The Hero's Return.
As I stepped away from the church, I smiled brightly into my father’s arms.
"Papa, you were so cool today!"
It had been several days since Papa and I had descended into the human world. Still, I couldn’t figure out why he’d suddenly announced a wedding ceremony at the church. But surely there was a reason—something meaningful.
Yet when I looked at Papa, there was absolutely no sign of that.
"Wait, really? Really?"
He looked utterly delighted—so thrilled by his daughter’s praise that his usual sharp, composed expression completely melted away, leaving behind a sight both ridiculous and painfully disappointing.
"Right now, Papa, you’re extremely disappointing."
"Why?!?"
I turned away from the shocked father and glanced at Mother instead. She was nestled against Papa’s arm, her face glowing with pure joy.
Occasionally, she’d glance at the ring on her left ring finger, her cheeks flushing pink, her eyes going dreamy—like she was still lost in some private little fantasy.
Seeing that look on her face—her cheeks flushed pink, eyes going dreamy, like she was still lost in some private little fantasy—makes me feel just as happy, holding the gift in my hands.
I truly feel blessed to have been born into this family.
＊＊＊
As we headed toward the carriage parked at the church entrance, I caught sight of Albert, the servant trailing behind us, clinging to my father’s neck with both arms, like a child being carried.
Albert looked... well, like he was trying not to look confused, but failing miserably.
When I stared straight at him, he flinched—just a tiny twitch of his shoulder, like he’d felt my gaze.
But he didn’t know what to say, not even a word, just standing there frozen.
I figured looking away now would be a surrender, so I kept my eyes locked on him, hardly blinking at all.
Then—just as I was wondering if I’d broken the silence with my stare—my parents finally noticed the weird energy I was giving off.
“What’s wrong, Elen? Got something on your mind about Albert?”
“…………”
Still staring—fixed, unblinking—right at Albert.
Come on, say something, I’m thinking, pressing my glare. Apparently, Albert finally gets it.
“…Lord Lovell, my congratulations on your marriage.”
Albert bows deeply, a servant’s salute. Father looks startled, then lets out a soft laugh.
“Thank you, Albert.”
Seeing Father’s face—so happy, so unguarded—Albert flinches, like he’s been blinded by the light.
It’s been ten years since he last saw Father like this. He’s clearly thrown.
But then, in an instant, Albert snaps back—his expression sharp, serious.
“That woman. Better stay on guard.”
With that, Father hands me over to Mother.
Albert’s face twitches—like he just realized something. His eyes go wide.
"Ori, Elen. I’m headin’ back to my old place now, but I’m gonna run into that woman there. You’re watchin’ through the water mirror, right? No matter what happens, don’t come here."
"Papa, why?"
"I don’t know what that woman’ll do to you. And I don’t want you in her line of sight."
He ruffles my hair. I blink. That serious? Really?
I glance at Mother. She’s got that same look—understands exactly who he means. Nods, smiles. Got it.
"And if word gets out about Elen’s existence, and some noble starts talkin’ marriage alliances? I won’t be able to hold back. I’ll lose it."
Father says it like he’s already bracing for a fight. Mother, me, Albert—just stare, dumbfounded.
"Lord Lovell… that’s a bit much, isn’t it…?"
"What are you saying?!! Elen’s *this* cute!!"
When Dad squeezed in tight against me, cradled in Mom’s arms, Mom and I both gave him that look—like, *really, now?*—and Dad immediately deflated.
“Got it. I get what you’re trying to say. I’d literally throw a fireball at that woman’s face if I had to, so I’ll make sure to politely decline, okay?”
“Yeah, of course.”
Dad said that, then planted a kiss on Mom’s cheek.
Decline…? I tilted my head, confused. Dad just chuckled, shaking his head. “You’ll understand when you see it with Papa.”
“Alright, I’m off. I hate this. I really, really hate it. Like, *deeply* hate it… I’d rather be back with the others, right now…”
“May fortune smile on you.”
“Papa, you’ve got this!!”
We waved him off—Dad’s face twisted in pure dread—and sent him on his way, Mom and I both cheering him on. Then, just like that, Mom and I turned and headed back to the Spirit World.
＊＊＊
After seeing off his wife and daughter, Lovell sat in the carriage, staring out the window without so much as a glance at Albert, who sat across from him.
Albert was thrown off by Lovell’s changes after ten years apart.
I was baffled. My master—always so expressionless, so devoid of feeling—was actually smiling like that… like he was happy.
The moment I remember is the parting during the Monster Tempest, ten years ago.
The master’s growing detachment, wearied by Agiel’s obsession, their emotions thinning year by year.
Agiel’s obsession had gone too far—surrounding Lovell, isolating him completely.
Ten years. In that time apart, Lovell had regained human emotions alongside that spirit.
And they’d already found happiness in family life. Just because their lord had returned, Albert and the others went into a frenzy, pleading with him to come back, sending him straight toward a place that might just ruin his happiness.
Attending that wedding, Albert realized he’d been thinking only of himself. He should’ve been focused on his lord, yet he’d been preoccupied every day with how to handle Agiel—completely missing his lord’s happiness.
“Lord Lovell… I’m so terribly sorry!!!”
Albert suddenly dropped to his knees, and Lovell let out a sigh.
“…I understand you’re being pushed to the edge by that woman. I’ve got my own guilt—ten years of ignoring it. Don’t worry about it.”
His lord, unchanged in appearance, had silver-threaded hair now, and those clear, sky-like eyes had shifted into a dusk-tinged violet.
Same as ten years ago—yet somehow, it felt like his lord had left him behind.
Ten years. The weight of it pressed down. Albert and Lovell said nothing more, just turned and walked back to the estate.
＊＊＊
As the carriage bearing the Vanklyft Family crest entered the estate grounds, people murmured in disbelief with every passing.
"Hero's returned!" someone shouted, and the crowd surged toward the Vanklyft Family home.
The carriage halted in front of the house. Lovell stepped down, and the people erupted in cheers.
"Lord Lovell! Lovell-samaaa!!"
The gates were flooded with people. The commoners wept as they called his name.
Lovell, noticing this, walked forward to the closed gates and smiled, offering comfort to the crowd.
"Forgive me for being away so long. I'm glad to see you all safe and sound."
They all noticed—his appearance hadn’t changed a bit from ten years ago. Still the same 17-year-old boy.
But his hair had turned silver. Even his eyes had changed color.
From the sight of him, the people of the domain felt, deep in their bones, that Lovell had poured every last ounce of strength into protecting this land, nearly to the point of death.
They wept harder still, shouting, "Hero Lovell-sama!" and "Thank you for protecting us!"
"Thank you for the welcome. It's getting dark. Please be careful on your way home."
Lovell turned away with a smile, walking toward the manor, and the people watched him until he disappeared from view.
As soon as he stepped toward the mansion, every servant in the household rushed out to greet him.
"Welcome home, Lovell-sama. We've been waiting for you."
The butler, who had served the estate for decades, looked even older after ten years—but the moment he saw Lovell, tears welled up in his eyes.
I never thought the butler, who'd always been so rigid and composed since I was a child, would look like that. I finally understood just how much I'd worried them. I smiled weakly, and simply said, "I'm back."
From among the servants, stifled sobs occasionally slipped through. But not one raised their head—still bowing, still bowing, welcoming Lovell like this was the only way to breathe.
I finally felt it—this was really me coming home. But ahead… enemies are waiting.
Lovell furrowed her brow and stepped into the manor.