With composed grace befitting a noblewoman, Liliengela gave an order to the soldiers.
“A commoner causing a commotion at the gates of a ducal family is utterly unacceptable. This man is neither my fiancé nor a noble anymore. I don’t want to see his face again. Deal with him accordingly, will you?”
“Yes, my lady!” the soldiers replied in unison.
They bowed respectfully before forcefully dragging Lucius away.
His screams echoed as he resisted, but in a world where nobles could punish commoners at will, his cries carried no weight. The soldiers hauled him off, his figure disappearing as he was dragged away.
“Farewell to the so-called hero,” Liliengela murmured, clasping her hands in mock prayer.
“With this, Maricia’s Happiness ends too, doesn’t it?… Just to be thorough, we should ensure the heroine is dealt with as well. Lucius has been arrested for dine-and-dash, so he should be in prison by now.”
She nodded firmly.
“Perhaps I’ll shed a tear or two and make an earnest plea to my father,” she mused with a sly smile.
The hero and heroine are better suited to thrive in a world outside the novel. It’s safer for the kingdom that way.
Satisfied, Liliengela turned and strolled back to the estate, her steps light and purposeful.
* * *
Years later.
For two decades, the kingdom’s nobles worked together in unity, supporting the young king as he matured into a wise and revered ruler. During that time, Lucius and Maricia, punished with forced labor in harsh mines under orders from Duke Romana, finally gained their freedom. The grueling years had left their once youthful and beautiful appearances unrecognizable.
Unknown to all, Liliengela had played a subtle yet pivotal role in ensuring the kingdom’s prosperity by eliminating threats like Lucius and Maricia. The punishment was seen by noble society as a necessary act to uphold the honor of the Romana family and was widely accepted as just.
* * *
As for Liliengela (now married for a year):
“Lord Reynald, have a safe trip,” she said with a sweet smile, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek.
Reynald gently stroked her head, his eyes softening.
“I’ll be back by early afternoon. Let’s have tea together when I return.”
“Yes, I’ll prepare everything and wait for you,” she replied cheerfully.
Waving with a bright smile, Liliengela watched as Reynald strode confidently toward the carriage.
The moment he stepped inside, however, Reynald collapsed onto the seat, his face flushing bright red as he buried it in his hands.
“My wife is so adorable… too adorable! She’s my everything, my comfort from start to finish! Tell me, did I look dashing walking to the carriage? I want her to always think I’m cool!”
The attendant sitting across from him grinned broadly.
“You were every bit as gallant and impressive as you hoped, Lord Reynald. With such a harmonious marriage, the Tua family is secure. All that’s left is for an heir to be born!”
“A child!?”
Reynald’s eyes widened in shock, his ears turning red like a maiden’s.
“A child!!” he exclaimed, smacking the carriage door in embarrassment.
The door promptly flew off its hinges.
“…” The attendant said nothing, maintaining a polite silence as wind whistled through the carriage, scattering the paperwork Reynald had intended to review.
And so, life went on with moments like these.
“Liliengela was deeply, deeply loved by Marquess Reynald of Tua, and—true to the best example of a happy ending—lived a blissful life until the moment of her death.”
[The End]
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