Welcome folks,
Thank you Ulises for supporting me. ♪(^∇^*)
And here it's the moment everyone was waiting for.
Enjoy the chapters~
–Aninsar
I asked the maid to help me get ready and put on my formal attire. I had my hair done and took the present.
Okay, I'm all set.
Then I went to my mother's room to pick her up.
By the way, ever since the Duke approved my marriage to Anna, my mother is also living in the Duke's mansion.
The reason is that the mother of the duchess's fiancé is also a target and needs to be protected.
I see. Certainly, that's true.
The aristocratic society is a troublesome one, but it is a path that I have prepared myself to take. I guess I have no choice.
After about ten minutes of waiting, my mother came out of her room wearing a dress. She seemed to be struggling with the heels and the dress, which she was not used to, but she looked different from my usual gentle mother, and I thought she was very beautiful.
I took my mother's hand and escorted her to Anna's room.
The maid opened the door for me, and we went in. The Duke, Elisabeth-san, and Friedrich-san were already there, chatting happily beside Anna, who was still asleep in bed.
"I am late."
"Thank you for having me here today."
Mom greeted them politely, while I was in my usual self.
"Hahaha. It's not even time, yet we're all here."
I glanced at my watch and saw that the Duke was right, it was still 10 minutes ago. I guess everyone was looking forward to Anna's birthday after all.
"Oh, that's true."
"Then, let's start a little early."
When the Duke said this, he coughed once and then spoke softly to Anna.
"Anna, happy 17th birthday!"
With the words of the Duke as a cue, we quietly convey our congratulations, one by one.
"Well, Anna. I thought I'd give you a proper update today."
The Duke took Anna's hand and said so, a look of prayer on his face.
"Anna, your Allen has become your fiancée."
However, when Anna continued to sleep like a statue, I nodded my head in disappointment.
"Besides, We've prepared a lot of Anna's favourite foods for you today. Eat as much as you like, okay?"
That said, he points to the gorgeous dishes lined up on the table, but Anna didn't respond and continued to sleep.
"Happy birthday, Anna. I've prepared a homemade cake that you've loved since you were a child."
"Anna, happy birthday. I got you that white horse you've been asking for. It's outside. How about it? Wouldn't you like to ride it?"
"Anastasia-sama, happy birthday. And thank you so much for choosing my son, who is still lacking in many areas. I heard that you like this."
Elisabeth-san gave her a memorable cake, Friedrich-san's gave her a horse that Anna wanted of which I had no idea, and my mother handed her a wrapped confectionery, but Anna was still asleep.
Next is my turn.
"Happy birthday, Anna. I'm sorry I put you through all this because I wasn't good enough. Here, this is the 『Sky Knight sword』 that I promised to you."
With that said, I pulled out the sword and showed Anna the beautiful, slender, sky-blue blade. Her beautiful face was reflected in the blade.
I gently put the 『Sky Knight sword』 in Anna's hand.
It was then.
A dazzling light shone from the 『Sky Knight sword』.
"Eh? Anna!"
I hurriedly reached out and grabbed Anna's hand, but it was so dazzling that I closed my eyes and turned away.
Then, just as the light went out, I heard a faint voice.
"A, lle….n?"
It was the voice I had been waiting to hear for so long.
That's what I've been hoping to happen for so long.
I couldn't control my emotions and hugged the sleeping Anna as hard as I could.
"Anna! Anna!"
Tears flow endlessly.
Ah, damn it. Even though I was supposed to smile!
Anna answered me gently in a weak voice.
"…len. Don't, cry."
That said, she put her left hand, which was not holding the sword, around my back, but it was terribly weak.
I feel joy and security, and at the same time, my heart is tightened with sadness.
"Anna, I'm not letting you go, ever. I won't let you go alone, no matter what anyone says."
"A…..llen"
We hugged each other. But after a while, I heard a coughing sound from behind me.
"Ah"
I kissed on her forehead and slowly and unwillingly moved away from Anna.
"Fa, ther…..Mo….ther, Bro…ther, this…is?"
Maybe it's hard to speak, as she called the three people with a weak voice.
"Oh, Oh, Anna. It's good to have you back. This is the territorial residence. Anna! Anna!"
Then the Duke hugged Anna while crying, and Elisabeth-san and Friedrich-san also hugged Anna while crying in the same way.
After that, we all cried, and then it took us quite a while to calm down.
＊＊＊＊
"Once again, happy birthday. Anna."
"Thank you very much."
The Duke's words of congratulations were answered in a firm tone by Anna, who was sitting on the bed with only her upper body raised.
After that, she drank a little water to moisten her throat, which helped her to speak more or less.
The Duke continued to speak to Anna.
"Anna. Allen rescued you from the imperial palace alone after you were kidnapped and brought you back here."
"Eh? Allen. You…."
"I really wanted to do that."
"Allen …"
Anna looks happy and a little sad.
I'm sure you're worried when you heard that I did it all by myself.
"Anna, the man you chose is a great man."
"Father…. by that…..?"
Anna rolls her eyes in surprise. I'm so happy just to see such a surprised face.
"Anna, as promised, the Duke has acknowledged me. Will you marry me?"
I kneel at the bedside and take Anna's hand, proposing once again.
"……Yes"
I softly wiped the tears from her cheeks as she nodded, then gently hugged and kissed her.