It's noon but the Sun can't be seen. Clouds so thick, the sky's as dark as midnight.

Typically, in stories, bad things happen during this kind of weather.

Perhaps the Gods are angry that the Villain is marrying the Hero. Blame yourselves, idiots. It's not like I wanted this to happen. It's your fault for not setting the laws properly despite being able to give oracles. Apparently, the Gods have given the people of this world oracles before, through the system notifications. I haven't seen it for myself yet, but I'm inclined to believe it despite being an atheist previously.

A lot of impossible things have happened after all.

But to think, marriage would happen this early. I'll be spending the rest of my life with Sophie. I knew I would follow her until she beat the Demon King, however long that took. But it'll be for life now. I have never even thought about what that would entail.

She's the Hero, but what if she wants to settle down? I've never talked with her about this. Surely, she realizes she has obligations. No, if that's the case... She won't leave me at home taking care of the kids, while she goes off to fight, will she? No, no. That can't happen. The main quest is still ongoing. I have to unlock all of her skills!

Is there another choice other than telling her that I know she's the Hero? I have to think.

"Sir Branford, please come inside. The ceremony is about to begin."

My thoughts got interrupted.

Steel yourself. I'm getting married with Sophie. Make no mistakes. Nobles will be watching, paying attention to our every move. I can't let them criticize us.

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Why is the sky so dark today of all days? It looks spooky. I'm getting married to Claud, it should be a joyous occasion.

Ah, my heart is fluttering. After this, we can be a true family. I know Mother's only marrying me off to Claud because she's after the Branford family's wealth. I won't let that happen. We'll run away just like in romance novels. But instead of settling down, we're going to become soldiers. This is so exciting!

But... Does Claud want to have a baby? What if he does? What if he's expecting me to get pregnant while we're at Eindall academy? I've never asked him about this...

I have to fulfill my duty as a hero first. I can't let a child be born into a world with so much strife. Claud's always training and rarely relaxes; he's striving to get stronger. Maybe he's getting stronger so that I can take care of the child while he goes off to fight? No, no. I can't let that happen.

I have to tell him as soon as we are wed. Be brave! I'm a Hero!

"Lady Sophie, it is time."

Eek! I'm still nervous. What if I fall while walking up the aisle? That'd be embarrassing. All of the nobles Mother invited would be watching...

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I've got a case of the jitters. When I was freezing in the snow, injured, I wasn't this nervous. Lying to the police, getting the pastor arrested. The time, the train derailed into the strait. Fighting goblins, mantis, the foreign instigator. None of those times compare to now.

There she is, walking towards me. She's... pretty. I haven't seen her for an entire day. With make-up, wearing a wedding dress, her change blindsided me. I have acknowledged that people looked beautiful before, symmetrical faces, striking features. Yet this is the first time my heart's stirred. This is abnormal for me.

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"... no vows more solemn than the ones you are about to make..."

Ah, Claud's looking straight into my eyes, his mouth slightly agape. A face of his, I've never seen. He's as nervous as me, isn't he? Oh no. Realizing that he is made me feel it more... I can feel my face heating up.

"Ahem."

Ah. Claud missed his cue.

-Claud Branford's Willpower: 23/24-

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"I, Claud Branford, take you, Sophie Auguste, to be my wife. I promise to protect you, not even death will do us part."

Those vows mean even in the next life, you still want to be with me...

"I, Sophie Auguste, take you, Claud Branford, to be my husband. And I promise to protect you too. Not even death will do us part."

I reciprocate your feelings, Claud.

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After an awkward day, shaking hands with nobles I've never seen before, Claud and I retired to the bedroom. We're in bed, supposed to consummate our marriage like how the maids taught me to. But that will make me pregnant. This is the moment, what do I say? Claud, I'm the Hero! That's too sudden. He'll be confused. I have to ask him indirectly.

"Claud? Do you want to have a baby?"

He turned and continued staring at me quietly. Ah. That made it sound like I wanted to. It's too late to say I didn't mean it...

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She asked the question, first. Damn it. I have to make rational arguments to convince her.

-Willpower: 6/24-

"Sophie, we're still young. There's no need to have children yet. I'm worried about you. There are still many things I want us to do before settling down. Your body is still growing so having a baby would be dangerous."

"I-I-I think so too, Claud! We're still planning to enter the academy and it'd be difficult if I had a big belly... Phew... I actually thought you wanted me to have a baby. I still have things I want to do with you. If we have to take care of a child, that would be impossible. Hehe."

Hehe. My shoulders lightened upon hearing that. That's a relief. I feel like a fool for overthinking it this much. The Hero knows she has to save the world. But...

-Willpower: 5/24-

"Why did you think I wanted a baby?"

"Eh, well... M-My mother said that I have no redeeming qualities other than being a housewife. She said, Claud only chose me because you wanted someone to bear your children, so I should do my best to please you tonight. I knew that wasn't the case, but I couldn't help thinking about it."

Useless matriarch meddling in things again... Ruining my precious Hero's self-esteem. There, there, Sophie. Don't cry over useless people.

-Willpower: 4/24-

"Sophie, never listen to your mother ever again. I know this might be hard for you, but she's not concerned about how you feel in the slightest."

"... I know... I was always just hoping she did care... No matter how hard I try, I can't remember a single time Mother ever treated me well. She's always hated me, and I know why. I wasn't a good enough daughter. When I was 6, she brought me out for a party. Some girls poured tea on my dress, and I cried. She got mad at me and never brought me out ever again. I had ashamed her."

Frustrating bullshit... What mother gets mad at her daughter for getting bullied?

-Willpower: 3/34-

"Forget her expectations! There's only one thing you need to do. If you think it's right, if you believe in it. Whatever you want to do, right at this moment! Do it! I'll back you up, no matter what."

Ah, I shouldn't say something this frivolously. But I just don't want her to be sad right now.

"T-that's... Okay. I've changed my mind, Claud! We're not going to Eindall Academy. Let's visit all the different places on the continent! If we can't go through Ruvere, take the long way around! That's a brilliant plan, right? We'll follow the train tracks all the way around through the West side of the continent."

-Maximum Willpower has increased to 34-

Oh no. She conjured up the same crazy plan that I briefly pondered about. I should have added some stipulations to 'whatever you want to do'.

"We're running away, Claud! Tonight!"

She looked at me, fists raised and full of enthusiasm, bouncing with anticipation.

I know I shouldn't indulge her. This is reckless. But I already gave my word that I would support her... This is a bad impulsive idea.

No... This would be a horrible idea... for regular children that is. For us, it's just slightly bad.

Frankly, it seems possible. I have not become arrogant. Monsters in the Western side of the continent are weaker on average according to testimony and conducted research. Lower estimated overall stats, fewer life-threatening skills and most importantly, lower intelligence.

This was why the Empire was able to take over the West so easily. The army's stats had risen much higher due to constantly fighting stronger monsters. Fewer numbers, but the soldiers had far higher stats. That's the same reason why guns were phased out of wars. Anyone with a Vitality over 30 was effectively invulnerable to bullets and there isn't a way to augment a gun's firepower with your own stats.

Sophie's still bouncing excitedly, waiting for me to make a decision. Alright.

-Willpower: 2/34-

"Alright, let's do it. I know the topography of the land; we can avoid specific dangerous zones. As long as we stick to the safe areas, resting at towns in between, this journey is possible."

We might be in trouble for money, but I have a pouch of gold coins. This should last us long enough to stay in a few nights in inns, at least. We can get more money by selling monster parts. This will work. She'll get stronger on this trip; the baby bird has to fly out of the nest sometime soon.

"Yes! I love you, Claud!"

She hugged me tightly, pecking me on the cheek...

-Willpower: 1/34-

"I love you too, Sophie..."

"I-I'll pack our stuff!", she shuffled off the bed.

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After getting our things together, we peeked out of the second-floor window.

"Claud, are you ready?"

I nodded. Under the cover of the dark clouded sky, nobody is likely to see us jumping from here.

I jumped first without any bags or gear.

After landing, I motioned to her to throw the bags down.

Lastly, Sophie herself leapt. I have to catch her, her Vitality's still low.

Success. Nothing's broken in the bags or our bodies.

"This is kind of exciting... sneaking out of the house at this time."

I nodded in agreement.

In the dead of night, we ran away from Eindall further West, following the train tracks.