Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

I press a hand against my chest.

My chest has felt painful for a while, leaving me unable to breathe well. Realizing how shameful my current state is, I feel even sadder.

I should’ve already been prepared for this, right? Get a hold of yourself, me.

I’ve already decided to continue facing the road ahead of me. To see everything to the end with my own eyes.

Grandpa said this to me before too. It’s my responsibility to finish everything I started, all the way until the end. I believe so too.

I should send Alfred off with a smile so that he can be happy. That is my responsibility and role as his foster parent.

Also… I definitely don’t want him to see my miserable side.

“Al! You came at the right time. Let me introduce them to you. They’re the ones who came to help the church.”

“Help…?”

When Marie turns her head toward the young man with narrow eyes, the young man’s eyes narrow even more as he flashes Al a smile, introducing himself and explaining the reason for his arrival in a similar fashion as earlier.

Afterward, the knight does the same thing.

Efa is the last to introduce herself, though she still has a surprised look on her face. Then for some reason, her face beams in happiness. “Um, this is the first time… I’ve met someone with blond hair and blue eyes like me besides my father and mother. Have you lived in this village your whole life?”

“…No, I came from the western side of the country. When I was young, I got washed away into this village by chance. It was this church who took me in and took care of me.”

Efa seems to have understood the meaning behind Alfred’s words because in an instant, her face turns gloomy.

“Is… that so…” Efa looks up at Alfred, her sky-blue eyes quivering.

Alfred stares down at her and narrows his eyes. He then turns to me.

I meet his gaze head-on, not looking away.

That’s right. This girl is the person who’s supposed to stay by your side from now on.

Still staring at me, Alfred lets out a sigh, murmuring, “So this is what you meant, huh?”

Yeah.

That’s why, choose.

She’s a good girl. He won’t have any complaints having her as his partner. I guarantee it.

Efa will surely make him happy in the future.

I nod quietly in reply. Alfred heaves another sigh. After that, he joins Efa and Marie in their conversation.

As I watch Efa, Marie, and Alfred talking, I start to vaguely recall the past.

A lot of things have happened, but I’m really glad that I came to this world. I’ve gone through a lot of events that made my stomach hurt, but… I’ve spent a similar number of my days here—no, even more than that—in happiness.

This place has always been something out of a dream for me. A place where my days are calm and warm. Many people here have also given me such warm memories.

Also…

I was able to receive his love… more love than I expected. So much so that his feelings are about to overflow.

For me, this is already more than enough. Really.

There’s also the saying “It’s important to know when one has enough.” My grandpa often said that as well.

I think it means that mankind’s desires are endless. That’s why I have to be satisfied with what I have and with what I can get within my means.

Everyone is talking about something, but their voices are so distant that I can’t follow along that well. Though, I can vaguely hear that their conversation is about the snow-laden clouds. Knowing that it’s not relevant to me, I… decide to take my leave.

Besides, I’m not supposed to be here in the first place.

I step back without a sound so that no one will notice. But even though I’m sure that I didn’t make any noise, Alfred suddenly turns back toward me. “Lian,” he calls out.

Stunned and surprised with him calling my name, I stop in place and raise my head, which I didn’t realize I had lowered.

His sky-blue eyes are focused on me. He extends his right hand.

Not knowing what he wants to do, I tilt my head.

What is it?

“Lian, you have to choose too.”

“Uh…”

He doesn’t lower his right hand.

“What do you want to do?”

“…Me…?”

Alfred nods.

All of a sudden, I feel like he’s asked this question before. When was it…? It seems to have been a long time ago…

I look at his hand, which is still extended.

Alfred is looking at me. Has his hand stretched toward me. And not to that girl.

I want to cry.

I’m happy. But at the same time, the worry is choking me. It’s painful. Countless ‘buts’ are passing through my mind, but Alfred doesn’t seem to pay them any mind.

“You said that I should choose according to my heart. Isn’t that right?”

I take a breath. “That’s…”

“Lian,” he says in a forceful manner.

Hearing his tone, I tremble.

If he’s telling me to choose…

If he’s telling me that I can follow my heart…

And if it’s allowed, then… I…

I swallow back my shaky breaths, but the trembling doesn’t stop. However, I manage to lift my stiff hand, which I can’t move well, and also extend it toward Alfred’s awaiting hand.

This causes Alfred to finally smile, happiness apparent in his face.

Then he grabs my hand and pulls me toward him. With great force.

I trip on my own legs, causing my nose to lightly bump into his chest. It hurts, you brat!

“Ugh… Y-you…” I say, looking up at him. But seeing his eyes, which are currently too close to mine in this position, squinted in happiness, I swallow my words.

Then the next moment, his warm lips touch mine.

“Mm?!”

After a while, the gentle kiss ends.

“…Lian, I overheard a part of the uncles’ conversation outside. They said that today will be particularly cold and that since the snow doesn’t look like it will stop any time soon, they should make sure to return early before it piles up.”

“Uhh, ah…”

Alfred wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer to him.

Still confused, my mind can’t process what just happened. My body has also completely stopped moving and working, draining me of the strength to say anything. So unable to do anything, I let him squeeze me in a tight hug.

“Marie, we’ll be going home now. I’ll come back again on another day to check up on the church’s situation.”

“Yes, thank you, Al, Lian-sama. You should both be careful while you’re still on your way back home.”

When I turn around, my eyes meet Marie’s. She tilts her neck slightly to the side, the gesture a lovely sight. But then, she very briefly wiggles her eyebrows in mischief and flashes me a smile.

As usual, her cheeks are dyed a healthy rose.

I also see her puff her chest just a little bit in pride. It’s like she’s telling me, “See, I told you, right?”

Behind her, Efa’s and the young man’s faces are brighter than Marie’s cheeks. The knight’s eyes are also widened in surprise.

“…Ah.”

Finally coming back to its senses, my brain goes on overdrive trying to think of a way to get out of this situation. So much so that it’s making me feel dizzy.

Uh, wait. What should I do about this situation?

I’ll have to explain what he just did the next time I come to the church, won’t I!? Seriously?!

This is too embarrassing… Ughh, what is this brat thinking?! Just what does he want from me? Actually, what should I do now?

No way. I’m going to die of embarrassment.

“Let’s go, Lian.”

“Uhh…,” I respond unintelligibly.

Still hugging me, he forces me to walk toward the church’s exit. With my brain and body still stiff in turmoil and confusion, I can’t resist at all.

I wanted to hear what the Cathedral Knight, clad in his signature colors of dawn, plans to say to me. But I can’t even look back since Alfred has me tightly wrapped in his embrace.

I give up, deciding to come back tomorrow to hear what he has to say. It’s already impossible for that to happen today.

Even my head’s confused now.

And right now… I don’t have the confidence to speak using “Lian’s” face. Actually, I don’t think I can even speak with a straight face at the moment, considering what they just witnessed.