Magdalin's Point Of View

I am still in shock.

I know it has been nearly two weeks since Lily-sama proposed to Lionel, but I'm still shocked. Not that the two of them got together, but at how quickly both of them have changed and gotten close without me there.

I suppose... I might be a bit sad to see her have another part of her life where I can only help her half heartedly because I don't know what is going on... but more than anything else... I want the juicy details!

The cool and strong Lily-sama has completely and utterly fallen for someone, and I want to see it up close or at least hear about it!

Oh well. I can still get a little information out of her, when her facade falls from remembering cute things with Lionel. Also, right now I have a place that no one else has. The place by her side. Meaning I get to tease her a little without being punished.

A lot and then she'll take a sly revenge...

The evening after the proposal the Tepet knights dragged Lionel to the river, looking like a pack of wild looking beasts and threw him in it. According to Asher it was some loving hazing for being proposed to by a girl.

Lily was surprisingly calm about it too. Though mentioning that had she been in Lionel's shoes then the knights would have been going through hell the next day, but that she said they were being quite cute with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

So I, in my eternal wisdom thought I would be immune to said punishment, and decided to use this invulnerability power just this once... maybe or maybe not as a itty bitty revenge, for Lily-sama not giving me details about Lionel.

Thus I convinced Lily-sama to go with me to the river to... observe their 'hazing' a bit closer. So, we got closer until we could see them splashing river water on each other, and Lily-sama watched them amusement. I spent this opening to move to her side, and then used all of my body weight to shove Lily into the water with a happy grin.

After all, she wouldn't allow any of the knights to help her, and these dresses get so heavy and restrictive that you can't actually swim in them. The water seems to be low enough that she might be able to walk, but she might also get stuck with the horrible heeled boots we are wearing, so Lionel will have to save her and I get to see them be cute up close.

Perfect plan.

Except... I forgot how much Lily-sama plays this with Iris-chan...

So Lily-sama grabbed one of my hands while stepping back and let me continue straight ahead towards the water... but since she didn't let go I ended up dangling halfway over the water from my hand, which Lily-sama was holding to keep me from falling in... but she didn't help me up either and just left me dangling there for the knights to see as they spotted me trying to mess with Lily...

'Ara, what are you doing? that looks quite dangerous,' Lily-sama had said while smiling at me. Her eyes shone though. She was amused with my failed attempt.

Two still dry knights jumped into the river to save me, gallantly holding me... over their heads to bring me to land while Lily-sama half heartedly scolded them for messing around in the river with their clothes on.

While she was talking the savior of my plan appeared from the shadows behind Lily-sama, sneaking up on her even though he was soaking wet from having been tossed in the river by his knights.

Well placed dedication, Lionel-sama!

Was my last thought before Lily grabbed the hand he was trying to catch her with and then with no apparent effort tossed him straight back to the river...

The shock in the knights' expressions was obvious, and Lily-sama looked so satisfied as she looked down at Lionel-sama. Then going: 'I see you are still as easy to toss about as ever. How cute,' when he finally resurfaced again.

"Oh! You're so cool milady!" I remember how someone had hollered that and her and a couple of whistles too.

Lily-sama had turned towards them with a calm and confident look, very unlike when she was called cute.

'Of course. Your lord wouldn't pick a helpless little Lady to deal with both your and his antics.'

I remember their surprise, and then laughter. Even from Lionel.

I guess Lily-sama had looked like a normal perfect young Lady until the proposal yesterday, but from this moment on their attitude changed. She went from being Lady Lily, to milady in an instant.

They'd start giving her extra nods and greetings after that, some with big bratty grins grins. You'd think she was already the Lady Tepet in their heads the way they treated her... but, somehow that makes me really happy.

That place is definitely the place where she belongs.

As for me... I still have the deal in the capital with that guy... and if I am to believe Asher, then he has done his part of the agreement. I just hope everything goes as planned, so that the rumors I've spread won't be for nothing.

—-*-—

We arrive through the main road back at at the capital, and unexpectedly, there's a parade prepared for us.

It's been so long since we were back at the capital that I almost forgot how the situation was back here. It seems like our tour has been represented as us managing to halt the big scary collection of enemies, which Alstair and the king couldn't. We are getting a hero's welcome.

Both Emilia-sama and Lily-sama show grim expressions, but Emilia eventually draws the carriage curtain and waves to the citizens. She has an image to maintain.

On the other hand, Lily-sama might frighten them with the look she has right now.

"The overground sure is acting happily," Lily-sama grumbles out.

Emilia doesn't flinch.

"Those who knew nothing are nervous, those who know everything are frightened, and those who know only parts are the ones cheering right now. That there are so many, is scary."

I stare at the innocent looking girl next to me.

"Those who know only parts? Do you mean they're misinformed?" I ask, not sure what she's hinting at. Unexpectedly Lily-sama answers.

"Those who know only parts are generally not part of the criminal actions themselves, but know people that are, or have been bribed, likely even threatened to silence. People like them probably hope that Emilia's skills in conversing with the dead can rid the city of all the things happening in the shadows."

I stare through the window Emilia is waving through, and then back to Lily-sama again.

"...but then why are there that many that know parts?"

Lily-sama stares out at them.

"probably mainly protection money..."

Her expression goes dark after a short pause, and then she shakes her head.

"Let's not go into detail about that here."

I look back out at the parade audience passing by us as we head towards the palace. I don't have a proper grasp of the corruption yet, but even if I did there is very little I can do, both as a girl, a student, and a minor noble living in what is essentially the countryside... but I want to support Lily-sama more.

I regret not taking economics together with her... but it's not like my family let me either.

I sigh.

Asher said that the plan would be ready for when we returned, right? So I should try to meet up with the marquess after we arrive to perfect the details and set the plan into motion.

I want to make sure everything goes right... I just have to endure it a bit longer.

I find Lily-sama watching me quietly, and give her a small smile to reassure her, but her gaze just turns suspicious instead... she can be awfully perceptive sometimes.

—-*-—

"We have arrived," one of the knights warn us as we ride into the courtyard of the palace.

There's clamoring outside.

How many people have been invited into the palace? Don't tell me we are going to have a celebration party just after arriving home?

Even though the negotiation was successful the capital still seems to be locked down too.

The carriage door opens, and a warm light fills the dark inside of the carriage. I have to step out first, then Lily-sama followed by Emilia's lady in waiting and then herself. This also means I'll be the first to step out into the crowd to make sure everything is ready for Lily-sama and make sure her dress is perfect as she leaves the carriage.

I take a deep breath, and then step out to the wide violet rug spread out in front of the carriage.

"Silvia?"

I turn around and find my place by the side of the carriage door as a middle aged woman steps out from the crowd.

"Is that you, Silvia?"

Her eyes are teared up, and her expression is a mixture of surprise, pain and anxiety. She is a beautiful woman, I thought. Her greying brown hair has strands of cyan blue mixing in among the grey hairs, and her pale grey eyes feel... so close to mine.

I... stand frozen.

She steps up to me, watching me with beginning curiosity as she reaches a hand out towards me, caressing my cheek.

I barely notice the large burly man appearing behind her that stares at me with a warm smile. He takes her hand from my cheek, causing the wife to jolt a bit

"I apologize for my wife... you just happen to look like the splitting image of what our child would have looked like if she had not been kidnapped when she was but a wee babe."

A collective gasp escapes from the crowd.

The wife looks a bit uncomfortable.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I made such a scen-"

"You say she's yours?"

I flinch as my father's voice cuts through the crowd, and with that I finally realize that the plan I had made with the Marquess is already midway. He arranged for it to happen with this timing.

My father steps out of the crowd and stands in front of the big burly man, sizing him up. The crowd is quiet, and I feel myself gazing down. My skin is crawling. I can hear the rest of my family excusing themselves through the crowd.

"Are you her father?"

The big burly man replies... but my father just stares him down instead of answering.

"...I merely said she looks similar, after all there is no way we can lay claim on another's child. I apologize for the inconvenience again," he clarifies without needing my father's answer.

"From what I hear, you need no such worries, count Vinhold. In fact this appears to be a fortuitous coincidence, wouldn't you say so, Lord Ruche?" Lily-sama speaks up.

Father twitches, and I can hear the chatters as Lady Lily steps halfway out of the carriage. She's hinting at the rumors.

"What do you mean, Lady Lily Celeste?" The burly man continues.

I glance down.

No, I have to take the initiative on my own! No matter how Lily-sama is, I can't let her protect me here. I made a decision to do this after all!

I grip my dress.

"Lord... Vinhold... I assume you do not mingle a lot in the capital..."

I look up to the woman, and she's looking at me with such pain in her eyes.

"I do not," he replies carefully.

The crowd chatters again, and the brilliant mood that was there for our arrival has now darkened. Even I can hear them whisper from here 'changeling'.

I can see their eyes glint, eating up the situation. Mother... mother looks nervous, and my brothers look confused. Not displeased but confused. The rumor has become common knowledge in the time I was gone... a rumor that used to be a family secret.

Father finally moves.

"If you think she's yours, then you may bring her with you. She's not our daughter... however, I want to be compensated for raising her."

...are you kidding me?

No, I guess I should have anticipated as much.

I look up at lord Vinhold. What if they can't pay?

He looks shocked. His wife too. The crowd is dumbstruck that father actually went and admitted this. Not only admitted it, but did it in front of so many people and even included money into the talk.

"Very well," Lord Vinhold says bluntly.

"Compensation?"

I hear a dark chuckle that sends a shiver down my spine. Lily-sama... sounds enraged. I feel the blood drain from my face.

"What makes you think you are obligated to compensation?"

"I've raised her to be a good lady, she studies well and is well connected. I believe such things hold immense value, Lily Celeste, or do you not believe that is the case?" By father sneers back at Lily.

I glance back to Lily. She's going to make this go out of hand, isn't she? That's why I wanted to plan things thoroughly!

"Lord Vinhold, Lady Vinhold. Do you believe Magdalin is your daughter? And if she isn't... will you still care for her like she is?"

"Of course!"

Lady Vinhold bursts out, almost in protest. Lord Vinhold nods in agreement.

"Then, from my point of view this situation is as follows:"

I feel another chill go through my body at the cruel look in Lily's eyes.

L-Lily-sama?!

"You bastards stole Magdalin from Lord and Lady Vinhold to be compensated now where Magdalin has grown up, and spent years tormenting and torturing her both physically and mentally."

I... feel faint.

A shockwave goes through the crowd, and as Lily-sama grabs my hands and rip off my glove to throw it at my father, yet another shockwave goes through them. All the scars from my punishments revealed.

I try to pull my hands away, but Lily-sama grips them tightly... and then an extra set of hands appear as Claire Talwen appears.

"T-this..."

Lily looks to Claire.

"You can confirm that these are scars from many years ago, and some recently, can't you, Miss Claire?"

Where did you come from?!

What kind of signal did you exchange with her Lily-sama?!

"I can... but this many. This can only come from regular-"

Claire tears up. Then looks at my father like he's a demon from hell.

"There are many, many scars overlapping to the point I can barely see unscarred skin."

Tears start overflowing from her as she looks to lady Vinhold.

"And I can can feel many more all over her body."

Both Lord and Lady Vinhold have gone pallid. I never mentioned anything about this to the marquess, so they probably don't know either.

I try to pull my hands away. These scars mean I can't get married after all.

"Emilia-sama," Lily-sama calls into the carriage as she steps down and holds out a hand.

"What is your verdict?"

I look to the innocent child, and then glance to the crowd that's devouring this like they would the latest drama.

Emilia looks over all of us pretty calmly.

"Miss Talwen. Can you heal those scars?"

Claire squeezes my hands tightly.

"I can! If Miss vin- if Magdalin-chan will allow it."

Claire looks at me with determination in her eyes. I... never thought I would stand face to face with Claire. I never thought I would actually be friendly enough for her to offer this, as Lily-sama dislikes Claire... but even Lily-sama is giving me a soft gaze.

I... I am really loved aren't I?

"If you would do me that favor, Claire," I reply and see the air-headed girl in front of me light up with happiness. Lily-sama had refused her request last time.

"Now, Magdalin."

Emilia calls my name.

"Since Lord Ruche himself has publicly claimed you not a child of his in front of me, I will allow you to change your name to that of Magdalin Vinhold, taking effect immediately. There will be no compensation."

Emilia steps down from the carriage and sighs softly, but before I can thank her I feel a warm pair of arms wrap around me together with the scent of mint.

I freeze up to find Lady Vinhold hugging me.

When she pulls back it is with a warm look, and Lord Vinhold has moved between my family and I, preventing me from looking at them.

"Magdalin, we will take good care of you," Lady Vinhold says with tears of happiness and worry in her eyes.

"I hope I can be a good daughter to you," I reply, feeling myself tear up as well.

The chatter from the crowd is loud, but I don't care. I'm free. I'm finally free-

The crowd goes silent again, and suddenly someone clears their throat, causing the small circle of loving people around me to break up... letting my eyes meet with an enormous bundle of white roses.

I stare down at them, and then up at the man holding them. The man that schemed and planned this welcome home surprise for me. The one who knows the most wind mages in the country and acts as their Lord.

Wolfram Stanbell.

His light cyan hair stands out among the crowd, so why didn't I notice him before?

I stare back down at the roses and then look back up to his eyes that are filled with a mischievous warmth.

"I apologize for interrupting the happy reunion and chaos, but I fear that if I don't express myself now, then I won't have the opportunity to express myself sincerely anymore."

Mmm? Since Lord Vinhold is under his domain? This is why I asked Wolfram in the first place. He was the one best suited to find me an adoptive family that uses wind magic.

I stare at him as he steps up to me, and suddenly I'm exposed to the crowd again as he holds this bouquet of roses that I could probably barely reach around by the top. He takes my hand... and... and-

"Miss Magdalin. I know that we haven't known each other for very long, but I've always found you to be a very observant, polite, brave and skillful young lady. After our one long talk I found my thoughts drifting towards you, and I realize that you are simply someone to naturally be loved by those around you. Your friends, that have stood up for you today, your superiors, your real family that would recognize you even more than a decade after they lost you, and by the maids that tend to you. I watched your illusions first hand, and I've never seen illusions clad in such a calming mood. I believe that your magic can soothe people, and I am certain you have had a need of that throughout your life... and that is the kind of person I want by my side for the rest of my life, Magdalin. So..."

He pauses and gets down on one knee in front of me.

"Will you marry me?"

My heart just about stop.

...wait, wait wait wait, who are you proposing to?! I think you mistook me for the beautiful cool lady always standing next to me! Lily-sama!

...she's frozen in shock too...

Claire is beaming.

Lord and Lady Vinhold are looking surprised but happy for me.

I feel myself start to shake.

This was not a part of the plan?!

I glance to my family that is as shell shocked as I am... no, more. They're sheet white.

I am so happy they're shocked... but it doesn't fix the situation in front of me!

I look down to Marquess Wolfram Stanbell.

He's one of the most powerful people in the kingdom. Even before the coup he was getting the name 'The Silver Marquess', both because of his very light cyan hair, but also because house Stanbell  controls a lot of the silver in Ristaze. If the three northern marquesses gather, then this will only become even more true.

Not only that, but from what I heard at school he is also pleasant company. A bit mischievous, but kind.

He's technically one of the most desired bachelors in the country... but why me? No, he explained that.

I watch him. I can feel the tension in the air, and I can see a bit of anxiety fill his eyes as I keep him waiting for an answer.

Of course, I could say yes just to see my family in more pain, but I don't want to start a marriage on that... also, all of this time I- I still like Millet...but, I don't want to ignore Wolfram's feelings either.

"For me to receive such a proposal from Lord Wolfram is an honor. But-"

Wolfram interrupts me.

"Your family doesn't matter."

I jolt.

"You set hearts in motion, Magdalin. What I want by my side is not a title nor a name, it's you."

He searches me eyes.

"I know you may still love another, but if you take my hand, then you will never find me hesitate to stand at your side."

My eyes widen at those words. I know he's referring to Millet... my chest stings at those words. Not because of the words themselves, but because I remember how Millet and his family kept delaying, until they finally started avoiding me altogether after I started spreading the rumors.

I... always excused it on his family, but it really should be inexcusable, shouldn't it?

But, if I ask now... if I ask for Millet's hand now as the daughter of Count Vinhold, wouldn't they accept? We would be of equal status, and Lily has pretty much secured her spot at Lionel's side. They'd still gain favor from Millet marrying me... but...

During all of the pain over the years, the ones who helped me and have shown that they care for me have never included Millet. He has been kind, but... he has never moved on his own like this.

"You promise?"

I ask Wolfram.

"I promise, on the name of my mother," he says softly.

"Then, I accept."

The air erupts with sound, but my mind goes blank as wolfram stands up and kisses my hand before leaning to my ear.

"Though you may not be in love right now, Magdalin, I swear I shall be the loving husband you deserve, and learn to love every part of you."

When he pulls back there's a sweetness in his eyes, and I smile back up at him.

"Then, I shall be the loving wife you deserve and learn to love every part of you."

I return his words with a smile.

My eyes no longer drifted to where my former family had been. It was so full with the view of smiling tear filled gazes around me, and as Wolfram held my hand bubbles of light filled the air around me as Claire held my arm. Every scar that had been inflicted on my body disappeared, and with them, the final pieces of my soul came together.

I feel cleansed, ready to start a new life from today. A life where I know that not just one, but all the people close to me are people I can love and trust.

Lily's eyes shine at me as she stands next to Lionel, and next to them Claire slips into Soleil's arms with a happy blush. Even Eric seems to be holding a lady's hand.

I'm not the only one, with this a new chapter in life starts for all of us!

FIN

[AN: With that the plot of this story draws to an end everyone! There will be another chapter for afterword so you can see the endings of all the characters, both those you remember, and maybe some of those you've forgotten!

It has been a fun journey to share with all of you, and I am both glad, but also sad to see it all end. I hope you had fun experiencing the drama, the conspiracies, the wars and battles as well as the sweet fluff here and there for our pleasures

Finally, one last thing to spoil you (except for the part where my drawing skills are lacking):
Lily and Lionel's wedding 'picture'