Mary hummed to herself as she watered the flower garden. Occasionally, William would shirk his duties and sneak off to spend time with her. The two were becoming closer every day and Mary found herself enjoying the time she spent at the Imperial Palace; even if other's looked at her like she had seduced the King with her wiles.

"Hello Mary."

Mary was startled from her thoughts as she turned to see Dante standing over her with a large grin. She smiled back, "Oh, hello Dante. What brings you to the palace today?"

Dante always acted like a completely different person when Seri wasn't around. Around others and strangers, he would act overly friendly with a smile that hid his inner thoughts. However, when Dante was around Seri, he always had an expressionless face. He would occasionally smile and laugh around her. When he did, one could clearly see the difference between the smile he gave everyone versus the smile he reserved just for Seri.

This expressionless face and occasional smile did not mean that he didn't like her. In actuality, it meant that Dante was comfortable enough to be himself around Seri. He was also starting to get more relaxed around William, but Seri was solely the one person he ever acted like his true self around.

Mary also wanted Dante to be comfortable with her to be himself, but she feared the death glare she would receive from Seri if she were to bring it up. Seri would misunderstand her friendliness for something more. Mary only wanted to be friends with Dante since he was important to Seri and William.

Mary still had a lingering love for Seri, but her love for William was even stronger. Now she found herself wishing she could stay by his side even at night. After all, there were some things she wanted to do with William, but she was far too bashful to ask.

These things just so happened to be inspired from Queen Hypatia's many knowledgeable book collections and illustrations.

But for now, she would just have to make do with kissing William. She knew the next step wouldn't be for a while since it had taken him a few months just to hold her hand. It took him even longer to receive a kiss. Mary wasn't impatient so she didn't mind waiting. She found it cute the way William would turn bright red and shout that he didn't want to do something when he so clearly wanted to.

Dante spoke to Mary with a smile, "I need your help with something. I need to find a good location for my wedding with Seri, but I don't know what she will like. Do you think you could come with me today and give me advice?"

Mary chuckled as she stood up and brushed the dirt off of her, "Are you sure Seri won't mind? I will never forget the last time I helped you pick out a gift for Seri. My forehead still hurts from that rock she flung at me."

Dante shook his head, "She's too busy with William so she won't notice this time."

Mary suddenly had an uneasy feeling, "Dante please consider my safety…"

Dante spoke without a care, "Come on already. I don't like to wait."

Mary reluctantly left behind her garden and followed after him. After a full day of visiting several locations, the sun began to set. Dante led her up a flight of stairs that led to a hill overlooking the city just outside of town. Mary panted from the workout as she struggled to keep up with Dante who walked without thinking about her exhaustion.

He spoke, "Almost there."

Dante waited for her at the top where she huffed to reach. When she was at the top, she was surprised to see William waiting at the fence overlooking the town with a flushed expression. Seri was also there holding a wicker basket filled with rose petals.

William cleared his throat awkwardly, "M-Mary…"

Mary raised an eyebrow as she walked towards him with a confused expression. Seri tossed out rose petals in front of her as she walked with her head bowed. Mary looked at the petals with a slight frown.

Were these from her rose bush?

Mary made it to William and watched as Seri slunk away to stand by Dante. Mary glanced at William in confusion, "Umm… William? What is happening?"

William's face froze from nervousness at this question. Seri cleared her throat, but he didn't move. Then, she picked up a rock and tossed it at his face.

*THUNK*

The hollow noise echoed and left a red mark. He shook his head as he came back to his senses. He spoke quickly as Mary watched his forehead begin to swell, "M-Mary! I-I-I have s-something to ask!"

"Ah." Mary realized at once what this was. She gave him a gentle smile, "What is it, William?"

"I have been thinking… NOT ABOUT YOU OR ANYTHING! I mean- URG! I was just… Thinking about my future… And your future… NOT OUR FUTURE OR ANYTHING! WAAH! I just… I just want to ask… To ask you if… Well… Y-Your future… And mine… And…"

Seri shook her head, "God d*mmit William."

Mary listened in entertainment as he stumbled around occasionally shouting in embarrassment. She thought to herself: How cute. He looks like he is trying so hard. I wouldn't mind watching this all day. However, I guess I should help him before he runs off in embarrassment.

Mary smiled at William while putting her hand out towards him as if waiting for him to grab it to kiss it. William only stared at it in confusion without understanding her intention. She giggled, "William. I am waiting."

"For what?"

Seri shook her head, "And they thought I was dense."

Dante chuckled as he hugged Seri in a tight embrace as they watched the two.

Mary was not upset, but instead her smile grew larger. She teased him, "I am waiting for a ring, William."

William's face lit up in excitement before turning pale, "W-W-Wait?! A ring?!?"

She nodded, "Aren't you going to propose already? I heard that you had Seri convince the nobles to allow you to get married to me."

William immediately shot Seri an accusatory look. She quickly shook her head to show her innocence, "I didn't say a thing!"

William frowned, "Then how did she know?!"

Mary giggled, "It really wasn't her. Millie came to me one night to threaten- Erm. I mean to convince me that it was in my best interest to say yes to your proposal."

One thought showed on all of their faces: Of course it was Millie.

William puffed out his cheeks in a pout, "Now if you say yes, it is only because Millie "convinced" you to say yes."

Mary pulled on William slyly causing him to lean over. She stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek. Williams face immediately turned bright red.

She smiled at his innocent reaction, "William… If I wanted to say no, I would just go to Seri to complain. Millie wouldn't do a thing if I got Seri on my side. However, I didn't. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

She smiled gently at him, "Because I love you. Marrying you would make me the happiest woman on Earth."

William bowed his head bashfully as his eyes danced from pure joy. He pulled out a ring and spoke in a low voice, "I love you to... So will you marry me?"

"Yes. A thousand times yes." She answered without hesitation. William blushed as he placed the ring delicately on her finger. She beamed at the ring which fit perfectly, "It is a perfect fit. I guess we were fated to be together."

Seri and Dante clapped as William picked Mary up to kiss her tenderly. In the setting sun, their silhouettes were the only thing that could be seen. The light grew stronger and for the first time, a third person was seen standing behind them with a faint bittersweet smile. She wore a pale pink dress with a bonnet to match. A black veil covered her face adding to the mystery underneath.

Seri's eyes widened as she saw that familiar person: The Original Seri.

As she watched, she reached a conclusion. It wasn't that her and Mary's love was never true. Love can take on many forms. Their love had been as real as anyone in this world or the next. However, the fate of the world separated them. Unfortunately, their love was just not meant to be.

The Original Seri removed her bonnet. She smiled at them with tears rolling down her cheeks. Her heart was warm as she watched the two embraced. Her voice was as gentle as the autumn wind, "Thank you…"

Mary was suddenly struck by an all too familiar feeling. Her head abruptly turned to look at the phantom in front of her. Her eyes widened as a flurry of memories began to flood her mind.

In that moment, Mary understood.

Whenever she spoke of the current Seri, it had always sounded like she was speaking of someone else.

A gentle and timid soul.

A love she could never have, but would always feel.

Mary's tears began to drip onto the floor as she watched her true first love fade before her very eyes. She rushed toward the girl who had always been at her side, whether she knew it or not. Mary wanted to beg her not to leave. She wanted to beg her to take her with. However, in the end, she held onto this bittersweet feeling because she knew.

She knew this phantom had finally found peace after years of endless sorrow.

Mary forced a smile and whispered, "I will never forget you… I hope… I hope in the next life I will find you once more…"

The phantom began to fade with the sunset. However, before she left, she gave a heartfelt laugh. Her voice was soft, "Then I will be waiting patiently for you."

William saw Mary crying and panicked, "What's wrong?!"

Mary shook her head, "I… I wonder what is wrong… I feel as though I have just said goodbye to someone very precious to me."

William didn't seem to understand. Just now, he hadn't seen the Original Seri. However, he held her hands as he spoke, "Goodbye isn't forever. If you are fated to meet, then you will meet again."

Mary looked at William who smiled tenderly at her. They both had a first love they could never attain. Yet, they were both there to comfort each other. In their comfort, they found mutual love. A different, but just as strong of a love.

Mary intertwined her fingers with William's, "William… I truly do love you."

He placed his forehead against hers, "And I love you."

As Seri and Dante watched the two lovebirds kiss, Seri couldn't help but look at the now empty spot where the Original Seri had been. Dante seemed to notice something amiss as she stared ahead. Dante whispered, "What is it?"

Seri shook her head, "I was just thinking about the Original Seri."

"The Original Seri?"

"That girl had such a rough life. When she was older, they called her a meek mouse that could only scurry around timidly. However, they couldn't be more wrong."

"Oh?"

She smiled in admiration, "She was the strongest one. By willpower alone, she was able to completely change the world. No matter what happened to her, she was willing to endure it just to change the fate of the one she loved the most. How could someone who was weak do something like that? She gave up everything just to see her beloved happy. Even if that meant her beloved would be happy with another. She really is an incredible person."

Dante smiled, "Maybe she still gets her happy ending."

Seri turned to look at his smile with her own, "Somehow, I think you are right."

____

A petite timid girl sat in a chair reading the book in front of her with a gentle smile. On the desk next to her was a single delicate red tulip in a plain vase. The book was suddenly lifted up in the air.

She turned up with a pout, "Give it b-back."

The other girl stared at her and giggled, "Why would you read such a book? It is so cheesy. It's obvious that the main character will end up marrying the Prince and becoming Queen. Why would you like such a cliché storyline?"

She looked away indignantly, "I can't help it. S-Seri is my favorite character."

The other girl sat down on her lap and began to thumb through the pages. Her innocent eyes read every line carefully. "But she doesn't get a happy ending. Doesn't that make you upset?"

The petite girl hid her face timidly, "I-I'd like to think she gets a happy ending."

"Her head gets cut off. How is that a happy ending?"

The timid girl put her arms around the other and blushed from the embarrassment, "I think that in her next life, she gets to be surrounded by those who love her. I think that she spends her next life with her beloved at her side."

The girl beamed and leaned forward to kiss the timid girl, "Aren't you just the hopeless romantic?" She added in a tease, "Seri."

The timid girl puffed out her cheeks, "Who are you calling Seri!?"

She giggled, "You! I mean, you act just like her. You sneak around like a mouse and you are always surrounded by flowers."

The timid girl pinched her teasingly, "Well if I'm Seri then you must be Mary. What kind of airhead would give a flower shop owner a red tulip without knowing it's meaning?"

The girl on her lap blushed and held the book up to cover her face, "I gave that to you because you specifically told me what it meant!"

The other grinned, "I know. I just wanted to hear you say it."

She buried her face in the others neck to hide her embarrassment, "Ugh! Stop teasing me…"

"I can't help it. You are too cute." She kissed the top of her head, "Mary~"

The two girls giggled in each other's embrace.

Never again would they be forced apart from each other.