The Lost Life of Laraine

Chapter 50

"Oh thank you thank you thank you!"

Rebecca was clutching onto me with joy, Howell behind her looking over the parchment I had procured over and over again. The ex-baron's signature was shaky but legible.

"Of course, it was the least I could do," I laughed, watching as the pair huddled over the parchment, discussed how they would go forward with their wedding. It was so amazing, to I watched the two people who made my life less miserable create their own happiness.

"Truly Laraine," Howell smiled softly, something so gentle and reassuring it could probably stop wars, "I'm so thankful."

"Well if it wasn't for your brutal training I probably wouldn't be standing here right now,"

"I do my best," he chuckled, handing the parchment back to Rebecca, "Now I should get back to work." He quickly pecked her on the head.

"Could you put some guards on my private study? Make sure no one from my extended family has access," I instructed, reviving a dutiful nod from Howell in return, "Should anyone protest, inform my grandfather by any means necessary."

I've have come to realize my grandfather is giving me more power and privilege than the average noble daughter and I intend to use his favor accordingly.

Saying our goodbyes to Howell, Rebecca's attention finally was solely on me.

"I should get back to work too," Rebecca sighed wistfully, "What's your plan for today?"

"I have some business at the guild," I felt something fidget under my tunic, "I'll see you for dinner, okay?"

Nodding, Rebecca dismissed herself and I waited until she was out of earshot to answer the glowing gem, holding it on my palm until a familiar face appeared in front of me.

"Morning," I greeted Bazen who appeared to be outside, "Or good night it appears?"

"It's almost sunrise," Bazen chuckled, lifting the gem up to show me the orange peaking over the rooftops, "How are you settling back home? Everything okay with your family?"

"My family has been..." I trailed off, looking around me to the empty hallways, deciding to begin my way to the guild, "My family has been accommodating."

"In what ways?" He inquired cautiously.

"They acknowledge me more, compared to when I was a child."

"Interesting..." It was his turn to trail off, which caught my attention.

"Is that different than the past?" He didn't respond right away, turning my full attention to him, "Bazen?"

"Oh sorry," he cleared his throat, "In the past when you were older, you didn't live with your family, and you didn't seem to talk to any of them."

"How did I move out? Did I get married or something?" I chuckled a little at the prospect of getting married, but I saw Bazen's sullen expression and I immediately stopped, "Did I get married?"

"Arranged," Bazen added almost immediately.

"To who?"

"I'm not at liberty to say," he winced, like I was going to retaliate physically over voice-call. But seeing how I was calm, he recovered quickly. 

"I understand," I nodded to him, but the curiosity seed has been planted deep within me.

Married? To who?

Bazen said I didn't have my scars in my previous life, perhaps whoever I was married to was fortunate to have me unscathed. And what was made obviously clear to me recently, I'm not a very traditional noble so an arranged marriage was probably the only way I was going to get married. 

Probably not to another noble though. 

"Let's not talk about the past, err," Bazen awkwardly chuckled, "The future? Well a lot is different now so it doesn't really matter." 

The curiosity will eat me forever but Bazen seems less than eager to talk about it, so I just nodded. 

"Just know now that I will stand by you no matter what," he shot a smile that melted my wavering heart, "And trust me the others feel the exact same way." 

"Others?" I questioned as I made a few more blocks closer to the guild, smiling at a few capital-citizens who waved at me. Since my young successes in adventures I've made somewhat of a name of myself. 

"Right, the other Spirit Counterparts, like Xelnova to me, Tallow to you," Bazen explained, "We've all met each other in the past and trust me when I say the others love you." 

"Thanks?" I was very flattered and even more confused. 

"Miss Lara!" A child suddenly ran up behind me, carrying a large sword wrapped securely in fabrics and twine. 

"Careful!" Paris called from further behind, walking at a casual pace. 

"Oh it sounds like you have company, talk to you tonight?" Bazen asked, and with a quick goodbye his face disappeared. 

"Hello little blacksmith," I tucked the communicator away and bent down to grab the little muffin of a child whose tunic and trousers are somehow always covered in soot, "Whoa did you get heavier?" 

"No!" She giggled, pushing the sword into my chest despite both my arms occupied by the squirming child, "Daddy finished your sword!" 

"Oh thank you," I slowly put her down, taking the sword and unwrapped it. It was a silver blade that had a blueish silver handle. The handle was decorated with metallic vines with flushed thorns that do not poke out, with intricate gems placed like flower buds. 

Rubbing my finger against the thorns and gems, even feeling the ribbing of the inner handle, I smiled. The gems were provided by me from deep caverns in the western highlands that stores mana which I can use in a pinch. 

The blade was so straight and sleek I could only see the engraving along the blade at a certain angle. 

May this sword stay sharp and brilliant in a dark hour. 

A cheesy phrase but it was something Tallow once said to me a lifetime ago and it felt like it stuck. 

"It's perfect," I beamed. 

"It's one of my greatest work," Paris grinned from ear to ear, leaning down to pick up his child with one arm, "Other than this trouble maker." 

I finally pried my eyes off the sword, taking in the pair in front of me. Sharing a similar smile with the same pair of eyes, beaming at me like a small pillar of light and like a moth I couldn't help but stare. 

It was so peaceful to gaze upon a happy pair like them.