Side Story 03. [After Story] Evangeline
Imperial Year 657.
Five years after the final battle against the monsters.
Southern Empire. Crossroad.
“What?! You’ve already arrived?!”
Evangeline came rushing out of the lord’s manor, barefoot, to greet her visitor.
The guest was already stepping down from the carriage parked in front of the manor. Evangeline called out the guest’s name loudly.
“Ariel!”
The guest greeted her with a bright smile.
She was Ariel, the princess of the Lake Kingdom, once called “Nameless.”As the emissary of the Lake Kingdom and acting king, Ariel had personally traveled to Crossroad.
“Welcome! How long has it been?!”
“It’s been a while, Lady Evangeline.”
Ariel and Evangeline clasped hands tightly.
The Lake Kingdom and Crossroad were geographically close to each other and had been collaborating on various ventures, so Ariel and Evangeline occasionally saw each other.
Every time Evangeline met Ariel, her joy was genuine. Ariel, too, always greeted Evangeline with a smile.
“Ah, come on, ‘Lady Evangeline’? Why so formal?”
“Well, I am here as the acting king, so…”
“Don’t be like that. It’s just us here, so treat me casually like before! Okay?”
Evangeline grinned and declared on her own terms.
“Until you ascend to the throne of the Lake Kingdom, I’ll call you whatever I want. Ariel!”
Ariel smiled helplessly as if she had no choice, glanced around cautiously, and whispered softly to Evangeline.
“I’m glad to see you too, Evangeline.”
“Hahaha!”
Laughing heartily, Evangeline grabbed Ariel’s hand and led her inside the lord’s manor.
After some casual chatting over tea in the drawing room, the two women began their meeting on various pressing issues.
Despite their sisterly closeness, today they met as a lord and an acting king. As leaders of their respective regions, they carried several unresolved challenges.
Though the situation had stabilized to some extent, the Lake Kingdom was still precariously adapting to the present after five centuries of nightmares. ɌÅ₦ÔＢÊs̩
Crossroad, too, had lost its main industries: monster extermination and magic stone processing. To secure the city’s future, they needed to find new opportunities.
“What’s the perfect solution to tackle these two problems at once?!”
Evangeline clapped her hands and exclaimed.
“The tourism industry! That’s it!”
“Hmm…”
Ariel let out a low hum.
“The situation in the Lake Kingdom is still far from ideal. People are only now beginning to escape the pain of their nightmares, and the restoration work has just reached a point of respite. Even politically, my position as acting king has only recently solidified. Under these circumstances, allowing foreign tourists in…”
“It’s been five years. The Lake Kingdom needs to breathe in the air of a new era now.”
Evangeline pushed forward, reiterating the logic she had been consistently advocating.
“Of course, there will be initial challenges and difficulties, but I believe opening up to foreign tourists is a great way for the Lake Kingdom to adapt to the modern era.”
“…”
“Not to mention! It would facilitate exchanges with other countries, bring in foreign currency, and build a positive reputation for the Lake Kingdom! It’s a win-win! Killing three birds with one stone! Everyone benefits! Oh, and now I’m craving pheasant…”
Mid-sentence, Evangeline called the head chef and ordered pheasant to be prepared for dinner. Watching her, Ariel couldn’t help but laugh.
At the same time, Ariel admitted to herself that Evangeline had a point.
This was an era without magic.
The Lake Kingdom, which had been at the forefront of magical civilization 500 years ago, now had “nothing to sell,” to put it bluntly. Its competitiveness in the global market was weak.
To survive in this entirely changed world, they had to fight to adapt.
“But does the Lake Kingdom really have any worthwhile tourism assets…”
“Oh, come on! The Lake Kingdom is overflowing with incredible tourism assets!”
Evangeline passionately argued.
“Do you have any idea how envious I’ve been of the Lake Kingdom while trying to establish the tourism industry here in Crossroad over the past five years? Compared to Crossroad, the Lake Kingdom is practically a treasure trove of tourism assets, a treasure trove!”
Evangeline listed off the numerous attractions in the Lake Kingdom.
Architectural structures preserved from 500 years ago! Streets filled with various antiques!
The unique geographical feature of being under a dried-up lake!
A natural environment perfectly preserved, untouched by human hands!
And even a newly accessible route to the distant south, where no human footsteps had ventured before!
“There’s definitely demand for this. We just need to package it properly! Open the kingdom’s doors, and people will flock to it!”
“…Phew.”
Closing her eyes briefly to organize her thoughts, Ariel eventually nodded.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
“A wise decision!”
Evangeline couldn’t hide her delight and let out a cheer.
If the Lake Kingdom, which had long kept outsiders away, opened its doors to foreign guests, Crossroad would naturally reap the benefits as well.
Evangeline had already brainstormed several tourism projects that would tie the Lake Kingdom and Crossroad together, and she actively shared her ideas. Ariel listened attentively.
Ultimately, it was decided that the project would proceed as a collaborative venture where the Lake Kingdom and Crossroad would be connected, but Crossroad would take the lead in managing the business.
The Lake Kingdom lacked the capacity to focus on the tourism industry, but it possessed excellent tourism assets. On the other hand, Crossroad had the capacity but lacked appealing attractions to draw people to the southern end of the continent.
It was a situation where their interests aligned perfectly.
“Good deal, good deal!”
After verbally confirming several contract terms, Ariel and Evangeline shook hands firmly. Details of the agreement would be further negotiated soon by their respective officials.
“See you again, Ariel!”
“Yes, we’ll be seeing each other much more often now.”
After wrapping up dinner with the pheasant dish, Ariel returned to the Lake Kingdom, while Evangeline accompanied her to the southern gate to send her off.
As the Lake Kingdom’s delegation gradually disappeared into the distance, Evangeline waved her hand and let out a small sigh.
“Alright…! The plan to transform Crossroad into a tourist city has finally taken its first step.”
Turning around, Evangeline looked back at her city.
Five years since the war.
The city still maintained the structure of a fortress, but with the arrival of a peaceful era, its atmosphere had softened considerably.
“…”
It was a pleasant sight, yet it felt unfamiliar.
Evangeline, whose entire life and family lineage had been dedicated to fighting monsters, found the responsibilities of a lord to be anything but easy. Moreover, the new future she was supposed to carve out for Crossroad was still uncertain.
‘I’ve set the direction with trade and tourism, but…’
Trade was challenging, and tourism even more so.
Crossroad wasn’t entirely without assets, but they didn’t fit together seamlessly.
It felt like the gears were almost ready to align if she just tried a little harder, but for now, they weren’t even moving properly.
And as someone still young and inexperienced, Evangeline was at a loss as to where to start fixing things.
‘Well, what choice do I have?’
She could only knock around here and there, trying to figure out how to deal with this massive challenge.
‘What exactly was the vision that my predecessor had in mind for this tourist city plan?’
Evangeline suddenly thought of Ash, her predecessor as lord and now the Duke of the Bringar Duchy.
Though Ash constantly complained and sighed about everything, Evangeline believed that Ash was a natural-born ruler. Ash had taken control of Crossroad in no time and, by all accounts, had now completely stabilized the Bringar Duchy as well.
‘I should’ve learned more while we were together.’
Both about the duties of a lord and the future of Crossroad.
She regretted not asking more questions or learning more during the three years they had fought together.
As the memories of those three years came to mind, Evangeline let out a small laugh…
“But seriously, why won’t my husband come back already?”
She suddenly felt a pang of frustration.
No matter how busy things were in his country, her broad-shouldered, golden-haired knight’s home was now undoubtedly here.
‘He’s part of our family now. His name is Lucas Cross, for crying out loud. And yet he keeps following Ash around all the time…’
Evangeline pouted her lips and muttered to herself in irritation.
“Lady! Come quickly! We have a new visitor!”
A soldier who had rushed over from the northern gate called out.
“Huh?”
Evangeline tilted her head in confusion.
“What? I didn’t have any more visitors scheduled for today.”
And then, at the northern gate.
A blonde knight lightly stepped down from the carriage, silently spread his arms wide, and flashed a grin at Evangeline.
“Tada—”
It was Lucas, returning unexpectedly, like a surprise ambush.
Before she realized it, Evangeline clasped her cheeks with both hands and let out a high-pitched squeal of delight.
“Darlinggggg!”
“Yep, your darling’s here.”
Though his face showed signs of exhaustion from the grueling duties of the duchy and the rushed journey to get here, Lucas couldn’t help but smile brightly at the sight of his wife.
“Prepare for a grand welcome, my lady.”
“Wowwww! It’s really my husband!”
Evangeline sprinted forward and launched herself into Lucas’s arms.
“Ugh!”
Her move was somewhere between a tackle and a hug, leaving Lucas momentarily winded as he barely managed to catch her.
“For a moment, I thought a bull was charging at me…”
“You say the sweetest things to your adorable wife!”
Nestled snugly in Lucas’s embrace, Evangeline took a deep breath, savoring his scent.
Then, lifting her head to meet his gaze, she growled playfully.
“But seriously, mister! You should’ve told me you were coming! I was sulking all by myself, thinking you weren’t coming!”
“I wanted to surprise you, so I came quietly.”
Lucas chuckled softly.
“Don’t like it?”
Instead of answering, Evangeline let out a strange giggle and suddenly thrust her arms out, shouting to everyone nearby.
“Alright, strike up the music! Tonight, we feast!”
The staff who had followed her outside erupted in cheers and applause.
Evangeline, further energized, raised her voice again.
“My husband has returned! Strike up the music! Music, I say!”
“…The way she’s talking, she sounds like a tyrant, doesn’t she?”
But seeing even the servants and citizens struggling to suppress their laughter as they played along with Evangeline’s antics, Lucas couldn’t help but grin.
Evangeline extended her hand briskly toward Lucas.
“Let’s go home already! Darling, hand!”
“Yes, yes.”
Lucas obediently offered his hand forward.
The two blonde knights held hands tightly, swinging their arms back and forth as they marched enthusiastically into the manor.
That night.
“Hmph.”
Wearing pink pajamas, Lucas lay slanted on the sofa, frowning slightly.
Sitting in front of him in matching yellow pajamas, Evangeline, who had been leaning against Lucas while munching on snacks, widened her eyes and turned around to look at him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Hmm…”
“Don’t like the pajamas? Aren’t they cute?”
“No, the pajamas are fine…”
Lucas was already well-acquainted with Evangeline’s love for all things pink and sparkly. That wasn’t the issue.
One of Lucas’s hands rested on Evangeline’s stomach.
As he gently kneaded the soft, squishy flesh of his wife’s tummy, Lucas cautiously opened his mouth.
“Well, it’s just… your belly…”
“My belly, what?”
Immediately, Evangeline turned around with a fierce glare, her eyes narrowing sharply.
The pleasant mood they’d been sharing since their reunion instantly froze over.
Lucas flinched and shrank his shoulders, closing his mouth, but Evangeline wasn’t about to let it go.
“My belly, what? Go on, finish your sentence.”
“I-I mean… it’s nice to touch. Feels kind of healing, actually…”
“Are you about to say I’ve gained weight again?”
Bullseye.
And Lucas, who wasn’t great at lying, couldn’t hide the truth. He averted his gaze, cold sweat pouring down his face.
Evangeline, now even angrier, let out a low growl.
“Before we got married, you said you loved my belly no matter what. That was a bold-faced lie, wasn’t it?”
“No, no! I do love it, no matter what! I mean it!”
“Then what’s with the ‘but’?”
Lucas, being the kind of person who struggled to hold back blunt truths, couldn’t resist.
“I feel like… it’s gotten a bit rounder than a few months ago…”
“My belly’s always been round, okay?!”
“No, that’s not what I meant… It feels… different somehow…”
Tilting his head, Lucas hesitantly asked.
“…Could it be that you’re… pregnant?”
Boom!
Evangeline spun around and body-slammed him.
The move was just as flawless as it had been during her monster-frontline days. Lucas, even as he rolled across the floor unable to scream, couldn’t help but be impressed.
From where he lay, he heard Evangeline’s booming voice, filled with rage, echo through the room.
“No matter how much my belly might’ve gotten softer, you think it’s okay to throw out hints like that?! What? Pregnant?! Preeegnaaaant?!”
“I-I didn’t mean it like that—”
“Get out, you blockhead! Out! You’re sleeping outside tonight!”
Faced with Evangeline’s genuine fury, Lucas had no choice but to obediently leave the bedroom without another word.
Blushing furiously, Evangeline ground her teeth in frustration.
“For the rest of his vacation, I’m never letting him touch my belly again!”
With that declaration, she angrily stuffed the remaining snacks into her mouth…
“Ugh—!”
Only to suddenly gag.
The snack, which she’d been enjoying just moments ago, now made her stomach churn to the point where even the smell was unbearable.
“…What the heck?”
Evangeline—of all people—gagging in front of food?
Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, Evangeline blinked in confusion.
“Wait… could it really be…?”
–TL Notes–
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