Side Story 2 â Part 3
His jet black hair was so glossy it looked damp. That hair was proof that he held more magical power than anyone else.
To be honest, Arche still thought his hair was scary. She knew it was shameful of her to think that, but she couldnât help it. Although sheâd gotten better with it than before, there were still times it would terribly frighten her until she couldnât bear it.
She would look at him in the arbor from between the plants with that fearful gaze. She was relieved that each time, he simply continued reading his book in silence, giving no hint of noticing her gaze.
She didnât think it was possible in reality, but letâs say he laughed hypothetically, cried or got angry, showing that he too was human after all. But even so, his black hair would surpass his human emotions, making one unable to feel anything but fear. That was the power it had.
With black like that, beautiful yet terrifying, terrifying yet beautiful, he was a being unbelievably different from his fellow humans.
But thatâs precisely why that gentleman was strong. Thatâs precisely why he was the royal palaceâs head magician, thatâs precisely why he was chosen as one of the heroes to defeat the demon king. Thatâs what he was like.
There was no way heâd die. No doubt heâd defeat the demon king with the other heroes and return safely back to this medicinal plants garden, back to her.
That was what Arche believed as she showed him a final smile with all her might, saying, ãTake care!ã and watched as he left.
Thatâs why Arche was shocked, âthat canât be,â when rumors started spreading in the palace that Agedilus had died in the middle of a fight.
She tried countless times to think, âitâs just a rumor, thereâs no way that could happen.â But she knew that rumor was true when it was whispered around the palace as if it was true, and then she heard Agedilusâs disciple left to follow the party of heroes.
Inevitably, she was sad, so sad. She slumped into a depression to the point where she began neglecting Agedilusâs garden, the one thing sheâd usually put her utmost effort into. She ended up being so sad that her father realized her unusual state and told her, ãRest for a while.ã
Days passed even if he wasnât there anymore. She couldnât even look forward to wondering âwhen will he visit this garden again?â anymore. She was sad, but she couldnât stay mourning forever. Before long, she started getting used to daily life again. That was when it happened.
Suddenly, the dark clouds enshrouding the sky cleared. Everyone saw a light fall in the far north. Just like before the hero had been chosen, when the holy sword was pointed at by the heavens. It looked like it pierced through the sky, dazzling but it didnât hurt to look at.
And then, some time passed. What was that light? Why had the clouds suddenly cleared away? Was it, perhaps�
Those doubts spread over the country. Then the king himself made a big announcement from the palace. That they had received news from the party of heroes. News that they had defeated the demon king.
The entire country â no, the entire world rejoiced at the news.
But Arche honestly couldnât be delighted at the news. âThat gentleman died, and yetâ¦â She couldnât help but think that.
But her sadness was short-lived. Right before the triumphal return party of the heroes was held, she was informed of a certain truth. The truth that the wizard thought to be died, Agedilus Von Lancent, was alive. Now, finally Arche was overjoyed.
She did stand to one side of the parade, watching with her friends, but she deeply regretted not getting a better seat earlier.
Why hadnât they just announced that he was alive when they announced the defeat of the demon king? Why had Agedilusâs existence been made so secret? Apparently, that was because on top of the difficulties he faced while he was thought to be dead, he also received a serious wound in the final battle. There were moments where it didnât seem possible that heâd remainãaliveã.
Deep inside the royal palace, the medical officers and wizards had used up their entire power on him, until finally his condition remained stagnant. But still they couldnât afford to be optimistic, and so it was reported that he would be unable to attend the parade.
Arche was worried upon hearing that, and also thought it was unfortunate. But then, she felt the same amount of â no, even more happiness at the thought of him being alive.
Like that, some weeks passed. Until finally, Archeâs crush returned to his personal medicinal plants garden that Arche was looking after.
ââIt really, really is Sir Agedilus!
Her heartbeat spontaneously started throbbing, and she couldnât hold back her face from turning red.
That black hair, so glossy it looked damp just like usual. Those mysterious, miraculous sunrise-colored eyes with purple and orange intermingling together. She hadnât seen Agedilus in so long, he looked so beautiful she couldnât help but be fascinated again. There was a scar under his left eye, but it didnât damage his beauty one bit.
âââ¦â¦Huh?
Besides that scar, Arche could see another change in Agedilus. It was a change that would probably go unnoticed by all except those who really observed him. The change looked rather similar to the smile he did once, the second Arche realized sheâd fallen in love with him.
ââWhat could it beâ¦? It feels kinda like, the air about him changed?
Before he left on this trip, he had a stiff, hard air about him. Even when he was alone in the arbor in the medicinal plants garden, it felt like he was pushing away other people. But now, just what had happened to the air of the person in front of her? Even though there was still some stiffness left, it had become remarkably calmer compared to before. Somehow softer, gentler.
âI wonder if itâs because the worldâs finally at peace now,â Arche thought. He had been burdened with the great responsibility of defeating the demon king, and now the journey had finally ended. A journey so short, but it felt so long. No doubt that must be more than enough to put him at ease.
On top of that, now everyone would sing his praises as one of the saviors of the world, a complete change from how he was loathed for his black hair before. Even though they had all been mixing fact and fiction in their rumors, speaking ill of Agedilus, since he came back they were all saying nice things about him. Arche did resent them for being so selfish. But more importantly, hearing him be praised like that made her so happy and proud, as if she was the one being praised.
If this was how Arche, someone else felt, no doubt the person himself must be even happier. That may have been what softened his attitude.
âOr maybe, what ifâ¦â A question came to Archeâs mind. Was this because she was the one in front of him? Was she the only one heâd show these emotions to? Was he in fact showing them just because she was there?
ãC-congratulations, for defeating the demon king!ã
ãRight. Good job, youâve been working hard too.ã
ãâ!ã
Flustered, she quickly lowered her head at the first appreciative words sheâd heard from him. If she hadnât, heâd definitely have noticed her red face.
What if, what if that was true? What if it really was Arche whoâd soothed Agedilus, softened his attitude?
ââUwaaaah! What am I even thinking!
It was a ridiculous, absurd thought that made her want to shake her head quickly to shake it off. But why did she have a feeling that thought was strangely true? Just the thought of his pleasing voice saying something like ãI love youã was so, so unbearable. She felt like she might faint right there.
ãUm, this is the crops I harvested while you werenât here â tea leaves, herbs, medicinal plants. I couldnât harvest everything, butâ¦ã
Arche handed a paper bag to Agedilus full of different kinds of plants, dried up and separated by their types. Sheâd carefully compared the herbs and plants Agedilus ordered her to raise before he left, hand-picking the ones he would order most often. It seemed he had a special recipe for medicinal plant tea. She wanted to try that tea someday.
Agedilus took the bag from Arche, turning his sunrise-colored eyes towards her. Her heart made a sudden, violent thump.
ãâ¦â¦You understood well.ã
ãThatâs just because Iâm your gardener!ã
Saying that in an admiring voice, Arche puffed up her chest in pride. âThatâs right. This beautiful beingâs gardener.â There may be those that said she was just a peasant gardener, but Arche knew how difficult it was to be his gardener. It was really difficult to be close to someone loathed for having black hair. But sheâd done that long before he became a hero.
Sheâd allowed that to happen, and she definitely would continue it for long after too. She could be near to the one she longed for. She liked him. She loved him when she slept, she loved him when she woke up, she loved him so much it was unbearable.
Agedilus left, holding the paper bag full of medicinal plants and herbs. Arche watched him leave, basking in the lingering aftertaste of joy.