Chapter 213: Just The Two Of Us

The private beach was quieter than Reinhard had expected.

Warm sunlight covered the white sand, and gentle waves rolled across the shore. Farther down the coast, the sounds of Solmara’s visitors faded into the distance, leaving only the ocean and the occasional cry of a seabird.

Reinhard walked beside Emily, holding her hand.

The others had decided to explore more of the villa’s facilities. Lily had dragged Maki away to investigate the pool activities, while Yuna had agreed to look through the coastal attractions with them.

Emily, however, had suggested that she and Reinhard take a walk together.

Naturally, he had agreed immediately. He hadn’t even suggested hiring a private guide, which was an achievement in itself.

Emily glanced at him as they walked. "You’re unusually quiet."

Reinhard smiled. "I’m appreciating the scenery."

Emily looked toward the ocean. "It’s beautiful, isn’t it?"

"Very," Reinhard agreed, although his attention was elsewhere.

Emily stepped onto a patch of soft sand, enjoying the warmth beneath her feet. When she turned, however, she noticed that her husband was looking at her instead of the ocean.

She raised an eyebrow. "Reinhard, are you looking at the scenery or at me?"

Reinhard considered the question with exaggerated seriousness. "Must I choose?"

Emily’s cheeks warmed. "You’re impossible."

"And yet, you married me," Reinhard reminded her.

Emily laughed. "Sometimes I wonder how that happened."

"Fortunately, I have a few theories," Reinhard replied confidently. "You found me handsome, charming, intelligent, wealthy, and irresistibly devoted to you."

Emily stopped walking and stared at him. "Every single one of those theories is wrong."

Reinhard glanced at their joined hands. "Then why are you holding my hand?"

"Because I feel sorry for you," Emily answered without hesitation.

Reinhard placed his free hand over his heart. "Cruel. My own wife, attacking me on a beautiful beach."

Emily gave him an amused look. "Would you prefer I leave you here?"

"Absolutely not. The scenery would lose half its appeal."

Emily laughed, and Reinhard slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her closer as they continued walking.

After a moment, another thought occurred to him.

Reinhard looked toward the water. "By the way, what swimsuit did you bring?"

Emily nearly stumbled. "What kind of question is that?"

"A perfectly reasonable one," Reinhard replied. "We’re at a beach. People wear swimsuits at beaches."

Emily gave him a dry look. "Thank you for explaining. I was beginning to think we’d arrived at a business meeting."

Reinhard laughed. "I simply want to know whether I should prepare myself for the sight of my beautiful wife wearing one."

Emily’s face turned red. "You really are shameless!"

"Only with you," Reinhard answered.

She pinched his arm, earning an exaggerated groan.

Reinhard clutched the offended spot. "Ah! Betrayed by the woman I love!"

Emily shook her head. "Stop acting!"

"I’ve suffered a terrible injury. I may never recover."

Emily laughed and pulled him closer. "You’re ridiculous."

Reinhard smiled at her. "And you’re beautiful."

The sudden sincerity caught Emily off guard. Before she could respond, Reinhard brushed a strand of hair away from her face and kissed her forehead.

Emily smiled and leaned against him as they continued along the shore.

For a while, neither spoke. The sound of the waves filled the silence, and Emily seemed content to enjoy the warmth of his arm around her waist.

Eventually, she looked toward the ocean and spoke quietly.

"Reinhard, I never thought things would reach this stage when I agreed to marry you."

Reinhard blinked. "Oh?"

Emily nodded, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.

Her words made him curious about something he had wondered about before.

Reinhard tilted his head. "Actually, why did you agree to marry me two years ago? Was it my handsome face?"

He paused before nodding as though he had solved the mystery himself. "Of course. It must have been my handsome face."

Emily turned toward him with an amused smile. "No. It wasn’t your beautiful, handsome face."

Reinhard raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then what was it? I don’t recall having any other good points back then."

Emily hummed, pretending to think. "You really don’t remember?"

"Remember what?" Reinhard asked.

Emily looked toward the ocean again. "Back then, I had countless admirers and fans. People wanted to approach me everywhere I went. But after the incident, and with the Baal family’s intimidation, I lost all of that."

Her expression softened as she continued.

"People stopped visiting me. Some were afraid of getting involved, while others simply didn’t want to be associated with someone who had fallen so far. Nobody was willing to come close anymore."

She turned toward him.

"Nobody except you."

Reinhard blinked in surprise. "I did?"

Emily laughed softly. "You really don’t remember?"

He shook his head. Those memories weren’t there, and he wasn’t going to pretend otherwise.

Emily didn’t seem disappointed. If anything, she appeared amused by his confusion.

"Well, I’m not surprised you forgot," Emily continued. "You were bleeding all over, with several broken bones. You could barely remain standing, but you still insisted on telling me you loved me and asking me to marry you."

She shook her head with an affectionate smile.

"I remember thinking that you were either the bravest man I’d ever met or the most ridiculous. Possibly both."

Reinhard stared at her. "Was I delirious?"

Emily laughed and lightly slapped his arm. "Reinhard!"

"What?" Reinhard asked innocently. "I’m trying to understand how I managed to accomplish such an impressive feat while barely being able to stand."

Emily smiled. "You weren’t standing very well, either."

"That makes it even more impressive."

She shook her head, but her smile remained.

Emily continued, "Those thugs in black had been trying to make you give up. Thinking back, most of them were probably from the Baal family. They intimidated anyone who tried to approach me, and they certainly didn’t want you getting close."

Her fingers tightened slightly around his hand.

"But you came anyway. You were hurt, you knew they could target you again, and you still asked me to marry you."

Reinhard’s teasing expression gradually faded.

He had no memory of that day, but he could imagine what it meant to Emily.

Before the incident, she had been an S-Rank Awakener admired by countless people. Then her Gnosis shattered, her body was broken, and the people who had once surrounded her disappeared when standing beside her became dangerous.

And yet, the former Reinhard had approached her despite the danger.

"I’m not going to lie," Emily admitted. "I was moved by your dedication. Back then, I’d more or less given up on living a normal life. I thought my future had already been decided for me."

She gave a small, self-conscious laugh.

"So when you asked me to marry you, I agreed rather idly. I didn’t expect much to come of it. I certainly didn’t imagine we’d end up here."

Emily gestured toward the beautiful beach, the ocean, and the luxurious villa beyond it.

"Look at us now."

Reinhard remained quiet for a moment.

Then he smiled.

"We had a very bumpy road before we finally reached the present."

Emily nodded, her smile growing warmer. "You could say that."

Reinhard squeezed her hand. "I’m glad you said yes. Without that, I never would have gained an amazing family like this."

Emily looked at him for a moment before stepping closer and wrapping both arms around his waist. She rested her head against his chest, and Reinhard gently embraced her.

At that moment, a familiar notification appeared before his eyes.

[Target Value Increased.]

[Emily Ashcroft: E → D.]

So that’s how our marriage began.

Reinhard smiled faintly as he held Emily, resting his chin against the top of her head.

He had always wondered why she had agreed to marry someone whose former life had been so chaotic. Now, at least, he understood the answer.

He couldn’t remember the confession she described. He couldn’t recall the broken bones or the courage it had taken to approach her while the Baal family was threatening everyone around her.

But he understood what that decision had meant to Emily.

And he knew what he felt now.

He was grateful that the former Reinhard had made that choice, whatever had driven him to do it, because it had eventually brought him here.

To Emily, to their family, and to a life he wouldn’t trade for anything.

Emily tilted her face upward. "What’s wrong? You’ve become quiet."

Reinhard looked down at her. "I’m thinking."

Emily smiled mischievously. "That’s dangerous."

He laughed. "I was thinking about how lucky I am."

Her expression softened. "Reinhard..."

He bent down and kissed her.

Emily returned the kiss, slipping her arms around his neck while the ocean continued rolling onto the shore. For a while, neither paid any attention to the scenery that had brought them there.

When they finally separated, Emily rested her forehead against his.

She smiled. "You’re still shameless."

Reinhard raised an eyebrow. "And you’re still holding me."

"Perhaps I haven’t finished appreciating my husband."

Reinhard’s eyebrows rose. "Emily Ashcroft, I had no idea you could be so bold."

She kissed him again before he could say anything else.

For once, Reinhard decided that silence was an excellent strategy.

By the time they returned to the villa, the sun had climbed higher in the sky.

They found Lily and Maki beside the pool, arguing over a list of activities while Yuna watched from a nearby chair.

Lily pointed at the brochure. "I’m telling you, we should try the floating obstacle course first!"

Maki shook her head. "And I’m telling you that the water-current simulation has a higher difficulty rating. We should begin with something manageable."

Lily threw up her hands. "It’s a vacation, not an examination!"

Maki looked at her calmly. "Then stop treating every activity like a competition."

"Stop making everything sound like homework!"

Yuna smiled at their argument before noticing Reinhard and Emily approaching.

She lifted a hand. "Did you enjoy your walk?"

Emily smiled. "Very much."

Lily turned toward them, preparing to say something, but stopped when she noticed Emily’s slightly flushed cheeks and Reinhard’s thoroughly satisfied expression.

A slow grin spread across her face.

Lily leaned forward. "Oh?"

Emily immediately narrowed her eyes. "What?"

"Nothing," Lily replied innocently.

"Lily."

"I’m just wondering what happened on that walk."

Emily crossed her arms. "Nothing happened."

Reinhard nodded solemnly. "Absolutely nothing."

Unfortunately, his smile made the denial considerably less convincing.

Lily gasped. "You’re both terrible liars!"

Reinhard placed a hand over his chest. "That’s an accusation without evidence."

Lily pointed at Emily. "Her face is evidence!"

"Perhaps the sun was warm," Reinhard suggested.

Lily turned toward him. "And you look like you just received a Legendary Reward!"

Maki glanced up from the activity list. After examining the couple for a moment, she returned her attention to the brochure.

"I see," Maki remarked.

Emily looked at her. "You see what?"

"Nothing worth investigating."

Lily stared at her in disbelief. "Maki! You’re not even curious?"

Maki turned another page. "I value my peace of mind."

Yuna covered her mouth, trying to hide a laugh.

Emily sighed. "All of you are impossible."

Reinhard slipped an arm around her waist. "Don’t worry, my love. I’ll defend your honor."

Emily turned toward him. "You are the reason I need defending!"

"Then I’m uniquely qualified for the task."

Lily doubled over laughing while Emily elbowed Reinhard in the side.

He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, making her cheeks turn pink again.

Lily immediately pointed at them. "See! He’s doing it again!"

Emily gave her a warning look. "Go inspect your obstacle course."

Lily hurried away, still laughing. "Yes, ma’am!"

Maki followed her, apparently deciding that the floating obstacle course was preferable to becoming involved in their romantic affairs.

Yuna lingered for a moment.

She looked at Reinhard and Emily with a gentle smile. "I’m glad you two had some time together."

Emily’s expression softened. "Thank you, Yuna."

Yuna nodded before following the others.

Reinhard watched her leave, remembering the mission he had received the previous evening. He still didn’t completely understand why his bond with Yuna was rated so low, but he was beginning to appreciate what the vacation could offer them.

They didn’t need every moment to revolve around his abilities, his wealth, or the problems he could solve.

Sometimes, spending time together was enough.

Reinhard turned toward Emily. "Shall we join them?"

Emily smiled. "In a moment."

She slipped her hand into his and gently squeezed his fingers.

Reinhard glanced at her, but she didn’t say anything. She simply smiled at him, wearing the same quiet happiness he had seen when she spoke about their marriage.

He thought back to her story.

He couldn’t remember the day the former Reinhard had asked her to marry him, but he was grateful that the choice had been made.

And seeing Emily smiling at him now, he knew he would make that choice himself.

Reinhard squeezed her hand in return before leaning down to kiss her forehead.

Then, together, they joined their family.