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The Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom

If an End Must Come Someday

Translated by: S3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

Even though he had been told repeatedly that it was dangerous and to stop, Cross showed no remorse that night as he once again tapped on Elna’s window. Finding herself unable to turn him away, Elna sat on her bed with a sullen pout, while a cheerful Cross settled in right beside her.

「I really think we could just talk in the office. Is there any need to keep sneaking in like this...?」

「This is where I feel most at ease. Besides, there’s a certain thrill to slipping in undetected.」

「Next time, I’m locking you out for good.」

Even as she said it, a part of Elna knew she would likely end up in this exact same position again.

「So, do you actually have business with me?」

Elna turned her head away curtly, but Cross replied with a grand, self-important tone, 「I do. I have a reason that is more than sufficient.」 With her face turned away, she couldn't see his expression. Regardless, Cross reached out and lightly took Elna’s left hand. He then smoothly slid something onto her finger. (What now?) Feeling annoyed, she tried to pull her hand back, but then she lifted it before her eyes to see what he had done.

A ring was resting on her finger.

Set into the band was a stone that reflected the lamplight, shimmering with the colors of a rainbow.

「…………」

「I thought it was about time you officially became my wife.」

For a moment, time stood still for Elna. Then, tears began to well up and spill over.

「Hm?! What’s wrong?」

(What do you mean, "what's wrong"?)

「You... you idiot.」

It was her honest impression. Cross let out a startled, bewildered sound, but she truly meant it. (Why now? At a time like this?) Overwhelmed by the sheer randomness of it, Elna repeatedly wiped the corners of her eyes with the back of her other hand. He never showed up when she was braced for it, yet he always managed to breeze past her defenses when she least expected it.

「Just... wait a second,」 she said, holding a hand up to restrain him while keeping her face down. After taking a few deep breaths and letting out a long 「Haaa...」 she looked down and whispered, 「Okay. I’m calm now.」

When she finally looked up, Cross was wearing a strangely pathetic expression—a face she rarely saw on him.

「...Is something the matter?」

「There is one thing I should probably tell you.」

Elna looked at him with utter suspicion, wondering what else he could possibly have to say.

「...I have no intention of taking any concubines, but I do not intend to demand the same of you.」

*—I said I’d be his wife, but Cross is royalty. It wouldn't be strange if he had one or two secondary consorts.*

For a heartbeat, she didn't understand what he was talking about, but then her own past words came rushing back to her.

「Wh-wh-wh-what are you talking about?! I mean, you’re bringing that up again now?!」

「Well, I simply wanted to say that I don't intend to restrict you. For instance, if you have feelings for Kyle and wish to pursue something with him, I could grant that wish...」

「I don't have any such wish to begin with! And maybe it's different for a King, but I’ve never heard of a Queen having multiple husbands, and I told you before I don’t want any! Wait... is that why you were so unusually grumpy today?!」

Cross rested his hands on his knees and looked away with a sulky, brooding expression she had never seen before. She could only look at him in exasperation.

Still, perhaps people just become a little broken when they fall in love. Elna was the same. Looking back, her worries seemed ridiculous, but in the moment, she had been truly tormented and distressed by them. ...And so.

There was only one spell to cast at a time like this.

「...I only want you, Cross.」

She spoke truthfully. That was the only thing she could do, and it was more than enough.

Even by the dim lamplight, she could see Cross’s neck turn a deep, vivid red.

「Then, there is no misunderstanding that we are to enter an official engagement?」

He flicked his gaze toward Elna, using stiff, formal language.

「Th-that is...」

「Yes?」

「I'll...」

「You'll?」

「I'll, I'll, I'll...」

「Oho...」

「I'll do it!」

「You will...!」

The two of them shouted in unison, both overcome with intensity. She had never intended to refuse in the first place.

「And...」 Elna began, her voice turning soft and thin. She found herself staring at the small, flickering flame inside the lamp. It swayed gently back and forth. 「...When the Royal Capital was burning. No, even before that... when I realized I hadn't been told that the Empire might attack, I was a little shocked.」

「That was...」

「I know. I just happen to have Elnalfia's memories; I’m nothing more and nothing less than that. You can't tell me everything the way you do with Feliol, and you shouldn't have to. But if... if I had been your official fiancée, I wondered if it would have been different. If I could have been of more help to you.」

While watching the city burn, that was all she had thought about. She couldn't help but wish she had more power.

It was Cross who pulled up Elna’s hands, which she had naturally clasped together as she hung her head.

「Why would you say something so foolish? What you have done for me, what you have brought to my life, is already more than enough... Do not shoulder any more. That is my role. If anyone should lament their inadequacy, it is I.」

His eyes were so close she could see every detail.

He looked so pained, so distressed—an expression he hadn't worn since he first returned to the capital and saw the scar from Elna’s burn. Feeling awkward, she used her clasped hands to give him a firm shove against his chest. Since she didn't put much strength into it, Cross didn't budge; he simply continued to hold her hands gently and rested his forehead against them.

Elna panicked. She tried to push him away to gain distance or shrug her shoulders, but she couldn't find her voice.

Finally, she gave up.

This time, with a solemn expression, she steeled herself and said firmly, 「I'll get engaged to you, but I have a condition.」 She felt a flash of self-loathing for framing it as "I'll do it, but..." at this late stage, but she pushed that aside.

「A condition? Of course, I’m listening. Tell me.」

「Listen.」

Cross slowly raised his head, and this time, they looked each other squarely in the eyes.

Elna took a breath.

「Die before I do.」

「…………Hm?」

After a long silence, Cross tilted his head, so Elna repeated herself slowly.

「I mean it. I want you to absolutely, definitely die before me.」

「Wait. I heard you. I heard the words. That’s not it.」

Cross shook his head, as if to say that wasn't the issue.

「Isn't it usually... the other way around? Well, I suppose I’m not entirely sure what 'usual' is anymore.」

「Because when you die, you turn into bones.」

Elna could never forget that smoke, rising thin and long into the sky. It was painful, an unbearable agony.

She wanted to finish everything while holding her beloved in her own arms.

「Dragons die while cradling the bones of their beloved. I’m no longer a dragon, just a human, but I won't back down on this. I won't give the bones of the man I love to anyone else. I am never, ever giving your bones to anyone, Cross.」

Before she knew it, she was gently embracing the man sitting beside her. Although he looked slender, his physique was clearly different from hers. It was a strange sensation.

「...Now that is a passionate confession of love.」

As he stroked her back, her ears grew hot. She could only be glad she was clinging to him so he couldn't see her face.

「Very well. I understand.」

Hearing his words of acceptance, Elna gave a small nod.

「Then I shall make sure to live a very long life.」

「...Wait, what kind of logic is that?」

「It's fine. I’m quite good at that. After all, back when I was Vaid, I lived until I was a shriveled old man!」

「I know that, but still?!」

She pulled away from Cross to look up at him, and as usual, he was grinning broadly with a look of pure enjoyment.

「I can hardly leave my lovely wife all alone. Both you and I will have to live until our hands are wrinkled, and only then will I give you my bones.」

He spoke with such absolute certainty that Elna could only stare up at him blankly. Then, a small laugh escaped her. 「I suppose so.」

After all, Elna had been born into this world once more to live with Cross and eventually die with him.

Naturally, their eyes met, and their faces drew closer... but Elna suddenly snapped to her senses and shoved him away. 「Why? No matter how you look at it, the mood was perfect,」 Cross grumbled, lying flat on his back on the bed.

「...Didn't I tell you before not to resist next time?」

He sat up immediately, pouting with a huff.

「I—I know, but wait, it’s not that! I—I’m sorry!」

That last "sorry" wasn't directed at Cross.

「I never imagined things would turn out like this!」

It was, of course, for the Hamster Spirit. Since it was before bedtime, it had been staying perfectly still in Elna’s pocket, completely suppressing its presence. She hurriedly pulled the Hamster Spirit out of her pocket and offered a profuse apology with it resting on her palms. For some reason, the spirit wouldn't face her, curling up and showing her its fluffy backside. Its short tail was twitching adorably... but.

『Just leave me be... de-gonsu.』

A trembling, thin little voice reached her ears.

「Eh?」

「What did you say?」 When Elna brought her face closer, the hamster whipped around and screamed.

『It's way too awkward for me, de-gonsu! Just, just don't worry about me anymore, de-goooonsu!』

As if shouting "You idiot!", the Hamster Spirit kicked off Elna’s hand. 『Adios, de-gansu!』 It gave a sharp wave of its tiny paw and went into a spinning freefall. (What even is "Adios"?)

「Wait, ah, huh...?」

Before she knew it, the Hamster Spirit's presence vanished. Elna stared blankly at her empty hands.

Cross was right beside her, arms crossed, having watched the whole scene unfold.

「...Are we quite finished?」

「Eh?」

「I believe I told you not to resist.」

Uttering the same line for the second time today, he reached out and took Elna’s chin in his hand. An indescribable, strange sound escaped Elna’s throat, but she steeled herself and closed her eyes. After their lips met and parted, Elna let out a soft breath.

Then, she suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Cross’s head.

「Mmph?!」

The surprised sound after their lips touched came from Cross. She had gotten him.

「I told you before that I was going to be the one to make you startle next time...」

She had tried to sound cool and composed, but it didn't come out that way at all. Still, she felt a sense of satisfaction deep in her chest.

「Now that you mention it, I believe you did say something like that...」

Cross spoke with a hollow voice, perhaps recalling the incident in the carriage. However, he quickly rallied. 「In that case, let me be even more startled,」 he said, pouncing toward her with even more vigor. It goes without saying that Elna let out a pathetic yelp of 「Gyaa!」

---

After that.

The news that the King of the Wizrain Kingdom had become engaged to a single young girl swept through the nation. As the Royal Capital continued its reconstruction, the people celebrated the King and the girl, calling it a joyous and bright occasion. It is said the rumors reached neighboring countries and even those further beyond.

A young man with silver hair smiled, and a woman who bore a striking resemblance to the King let out a soft chuckle.

—Perhaps those rumors even reached beyond the distant sky.

---

It happened one day. While Elna and Cross were walking through the castle gardens, a mysterious, tinkling sound drifted down from the heavens.

Perhaps it was merely a sunshower, but to Elna, it looked like the form of a dragon, shimmering as it slipped through the blue sky.

*Shalan, kyalan, kalan.*

They looked up at the endless shower of glass-like light, and Elna and Cross gripped each other's hands tightly. Remembering their wish to stay together until those hands were wrinkled, Elna let her lips curve into a small smile and slowly let the rain of light wash over her.