♔亞緣腐宅窩♔

A Royal Story Event－Queen's Reign（Byron）

Prologue：

It was a bright, clear day, and a gentle breeze was blowing.
I was paying a visit to Robert's studio.
I sat quietly across from Robert, holding as still as I could.
Robert looked up from the canvas in front of him, and said gently,
Robert：Why don't we take a break?
Jily：No, I'm fine.
Robert：Then I'll keep going, Your Majesty.

（Ahh, damn. I was right. I can't stand you being so formal.）

Robert adjusted his grip on his brush as he turned back towards his canvas.
But before he could start painting again, I said,
Jily：Can we just go back to acting like we usually do?
Robert's eyes widened slightly, and then he laughed suddenly.
Robert：Are you sure? I just thought, if I treat you like the queen you are—
Robert：Well, I might be able to better capture that grace and dignity on my canvas.
Robert smiled cheerfully at me as he spoke.
But something about the way he phrased it just made me feel more embarrassed.

（I'm just still not used to being called 'Your Majesty' like that.）

It had been almost a year since I'd officially become the queen of Wysteria.
I had more responsibilities to bear, and a great many more things to worry about.
But I'd spent the last year with my king at my side, and I felt as if we'd had a fulfilling, enjoyable year together.
Robert：I never thought the day would come when I'd be painting a picture of you as the queen.
Robert：It makes me really happy.
Jily：I'm very happy that you're painting my picture too!
Robert：Are you looking forward to the ceremony? I am.
Jily：Yes, I am!
There was a particular reason Robert was painting my picture.
It was a picture that would be put up to celebrate the first anniversary of our coronation.
Robert smiled as he gazed down at the canvas in front of him.
Robert：That reminds me, there's some sort of custom associated with the ceremony, isn't there?
Jily：Oh, yes. I was told that it's about wishing for happiness and prosperity for the whole nation, but—
Jily：I still haven't really heard what exactly the custom itself is.

（I wonder what we'll be expected to do?）

As I sat there thinking, there was a sudden knock at the door.
Robert：Come in.
Robert and I turned to look as the door to the studio opened...

◆ Select a Suitor ◆
Who will you choose?
Choose and your story will start.

＞＞＞Choose Byron

Byron, Chapter 1：

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
Robert：Come in.
Robert called out cheerfully, and the door opened.
My eyes widened in surprise as I saw who walked in.
It was Byron.
Jily：Byron—I didn't expect you to be here already!
Byron：Yes, I finished my work faster than I expected, so we left early.
Jily：I see. I'm sorry I didn't come out to greet you!
Byron：That's fine.
Byron：I went to see Emma first. Children certainly grow up fast.
Byron's expression gentled into a smile as he spoke.

（You always look so kind and gentle when you talk about Emma.）

Soon after our marriage, Byron and I had been gifted with a daughter.
Until things settled down, Emma and I were staying in Wysteria and I was doing my work here.

（And you're stuck in Stein, all alone.）
（You must feel so lonely, and I feel bad for doing that to you.）
（But then, I feel lonely too.）
（I'm so glad to see you again, it feels like it's been ages.）

Byron：I'm sorry for interrupting.
Byron turned towards Robert, but Robert just smiled, placing his hand on his knee.
Robert：No, it's fine.
Byron：Do you think it'll be ready in time for the ceremony?
Robert：Absolutely. As soon as it's finished I'll send it to Stein.
Byron：Thanks.
Robert laughed softly, turning to glance at me.
Robert：Now that Byron's here, why don't you ask him about what we were talking about?

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Robert：Now that Byron's here, why don't you ask him about what we were talking about?
Byron：What were you talking about?
Jily：We'd just been discussing the ceremony, actually, and the custom.
Jily：Byron, do you know what sort of custom it is?
Byron：Ahh, that.

（Hang on—）

Byron nodded slowly, but I thought I saw something wavering in his gaze.

（Byron?）

But when he spoke, his voice was as steadfast as ever.
Byron：Each of us wears something related to our parents when we take part in the ceremony.
Jily：Related to...?
Byron：Yes. Basically, something that your parents cherished.

（Something they cherished, huh?）

Jily：What a lovely custom.
I smiled up at Byron, and he nodded back at me, his gaze gentle.

（Now that I think about it, my mother had a ring that she always wore.）

Jily：I'll look for something before I return to Stein.
Byron：That sounds good.
Robert had been listening to our conversation, and now he said,
Robert：Well, now that you know what the custom is—
Robert：You should probably prepare for it as soon as possible.
Jily：But what about the painting?
I frowned with concern, but Robert gave me a gentle smile.
Robert：I've got the main composition finished already, so it's fine.

（Well, if you say so...）

Jily：Thank you.
I started to stand up from the chair, but as I did so—

（Oh!）

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

（Oh!）

I started to stand up from the chair, but as I did so,
the hem of my dress got caught under the chair leg, and I stumbled.
Byron：Are you all right?
Byron wrapped an arm around my waist, supporting me.
He reached out with his free hand, lifting the chair off my dress.
Jily：Thank you!
He was suddenly much closer than I'd expected, and my heart began to race.
I looked up to find him smiling gently down at me.

（I know it's just a little thing, but—）

He was always so kind and thoughtful, and it filled my heart with warmth.
Jily：Robert, thank you, too.
Robert：You're welcome. See you later.
Byron took me by the hand, and we stepped out of the studio.
Jily：Byron—

（I know you were stopping me from falling, but—）

Byron still had his arm around my waist, and as I glanced down at it, he laughed.
Byron：You're the queen now, but you haven't changed at all.
There was a sensual edge to Byron's voice that I only ever got to hear when we were alone.
Byron：Isn't it about time you got used to it?

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron：Isn't it about time you got used to it?
Byron tightened his grip on me, pulling me into an alcove.
I caught my breath as he leaned so close that our lips were almost touching.

（I don't think I'll ever get used to it. But that's not such a bad thing.）

Every time Byron touched me, it set my heart racing, and made me feel giddy with delight.
I didn't really want that to ever go away.
Jily：Are you sure we should be doing this here?
I looked up at him, pouting a little as I spoke.
Byron：So you're not going to get used to it?
I could hear the teasing tone in his voice.
Jily：It wasn't by my choice that we ended up in this position.
Jily：What do you expect me to do about it?
I looked up at him, trying to hide my smile.
Byron laughed softly, his eye narrowing.
Byron：Ahh, you always know what to say.
He stroked my cheek gently, his thumb trailing down to caress my lower lip.
Byron：You're even better at it than you were when we first met.
Byron's breath was warm against my cheek as he leaned closer.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron：You're even better at it than you were when we first met.
Byron's breath was warm against my cheek as he leaned closer.
His lips captured mine in a soft kiss.
I gasped softly, closing my eyes as our mouths moved together.

（You haven't changed at all since we first met.）
（Except for one thing.）
（I feel like you're much more likely to do things like this.）

My heart was racing, and I felt suffused with happiness.

（Even the most normal of moments feel special when I'm with you.）
（Moments like these remind me that I really am your wife.）

Our lips slowly parted at last, and I looked up at Byron.
As our eyes met, we smiled at each other.
Byron stepped back out into the corridor, and I followed after him.
I spent the next morning searching for what I needed for the custom at the ceremony.
After that, it was time for Byron and I to head to Stein.
Things would be so busy there that we left our daughter Emma at the palace with her nurse.
Byron was gazing out the window, but suddenly he turned to me.
Byron：Did you find something suitable for the custom?
Jily：I did.
I smiled brightly up at Byron, but to my surprise he dropped his gaze away.
I studied the frown on his face for a moment.
Jily：What's the matter?
He didn't seem like his usual self, and I felt concerned.
He continued to frown as he looked up at me.
Byron：I didn't say this yesterday, but—
Byron：There's a problem with the custom for the ceremony.

Byron, Chapter 2：

Byron：There's a problem with the custom for the ceremony.
Jily：What is it?
Byron's voice was filled with an edge of sadness.
I caught my breath as I waited for his response.
Byron：I haven't found an item related to my parents yet.
Byron spoke quietly about both his parents being deceased.
He reminded me that he'd spent very little time interacting with his father even when he'd been alive.
Byron：There are very few of his items left in the castle.
Byron：And I have no idea which of those might be something he cherished.
His voice was as calm as ever, but there was an emptiness to it that made my heart ache.

（You've been worrying about this all this time, haven't you?）
（That's why—）

〝Jily：We'd just been discussing the ceremony, actually, and the custom.〞
〝Jily：Byron, do you know what sort of custom it is?〞
〝Byron：Ahh, that.〞

（I thought I saw something wavering in your gaze then. And this is why.）

Byron：There's still time. So don't worry about it too much.
Byron gave me a gentle smile, as if trying to reassure me.

（It's all well and good for you to say that, but—）

Jily：If you don't mind, I'd be happy to help you search for something that suits.
Byron：You're busy with the ceremony preparations, aren't you?
Jily：Even so, please let me help you when I have a spare moment.
I met Byron's gaze directly, and after a moment he smiled gladly.
Byron：I'll call on you when I'm searching, then.
Jily：Thank you.
I nodded firmly up at Byron, smiling back at him.
At last we arrived at Stein Castle.
Nico：Welcome home, Jily!
Albert：Your Majesties, welcome home.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Nico：Welcome home, Jily!
Albert：Your Majesties, welcome home.
Jily：It's good to be back.
I smiled brightly at the two of them as they came out to greet us.
Nico's eyes were sparkling with happiness.
Nico：It's been so long, Jily!
Albert：How was your time at home?
Jily：It was relaxing. Thank you, both of you.
As we walked down the corridor together, Albert adjusted his glasses.
Albert：If you're not too tired—
Albert：I would like to move immediately to discussing the ceremony preparations.
Nico：Geez, they only just got back!
Nico：All you ever think about is work, Al.
Albert：No, you just spend too much time thinking about anything BUT work.

（Ahh, you two never change.）

It had been months since I'd been to the castle, and I couldn't help but smile to see that nothing had changed.
I glanced up at Byron and saw that he was smiling too.
Byron：That reminds me. There's something I want to talk to the two of you about.
We followed Byron as he led us into his study.
Nico：So you wanted to talk to us?
Albert：What is it about?
Byron spoke to the two of them about the custom for the ceremony, just as he'd told me.
He went on to explain the problem he was having with finding an appropriate item for it.
Byron：I made no attempt to get to know Gerald at all.
Byron：So now I know very little. Will you help me out with this?
Byron gazed across the room at Albert and Nico.
The two of them both nodded firmly, without hesitation.
Albert：Of course.
Nico：Leave it to us.
Jily：I'll help as well, however I can.
Albert cleared his throat, fiddling with his glasses as he did so.
Albert：There's no need. Please prioritize preparations for the ceremony.
Nico：You've got so much to learn about the proper formalities for the ceremony, too!
Nico：Please just leave it to us, Jily!

（Well, it's true that I've got a lot to do, and a lot to learn.）

I hesitated at their assurances, and turned to look at Byron.
He smiled at me, his gaze gentle.
Byron：You'd probably be better off focusing on the ceremony.
Byron：But I appreciate the thought. Thank you.
Jily：Byron—

（I really want to help out as well, but—）
（First I need to work hard on the things I need to get done.）

Jily：All right. Thank you, Nico, Albert.
I turned back to the two of them, and they both nodded reassuringly.

＊＊＊

That evening—
I'd spent much of the day learning about the formalities for the ceremony before returning to our room.
But I couldn't stop thinking about what we'd discussed earlier.
Byron was already there, waiting for me, and I blurted out,
Jily：Did you find anything that will help you find an item for the ceremony?
Byron：Not yet, but—
Byron cut himself off, giving me a chagrined smile as he drew me down to sit on the bed with him.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron drew me down to sit on the bed with him, gently stroking my hair.
Byron：You don't need to worry about a thing.
Byron：More importantly, I'm sorry for getting you all involved in this.
He sounded critical of himself, and I quickly shook my head.
Jily：There's nothing to apologize for.
Jily：I know it's needed for the ceremony, but—
Jily：I'm hoping that you'll find something, for your own sake.
Byron：My own sake?
Jily：Yes. Whatever item it is that you find,
Jily：I'm certain it will be filled with memories of you and your parents.
Jily：So, I really hope you find it.
Byron gazed at me quietly, then suddenly smiled.
Byron：You're right.
Byron lay back on the bed, pulling me towards him until I was sitting on top of him.
Jily：Byron?
I blinked down at him, and he reached up, gently drawing my face towards him.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron gently drew my face towards him, and kissed me softly.
Byron：I just felt very loved right then. That's all.
Byron smiled up at me, and kissed my forehead lightly.
The sweetness of his kisses made my heart sing.

（I feel loved too, Byron.）

Byron：There's still time before the ceremony. I'm sure I'll find something.
Jily：You will.
We smiled at each other, and I felt joy to be back in our own bed together after so long.
Time passed by in a flash, and soon it was the day before the ceremony.
I was making my final preparations for the ceremony when Nico poked his head into my room.
Nico：Everything going okay?
Jily：Yes! I've just finished preparing everything I'll be wearing tomorrow, including the special item for the custom.
I opened the nearby chest and showed him my mother's ring.
Nico came closer to look at it, a smile lighting up his face.
Nico：I'm so looking forward to it! Oh, and I definitely won't cry this time!
His tone was mischievous, and I began to giggle.

〝Nico：Guh—〞
〝Albert：Stop sobbing.〞
〝Nico：But I'm so happy.〞
〝Nico：Besides, you're crying too.〞
〝Albert：Shut up.〞
〝Byron：Are Al and Nico crying?〞
〝Jily：It looks like it.〞

（Ahh, that really brings back memories of my wedding.）

Nico：You don't need to laugh that much, Jily!
Jily：Sorry!
I gave him a wry smile, then turned back to the mirror.
I could see Nico's reflection as he gazed down at the ring I was holding.
Nico：It's beautiful.
Jily：Thanks.

（Hmm? Nico—）

As I studied his reflection, I realized he looked a little glum.

（Don't tell me—）

Jily：Nico, what about the item that Lord Wagner cherished?
Nico：I'm sorry. We still haven't found anything.
Jily：That's okay. There's still time. I'm sure it'll be fine!
I tried to be as encouraging as I could, but Nico just sighed softly.
Nico：There's so little left of his stuff it's almost weird.
Nico：There's no rooms left that we haven't already searched.
Jily：I see.
I thought back to all the days Byron and I had spent together.

（You're always helping me out, Byron, no matter what happens.）
（I really want to be able to help you as well.）

I gazed down at the ring in my hand, filled with fresh resolve.
That evening—

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

That evening—
Byron and I sat side by side on a bench in the gardens.

（You look just like you always do, but—）
（I know you haven't found an item that Lord Wagner cherished yet.）
（And I'm sure that's bothering you.）

I'd wanted to distract Byron from worrying about it all night long.
So I'd invited him out into the garden to gaze at the stars together.
Byron：They look even more beautiful than usual, perhaps because I'm with you.
Jily：Oh, come on. Although they really do look beautiful.

（You haven't found the item you need for tomorrow's ceremony.）
（Yet you haven't said a word about it to me.）

He was looking up at the stars, and I gathered up my courage and spoke.
Jily：Byron, I was talking to Nico today.
Jily：He told me you still haven't found any item related to Lord Wagner.
Byron said nothing, but I even in the dimness I could see him frowning.
Jily：Please let me help you look.
Jily：As a member of your family.
Byron：Jily—
Byron's eye widened slightly in surprise as he dropped his gaze to meet mine.
A gentle smile slowly spread across his face.
Byron：Can I ask you to help me, then?
Jily：Of course.
Byron：Then I'm relying on you.
We smiled at each other, and I turned and lifted my gaze towards the stars again, when—

（Hang on a minute—）

Jily：Is there a room up there?
I realized that there was a tiny window between Byron's study and the floor below it.

（I know I've never seen that window in the study itself.）

Suddenly I remembered what Nico had said to me earlier.

〝Nico：There's so little left of his stuff it's almost weird.〞
〝Nico：There's no rooms left that we haven't already searched.〞

（Maybe there's a room you haven't searched after all?）

Byron noticed my expression, and followed my gaze.
We both stared at that tiny, unfamiliar window for a moment longer.
Then we looked at each other, and Byron nodded.
Byron：I'd say we need to take a closer look.

＊＊＊

We head into the palace to find the room belonging to the window we'd seen from outside.
To our surprise, we found a door hidden behind a bookcase in the study.
Byron and I both caught our breath as we stepped through the door.
Jily：This place—

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Byron, Chapter 3-Sweet Ending：

Byron and I both caught our breath as we stepped through the door.
Jily：This place—
I gazed around in wonder at all the lavish furnishings.
Byron's deep, quiet voice echoed through the room.
Byron：This must be Gerald's secret room.

（What? Really?）

Byron：That's his favorite chess set.
Byron pointed to the chess board sitting on a nearby chest.
Then he looked slowly around the room.
He moved silently across the room towards a large wooden table.
He seemed drawn towards it somehow.
He stopped in front of it and picked up something sitting on top of it.

（Is that a brooch?）

I watched curiously as he began to speak softly.
Byron：I remember giving Gerald a gift, just once.
Byron was staring at the item in his hand, and I followed his gaze.
The brooch was made of silver, with a white polished stone set in it.
It was clearly a toy brooch, meant for a child.
Jily：And that's the gift you gave to him?
Byron：Yes. I recognize it.
There was a fond light in Byron's gaze as he stared down at the brooch.
Byron：I was still very young, and I gave it to him on his birthday.
Byron：I'd completely forgotten it even existed until now.
Byron：But if it was in here—

（You make it sound forgotten to him too, but—）

I stared down at the brooch, getting a different vibe from it.
Byron：What is it?

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron：What is it?
I was thinking hard, and Byron leaned closer, catching my gaze.
Jily：Byron, the moment you walked into this room,
Jily：you noticed that brooch right away, didn't you?
Jily：Don't you think Lord Wagner must have done the same?
Byron：What do you mean?
Jily：I think he placed it in a spot where he'd see it as soon as he walked in.
Jily：I think he cherished it that much.
It had probably been a long time since Lord Wagner had entered this room.
But it was clear that no one else had been in the room in that time, either.
The dust that had settled thick on the brooch told just how long it had been.

（A secret room that no one else knew about.）
（But I think it's a room filled with memories of his family.）

I reached out and gently wiped the dust away from the brooch.
Jily：What a beautiful color.
Byron：Yes, white was my mother's favorite color.
As Byron spoke, his gaze turned distant, his eye widening slightly.
Byron：I just remembered something else.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron：I just remembered something else.
Byron spoke haltingly as he dredged up the long-forgotten memories.
Byron：My mother was the one who suggested I give him the brooch.
Byron：I wanted to give him something that he would wear.
Byron：So I asked my mother to help me out.
Jily：So when you chose something white, it was also because of how you felt about your mother.
Byron：Yes.
Jily：I'm so glad you found something so wonderful.
Byron was nodding faintly, and I smiled up at him.
He reached out and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close.
Jily：Byron?
I looked up at him in surprise, and his smile deepened.
Byron：It's all because of you that I found it.
Byron：Will you let me thank you?
His voice was a husky purr as he leaned closer, catching my gaze.

（You look so happy right now.）
（And it's not just the brooch itself. All your memories of Lord Wagner—）
（Those are precious to you too, aren't they?）

His gaze was intense, and I met it directly as I nodded.
Jily：Of course.
Byron tightened his grip on me, pulling me closer still.
We stared at each other as our faces came together.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron tightened his grip on me, pulling me closer still.
We stared at each other as our faces came together.
Byron lifted my chin slightly, bringing our lips together for a gentle kiss.
I closed my eyes and savored the brief moment, and the warmth of his lips against mine.
Byron：Thank you, Jily.
Byron gripped the brooch tightly in his hand, seeming more emotional than usual as he hugged me tightly.
Jily：Not at all. I'm so glad we found it.
I reached up and wrapped my arms around him in return.
A moment later he murmured in my ear, his voice a breathy sigh.
Byron：We've done this before, haven't we?

（Oh!）

〝Byron：It's a strange feeling. He really was my father.〞
〝Byron：Let me just... stay like this, for a while.〞
〝Jily：Of course.〞
〝Jily：We can stay like this forever if you want.〞

Byron：You've supported me so many times.
Jily：Not at all.

（I'm the one who's always being helped out by you.）

Byron：I feel this so strongly right now—I want to stay together with you forever.
Byron：Will you follow along with me?
His words were so direct, so sure, and they echoed through my heart.
Jily：Of course. I'll never let you go.
Byron tightened his grip on me, leaning towards me again.
His kiss this time was deeper and more passionate.
I responded eagerly, our mouths moving together.

（I'm so glad we found such a precious memory for you.）

My heart began to race at the warmth we shared.

＊＊＊

The next day—
Byron and I were in our room, preparing for the ceremony.
Byron：It's almost time.

（Hmm?）

As Byron stepped towards me, I noticed that he wasn't wearing the brooch.
I looked up at him curiously just as he held the brooch out to me.
Byron：Will you put it on for me?

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron held the brooch out to me.
Byron：Will you put it on for me?
His gaze was intense, and my heart skipped a beat.

（I'm happy to do that if it's what you want.）

Jily：Of course.
I did my best to ignore my racing heart as I carefully pinned the brooch to Byron's jacket.
Jily：It suits you.
Byron：Really?
We smiled brightly at each other, and then I reached out and placed my hand in his.
It was time for the ceremony to start, so we stepped out onto the balcony.
A great cheer went up from the crowd, followed by applause.

（Wow, there's so many people here!）

Byron and I both waved down to the crowd below us.
Byron smiled as he gazed down at the upturned faces.
Byron：The country of Stein, and all the citizens who live in it,
Byron：are more important to me than anything. And—
Byron turned to me, his gaze gentle.
Byron：I swear that I will make you and Emma happy, your whole lives long.
Byron and I gazed at each other, our lips coming together for a soft kiss.
The crowd roared with delight, and the sound seemed to enfold us.

（That brooch was the first gift that Byron ever gave to Lord Wagner.）
（I'm sure he cherished it, all his life.）

Our lips parted, and I gazed up at Byron, his face so close to mine.
I couldn't stop thinking about the custom we'd had to fulfill.

（I don't know where this custom came from.）
（But maybe it exists to pass down the love we feel for our families.）

Jily：I realized something all over again today.
Byron's expression relaxed into a smile as I spoke.
He waited for me to go on, his gaze encouraging.
Jily：I want to cherish both Stein and Wysteria even more than I ever have before.
Jily：Both as queen, and... as a part of your family.

（In the same way that I'm sure Lord Wagner cherished his family, in his own way.）

Byron's eye widened slightly in surprise at my words.
Then he smiled again, his expression calm as he nodded.
Byron：Good.
The people continued to cheer and applaud our happiness under the bright blue sky.
The sound enveloped us as we took each other's hands, gazing into each other's eyes...

fin.

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Byron, Chapter 3-Premium Ending：

Byron and I both caught our breath as we stepped through the door.
Jily：This place—
I gazed around in wonder at all the lavish furnishings.
Byron's deep, quiet voice echoed through the room.
Byron：This must be Gerald's secret room.

（What? Really?）

Byron：That's his favorite chess set.
Byron pointed to the chess board sitting on a nearby chest.
Then he looked slowly around the room.
Without hesitation he moved across the room towards a large wooden table.
He reached out, touching the cover of a sketchbook lying on the table.
Jily：What's that?

（It just looks like a normal sketchbook.）
（I wonder what's so special about it?）

After a moment Byron picked up the sketchbook.
As he did so I noticed some writing on the back of it.
Jily：It looks like someone's name is written on the back.
Byron flipped the sketchbook over, and his eye widened slightly.
Byron：I thought so. This is Robert's.
Jily：What? Really?
Byron held up the sketchbook, showing me Robert's name on the back.
He untied the strings holding it shut and opened the book.
Byron：This picture...
Byron spoke softly, and I could hear suppressed emotion in his voice.
The picture he was looking at was of himself, when he was an adolescent.

（You weren't yet wearing your eyepatch back then.）

The eyes of the youth in the picture were filled with strong determination.
Yet he still had an air of innocence to him.
Byron：Gerald had Robert draw this picture.
Byron：This is the first rough sketch for the final painting.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron：Gerald had Robert draw this picture.
Byron：This is the first rough sketch for the final painting.

（Wait, there was a painting?）

I thought back to all I knew of Byron's past.

（I thought there were no paintings of you at all.）

Jily：Did he finish the painting?
Byron：Yes. But as you know, there are no longer any paintings of me left.

（So the only reason this sketch still exists is because it was here, in this secret room.）

Byron：But why is this here?
Byron's eye narrowed with confusion, but I smiled up at him.

（Maybe it's so close to you that you can't understand it.）

Jily：I'm sure it's here because Lord Wagner cherished it.
Byron had been staring down at the sketch, but he dropped his gaze away at my words.

（It's a memory of his son, Byron.）
（I'm sure he treasured it with all his heart.）

At last a faint smile graced Byron's lips.
Byron：Cherished it, hmm?
Jily：Yes.
I nodded with a smile, but then Byron frowned again.
Byron：But this isn't exactly something I can wear.
Jily：Well, I guess that's true.
We looked at each other for a moment, and then I was struck with an idea.

（That'll work.）

Jily：Byron, I do have one suggestion.

＊＊＊

The next day—
Byron and I were in his room, getting ready for the ceremony.
I slipped on my mother's ring, and turned to look at Byron.
Byron：It'll be starting soon.
Byron walked towards me, and then stopped in front of me.
I gazed up into his left eye, and it felt as if I could see myself reflected in it.
Byron：You should remove it for me.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron：You should remove it for me.
His words brought to mind our discussion the day before.

〝Jily：Byron, I do have one suggestion.〞
〝Byron：Yes?〞
〝I reached out and placed my hand over Byron's where he held the sketchbook.〞
〝Jily：Why not attend the ceremony tomorrow looking as you do in this picture?〞
〝Byron Byron's eye widened slightly at my words.〞
〝His expression was curious for a moment, as if contemplating them.〞
〝Then he seemed to realize what I meant, and he reached up to touch his eyepatch.〞
〝Byron：Is this what you mean?〞
〝Jily：Yes. Why not remove your eyepatch and stand before the people of Stein without it?〞
〝Byron frowned again, pressing his lips together.〞
〝I could see the conflict of emotions in his gaze.〞

〝（You at least take it off sometimes when we're alone together.）〞
〝（But I'll understand if you're reluctant to take it off in a public place.）〞

〝When I thought about the reason Byron wore the eyepatch,〞
〝I knew it was only natural that he was conflicted.〞

〝（And yet—）〞

〝I spoke again, putting all my emotions into my voice.〞
〝Jily：The people aren't afraid of you anymore.〞

〝（Over this past year—no, even long before that—）〞
〝（The people have come to understand your kindness.）〞

〝Jily：And if the thing that Lord Wagner cherished the most was you yourself—〞
〝Jily：Then you should attend the ceremony looking as you really do.〞
〝Jily：I think that would fulfill the custom, don't you?〞
〝Byron's frown faded slowly as he listened to my words.〞
〝At last he nodded quietly.〞

Jily：So it's okay if I remove it?
Byron：Yes.
Byron nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving mine.
Byron：It's been a year since we started governing Stein and Wysteria together.
Byron：There is no longer any need to be swayed by the past when looking at this face of mine.
Byron lifted my hand, squeezing my fingers tightly.
I felt strangely as if his touch conveyed all his feelings to me.
Byron：I want you to remove it, with your own hands.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Byron：I want you to remove it, with your own hands.
My heart skipped a beat at the intensity of his gaze.
Jily：Very well.
I nodded firmly, and Byron lifted my hand.
He guided it up towards his eyepatch.
I slowly removed his eyepatch, letting it fall away.
Byron blinked a few times, lifting his gaze towards me.
Both his eyes were clear and vibrant as he stared at me.
Jily：You look wonderful both with and without your eyepatch.
Byron smiled slowly at my words, and it filled me with joy.
He reached out and took me by the hand.
Together we stepped out onto the balcony.
The gentle rays of the sun lit up the town below us.
A huge crowd of people had gathered at the castle to celebrate with us.

（I never imagined so many people would be celebrating the anniversary of our coronation.）

I felt overwhelmed with emotion as I stared down at the crowd.
Byron stepped quietly forward where everyone could see him.
He placed his hands on the railing.
The crowd had been quiet until then, but at the sight of him they gave a great cheer and began to applaud.
Byron：It would seem my face no longer causes confusion.
Byron smiled back at me, his expression gentle.
Jily：Clearly.
The cheers seemed to go on forever as we waved to the watching people, but then—
Jily：Oh!
Byron suddenly pulled me closer, and I laid my hand against his chest.
Byron：I wonder if the cherished thing this custom is meant to show is family.
Byron：If I didn't have you, I might never have realized that.
Byron murmured the words softly as he leaned close to steal a kiss from me.

＊＊＊

That evening, after the ceremony was over—
I sat in front of the dresser, brushing my hair before bed.
Byron had already gotten changed, and he walked over and embraced me from behind.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

I was brushing my hair at the dresser when Byron suddenly embraced me from behind.
Byron：Jily.
Jily：Oh!
He lifted my hair away from my neck, placing a kiss against my bared skin.
My body quivered at the sensation, and I gasped softly.
Jily：Byron—
He moved across to my ear, nuzzling on my earlobe.
I reached down and placed my hands over his where they rested around my waist.
Jily：Byron?

（You don't seem quite like your usual self.）

Byron's arms tightened around me.
Byron：I realized something again at the ceremony today.
Byron：I realized the importance of giving love to those you love.
His whispered words filled my heart with warmth.

（As a part of your family—）
（I'm so glad we were able to fulfill that custom together.）

Just remembering all the times we'd spent together filled me with joy.
Jily：I feel the same.
Jily：I never knew I could feel this strongly about someone else.
Jily：It's only because I have you that I was able to realize that.
Byron：Being able to be together like this—this is what happiness is.
Jily：Yes, it is.

（And there's one more thing I want to tell you.）

I remembered the moment when he'd said that the custom showed what family was.
Jily：I want to protect both Stein and Wysteria, without ever letting go of that happiness,
Jily：and I want to support you, as a part of your family.
I looked up, meeting his gaze directly as I spoke.
He nodded in response, his expression gentle.
Byron：Yes. Let's support each other.
Byron：As family.

（Oh, Byron—）

Having him agree so readily filled my heart with happiness.
Byron wrapped his arms around me, lifting me into the air.
Byron：I want to hold you in my arms tonight.
My heart skipped a beat at the look in his eye.

（I feel the same way.）

Jily：I'd like that.
I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder.

（I would never have known happiness like this if I hadn't met you.）

Byron carried me the short distance to the bed.
My heart wouldn't stop racing as I imagined the wonderful night ahead of us...

fin.

After Episode

Find out what happens afterwards in a sexy After Episode...

After you've held your one-year celebration with Byron, a special treat awaits.
An unforgettable anniversary night with him!
………
Byron：It'll be fine. So long as you don't make any noise, that is.
We gazed at each other, and I could see the desire burning in his eye.
Byron：I don't want to stop. Do you?
Byron：I love you just as you are, with all my heart.
………
His fingers slide over your bare skin, and your whole body heats up...
Are you ready for your hottest night with him yet?