Reborn As Papa Silva

Chapter 76: Their Story (26): The Skip

Kaiser Granvorka walked through the Purple Orca base. He passed the gardens, terraces, dorms, and sleeping quarters, his gaze briefly drifting to the dining room, kitchen, and other familiar spaces.

Everywhere he went, he saw his squad. They were chatting, laughing, some playfully bickering, but the camaraderie was undeniable—a harmonious rhythm that brought life to the base.

And then, like fading spirits, they vanished.

His steps became heavier as he headed to the Captain's office. Without hesitation, he let himself in, his eyes falling on the desk. For a fleeting moment, he saw Captain Vortigarn bent over paperwork or barking orders at subordinates, while Vice-Captain Marcel stood nearby with his ever-present gentle smile.

They, too, flickered away like ghosts.

Kaiser stood in silence, rooted to the spot. Then, with an emotionless expression, he rounded the desk and dropped into the Captain's chair.

For a brief moment, he sat upright, rigid, as if trying to maintain composure. But the façade broke. Leaning forward, he buried his face in his arms, his shoulders trembling. The usually indifferent and composed young man began to weep, tears seeping through the gaps of his fingers.

His voice cracked as he whispered into the still air, "C-Captain... I c-can't do it... I just can't."

—

At the Blue Rose base, outside the Captain's office, Lily leaned against the wall, her arm wrapped protectively around Chloe. The younger twin trembled uncontrollably, muffled sobs shaking her frame as a loud, anguished cry echoed from within the office.

"B-Big S-Sister... y-you promised to c-come back and play with me... h-how could you die..." Chloe trembled, as the voice from inside broke further. "M-mama and P-papa are s-sad, please come back!"

Lily's crimson-tinged eyes glistened as she rubbed her sister's shoulder. She bent down slightly, whispering softly into Chloe's ear.

"We won't take any more outside missions... Once Ellenor is strong enough, we'll have her take over, and then we'll both retire. Alright?"

Chloe gave a weak nod, burying her face in her older sister's chest. Lily continued to soothe her, lightly tracing circles on her back as her younger sister clung to her, grief weighing them both down.

The twins felt their hearts cracking as Ellenor continued to weep.

—

Shortly after word arrived from Kiten declaring Clover's victory, the kingdom was engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions.

The commoners and peasants heralding from the forsaken realm rejoiced. Tears of relief and joy flowed as they realized they could finally return home—the war with Diamond was over. Kikka and other overcrowded areas in the common realm quickly emptied as refugees began their journeys back to villages, towns, and settlements.

Some chose to move all the way to Kiten, a now-desolate city abandoned by its residents during the conflict. These settlers took on the burden of rebuilding, recovering bodies of the fallen, identifying them, and ensuring they were sent home to the noble realm.

But for the families and friends of the Purple Orcas, Blue Roses, and the late Alden, the atmosphere was one of devastation. The loss of loved ones hung heavy in the air.

Wives become widows. Children became orphans. Sisters mourned brothers, brothers grieved sisters. Parents wept for children they'd never see again. Nieces and nephews would never hear the voices of their aunts and uncles again. The sorrow was unrelenting, infecting the nobility and aristocracy alike.

That grief curdled into seething rage, directed at two groups: the people of Kiten who had fled to Heart, abandoning their defenders, and Diamond, the enemy who had orchestrated the chaos. Many nobles believed their loved ones had died in vain, protecting cowards who had simply run away. They began to demand retribution and called for the complete annihilation of Diamond.

This call for war gained momentum, fueled by those who had lost someone or something in the conflict. But the rest of the nobility, the Church, and the royalty ruthlessly stamped it out. Clover's military was already crippled—they had lost two entire squads and their Wizard King.

With only the Crimson Lions, Silver Eagles, a few smaller organizations, and reserve forces left, Clover couldn't afford any further losses. Instead, they sent a representative to Diamond's new king, Edelstein, to demand reparations.

Edelstein, a pragmatic man, had ascended to the throne immediately after Diamond's defeat. His father, Goldstein, always cautious, had ensured a smooth succession should he fall by mercilessly slaughtering nearly the entire royal family save for his son, the Queen, and a few others, before leaving for battle.

Prince Edlestein became King, with little to no pushback.

When Edelstein inherited the crown, he faced no illusions about his country's condition. Diamond was shattered, needing at least a decade to recover, perhaps longer to regain even a fraction of its former strength.

To appease Clover and stave off further conflict, Edelstein unearthed his ancestral coffers and nearly emptied the royal vault. He sent mountains of gold, jewels, and treasures to Clover. Many of the "devastated" and "enraged" nobility of Clover suddenly found solace in this wealth. Their grief gave way to proclamations of resilience as they vowed to "live bravely for the fallen."

Meanwhile, the Magic Knights were in turmoil. The Purple Orcas and Blue Roses teetered on the brink of collapse. Though a few opportunistic nobles joined these squads to bask in their newfound fame, the numbers only restored about a third of their former strength.

Faced with desperation, both squads made an unprecedented decision: they loosened their restrictions and qualifications. For the first time in the kingdom's history, commoners were admitted into the Magic Knights. They entered in droves, filling ranks that would otherwise have remained empty.

The aristocracy was outraged, decrying the "dirtying" of their noble ranks. But necessity prevailed. To appease the upper classes, only commoners from notable families—those bordering on nobility or vassal families of noble houses—were admitted.

Kaiser's father, the former Captain of the Purple Orcas and Vortigarn's predecessor, came out of retirement to lead the squad until his son could recover from his trauma and reach the necessary level to uphold their dignity.

Lily, meanwhile, stepped in as the interim Captain of the Blue Roses. She would hold the position until the late Captain's younger sister, Ellenor, was ready to take over.

Acier, hailed as the "hero of the war," was swiftly welcomed into the Silver Eagles upon her return.

As for the throne of Clover, the kingdom faced yet another crisis. With both their King and Wizard King gone in a single year, Clover was desperate for a leader. The Pope was unsuitable, as his appointment would only stir dissent. Augustus' brothers were scapegoated for the kingdom's civil unrest and the losses in Kiten. They were swiftly executed.

With the full support of the Church and House Kira—and the neutrality of House Vermillion and House Silva—Augustus was finally crowned king.

His first act was a bid to win public favor. He sought to demonstrate his gratitude and benevolence by rewarding the survivors of Kiten.

House Wallflower was elevated to the rank of county, with Lily crowned Countess. House Granvorka was made a march, with Kaiser already being addressed as the Young Marquess. Acier received the official epithet of "Steel War Princess," while Owen and Sebastian were knighted.

They were all granted wealth and fame, though none of them cared much for such rewards.

Lily, exhausted from juggling her duties as both a countess and a captain, leaned heavily on Chloe, who helped manage the county and took charge of guiding Ellenor's training.

Kaiser, battling his depression, found solace in the company of a young lady he fancied.

Owen, having obtained his official doctor's license, joined the Magic Knights as an independent healer.

As for Acier and Sebastian...

—

June 25, 1601

"Acier, honey, you're drooling."

Amara spoke awkwardly to her daughter from across the dining table as they sat down for breakfast.

Well, everyone but Acier did.

Amara and Aurelia watched in mild disbelief as Acier, her plate untouched, sat with a dreamy smile plastered on her face. She was completely enraptured by the new ring on her left hand, occasionally shooting goo-goo eyes at Sebastian, who sat stiffly on her right, trying to eat his breakfast in peace. Meanwhile, a thin line of saliva dripped from Acier's mouth.

At the head of the table, Nathaniel ate with his eyes closed, chewing calmly, as if determined to pretend none of this was happening.

There was an almost comical image of red hearts shooting up from Acier as she gazed at Sebastian, causing him to sweat under her lovesick stare. The illusion popped like a balloon when Acier abruptly looked across the table, her excitement spilling over.

"Guess what! Sebby said he'll marry me!" she declared with a radiant beam.

The room froze.

Amara and Aurelia stared at Acier in shock. Nathaniel's eyes snapped open, his expression cold and unreadable.

In perfect unison, all three of them craned their necks to look at Sebastian.

Nathaniel's face was icy and indifferent. Amara looked stunned. Aurelia, however, smiled brightly.

Sebastian clenched his jaw, looking increasingly flustered. "I said when I turn 21! Don't make them misunderstand!" he hissed at Acier.

Aurelia pouted slightly.

Amara let out a sigh of relief.

Nathaniel's frosty expression thawed just a bit.

Acier, entirely unaffected by the reactions around her, turned her gaze back to Sebastian with a dreamy grin. "A promise is a promise. No take backs!"

Sebastian opened his mouth, seemingly at a loss for words, but his expression softened as he whispered quietly, "I won't."

Acier's eyes practically turned heart-shaped.

Sebastian sighed, trying to ignore her as he awkwardly turned back to face her family.

Aurelia was still smiling.

Nathaniel and Amara, now calm, fixed their eyes on Sebastian, their expressions unreadable.

Sebastian met their gaze, his face tense with determination. "Is that... alright with you?"

Nathaniel and Amara exchanged a glance.

Nathaniel's eyes narrowed, focusing on Sebastian's hair for a moment before his expression softened. He responded coolly, "You're asking the wrong people."

Sebastian froze, confusion flickering across his face before comprehension dawned in his ocean-blue eyes. Slowly, he turned to look at Acier.

Her earlier dreamy smile had been replaced with a soft, gentle one. She nodded.

Sebastian couldn't hold back his grin, foolish and wide, nearly matching the lovesick look Acier had worn earlier.

But Acier's expression shifted, her smile turning sly.

Sebastian froze, his grin slipping as a sinking sense of panic took over.

Acier turned back toward her family, her mouth parting. "Did you know we slept—mmph!"

Sebastian slapped a hand over her mouth, cold sweat breaking out across his forehead. Nathaniel's frigid stare returned with a vengeance, cutting into Sebastian like shards of ice.

Without saying a word, Sebastian scooped Acier into his arms and bolted for the door, the twin panels swinging wildly in his wake.

Nathaniel's eyes lingered on the doors for a moment before he sighed heavily and returned to his breakfast, his expression neutral.

Amara, on the other hand, looked scandalized.

Aurelia, her face beet red, leaned forward slightly and whispered, "Looks like I might be an aunt soon."

Both Nathaniel and Amara stiffened.

—

June 28, 1601

Sebastian and Acier were back in Kikka, tending to passersby at their clinical stall. Acier wouldn't officially begin her Magic Knight duties for another month.

—

August 15, 1601

"Hey, Sebby?"

"Hmm?"

Sebastian turned from his desk to look at Acier, who was lying on his bed, engrossed in a book.

His brow twitched as he caught sight of the title. Forcing himself to look away from the shameless smut in his girlfriend's hands, he pasted on a strained smile.

"What is it?"

Acier set the book down and sat up on the bed, casually twirling a strand of her hair. "I've been thinking..."

Sebastian didn't press her to continue, letting her take her time. She bit her lip before meeting his gaze.

"I don't think I want to be Wizard King anymore."

Without hesitation, Sebastian got up, walked across the room, and sat beside her. He placed a hand on her lap, his expression calm but attentive.

"Why?" he asked simply, his blue eyes locking onto hers.

Acier held his gaze, her voice soft and steady.

"I admire the Wizard Kings. I really do—maybe I even idolize them. Even Alden, despite his cold-hearted decisions... I think he made the best choices he could. We Magic Knights are soldiers, and we're supposed to be willing to sacrifice ourselves for the kingdom if it's necessary."

She paused, her expression clouded as she continued.

"As for the people of Kiten—the commoners and peasants who suffered in the war... the ones who died unjustly—it's pitiful, and it's tragic. But I don't think it was wrong of him to sacrifice them. The needs of the many outweigh the suffering of the few."

Sebastian listened quietly, his hand warm on her lap, but his eyes searching hers.

"That being said," Acier went on, her voice faltering slightly, "I don't think I can make decisions like that. I can't order people to die, or give up their lives. And... I don't think I even have the courage to die anymore."

She lifted her left hand, the rings on her fingers catching the light as she smiled softly.

"I want to spend my lifetime with you. I don't want to die. If being Wizard King is rooted in sacrifice, then I don't think I want that anymore."

Her voice grew resolute.

"I'm going to choose the path of life and live it with you—until we're gray and old."

Wordlessly, she leaned into Sebastian's chest. He sat still for a moment, wide-eyed, before wrapping his arms around her tightly.

Sebastian's heart raced. Best birthday ever.

—

August 31, 1601

Acier blinked in confusion, pointing to the towering stack of lumber, planks, screws, bolts, and tools piled behind Sebastian's small shack.

"What's all this, Sebby?"

Sebastian, holding a large piece of paper in his hand, glanced at her nervously. The paper held a rough sketch of what looked like a cottage.

He folded it and stuffed it into his pocket, scratching his cheek as a faint blush crept across his face.

"Well... a princess can't live in such a tiny place, right? I need to upgrade."

Acier froze, her face a blank slate.

Sebastian coughed into his fist, his blush deepening as he avoided her gaze. His voice softened.

"Want to build a house with me?"

For a moment, Acier stared at him. Then her cheeks flushed crimson, and before Sebastian could react, she leapt at him, pinning him to the grassy ground.

"Wha—?!"

Before he could finish his startled exclamation, she captured his lips in a fierce kiss. Her hands tangled in his hair as her tongue explored his mouth with unrelenting passion, leaving him breathless.

Sebastian flailed weakly, silently pleading for air, but Acier paid him no mind. Her heart pounded as she deepened the kiss.

Best birthday ever.

September 1, 1601

Sebastian joined Acier's family to pay homage to King Octavian's 1 year death anniversary.

—

September 5, 1601

Building a home was hard work, especially when neither of them really knew what they were doing. They relied on instincts, trial and error, as they mapped out the terrain, leveled the ground, and hauled beams and planks to their designated spots.

Sebastian blinked in disbelief as Acier effortlessly twirled heavy beams in her arms like they were paperweights. No matter how many times he saw it, the amount of power packed into her small frame never failed to baffle him—even with the use of magic.

They made countless mistakes. Their process was often out of order, forcing them to backtrack, unscrew beams, and redo entire sections. Thankfully, Sebastian had plenty of money saved, and he was especially grateful that Acier never brought up paying for anything herself.

—

September 12, 1601

Sebastian and Acier sat on the hill in front of his shack, a picnic blanket spread out beneath them and a straw basket between them. The basket held neatly wrapped, triangular sandwiches.

Sebastian picked one up, studying the contents squeezed between the bread: ham, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, mustard, mayo, and a variety of other ingredients.

He glanced at Acier, who lay beside him nervously, fidgeting with her hands.

"You made this?" he asked softly.

Acier nodded meekly, her voice trailing off as she replied, "I haven't tasted them or anything... so they're probably not very good..."

Sebastian noticed she hadn't told him not to eat them, like she had with the chocolate before. His gaze narrowed slightly, catching the care she'd put into the wrapping, trimming, and overall presentation.

Today was their first day off in a long while—no work on the cottage, no magic knight mission, no medical duties. By all accounts, this was their first official date, and she had clearly put a lot of effort into it.

His eyes lingered on her new sundress and the bun her hair was tied into, before he smiled gently.

"I'm sure they're great."

Acier's breath hitched as she watched him take a bite. He chewed slowly, his face unreadable—neither lighting up with delight nor twisting into a grimace. She waited anxiously for his reaction, but instead of saying anything, he wordlessly devoured the rest of the sandwich.

Then, to her astonishment, he reached into the basket, pulled out the other sandwich—her portion—and began eating that as well.

Rather than being upset, Acier's heart soared. Sebby likes them that much?! W-well then, as his f-future wife... I-I should bring him meals every day from now on—

Her thoughts screeched to a halt when Sebastian wiped his mouth and hands, then placed them firmly on her shoulders. His piercing blue eyes locked onto her pink irises.

"Acier."

"Yeah, Sebby?" she replied, beaming brightly.

His expression turned somber, his voice grave as he inclined his head.

"Never cook again."

Acier froze, her radiant grin vanishing in an instant.

Before she could respond, Sebastian collapsed onto his side, twitching violently as his eyes rolled to the back of his head. Foam bubbled at the corners of his mouth.

"Sebby?!" Acier screamed, snapping out of her shock as panic took over.

Once again, Sebastian would spend a week confined to his bed with severe food poisoning. Acier stayed by his side, crying dramatic tears of guilt and regret.

When Aurelia came by and asked if she was alright, Acier shook her head, her voice trembling as she replied, "I almost made myself a widow..."

—

September 30, 1601

With all their other work, responsibilities, and duties, Sebastian and Acier had only just managed to finish the outer frame of their cottage.

Standing side by side with an arm wrapped around each other's waists, they admired their progress, soft smiles gracing their faces.

Acier leaned closer to Sebastian, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered slyly, "Hey, Sebby, let's celebrate."

Sebastian immediately backed away, crossing his arms into an X and shaking his head firmly. "Virginity is cool. Stay away."

Unfazed, Acier leapt at him, pinning him to the ground once more as a broad grin spread across her face. "There are many other ways to celebrate."

Before he could respond, she claimed his lips in another passionate kiss.

—

November 17, 1601

Rumors began spreading across the Clover Kingdom: Undine's contractor and the current Heart Queen—who had been at the peak of health—had suddenly passed away. In her place, the previous queen, her mother, swiftly resumed power.

Perhaps if the Clover or Diamond Kingdoms had been in a better position militarily, Heart might have been facing an invasion of its own.

—

December 25, 1601

Another Christmas with Acier's family.

This time, Sebastian kissed her the way she'd wanted under the mistletoe.

—

December 31, 1601

As the clock inched closer to midnight, welcoming in the new year, a small, hooded figure, perhaps a child, made his way through the noble realm, heading toward the reclusive aristocratic estate of House Novachrono.

As he walked, his black hair lightened to blonde, and the perverse smile on his face melted into something softer and more genuine.

—

Elsewhere, in the Saint Luminous Basilica, Pope Benedictus knelt in pious prayer before the primeval cross. Slowly, he opened his eyes, his mouth tightening into a grimace as his gaze darkened with a somber light.

—

January 1, 1602

Nathaniel sat coldly at his desk, pulling a tissue away from his mouth. The red blotch on the fabric didn't faze him.

Without hesitation, he flicked open a lighter, setting the tissue ablaze. Once it was reduced to ash, he emptied the remnants into the waste bin beneath his desk. If someone were to inspect the bin, they would find it filled entirely with ashes.

—

January 3, 1602

Inside the bedroom of the newly built cottage, Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fondly following Acier. She hummed softly as she unpacked a small pile of her clothes and folded them neatly, placing them in their shared dresser.

Without thinking, Sebastian lightly patted his lap.

Acier froze mid-step, blinking at him, before a broad smile lit up her face. She walked over and straddled his lap, resting her arms on his shoulders.

"Now what?" she whispered in his ear, her voice dripping with mischief.

Sebastian gulped, his hands coming to rest gently on her back. "I... I want to kiss you..."

Acier's lips brushed against his ear as she teased, "Only kiss?"

He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No. Not only kisses."

Acier leaned back slightly, her arms still wrapped around his neck. "But you won't do it?"

Sebastian nodded without hesitation. "Not yet. It's... irresponsible."

Her smile softened. "Yeah, it is. Fine then. Just kiss me."

And so, she leaned in, her lips meeting his.

—

January 17, 1602

Once again, Sebastian joined House Silva, House Vermillion, and other esteemed families to celebrate Aurelia's birthday.

This year marked an especially significant occasion—her coming-of-age ceremony.

While it wasn't as grand as Acier's, since Aurelia wasn't the heiress of House Silva, the event was still lavish. As a princess of House Silva—and with some already referring to her as Princess Vermillion—it came close.

As the guests of honor were being introduced, Sebastian descended the staircase proudly, arm linked with Acier, officially presenting himself as her date and suitor. He paid no attention to the glares of disapproval directed his way.

Lux didn't attend this time, leaving Augustus to represent House Kira and the throne by himself.

At the center of the ballroom, Nicklaus—looking even thinner and sickly than before—kept his gaze fixed on Aurelia as she waltzed joyfully with Florian to a melody from The Nutcracker. Nearby, Count Vardy watched with a nod of satisfaction.

From start to finish, the Old Duke refrained from bothering either Sebastian or Acier.

When the dance concluded, Sebastian and Acier joined the crowd in a thunderous round of applause.

After Aurelia was officially titled a noble lady, the group sat down to dine. For a while, the table was filled with content silence, broken only by the clinking of silverware—until an aged voice broke through.

"Children."

All heads turned toward Pope Benedictus, who sat at the far end of the table with a warm, jovial smile. His gaze, however, was fixed solely on Sebastian and Acier.

The couple inclined their heads respectfully. "Yes, Your Holiness?"

The pope waved a hand dismissively. "No need for such formality, young ones. In the eyes of the Lord, we are all equals, and this is no place of worship."

Relaxing slightly, Sebastian and Acier straightened in their seats as Benedictus extended his hands, revealing two plain cross brooches resting in his palms.

Confused, the couple accepted the brooches as the pope's grin widened.

"The two of you have done so much for the common people over the past year," he said warmly. "Even going so far as to join a war that was never your battle to fight. I know this is but a small token, but I hope it reflects the clergy's gratitude. If ever you find yourselves in need, no matter what it is, please don't hesitate to ask. If it is within our means, we will provide."

Sebastian and Acier exchanged a brief, puzzled glance before turning back to the pope with polite smiles.

"Thank you, Your Holiness! We'll treasure them!" Acier said cheerfully, with Sebastian nodding in agreement.

Benedictus beamed at their response, leaning back contentedly in his chair.

At the head of the table, Nathaniel's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, his expression carefully neutral. Though the pope's words had been directed at both Sebastian and Acier, Nathaniel noted how the old man's gaze lingered longer on Sebastian than was necessary.

It was as though Benedictus had been speaking primarily to him, with Acier included only to avoid suspicion.

Nathaniel's jaw tightened imperceptibly, his simmering unease going unnoticed by everyone.

—

As Acier slept soundly that night, she didn't sense the figure standing over her bed.

Nathaniel held the cross brooch in his hand, turning it over thoughtfully as his sharp eyes scrutinized every detail. Finding nothing unusual, he placed it back down silently on her bedside table.

His gaze shifted to his daughter, her face serene and blissfully unaware as she slept.

She's still too green... he thought, sighing inwardly. But his lips curved into a soft, fond smile. Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Despite being a seasoned warrior with highly attuned senses, Acier didn't stir. Perhaps her body hadn't registered the slightest hint of a threat, leaving her instincts untriggered. And so, she continued to sleep undisturbed.

Nathaniel disappeared in an instant, vanishing through the wide-open windows.

—

In the guest room where Sebastian slept, Nathaniel appeared again. This time, he examined Sebastian's brooch with the same intensity.

His silver eyes flickered briefly before he set the brooch down as quietly as he'd picked it up. He turned his attention to Sebastian, his gaze thoughtful and unreadable.

Reaching down, Nathaniel plucked a single strand of Sebastian's hair with deft precision, careful not to disturb him. His eyes narrowed, the heat in his gaze intensifying as he disappeared once more.

Just like Acier, Sebastian remained completely unaware of his presence.

—

February 14, 1602

Acier handed Sebastian a box of store-bought chocolates without a word. He took it, holding the box tightly as his gaze fell on her face. Her eyes betrayed a hint of hurt that struck him deeply.

Biting his lip, Sebastian reached into his satchel and pulled out a gift-wrapped rectangular bar.

Acier blinked in surprise, her breath hitching as she accepted the gift. Unwrapping it carefully, her eyes widened at the sight of roughly shaped chocolate cubes. They weren't pretty, but a rich, creamy aroma wafted from them.

Her voice came out in a soft whisper. "You... made this...?"

Scratching the back of his head, Sebastian nodded sheepishly.

He opened his mouth, his tone earnest. "We're a couple. We cover each other's weaknesses. You're strong, and I'm not. You're rich, and I'm poor. You can fight, and I can heal. It's okay if you can't cook or bake. I'll do that for you because I'm your other half... is that okay?"

Acier's eyes watered as she took one of the chocolate cubes and popped it into her mouth. A soft crunch gave way to a creamy, milky sweetness. It wasn't anything extraordinary, but it was good—simple and comforting.

She held another cube at the edge of her mouth and tapped her lips lightly, her voice teasing. "I'll forgive you if you do this."

Sebastian smiled, gently placing a hand behind her head as he leaned in. Their lips met in a tender kiss.

Afterward, they shared all the chocolates—both Sebastian's homemade ones and Acier's store-bought batch. By the time they finished, they were walking hand in hand back up toward the noble realms.

Both their stomachs ached slightly from the indulgence, but they didn't care.

As they ascended toward Castle Silva, a little boy walking with a blonde-haired woman pointed at them.

"Look, Mommy! They're holding hands in public! They're going to hell!"

Sebastian and Acier froze in unison, their expressions comically stiff.

The woman quickly picked up the boy, scolding him gently. "It's not nice to point, Timmy."

However, she made no effort to correct his comment about hell.

—

February 29, 1602

Sebastian and Acier stood side by side, dressed in black under the clearing winter sky. A chilling breeze swept through, heralding the arrival of fall as they gazed at a sizable gravestone in solemn silence. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

—

March 6, 1602

Acier perched on a tree stump, her watchful gaze resting on Sebastian as he knelt before a tree, his hands clasped tightly in silent prayer.

Moments later, he rose and approached her. She stood, letting him take her place on the stump before settling herself comfortably in his lap.

Running her fingers gently through his hair, she whispered, "Praying for your parents?"

Sebastian tilted his head up to meet her eyes and shrugged lightly. "A bit."

Acier narrowed her eyes, her expression probing, but she didn't press further.

—

March 8, 1602

The door to the cottage slammed open as Sebastian bolted out, his face flushed crimson.

Inside, Acier stood halfway through changing, watching the door with a blank expression.

For the first time in his life, Sebastian made his way to Saint Luminous Basilica, heading directly to the confession booth.

Inside, Cardinal Anslem Veritas watched impassively as the young man entered, his face drenched in cold sweat.

"Father, I have sinned..." Sebastian began shakily.

The cardinal blinked, his expression neutral but faintly amused. I'm a cardinal, you know. Shouldn't you be saying 'Eminence'?

—

March 18, 1602

Sebastian found himself joining Acier's family once again, this time to celebrate Amara's birthday.

He wasn't enjoying it.

Under the table, Acier decided to amuse herself by playing footsie.

With an agility that seemed inhuman, she angled her leg and ran her foot up and down Sebastian's leg. Her toes twirled mischievously over his crotch, stroking and teasing him mercilessly.

Sebastian's back was drenched in cold sweat as he strained every muscle in his body to maintain an air of calm, pretending nothing was happening under the table.

When the night finally ended, Nathaniel's cold, piercing glare as Sebastian departed made it clear he hadn't been as subtle as he thought.

That night, Sebastian had his first wet dream. Waking in the early hours, he stared at the ceiling, overcome with a wave of self-loathing. He had never felt more disgusted with himself in his life.

—

April 3, 1602

Since that night, Acier had begun sleeping over at their cottage more frequently, effectively cohabitating with him.

Even though she rarely tried anything overt, simply sharing the same bed drove Sebastian to the brink of madness. The warmth of her presence beside him filled his chest with a strange, unfamiliar fuzziness.

Walking past the bath area and hearing the gentle splashing of water made his groin tighten uncomfortably, no matter how hard he tried to focus on something else.

This isn't good for my heart... he thought, silently despairing.

—

April 6, 1602

To Sebastian's relief, Acier departed for her first mission outside the kingdom since the war in Kiten.

A dungeon had appeared in neutral territory, equidistant from Clover, Heart, Diamond, and the Witch's Forest. Acier would be gone for a few days.

—

April 10, 1602

Sebastian's excitement to welcome Acier home quickly turned to dread the moment he saw her.

The Silver Eagles had successfully captured the dungeon despite competing with multiple parties, and Acier herself looked nearly untouched.

Nearly.

Thin cuts marked her arms—none lethal or even remotely serious for someone of her strength—but the sight was enough to make Sebastian's heart sink.

Without a word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to their cottage. There, he meticulously tended to her injuries and insisted she stay the night.

That night, Sebastian clung to her like a child holding a beloved teddy bear, falling into a peaceful sleep.

Meanwhile, Acier lay wide awake, her face flushed crimson and utterly blank as she stared at the ceiling.

She didn't get a wink of sleep.

—

April 13, 1602

Sebastian and Acier attended Count Vardy's son's birthday party once again.

Everything was going smoothly until Acier, by accident, drank a little alcohol.

She couldn't hold her liquor.

In no time, Acier was completely drunk, staring at Sebastian with an intense, almost predatory gaze that sent shivers down his spine. Just as it looked like she was about to do something outrageous, Sebastian swiftly delivered a chop to the back of her head, knocking her out cold.

Without a word, he carried the drunken Acier back home, bridal style. The blank stares of her family and the amused looks of House Silva's servants didn't faze him as he carried her all the way to her room and set her gently on her bed.

And then she began to drunkenly strip.

Sebastian tried to flee, but a drunken Acier grabbed him by the neck, forcing him to stay. She dragged him into bed, sleeping on top of him—completely nude.

Sebastian passed out within seconds, his nose bleeding from the sheer mortification.

At dawn, he stirred awake, carefully rolled a still-unconscious Acier off him, and darted out of the castle. His destination? The Basilica, and the confessional.

Cardinal Veritas was starting to think he deserved a raise.

—

May 7, 1602

Once again, Sebastian and Acier attended Lux's birthday celebration.

Once again, Acier turned down Lux's invitation to dance.

Once again, she accepted Sebastian's.

Once again, the two of them shamelessly made out in full view of the nobility.

And once again, they left the party with wide smiles, arms linked.

Acier shot Sebastian a sly grin. "We should do this every year."

Sebastian laughed. "Next time, for sure."

There would never be a next time.

—

May 12, 1602

Sebastian visited Castle Vermillion for Florian's birthday.

Once again, he and Acier applauded and cheered as Florian and Aurelia danced.

And once again, Sebastian and Acier didn't dance themselves. Instead, they sat quietly together, hand in hand, the silence between them comfortable and warm.

—

May 20, 1602

After Nathaniel's birthday dinner, Sebastian joined the man for another stroll through the Silva cemetery.

They stopped in front of Nathaniel's mother's grave, standing silently for an hour.

This time, Sebastian didn't feel as uncomfortable. Before leaving, he placed a small daisy of his own by the gravestone.

June 19, 1602

The entire kingdom observed a moment of silence to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Clover-Diamond War's end.

Sebastian joined Acier's family to attend the mass vigil at Saint Luminous Basilica.

—

August 6, 1602

"Aww, isn't he cute, Sebby?" Acier cooed, holding Mereoleona in her arms and pointing forward.

Sebastian followed her finger to the tiny, pudgy, and wrinkly ball of flesh with a soft tuft of vermillion hair cradled lovingly in Amber's arms.

Fuegoleon Vermillion had been born just the day before, and he, Acier, and Aurelia had come to congratulate Amber and Ignatius on their newborn son.

Sebastian nodded, bowing politely toward Amber, Ignatius, and Florian, who stood nearby, smiling warmly. Aurelia squealed in joy beside him, clearly smitten with the baby.

"Yes, he is. Congratulations on the new addition to your family," Sebastian said sincerely.

Florian waved him off with a chuckle. "You don't have to be so formal, brother. It's weird."

Amber and Ignatius exchanged soft smiles as they nodded.

Sebastian relaxed, his heart warming at the sight of the happy family. He was just beginning to smile softly when Acier ruined the moment in typical fashion.

"Sebby, I want one. Let's make one."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Ignatius, Amber, and Florian stared wide-eyed at Acier. Aurelia, on the other hand, looked thrilled.

Sebastian's neck craned stiffly toward his girlfriend. Forcing a polite smile, he said, "Wait six years."

"I want one now," Acier pouted, crossing her arms.

Sebastian held his ground, smile intact. "Wait six years."

Acier snorted with a harumph, turning away.

Sebastian sighed, only to stiffen when the one-year-old Mereoleona shot him a glance over Acier's shoulder—a look of pure disdain, as if she found him utterly pathetic.

Sebastian blinked.

—

August 15, 1602

Sebastian walked into his room—and immediately froze.

Acier stood there, practically naked, wrapped in gift wrap like she was a birthday present.

"Happy birthday—"

She didn't get to finish. Sebastian bolted out of the house at lightning speed, heading straight to Saint Luminous Cathedral.

Once again, he found himself in the confessional.

Once again, much to Cardinal Veritas's growing displeasure.

—

August 31, 1602

Acier stared blankly at her birthday gift from Sebastian.

It was a book.

She read the title, rubbed her eyes, then read it again:

"How to Behave Like a Proper Noble Lady: Etiquette, Morals, and Ethics for Women of High Society" by Naoya Zenin.

A vein popped on her forehead as she slowly looked up at Sebastian, her expression dark.

"Sebby, this is your one and only chance to take this back as a joke."

Sebastian crossed his arms, standing firm. "No take-backs."

Acier's smile turned into something that was definitely not a smile.

That day, Sebastian learned what it meant to be manhandled.

Acier tossed him onto their bed, chained him down, sealed his mana, and tore his clothes off like they were nothing. Her hands roamed freely, exploring every inch of him without hesitation.

She spared his virginity, but not his dignity.

When she finally left, she wore a content smile.

Sebastian, on the other hand, cried himself to sleep.

—

September 1, 1602

Sebastian attended King Octavian's second death anniversary memorial with the Silva and Vermillion families.

He made sure to sit far away from Acier, positioning himself between Nathaniel and Ignatius.

The two men blinked at him in mild confusion.

Nathaniel took one glance at his daughter's blooming smile and gave Sebastian a single pat on the back.

Ignatius followed suit.

—

October 11, 1602

Acier and Sebastian lay in bed in comfortable silence.

She traced soft circles on his chest with her finger while he absentmindedly ran a hand through her hair.

A gentle smile curved her lips as she rested her head against his chest. In a quiet voice, she whispered, "I love you."

Sebastian blinked, his heart skipping a beat, before wrapping his arms around her. He whispered back, "Love you too."

—

November 15, 1602

In a private booth at an upscale restaurant, Acier's foot slid teasingly along Sebastian's lap under the table.

She froze, though, when she felt a touch on her own leg.

Looking down, she noticed Sebastian's foot mirroring her movements.

Acier's face lit up with a mischievous grin.

A game is only fun if everyone plays.

—

December 25, 1602

Another Christmas, another kiss under the mistletoe.

No virginity was lost, but their hands wandered up and down each other's bodies, turning the simple kiss into something far more intimate and heated.

Around the corner, Aurelia peeked at them, her face bright red with excitement. "Soon... very soon."

Meanwhile, Hilda trembled, biting her lip in worry. "Please don't do anything foolish, Princess. Please don't let her lead you astray, Young Master."

Jeeves, standing nearby, blinked blankly. Should I inform Sir Pennyworth?

—

December 31, 1602

A black-haired, hooded boy stood atop a clock tower, gazing toward the Silva estate.

He tapped his cheek rhythmically with a finger, adopting a thoughtful, almost pensive expression, as though weighing a decision.

Then, he smiled—a wicked, almost perverse grin—before walking away.

As he moved, his hair shifted back to blonde, and the unsettling smirk faded into a purehearted, innocent smile.

—

January 1, 1603

Nathaniel sat in his office, coughing weakly into tissues, his hands stained red with blood.

Elsewhere, Nicklaus lay frail and thin on his bed, doing much the same.

Both father and son wore cold, stoic expressions, as though nothing had happened.

—

January 17, 1603

Aurelia's birthday arrived, and to everyone's surprise, the Pope himself made an appearance, despite it being a relatively casual milestone.

As the Pope observed the unsuspecting Sebastian from afar, a fleeting look of relief crossed his face.

Nathaniel, noticing this, clenched his fist tightly, his jaw set in tension.

—

February 14, 1603

Another Valentine's Day, another playful exchange of chocolates between Sebastian and Acier.

The evening ended with them clutching their stomachs in pain, their overeagerness leaving them too full to move.

—

February 29, 1603

Once again, the couple dressed in black and stood in front of a sizable gravestone at the Grand Cemetery in Kikka.

They shared nostalgic smiles, as if seeing the ghosts of two little boys running around, pestering them for sweets.

—

March 6, 1603

Sebastian stood before the tree on his hill, his hands clasped as he prayed.

Acier stood beside him, mirroring his actions.

My thoughts go out to who he's truly praying for, she whispered in her heart.

—

April 1st, 1603

"Sebby, I want to make love."

Sebastian's head snapped up from his desk, his quill freezing mid-word as he stared at Acier standing across from him.

He forced a strained smile. "This is where you say 'April Fools,' right?"

Acier crossed her arms, a wide grin lighting up her face. "Guess."

—

April 13th, 1603

Sebastian felt like he was on the edge of madness, teetering on a razor's edge of self-control.

Acier was driving him insane.

Every day, around their cottage, she wore increasingly revealing outfits—flimsy fabrics and scandalously short hemlines that left little to the imagination.

How was a princess even allowed to wear such... indecent clothing?

And then, just when it seemed she was about to bare it all, she would do the opposite—slip into the most modest, conservative attire imaginable.

Oddly enough, that only made his heart race more.

It wasn't just the outfits. She would do things.

She'd casually walk in on him while he was bathing, leaning against the doorway with a sly smirk, making no effort to avert her gaze as she chatted like nothing was out of the ordinary.

She teased him mercilessly in public—leaning close, whispering things, giving him looks that made his heart pound in the most inappropriate settings, like during Sunday mass.

Yet in private, when there were no prying eyes and no risk, she acted like a perfectly demure lady, all restraint and decorum.

Each time she slipped into that proper, composed demeanor, something in Sebastian unraveled. He found himself obsessing over her—her every move, her every word. His dreams, his thoughts, were consumed by her.

Not even trips to the confessional could save him. He begged Cardinal Veritas for purification, for an exorcism, but the man simply performed the rituals with a blank face, clearly questioning Sebastian's sanity.

Sebastian pleaded with Acier to stop.

"Please," he said, his voice desperate. "We're walking a dangerous line."

But she would only tilt her head, giving him an innocent look, as if she had no idea what he was talking about.

The warnings didn't stop her, and Sebastian's resolve was crumbling. He wasn't a saint or an ascetic. The logic and self-control that had guided him so far were slipping further into the background with each passing day.

—

April 27th, 1603

Sebastian lay on his bed, his face flushed and his breathing uneven.

Acier was on top of him, straddling him. That part wasn't new.

The problem was that this time, she was completely naked.

His body betrayed him, his groin tightening painfully as she reached down and began to unbutton his shirt.

"A-Acier," he stammered, his voice shaky, "t-this is a bad idea. W-we can't do this—"

She silenced him with a finger pressed gently to his lips. "Shush."

Her face was as red as his, but her eyes burned with determination as she leaned in close, her breath hot against his ear.

"I'm done waiting, Sebby," she whispered, her voice trembling but resolute. "You told me, 'If I lived, you'd do whatever I wanted.' Well... this is what I want."

Sebastian's breath hitched as Acier nibbled lightly on his ear, her words fanning the flames in his chest.

"I'm tired of hearing you say you love me," she murmured. "I want to feel it... inside me."

She sat up, licking her lips, her eyes now filled with an almost dizzying intensity. "So go wild, boy."

The last frayed thread of restraint in Sebastian's mind snapped.

He didn't resist as she stripped him, nor when she leaned down and claimed him completely.

On that day, Sebastian became a man, and Acier became a woman.

Omake:

A toddler Noelle ran up to Sebastian, who was holding a small baby with silver hair and a mix of purple and aqua in his eyes.

"Hey, Daddy!"

Sebastian smiled down at his daughter as she grabbed his thigh. "Yes, honey?"

Noelle beamed, and placed a finger on her lips, fidgeting, "W-why did you and Mommy get married?"

Sebastian blinked, "why? Not how?"

Noelle bobbed her head up and down.

Sebastian looked across the room to Acier sitting on their bed, with two babies in her arms: one boy with silver eyes and hair and another girl with curly purple hair and lavender eyes.

Acier, surrounded by Nebra, Solid, Dorothy, and Nozel, was smiling, until she heard Sebastian speak up.

"I had to take responsibility."

Acier's smile faded as she stiffened only to tremble further as Noelle's unsure voice came.

"Take responsibility? ....Why?"

Acier hurriedly handed the babies off to Nozel and Dorothy, who took them with a startle.

"You see Mommy rape-"

Sebastian was silenced, as Acier darted across the room and clasped his jaw shut with her hand.

Noelle blinked, as she cocked her head in confusion, "rape?"

"Roped! He said roped sweetheart! I roped him in because Mommy is really pretty, understand?!"

Noelle giggled and hugged Acier's leg. "Mommy very pretty!"

Acier sighed in relief before freezing as she saw her other children looking at her in undisguised horror.

Acier craned her head back to Sebastian as she hissed venomously, "You're so dead..."

She clenched his jaw further, drawing tears from his eyes, while their grandson in his arms clapped upwards in joy, thinking it was some sort of game.

Across the room, Nozel was frozen solid, as he murmured to himself incredulously.

"....I'm a bastard...?"

His baby brother lifted his pudgy arm upwards and pinched his cheek, looking like he was consoling his eldest brother.

Dorothy, Nebra, and Solid, all shot Nozel an apologetic look.

Author's Notes

[1] Did not think there was a worse hater out there on Web Novel besides Tedmosby, apparently, I'm responsible for the review bombing, shoutout to Kurdi123.

[2] Feel free to join the discord: https://discord.gg/s3MME8X8ar