Um, Mari, I’ve got something I need to ask you.”

“What?”

“Can I give my baby your name?”

Sir Celes and I had decided long ago that if it was a boy, we’d name him Marcus, and if it was a girl, we’d name her Maria Elena. Hearing that we wanted to give her name to our first child, Miss Maria nodded firmly.

“If she’s named after me, she’s gonna be a looker!”

I quickly added, “She looks like Celes, so she’s definitely going to be beautiful.”

“What, I want her to look like you, Lucia! Hey, you, you’d better be like your mommy on the inside, okay? That’d be best!”

“I agree.”

“What are you doing agreeing with me, Celes?”

Having her nose poked by Miss Maria, Maria Elena opened and closed her little mouth.

“Ooooh, she’s so tiny and cute! Ah, I should’ve looked up how to take care of babies when I was back home! I completely forgot about all of that. I didn’t think you’d be pregnant when I got back. I’m shocked that you’re my age and already a mom.”

When we saw Miss Maria off, we had both been 17, but now I was 19. It wasn’t a strange age to be a mother, but it seemed that things were different in her old world.

“You look a bit more grown up, Lucia. Did your hair grow? It’s back to its normal color.”

“You kept your hair the same length, Miss Maria?”

“It’s only been a few months for me. It wouldn’t grow that fast,” she said, shocking me with a grin. “Time flows differently between here and my old world. I was worried that I’d be all alone when I got back, but Shiro was there, so I was fine.”

“That’s right! Shiro! That big dragon is Shiro! What happened!?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Long is fine,” I said, taking her slender hand. “Long is absolutely fine. I’ve wanted to see you for all this time. I’ve got so much I want to talk to you about!”

“You’re gonna need to get yourself better, then! It’s okay, I’ll be here from now on. So when you feel better, let’s talk, okay?” Miss Maria looked out the window. I followed her eyes to Shiro, lying on the lawn and yawning lazily. “Shiro’s with me, so we can see each other whenever we want. Did you know that it only took three hours to get here? Dragons are fast!”

“I want to see him later, too.”

To think we’d be able to see each other now. Miss Maria had told us she was home. She didn’t come over — she wasn’t called — but she was home.

Honestly, I still felt guilty that she had to throw away the world that she was born in. She’d become this close to us after being forced here against her will, and decided to forsake her original world because of that. That was why I’d decided to do all I could for this world, to pay her back. I’d do everything in my power to make sure this was a world she could smile in.

And I have a new family member now. Sir Celes is with me, too. I’m not alone, so I could work hard. I decided I’d live my life to the fullest, for both Miss Maria and the little life I’d just birthed.

I’ll start with what I can do. That’s what my mother always said. I’d look for things I could do, and one by one, I’d get closer to where I wanted to be. Now that I have a new family, I’d be headed in a new direction. One step after another, with the people I loved.