Determination To Part Ways With My Past Self

“So, the real me is such a pathetic, weak… human. I am… I am…”

Jonah’s past, which he had never told anyone.

Even to Carlo, who suspected Jonah’s true identity, he only revealed his origins.

Still, he told Marguerite because he believed that she would surely accept his true self… even this failure, this useless version of himself.

Because the girl before him had given him so many reasons to believe.

“Ah…”

“Jonah, I will get angry, you know? Why would you be a ‘pathetic, weak person’?”

Marguerite hugged Jonah and whispered.

He had expected her to say that, and nonetheless Jonah’s chest involuntarily warmed.

“I cannot know how much pain Jonah has suffered. But I, for one, know how hard you have tried. You are not pathetic. You are not weak. Even without that amazing magic, you are a very strong boy.”

“Yes… yes…”

Jonah, his back gently stroked by Marguerite, welled up with tears.

As expected, she saw him. She would accept him.

If she would see and accept him, he could become strong no matter how far he had to go.

That was one answer Jonah found during his journey.

Meanwhile, Marguerite trembled with anger.

At those of the Langheim family who had caused Jonah, who was dearer than anyone, such suffering.

“…Lady Marguerite. I’m really glad I met you.”

“Huhu, I am as well. But from now on, I will make it so that the future you will say that meeting me was an even greater blessing.”

Saying that, Marguerite gave a small laugh.

“Well… now that we are here, surely everyone at the Imperial Palace must be panicking, right?”

“That’s right. Father might be searching for me with bloodshot eyes by now.”

By meeting Jonah she had come to know the true intentions of Marquess Hagenberg, and by having her feelings acknowledged, Marguerite is now bound to her father by a wonderful bond.

Thinking of her father flustered at the imperial palace, Marguerite wore a slightly apologetic expression.

“So, shall we return soon?”

“…Jonah, you don’t need to force yourself. If it means meeting such a family, then perhaps we should stay together like this…”

“I can’t do that. I secretly kidnapped Lady Marguerite from the earl, after all.”

“Puh… Huhu! Kidnapping is amusing!”

“Ahaha!”

Marguerite laughed merrily at Jonah’s words.

She was so adorable and dear that Jonah laughed as well.

“Besides, I think I could probably handle meeting those people now. Because… you are here.”

“Ah…”

No matter what Duke Langheim, or his family, might think of Jonah.

Even if they don’t acknowledge him, even if they don’t see him, it won’t be painful or lonely.

As long as the woman Marguerite Hagenberg looks at him.

So Jonah decided to fight.

To sever ties with that painful past.

To make the remaining nine months of his life something he would not truly regret.

“S-so, will you attend the celebration with me?”

“Huhu, yes. But you must properly escort me, okay? And of course, you must not become enamored with other women and lose your wits, okay?”

“O-of course!”

At Marguerite’s melting smile, Jonah straightened his back and thumped his chest.

“And also.”

“A-and… ?”

“Please call me ‘Marie’…”

Marguerite blushed and said this while looking down.

A request she had long been thinking about for the moment they would meet again.

To that earnest and adorable request, Jonah—

“Y-yes. Um… Marie…”

“Ah… thank you…!”

Jonah shyly spoke Marguerite’s pet name.

Marguerite was overcome with emotion, tears welling in her crimson eyes.

Jonah placed his hand over her small hand.

“W-well then, shall we be off?”

“Ah, wait a moment. No need to use honorific speech with me, you know.”

“Um… I abandoned the Langheim household and became a commoner, so isn’t it natural for me to use polite speech…”

“No! Family or status doesn’t matter! Jonah will not use polite speech with me—that’s decided!”

Startled by Marguerite pointing her index finger and declaring that, Jonah instinctively recoiled.

It seemed she had absolutely no intention of backing down.

(Really… Marie is so pushy…)

While muttering that complaint in his heart, Jonah relaxed the corners of his mouth.

From now on, Marguerite would likely boss him around in many ways.

Yet it was Marguerite’s fate to stay by Jonah’s side and continue soothing his heart.

Because she was there, Jonah could grow and continue to shine even as he was buffeted by his strange fate.

“Um… I understand, Marie.”

“Th-that will do.”

Seeing Jonah’s wry smile, Marguerite, embarrassed, turned her face away with a pout.

But she was so happy that her face remained grinning.

“Well then, we’ll be going.”

“Yes!”

Jonah and Marguerite were enveloped by a circle of light and teleported.

To the Imperial Palace where Patricia and the others waited.

――To part ways with the painful past version of himself.