My Happy Marriage (LN) - Volume 6 - Chapter Ep

EPILOGUE  

The dawn was coming markedly earlier, and the shivering cold was leaving. From the ground at one’s feet, green was sprouting up in turn among the dead winter grass.

Above the garden, the pale clouded sky was slightly hazy, and the mist-enveloped sunlight had a slightly spring-like quality.

Once again, the season of flowers in full bloom was on the horizon.

Miyo carried the laundry basket in her hands as she left the washing area out back and dried the clothes on the clothesline in the garden.

The laundry on the line fluttered in the tranquil breeze.

“Phew.”

There were clear skies again today, so the laundry was going to dry properly. Looking at all the clothes hung up on the line, Miyo sighed.

Nowadays with spring fully in the air, the ceremony was fast approaching, and both Miyo and Kiyoka’s daily lives were busy once again. Visiting the venue, or trying on their outfits, and much more.

Although they were busy, when she considered it was all for their future together, it didn’t especially bother her.

However, given that a wedding celebration was going to be held for Kiyoka Kudou, one of the central figures involved in the recent attempted government overthrow as well as the head of one of the Empire’s prominent noble families, it had already turned into a popular topic of conversation among the people.

This brought even more nerves, and Miyo didn’t have any time to let down her guard.

Things that made her happy, things she held dear… Although she was always busy, inwardly Miyo was living a more fulfilling life than she ever had before.

“Miyo.”

“Kiyoka.”

Hearing her name called from the veranda, she turned around to see a slender standing figure. Perhaps he had finished his morning training and had already washed up and gotten changed.

Putting on sandals to step down into the garden, Kiyoka stood casually next to Miyo and looked up at the sky.

“Kiyoka, take a look.”

“What is it?”

Miyo lightly tapped his arm and guided his gaze down to the ground with her finger.

Among the grasses beginning to lushly sprout up, dandelion buds slightly poked out. Though they may have been nothing more than weeds, she couldn’t help being excited.

They both crouched down to gaze at the buds which signalled that springtime was right around the corner.

“Dandelions. Spring’s almost here.”

“You’re right.”

There wasn’t anything special about these commonplace days within the changing season.

Nevertheless, calmly facing the coming springtime like this made her happier than anything else.

“This is only if you want to, but…”

Kiyoka began, slightly hesitant as he stood back up. Miyo stood up with him and wondered why he was so stiff.

Then finally, he proposed something to her she would never have imagined.

“Why don’t we plant a cherry blossom tree here in this garden? To, um, celebrate our marriage.”

A cherry tree, here in the garden.

The instant he said it, the image of a magnificent tree proudly blossoming light pink appeared in the back of Miyo’s mind.

Generally, it was said to be an ill omen to plant a cherry tree in a home garden.

On top of this, a garden cherry tree would remind Miyo about the ill fate of her deceased mother. Just the thought sent complicated feelings ebbing and flowing inside her chest. On the other hand, she still held a pure desire within her to see the beautiful cherry blossoms blooming in their garden.

“Yes…I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

Kiyoka smiled as Miyo answered, absentminded and still in disbelief.

“Really? Let’s do it, then.”

If they planted a sapling now, when would it end up blossoming?

Each time spring arrived, her foremost excitement would be to see the cherry tree in bloom together with Kiyoka. Leisurely drinking a cup of tea as they gazed at the blossoms sounded quite enjoyable.

The tree had yet to even be planted, and her expectations continued to swell.

When Miyo regained her senses, her cheeks had flushed, and she was pulling on the sleeve of Kiyoka’s kimono.

“Thank you very much.”

She was happy that she would get to see the cherry blossoms, but planting a cherry tree in the garden held a special meaning to Miyo. The fact that Kiyoka knew this made her the happiest of all.

Miyo loved this man so much, she thought to herself that a mere bad omen or two could simply be brushed off and sent packing.

Their spring was just up ahead.