The story of how I, who became the beloved child of Winter Fenrir, was healed from despair

Chapter 78: Last Epilogue [Michela Arc]

[Winter Fenrir Epilogue: 8]
(Grea’s Perspective)

(Left unattended without caution. Did you want to show off your proud daughter?)
(Ho ho ho)

As I listened quietly, the king chuckled, shaking his belly. The Kingdom of Felsnow has always had a strong sense of familial love. I suppose they are mindful enough not to be disrespectful to other countries, so I have no problem with it, but it is rather ostentatious.

The king instructed his royal guard to discreetly protect Michela, who stood out.

I should carry the basket now. The horse stomped its hooves.

…The white stone-paved slope was difficult for the horse to walk on. Looking closely, it seemed merchants were tying baskets to ropes that stretched up the hill, using a rotating mechanism to transport goods up. I see, this system explains why there are few pack animals in the city. And the roads are like this too.

Well, I’m a top unicorn aide to Lord Fenrir, so I shouldn’t be shaking the basket too much. There’s no obligation for me to worry about its contents.

“Grea-sama. I shall make a path for you to walk easier.”

Nodding in response, Michela smiled brightly. No, her eyes were gleaming; she was motivated.

Two snow-colored lights shimmered on her exposed shoulder. The fragments of the fairy king and queen… If I borrow their power, surely it will work even in spring.

“Bridge of ice!”

An ice bridge appeared over the rooftops of the lined shops. As I looked down at the amazed crowd with their mouths agape, I lightly ran across the ice.

Behind me, the blue dress fluttered.

“I can’t believe I get to ride with Grea-sama.”

The ice princess perched upon the unicorn. It must be a picturesque scene. The purple mane… I heard from Lord El that it’s beautiful?

Well, it’s not often I carry something like this. I want this meeting to be advantageous for Lord Fenrir and will spare no effort in doing so. That’s all. Besides, I promised Michela earlier to keep an eye on her so she wouldn’t get too involved with the common folk.

A strange magical presence lingered a little farther away. Looking sideways, I saw people from the autumn country, Hito, scattering red maple leaves as they flew through the air with the wind. They must be opposing us.

On the other side, I spotted the spring country, green and moving quickly like ninjas over the flowering trees… “Oi, you guys, show some restraint!” What face do you have to show off!?

I sensed a shift in the basket’s contents. It seemed the princess had noticed the green magic. Who cares? As I picked up speed, a scream echoed, “Kyaaa, savages!” Hmph.

Having crossed the ice bridge, we arrived at the dazzling palace with yellow roofs. I set down in the vast courtyard, where the sunflowers known as “Toko Himawari” were blooming everywhere.

And there they were, representatives from each country gathered together.

Regardless of large or small nations, high-ranking diplomats, kings, and princes all faced us. Participating in this world conference grants prestige, and some countries travel for months from far away to attend.

Among them, the four nations blessed by magical beasts—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—are special. First of all, the types of magic differ. I snickered at the murmurs from the general populace, saying they could feel the overwhelming power.

“Hey, it’s Princess Michela!”

An envoy from autumn called out to Michela.

“I was admiring the ice artistry of the Felsnow Kingdom, and I thought Hito couldn’t be outdone. After all, we’re an artistic nation, so I couldn’t help but show off our seasonal maple leaves, even if they’re a bit out of season.”

Dressed in a traditional black outfit, with fiery red hair, the envoy from the autumn nation, Hinomaru, laughed heartily, his eyes narrowing like threads. The aroma of warm springs wafted through the air. Autumn’s specialties were surely the maple leaves and hot springs.

“Fufu, I’m honored to hear that, Prince Hinomaru of Hito. We had quite a load, so we took to the skies to avoid inconveniencing the citizens.”

When Michela spoke with a dignified claim, her voice radiated with a pure magic that chilled the air, overwhelming the surroundings.

“…A significant load…”

The bitter voice that squeezed out came from the spring country’s Laomei. Dressed in a slender, green-themed traditional outfit adorned with dragons, her elaborate cord decorations were vibrant. Her glossy black hair cast a shadow over her face, and her sharp eyes wavered as if unsure whether to be angry or saddened.

“Yes, indeed, a significant load.”
“Oh, I had heard in the notice, but I didn’t expect it to be true…?”
“…!”

Michela and the prince of Hito indulged in a sticky exchange.

“STOOOOP!”

Bright golden hair burst in to break the tension like a ray of sunlight.

With sunstone-colored eyes shining against his tanned skin, the summer prince wore colorful noble attire comfortably.

Standing between the three, he made a “stop right there!” gesture. But since they had kept their distance initially, he ended up standing awkwardly alone in the suddenly open square.

“Everyone! Let’s talk in the conference room!?”

That was a correct judgment. All countries nodded in agreement.

Michela and the autumn prince exchanged casual remarks, “I thought so?” “Likewise.” Only the green prince bit his lip in silence.

…I’ve heard they’re twin princes. The one I cursed must be clutching his stomach in pain, while this one, looking down now, should be “the other one.” Their features resemble the princess in the basket quite well.

He seems gentle enough, but has the courage to compete in the arrival race.

“By the way… I wish I could have participated in that race! It was incredible!”
“Oh, Prince Kyle, then let’s do it again sometime.”

Michela responded softly to the summer prince, who had dropped his head dejectedly.

“Really!? You’re so kind, princess!”
“Please call me the next queen.”

That icy voice sent a chill. Ah… Michela’s heart door just closed at high speed. Moreover, the summer prince seemed to have playfully teased Michela, without a hint of remorse, saying, “I’m sorry, you’re just too adorable,” igniting a blaze in Michela’s ice-cold eyes. She didn’t enjoy being complimented on her looks.

Ah, this is… a heart’s eternal ice seal, inevitable.

Eternal ice seal!!!!

Oh, long live Lord Fenrir!!!!

Withdrawal symptoms are hitting!!!!!!!

I accidentally let out a loud whinny, drawing attention to myself. Well, it can’t be helped; it’s been a long time since I’ve been away from Lord Fenrir!!!! Ahhh!!!! …Phew.

“Could you carry that basket to the appropriate place? Prince Kyle?”
“Uh, okay.”
“It holds the criminal in question.”
“!”

Michela made that declaration.

I must have earned the hatred of the green country with that glare, but when the young lady Michela paled and trembled, the green prince awkwardly looked away, and the gazes shifted to sympathy in an instant.

He knows well how to use “poor thing”…

Michela dropped a tear, which sank into the ground and formed a magic circle, sending a wave of winter wind through the surrounding area.

“Ah, my apologies.”

(What tremendous magic!)(As expected of the chosen princess… the next queen) whispers spread through the crowd.

Everything seems to be going according to plan, right?

I can tell just by looking into her eyes. Please stop making peace signs behind your back. What will you do if you get caught?

After a huff and a smile, I handed the basket over to Prince Kyle’s subordinate (the fairy kings have confirmed the identity of the other party). I transformed back into my human form and stood beside Michela.

“Long time no see,” I casually chatted with the autumn tengu.

The current king of the Felsnow Kingdom, having arrived a little late through the public roads, saw the youths’ interactions, smacked his forehead with a smack, but still wore a contented expression in the winter wind.

He wouldn’t speak to his daughter.

Let her do everything…