FACE COVERED IN TEARS

"So the next day, I told father that I agreed. I remember father heaving a sigh and apologizing to me with tears on his eyes. Do you know, Claus? That was the only time I saw father crying...

"It's not easy to cancel an engagement with a prince. Our family can't afford to do so without a good enough reason. As such, father asked me to keep a distance from you. Then, when the opportunity presents itself, He would cancel the marriage A few days ago, father and I visited the Church of Order. For some reason, I acquired the goddess's recognition and became a candidate to the holy daughter's position..."

Clara raised her face and looked at me. Her face was covered in tears. Clara was smiling, but her smile was filled with pain and sadness. She seemed as though she was going to shatter with the slightest touch.

"Actually, I'm pretty happy. Even if I'm unable to marry you, we were engaged for a while. Don't worry Claus, in this life, I'll not marry anyone but you. So, if I can't marry you, then perhaps it's for the best if I become this holy daughter or whatever."

"Clara..." I stared at Clara with a complicated expression. I never imagined that she was suffering so much.

Actually, I realized that something was wrong with Clara long ago, but to be honest, I did not care. For someone like me, most problems are things I can resolve by snapping my fingers. But precisely because of that, I'm too lazy to pay attention to them as long as they don't affect my life directly.

You can say that it's a side-effect of having lived for so long.

'Me' of the fiftieth reincarnation would have acted immediately if he had the slightest suspicion that something was wrong with anyone close to me. But the 'me' of now is still hiding his strength simply because it's more entertaining this way.

How lame. I wonder how I fell to this state.

Living for so long is not always good, after all.

I heaved a sigh and walked towards Clara before hugging her. Clara did not reject my hug and simply continued to cry. I felt pity when I saw her bitter tears flowing down on her face.

After a while, Clara finally began to calm down. She grabbed my arms and held them tightly.

"... I'm sorry, Claus. I love you, I truly love you..."

"No, it's my fault. I'm the reason you have to go through this."

Clara fell silent. She rested her body against mine and smiled.

"... Hey Claus, we never kissed even once, you know? Can you..."

I smiled and raised her chin. Clare put on a nervous expression and looked into my eyes.

I sighed and slowly sealed her lips.