♔亞緣腐宅窩♔

【Ever After Route Garden Gacha】

Sid

◆Love Forever◆
《True Meaning of Strength》

Realizing his mistake, Sid hurried his way to Jily, but when he finally found her―
Jily "Sid... I need to apologize to you."
Jily started. Her lips were trembling just slightly, but her voice was firm.

（Apologize for what? I'm the one who needs to apologize.）

Sid pressed his brows together in a frown.
Sid "Huh? You got nothin' you need to apologize for."
Jily "Yes, I do."
Jily took a deep breath before beginning to explain.
Jily "I want to help you. I want us to work together. But I'm starting to realize just how much I'm lacking, compared to you.
Jily "Back when we first met, you taught me all that etiquette stuff while I was staying at your mansion, remember?"
Sid "And...?"
Jily "I hadn't been the princess for very long, and there was so much I needed to learn, and yet—I got proud.
Jily "I let my successes get the better of me—I thought I was good enough that I could support you the same way you supported me."
Her voice was barely above a whisper when she told him that. Her hands were squeezed together, almost as if she were praying.
Then suddenly, she looked up, looking Sid straight in the eye.
Jily "I've realized now just how wrong I was, but—I know I've come a long way since then, and I'm ready to work harder than ever.
Jily "I want to be a queen you can be proud to have at your side. I want you to feel like you can rely on me again.
Jily "So please, just—give me some time, okay?"
Jily's feelings were so pure, so beautiful, that Sid found her almost too bright to look at.

（That's what you were thinking about?
（I thought I knew everything about you, but guess I was wrong.）

Sid started chuckling, unable to hold it in.
His laughter filled up the entire room.
Jily widened her eyes, clearly surprised by his reaction.
Jily "Why are you laughing?! I'm totally serious here!"
Sid "I know you're serious. You're so serious and earnest it's ridiculous."

（You're so honest with yourself, that I feel stupid trying to act "cool".
（I need to act worthy of being the prince consort, but maybe just maybe I've been tryin' too hard.
（I hate to admit it, but I was pretty desperate thinking I needed to become the king in order to be with you.
（More desperate than I realized.）

Jily seemed relieved seeing him relax and hearing him laugh.
After a soft pause, she pursed her lips into a pout.
Jily "You've got some nerve, calling me ridiculous!
Jily "You're the one who wouldn't tell me anything! I didn't have any choice but to try and figure this out on my own!"
Sid "And the answer you came up with is that you're the one at fault?"
Jily "Well, why not? You were relying on me, and then suddenly you weren't. And I know I've been struggling, so..."
Sid's gaze on Jily was gentle as she lowered her gaze apologetically.

（It never crossed your mind that it was 'cus I wanted to protect ya?）

Sid "Maybe to you. But I'm not a mind-reader, Sid. I can't tell what you're thinking."
Jily "You're the one who wouldn't tell me anything! I didn't have any choice but to try and figure this out on my own!
Jily "And after all those years as an information dealer, you're really good at hiding things."
Jily raised her eyes again as she asked.
Sid's heart skipped a beat.
Sid "Who told you that?"
Jily "Does it matter? It wasn't you! And you refuse to tell me anything else! Do you know what it feels like, when you won't trust me?
Jily "Even Giles seems to trust me more than you at this point—and he only told me because he wanted me to trust you!"
Jily looked hesitant at mentioning Giles's name.

（She's probably worried about Giles breaking his promise not to tell her.
（Come to think of it, Giles was also worried about keeping secrets from Jily.
（Geez, I really have a lot of people who like to meddle.
（But I hafta say... it's not bad.）

Sid "I see. I guess I owe him thanks, then."

（Though I can just imagine his all-knowing smirk if I do so.）

Sid sighed, but at the same time, he realized that it was because of Giles that him and Jily were still together.
Sid found himself relieved at that thought.
Jily "Please, Sid. If you trust me—tell me what's going on."
Jily's words hit him right in the heart.

（I was doing this alone because I wanted to prove to the world.
（That I was fit to be the prince consort, able to protect Jily.
（But that feeling turned into a one-sided desire somewhere along the line.
（I wanted to be with her no matter what. I wanted to protect her from this corrupt world.
（I didn't even realize that by doing so, I was leaving her behind. Treating her like some kinda weak doll.
（Since when did I become like this?）

Sid smiled wryly to himself, realizing that he was the one who'd been weak.

（But I still want to be with her.
（Damn, I have it REALLY bad for this woman, don't I?）

It felt ticklish to admit that.
At the same time, something seemed to have thawed inside him, and he found his honest feelings tumbling out of his mouth.
Sid "The reason I didn't tell you anything is because I didn't want you to see how filthy this country can be."
He hadn't want anything to cloud Jily's smile even for a moment.
That's how precious she had become to him in these past few years.
Sid "...I just wanted to protect you."

（There's one other reason.
（I wanted to be accepted as the king as soon as possible so I could marry you.
（But that's a secret I'll take to the grave.
（'Cus I know you'll just laugh.）

He was such a lovesick fool, but if it was for Jily, everything was worth it.
Jily "That's it? That's why you wouldn't tell me anything?"
Sid's lips quirked a little, but he nodded.
Sid "I figured I could just take this one on for both of us, and sort it out myself.
Sid "You're the first woman who's ever really mattered to me. I wanted to do right by you."
He felt his feelings grow even stronger as his said those words aloud.
Sid "So this has nothing to do with you not being good enough, or anything ridiculous like that.
Sid "I don't wanna hear ya blaming or doubting yourself like that ever again."
Jily listened quietly while he was talking, and after using a moment to take everything in, she opened her mouth.
Jily "But... I want us to work together to make Wysteria a better place. Together, not separately.
Jily "I've wanted it since I first told you how I feel about you, and that feeling has only grown stronger.
Jily "I don't just want you to protect me, Sid. That's not enough. I want you to rely on me, too. Because we're stronger together.
Jily "I don't care how awful the problems are that we face—I want us to overcome them together."
Jily spoke carefully, putting as much meaning and emotion she could into each word.
Her eyes were filling with tears.
And to Sid, those tears looked like the most beautiful thing in the world.
Sid "You're right, and I'm an idiot.
Sid "I won't hide anything from you again, okay? I promise."

（So don't cry anymore.
（I wanna see you smile. Hear you laugh.）

Sid gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.
Sid "You were never the type to just sit around and let people protect you, and I guess I always knew that.
Sid "I ain't never met a woman as amazing as you."

（You're so kind yet strong.
（And I can't help but find you adorable when I see you thinkin' about me.
（I love you, Jily.）

Sid kissed Jily slowly, trying to put his love for her into the kiss.
He felt Jily wrap her arms around his neck, pushing herself closer to him.

（I'm not gonna get weaker just 'cus I have something I wanna protect now.
（If anything, I'm stronger. And I have a partner to overcome hardships with now.）

Sid felt like he could even take on the world with Jily at his side.

◆Shape of Love - Classic◆
《Filled with Love》

Jily seemed to be lost in thought for a moment before she turned her eyes on him.
Jily "Sid... do you think I've been a good queen so far? Do you feel like what I do helps you?"
Sid's expression softened after hearing her question.

（How you're sincere and give everything all you've got... That part hasn't changed at all since we first met.）

People change, even without their knowing, as seasons pass and they grow older.

（Especially the guys I know keep changing for the worse.
（But you...）

Watching Jily gave him hope.
He could imagine her staying the same no matter how many years pass by, and he could see her smiling by his side.

（I didn't think I'd ever feel this way.）

So much happiness overflowed, making his heart almost ache.

（How could you think that you aren't making a good queen?
（You've been helping me more than you know.）

Sid "Of course.
Sid "You're the best queen I've ever met. And the best partner a guy could ever hope for.
Sid "You care about all your subjects, regardless of their status. Nobles just don't think like that.
Sid "That's why your opinions are so valuable, and why the work you do is so important."
Jily "Sid?"
Sid smiled back at Jily when she lit her face up with joy.

（It's almost funny how she doesn't realize just how much she affects me.
（How special and precious she is to me.
（I show it quite openly, it's a wonder she doesn't really realize it.）

If someone had asked him to say one bad thing about Jily, her dense personality would be that one thing.

（I still love you for it, don't get me wrong.
（But I don't know how to get it through to you.）

Sid sighed to himself, but he felt a bittersweet emotion rise in his chest.

（I feel like an idiot about worrying over something this trivial.
（But then again, if I'm the only one who gets to have this worry about you, I feel pretty special.）

Sid "Anyway, a year or two years ago we'd never have imagined our lives being what they are now.
Sid "I mean, seriously?sittin' in bed, going over work or discussing politics? Sheesh.
Sid "I never used to think of bed as anything other than a place to enjoy pleasurin' you."
Jily raised an eyebrow.
Jily "That's it? Not even as a place to sleep?"
Sid "Why would I think of it like that? It's not like I ever remember the sleepin' part."
Sid gave a suggestive wink towards Jily.

（What I'd give to be in "bed" right now...）

Sid saw himself smirk through the reflection of him in Jily's eyes.
Sid "But I definitely remember pleasurin' you there, every single night..."
Jily "And being pleasured."
Licking his lips at her response, vivid images of past nights popping into his mind.

（Oh, yeah. She does have one other bad trait.
（She looks all innocent on the outside, but then when you get to know her, she's a complete tease.
（She's good at driving you crazy. I dunno if I'll ever be able to get enough of her.
（Not that anyone else needs to know this particular detail.）

Sid's smirk deepened.
Sid "Oh, yeah. I definitely remember that part, too."
He whispered huskily into her ear.
Sid "I don't think our nightly routine would be the same if it was just talkin' about work without the fun stuff after.
Sid "I think all that extra effort has helped build such a great relationship between us.
Sid "But I'd like to know whether you feel the same way I do."
Sid put his fingers through Jily's hair, enjoying the softness, before lightly kissing her ear.

（I know your body better than you do, Jily.
（I know exactly how to make you cry my name.）

Jily let out a trembling sigh.
Sid "Heh. Although you're so responsive I guess it hasn't really been too much extra effort."
Chuckling, Sid traced Jily's ear with his tongue making her bite her lips to stifle a moan.
Jily "Sid?I want?"
Wanting to hear her more of her voice, Sid bit her ear gently when--
Jily "I want to read more about Stokesia!
Jily "You asked me to read to you, right?"
Jily pushed her hands against his chest and starting reading the documents that were on her knees.
Jily "Ahem... Stokesia is situated to the south of Wysteria. The climate remains mild and temperate all year round."

（Playin' hard to get now, are we?
（You should know better than to think you can escape from me.）

Jily "It is a popular destination for the middle class during their educational journeys, as well as?hey!"
Sid stole the documents from Jily, stopping her mid-sentence.
Sid "C'mon, it's play time, not study time."
Jily "Sid?you know what they already say about us and our carriage rides, right?"
Sid "Do I look like I care? I want you."

（And I know you want me.）

Jily "I swear, you're the worst influence."
Sid "Says the woman who was practically begging me for more only a minute ago.
Sid "Don't go making all those sultry noises and then blame this all on me."
Sid "I was only?"
Sid grabbed Jily's wrist and leaned in, silencing her with a kiss.
She hesitated for a brief second before giving in and kissing him back.
Sid pulled away, looking down at Jily's eyes, hot with desire.

（I'm the only one who can make Jily look like this.）

Sid "Don't ever leave my side, got it?"
Jily "Got it. I'm gonna be here for the rest of your life."

（Even if we come across another hurdle, we'll be fine.）

Sid knew then that nothing in the world would be able to pull them apart.
As they kissed and kissed again, their fingers twined together, and the sunlight glinted off the matching blue Etoiles.
A rainbow sparkle filled the carriage, showering the two with eternal happiness.
The same beautiful sparkle lit up inside Sid's eyes as he gazed at Jily.

（I know it ain't like me but--
（I kinda want to believe in this eternal happiness.
（As long as I'm with Jily.）

The two of them kissed again, and it was the sweetest thing that Sid had ever tasted.

◆Shape of Love - Royal◆
《The Shape of Happiness》

Sid smirked before pressing his lips against Jily's luscious red ones.
He could hear her soft moan, making it almost impossible to stop.
But he let go reluctantly when he realized they'd soon be out of breath.
Sid "I ain't givin' you up for anyone, not even him."
After muttering those words against her lips, Sid looked down at Ryan with a smile.
Sid "Sorry, buddy, but your Mama's already mine."

（I don't care if I look like a fool seeing my own son as a rival.
（That's how much I love her.）

Sid "But you're gonna find your own princess one day, okay?"
Sid told Ryan gently, and Ryan asked back, his tone curious.
Ryan "I am?"
Sid "That's right."

（This little guy's also gonna find someone he wants to protect with all his heart.
（I thought that all this romance stuff was overrated and not worth my time.
（And yet, when Jily came into my life, I realized that she was more than worth it.
（Not that our kids will understand quite yet.）

Sid thought about the future of their children, knowing for sure that they'd be able to find true love in the future as he had.
Chloe "What about me? Do you think I'll find a prince as good as you, Papa?"

（Chloe's just like Jily. Serious, earnest, and playful all at the same time.
（I bet she'll become a great princess, and anybody would be lucky to have her as a partner.）

Sid "For sure, once you're old enough.
Sid "Ain't that right, Jily?"
Jily "Absolutely."
Jily nodded with a smile.
Sid tried to imagine his two children as adults, but realized that he was conflicted.
He wanted to see them grow up, but at the same time, he wanted them to stay like they were right now forever.
He smiled wryly. His past self would've never believed that he would ever have thoughts like this.

（And then I met Jily.
（She wasn't at all like a princess then.
（But every time I saw her, she matured bit by bit, surprising me each time.
（And that wasn't all that surprised me.）

Sid was also surprised at how much he had grown to love her.

*****
Sid "What, no complaints? No backtalk?"
Jily "I figured you must be feeling lonely, so you can hug me all you want."
Sid "Ahh, you're getting good at that backtalk."
*****

（It's like all of a sudden, you brought light into my life.）

She had introduced him to a world of emotions he had never known.

（I thought I could always pull back. Forget that we met. Lose all the emotions taking up my heart.
（But now I know that it was already too late even at that point.）

A whirlwind of memories came to Sid's mind.

（I wonder if there was an exact point in time that I fell so madly in love with you?
（I guess it doesn't matter. I'd do everything all over again to live a life with you.）

He knew now that true love was intoxicating, thrilling, beautiful, and at the very endーrelaxing.
He loved Jily so, so much.
Sid was just about to kiss her whenー
??? "Ahem. Do you mind if I interrupt?"
Knowing who the voice belonged to, Sid lazily turned his head towards it.
Ryan "Grandpapa!"
Chloe "You came!"
He set Chloe down on the ground, and both her and Ryan ran over towards their grandfather.
That sight was so wonderful that Sid almost forgot to breath.

（This is my family, huh?）

He would've never known what it meant to have a family if it wasn't for Jily.

（It's not like me to think this, but...
（I'm so happy.）

Sid bit back a grin, knowing how hard Jily would tease him if she ever found out was he was thinking.
Archduke Arnault looked up at Sid and Jily while he hugged the two children.
Archduke Arnault "I just had an urge to see my grandchildren. But I apologize for my poor timing."
Sid "Not at all. I'm sorry we didn't notice you sooner."
Coming back to reality, Sid flashed the archduke a smile.
He took a step back to face the guest.

（I don't mind being seen kissing.
（But I bet Jily would.）

Sure enough, there was a hint trace of a blush on her cheeks as she greeted the archduke.
Jily "Thank you so much for coming to visit, though."
Oblivious to Jily's reaction, Chloe asked in a bright voice.
Chloe "Grandpapa, what's that you've got there?"
Archduke Arnault "It's a present for the two of you."
The two children started jumping up and down with joy.
Ryan "Grandpapa, read it to us now, please!"
Chloe "C'mon, you can read it to us in our room!"
Archduke Arnault "Hahaha, you two really do love to read, don't you?"
Chloe and Ryan started dragging their grandfather down the corridor, and the archduke smiled warmly at Sid and Jily.
Archduke Arnault "I can take care of these two for a while, so feel free to enjoy some alone time."
Sid "We'd be grateful for that, thanks."
Sid slid his arm around Jily's waist, bringing her closer to him.
Jily "Have fun, and don't let them wear you out too much!"
Jily snuggled up against him as they watched the children drag their grandfather out of side.

（It feels strange to be alone with just Jily.
（Usually we'd be busy during this time of hour with work or with our children.
（There's so much I want to do, I don't know even where to start.）

Jily sat down on the edge of the bed, and Sid sat down next to her.
Jily "Chloe and Ryan really love their grandfather."
Sid "Although they get a little too excited when they see him."
Jily "I don't think he really minds, though. And I love seeing him dote on them like that.
Jily "I wonder what book he brought for them today? I didn't catch the title."
Sid "Are you really that curious?"
Jily "Of course I am! I used to read to the children all the time when I was a tutor."
Jily had a reminiscent look on her face before that look turned into a smile.
Sid "What are you thinking about?"
Jily "Just about the past. I wonder what my students are doing now? They must have grown so much since I last saw them.
Jily "It's been ages since I've been into town."
Sid "If you're that curious, you should go see them."
Jily "You're right. I think I will."
She grinned at him with a smile, and he couldn't help but grin back.

（She always looks really happy when she talks about the kids.
（But I can't miss this opportunity.
（Dad took the kids away, so I have Jily all to myself for once.）

Sid's grin turned into a smirk.
Sid "And that's enough talk about children."
Jily "What?"
He pushed Jily gently down onto the bed.
Sid "It's adults-only time from now on."
And then Sid crushed his lips onto Jily's.
Jily opened her mouth, inviting him in, and Sid gladly obliged.
Sliding his tongue into her mouth, he quickly found her tongue as well, and twined the two together.
The kiss was enough to make him go crazy with need, and he slid his hand underneath her skirt.

（Another kid would be nice. Maybe another girl? Or we could have two more kids. Both a girl and a boy.）

Sid thought while caressing her bare thighs.
He could feel her body shiver, and the lust in her eyes told him that it was because of pleasure.
Sid bit his tongue, trying to hold back a tear threatening to spill from his eye.

（I didn't realize that people can actually cry out of happiness.
（It ain't bad. Ain't bad at all.）

He didn't need to pretend that he was someone he wasn't here. He was happy and safe.
And he hoped Jily felt the same way as him.
When he looked down at her, he knew she did, because the happiness on her face matched his.