I Thought I Was Married, But I Was Left Alone, So I'll Live as I Please. So Please Don't Mind Me Anymore, My Lord of the Border - Chapter 34

Five years had passed since our wedding.

I was still serving as both the Margravine of the Frontier and the head of the Kreuz Viscounty.

Today, on my way back from Kreuz, I was returning to the Margrave’s residence in Graphica for the first time in two months.

The carriage entered the familiar gate.

Even though I’d traveled this road many times, I always felt happy whenever I returned.

The joy of having a place to say “I’m home” spread warmly through my heart.

Though the journey was as long as usual, the improved four-horse carriage didn’t shake much, and the cushioning was perfect. I’d slept better than expected.

Since it was both for work and for carrying my precious family, I’d ended up putting serious effort into its maintenance.

I checked my reflection in the window to see if I had bedhead or drool stains.

My white alchemist’s robe, custom-made for me with golden magical thread embroidery containing protective spells, had no wrinkles.

My long silver hair was neatly braided, with no flyaways, flowing forward and blending well with the robe’s white.

“Good, perfect.”

Still, I smoothed my hair with a hand comb and straightened my clothes.

I didn’t want to show any unsightly aspects to my beloved family after so long apart.

The cargo area was packed full with many souvenirs and medicines made by the alchemists from my hometown.

They were both the goods connecting Kreuz and Graphica, and the bonds between them.

When we reached the front entrance, the head butler and servants were lined up outside to welcome me.

The carriage stopped, and the head butler opened the door from outside.

Before the head butler could speak, Oliver stepped forward, smiling as he offered his hand.

“Ash, welcome home.”

“Oliver. I’m home.”

I took Oliver’s offered hand and stepped down from the carriage.

The warmth transmitted through his fingertips made the reality of being home sink in.

“Mommy!”

“Elliot, I’m home!”

Rushing out from the mansion was our four-year-old son Elliot, who looked exactly like a miniature Oliver.

No matter how many times I saw him, his golden hair and eyes, so like Oliver’s, made my heart flutter.

“Weren’t you just taking a nap until a moment ago?”

“I thought Mommy was coming home!”

Letting go of Nia’s hand, he leaped toward me, begging to be held.

“Were you a good boy?”

“I went to see Grandpa Tom yesterday!”

“Was he doing well?”

“Yes!”

Tom was still running his shop actively and had now become something like Elliot’s master.

When Tom saw me return to Graphica, he cried with happiness.

And when I said I would marry Oliver, he was delighted.

He kept my old room as it was, and I sometimes went and stayed over.

While interacting with him, Elliot became interested in alchemy.

“Mommy! I learned from Grandpa Tom and made a neutralizer!”

As if he couldn’t wait to show me, he presented a small bottle containing a pale green liquid.

I took it and checked the contents.

A clear, pale yellow liquid. Quite good quality.

To perfectly create a neutralizer—the absolute basics essential to alchemy—at this age…!

“Eh, really!? Isn’t that amazing? Hey, Oliver. Our child might be a genius.”

“…I heard you made high-quality wound medicine at the same age?”

Oliver, with his arms still positioned as if to hug me but unable to, tilted his head curiously.

Well, I had my previous life boost.

But a four-year-old with no knowledge or experience made this!?

Our child is amazing!

“Elliot is a genius in his own right!”

“Madam, you’re quite the doting… you dote on Lord Elliot so much, don’t you?”

You were about to say “doting parent,” weren’t you, Nia…?

Hmph, I don’t mind being called a doting parent. Because our Elliot is this adorable and amazing.

“He hasn’t let it out of his sight since yesterday, saying he wanted to show Madam.”

“Is that so? Nia, thank you for always looking after Elliot.”

“Not at all.”

As I bowed politely and raised my head, Nia looked at me with a gaze full of respect and affection, smiling.

“Mommy, I want to do more alchemy!”

“Next, I’ll teach you how to make wound medicine.”

“Really!? Yay, when? Now?”

“Alright, let’s go now…”

Just as I was about to go off with Elliot, Oliver stopped us.

“No. You just got back, right?”

Oliver wrapped his arm around my waist and scooped up Elliot.

The three of us ended up pressed together, reminding me of the warmth of happiness.

“You two are always about alchemy. Pay proper attention to me too.”

Oliver pouted sulkily, looking so cute I couldn’t help but laugh.

That this once proud man could now be so openly and unabashedly affectionate. If my past self knew, she’d surely be wide-eyed with shock.

Elliot and I exchanged glances.

“Sorry, Daddy.”

“Oliver, you’re number one.”

When we kissed his cheeks from both sides, he kissed each of us in return.

I was glad I’d chosen this loving man.

We headed into the mansion together.

Meanwhile, under Nia’s direction, the servants unobtrusively unloaded the luggage from the carriage.

This everyday life was unbearably precious.

“Were Quinn and Slay doing well?”

“Yeah, they were fine. They gave Elliot a souvenir, so I’ll get it out for you later.”

“Yay!”

Listening to his cheerful voice, I suddenly thought about my current position.

Since marrying, I’ve spent several months each year in the Kreuz territory.

Sometimes I bring my family, other times I go alone.

Last year, when Elliot came with us to Kreuz, he became very attached to Quinn and Slay, who oversee the alchemy association there.

…I secretly think it’s because they’re close in mental age. Especially Quinn.

The two had married the knights they fell in love with and were living in the Kreuz territory.

The knights who became their spouses were now leading the knight brigade there.

Though the territory had been ravaged by my uncle, thinking how it had been restored better than before filled my heart.

Apparently, the children in Kreuz seriously agonize over whether to become alchemists or knights when they grow up.

Half the alchemists who came to Graphica stayed, while half returned to the Kreuz territory.

Now they had a business partnership and regularly interacted.

In Graphica too, many aspiring disciples wanting to become alchemists studied at the alchemy association.

Now, the kingdom’s medicines were delivered throughout the land from two bases: Graphica and Kreuz.

Though I once thought “I can only choose one” and tried to let go of one precious thing, now I was walking forward properly while holding onto both.

“When I grow up, I wanna be an alchemist like Mommy!”

“Wait, Elliot! What about being a knight? A knight like Daddy is cool, right!?”

At Elliot’s declaration, Lord Oliver hurriedly promoted knighthood.

“Hmm, Daddy is cool but I wanna be an alchemist!”

“I-is that so…”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Oliver, whose shoulders slumped dejectedly.

Elliot had started sword training too, but it seemed he’d taken after me and preferred alchemy.

“Oliver…”

“What?”

When I gently leaned against him, he hugged me as if to say “Comfort me.”

I’d grown completely used to this way of him seeking affection.

“Shall we make another one? The next child might like swords?”

“!? That’s right, let’s do that.”

He immediately perked up at my suggestion.

So easy to read, and truly adorable.

But I knew his cool side too.

“How about tonight?”

“Yes, of course. That’s the plan.”

“I see.”

No matter how many years passed, he still desired me so directly.

Each time, I’d find myself thinking repeatedly, “I’m glad I didn’t let go back then.”

Elliot’s laughter.

The warmth of Oliver’s arms.

The work connecting my hometown and current home.

Blown by the gentle spring wind crossing Graphica’s medicine fields, I whispered to my past self:

‘There is a future where you can smile while properly holding onto everything.’

This present with my precious people, this happiness where I didn’t have to let go of anything—I would probably savor it over and over again from now on.