Side Story 24. [After Story] Yun & Kuilan (2)
“Ash!”
“Mikhail!”
Mikhail approached with his arms wide open.
I mirrored his gesture, and we embraced.
“Have you been well?”
The young king smiled as he spoke, his jaw now covered with a thick beard.
A few years ago, he had started growing it, frustrated by how young he looked and wanting to be taken more seriously. Now, it had filled out quite nicely.
“I’ve been doing great. But man, that beard looks impressive.”
“Right? Looks good, doesn’t it? Do you know how many years it took to grow this much?”
Unlike Lucas, whose beard grew back overnight, Mikhail’s facial hair was slow to come in. Even growing enough to cover his chin had taken a long time.
“But my wives hate it. They nag me every day to shave it off…”
Mikhail let out a deep sigh.
Sure enough, a short distance away, five women were watching us—not me, but his beard—with clear disapproval.
Well, their husband was an unparalleled beauty. It made sense that they wouldn’t be thrilled about him hiding that face under a beard.
“Anyway, that was quite the long journey. What about your kingdom?”
“I left it in my sister’s hands. To be honest, I’ve been entrusting her with domestic affairs for a while now. No need to worry.”
That reminded me—Mikhail’s sister and I had also once been engaged, before it fell through.
Just like with Yun, old connections kept resurfacing today. Not that I had anyone to blame but myself…
“Did you fly here on a Griffin?”
“Well… about that.”
Mikhail scratched the back of his head before lowering his voice.
“I can’t ride Griffins anymore.”
“What? Why not?”
“You know how our kingdom used magic to create enhanced soldiers, right? The Griffins were the same. They were artificially bred and strengthened through magic. But now that magic has disappeared from the world…”
My mouth opened slightly in realization.
Mikhail smiled bitterly.
“The ones we have left are still alive, but they endured harsh conditions during the war. They’ve aged, and we don’t make them fly anymore. We’re letting them live out their days peacefully in pastures.”
“That’s…”
“If you’re feeling guilty, don’t.”
Mikhail grinned.
“My goal was always to fix my kingdom’s twisted ways. Honestly, I’m grateful.”
“…”
Time moves forward.
The world continues to change.
I could only hope that the changes I had led were truly for the better.
We continued chatting for a while before Mikhail excused himself to greet the other kings.
At that moment, a group of priests, clad in tightly fitted black robes, approached me.
Recognizing familiar faces, I smiled.
“High Priestess, and… Torkel!”
It was Rosetta, the High Priestess, and Torkel, who had been the most unbreakable tank on our frontlines.
Torkel was dressed in a priest’s robe that covered him completely. On his head, he wore a white helmet, the kind used by the Holy Knights.
“It has been a while, Your Highness.”
Both priests bowed to me.
Grinning, I shook their hands.
“You’ve both been well?”
“There is no doubt about it. Thanks to your cooperation, Your Highness, we are spending our days quite fruitfully.”
Rosetta smiled, the characteristic wrinkles at the corners of her lips showing.
Tch. There was definitely a hidden jab in that.
Ever since divine power and healing magic vanished, a new medical system had to be established. Rosetta had been working herself to the bone to make that happen.
I had provided as much support as possible, but the workload had only increased.
Still, thanks to the efforts of the Goddess’s Order, the world had somehow managed to adapt over the past ten years. Though, from what I heard, the priests and doctors were still struggling.
“By the way… have you seen Zenis?”
After a brief discussion about the state of healthcare across the continent, Rosetta scanned the area.
“I heard he’d be here today, but I haven’t spotted him yet.”
Honestly, he probably ran off the moment he heard Rosetta was coming…
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Rosetta’s eyes suddenly gleamed.
“There he is.”
Sure enough, when I turned in that direction, I spotted Zenis huddled beside Hannibal near the liquor fountain. The moment Rosetta locked onto him, he flinched in alarm.
“We desperately need every capable priest we can get.”
Rosetta smirked. “Time to capture at least one wandering priest.”
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she strode toward him.
“Zenis, Zenis. Hand over your head. If you don’t, I’ll start adding heresy points~”
“Hiiiik!”
Zenis immediately tried to flee, but Hannibal grabbed his arm.
Zenis let out a betrayed scream—Hannibal, not you too?!—but there was no escape. He was promptly seized by Rosetta.
I chuckled as I watched, then turned my gaze back to Torkel.
Through the visor of his helmet, I could faintly see him smiling.
“How have you been, Torkel?”
“I have been well, Your Highness. And I am relieved to see that you are also doing fine.”
Torkel looked at ease.
He stood comfortably, without tension, effortlessly accepting the gazes directed at him.
For the first time in a long while, we spoke casually about our lives.
“I still feel unworthy of the position I hold, but since I have been entrusted with it, I am doing my best.”
Torkel had become the High Priest of the leper colony where he had once lived.
Not only was he working to improve the island’s inadequate medical facilities, but he was also collaborating with the Order to develop a cure for leprosy.
“There are still many who fear and despise lepers… but just having a temple on the island and a High Priest in place has already changed the way people look at us.”
Torkel nodded solemnly.
“If we continue our efforts, the way they see us will gradually grow warmer.”
I patted his shoulder.
“You’re doing well.”
“It’s thanks to Your Highness’s support.”
“I haven’t done much.”
Torkel shook his head.
“Ten years ago, people of different races and nations were able to unite as one. That was only possible because Your Highness led the way.”
He bowed deeply.
“Since that day, everyone has become a little more accepting of ‘differences.’ And the prejudice against us lepers… has softened greatly.”
“…”
“We are always grateful, Your Highness.”
I smiled awkwardly.
“There’s still a long way to go, right?”
“But we’re getting closer, little by little. Someday, we’ll reach our goal.”
“Let’s keep working toward that future together.”
With my hand still resting on his shoulder, I spoke firmly.
Torkel bowed his head deeply in response.
More guests continued to arrive.
The Rompeller siblings entered and immediately started handing out cruise brochures, promoting their business by pointing out that today’s bride and groom would also be using their services.
Kellibey arrived cradling his grandchild and was seen urgently slipping a ring case into Kuilan’s pocket. So he had only just finished it today. I told him to meet deadlines properly…
And finally, Verdandi entered—with her soon-to-be husband!
He was an elven aide who had long served the Queen of the Elves. With his sharp features, silver-rimmed glasses, and a cold demeanor, he certainly left an impression. The silver chains on his glasses shimmered subtly, and his pale blonde hair was so light it almost appeared silver.
Verdandi’s face was burning red as she held his hand. She looked like she was about to explode.
“Wheww~!”
The entire hall erupted in whistles.
Even the former members of the Holy Grail Seekers, who had been following the Elven Queen, joined in the excitement.
Under the weight of all the amused gazes, Verdandi’s face turned an even deeper shade of red.
“W-What?! If you have something to say, just say it!”
“No, we were just wondering… where on earth did you find such a handsome man?”
“T-This isn’t about me right now! We should be celebrating Kuilan and Yun!”
“But this is the first time we’re seeing Verdandi’s boyfriend in person!”
As I spoke on behalf of the group, everyone enthusiastically nodded in agreement.
Unable to handle it, Verdandi bolted toward the bridal waiting room.
That left us with her bewildered aide, who was now surrounded by our grinning faces.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Thema, Her Majesty’s aide.”
“Nice to meet you, my friend. Here, have a drink first.”
Throwing an arm around Thema’s shoulder, I handed him a glass.
Everyone let out mischievous laughs and raised their drinks.
“To Verdandi and her soon-to-be husband!”
With a collective clink, we toasted.
“So tell me, what made you decide to marry Verdandi? I mean, she is a queen, after all.”
I raised an eyebrow as I asked.
Thema adjusted his glasses with an unreadable expression.
“Her Majesty arranged the engagement, and I believed that the Queen’s consort should be someone capable of assisting her effectively. Given my qualifications, I deemed myself a suitable candidate and accepted.”
“That’s… quite a logical reason.”
I clicked my tongue.
“But is that the only reason? Did you accept just because it was
“…”
Thema hesitated for a moment.
Then, he finally spoke.
“Elves have only one partner for life.”
His cold blue eyes lowered slightly.
“There’s no way I would have accepted if I didn’t truly care for her.”
A faint blush crept onto his pale cheeks.
—Waaaahhh!
The room erupted in cheers.
Kellibey clutched her cheeks and shrieked, while the Rompeller siblings threw their pamphlets into the air, howling.
“When?! Since when did you start liking her?!”
I tightened my grip around his shoulder, pressing for details.
Thema hesitated, then, with great reluctance, admitted,
“…Since the first time I saw her.”
With that, the young elf squeezed his eyes shut as if bracing for impact—then finally gave in and buried his face in his hands.
—WAAAAAH!
The entire hall broke into an uproar.
People grabbed drinks from the fountain, toasting wildly in celebration.
This was too sweet. My teeth were going to rot.
“As long as they’re happy, that’s all that matters!”
I raised my glass high.
Everyone else followed suit.
“That’s all that matters!”
The hall was buzzing with laughter, cheers, and merriment when—
Dong—!
A deep, resonant bell rang through the air.
At the entrance of the hall, children dressed in traditional beastkin attire began rolling out a long carpet.
Already?
“This is the moment for today’s stars.”
It was my first time witnessing a traditional beastkin wedding, so the customs felt unfamiliar.
But instinctively, everyone seemed to understand the significance of the moment.
Guests straightened their outfits and stepped aside to make way.
The children, their faces bright with smiles but their eyes serious with focus, carefully laid out the carpet.
Starting from the entrance, the richly patterned fabric extended all the way to the altar beneath the grand Maple tree.
Once the carpet was fully laid, the children gracefully moved to the sides and took their places around the altar.
Then, they retrieved their instruments and began to play.
A melody, rich with unique and unfamiliar harmonies, filled the air.
At the same time, a gentle breeze swept through the space.
The long banners hanging from the branches rippled, and crimson Maple leaves, painted by autumn, cascaded down like falling snow.
Beneath this breathtaking scenery, the bride and groom met at the entrance of the ceremony hall.
Yun stood in her traditional beastkin wedding attire, accompanied by a procession of young beastkin girls serving as her bridesmaids.
Kuilan, dressed in the traditional wedding garments of Ariane, walked alongside King Miller of Ariane.
As the bridesmaids and Miller stepped aside, Yun and Kuilan stood side by side.
They gazed at each other for a long moment before slowly reaching out—
And clasping hands.
Following the path of the carpet, they began to walk together.
Someone in the crowd couldn’t hold back and started clapping. That was all it took.
Cheers erupted. Whistles rang through the air. Voices called out in celebration.
The two, bound by a long and deep connection, smiled shyly.
The applause and cheers didn’t stop—not until they reached the end of the carpeted path.
Under the grand Maple tree, they shared the ceremonial vow’s wine, drinking from the same cup.
Then, pressing their foreheads together, they whispered their vows softly.
“…”
The words weren’t meant for the crowd to hear.
As long as they were engraved in their hearts, that was enough.
When the ceremony was complete, they turned to us, still holding hands, and bowed deeply.
The thunderous applause and cheers swelled to the point of making our ears ring.
Watching them smile so radiantly, my eyes suddenly felt hot.
I clenched my jaw and swallowed down the emotion before cupping my hands around my mouth and shouting—
“Kiss—!”
That was the spark.
The entire crowd picked up the chant.
“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
Like teasing children, everyone abandoned their dignity and authority, calling out as one.
Kuilan shrugged as if he had no choice, then turned to Yun.
“I had a feeling this would happen, so I practiced a little.”
Yun smirked.
“You still have a long way to go.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him.
Kuilan, with his large hands, caught her waist and held her firmly.
As their lips met, the village erupted in deafening cheers.
On an autumn day, beneath a cascade of falling Maple leaves, the two sealed their love.