They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 93

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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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They say age gaps of nnn years don’t even bother checking compatibility.
Chapter 93
Even if it’s not severe, any improvement in aftereffects is worth celebrating.
It would be more beneficial for it to be used by Raern than to remain dormant in my bag.
“Commander, did you come to check on our progress?”
Raern asked carefully as he stored away the return magic scroll.
“Yeah. Even if I can’t help, I should at least verify things. Is there anything else you need?”
“It’s sufficient for now. We still have plenty of mana stones swept from the Demon Realm.”
“Good. If you think of anything else, let Kei know. I’ll do my best to procure it.”
Since he’s working alone, the least I can do is support him properly.
“Oh, and make sure you eat and sleep well.”
“Understood.”
Raern nodded with a smile.
I’d love to drag him out and make him rest immediately, but a Mage’s spell calculations are a domain that shouldn’t be disturbed by others—there’s nothing I can do about it.
Just as I was about to leave after finishing my words.
“Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“The Goddess occasionally sends the souls of those she cherishes back into the world, doesn’t she?”
Raern asked me with a serious expression.
“If you found out that someone you knew well had been reborn, what would you do?”
“What would I do? What could I do?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
“They’d simply live their new life.”
“You wouldn’t try to find them?”
“Why would I? Without the time we built together, they’d be no different from a stranger.”
“…I see. So that’s how you think, Commander.”
If both body and memories are completely new, isn’t it right to consider them a different person?
At least, that’s what I believed.
“What if it were… Mikhail?”
….
I stared directly at Raern.
His face was slightly tense. He tried to force a smile, but I could clearly see his eyes trembling slightly.
“Mikhail is… dead, Raern.”
I spoke with deliberate firmness.
It was also a declaration to myself.
“I will take revenge on those who drove Mikhail to death. I will recover his body and hold his funeral, and I will mourn for a long time.”
I had some inkling of why Raern suddenly posed such a question.
But my course of action remained unchanged.
The sorrow and sense of loss that felt like my chest had been hollowed out didn’t fade in the slightest.
The unquenchable rage and thirst for vengeance still remained in their place.
That was undeniable proof.
I had lost Mikhail, and no amount of regret would bring him back.
No one could ever take his place.
“That’s all there is to it.”
With those words, I turned and left the Tower.
I felt a heavy weight settle in my chest.
‘It seems Raern shares the same thoughts as me.’
If I, who understood even a fragment of magical principles, could suspect it, then Raern must be nearly certain.
But.
Even if that were truly the case, nothing would change.
No matter how hard I tried to preserve the bonds of the past, the time I spent with Mikhail would never return.
***
Kei spotted me rising early to stretch and rushed over eagerly.
“How could you do this? You should have come find me the moment you woke!”
“Huh? Already?”
“Of course!”
I began preparing for the outing amid an avalanche of scolding.
A simple dress and shoes comfortable enough for walking the streets, followed by makeup and hair styling.
My hair, braided finely and pinned up, felt unfamiliar. I unconsciously began twirling the loose strands falling beside my ear around my finger when the back of my hand received a sharp slap.
“I left those on purpose, so don’t touch them.”
This was merely practice, not an actual date, yet he was strict about it.
Still, regardless of my circumstances, today’s date was a proper commission for Kei—his first in quite some time.
I should comply with his instructions as much as possible.
“Where’s Elhart?”
“The Prince will prepare himself just fine, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Really? Aren’t you trusting him too much? He might still be sleeping soundly….”
Before I could finish, a knock sounded at the door.
“Ser, may I come in?”
“Yes, of course.”
Nearly the same time as yesterday.
Elhart, who had come to fetch me, was dressed even more meticulously than the day before.
“Look at that,” Kei murmured.
Kei lowered his voice and spoke.
Elhart truly did handle things well on his own.
He even approached me and handed over a bouquet from who knows where.
“Thank you.”
The maids of Brin Castle, who had been assisting Kei, let out gasps of admiration.
Their eyes looked hazy, their focus seemed off.
I couldn’t tell if they were marveling at the flower gift or if Elhart had captivated them entirely.
‘I think I understand why he gave flowers.’
My eyes delighted in the vibrant yet harmonious palette of colors, and my spirits lifted at the sweet, refreshing fragrance.
I’d never understood it before.
‘I used to wonder why anyone would bring flowers indoors when the fields were overflowing with them.’
I handed the bouquet to the servants to arrange.
“Oh, wait….”
Elhart reached out in alarm.
But the bouquet had already passed into the servants’ hands.
“My, there’s a card here.”
I quickly retrieved it from the servant’s grasp.
-Darling (the handwriting changed here), time spent with you is a miracle to me. With gratitude and love, your Elhart.
The message on the card was rather trite… utterly commonplace.
Yet why on earth—
The moment I read it casually, I felt my face flush crimson.
Elhart’s face turned equally red in response.
“Darling….”
As I murmured it softly, he buried his face entirely in his palms.
“They say this level of affection is standard between spouses….”
Ah.
I think I know who his advisor is.
Recalling the Brin Family’s eldest couple—bold in their affections despite ten years of marriage—I found myself nodding in understanding.
“I’ll treasure the card.”
I tucked it safely into my bosom.
“Then shall we….”
Rising from my seat and extending my hand to him, I smiled warmly.
“Shall we depart, dear?”
“…Yes.”
Elhart took my hand and linked it through his arm, managing barely to respond.
His other hand still covered his face.
With his ears and the nape of his neck flushed crimson, concealing them was rather pointless, but I chose not to mention it.
“Have a wonderful outing.”
Kei waved to us.
The date guide he’d prepared was already in my possession.
He’d instructed me not to peek ahead, but to open each note at the appropriate moment.
Only after boarding the carriage with Elhart did I open the first memo.
“…?”
Curious as well, Elhart leaned toward me to read what was written on the memo.
“Location: Maria’s Apron. You are to be each other’s hands.”
After instructing the coachman on our destination, I pondered the memo’s meaning.
“Maria’s Apron… It’s likely a restaurant, I’d imagine.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
I’d heard the name in passing before.
It must have been on the list of recommended restaurants and cafés.
“So… does that mean we’re supposed to feed each other?”
Elhart’s conjecture seemed plausible.
Though I couldn’t fathom why anyone would insist on such an inefficient practice.
We both glanced at each other almost simultaneously.
‘I suppose Elhart could cut it into manageable pieces and feed me.’
He seemed to harbor similar thoughts, his gaze lingering briefly on my lips before he abruptly turned his head away.
After indulging in such scandalous acts last night, and here he was, flustered over something so trivial.
Remembering what those lips had done to me…
‘Ugh…’
Heat crept across my own face.
‘No. Today I must keep my composure and see this through properly.’
I couldn’t afford to handle it carelessly like yesterday.
Just as I steeled my resolve, the carriage came to a halt.
Maria’s Apron.
Elhart and I stepped into the quaintly decorated establishment that served both tea and desserts.
“Welcome!”
Following the cheerful server’s guidance, we took seats facing each other by the window.
After ordering the couple’s set based on their recommendation, the food began arriving shortly.
‘They expect us to feed each other with this?’
I found myself alternating my gaze between the plate and him in bewilderment.

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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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