Losing the war did not mean Calua Empire would vanish from the continent.

Arwen Empire had merely stumbled into victory; they never harbored ambitions to invade like Calua Empire did.

But whether it was due to Helsion’s absence or pre-existing discontent among the privileged class, Calua Empire rapidly collapsed from within.

Even amid national existential crisis, the imperial family and nobles schemed only for their own survival, indifferent to whether the empire endured or not.

Consequently, the once mighty Calua Empire became a vassal state of Arwen Empire—a cause for great celebration from Arwen’s perspective.

I heard rumors that the name “Calua Empire” itself would soon be changed.

Moreover, Arwen Empire expressed gratitude to their allied Lazent Empire, which had sent reinforcements, by ceding portions of territory.

Needless to say, relations between the two empires grew even stronger.

Lucellion, Emperor of Arwen Empire, bestowed rewards upon many for their contributions to the war’s victory. Naturally, I—whose magical engineering weapons provided critical support—and Ascan, who eliminated Helsion, were indispensable recipients.

Seated upon the throne, Lucellion chuckled amiably and addressed Ascan and me.

“Ask for anything you desire. I shall grant you both whatever you wish.”

Typically, those who rendered extraordinary service in war received noble titles or vast properties like mines or castles.

But Ascan and I needed nothing of the sort.

We desired only one thing.

“Your Majesty, what Ascan and I wish is to identify and punish all those involved in the past human weapon experiments. And we ask that you establish laws to ensure such experiments on humans never occur again.”

Lucellion looked genuinely surprised at my request.

Everyone else in the grand hall shared his astonishment. No one had expected Ascan and me to demand this.

“Human weapon experiments?”

“Yes. Inhumane experiments conducted long ago by Calua Empire.”

Lucellion appeared thoughtful for a moment, then nodded readily.

It was no loss to Arwen Empire. Moreover, no one benefited from the emergence of another Bill or second-generation children.

“Very well. I shall enact laws as Lady Brellof wishes. I shall also locate all those involved in Calua Empire’s human weapon experiments and ensure they pay dearly for their crimes.”

I bowed my head in gratitude.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Naturally, my gaze met Ascan’s.

His expression was complex—partly relieved, partly hollow.

I gently took his hand. Our revenge against those who once oversaw the human weapon experiments was only beginning.

Silently, Ascan tightened his grip around my offered hand.

At that moment,

Lucellion, smiling warmly, looked at us both and spoke.

“But this alone seems insufficient. I shall restore Lord Ascan’s former title as Count of Atreus from Calua Empire and return to him all properties he once owned.”

Though Ascan had taken all liquid assets when he left Calua Empire, his lands and castle had inevitably been seized.

Surprised by Lucellion’s unexpected reward, Ascan’s expression betrayed genuine astonishment.

But Lucellion was not finished. He turned to me next and spoke softly.

“To Lady Brellof, I grant the largest mine in former Calua Empire. I guarantee you shall never again worry about money for the rest of your life.”

Ascan and I bowed once more, utterly bewildered. The rewards were so immense we were momentarily speechless.

“We never expected such honors… Truly, thank you, Your Majesty.”

Ascan followed with his own expression of gratitude.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Lucellion shook his head with a genial smile. He descended from the throne, wrapped his arms affectionately around our shoulders, and said,

“That is what I wish to say to you both. Thank you for your valor in this war. Let us continue to share much glory together as nobles of Arwen Empire.”

I recognized the hidden meaning in Lucellion’s words: he wished to bind Ascan and me permanently to Arwen Empire.

Indeed, rumors about us had spread across the entire continent, and lately, wherever we went, we were exhausted by public attention.

I was the continent’s greatest arms merchant and magical engineering genius; Ascan was an exceptional ability user and leader of multiple organizations.

Any empire would covet us—we had made Dekain Emperor of Lazent Empire and led the victory against Calua Empire.

Apparently, Lucellion was aware that other empires had recently tempted us with extraordinary offers. But we had no intention of changing nationality.

We had no desire to establish a new house outside the Brellof family, and since Noxia had married Roel, Arwen Empire was no longer a stranger to us.

Ascan and I exchanged glances, our eyes crinkling in silent understanding. Without speaking, we knew our thoughts aligned.

In unison, we answered as one.

“Yes, we shall do so, Your Majesty.”

Truthfully, it mattered little to us which empire we belonged to.

Wherever Ascan and I could be together—that place would be paradise.

One season had passed.

Peaceful days arrived, as if no war had ever occurred.

Ascan buried Bill’s remains at the site where the former laboratory children had been interred. He occasionally visited, spending quiet time alone there.

I never knew what he spoke of during those visits, but he always returned looking noticeably more at peace.

Though Ascan’s title as Count of Atreus had been restored—granting him his own castle and estate—he still chose to reside with me at Marquis Brellof’s manor.

Unexpectedly, Orland showed no displeasure. In fact, he seemed quietly to enjoy occasional evening conversations with Ascan.

Then one day, I received a letter addressed to Ascan.

Written on the envelope were these words:

I was utterly shocked. My first thought: could this be a letter from the deceased Bill, sent to Ascan?

I rushed to Ascan and handed him the letter. He smiled sheepishly and explained,

“Ah, this is from the Bill we met together at the Lazent Empire orphanage.”

“That little boy Bill?”

“Yes. I’ve been contacting him occasionally since we met that day.”

“Really?”

I’d never heard of this before. But upon reflection, I recalled how unusually moved Ascan had been by the children that day.

He gazed at me with gentle eyes and continued,

“I was actually planning to tell you—I want to sponsor those children. I’m even considering establishing a foundation using part of the fortune I’ve accumulated.”

“A foundation?”

I asked, puzzled. Ascan nodded and elaborated.

“Its purpose is to care for children abandoned by their parents or with nowhere else to go.”

It was an admirable cause.

Even without him saying so, I sensed this foundation was inspired by Bill and the laboratory children.

“Of course I support it. Have you decided on a name?”

“Yes. I’m thinking of calling it the Bill Foundation…”

The Bill Foundation—merely hearing the name confirmed my suspicion.

I smiled softly and wrapped my arms around Ascan’s waist. I welcomed this positive turn from the man once portrayed as a villain in the novel.

“That’s a good name.”

“He’s a cherished younger brother to me, but I’m sorry he once threatened your life.”

“Don’t say that. If he’s a good brother to you, then he’s one to me too.”

Ascan laughed, looking helplessly charmed. He pulled me close and whispered in a deeper, tender voice,

“The more I get to know you, the more lovable you become—it’s a serious problem.”

“Says who?”

I replied, pressing my face against his chest. Soon, I felt his strong arms pull me even tighter.

Thanks to our efforts, Arwen Empire and Lazent Empire had legally banned human experimentation—but this prohibition had not yet been adopted by all nations.

That remained the task Ascan and I must resolve next. We would ensure no further victims arose before our deaths.

Fortunately, with the power we possessed, it was not an impossible goal.

Thus, nestled in Ascan’s embrace, I murmured absentmindedly,

“Ah, the weather’s so nice… I feel like traveling somewhere.”

“…Travel?”

Ascan looked at me with a subtly wary expression.

Understandable. Every time we traveled, life-threatening incidents occurred.

When we were young, we were forced to part ways; later, during another journey, we were nearly killed in a Calua Empire ambush.

Thankfully, we survived both times, but crises haunted every trip, making us naturally reluctant to leave again.

Yet perhaps because everything had finally stabilized,

lately, I increasingly longed to suddenly vanish somewhere with Ascan—just the two of us.

Maybe it was because of something I’d told him long ago.

─From now on, I plan to execute my ‘Live Happily and Long While Enjoying Life’ project. If you want, I’ll include you too.

Then and now, that was all I ever wanted.

To live happily, for a long, long time.

But contrary to my proposal back then, we’d rarely enjoyed leisurely, carefree moments together.

Every moment with him had been happy, yet we were always chased by unintended hardships and adversities.

Now that everything was finally settled, I wanted to do all the things we’d never had time for.

Ascan spoke with a reluctant expression.

“Travel… somehow, only unpleasant memories come to mind.”

“Well, true enough. Others consider rain during travel unlucky, but we always faced threats to our lives.”

“I didn’t expect you’d want to travel again. I thought you’d never wish to go.”

“Upon reflection, it’s not all bad memories. I loved the days we spent together on that island.”

The small island Ascan had bought for our travels was romantic. The time we spent there alone remains, even now, one of my happiest memories.

Ascan, too, seemed to recall those island days, smiling with eyes crinkled at the corners.

“Unexpected, but if my wife desires to travel, I’m always okay with it.”

“Really? Even if our lives are threatened again?”

Even to my teasing question, Ascan answered without the slightest hesitation.

“Of course.”

As he spoke, he gently kissed my forehead. Though we’d kissed countless times, it still felt sweetly intoxicating.

“Even if the place my wife wants to go is hell—it’s heaven to me.”

It was a tender confession, brimming with his love.

Unconsciously, I smiled deeply and hugged Ascan’s shoulders. I whispered mischievously,

“Then get ready. I’ll kidnap you and take you away someday without warning.”

At my words, Ascan chuckled lowly, as if utterly unable to stop me.

Just as we exchanged affectionate banter and light touches,

knock, knock—the door sounded, and maid Jerin’s voice came from outside.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess have arrived.”

“Ah, has it gotten this late already?”

I glanced at the clock on the wall. Today was the day Roel and Noxia were visiting Marquis Brellof’s manor.

After the war ended, Noxia and I arranged gatherings including Ascan and Roel. Fortunately, Ascan and Roel found many topics in common.

Roel was deeply interested in swordsmanship and battle strategy—and Ascan was exceptionally skilled in those areas.

Last time, they even left Noxia and me aside to engage in a heated discussion.

Somehow, it felt as if Ascan had melted seamlessly into my daily life. I could no longer even imagine existence without him.

Moments like this—when being with Ascan felt utterly natural—I truly realized we were married.

He was my eternal companion.

I extended my hand toward Ascan and said,

“Shall we head out?”

Ascan nodded. We clasped hands and stepped forward together.

Thus, we walked toward the place where Noxia and Roel awaited us. Spotting us from afar, they waved enthusiastically.

“Sister!”

“Come quick—I’ve got so many questions for you today!”

Ascan and I laughed helplessly as we approached Noxia and Roel. When the four of us gathered, a warm, cheerful atmosphere instantly filled the room.

In my past life, I had been alone; Ascan had survived the human weapon experiments all by himself…

We were no longer loners.

We were a family.