“That’s the only thing I can offer you given the limits of my position. But since autumn has just arrived, I hope you’ll start preparing step by step from now on. Each flower has a different blooming time, and when that time comes, it blossoms with all its might. Now, we are both free.”
Nia asked in surprise, raising her watery eyes.
“Is Lady Vanessa leaving the palace too?”
Asha smiled.
“Yes, I want to spend some time away from the palace with the person I love. However, it doesn’t mean I’m abandoning my role as Vanessa.”
Nia held Asha’s hand and said.
“Wherever you are, I hope you find true happiness.”
The two embraced tightly and exchanged farewell greetings.
Having completed all the preparations, Asha returned to Jackal.
He had arrived at the drawing-room first and was waiting for her. When he sensed Asha’s presence keenly, he immediately jumped up.
Perhaps the chamberlain had taken care of it, but Jackal had his hair neatly combed back and wore a nice black uniform.
With a luxurious sword hanging from his waist, he truly looked like a hero.
Asha paused for a moment, admiring his appearance. Sensing her awkwardness, Jackal scratched his head and asked.
“Are you ready?”
Asha replied with a relieved expression.
“Yes, let’s go now.”
“Alright.”
Jackal, trying to contain his excitement, linked arms with Asha and they walked out of the room together.
Asha couldn’t help but suppress a laugh as she noticed how he pressed her arms gently as if to protect her hands.
Duran, who had been waiting outside the door, personally escorted the two of them to the entrance.
As Duran looked at Asha, memories of the day they first met at a campsite in the woods flooded his mind, filling him with emotions.
This time, unlike before, all the Cactus Knights came out to greet them in a remarkably polite and formal manner.
Asha stood on the sides of the road, her eyes widening as she watched the knights escort them.
Finally, Duran addressed both of them.
“Then, I wish you all the best.”
“Thank you.”
Duran looked back slightly and shouted out loudly.
“Attention, salute to Lady Vanessa.”
The knights greeted them at the same time as if they were one.
Asha gazed at them with gratitude, then mounted her horse and headed toward their new home.
* * * * *
The land bestowed by Karaf was spacious and fertile, making it ideal for crop cultivation.
Its proximity to a river gave the impression of safety, protecting it from potential bandit attacks.
Now, the various ethnic minorities, including the Lycaons, lived together on this land.
As Asha and Jackal arrived at the village, they were greeted by the minorities who had been waiting at the entrance. The villagers bowed on one knee, showing their respect to the new leaders.
“We greet the new leaders.”
Both Asha and Jackal’s eyes widened in surprise.
Rigel, the leader of the Nasson clan, addressed them, directing his gaze towards Jackal.
“Since Chief Horak has passed away, we need a new leader to represent the ethnic minorities. After discussions among the five clans, it has been decided that one of you will be chosen as the new chief.”
Jackal and Asha looked at each other.
Asha smiled and spoke up.
“Very well. Jackal, please stand tall as the village chief. As the heir of the Kelpie clan and a spirit contractor, you possess more than enough qualifications for this role.”
Moreover, he was the one who stood against Chief Horak and put an end to his tyranny.
Jackal had initially thought of giving the position to Asha, but he suddenly realized the weight of responsibility she already carried as the Butterfly of the Empire. He didn’t want to burden her with the role of being the chief.
“…I understand. I will do my best to revive the ethnic minorities.”
The villagers erupted in cheers at Jackal’s response.
Asha smiled and nodded in agreement.
“You will do great.”
“But as I said before, you will forever be my only king.”
Then, Jackal gracefully bent one knee to Asha, lightly kissing the back of her hand.
The sight of this romantic gesture made Sonya’s face turn red, and she couldn’t help but cover her cheeks with both hands, letting out a delighted squeal from behind.
The surrounding minorities were also smiling and looking at them warmly.
Jackal looked up at Asha and continued.
“It was you who united the minorities, brought prosperity to the empire, and granted freedom and new lands to our people. Now, it is time for us to set aside all burdens and embrace true freedom. That is my humble request.”
Asha, deeply moved by his words, responded.
“Yes… I will, without a doubt.”
As the atmosphere softened, the Lycaons raised their hands and playfully shouted.
“Get married! Get married!”
Asha blushed at their mischievous prank.
Jackal hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
“I was planning to do it when we were alone later… but I can’t resist anymore.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ring case.
Asha’s eyes widened in surprise.
Inside the case was a platinum ring adorned with a sapphire-like blue gemstone.
The silver and blue colors symbolized the Kelpie Clan.
“…I said it before. When everything is safely over, I will propose to you properly.”
Jackal said, his gaze unwavering as he looked into Asha’s eyes.
“Will you marry me?”
Both the Lycaons and the villagers cheered enthusiastically.
Sonya, now even teary-eyed, patted the shoulder of someone next to her, letting out a heartfelt sniffle.
Sosa, caught off guard by the sudden gesture, looked at her in astonishment, his face turning red with a blush.
Asha responded, extending her trembling hand.
“Yes, I will.”
The cheers grew even louder.
Jackal, brimming with joy, gently slid the ring onto her finger.
In the Kelpie Clan, it was a tradition to present this ring to their partner during a proposal.
Sosa, with a mischievous smile, playfully remarked
“Isn’t there another tradition?”
Jackal glanced at Sosa briefly before looking back at Asha.
Seeing her tilt her head in curiosity, he explained.
“In the Kelpie Clan, we also have a tradition of carrying our beloved partners on our backs from the village entrance to their new homes.”
“Ah……”
Suddenly, memories from the past flashed through Asha’s mind, causing her eyes to widen and her face to blush.
She couldn’t help but recall the times when Sheppy had carried her on his back, from the moment they first met to when she arrived in Lycaon.
In reality, she had practically been his partner ever since…..
The realization dawned on her that her previous statement of falling in love with him, at first sight, had been a lie. That’s why Jackal had worn such a bitter expression back then.
She felt a pang of regret, realizing she had made a significant mistake.
But Jackal pretended not to know.
“Do you prefer this appearance or Sheppy’s?”
Blushing, Asha replied.
“I like both……”
“Really?”
Jackal’s lips curled into a confident smile.
Sosa looked at them with cold eyes, but he was smiling.
Jackal briefly contemplated carrying Asha in a princess-style embrace, but instead, he transformed into Sheppy.
Since Asha was not just a princess but a queen, it seemed more fitting for her to ride on a horse and return home in a grand manner.
Sheppy turned to face Asha, his charismatic face exuding confidence and he playfully made a purr.
Feeling both shy and familiar with being on his back, Asha climbed up.
Jackal confidently led the way through the crowd, adopting a dignified and majestic appearance.
The people on both sides were in awe of the transformation of a Kelpie they had never seen before, but soon they were showered with flowers and cheered enthusiastically.
“…Sister! We’re here, over here!”
When Asha looked around, she saw the orphans excitedly spreading flowers along the path they would pass, creating a beautiful path of flowers.
When Asha caught sight of the children, her face bloomed like a radiant flower.
They soon arrived at the newlyweds’ house.
The newly-built house of the newlyweds was huge and magnificent.
Clearly, Karaf, considering Asha’s position as Vanessa, had deemed the simple huts unsuitable for her.
The house was filled with items sent from the Imperial Palace.
As the smell of the palace wafted to their home, Jackal’s expression turned a little uncomfortable.
However, he decided not to get rid of those items as he wanted Asha to enjoy all the luxurious things without feeling uncomfortable.
Asha looked around the spacious house, her eyes brimming with dreams.
Sonya, who had followed her, eagerly inquired about how to decorate the house and where to place the items from the palace.
Turning to Jackal with a bright and hopeful smile, Asha expressed her desire.
“I want a big flower garden in the backyard.”
“Sure, do as you wish.”
Jackal responded with a smile.
Asha adored flowers and had a desire to transform the entire house into a flower garden. However, she remembered that Jackal had an allergy to pollen, so she chose to plant flowers in the backyard.
“We can place a lovely tablecloth on the dining table and an ethnic-style carpet on the floor. And as for the baby’s room… Oh…”
As Asha casually mentioned the baby, she abruptly closed her mouth, her face turning red.
But Jackal, attentive to the conversation, stood frozen in place.
Sensing the subtle tension between them, Sonya quickly left the room.
Asha stammered, her face still flushed, as if making excuses.
“Well, you see… One day, we might have a baby, so it would be good to prepare in advance…”
She looked around, uncertain of what to do, until her eyes widened upon seeing Jackal’s expression.
He had a very contemplative expression.
Asha asked in a puzzled tone.
“Jackal……?”
Jackal was so overwhelmed with emotion that he asked directly.
“Do you want to have a baby with me?”
Asha’s face immediately flushed bright red, as if a balloon had burst.
If Sosa had been nearby, she would have let out a scream and hastily covered his mouth to prevent him from speaking so directly.
Jackal’s eyes widened, realizing too late that his words were too direct, and he quickly turned away.
Placing a hand on his chest, he pressed against his racing heart, muttering an excuse.
“I… I didn’t expect you to think that way…”
As a member of the Kelpie clan, he still held certain prejudices.
He believed that a woman would never want to have a child with a man who could transform into a horse.
So when Asha brought up the subject of a baby for the first time, he couldn’t control his heart racing with joy.
He felt immense gratitude towards her for discussing it without any biases.
However, feeling embarrassed, Asha extended both hands forward and exclaimed.
“No! I misspoke…! It’s just that living with just the two of us in this house feels too empty…! That’s why those words slipped out…!”
Upon hearing her words, Jackal, who had turned away, flinched.
When Asha anxiously glanced at him, he eventually turned back around.
Yet Asha was taken aback once again.
The excited expression Jackal had previously worn had suddenly transformed into a sad one.
He was so overwhelmed with happiness that tears welled up in his eyes.
“Jackal……?”
