Peacefully listening to the sound of the wind, I felt warmth and comfort. I slowly opened my eyes. It was a bit hazy, but the rustling leaves danced, as did her golden hair.

 “…..”

 Her sleeping face looked quite serene, and her rhythmic, calm breathing made her look more at peace than ever.

—she might catch a cold…

 I got up from her lap and carried her in my arms. But fortunately, she hasn’t woken up. She must’ve been tired after all.

 Ever since she moved to our estate, Mother and Father have not received her well; even the servants treated her with disdain.

 All of it was evident by her lack of sleep and expression. Her empty eyes… her lack of will or care. All of it… It was different from what I have remembered.

 Of course…her expression wasn’t great when she first arrived either. I suspected that it might’ve been the journey. Because… How can such a supposed strong-willed villain easily get disheartened by in-laws or their servants?

 In that regard, I must admit I was wrong. She was fragile and easy to put herself down—nothing I imagined from her supposed image.

—or was that how she ruined so many engagements?

 No. It can’t be. She doesn’t seem to be the easy type, nor the type to lead men on. Judging by her appearance, she must’ve attracted more attention than she probably wanted.

—here I am, expecting a villain on my hands.

 The Flame Sage did me a good one—sure, it was what I was asking for, but…at the same time, not quite.

 While her reputation is supposedly the worst, I find the reasons troublesome, as she’s not a victim per se. However, I can hardly fault her for all the occurrences.

—who would’ve thought I’d meet the same girl again? How many years has it been? About nine years?

 On that day, I saw the harsh outside world outside of the Shellheart estate. Brutal and corrupt. The world was at its ugliest, and weaklings fell on their knees.

 I thought. Perhaps I’ll only drag my family down as the outcast I was? That day. My heart froze as if The Absolute Frost itself froze it. I could only watch them tear her down and continue to dehumanise her.

 Many years passed, and she had become my wife. The girl that made me into what I am…

—how ironic.

 How ironic that the very same girl softens my heart. Was it guilt? Have I felt that outside of disheartening my parents?

 Slowly and surely, the girl opened her eyes, and her soft-looking sapphire eyes peered into mine.

 “…Leon?” she sleepily called my name. “Where are you taking me?”

 “Where else?” I replied.

 She shook her head, only slightly protesting my gesture. “I’m fine; I can stay out for a little longer…”

 “You’ll get sick again.”

 Her eyes widened as she averted them. “I…understand.”

 She probably felt guilty or perhaps scared? When she first arrived at the estate, she was sickly. But no one took care of her. If they did, it would be out of obligation so that she wouldn’t die.

 Mother and Father were not cruel people, but they couldn’t stand her presence and ordered the servants to take the utmost care of her. However, they did not share the same sentiment. “Why would you pick a lady like her, My Lord!?” they bitterly asked.

 “Charlotte.”

 “…what is it, Leon?” she timidly replied.

 She looked nervous; her hand had shrunk a little. She tightly squeezed her hands and sheepishly pressed them against her chest.

 “Is there somewhere you want to go? For instance, outside of the estate?”

 “…will you take me?”

 “I will.”

 “…anywhere is fine…as long as I’m with you. But…if I can help it. I want it to be just us… However…that’s no good, is it?”

 I let out a sigh. “Why do you think so? I can take an extended leave. Whilst I am the heir. It is yet my time.”

 “…is that okay?”

 “I don’t see any problems.”

 “…why are you so nice to me? You know how badly I’ve treated people. Committed treason and other numerous crimes. So…why?”

 “I don’t see any reason not to be nice to my wife.”

 “…..”

 “Besides, compared to you, I’m the murderer of a nation's god. A man slaughterer and a war criminal, what could get worse? The Villain of the entire world?”

 Charlotte had a surprised look but soon giggled and rested her head on my chest. “Leon, you’re no villain. If anything, you’re my hero—my bright light.”

 Her captivating smile would draw me in each time. But…“—even though I watched you get harassed and dehumanised?”

 “…I would’ve done the same…it’s all in the past. I…don’t want to remember. You…told me, didn’t you? Leon, can we run away…? And start over?”

 “—that’s…”

— :::: —

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

 “Son. Are you certain of this?”

 “Yes, Father.”

 In our office, Father and I were having a discussion. And ever since Charlotte arrived at our estate. We’ve been speaking of more trivial matters while working.

 “Why not to the east? They have plenty of booze and a vast and warm ocean! We already have harsh cold snowstorms here? Why do the two of you want to go hiking in the dangerous arctics?”

 “…because Charlotte said she wanted to go to a desolate place?”

 “That I understand, but Son… there are beautiful islands not inhabited by anyone! Would that not suit a lady as her more?”

 “…what do you mean?”

 “Think carefully. It would be akin to a vacation. No? The arctics is like a survival training camp!”

—but the Shellheart region is worse, though…

— :::: —

 “Leon, Leon! Look, these whales are sooo massive!” Charlotte happily expressed.

—in the end, we went to the islands.

 “They are a little cute as well?”

 “I don’t understand a lady’s definition of cute, but if it’s dangerous elementals, then…why not?”

 Charlotte crossed her arms and turned to the side while mumbling something to herself. ‘But it’s cute though…’

 “If there’s anything adorable. Then…you’re it, Charlotte.”

 I grabbed her hand and gently squeezed it. She reciprocated and said, “Thank you,” while softly smiling.

— :::: —

 “Wow! So this is the largest city in the western continent!”

 “…you’ve been having so much fun recently,” I said.

 Charlotte, whom I carried on my shoulders, said, “Of course! I’m with you, Leon!”

 Life on the island was peaceful. However, one day, a ship passed by, and though we were stranded, they offered us a ride.

—Now, we’re here, in completely unfamiliar lands.

— :::: —

 “L-Leon? Is this okay? Isn’t this house too big for us? I…I’m still learning the language and don’t have a job…”

 I shook my head in response. “Do you think so? I make good money through being a mercenary, though?”

 “B-But I don’t want to burden you more than necessary…”

 “I’m your husband, rely on me.”

 “…but I always rely on you…I-I feel so useless…”

 I placed my hand on her cheek and kissed her. “You’re not useless. You cook for me when I’m tired. You pamper at every opportunity. And…you make my day.”

 “Uhhuu! I-I feel a bit shy when you lay it bare like that…”

 “…ahem… Dear customers… Can you do that after buying the property?”

 ““…””

 Charlotte and I looked at the salesperson and back at each other. She smiled, and we chuckled and said, ““Please, we would like this property!””

— :::: —

 “Leon! I finally got the job!” Charlotte said while flinging the door open.

 She dashed into my arms and tightly embraced me. “The job?” I inquired.

 “Hehe, we’ll be colleagues from now on!” she happily said.

 “Colleagues?”

 “Yes! I’m the receptionist of the guild!” she declared proudly with her chest up high.

 “I see. I’m happy for you, and tell me if anyone tries to mess with you.”

 Charlotte still rubbed her face on my chest until she was satisfied. She looked up and said. “I doubt anyone would try~” she teasingly said. “After all, I’m your wife!”

 “—yeah…”

— :::: —

 So…it was supposed to be—one day. When I arrived back home, the house was engulfed in flames, and Charlotte was outside.

 She had a stab wound on her left shoulder, and her right arm was cut off. A black sword was impaled in her chest, and people around her tried to keep her alive as long as possible.

 “L-Leon! You’re finally back! It appears that there was an assassination attempt, but…by the time we arrived. He was already dead,” someone said.

 I didn’t listen, nor did I care.

—Charlotte!!?

 Why is this happening!? We’re so far away, and…they would go to these lengths!?

 ‘…huh…? L…Leon? Is…that…you?’ Charlotte faintly asked.

 “It is.”

 I placed her hand on my face and—

 ‘Don’t cry…’ she said.

 “…I’m not, these are…”

 ‘…Leon, I…have a request…Can I see your face? I…want to know how you look like…just…a final wish of mine…’

 “!?!?”

 We’ve been with one another for five years. But this was the first time she’d asked me to show her my face. I forgot about it. And…it wasn’t like I couldn’t show her.

 “Of…course, you can,” I shakingly said while removing the bandages covering my face.

 I had terrible burns, and my face was hideous—or so the rumours go. But. I recovered not long after the incident.

 “…..”

 Charlotte took a close look and didn’t say anything, and the light in her eyes started to fade.

 ‘…am I strange…?’ she asked. ‘To me, you always looked handsome, yet…it’s so strange seeing your face.’

 “…ha…ha…my face’s strange?” I tried to laugh it off.

 ‘…sorry, I lied. I can’t…see at all,’ Charlotte confessed. Tears flooded her eyes as she began to bawl. ‘But even so…you’re my most handsome prince, no matter what you look like.’

 “…Charlotte.”

 ’—Leon, I love you,’ she said out of the blue. ‘I always…have, but…I’m sorry I…wasn’t able…to…say…it…until…now…”

 Slowly, her voice began to fade even more. Until she went completely silent; her previously beautiful eyes lost their light as she lay in my arms with a smile.

— :::: —

 Suddenly, my whole body shook, and out of desperation and despair, I used all that I had. My muscles were being torn apart, and I pushed the wolf’s paw off me.

 Using Spark, even if it only lasted a microsecond, I managed to get out of its grasp.

 I thought I had given up, but…my body refused, and so did my mind!

 For whatever reason, I have the image of a smiling girl in my mind. I didn’t know who she was. Yet…these emotions overwhelmed me with strength. And the one line kept repeating inside my head. “It isn’t fair…!”

 I don’t care what happens anymore. You can deny me all you want—and I don’t care if my life is halved, I have to—[Request Entropy: Life Conversion!]

 (…..)

 A storm of lightning descended from the heavens, and in an instant, I gained more mana than my body could handle. But it didn’t matter; this pain was nothing compared…compared to what?

 …I don’t get it.

 What is going on?

 …ah…I don’t care anymore.

 This magic beast is a nuisance.

 “HUMAN! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?” the beast furiously cried.

—just…shut up…

 Summon Materia: Orb of Disintegration.

—and just die.