The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority

Chapter 112 : Birthday (2)

Birthday (2)

The Saintess' party of the Selveris Holy Kingdom also sent a gift.

Blessed holy water, the Radiant Church's Bible, a rosary imbued with protection, a statue of the Radiant Church...

They were all religious items, to be sure, but they were also quite practical.

The holy water could be considered divine power in liquid form; just holding the Bible, rosary, or statue bestowed blessings and warded off evil energies.

Just having them nearby brought a sense of peace and seemed to invigorate you.

"Hmm?"

While sorting the gifts, Ian found a suspicious box.

It was a small box wrapped in rough, rag-like paper.

Checking the sender, he saw it was from Lady Ross of the Goldhound family.

Hector's biological mother.

"Hmm..."

A gift from them?

To the enemy who gouged out all the eyes of her own son Hector?

"Hmm..."

It only took a moment's thought to realize this was unlikely to be a friendly present, so Ian went outside the mansion alone for a moment.

He didn't know what might be inside. If it was dangerous, it could hurt Sophia or Charlotte.

― Bzzt!

― Click!

But when he actually opened the box, the contents were normal.

Artificial tears.

Eye drops to use when your eyes get dry.

"Hah."

Ian let out a small snort.

Was she telling him to at least keep up his eye care?

Until they could take their revenge?

Ian didn't know the exact reason Ross Goldhound sent such a gift, but it was clear her intentions were not kind.

The packaging was also in complete disarray.

She sent this intentionally unpleasant present to dampen Ian's enjoyment of his birthday.

There wasn't a letter enclosed, and the only thing in the box was artificial tears.

[Target: Artificial Tears Lv.5]

[Can be projected.]

Checking with the Authority of Projection, there was nothing poisonous or cursed about it.

It was truly just plain artificial tears.

He was ready to report it right away if there was anything suspicious.

Well, they wouldn't give such an obvious excuse for an attack anyway.

Ian poured all the artificial tears into the incineration trash bin.

Then, acting like nothing had happened, he sat down for a pleasant dinner with the Lunabreeze household.

They had birthday cake and blew out candles, but they didn't make the party long.

After all, important exams were coming up after the new year.

Even after dinner, Ian's training room lights remained on late into the night.

* * *

That night, late.

― Tap. Tap.

Just as he lay down in bed, something kept tapping against the window.

"Hmm?"

Moving the curtains aside, he saw Yuria standing in the garden.

"What..."

Ian immediately went down to the garden to meet her.

"Miss Yuria. What brings you out here so late at night?"

Yuria spoke with a slightly excited smile.

"I snuck out. No one knows I'm here right now."

"Gasp."

Ian drew in a quick breath.

"Won't there be an uproar at the Heavenly Sword household?"

"It's fine. No one will notice as long as I'm not too late getting back. I have about an hour to spare."

"Is... that so?"

"Yep. And, today's your birthday, right?"

"Ah... it is."

Ian scratched his cheek.

He'd deliberately kept his birthday secret so as not to burden anyone.

How did everyone seem to know and make such a fuss?

"I've come to wish you a happy birthday. There's no other time I could see you without running into my sister or the others... Sorry it's so late at night."

"Not at all, miss."

Yuria checked the watch on her wrist.

It was 11:54 PM.

His birthday hadn't passed yet.

"Happy birthday, Ian. I was worried I might miss you, so I'm really glad I made it in time."

Yuria put a hand to her chest and smiled in relief.

Was congratulating someone's birthday really worth such relief?

Ian couldn't help but smile in response.

"Thank you, miss Yuria. Would you like to come inside? Please have a snack at least before you go."

Yuria shook her head.

"I can't stay long. I have to get back before the head butler notices I'm missing."

Ian looked a bit disappointed.

"I see."

"Yeah. And..."

Yuria fidgeted with her hands.

"I didn't... have time to prepare a present. Sorry."

Yuria only learned of Ian's birthday that day.

If she'd known in advance, she would have prepared something with great care.

She tried to prepare a gift even on short notice, but nothing felt right.

Anything she got in a hurry wouldn't measure up to what the others gave, and she felt it wouldn't be enough to satisfy Ian either.

But Ian didn't mind at all.

"Really... You don't have to worry about that in the slightest. Just coming here to congratulate me is a huge honor."

"N-no. I just meant I couldn't prepare something right now. It's not that I won't give you anything. You saved my life twice; I can't possibly give nothing for your birthday. This is a matter of pride and face as a direct descendant."

Yuria's eyes turned solemn.

"Is there anything you want right now? If it's something I can do, I'll do anything. Even if it's hard. It might take some time, but I promise I'll do it!"

"... Hmm."

Ian stroked his chin.

"Anything, unconditionally? Then, can I really say anything I want right now?"

"Yes...! What I say, I mean. I already promised—so I'll take responsibility."

Suddenly, Ian felt a mischievous impulse.

"Then, if I... asked for a hundred billion gold, would you give it to me?"

A hundred billion gold was more than the empire's annual budget.

"W-what!"

Yuria's ears perked up.

"T-that much money...! What do you need so much for?!"

"I was just kidding."

"N-no! You surprised me! B-but, if you asked, I'd have to. I already promised to do anything!"

She really seemed prepared to do anything.

Her serious face made Ian want to tease her again.

"Then, if... I asked you to marry me?"

"W-what!"

Yuria's face instantly flushed red.

"T-that's... I mean! That's..."

Her eyes darted anxiously beneath her eyelids.

"Come on! Be serious! Be serious!"

She clenched her fists and unleashed a frustrated shout.

Ian laughed heartily.

If he teased her further, sword knights on patrol might come, so it was best to stop.

"Understood. There is actually something I want from you, miss Yuria, right now."

"Huh? Right now? W-what is it?"

Yuria bit her lower lip and fidgeted.

Blinks with her large eyes, waiting for Ian's answer.

"For just a moment... Please just stay there. Just for a moment, just stay as you are."

"Hmm...? Just like this? You just want me to stand here?"

"Yes."

― Step.

Ian took a step closer to Yuria.

"Ah, oh...!"

Yuria almost stepped back reflexively, but returned to her spot.

As Ian drew near, Yuria's shoulders tensed.

"W-what are you going to do?"

― Hug.

Ian gently embraced her.

"Uh, huh?"

Yuria's eyes blinked rapidly in shock.

At least in this moment, Ian forgot his embarrassment and honestly expressed his feelings in the hug.

Ever since confirming she was alive after his regression, he had wanted to hug her like this.

― Thump. Thump. Thump.

He could feel both his own heartbeat and hers.

The embrace was warm, she smelled lovely, and Yuria was more vivid and present than in any previous moment.

"...."

Yuria blinked so rapidly it seemed her eyelids might fall off.

Then, slowly.

She, too, gently placed her hands on Ian's back and returned the embrace.

"T-this is what you wanted? To hug like this?"

"Yes..."

Ian's voice trembled with emotion.

"I say this without hesitation, miss Yuria. This is the greatest gift I could have today."

At that, the corners of Yuria's mouth quivered slightly upward.

"... What is that supposed to mean. ... Honestly."

This kind of thing, if you wanted it, she could give you as often as you liked, whenever you wished.

* * *

Before long, the long summer had passed.

Beautiful autumn was darting by.

It was November, leaves fluttering through the sky.

Ian reached the late-stage Swordmaster level.

Not even a year after his regression, he had reclaimed his skills from his previous life.

"... Haa."

Ian sat quietly for a moment, soaking in the satisfaction of accomplishment.

The sense of his beloved prime of the previous life stormed back into his body.

But he didn't sit for long.

At last, the time had come.

Ian wrote a letter to the Heavenly Sword Lord.

Time passed, and in snowy December.

A reply from the head arrived.

― To my Ian.

― I received your letter very well. I was so surprised to read your request, but at the same time, I was filled with joy and gladness.

― That you wish to be with my youngest daughter Yuria is something I can only welcome.

― It seems many things happened at the Sword Dragon Hall during your time together. I hope to hear about them in detail someday.

― What's more, you put in writing your vow to protect my daughter without fail.

― Since I received that vow, please do as you wish. Ian Greysel, I will trust you.

― Yuria is my precious child. I'm glad and happy that you two have grown close once more.

The reply was a wholehearted permission for Ian to live together with Yuria.

Ian took the letter straight to the Heavenly Sword residence where Yuria was.

Along the way, several knights and staff blocked his path, but when he showed them the letter from the head, they could only stand aside in shock.

"I-Ian!?"

Meeting Ian in the underground corridor, Yuria was genuinely startled.

"H-how did you get in here?! The knights and staff should have stopped you!"

"I received permission from the household head. I've come to escort you to my estate, miss."

"What!?"

"I asked you to wait just half a year. I've come to fulfill that promise now."

Ian said nothing more, simply showing Yuria the head's letter.

"Gasp...!"

Upon reading it, Yuria's eyes opened as wide as lanterns.

"I—is this really true!?"

"Of course. Who would dare forge the head's seal in the Heavenly Sword Palace?"

"Y-yeah, I suppose so. It's also not like you'd do that."

Finally, Yuria placed a hand on her chest and gently smiled.

"I... I can really leave here?"

"You can, starting today. Should I help you pack?"

"Y-yeah! That would be... ah! No, wait!? I'll pack by myself! You just wait at Lunabreeze!"

"Since it's a special day, I'll wait here. Let's go together."

"R-really? Then I'll be quick! There's hardly anything to pack, I only ever slept here anyway. Just clothes... and that's about it!"

Chattering with happiness, Yuria hurried to pack in her room.

Soon Yuria came out with a large suitcase, and Ian carried one as well.

From that day on, Yuria was able to live at Lunabreeze with Ian.

A few weeks later,

It was Yuria's birthday.

Sophia, Charlotte, Ophelia, Cheryl, and everyone at Lunabreeze gathered for a warm birthday party in the evening.

They blew out candles, ate cake, laughed together, gave flowers and presents, made birthday wishes.

It was a rather modest party, but for Yuria, it was the happiest, most fulfilling birthday ever.

That very late night,

Ian walked with Yuria in the Heavenly Sword Palace's garden.

"Miss Yuria."

Today, Ian had given Yuria flowers and a hairpin as a present.

But somehow, he didn't feel quite satisfied himself.

So as they walked, he asked,

"Is there anything else you'd like for your birthday?"

Rather than choosing something himself, he wanted to give her what she truly wanted.

"Since it's a special day, I'll grant whatever request you have."

Yuria's lips curved into a gentle smile.

"Really? Anything? Can I be as selfish as I want tonight?"

"Of course. As much as you like."

"Really?"

Yuria smiled playfully.

"Then, if I told you to marry me, would you?"

"..."

At that, Ian quietly smiled too.

"No need to wait for your birthday. That's always possible."

"W-what!"

Yuria tried to tease Ian, but ended up just reddening herself.

Was he joking, or being sincere...?

Yuria murmured in a hushed voice,

"Truth is, I do have something I want..."

Ian nodded without hesitation.

"Tell me. Anything at all."

"Then would you follow me for a moment?"

"...?"

Yuria led Ian to a small bridge.

― Trickle, trickle...

They stood atop the small bridge over the quiet stream in the garden.

The fragrance of pond flowers tickled their noses.

Over the railing was a wide pond, and the full moon reflected on the water.

"It's pretty. Isn't it?"

"It is."

"Ian. I have a request, right here."

"Please, go ahead."

"I..."

Yuria walked a step closer to the railing, then turned her back to him and spoke.

"Could you hug me from behind?"

"..."

The tips of her ears flushed bright red.

It must have taken her a bit of courage to ask.

― Rustle.

Ian gently wrapped his arms around her waist.

Yuria placed her hands on Ian's arms wrapped around her stomach.

"Warm..."

"I would do this for you anytime you ask."

"... Hmph."

But courage doesn't come so easily at every moment.

Yuria looked up at Ian.

"You... You've grown so much in just a year."

At the Sword Selection Ceremony this year, he'd seemed a bit shorter than her.

Now, she had to look up quite a bit.

"And your arms look much thicker..."

Training and exercise hadn't changed any, but—

This boy seemed to grow muscle better than anyone she'd ever known.

"How much more will you grow...?"

"Miss. Is there anything else you want from me?"

Her wishes were modest to a fault.

Now that he was late-stage master, he could achieve much greater things.

He could retrieve mythical elixirs or procure a dragon's remains if she wanted.

But Yuria simply shook her head, smiling.

She simply leaned into Ian.

He could feel the light weight of her body.

With a half-sigh, Yuria murmured languidly,

"There's nothing more I could wish for."

She was already perfectly happy.

So Yuria's birthday passed, and the new year dawned.

In cold January, when Ian turned fifteen.

"Today's finally the day! Are you ready!?"

The final trial of the training camp.

The match against the Saintess' party of the Selveris Holy Kingdom began.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Fina-fucking-lly!!!

It's just hugs at the moment, but, it's a start...

Also, if author-nim goes for the harem route, I'm going to be fucking pissed..

Sophia x Charlotte all the way!!!

【( `Д´)o:【】:::::::〉】