Their appearances were the same as usual, but something about their demeanor was different.In particular, Ruben, who had looked at me like a stranger while accompanying me to the temple, now seemed clearly flustered.And beside him, Maxium, who three years ago was so thin he looked like he hadn’t eaten a proper meal, had gained some weight and appeared much healthier.

“Good heavens…”

Maxium, repeatedly wiping and putting on his glasses, couldn’t take his eyes off me.

“What’s going on?”

Edan, sounding annoyed, threw the question at Ruben and Maxium, who were standing like statues.At that, tears instantly welled up in Maxium’s eyes.

“Latieana-nim…!”

“Huh?”

It happened before I could even process the situation.Maxium called my name in a loud voice, stretching both arms into the air.And then, he rushed toward me as if to embrace me.

“Latieana-nim! Latieana-niiiim!”

Of course, that courage was swiftly halted by Edan.Edan extended his arm, pressing his palm against Maxium’s forehead to stop him from getting closer.

“Priest, have you gone mad?”

“Uwaaah! It seems like I have!”

“…Tch.”

Maxium, unable to tear his eyes away from me, was even shedding snot.Edan, clicking his tongue in annoyance, pushed Maxium’s forehead back.But Maxium, still unable to calm his excitement, tried to rush toward me again, only to kneel on the spot after catching Edan’s glare.

“Uwaaah. You’re alive… No, how could I have forgotten Latieana-nim all this time? I must really be mad. Am I a fool?”

“…Maxium? You remember me?”

“Yes! Latieana-nim!”

“Uh, how?”

I was utterly bewildered.When I looked at Edan with a puzzled expression, he frowned one eyebrow, as if he didn’t know either, and spoke.

“Why do you remember? It’s annoying. It was much better when only I knew…”

At my gaze, Edan trailed off, but something about his tone felt a little off.I looked down at Maxium again.He was still kneeling, sniffling, as if begging for forgiveness.

“Get up, Maxium.”

“Is that really okay?”

“Of course it’s okay. Have you been well?”

“Yes. I’ve been living so carefree. How could I have lived so well while forgetting Latieana-nim? Damn it. I’m really just…!”

I smiled at him and said,

“Everyone else forgot too. Right, Sir Ruben?”

I don’t know how it happened, but Maxium had regained his memories.And so had Ruben.As if confirming my guess, Ruben nodded.

“For three years, while searching for Latieana-nim on the Archduke’s orders, I didn’t remember at all. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. After all, you’re the one who recognized me in the end, Ruben.”

“…Thank you.”

Ruben gave a small nod, a faint smile on his face as if he were embarrassed.

“See, Maxium. Everyone forgot about me, didn’t they?”

“That’s right! Then does that mean I get a pass too… Wait a minute. But why was it only the Archduke who didn’t forget?”

Maxium’s gaze turned suspiciously toward Edan.I followed his gaze and looked at Edan too.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t asked.

“How is it that you remembered me?”

At my question, Edan raised one corner of his mouth in a relaxed, almost smug manner.It looked so arrogant that we all perked up our ears, curious about what he’d say.

“The power of love.”

“Pfft!”

The moment he answered, a laugh burst out from Ruben behind us.We turned to look at him.It was definitely a mocking laugh, but perhaps because of Edan’s sharp look, Ruben quickly stiffened his expression, pretending otherwise.

“I’m sorry.”

I thought we’d head back to the Archduke’s castle after leaving the temple, but Edan led us to a small castle instead.It was the pure white castle that Edan’s mother had been gifted by the Emperor, now mine.

“Edan! This place is so beautiful!”

The castle, which I hadn’t visited in a long time, had been perfectly restored in the meantime.It was as beautiful as a princess’s castle from a fairy tale.It felt as if there had never been an invasion of monsters.The northern sky, last seen covered in monsters, was now so vibrant it was hard to imagine.

Though it was still cold, and the north rarely saw colorful flowers bloom, the garden was filled with all sorts of artificial flowers.They had no fragrance, but they were so beautiful it felt like spring had arrived.

“Welcome!”

At the castle’s entrance, neatly dressed servants bowed politely to greet us.

“Come this way. I have something to show you.”

Edan dismissed the servants and headed straight to the second floor.He opened the doors one by one, starting with the first room on the left side of the corridor.Wardrobes lined from ceiling to floor were filled with dresses of every color and design, so many that I could have mistaken it for a boutique.Not only that, but there were also heaps of jewelry and accessories.Every drawer was filled with crowns, necklaces, earrings, and hair accessories—so many I didn’t know where to start looking.

“…What’s all this?”

“Your things.”

It wasn’t just one room.There were five rooms on the left side of the second-floor corridor alone.Counting the other side, ten rooms in total.All those rooms were filled with dresses and jewelry.

All of this is mine? Even if I wore a different one every day, it would take years to wear them all.

“Did you bring these from the Archduke’s castle before? I don’t think there were this many…”

“No. I bought them new. Starting about half a year before the war ended. Things were a bit more peaceful by then. There’s more on the third floor—shoes, parasols, things like that. Women’s stuff seems to pile up.”

Edan didn’t seem to have ever thought I was dead.I’d heard from Ruben that he’d been searching for me, even though I might have been dead, but that must have just been lip service.If he’d truly thought I wouldn’t return, he wouldn’t have done all this.

“Thank you.”

All sorts of words swirled in my mind, but in the end, I just smiled.If I were Edan, if I had prepared all these things while waiting for him, I think “thank you” would be the best thing to hear above all else.

Edan, smiling with satisfaction, led me back to the garden.There, a new fountain had been built, with clear, transparent water gushing out.

“Latie, the wizards said that after this winter, the time of the Great Blessing will come.”

“What? Really? For real? Really?”

I opened my eyes wide and bounced up and down, clinging to Edan’s arm.

“Yeah. So, try touching that water.”

“…?”

Suddenly? The flow of the conversation was odd, but I did as he said and walked to the fountain, reaching out my hand.Despite the chilly weather, the water wasn’t cold—it was just the right temperature.Tilting my head, I realized the answer and turned to Edan.

“Oh! It’s that artifact, right?”

“Exactly. It’s the stone the Grand Sorcerer invented. I got it from Dante. It doesn’t just regulate the water’s temperature; it can also be used for heating. So now, no matter how cold the northern winters get, we can always stay warm.”

“Really? That’s such a relief. The people of the territory will have an easier time.”

“And you?”

“Hm?”

“What about you?”

What does he mean?

“Well, I’ll be less cold too, right?”

“And those gifts from earlier? Do you like them?”

“…?”

I said thank you, but did I not say I liked them, and he’s feeling hurt?I quickly nodded.

“Very much. They’re all beautiful, and I love them. And I love them even more because you gave them to me.”

“Good.”

Edan, who had been standing still, staring at me, pulled a small box from his pocket.He opened it and held it out to me.Though we were a few steps apart by the fountain, the gem inside the box was so large and sparkly that I could tell right away it was a ring.

“Then marry me.”

I froze, looking back and forth between the ring and Edan’s face.

“When spring comes, the season you love, I want to hold our wedding. So take it.”

A faint smile graced Edan’s lips, warmed by the soft autumn sunlight.

“Is that a proposal?”

“Yeah. Don’t you like it?”

“Of course I love it! But couldn’t you ask a bit more formally?”

It feels a bit like an order. Not that I mind, even if it is.

Seeing my pouty expression, Edan laughed as if amused.

“Such a picky princess.”

With his free hand, he lightly brushed his hair back, then slowly knelt on one knee.He held the ring up to me.

“Princess, will you marry me?”

Oh… I’m in trouble. Did I make a mistake asking for this? I think I’m falling for him all over again.His radiant, smiling face sent a warm rush through my entire body.

“Your answer?”

“I love it. I really love it.”

A breeze blew, tousling my hair.I brushed the strands behind my ear, my face flushed, and smiled brightly at him.

“Good, then.”

Edan stood up and opened his arms toward me.

“Come here, princess.”

At his words, I didn’t hesitate and ran straight into Edan’s arms.As soon as I did, his strong arms wrapped around my waist.

“I’ll make you happy.”

His beautiful ruby-colored eyes, gazing at me, sparkled with an endlessly gentle light.

“I’ll love you forever, now and always.”

“I love you too, Edan.”

As I clasped both his hands and stood on my tiptoes, Edan leaned down.I kissed his lips for a long time.I couldn’t have been happier.We smiled at each other and leisurely strolled along the path.

“Edan, do you know about butterflies? Butterflies?”

“What do you take me for?”

“No, I mean, you’ve only been in the north, so I thought you might not have seen butterflies.”

“I’ve seen them. A few times.”

“How many?”

“About two?”

“Pfft.”

“Don’t tease.”

“When there are flowers, butterflies flutter around. When spring comes, this place will be filled with beautiful butterflies, right? And lots of pretty flowers too.”

“Probably.”

“The northern spring will be so beautiful, won’t it? It’ll definitely be amazing. This feels like a miracle. My wish came true.”

“What wish?”

“I wished for spring to come to the north where you are. I wanted the place you’re in to be the most beautiful. And the books say the northern spring is more beautiful than anywhere else in the world. I’m so glad spring has come to you.”

“Latie.”

“Yes?”

“As long as I have you, I can live in eternal spring.”

“Why? Because I’m pretty? Pretty like spring?”

“Well, that too.”

“And?”

“Because you are my spring.”

Edan lowered his head and kissed me softly, and I smiled happily.

An eternal spring had come to us.

The Villain Fell Madly in Love with Me (The End)