Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 104

Lisianthus rose to his feet before I could even ask for clarification, my eyes wide with surprise.
“You’ve come all the way to the Southern End of the Empire—you should see it properly. Flux won’t object, will he?”
Lisianthus’s tone was unmistakably sharp. He was looking at Flux with an expression that screamed disapproval, like some ruffian spoiling for a fight—practically threatening. I could only watch in bewilderment.
Flux seemed to come to his senses under that glare, shaking his head a few times before turning to address me.
“Your Highness, I understand you haven’t had a proper tour of this city.”
“Well, no—it just sort of happened that way.”
“This city is beautiful not just in my opinion, but objectively so. I felt poorly about showing you only the uglier aspects after you’ve come so very far. I apologize for that.”
It was then that Debbi suddenly interjected.
“It’s safe now! Raymond has swept through this entire area since the day Your Highness collapsed, capturing and eliminating any Magic Beast traces that appeared. As long as there aren’t creatures spawning from thin air, you’ll be perfectly fine!”
It’s said that words can become prophecy—and the way Debbi spoke made me feel certain that creatures capable of spawning from thin air would indeed appear in the future. Ah, so that was why I’d rarely seen Raymond since the Dedication Ceremony. The realization left me feeling strangely unsettled, though I nodded along anyway.
“So we’re going to look around?”
Lisianthus fixed his gaze on me and spoke. As if I were some workaholic. I enjoy leisure as much as anyone—I simply hadn’t had the chance because there were always so many things demanding my attention. But when someone lays out the welcome mat like this, I’m perfectly happy to sprawl out on it. Rather than explain all that, I simply shrugged.
“Yes.”
Only then did Lisianthus relax visibly, breaking into a grin as he rose and opened the door.
Beyond it waited two carriages—different in design from the one I’d arrived in with High Priest Illian. These had ceilings of opaque glass and open sides all around, making them look unmistakably like touring carriages.
It seemed Lisianthus had forewarned them; both Nabira and High Priest Illian boarded without hesitation.
Once everyone was aboard, the carriage began to move slowly. After racing along at a brisk pace for some time, it suddenly came to a halt. I couldn’t contain my excitement—I pushed open the carriage door and stepped out eagerly.
That was when it happened.
A gust of wind rose, and flowers scattered before me. Small purple petals, reminiscent of wisteria rather than cherry blossoms, cascaded down like sudden rain. The flower shower caught my vision in a dizzy veil, and I stumbled slightly as my feet touched ground.
“Careful.”
A firm hand at my waist steadied me before I even heard the voice—low and clipped. My lips, which had parted in surprise, pressed firmly shut.

Raymond, as though nothing had happened, withdrew his supporting hand and reached up instead, lightly brushing away Hair Strands clinging to my temples and ears. With each touch, the petals fell away like emotional fragments, scattering softly to the ground.
“Thank you.”
“It was no gesture warranting such gratitude.”
From Raymond’s perspective, I suppose that was true. I lowered my head and composed my expression. Raymond was, as always, like a well-polished blade or a statue carved from stone.
Behind him, a brilliant landscape unfolded. A small river, a bridge crossing it, flowering trees crowding the banks.
Were we at the City Outskirts? Owing to recent turmoil, few people were visible. The sun had nearly set, the world grown dark, and lanterns like fireflies sparkled in every direction.
It wasn’t as brilliantly lit as the night market I’d seen before, with its dazzling lights flooding the streets—but the small palm-sized lanterns hung here and there had a quiet charm of their own.
The sharp, grassy scent pricked my nostrils. Leaves rustled against each other in the wind. Small insects chirred.
Raymond guided me toward the bridge. The moment I stepped onto it, I gasped. Flower petals scattered across the river’s gentle surface, reflecting dancing shadows of light.
It was fantastical. Particles of luminescence drifting across the water looked like golden sand scattered upon its face.
Lost in wordless admiration of the scene, I suddenly saw a burst of light erupt across the sky. Lisianthus, who had followed me and stood three paces back, laughed playfully.
“Watch that.”
“Hmm?”
“Those are fireworks made with flames I personally prepared—me, a user of the Power of Fire, no less.”
Hiss! Pop! Whoooosh!
Accompanied by familiar sounds, fireworks erupted across the darkened sky. Colored flames traced circles, scattered, regrouped—painting the heavens in dazzling hues and shapes. Despite my bewilderment, I heard the delighted laughter of a child echoing faintly from somewhere, even as I felt my own joy bubbling over into gleeful exclamations.
Everyone was happy.
There was something almost unreal about it all, so I simply stood there, blinking, drinking in the sight.
-But you know, Contractor, once you master the Power of Fire as well, you’ll be able to create fireworks far more beautiful and magnificent than those!(· з · ) I shouldn’t be so confident standing before you! It is pretty, though…but! ٩(*・ω・*)
‘So you think it’s pretty, but what’s your real point?’
-Please do something like this for me later, Contractor!(ノ^∇^)ノ
‘Maybe I will.’
“Does it not please you?”
There was something uncertain in the voice. Only then did I realize someone had been standing motionless beside me all this time, watching my sky-fixed gaze just as intently. While Lisianthus looked at me with his face screaming “This is amazing! How could you not love it?!”, Raymond’s expression bore a subtle anxiety, as though something might be wrong.
I’d always been the type to jump up and down with excessive enthusiasm when pleased, to express my feelings openly in the moment. Apparently, standing rigid as stone and staring skyward looked strange to him.
“Is the sound of the fireworks too loud? Are the colors not to your liking? If you thought it was wasteful and unnecessary…”
“No, it’s really beautiful.”
I smiled with complete sincerity. Seeing my smile, Raymond seemed to freeze.
I was remembering the past. A time I could never return to.
A time like when my family shared kimbap while complaining that there were more people than flowers. A time like a summer festival when someone protested that if the budget allowed, why were they so stingy about fireworks, firing them off only three or four times?—everyone holding ice cream in their hands, grumbling about the oppressive humidity.
I never recalled such memories during the brutal life of the Imperial Palace, or when facing the savage killings wrought by Magic Beast attacks. Yet as I stood at ease, gazing upon beauty, the past rose unbidden in my mind.
If only I had known then.
I should have been kinder. I should not have been stingy with words of love or gratitude. What had seemed natural to me wasn’t natural for everyone—I should have learned that sooner.
I was foolish to think I’d seen all there was to see in my past life, that there was no need to force myself to see anything here. And how stupid to know I could never return, yet still think, “It probably won’t be as beautiful as the modern world.” People live in all places, after all.
The fireworks falling like embroidery against a black curtain of sky, the flower petals tumbling and cascading—everything was beautiful.
It’s alright.
It’s all alright.
That was what I felt.
I’ll be okay here too.
“You prepared all of this for me, didn’t you? Thank you so much. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything this beautiful in this lifetime.”
Even as I spoke, I felt a little uncertain about the phrasing “in this lifetime”—but no, it wasn’t that strange an expression.
“Really, truly—it’s beautiful. Thank you all.”
My eyes were threatening to well with tears, but I held them back with a brave smile. The scenery was too lovely tonight; I didn’t want my vision blurred by crying and miss any of it.

Instead, she gazed at them with glittering eyes and smiled nonetheless. The sight only made those watching feel more moved—though she herself didn’t realize it. Eyes reddening at the lids, she watched until the final firework flared across the heavens.
Then the tour continued.
Given the magnitude of recent events, most shops remained closed, but small street vendors were scattered here and there.
Titania, delighted at last having a chance to use the Bracelet Flux had given her, excitedly cleaned out every vendor stall. Flux, equally thrilled, encouraged her to choose even more expensive items.
High Priest Illian went further, jokingly asking if he could buy handfuls of things for his disciples and attach them to Titania’s Bracelet. Debbi examined every piece of jewelry she could find against Titania. Nabira simply watched the whole group with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Well, aren’t we having fun.’
After the spectacular fireworks display ended, Lisianthus chuckled and shrugged as though pleased with himself, while Raymond quietly kept watch over the group like a devoted guardian. And Titania, beaming constantly, led them all about the surroundings.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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