[SCR] 10 – Two Years

"Lilia, get inside."

Idyllia murmured in alarm.　This country had been at war with Mediolam for a long time.　Historically, it had been in a state of frequent warfare over territory and interests. Sometimes they won and other times, they lost. As she recalled, there had been serious clashes on the border in recent years.

(Although I don't think they would do anything in such an idyllic place…)

She calmed her fears with this thought, and at that moment, a woman's voice suddenly called out for help. It seemed that a young nun's apprentice in the field was being messed with by an errant member of the group.　Idyllia immediately ran towards the one in question.

"Stop it!"

She stopped him sharply and the apprentice ran towards her.

"We will not tolerate any violence!　We are servants of God!"

When she raised her voice timidly to the men following her, they whistled impatiently.

"I think it's better to keep a human company than a god!"

　A lowly laugh followed.　Idyllia ignored them and instead walked towards the convent, holding her cowering fellow nun by the shoulders.　Just then, a horseman stepped out of the procession.

"Hey, don't be a bore. Get back in line."

　Idyllia's hazel eyes blinked wide as she heard a voice instructing the men carelessly.

"What, ...?"

　She turned around involuntarily.　Ahead of her, she found something she hadn't expected and her eyes further widened.

"No way…"

　The man approaching on horseback was wearing a dark red cloak over a black military uniform.　Despite the rugged atmosphere that almost made her flinch, his small, built face was so well-defined that it could be described as feminine. And his distinctive moon-white eyes...　Idyllia looked up at the unforgettable, beautiful features as if she were devouring them.　There was no mistaking him.

"...Silvio…?"

　She murmured, and the other woman turned to look at her.

The silver hair swayed.

"That voice.."

　Idyllia snapped back to reality at the dubious question.　Unlike in the past, she wore a simple grey cloak and her long hazel hair is covered by an old veil. With a trembling hand, she removed the veil and untied the strings tying her hair, allowing her long, hazel hair to cascade down her shoulders. – When she looked up at him with anticipation, the other man blinked in surprise, then after a moment lifted the corners of his mouth in a grin.

"Well, well, well… look who's here, you look so familiar."

(–eh?)

He blinked at her as if she was a rogue.　It wasn’t just the way he talked. She was puzzled to feel that the gaze was not only on her face, but also on the bulge of her chest.

"Silvio…?"

　The face was identical to his. But his demeanour was like a different person. He didn't have this good-natured, coarse side to him.

(Was I mistaken? No, but he looks so much like him. …that’s impossible…)

In her confusion, the man dismounted and approached her, looking dead straight at her eyes..

"Idyllia, it's been a long time. You've become a sweet woman in the time I haven't seen you."

"..."

"I never thought we would meet here... It seems the fate between us is special, after all."

The man who walked leisurely and stood in front of her was taller than he had been five years ago, not just in size but he had a magnificent physique.　Gone were any hints of his upbringing –gentleness and calmness, and in its place was a confident and intimidating air.　Idyllia couldn't help but check again.

"Silvio, right...?"

　He laughed as if she was amusing.

"What's the matter?　Have you forgotten me?　The son and heir of the family you destroyed."

"That's..."

"Oh, don't make that face." Silvio shrugged slightly.

"And I'm doing better now than you probably think I am."

"... Where did you go after that...?"

"I ran away, hopping from place to place and found myself wandering around the countryside in Mediolam. A soldier I met there dragged me into the army, and got me up to the court. It's kept me very busy."

"So it was..."

He spoke lightly, but there was likely much hard work involved. When she thought about it, this transformation made sense.　Swallowing her various thoughts, Idyllia conveyed with all her heart.

"I never thought I would see you again. I'm glad you're safe. Really...!"

As she looked up at him with tears in her eyes, he unceremoniously pinched her chin and lifted it.

"...You haven't changed."

"What...?"

　She raised her eyebrows slightly at his crude behaviour.　It was not difficult to imagine that he had gone through a great deal of hardship, but there was no overlap between the Silvio she knew and the one before her.　As the emotion of the unexpected reunion subsided, her wariness of the other person, who seemed to be a complete stranger, swelled.