Final Chapter: Happy Ending with a Big Finale!

“Mmm…”

A bright light hits my face, and I regain consciousness.

“Where am I…?”

I look around, confused by the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was furnished in calm colors, with neatly organized furniture along the walls. A large bed, where I was lying, was placed in the center of the room. It’s Gil’s room.

When I first arrived in the frontier, I was afraid to sleep alone, so I often sneaked into Gil’s room to sleep. It’s been years since I woke up in this room.

As I think about this, I sit up. Gradually, my thoughts became clearer, and I felt a dull pain in my lower body. I remember what happened last night, and my face flushed red.

Gil and I… we did that with each other…

The aphr*disiac was incredibly effective. Gil’s physique was just enough to keep his rationality intact.

But I lost my rationality completely. However, I still remember everything that happened.

“~Um!!”

I hug my pillow and press my mouth to it, almost screaming out loud.

“Rei, are you awake?”

I jumped up dramatically at the sudden voice. Gil smiled sweetly as he handed me a mug of coffee and sat on the edge of the bed. As I inhaled the rich aroma of the coffee, my heart began to calm down.

“Is your body okay now?”

“Yeah…I’m sorry.”

“About the aphr*disiac? I was surprised, but when I realized that you like me so much, I was actually happy.”

I can’t help but feel embarrassed by his enraptured expression. Still, it was hard to believe that someone as wonderful as Gil could like me.

“D-Do you really like me, Gil?”

“Yeah. If you don’t believe me, I can show you again.”

As he stroked my hand meaningfully, I made a weird noise. I understood that he was teasing me with his chuckling demeanor, so I pouted.

“I thought you liked Lily though… And it seems like Lily likes you too,” 

“That’s impossible. Lily treats me more like an enemy,” 

“But…”

Unable to understand, my hand was taken away from the mug as Gil whispered in my ear.

“It seems like you still don’t believe me. That’s okay. Since it’s our day off today, I’ll teach you until you understand.”

“Huh? Wait, hold on…!”

I was gently pushed down onto the bed by Gil and then was overwhelmed by sweet kisses and caresses, causing me to melt into a puddle.

“Here you go,” 

Gil put four cups of tea on the table. He then sat down next to me on the sofa as usual.

“Isn’t it too close?”

“It’s just like always.” 

Lily handled Oniisama who was furrowing his eyebrows calmly.

It seemed like Ness-Oniisama was in a bad mood. 

He had been so happy when he came out of the summoning circle, but I wonder if something rude happened on my part.

At today’s tea party, I decided to answer the proposal that had been brought up. 

Gil had also been invited since he was involved, and I had accidentally let slip about the proposal. However, it might have been better if only the three of us had gathered.

I started to feel anxious, but when I met eyes with my stepbrother, he smiled at me. It was a small smile, but it made me feel relieved.

In contrast to the awkward atmosphere between the two of us, Gil was sitting next to me with a big smile on his face. When our eyes met, his smile softened and I couldn’t help but be captivated by it. 

I loved that smile.

However, my thoughts were interrupted by my stepbrother’s cough. He had taken time out of his busy schedule to come here, so we needed to get to the point quickly. 

I straightened my back and faced my stepbrother, ready to discuss the proposal.

“Getting straight to the point, I would like to accept the proposal for marriage,”

“Is that true?! If you’re being threatened, just say it!” 

“No, it’s my own wish.”

As I held Gil’s hand while looking straight at my stepbrother, he squeezed my hand back tightly. I felt like I could sense Gil’s feelings through his warm palm. 

Ever since the day we had expressed our feelings for each other, Gil had always been like this, expressing his affection for me. 

That’s why I had made up my mind. I wouldn’t give up on him, even if Lily had feelings for him.

“I love Gil, so…” 

“Rei…!” 

Gil was overcome with emotion and kissed my hand multiple times. It was embarrassing and ticklish, but I didn’t hate it. In fact, I was so happy that I felt like I might lose my mind. We gazed into each other’s eyes, lost in the moment. I felt like I heard something from my stepbrother, who had suddenly stood up, but I couldn’t hear anything at all.

“Brother Ness, won’t you accept it already?”

“But Lily…”

“Gilbert kept his promise, you know.”

“Ugh…”

Gilbert gently stroked my cheek and then turned his gaze to my older brother.

“Rei, shall we continue with the story?”

“Oh, right!”

At Gilbert’s prompting, I remembered we were still in the middle of a conversation and eagerly sat back down. 

Brother Ness sighed deeply as he watched us.

“…It’s a promise, Gilbert. I entrust Rei to you.”

“Yes! I will definitely make him happy.”

Gilbert answered and then lifted me up, placing me on his lap and hugging me tightly. The strength of his embrace was almost suffocating, but it made me so happy. I snuggled up to him and he stroked my head. Ah, it was too much happiness…

“If you make him cry, I won’t forgive you.”

“Yes, Brother-in-law!”

“You have no right to call me Brother-in-law.”

Oniisama made a face as if he had just bitten into a bitter pill and turned away. His cold words made my happy feelings disappear.

I had always thought of Oniisama as my real brother, but maybe he didn’t see our relationship that way. I admit that I was being presumptuous, but being rejected so clearly was heartbreaking.

“Ness-Oniisama, Reilight Oniisama has misunderstood something again.”

“Rei!? What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry, I just thought of you as my brother.”

“No! It’s a misunderstanding! Rei!! Rei is an important little brother to me!!!”

“Did you make Rei cry, Brother-in-law?”

Oniisama groaned and looked at Gil, muttering quietly.

“…I’ll allow you to call me Brother-in-law.”

“Thank you very much!”

Gil had a big smile on his face, but Oniisama looked thoroughly annoyed. As for me, I couldn’t help but relax my face in response to Gil’s smile.

“Well, that’s settled. Congratulations, Reilight-Oniisama.”

“Oh right. Can you also clear up the misunderstanding with Lily? Rei thinks Lily likes me.”

At Gil’s words, Lily’s face twisted in disgust.

“What? That’s not even remotely possible, even as a joke.”

She had a questionable expression on her face, but it was clear that she was telling the truth.

According to Lily and Oniisama, Gil had liked me since he was in the capital. As a reward for exposing his family’s misdeeds, he had requested an engagement with me.

“At that time, I set a condition. The engagement would only be recognized if it was what Rei wanted. Gil was not allowed to confess his feelings. And he had to achieve a position suitable for a m*mber of the royal family.”

Gil was originally from a noble family, and if he had inherited his title, he would have had a suitable position. However, he would have had to stay in the capital, which would have separated us since I was assigned to the frontier.

“The conditions were out of the question. Besides, his family name was tarnished due to the scandal, so even if he inherited the title, he wouldn’t be suitable for Rei.”

Gil came with me to the frontier and achieved reforms through his own efforts. He was recognized for his achievements, and the engagement was approved.

“I couldn’t express it in words, but I’ve been showing it through my actions all along. I thought Rei had noticed it too, but…”

I blushed as I was told that I had recently started to misunderstand something. It seems that Gil’s feelings that I felt before remembering my past life were not mistaken.

“I was watching from the side, so I was always worried. And lately, Reilight-Oniisama’s complexion hasn’t been good…so  I was worried that something inappropriate might have happened.”

Lily averted her gaze and continued, blushing.

“But, even if we’re apart, Reilight-Oniisama is still an important family member!”

“Lily…!”

“For me too, Rei is an important family member.”

“Ness Oniisama…!”

I was about to cry from being overwhelmed with emotions, but Gil hugged me. The tea party ended in a happy atmosphere.

After Lily and my brother left, Gil invited me on a long ride. Of course, I couldn’t ride a horse alone, so I rode with Gil. 

His elegant expression as he skillfully maneuvered the reins was irresistible. Whenever I looked up absentmindedly, he smiled at me, making my heart race.

We arrived at a grassy hill on a high plateau. After tying up the horses to a tree, I followed Gil up the small hill. 

The pleasant spring breeze blew through my hair.

“Rei.”

When I turned around at the sound of my name, Gil let go of my hand and kneeled in front of me.

“I vow to protect you no matter what. I love you. Please marry me.” 

I looked at the ring he offered and memories from long ago came flooding back.

It was when I was just a child, playing in the flower garden of the royal palace. 

Gil was making a flower crown for me, while I was playing with the same flowers, making a ring-like object. 

Even then, I had feelings for Gil and was making a mock engagement ring, but the finished product was ugly and misshapen. I didn’t want to show it to Gil, so I hid it in my hand.

“Rei.”

“Wah!”

However, it was easily taken away from me.

“Did you make this, Rei?”

“Yeah, but I messed up.”

“It’s okay, look.”

Trying to cheer me up, Gil remade the ring beautifully. He then put it on my ring finger.

“It’s beautiful…”

“Hey, Rei. If I get a prettier ring in the future, will you marry me?”

I was so happy that I wanted to jump up, but I couldn’t be honest and ended up adding a condition.

“If you vow to protect me no matter what…then okay.”

Gil smiled happily at my response. It was a peaceful spring day.

“…You remembered. Even though I had forgotten about it…”

The ring, adorned with large pearls and shaped like a flower, resembled the ring from that time. I reached out my hand hesitantly. Gil took my hand and put the ring on my ring finger.

“Gil… thank you. I’m so happy!”

I jumped into his arms, and he held me effortlessly. As I leaned against his strong chest, I noticed that our heartbeats were beating at the same pace, and it made me happy.

“Will you marry me?”

“Of course, I’d be delighted!”

We gazed into each other’s eyes and leaned in for a kiss.

It may not be the same as the novel’s ending, but this is fine. 

I’ll make sure that Gil and I are happier than in the novel. 

The gentle spring sun shone upon us like a blessing as we exchanged kisses.