Life in Vain: Jobless Reincarnation

185 – The Dreaming Bride’s Wish Come True

After they arrived at the place Rudy took them too, Sylphy looked around in shock. "This... isn't the house?"

She had thought that Rudy would have just whisked them away to the master bedroom in the house. But it wasn't.

First of all, they weren't in a bedroom, but outside. Second of all, the place in front of her...

Sylphy gasped. "Is this...?"

A nostalgic two-story home. A small garden and some trees in front, along with a grassy plain all around.

Sylphy blinked, wondering if she was seeing things.

Did Rudy really restore that house?

...But as she stared, she realized that it wasn't the same. And also that she had just been in this place recently.

"Ah." Sylphy looked at Rudy and said, "Is this our house in Milishion?"

Rudy set Sylphy down and then nodded. "That's right." Waving his hands, he started putting up privacy magic circles. When he was done, he looked back at Sylphy and smiled. "I know you wanted to have our first night together in our new house, but it's not quite as romantic if there are people around, right?"

Sylphy blushed and brushed down her dress. "I wouldn't mind. Besides..." She gave a shy look to Rudy and said, "It's not really our first night..."

That time had been a bit more reckless and desperate.

It was also something that Sylphy regretted. Although Rudy said it felt good...

W-Well, whatever! This was her redemption arc!

Rudy stepped forward and then grabbed Sylphy's hands. As he did, he laced his fingers with hers and said, "Even so, this is our first night together as husband and wife." He gave her a soft kiss and then smiled. "It should be special, don't you think?"

Sylphy felt her face heat up. But at the same time, her chest felt warm. Leaning against Rudy, she whispered, "Husband and wife..."

It was a strange thought. After all this time, all the fantasizing, and all the illusions...

This was reality now.

This was real.

Her and Rudy. Not only that, but in this place, with that appearance of his, it was almost as if nothing had changed. As if this was just the natural conclusion of those happy childhood days.

But it wasn't.

While everything else looked the same, Sylphy had changed. And the most striking proof of that...

Sylphy reflexively let go of Rudy and then fiddled with her silver hair.

Rudy frowned. "...Does it bother you?"

Sylphy paused to think about it, and then slowly shook her head. "No. It's just proof of what I went through, along with my other scars." She looked up at Rudy and smiled. "Proof that I love you."

It wasn't in vain. The long years spent searching for traces and chasing ghosts trying to find Rudy. The scars she received by fighting to stay alive so that Rudy wouldn't be sad.

And the scars that were validated by her standing here, in front of Rudy as his wife.

Realizing that, Sylphy let out a bright smile.

But Rudy didn't smile back. Instead, he frowned and placed a hand against Sylphy's cheek. "...I still wish you didn't have to go through so much."

Sylphy reached up and placed her hand over Rudy's. Leaning against it, she said, "Even so, I would do it all over again if I had to. Because in the end, I found you. And now..." She reached up to kiss Rudy and then let out a soft sigh. "...I'm yours."

Rudy sighed.

Sylphy paused and then tilted her head. "What's wrong?"

"It's not fair." Rudy stared at Sylphy, his emerald eyes flashing gold for a brief moment. After that, he lowered his hand and gently brushed the fabric hiding the scar on Sylphy's neck. "The love you've given me and the love I give to you will never match up." He paused and then leaned his head against Sylphy's forehead, closing his eyes. "Even if I live a thousand lives, I could never make up for the suffering you went through."

Sylphy smiled and then leaned back. After that, she poked Rudy's forehead and said, "You're thinking too much again, Rudy."

Rudy leaned back and then opened his eyes. Staring at Sylphy, he pursed his lips and then said, "Am I?"

"Of course." Sylphy shifted her arms and placed them around Rudy's neck. Staring into his eyes, she smiled and said, "Even though I suffered, it was never because of you. It was FOR you."

Rudy looked away and then said, "That's just semantics."

"It's not." Sylphy stepped forward and leaned against Rudy's shoulder. "I still remember, you know? How you came into my life like a shooting star just when I had given up. How you became my best friend, filling my lonely life with so much fun and warmth. And how happy I was when you said you loved me. But... Even so." She leaned back and looked at Rudy. "I always knew."

Rudy looked back at Sylphy and said, "...Knew what?"

Sylphy let out a sad smile. Reaching up to brush Rudy's cheek, she said, "I knew I couldn't keep you to myself. One day, you would go places where I couldn't reach." She laughed and then said, "After all, I was just a little girl from a countryside village, and you were the son of a knight."

Rudy furrowed his brow. "That's... Hm. I guess that's technically true. Dad *did* have a knighthood to hold his job. But..."

Sylphy giggled and said, "Still, I didn't give up. After all, even if I was just a countryside girl, Paul had Miss Lilia after marrying Miss Zenith. So I figured I'd have a chance too. And I did in the end, right?"

Rudy paused and then pulled Sylphy in for a tight hug. "That's not fair, Sylphy. Your love is so heavy."

Sylphy giggled and said, "That's because I would have gone crazy a long time ago if it wasn't. But..." She lowered her hands to hug Rudy back and said, "I really love you, you know? I really, really, really love you. Even if I'm not the only one, even if I'm not first, as long as I can be by your side, that's all that matters." She tensed her hands, subconsciously clawing into Rudy's back. "...Just don't leave me again."

"I won't." Rudy held Sylphy close and said, "And I'm so sorry, Sylphy."

Sylphy leaned against Rudy and said, "I forgive you. So stop apologizing, okay? Besides... I think it's meant to be this way."

Rudy leaned back, surprised. "Hm? How?"

Sylphy smiled and said, "In another world, things might be different. Maybe I would be your first wife and bear your first child... But it's fine like this. After all." She puffed out her chest and said, "Because I went through so much, I can be confident in standing by your side to the bitter end. Right?"

Rudy blinked and then slowly shook his head. Smiling, he said, "You always surprise me, Sylphy."

Sylphy giggled and said, "Well, it'd be boring if I didn't, right? Plus!" Sylphy held up her breasts and said, "I'm sure I'm the only Sylphy who can be confident in this too, you know?"

Sylphy didn't know if it was true for every timeline, but she knew that she beat out at least one other Sylphy in terms of breasts.

It was a little vain and superficial, but she could be proud of that!

Years of massaging and healing magic paid wonders in the end!

Rudy coughed and then said, "I-Is that really something you need to point out?"

Sylphy puffed her cheeks and said, "Yes! I worked really hard to grow them, you know! And it's good that I did too! All of the women you're marrying are big!"

Rudy's face turned red and he said, "I didn't particularly plan for that to happen..."

"But you like them big! Don't tell me you don't!"

Rudy coughed and then said, "...A-Anyway. Let's head inside."

Sylphy giggled and then followed in after Rudy, leaning against his arm.

The inside of the house was the same as Sylphy remembered.

The living room and kitchen area. A few doors leading to Rudy's old room and the guest room. Stairs leading to the attic and an office. The master bedroom...

It really was like stepping back into the past. Or 'another world' where things ended up differently.

And realizing that, Sylphy couldn't help but think.

"...Rudy?"

He paused and then looked back at her. "Yes, Sylphy?"

Staring into those green eyes, Sylphy pursed her lips and then said, "If... If there was another world. One where the distortion event never happened and we never left Buina village. Do you think..."

'You would still choose me?'

She cut off her words.

It was a stupid question, since she knew the answer.

Rudy would choose her.

And even if he didn't, she would choose him.

Sylphy was sure of it.

Rudy sighed.

Hearing that, Sylphy subconsciously tensed up.

Rudy leaned his head against her shoulder and said, "There's no world where I don't fall in love with you, Sylphy."

Sylphy paused and then leaned against him. "...That's a lie. But I'm happy you said it anyway."

She remembered her conversation with the other Sylphy. How in that time, the one that Rudy fell in love with first with Eri, and how that Rudy only chose Sylphy after Eri broke his heart because of a misunderstanding.

So it was possible. There had to be a world where Rudy didn't choose her and found someone else.

The thought of that...

Rudy kissed Sylphy's cheek and said, "If it's a lie, all I have to do is make it true, right?"

Sylphy giggled and then kissed Rudy back. After that, she looked into his eyes and said, "Does that mean you're going to go around and destroy worlds where 'Rudy' doesn't fall in love with 'Sylphy?'"

Rudy gave her a serious nod and said, "If that's what you want."

Sylphy smiled and then reached up to poke Rudy's forehead. "That's silly. And it's not fair, you know?" She stepped away from Rudy's embrace and held her hands behind her back. Shaking her head, she said, "As much as I love you, I don't want to rob your love from any other girl. If a world like that exists... then I guess we just weren't meant to be."

Rudy was quiet.

Sylphy shook her head and said, "Enough depressing talk." She started slipping off her gloves and then walked towards Rudy. As she did, she started undoing her sash and the ribbons holder her dress together.

"S-Sylphy?"

Sylphy smiled and said, "What matters is that I love you, you love me, and that we're family now. You, my husband. And me, your wife. So..." She slipped off her dress, revealing a transparent one-piece that left nothing to the imagination.

Sylphy laced her arms around Rudy's neck and gave him a deep kiss before pulling back and panting for breath. Smiling, she said, "Let's make memories. Enough for me to forget about everything but you. Okay, Rudy?"

Rudy didn't say anything in response. Instead, he reached down to scoop her up and started walking towards the bedroom. Kicking the door in, he set her down and then leaned over her.

Sylphy looked up, feeling her heart pounding. Staring into Rudy's eyes, she held him close and said, "Please. Make me feel loved."

A deep kiss, a gentle touch. And after that...