“I really miss Sister Margaret.”

Lumiere adored Margaret, and Margaret treated Lumiere like her own sister. It was a relief to see how well they got along.

“Alright, time to sleep? Let’s go to bed now so we can have fun again tomorrow.”

“Yes, I like that!”

With a small jump, Lumiere snuggled into my arms. I held her as Theodore and I walked towards the bedroom.

After changing Lumiere into her pajamas and tucking her into bed, Theodore and I lay down on her either side.

“Mom, when will I give it? The charm that makes good dreams?”

“Huh? Ah…”

I remembered that this trip was actually meant to entice Lumiere with ‘that’—she had wanted to go to the capital, not the seaside. However, going to the capital was complicated for several reasons. First, it was the academy’s exam period, and our visit could distract Margaret from her studies.

Secondly, the constant pressure from King Radel, who eagerly wanted to tie our families by marriage, was tiring. He had even expressed willingness to let his third son, Prince Mikael, engage with Lumiere and said he wouldn’t mind if the prince became a son-in-law to the Valentino and Arendelle families.

To have a royal as a son-in-law…. Was ridiculous, so we had been declining for over a year now. Besides, Prince Mikael was only three years old, and Lumiere was just six. There was no rush, at least waiting until they were old enough to debut made sense.

Thirdly, we had promised Duke Duchess of Delacroix that we would visit Dornak this summer. Zen and Shelbery were somehow people I couldn’t quite disappoint, like puppies that I wouldn’t want to hurt.

“I’ll give it to you now. Just wait a moment.”

“Okay, hurry up because Lumiere is sleepy.”

I got up and walked over to where our luggage was stored in the corner of the bedroom.

After retrieving a small velvet pouch from a bag hanging on a wooden hanger, I returned to the bed where Lumiere was already dozing off.

After sharing a smile with Theodore, I lay beside Lumiere and gently placed the pouch in her small hand.

“Mom… is this it?”

“Yes, it’s a lucky charm.”

“Hehe, you’re really giving it to me?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you, Mom…”

Lumiere gripped the pouch tightly and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Theodore paused from patting her shoulder and looked at me intently. I returned his gaze with a soft smile.

“So, it’s finally become Lumiere’s, the coin from Brother.”

“Lumiere has wanted it for a while now.”

The item inside the small velvet pouch was none other than Camillus’s coin. We still don’t fully understand what this coin is or the mystical powers it holds. But perhaps one day Lumiere will discover its secrets on my behalf..

“Whenever I see this coin, I think of fate. It makes me wonder if everything is somehow inevitably connected. I’m not sure if it truly is…”

Theodore smiled gently at my words, his eyes warm and tender as he looked at me.

“Whether by chance or fate… What matters to me is cherishing every moment of life. Especially those moments I share with you and Lumiere.”

“….Right, just being alive… can sometimes feel like a miracle.”

The scars life has left on me haven’t completely faded. Yet, they remind me to value the present even more.

Without knowing sorrow, one cannot fully appreciate joy.

“I plan to continue living joyfully with you and Lumiere.”

Ultimately, the sun rises. There is no day where the sun does not rise. I believe now that darkness always clears. As long as we live, life holds endless possibilities, and miracles can happen anytime.

“Tomorrow will be…”

I paused and let out a soft laugh, looking forward to another day.

Tomorrow, the day after, and the days that follow… I look forward to living each moment joyfully.

“I will love you tomorrow as well, Theodore.”

“…Yes, me too.”

I am deeply grateful for this heart full of love. Hatred may have burnt me to ashes, but it was love that made me rise again after every act of vengeance was over.

So, I hope my ordinary days continue along this peaceful path, forever accompanied by this love.

__