Epilogue

The Treaty of Paradiso officially ended the brutal war between the Republic and the Empire. Lily Aranea was sentenced for her crimes and in her place a new government was created with the assistance of Imperial collaborators.

The Empire was still mourning the loss of Kaiser and Akira, but they had to press forward and continue their dream.

There was a lot of work to be done, and Felix and Velvet were certainly doing their part as well.

However, everyone needs a break, so with permission of their peers, Felix and Velvet left on a short vacation.

***

“It feels good to finally be back,” Felix said as he walked through the streets of the abandoned city, his old stomping grounds.

“Yes, I did miss this place…” Velvet followed at a slight distance. The two had spent a lot of time together here. “But where are we going?”

He smirked. “Somewhere very special.”

Velvet continued following him until eventually, they stopped outside an old church. “What is this place?”

Saying nothing, he entered.

The church was falling apart and covered with dirt and overgrown plants, but the architecture was immaculate. It was clearly beautiful back in the day.

Felix sat down on a rock next to a flowerbed that was basking in the sun thanks to a hole in the roof. “This is where I found you.”

She looked around, taking in the surroundings. It was peaceful, tranquil.

“See, I’ve thought about it for a long time, why I fixed you, how I brought you back, but I think I understand it now.” He stood up. “It’s because I loved you.”

“W-what!?” she stammered, her face flushed.

“It’s so difficult to put into words, but from the moment I saw you, I felt something. Even at your absolute worst state, broken and filthy, you carried a grace that I couldn’t ignore, a grace that I had to protect, had to restore.” He looked right at her. “That’s why I healed you.”

Her face was practically on fire. “T-thank you, but—”

“Velvet. Even then I loved you, and I love even more now.” He knelt down to get on her level, taking her hand into his. “The bonds between man and doll, fully realizing them was Gwehrtain’s dream, but our bond is my dream.” He leaned in and kissed her.

Velvet was shocked, but she quickly melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around him, digging her fingers into his jacket.

They had both been beaten and abandoned, but with each other they grew, creating their own destiny, realizing their own dream.

And their journey had only just begun.