I'm surprised by the words I've been told and the words don't come out. This is the second time I've felt this way. It was Mr. Ceres once, but I never thought it was Mr. Ceres again. Marriage? Me?

"It's sudden, and I think it's surprising and natural. But I don't want to give you to anyone. To His Royal Highness and to the others. You're still young, and you might think of marriage. I think this is my ego. But if you don't mind, why don't you make me your family?

With a serious face, Mr. Ceres took my hand. Family... family? To me? Mine?

"I have to be you. It has to be you on the side. No one else can. And I don't like the other guys next to you as much. The answer doesn't have to be now. Take your time until you get back to Banfield."

As I listened to Mr. Ceres, I was staring at the bracelet fitted in my arm. Carefully crafted bracelet. You wouldn't have been able to make it in a day or two. How long have you been thinking about it? That makes me happy and want to cry.

But...... I'm glad, but I'm scared. No one else, I don't want to give it to anyone else. I feel the same way about that, and I'm so happy with the proposal, but I'm scared.

Because... if I lose it again. If Mr. Ceres is gone as soon as he becomes a family. Like your father or mother, if you're gone.

If that's what you think, you're scared and you can't help it. I want you to stay on my side. Ever. I'm not lying about that feeling, but when it had the clear form of becoming a family, I got scared as soon as I could.

Because I don't want to lose it. I don't like one, but I'd much rather have one if Mr. Ceres was gone.

What am I gonna do? What am I supposed to do? Something was going to change if I nodded, and I couldn't distract myself from my bracelet.

"…… Shall we go back?"

Seeing that I remained silent, Mr. Ceres said in a gentle voice: Did they think you didn't like getting married? Even though I'm not, I can't get the word out. I'm glad you're looking forward to the future. I want to tell you that, but my throat hurts and I don't have a voice so I can tighten it. No, it's not. I don't like it.

Instead of a voice that would not answer, I cling to Mr. Ceres' arms as he tried to leave. This is the first time I have done that and I will clasp my legs with a face that Mr. Ceres was astonished by.

"Lucia?"

What am I supposed to do, say what? Wait, can I give you an answer?

"What's going on?

With my fingertips on my cheek, I realized that I was crying. As soon as I noticed, the whimper leaked out of my throat. I held him down with my hand while I cling to Mr. Ceres' arm, but he can't cure me.

"Scared? Sorry, it was sudden."

"I… I, I…"

"Yeah, sorry, Lucia. Sorry."

"No, I... see you..."

You have to tell him properly. Because I don't like being misunderstood. I don't want to make you sad. Because I'm glad, but I'm embarrassed that I can't snort because I'm afraid of a future I might lose, but I'm still not the one to tell it and get angry. I'm afraid to snort, but at least I have to tell her how I feel. I have to tell him that I feel the same way, because I have to be Mr. Ceres.

Though Mr. Ceres was quiet with me, waving like a wasting child without words.

"I'm glad. I'd like Mr. Ceres, too. But"

Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary.

I can't see Mr. Ceres' face. What kind of look do you have right now? I can't read my feelings from a quiet breath.

I will meditate my eyes and look for words. What can I tell you? I wish I could show you the inside of my chest as it is.

"But..."

"I'm not going anywhere."

Along with my warm voice, my hands were put on my head. If you hold my head with gentle hands, Mr. Ceres will softly carry on the words.

"Lucia, don't think I'll be gone when you're family. I really don't know what lies ahead, and I know you're scared. Me, I look like this and I'm pretty fat, I'm pretty healthy, and I can't beat a half-breed guy with half a sword arm... uh, what more? Oh, I have a lot of savings, too. If you're anxious for me to keep knighting, you can retire and do the shop for two, and, um, there's more..."

Raising her gaze unintentionally, Mr. Ceres seemed seriously troubled. It tells me that you think so about how you can remove my anxiety.

You know what I mean. I couldn't stop my eyelids from getting hot again. I don't know, when I'm with Mr. Ceres, I can't help but loosen my tear glands. I've been fine before.

Mr. Ceres embraced me softly, crying. I wasted like a child, even with my back rubbed.

"I don't like it when you're gone."

"Yeah, I'm on your side doing everything I can."

"I'm afraid I'll be gone."

"I swear I'll stay with you until you're a grandfather and a grandmother."

"I'm scared. I'm happy, but I'm scared."

"I have to talk about being scared of myself. It's okay. Come on!"

Out of the way, I said to Mr. Ceres, I caught a blow. I couldn't help but be so scared, but when I laughed, I felt much lighter.

"You're the one I want to protect more than anything, but I'll keep it safe for you and for myself. Because I will never be alone, and I will always be happy."

"You can't die until you're a grandfather, can you?

"Yes, I swear."

"Fine, then."

I was ashamed to be seen in the face of a crying laugh, and I nodded heavily with my face nodded to Mr. Ceres' chest.

Father. Mother.

I'm going to have a new family too, though the fear I might lose one day isn't gone.

Please, keep an eye on this happiness.