Chapter 183
After Ixion's work was roughly concluded, Kraush first returned to the main house.
Since the number of tasks had significantly increased, he planned to move after finishing up at the Green Pine Mansion.
"Since you're already here, why don't you? If you leave now without seeing her, will you be able to handle it next time?"
There was also advice from Crimson Garden.
As she said, Kraush also felt it would be inappropriate to leave without greeting Bianca.
After all, it had been a while since he saw her face.
It was at that moment when Kraush entered the Green Pine Mansion.
"If you're looking for Miss Bianca, she's probably training right now."
The one who informed Kraush of Bianca's location was Aliod, the head butler of the Green Pine Mansion.
Perhaps it was because it had been a long time since he met his daughter, Alicia, but Aliod's face looked noticeably brighter.
Considering she had suffered from discoloration disease, it must have been a constant worry.
Seeing that she was doing well seemed to have brought him relief.
"Training, huh."
Kraush had observed Bianca's training a few times before heading to Rahelrn Academy.
Since it had been quite a while since Kraush had gone to the academy, he was curious about her current level.
It was just at that moment when Kraush was about to step into the training ground.
"?"
In front of the entrance, there was a small fox made of ice.
When the fox, whose body and head were indistinguishable, tilted its head, Kraush soon realized its identity.
Ice Summoned Beast.
It was a mythical beast technique of Jenna Edalsia, the Beast Tamer of the North.
However, Kraush felt a different vibe from this summoned beast compared to Jenna's creations.
It was oddly colder, so to speak.
Though it still felt a bit rough around the edges.
"Pii."
Just then, the fox let out a sound and scurried off somewhere.
Watching that scene, Kraush stepped inside, and the fox that had run off was hiding within strands of white hair.
"Pii, good girl."
The place where the ice fox stopped.
There stood a woman.
Perhaps because of training, she wore a shorter, lighter outfit than usual.
White hair cascading down her back.
And blue pupils that gleamed like blue diamonds.
Bianca Hardenhartz.
She was Kraush's fiancé.
Surely, kids in their growth phases change in an instant.
In just a few months, Bianca's beauty had bloomed even more than before.
The youthful appearance she had before had mostly faded, now revealing a more mature aspect.
'So, this is what aging feels like.'
Being with her all the time, he hadn't noticed.
But seeing her after a while, it was clear Bianca had grown considerably since the first time he saw her.
She would become an adult next year, so it was only natural.
On Bianca's left ring finger was a ring.
The ring she was wearing even during training was none other than the one Kraush had given her as a gift.
"Mr. Kraush."
In the meantime, Bianca, who belatedly noticed him, looked surprised.
Then, lifting the corners of her lips slightly, she approached him.
"Pii."
At that moment, the ice fox peeked out from within Bianca's nape.
As expected, the ice fox seemed to be Bianca's creation.
'She must have been training for only about a year.'
And yet, its level of completion was impressive.
Although it was still not on par with Jenna's, it made him realize Bianca's talent anew.
After all, in her White Ghost days, she had even managed to kill the Poison King, one of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens.
There was no doubt about her innate talent.
"Did I interrupt your training?"
"I just finished."
Perfect timing.
He had been thinking of having a meal together anyway.
"Wow, my cute pupil, I thought you had no expressions, but you have such a variety of them."
At that moment, a woman suddenly popped out of nowhere.
She was Jenna Edalsia, Bianca's teacher who was currently mentoring her.
Still sensitive to heat, it seemed.
Even though it was just early summer, she was dressed lightly and drenched in sweat.
"It's been a while. Mr. Kraush, you remember me, right?"
"It's impossible for someone's memory to be that bad."
"I thought younger folks these days forgot things as soon as they turned around. Haha, I'm honored you remember me. I've heard rumors about you even here, Mr. Kraush."
He wondered if it was something Bianca had brought up, but that didn't seem to be the case.
If so, it meant there was someone deliberately spreading rumors about Kraush for their own gain.
'It must be the 1st Prince's doing.'
The 1st Prince of the Starlon Kingdom had made a deal of sorts with Kraush.
The 1st Prince was intentionally amplifying rumors about Kraush to highlight their association.
'He's using me to bolster his foundation because nobles will start keeping him in check if he tries to build his power and reputation too openly.'
Among nobles, Balheim is untouchable.
It's an unspoken rule never to mess with them.
The 1st Prince was exploiting this unspoken rule to leverage Kraush as his stepping stone.
'Even if there's some exaggeration, the stories aren't all bad for me.'
Reputation makes people look up to you.
For Kraush, who aimed to lead the Skyborne Generation, it was necessary.
"Bianca, have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"Perfect. Let's eat."
Upon hearing those words, Bianca ran toward Kraush.
However, just as she was about to grab his hand, she hesitated.
Sniffing at her own sleeve, Bianca took a step back, prompting Kraush to tilt his head.
"Why?"
"I smell like sweat."
Smell like sweat?
As Kraush pondered, he leaned slightly closer to Bianca to confirm the scent.
In response, Bianca's hair bristled, and she quickly pulled away.
The white chick had grown and now reacted like a cat.
"You're mean."
Bianca raised her eyebrows slightly, as if she had no intention of letting him confirm the scent.
Then, watching him warily, she slowly moved sideways.
Watching her quietly, Kraush couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Go wash up."
"Okay."
Was it because it had been a while, or was it just like usual?
Kraush, feeling himself smiling, realized one thing.
The only person who could make him laugh so comfortably was Bianca.
"Meeting your fiancé after such a long time makes you grin from ear to ear."
Crimson Garden pecked him lightly on the side with its beak for no reason.
Kraush had nothing to say.
Well, as soon as he returned to Green Pine Mansion and saw Bianca, he felt that he had truly come back.
'Home.'
After everything had ended.
Spending time like this with Bianca in Green Pine Mansion didn't seem so bad.
Kraush, whose entire life had been dedicated to preventing destruction.
But for the first time today, Kraush thought about life after destruction.
Whether that thought would become a reality or not was something even Kraush couldn't know.
But there was one thing he was certain of.
'Even if I'm not here.'
He wanted to give that future to Bianca.
Kraush's fist clenched slightly.
A little more effort.
It was a moment when a heart that might have been slightly weary solidified into determination once again.
* * *
After finishing their meal.
It was the time of early summer when the weather began to get a bit warmer.
Kraush was sitting on a chair in the garden of Green Pine Mansion.
Next to him, Bianca was seated, enjoying a rare moment of genuine relaxation.
Watching Bianca fidget with her hands over his, Kraush asked.
"Is it fun?"
"Yes."
Maybe it was because it had been a while since they met.
Seeing her act unusually clingy, Kraush chuckled.
While talking about some of the major events that had happened recently, she tightly gripped his hand.
But after a little while, she had become like this.
A slightly chilly night breeze blew, brushing past Kraush's face.
Bianca's hair swayed along with the breeze, revealing her beautiful face.
Known for her exceptional beauty, she was so stunning that it was the subject of rumors.
Even Kraush, who had seen her often, couldn't help but stare quietly at her face.
Bianca, who had been fiddling with Kraush's hand, belatedly realized this and raised her head.
When their eyes met, Bianca tilted her head to the side.
"Is there something on my face?"
"No, just."
There wasn't any particular meaning.
He was simply looking at her.
Bianca tilted her head again, causing her hair to fall over her face.
Some of her now quite long hair brushed against her cheek, and Kraush gently brushed it aside with his other hand.
Soft.
Not only her hair, but even her cheek that his hand grazed felt soft.
As he tidied her hair, Bianca quietly accepted his touch.
However, her eyelids occasionally fluttered as if it tickled her.
"We probably won't see each other for quite a while again."
Ever since entering the academy, Kraush hadn't taken a single break and had only been moving forward.
And that was unlikely to change in the future.
The chances of him being able to visit Green Pine Mansion like today were almost nonexistent.
Bianca then placed her hand over Kraush's hand that was cupping her cheek.
"It's okay."
Under the night sky, her blue eyes shone brightly.
"I'll come to see you."
Her determination was evident.
"No matter where you go, Mr. Kraush, I will follow you."
With a slight upward curl of her lips, Bianca spoke as if it were her lifelong goal.
"That's what being a fiancé is."
And she uttered what was her most cherished bond.
A connection more precious than family in her entire life.
That was her engagement with Kraush.
The ring on her hand, which was placed over Kraush's, glimmered under the moonlight.
As he looked at it, Bianca had moved slightly closer to Kraush.
The distance between them narrowed.
On the finger that lightly brushed against Bianca's neck, Kraush could feel her heartbeat vividly.
Her slightly blushing cheeks couldn't be blamed on the streetlights.
Kraush knew.
He knew just how precious he was to Bianca.
To her, he was the one who helped her regain her emotions.
He was someone who had given her more than her abandoned family ever did.
Anyone could easily tell just by how Bianca, usually emotionless, would light up with a radiant smile whenever she looked at him.
And perhaps the same was true for Kraush.
Throughout a life filled with struggles, Kraush had always been with Bianca.
Even Kraush, with his iron will, had moments when he faltered.
But seeing Bianca asleep, nestled in his arms, often helped him rise again.
Just as Bianca stood up thanks to Kraush, Kraush also stood because of Bianca.
Kraush owed his life to Bianca once before his regression.
That's why he was even willing to break off their engagement if she wanted to.
If she ever found someone she loved, he was prepared to step aside for her.
He was willing to play the role of the villain if she asked.
But as his eyes met Bianca's, he realized all those thoughts were meaningless.
To Bianca, he would always be someone precious.
And Kraush also knew well.
He knew he could never let Bianca go like that.
'At this point.'
He couldn't believe he had become greedy like this.
Somehow, Kraush smiled and lowered his head, cupping Bianca's cheek.
"Bianca."
"......Yes."
A slightly delayed answer came back.
Her breath, as if a bit tense, carried a warmth that was different from usual.
That action alone was enough of an answer.
Kraush lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers.
Bianca's eyes grew wide for a moment before slowly closing.
Through their lips, they could feel each other's warmth.
As warmth exchanged and the soft sensation lingered on their lips, Kraush slowly lifted his head.
And there was Bianca, her face dreamy as if slightly intoxicated.
As their eyes met, Bianca leaned into Kraush's arms.
Her flushed face and pounding heart had drained her of strength.
Under the still slightly chilly early summer night air.
Despite her lunar body constitution, Kraush could feel her warmth as he looked up at the sky.
Meanwhile, his hand was tightly holding hers, their fingers interlocked.
Along with the resolve to never lose her again, not for all eternity.