We took seats on some white antique-style couches. It was a huge room, furnished with a coffee table, rug and several other antique-looking ornaments. I placed my sword on a little side table.

Celestia sat next to her dad. She took one of the pillows from the couch and placed it on her lap, she was also being hugged tightly by her older sister on the other side. Her sister looked around my age with the same blonde hair as the younger sister.

I was sitting on the couch opposite it.

"What was your name?"

"Ritsu, Ritsu Takamiya."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Alfonso Regas."

"Nice to meet you, too."

"Anyways, I just wanted to thank you again for protecting my daughter."

I guess I sort of did that, but it definitely wasn't my original intent...

"It's all good."

"I was thinking about what I could give you as a reward but I feel like no matter what I give you it's not going to be enough, considering you saved my daughter's life." He stated.

I didn't like where this was going, please I'm completely fine with just some money or equipment or something. You seem to be living pretty extravagantly so I'm sure you can spare some stuff for me...

"So the best reward I can think of giving you is my eldest daughter's hand in marriage," he added.

No no no no, hold on a second there.

"Umm, I thi-" He cut me off before I could finish speaking.

"Just a moment, I'll only allow it with her permission." He looked over towards the sister, before I could add anything she responded.

"He saved my precious little sister's life... so I am willing to offer him my hand in marriage."

Wait wait wait, someone, hit the breaks, please.

"Well if she's fine with it, I'm also fine with it. Also, Ritsu, you don't need to worry about paying for the ceremony, I'll cover it for you."

What... Wedding ceremony? Hold on this is too early. Please someone say something...

The three of them looked them looked towards me.

What am I meant to do...?

"Um, I'm honoured but don't people usually have to get to know each other first and all...?"

"Oh, well, if that's what you're used to then you two can have a walk around the garden."

Wait, no, that's not what I meant.

"Um, so, I wasn't actually looking for a wife at the moment... Just some money and equipment is fine if you want to reward me..."

Alfonso looked at me disappointingly.

Hey, stop looking at me like that, I did nothing wrong...

"This might be a little overwhelming to you, but we are fully serious and committed. You can have a walk around the garden to think about it."

I mean... I guess I'll do that.

"Uh, alright then."

He looked towards the eldest daughter.

"Theresia, go show him around."

She stood up and led me towards the front of the mansion. She walked beside me as we made our way outside. Her father and sister seemed to be discussing something in the other room.

Awkwardly we made our way onto the stone path.

"Um, what should I say...?" She muttered under her breath. "Well, thank you again for saving my little sister, she gets herself into trouble a lot and is pretty annoying but I couldn't even start to imagine what life would be like without her."

I mean you did live part of your life without her...

"Honestly it was no big deal, you guys don't need to thank me so much," I assured her.

It was also starting to make me feel guilty.

"Oh right, I heard from Celestia that your arm is sore from the fighting, right?"

"Yeah, a little bit."

"Just a moment."

She went into the house and came out with a little first aid kit.

"Here."

She pulled out a little syringe and put some blue liquid into it.

"This won't do much but it should make you a little less sore and stop the pain."

The two of us sat down and she pulled up my sleeve.

It stung a little at first but it wasn't bad. Afterwards, she stuck a little piece of loosely woven cloth on the site.

"That should do. Are you hurting anywhere else?"

"No I'm all fine now."

She smiled at me as she heard me say that.

We began walking towards a little pond on their estate. When we reached it, she gestured at a bright white flower with a pink tint with a yellow centre floating between some lily pads.

"These are our water lilies. Mother used to tell me they symbolised unity and finding peace and balance."

The two of us squatted down, observing the flowers from a closer distance.

Eventually, we both got back up and began wandering towards a garden bed, covered in a variety of flowers. On our way, I noticed several large sunflowers, standing beside the stone path.

Wow, they're so tall.

Eventually, we made our way to the flower bed. Theresia pointed at a thin, long flower with tiny pink petals.

"This is my favourite type of flower, called Heather. They say it signifies good luck and admiration. I love how pretty they are."

This is actually kind of nice.

"So, Ritsu... Um, have you thought about the idea of marriage?"

You know, maybe this life isn't so bad. We could live happily together, peacefully walking through the garden and having fun together.

Wait

Hold on.

I definitely can't.

I needed to protect this princess if I didn't want to burn in hell.

Useless goddess... why must you make my life difficult...?

"I'm sorry, but I have something really important I have to do so I don't think I'll be able to marry you at the moment."

She looked a little dejected.

"It's okay." She replied.

The two of us walked back into the mansion. The air suddenly felt melancholic. The atmosphere was a lot more calm than before.

"So, have you thought about it?" Alfonso asked me.

"Yes."

"You don't want to, do you?" He added.

I guess he already knows.

"Y-yeah."

"It's alright, I could tell that something else has been on your mind this entire time."

The three of us walked back into the living room and sat back down on the couches.

"Well is there something else you want?" He asked.

"Umm, actually, I've been thinking, can you transport me into Gavaria?"

"Well, their border security's been pretty strict recently but I think I can do that." He walked over to a big table and looked at a map for a little while. "I'll get one of my guards to escort you there on a carriage."

He gestured to one of the guards and talked to them. Before long, he turned back around and began speaking to me.

"We'll send you off tomorrow morning, you can spend the night here." He said.

"Thank you very much." I replied.

Suddenly I could smell something quite appetizing in the air.

"That's Theresia's cooking."

"It smells good."

"She's always cooking for us, sometimes I tell her that she doesn't have to but she insists, saying that she needs to become good so she can get a husband."

So heart-warming.

"It'll be a little longer before it's done so you can go have a shower in the meantime."

One of the maids showed me the way to the bathroom. It was quite large with an antique mirror, sink and a very big circular shower.

"I'll wash your clothes, you can wear these in the meantime."

She handed me some fresh clothes.

I got into the shower.

It felt very relaxing. The hot steamy water gently spraying on my back.

Ahh. This is the life.

What are you doing?

Huh? what was that?

Did I just hear something in my head, a voice eerily similar to my own?

Surely not...

After scrubbing myself down with soap I stood in the shower for a little longer.

Was I just speaking to myself inside my head again?

What was that voice?

Eventually, I decided to get out of the shower, putting on the fresh clothes I was given. The steam had clouded the mirror so I couldn't see my reflection. I made my way back to the living room.

"You're all done with your shower?" Alfonso asked.

"Yeah."

"Dinner's about ready, so come take a seat."

We all sat down around the dinner table.

We were each given two bowls of food. One was a beef stew and another was filled with salad. The food was still steaming from how hot they still were.

I could definitely get used to the food here.

"Tuck in everyone, I prepared my favourite today!" Theresia announced.

We ate the food, with some casual chatter in between.

It really could be nice, this life.

One of the maids showed me to the guest room.

I tensed my right arm a little bit, checking if it had gotten better. I could move it around pretty freely and it didn't hurt that much, but my arm strength was still significantly weaker than normal.

I guess the sword really does take a toll on my body.

I lay in bed, hoping my condition fully recovers by tomorrow.

I couldn't help but wonder, what my life was like before I died.