𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟗: 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐲𝐞
Four days later, Tyran-san received a summons.
I handed over the snack bento that I had promised to Demon King-sama and boarded the teleportation magic circle drawn in the king’s chamber.
Under the dazzling light, I slowly opened my eyes.
In front of me stood Jude, whom I hadn’t seen in about a year.
He looked much more worn out than when we last met. It must mean that the woman he cared about was important. Then, anger started to build up, thinking, “If that’s the case, then don’t let go of her.”
“Long time no see, Jude.”
“Maylene? Is it really you?”
“Yes, it’s me. The woman you abandoned.”
“I missed you…”
Jude started crying and hugged me tightly.
“Let go.”
“Maylene, I missed you…”
Why is Jude so happy to reunite with the woman he abandoned?
I can’t understand the situation. I even thought that he might be mistaking me for the woman he loves, but he is undoubtedly calling my name.
――What on earth is happening?
I turned around to seek help from Tyran-san, but he was frozen, murmuring my name, “Maylene.”
I had thought that he knew my real name and added “Dairy” with sarcasm, but it seems that wasn’t the case.
I had gotten used to being called Dairy in this past year, so being called by my real name felt a bit uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, Tyran-san is the only ally I have in this situation.
“Tyran-san, what is going on?”
I ask for an explanation of the situation. But it was Jude, not him, who told me.
“Sorry for being late. But I finally found the culprit who hurt Maylene that day.”
What does he mean? The one who hurt me was none other than Jude.
When I glared at him, he sadly smiled. Then, he shifted his gaze behind me.
In Jude’s line of sight were the captured princess and several men.
Judging from their attire, the men had different social statuses and occupations. The priest’s robes and the knight’s uniforms stood out among them.
“They used transformation magic to impersonate me and separate me from Maylene.”
“We didn’t cast any obstructive magic!”
“Shut up!”
Jude glared at them with deep animosity. He seemed to have found them while Tyran-san was away at the Demon King’s Castle.
Since I met Jude in a place near the church, there might have been witnesses.
“I’m sorry for hurting you. But I have always loved Maylene.”
Is it true that the incident that caused deep wounds was all fake, and the real him still desires me?
“Let’s go back to the village and have a wedding.”
My mind goes blank at the words whispered in my ear.
Even if I know who the villain is, I can no longer love Jude.
Furthermore, I don’t even have the energy to hurl insults or the will to strike him.
“Why didn’t you search for me earlier?”
That’s all I can say. A maiden’s time is precious.
I can’t continue to have the same feelings for one day, one month, or one year.
If he truly cared for me, I wanted him to come and see me sooner than the impostor did. I wish he had searched for me properly instead of settling it with just a letter…
“Maylene?”
I lightly brush off the hand extended towards my cheek.
“What… why…”
“The impostor came to see me right away. I was so happy when I received the message. That’s why I was hurt, in pain, and suffering. But you know, I felt like I could put an end to it in this past year. I was able to move forward… so why are you saying such things now?”
I don’t want to say these things.
But a year is a long time. I had enough time to create my own place from scratch in a new place where I didn’t know anyone.
The people in the Demon Realm are kind, so there are many places where I found solace. But that doesn’t mean I can forget what I let go of.
And for this past year, I continued to believe that he on that day was the real one.
To dismiss it now with just the words “you were an impostor” is not enough.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Maylene. My weakness hurt you.”
Jude’s tears pierce my heart. But I can’t accept them.
If I were to accept him, I would likely be reminded of that day over and over again in the future.
Even a simple quarrel that can be easily forgiven, I can see how deeply it would wound me.
That’s why I don’t take his hand. The trust that would allow me to say that it’s okay even if he hurts me has disappeared over time.
“I loved you. But I’m sorry. We can’t walk the same path.”
“Wait, Maylene!”
“Goodbye.”
“That’s a lie, right?”
The person next to him is not me. Walking separate paths is for the benefit of both of us.
I bid farewell to the dejected Jude and call out to Tyran-san.
“Let’s go back.”
“Is it okay?”
“Yes.”
With a small nod, he guides me onto the teleportation magic circle.
In the future, there may be days when I regret this decision. But this is my answer, the answer of the me who has done her best since being abandoned that day.
Just before boarding the teleportation magic circle, I look back, but Jude doesn’t come after me.
He just hangs his head in that spot. The words that escape his lips, too faint to reach my ears.
With this, my long-lasting love has finally come to an end.
As I take a big step and board the teleportation magic circle, a gentle light envelops me.
・・・
『”𝘈𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮” – 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 “𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴” 𝘢𝘯𝘥 e𝘹𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 “𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴”.』
・・・
Even after saying goodbye, my life doesn’t change.
Tyran-san doesn’t say anything either. I remain as Dairy, with the same name.
I’ve been neglecting the matter of the bestowed magic. Since there’s no need to know, I will probably continue not knowing in the future.
And so, even now, I continue making snacks for them every day.
After that, I don’t know what happened to the church and the country. And Jude.
I don’t think parting ways with Jude was a wrong decision. It was for the best.
But when I recall the days I spent with him, my heart aches.
If only there was no transformation magic, could I have been happy?
I think such foolish thoughts.
The transformation magic itself is not bad.
Thanks to that magic, demons were able to go to the human realm, and because of that, Demon King-sama thought of making peace with humans.
The problem lies with the people who tried to misuse the magic that created such possibilities.
And with me, who didn’t notice the impostor, and Jude, who didn’t come to see me for almost a year.
“It was revealed that the princess cast that magic. Although she is not as good as Granny, she is quite powerful. Dairy only learned about the existence of transformation magic after coming here. Moreover, if she is told something that greatly shakes her emotions, she wouldn’t be able to see through it. Dairy is not at fault.”
Tyran-san encourages me repeatedly.
But still, I can’t help but think about the future I saw at that time, the future that might have existed.
To return and marry Jude, and live a peaceful life with our child.
I have had that dream many times. I am enveloped in happiness, only to despair when I wake up. Wiping away the cold sweat that poured out, I head to the kitchen.
Perhaps because it’s late, Migi-san and Hidari-san are not there.
Just the absence of the usual two makes the already spacious kitchen feel even colder. But it’s just right for me now.
I take out the pie crust stored in the refrigerator and prepare the other ingredients.
I wonder when it started. The ingredients for raspberry pie were always stocked in the refrigerator. Perhaps the two of them have noticed my strange behavior. But they don’t say anything and treat me as they always have.
Taking advantage of their kindness, I made raspberry pie today as well.
The snack that was Jude’s favorite and a symbol of happiness has become a snack that I despise.
I pierce the freshly baked pie with a knife and cut it into large pieces. With the tea prepared, I continue eating in the late-night kitchen.
Tears overflow as the sweetness spreads in my mouth.
To force it down, I wash it down with tea. My chest feels so heavy.
I know it’s futile.
But I continue to bake, wanting to digest the memories with Jude along with the pie.
I don’t know when the end will come.
Even without seeing the end, I repeat this act.
Because it’s the only way I can think of to sever ties with the past.
[insert page=’4633′ display=’content’]
[insert page=’4587′ display=’content’]
Leave a Reply