T/N : Hi~ The last part for the broken heart arc (lol) Enjoy this savage moment ahahaha
Translator : KuRuuRuu
Editor : Z
Since then, Arche’s life changed and improved. To be exact, it might be better to say that it had [returned]. To the one she had before the Demon King’s resurrection, before the start of Eguiédills’ journey.
Today too, she had finally finished pruning and harvesting the plants. As she took her hood and carried the basket filled with the yield to the brim, Arche’s face which had less freckles and was fairer than before was full of smiles.
It was the same gardening job as usual. However today, there was one thing different than usual.
“Will Eguiédills-sama be happy?”
Snap, the shears she held with one hand made a sound. She carefully cut the stalk of the white flower, and dropped it to the basket she held with her other hand carefully, in order to not let the petal get damaged.
The soft smell of that flower tickled her nose. That flower was one of the herbs that Eguiédills had ordered her to plant a few weeks ago. The piling delicate flowers were picked as soon as they bloomed, thus emitted strong sweet fragrance.
As soon as Arche found that this flower herb bloomed early today, her heart had been leaping with joy. It was just right since today was the day that Eguiédills will come. If I am to hand him these flowers that have just bloomed this morning, she couldn’t stop grinning as she had such thoughts.
(Perhaps he’d not only be happy, but maybe, something more, like…kya─!)
Her cheeks were flushed as Arche furiously waved her hand. It was precisely at that time,
“Oi”
“Hya─!?”
Her heart literally jumped when she heard a voice suddenly calling out to her from behind.
“E, Eguiédills-sama…!”
She turned around timidly, and saw the beautiful black bearer before her. The androgynous beauty that couldn’t be defined with a simple word of ‘appealing’, squinted his exquisite morning glow eyes dubiously and gazed down at her. Arche was stiffened at that. She could never get used to that beauty, as well as that terrifying black.
After almost dropping the basket filled with the newly-bloomed white flowers, Arche became more panicked. Fortunately, she fixed her hold with both hands and avoided that tragedy. Hoo, she let out sigh.
“What are you playing around for?”
Hearing that astonished voice, precisely because it was said with a beautiful voice, the damage was bigger.
Stab! It was as if the words pierced her heart, causing her to lose heart and hang her head. However, she thought that that was really like Eguiédills, and then proceeded to hand the basket over to him.
“Umm, this is the herb you’ve asked for before. They bloomed early so I wanted to deliver them quickly!”
Her heartbeat filled with nervousness and expectation was noisy. That’s right, Arche had worked hard and earnestly taking care of this flower from planting until it had bloomed.
It was different from when she handed Eguiédills the Delia fruit. At that time she did it without thinking much. But now it was different since she had realized her love for him.
It was not just anyone, it was him that she wanted to give the flowers to. And those flowers were filled with Arche’s feelings. Even if it’s just a little, I want him to be happy. And, if possible─
The basket was taken from Arche’s hand. Receiving the basket, Eguiédills took one white flower from inside it, and drew his face near to the flower as if to ascertain it. Eguiédills then looked at Arche, who was fascinated by his picturesque gesture, and raised his face.
“…I see. I thank you”
(───ah,)
Softly. Eguiédills smiled.
The frozen expression of that androgynous beauty melted away, and a charming flower bloomed. A beautiful smile that wouldn’t pale in comparison to a night fairy’s.
It was a smile different than his usual sarcastic smile.
Aah, I’ve always wanted to see this expression. It was the same smile that he had when she handed him the Delia fruit and realized her love, no, this time it was even more than that, a sweet smile like a melting honey.
In the end, she didn’t wish for anything grand from this person. She didn’t wish for anything in particular. If only he would smile for her, it was enough.
This gentle and soft smile, directed only to Arche─────…
“She’ll also be happy”
“…eh?”
.
Hearing unexpected words from Eguiédills’ charming lips, Arche spontaneously tilted her head. It was an unconscious gesture, but it clearly conveyed what was inside Arche’s mind.
Her thoughts couldn’t catch up.
(By ‘she’, he means…)
While showing a gentle and soft smile, Eguiédills lovingly spoke of [someone] that Arche didn’t know. That smile, that voice, everything was not something directed at Arche, and precisely because it was Arche that she realized. However at the same time, precisely because it was Arche that she didn’t understand. She didn’t want to understand. (E/N : omg here it comes)
“Umm, by ‘she’, you mean…”
Despite that, Arche’s mouth moved by itself and asked Eguiédills. Even though she didn’t want to ask it. Even though she didn’t want to hear the answer.
His morning glow eyes swayed when he heard Arche’s question. Is it okay if I say it, or perhaps it’s better not to? As if he was wavering about it. Just like a children hesitating to show his precious treasure to other.
After some silence, Eguiédills started opening his mouth to the petrified Arche.
“…my wife”
waɪf. Wife.
“Eguiédills-sama has…”
Her mouth was parched and dried up. Even she herself didn’t know what had she said.
“Do you have a wife?”
“─────yeah”
Eguiédills nodded. At that time the smile had gone from his face, but he still had that gentle atmosphere. Arche knew nothing about this kind of Eguiédills. And that Eguiédills, as if not realizing the shock she had received…no, surely he really didn’t realize it at all. He narrowed his eyes at the white flower on his hand, as if seeing the reflection of [someone] on it. What should have been a voice Arche enjoyed listening to, then proceeded to say things that she didn’t want to hear.
Wait. Stop. The words that she couldn’t voice out, didn’t reach the beauty before her.
“Because I’m already married.”
It was as if the person before her had completely changed. Aah, but I think I got it. This overly beautiful black bearer surely is not the same living thing as me. Such a thought went through Arche’s mind in a moment. She became strangely calm as if looking at herself from somewhere else.[1]
It was just the other day, he said. With his fiancée since childhood, he said. His short, brief words continued to reach her ears, but none of them remained in Arche's mind as they all went in one ear and out the other.
What happened after that, she didn't really remember it. What was her response to Eguiédills' words, or was she unable to say anything at all? How did she see off him from the medicinal plant garden? Since going out from the Royal Palace, how did she go home? She didn't really understand it all. She didn't want to understand it. When she realized it, she was already in her bed. It was already the next day and as usual she went to the Royal Palace's garden. It was exactly as usual. There was nothing different than usual. It should have been that way. Even if her father looked at her dubiously, Arche planned to act as usual.
Even so…
"I'm lost again"
Arche should have been going to Eguiédills's medicinal garden that was entrusted to her while carrying the pruning shears she had received from her father like usual, however for some reason there was a lake she had never seen before right in front of her eyes.
Her spontaneous mutter melted into the lake in vain. Naturally there would be no reply to her words. Arche sighed and sat down on the lake's shore.
She didn't know how it ended up like this. She should have been following the same route as always, but perhaps she made a mistake somewhere. To get lost within Royal Palace garden, it was just like the time she wandered into the Black Lotus Court.
On that day, Arche met that beautiful man. Until the day before, just by imagining him, just by hearing his name, Arche could become helplessly happy.
The lake without a single presence of life was quiet. At times she would hear chirping of birds, but it was only to that extent. There were no other noises, it was just so calm and peaceful. The water surface sparkled as it reflected the sunlight. How dazzling. How beautiful. Compared to that, I am just…
"A─ah"
As she threw a small rock within her hand's reach into the lake, it made a sound and created a ripple, then quickly sunk.
"I'm like an idiot"
She hugged her knees and buried her face between them. I'm just like an idiot. No, I'm truly an idiot. Being excited by myself, being hopeful by myself. Even if I do say so myself, how could I even be that thoughtless, I want to laugh at myself.
After all, wasn't it so? Because she had already understood it from the start.
She understood that there was no way she could be bound together with that person, who was so different in everything from her. Appearance, status, position, nothing she had could match well with him. Between Eguiédills and herself, there was not a single thing alike. Even under normal circumstances, they already had an unsurpassable difference, but now he had become one of the world's heroes. As a mere gardener she was, just falling in love like this was already too presumptuous.
"…A─ah"
Her voice came out smaller and lower than before, which even she found it strange. To be depressed at this point was useless.That kind of thing was only allowed until last night. As a Royal Palace gardener, what's deemed as a trouble shouldn't be something like this. If she had time to feel down, then she should be heading to Eguiédills' medicinal plant garden at once. She understood that. She understood that, yet, somehow she couldn't muster any will to stand up.
The sunlight which had only shone gently, for some reason felt like it was piercing her skin. This is not good, if I were to bath in sunlight this much while not wearing my hood, my freckles will show up again. Even though I've done my best all this time, and just recently I was really happy in front of the mirror seeing that the freckles are fading. Aah, but…
(There is no reason to do my best anymore, right?)
The reason that made me begin wanting to become more beautiful has just disappeared yesterday. Then, perhaps it would be better to just sit here until my skin burned to black. I've really turned negligent… She was conscious about it but for some reason she couldn't stop.
While she hesitatingly felt herself start crumbling from her feet, suddenly there was a shadow dropped over her.
"What are you doing in this kind of place?"
Arche heard an unfamiliar voice from behind and lifted her head sluggishly without thinking.
Conversely, who are you to be here [in this kind of place]? Even though I want to be left alone. As she completely drowned in depressing thoughts, she slowly turned around.
"If you feel unwell, should I call for someone?"
That person bent down. As she inclined her parasol towards Arche, creating a shade over her, she looked at Arche with an anxious face.
"…err"
Arche didn't know how to reply to her. When she looked up at that person while still sitting, that person tilted her head with a troubled expression and laughed a little. Seeing that reaction, Arche suddenly came to her senses.
She was a woman who was definitely several years older than Arche, and someone she had never seen before.
Her long hair was plaited loosely and adorned with small hair ornament which imitated vine and small flowers. Her hands that were holding the frilly parasol were covered in delicate lace gloves, and while her dress was something simple and not flashy at all, it was an elegant and graceful dress. With just one glimpse it was easy to concur that she was a lady of noble origin.
Although Arche didn't know how high the status was of the lady before her, for the time being Arche almost spontaneously put up her guard due to the various bad memories with noble ladies. However, the reason Arche didn't do it in the end was probably due to the atmosphere surrounding that lady. A calm and gentle air around her was something that Arche had never felt from the ladies that she had come in contact with up to now.
Compared to those self-important ladies, the lady before her let Arche feel a sense of familiarity and friendliness. Her calm and gentle atmosphere reminded Arche of her own mother that she had lost a few years back. Somehow, that lady's anxious voice for some reason stimulated Arche's tear gland.
(No way, what should I do)
In the first place, it wasn't like she had a large number of friends. The time she spent with the plants took the majority of her day so it was natural, however for just this time she truly regretted it. She couldn't say it to her father, and there was no chance of telling her friends either. And then, it turned out like this. Her mother that she usually consulted with when it has reached this point, was no longer here.
In other words, she already reached her limit.
"…U"
"U?"
"Uwaaaaaaa─!"
In one go, the silence surrounding the lake was torn to pieces. The little birds who had been chirping as they please, as if surprised to that sound, flew away from the trees. However, Arche didn't have any leeway to mind about such things.
Arche cried. Her tears continued to overflow without seeming to stop. In front of the lady who was opening her eye wide in surprise as she watching her, Arche kept on crying.
I like him. I really, really like him.
Black bearer. Head of Royal Magician. One of the heroes. Holding a number of titles, that person who was more beautiful than anything and anyone. She was selected by that person, who kept on influencing his surroundings regardless of his intention. Why couldn't I have gone without this sense of superiority? Why couldn't I have gone without thinking that I am special?
With Eguiédills' status, it was not strange at all for him to have a fiancée already, and that was not something she had never thought of.
However even if there was someone like that, rather than that uncertain existence, Arche cared more on how she was the one who understand Eguiédills better than anyone. While the gossipers in the Royal Palace spoke ill about Eguiédills, and within those that feared him, she intended to be the only one who knew that Eguiédills wasn't someone like that at all.
That was why. That was why she was hurting this much. She had been thinking somewhere in her heart, will he choose someone like me one day? Even if he didn't choose her, she still didn't want him to belong to somebody else.
She realized how selfish she had been thinking inside. But, there was no change on how she still like him.
She cried, cried, and cried. While Arche was crying, that lady didn't say a thing. Without minding how her dress would get dirty, she sat down and closed her parasol. She gave her handkerchief to Arche and just like that nuzzling up to her. Even though Arche had been thinking so much on how she wish to be left alone, her kind and gentle presence felt really comfortable.
"─────have you calmed down?"
"Ye,yesh"
When she was asked that, Arche nodded while sniffling and snorting.
"I, I'm sorry, your handkerchief, I turned it into a mess"
The white handkerchief she received was in a messy state filled with Arche's tears and snot. After looking at it closely, there was a detailed embroidery in the same white color as the cloth. Even if it was not silk but felt like cotton, it seemed to be a relatively expensive thing. Will it be okay if I return it after washing it? Or would she ask for a compensation because she couldn't use a handkerchief that has been used by this kind of gardener anymore?
Arche timidly looked at that lady, and perhaps sensing her hesitation that lady laughed lightly and shook her head.
"Please don't mind it. If it's alright with you then please accept it"
"But"
"It was just something I had sewn for killing time. I'll be extremely happy if you would use it"
Softly, Arche's hand that was gripping the handkerchief was being held. I was as if that hand's warmth seeped right into her heart, and her stopped tears once again fell down.
"Thank you, so much─"
"Yes, you're welcome"
The smile that lady gave was gentle, and as Arche thought, it was filled with affection.
Although Arche didn't have the right to talk about other people, and while she fully knew that it was impolite of her to think that, she thought that the smiling lady's face was definitely not a conspicuously beautiful one. However, the skin of her face which was applied with a thin make up was fair, and her hair which was put with perfumed oil was soft and glossy. Ever since Arche had fallen in love with Eguiédills, she began to be conscious towards health and beauty, and she fully understood it. This person's skin and hair, it was not something polished within a day. She fully understood that they were something that had been carefully tended over the years until now.
The smile on that lady's face was mysteriously charming, and unconsciously Arche ended up staring at it, which again was returned with a friendly and gentle smile by that lady.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Arche shifted her gaze and looked down on her hands.
(If it's this person, then)
If she, who went along and kept Arche company despite her suddenly bursting out into tears, and was right now sitting down beside the sniffling Arche became Eguiédills' wife. Then would I be able to give up a little? Would I be able to recognize her?
Nope. In the first place, no matter what kind of person who became Eguiédills' wife, she probably could never recognize her. Actually who in the world could stand beside that beautiful and frightening person? She didn't know. She didn't want to know. After all, no matter how much she do her best, she could never stand in that position anymore. She didn't want to consent. Even though she didn't want to…
At that moment, suddenly a rustling sound from the leaves behind them could be heard.
"So you're in this kind of place"
"Oh my"
Hearing that familiar voice, both Arche and that lady turned their back at the same time, and the one she expected was standing there.
Possessing jet black hair that was evaded by everyone, and eyes that fascinated people whether they like it or not. The existence of the beauty filled with terror was gazing down on them without even trying to conceal his upset expression.
If it was just that then Arche would definitely be unable to not shrink down in fear, however, she perceived an unusual sense of relief within those morning glow eyes. Had he perhaps, been looking for me? For even thinking about something like that now, it even seemed to her that she herself was being stubborn and did not know when to give up.
Eguiédills-sama. She tried to call him, but faster than her voice was─
"Eddy?"
The lady sitting beside her stood up. Eddy? Who is that? Hearing that unfamiliar nickname, Arche reflexively stiffened up.
Brushing off the attached grass on her dress' cuff, that lady went close towards Eguiédills. Seeing that scene before her, Arche could do nothing but to keep silent. That lady naturally, as if it was an obvious thing, stood beside Eguiédills. And over there, the feeling of terror that Arche usually felt was nowhere to be found.
Eguiédills too, accepted the lady who went to stand beside him as if it was a matter of course and knitted his eyebrows.
"Since you never came no matter how long I waited, I went to find you. How did you end up here?"
"Oh my, this place here is a shortcut after all. Eddy also knows it, right?"
"…"
"See? I knew it"
What is this.
While still sitting, Arche was looking after the two's exchange absentmindedly. She could do nothing but that.
The scene before her was something hard for her to believe, something that she couldn't easily accept. To think that Eguiédills was able to have this kind of exchange with someone. To think that there was someone who was able to say this kind of thing towards Eguiédills. She had never thought about that kind of thing before. Because, this person was a black bearer, a special one after all. There was not even an instance she thought that he was someone who could put on this kind of gentle air around him.
As she was made to realize that she had been thinking of him like that, suddenly the pair of morning glow eyes were directed towards the astonished Arche. While gazing down on the startled Arche with cold eyes that she was familiar with, Eguiédills started to talk.
"…Well, enough talk about that. What are you doing with my gardener?"
"Eh?"
That lady blinked her eyes in surprise and turned towards Arche. Receiving that gaze, Arche gulped and stood up in panic, while that lady somehow nodded understandingly.
"This girl is? Nice to meet you. I'm Filimina von Lancent"
"─ah, I'm Arche Massy. I'm being let to tend Eguiédills-sama' medicinal garden─!"
That lady had the same family name as Eguiédills. She wasn't that dense as to not know what that meant. Even if she hadn't heard her family name, just by looking at their exchange just now, it was clear how close this lady called Filimina was with Eguiédills.
Why, she thought. She couldn't help but think so. As if to gloss it over Arche vigorously bowed her head, and, fufu a calm laughter was heard.
"Please raise your head. Thank you for the wonderful flower the other day"
I knew it. As expected, those white flowers were given to this lady. Her chest hurt as if being pierced, and her face seemed about to twitch, but she somehow held and glossed it over while looking at Filimina's face. As expected she was smiling gently.
"I've heard about you. That you're a skillful gardener"
"That, is, not true. I'm still far from being skillful, and I always trouble Eguiédills-sama…"
"That's not true. Even if he keeps on saying sarcastic things, that is because he is bad at flattering, much less honestly praising someone. He's that kind of person but from now on too, please be─?"
"That's enough, just shut up"
As Filimina tried to continue her words, her mouth was blocked by Eguiédills' hand. That bony and fair hand of his then was put aside by a hand covered in laces, as Filimina smiled at Eguiédills.
"You don't need to be that embarrassed"
"─Who is embarrassed, who!"
"My, my"
Seeing the conversation that was like frolicing about with each other, the foundation of Arche's love was shaken.
This kind of Eguiédills, Arche didn't know of him. This kind of Eguiédills who could change his expression this swiftly, this kind of Eguiédills who could raise his voice this much, Arche didn't know of him. There was not a single doll-like part to be found on the current Eguiédills. It was like he was just a normal man. Just a normal man.
That's right. Eguiédills von Lancent, before being the black bearer, the Head of Royal Magician, and a member of the heroes, he was just a single normal man. Towards the reality that she had just realized, or was made to realize at this point, rather than feeling sadness or bitterness, she was mysteriously felt a consent.
(I see)
I didn't understand anything. I didn't even try to understand it.
Arche had been thinking of Eguiédills as a superior existence different than others. Someone who would get close to no one, and was alone in this world.
However, I was wrong. He is not alone. The one who is wanting for him to be alone, wanting for him to be special, is none other than myself. In the end I was no different than other people.
She was unable to come in contact with Eguiédills like the one who had become his wife, Filimina. Even if there was no status difference between them, that black color, that beauty, all of his existence was something Arche couldn't think of as the same human that she was.
How horrible my thought is. Did I just misunderstand everything? To realize it at this point, what an idiot I am. Which part is me being the only one different? I'm so ashamed. I'm so pathetic.
It felt like blood rushed up to her head, yet it also felt like her head was drained of blood. It was a strange feeling. And in front of that Arche, the lady who stood in the position that Arche had been dreaming about was saying "Then, since I have a business with Father", and was trying to leave.
"Can you go by yourself?"
"It's a path I've taken many times after all"
"Wait, I've never heard about it"
"……there's such a thing, right? Well then, Eddy, I will excuse myself first. I'm sorry Arche-san, see you again"
"Ye─yes!"
"Oi, wai…─good grief…"
While seeing Filimina's back who slipped through the side and disappeared towards the direction of the Royal Palace, Eguiédills whispered "I'll remember this" , and as expected his expression as he said that was something Arche had never seen before. Arche couldn't help but be fascinated by that man's face, the one that she could have never made to turn towards herself. Aah, how could it be.
"… Eguiédills-sama"
"What?"
"Eguiédills-sama, right now, are you happy?"
It was an impolite question. Right now Eguiédills was opening his morning glow eyes wide in surprise. Even with that expression he was still beautiful.
"───well. I wonder"
It was a cold and blunt answer. However his expression said everything.
"Is, that so"
That's enough. Like this, there's nothing but to give up. I can do nothing but give up. No matter how much I do my best, it will never come true. Just by looking at that expression, I'm well aware that there is no way I could make him happier than she could.
It was impossible for her to give him up that easily, she didn't want to, however, it's already…
"It was terribly late for me to say this, but congratulation on your marriage"
Arche once again held her tears from dripping down and smiled.
It was certainly love. Even if it was a mix of admiration and fear, even if it was said as a misunderstood feelings, it was certainly love. During the time she was in love, Arche was certainly happy. Even if it was love that could never come true, love that would never come true. Anyhow she didn't even have any means of obtaining this person. But, even so, right now, in this moment, Eguiédills' faint smile belonged to no one but Arche. I hope the day I could think that just that is enough will come. And so she thought.
Next >>
T/N : Pssst…It seems…the broken heart festival won’t end just yet… ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
[1]I'm not sure about this sentence そんな自分を妙に冷静に何処からか見ている、自分。↵
2 thoughts on “Mahoutsukai no Konyakusha - The Magician's Gardener (Last Part)” Add yours Pingback:LOLOL Author-san is savage!
But for “some reason” I’m happy and satisfied~
I’m sorry Arche ahahaha ꉂ (′ ॢꇴ ॢ‵๑))
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