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Chapter 116

"Verdiana."

At the voice that suddenly sounded in her ear, Ber whipped her head around. Seeing Kaien's face right before her, she turned crimson again.

"Yes...?"

She wanted to ask what is it? but her voice wouldn't come out.

I can't get used to this...!

Squeezing her eyes shut, Ber spun to the music. Kaien's firm hand kept her steady as she turned.

I need to focus on the waltz.

But even now, her heart raced uncontrollably.

She couldn't pinpoint exactly when it started. But the trigger that had worsened the symptoms—she'd already traced it back.

It was after the day she saved Kaien from death.

Since then, Ber had found it difficult to face Kaien.

Her heart would pound so hard it hurt.

She used to be able to talk to him so naturally—but now, it felt like that memory was an illusion.

"No—I just thought you seemed distracted."

At Kaien's follow-up explanation, Ber blinked in confusion.

"You kept glancing at the window. Is someone outside?"

"Ah..."

Ber let out an embarrassed sigh and bit her lip.

Was he always this observant?

Flushing, she managed to speak.

"W-well, you see... my friends in the dressing room kept insisting I not look in the mirror. I was worried I'd put something on wrong or had something on my face."

Despite her honest confession, Kaien fell silent.

Cautiously raising her gaze, she studied his expression. It was strangely subtle—as if caught off guard, somewhat shy. He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"If that's the case, you don't need to worry. Your dress, your shoes, your makeup—nothing is out of place. Your hair accessories are perfect too."

"Then why..."

"They must have thought you were too beautiful—that you, Verdiana, would be dazzling."

The flattery was similar to Einja's, and Ber tilted her head.

But Kaien seemed utterly sincere. Meeting her eyes as if to say it's not a lie, he added:

"They probably worried that even you would be stunned speechless if you looked in the mirror. You were that beautiful."

"......"

"At first, I thought I was seeing a fairy. Or an angel or a goddess descending. Truly—you were that radiant..."

He clamped his mouth shut abruptly.

At the unbelievable, embarrassing praise, Ber's ears turned scarlet. But Kaien was no less flustered.

"S-sorry. B-but it's true. Today, Verdiana, you..."

Kaien's face reddened again as he averted his gaze—as if even looking at her was overwhelming.

Ber also bowed her head and said, almost shouting:

"I-I get it, so let's just dance!"

Her heart pounded.

By now, even she—dense as she was—couldn't mistake what this feeling was.

Praying that her heartbeat wouldn't carry through their joined hands, Ber moved her feet with all her might.

---

The ball ended.

Escorted by Kaien, Ber walked along the illuminated garden path.

Oh.

It was a familiar path. Just before the imperial command had come down, during the first Harvest Festival ball, she'd also walked this way—with Kaien.

Ber's steps slowed. She closed her eyes and clutched her dress with one hand.

If I miss this chance, he'll graduate, and I'll go on winter break.

We won't be able to see each other for a while.

Will I be able to endure not seeing him?

It already feels like I'm overflowing.

"Verdiana."

Kaien stopped and called her name.

"Yes?"

"Want to stop by here for a moment?"

He pointed to the spot under the tree inside the garden thicket—where she had once faced his animal form again.

Rustle, rustle.

Stepping through the brush, she followed Kaien.

With each step closer to the tree, each time her gaze fell on his broad back before her—

She grew more anxious.

The moment they reached the tree, Ber blurted out:

"K-Kaien."

Without even checking if he'd turned or responded, she said what she'd rehearsed:

"I have something to tell you. Lately, whenever I see you, my heart races. When I pass near the swordsmanship department, I feel excited. I keep hoping I'll run into you. So—what I want to say is, I—"

I like you.

But she couldn't get the most important words out.

It was truly unavoidable—an irresistible force.

Because Kaien's lips were pressed against hers.

"Really."

A breath-like whisper tickled her lips. Kaien chuckled and brushed her lips with his thumb.

"You always exceed my expectations."

"......"

"Verdiana, you've always been the one to do things for me first. You healed my lungs. You saved my life. You gave me spring. So this time, I want to be the one to speak first."

Ber nodded slowly, her face flushed. Kaien smiled softly and said:

"I like you. Long before you think—for quite some time. So, Ber."

Ber. It was the first time she'd heard her nickname from his lips.

Taking her right hand, he knelt before her.

"I want to be your lover."

As if addressing his liege, Kaien looked up at her, seeking permission.

"Will you allow it?"

But Ber's affirmative answer wouldn't come. Why? Was it because she was still half-dazed from the kiss? Or because she was overwhelmed that the moment she'd longed for had truly arrived?

"...Hm? Please, Ber."

As the silence stretched, Kaien pressed his cheek to her hand and sent her a pleading look.

He looked like not a fierce wolf but a small, adorable puppy—and Ber burst out laughing.

"Yes! Of course!"

She cried out loudly and pulled Kaien into an embrace.

---

Two years later, on a spring afternoon.

Under a clear, snowless sky, vibrant flowers bloomed throughout the Grizzly estate.

For today's event, the Imperial Court—specifically Adrian, now on the throne—had sent a variety of spring flowers.

Perhaps too busy with imperial duties to attend the engagement ceremony, Adrian had sent only the finest flowers.

Those seated in the garden chairs, waiting for the ceremony to begin, all wore excited expressions.

"Today is finally the day. Lady Ber's engagement ceremony."

"Don't cry like you did that day, Alexei. You're about to become Captain of the Sled Dog Knights—it'd be embarrassing."

"Wh-when have I ever cried!"

"Ah, I have a recording—want me to play it?"

As always, Alexei and Einja bickered, and Anna shook her head.

"Are those two still not dating?"

"They seem to be the only ones who don't know they like each other."

Olsen answered Anna with a chuckle.

"I've lost count of how many weddings I've attended. I never expected the first of this generation to be the third one."

"Lady Pallas—it's an engagement, not a wedding. Don't slip up in front of Father—it'd be a disaster."

Louis sighed as he reminded Pallas. In truth, the two were so devoted, and the Noirel family had said, "Just marry them already," so a wedding would have been fine—but Father had insisted he couldn't let his daughter go yet.

So Father had proposed an engagement as a compromise.

"The young lady... the young lady is getting engaged."

"Her wedding will surely come soon."

Nuke, clutching a handkerchief, said mournfully—and Heinz beside him answered in a low voice.

The two exchanged glances and began weeping in each other's arms.

Already noisy with emotional waterfalls, the garden was soon filled with music.

The Imperial orchestra, invited to commemorate the day, began playing the opening notes.

As the atmosphere rose, the two finally appeared at the end of the red carpet.

Kaien gently held Ber's gloved hand and led her. In white formal attire, they stopped before the altar.

They first picked up the rings and placed them on each other's ring fingers.

"I promise to share a future with you, from this moment on."

As Ber spoke her vow, Kaien nodded and followed.

"I promise to share a future with you, from this moment on."

Just as the ceremony seemed to end with the identical vows—

"Forever."

Kaien lifted Ber's right hand and pressed his lips to the engagement ring on her finger.

Then, slowly cupping her cheek, he kissed her.

"Aaaaagh!"

At that moment, Theodor, standing inside the altar, let out a shrieking cry.

"Th-this isn't a wedding! No kissing on the lips!"

With an urgent shout, Theodor pulled Ber toward him.

In an instant, Ber was swept into her father's arms, separated from Kaien.

"Dear! The ceremony isn't over yet! Get down here!"

"When did he become such a doting father, His Lordship."

"They've already kissed, anyway."

"What?"

As Rib began scolding Theodor, who looked mortified, Louis and Ferdinand also shook their heads calmly—prompting another outburst.

Despite Theodor's antics, Ber and Kaien looked nothing but happy.

At their joyful expressions, smiles slowly spread across everyone's faces.

Warm spring sunlight settled over Grizzly Castle.

It was the beginning of an endless spring.

<I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family> — The End

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