Epilogue

"Hmm..."

"What's wrong Aloïs ? Not feeling sleepy yet ?"

"Hm."

"Was there perhaps something you didn't like in this part of the story ?"

"That's not it but.. I think I prefer when it's Daddy telling me those stories."

"Ehhh ?!"

Overhearing their conversation from the couch near the fireplace, I chuckled.
Before long, Nika came out of his room and fixed me with narrowed eyes. Nothing you can do about that, our son takes after his father in this aspect. Suppressing a smile at the sight of my sulky wife approaching menacingly, I kept my eyes on my diary and focused on reminiscing.

"Isn't that strange ?" She complained, stealing the diary from my hands and putting it on the low table before us. "I've been telling stories to my kid sisters and brother since I was nine, and Ive also been reading and writing a lot of fairy tales myself, and yet, Aloïs prefers when it's you who puts him to bed and tell him one !"

Gesturing for her to come under the blanked with me, I answered.

"You can't help it, it looks like our son prefers the rough, thrilling storytelling of his dad." I started with a shrug. Earning myself a slap on the thigh. "It was the first story we ever told him after all, and it was about me. It makes sense he would find it more entertaining when it's told from the protagonist himself. Not to mention how you tend to soften the edges at times to preserve him. Which I'm grateful about, actually."

"Hm."

Seeing as she just kept on pouting and refused to look my way, from my position behind her 
–since she was sitting between my crossed legs– I snuck my forearms under her shirt and hugged her slim waist.

"Your hands are warm..."

"Well, I was lost into my memories and ended up spending too much time close to the fireplace I think."

"Were you rehearsing for tomorrow ?"

"Yeah. That bastard just wouldn't take no for an answer. He even showed me that he was the one who actually bought my former garb at the auction back then. Makes me wonder if he's got a shit ton of luck or if he's been secretly tailing me this whole time." I said with a sigh.

"But that sounds fun, doesn't it ? I mean, none of those people know you by either of your public identities. They only know you from that short period of time you spent among them after leaving Ispron."

"I think the mayor suspects something. He knows I'm from Ispron because of the letters after all."

To be honest I didn't really mind either way. As long as nobody made a big deal out of it or started to fear or ostracize me, I had no reason to feel any different. Both my past as a puppet hero and my days as an urban legend were behind me by now.

The armor I got from the young blacksmith was still barely even worn out, but at some point I decided it would be better to store it away until I really needed it again. It was tied to a moniker and personnality of its own now, not unlike the garb I had to wear after my summoning. For that reason, unless I needed to be "Eclipse the Hero-killer" again, I would refrain from using it anymore.
Only Grim Dusk the sword my master had had forged for me was always tied at my waist.

"Father, mother, your midnight tea is–"

Catching us the moment we were gradually growing heated on the couch, Sonemi, my automaton and adopted daughter, placed the trail she was carrying on the large table we used to have our regular meals, and headed to her room with a hand covering the side of her face.

"Please don't mind me."

Growing flustered at our own boldness and lack of consideration, we helped eachother readjust our clothing and I went to recover the trail to put it on the low table. I might end up sleep deprived for tomorrow's play, I figured.

                                                                       _____________

"...exciting right ?!" He proclaimed. "Thank you everyone for attending this last performance of mine, and thank you to the brilliant actor who so generously graced us with his talent !"

Once the play was over, the minstrel, "Requiem" as he preferred to be called, bowed to the audience and started putting out his instrument.

"Going to Depteria then ?" He asked me.

"Yes. When I worked there I came a cross a fine spot in a forest past the labyrinth, and I thought I would show it to my wife. I think it could make a fine place to settle down. We are still young, and I've always dreamed of building myself a house of my own design so I feel like now is the time."
I confessed. "Not to mention, I don't want to offer limited possibilities to our children, meaning we'll need money."

"There are villages and even countries working without a monetary system you know ?"

"I've heard about it yeah, but until my son grows enough to start forging his own values and think for himself, I want to provide for him as much as I can." I explained. "If he decides he's fine living a quiet life back home or in a country like those you mentioned, so be it. But if he wants to attend school or pursue anything that would require money, I want to be ready."

"I see."

Smiling under his breath, the bard looked satisfied with my reasoning for some reason. He said he would be joining us part of the way from Leorto to Depteria since he planned to visit Ispron, so I was glad to find that we bonded well.

"Ready to head out ?" Asked Nika, coming our way.

"Yeah. I'll miss the tranquility and kindness of the people here, but I know we can always come back to say hi sometime in the future so it's ok."

"Good, then let us be on our way."

Filling the large cart with our belongings, Nika took Aloïs on her lap in the box seat and Sonemi sat at the back to keep an eye on our rear. We were ready to go.

"Well, thank you for everything everyone, I'll send letters and make sure to come back at some point to say hi."

Bidding my farewell to the small crowd that formed to send us off, I gave a tug at the reins and directed the horses to the gates. Another page of my story would turn once we left.