Second Life's Revenge

Laura waited for Erwin as he looked nervous and hesitant to say something. He was rubbing his earlobe and his eyes were shifting everywhere.

"Is there a problem?" Laura asked once more and this time Erwin asked, "Do you perhaps want to go out?" It wasn't his first time asking Laura out but he couldn't help but feel embarrassed. His reaction made Laura laugh and made her agree immediately. "What's with the hesitation?" Laura stood up and walked towards him. She then wrapped her arms around his.

"It's quite embarrassing," He muttered.

"I don't mind and since I'm almost done. Will we go out now?" 

"If you're working then we cou-"

"No," Laura cut him off and pulled him out of the room. "Let's go," Laura said but Erwin stopped walking making her stop too. She turned her head then looked at Erwin she asked, "What's wrong?" 

"Are you just going to go out like that? Without your cloak on?" Erwin asked out of worry but Laura didn't seem to care about it. "I don't care anymore. It's all over. I just want to be free without anyone bothering me." her unexpected answer made him smile. He didn't need to worry about her. 

"If you say so," Erwin said as this time he was the one pulling Laura as they walked out of the estate. 

Instead of taking a carriage, they decided to walk since the town isn't that far from the silver moon estate. In all honesty, the silver moon estate did shine out the most in the town. Many people adored having a house like the Ferguson family. It's just that it will take more than ten years for them to replicate the exact thing. The weather wasn't hot as the wind was cool. It is the exact time to go on a date. 

"Now that you think about it. We should go and visit their graves soon," Laura frowned but Erwin was there to comfort her. He held her hand and walked alongside each other. "We should. I'm sure there are many things you want to tell them," said Erwin, and agreed with Laura as she nodded her head. "We shouldn't be bringing up depressing things with our outing."

"Sorry. I was just reminded about since this was the exact weather when their bodies were buried." 

"Now, shall we stop the depressing talk? We didn't even get to spend our time having fun during the flower festival," Erwin added as he pulled her to a food stall selling sweet potatoes. He paid the man a penny then they were given two baked sweet potatoes. "Have you tried this before?" He asked.

"Who do you think are you talking about?" Laura teased as she then took a small bite as the sweet potato was steaming. Erwin played along with her then said, "I remember that day when I first saw you." Laura coughed out loud after hearing something embarrassing from him. 

"W-what is it?" She nervously asked. Laura totally remembered what she had thought that day. Not only that but remembering how close her face was to his. Sometimes she wonders if her awareness level is that low.

"I clearly remember how gorgeous you were," He muttered the last few words as he took a bite. Laura blushed a bit upon hearing this, but at the same time, she felt happy. If they didn't meet that then she didn't know if things would've turned out the same. At first, he was classified as a weird man, but now he's classified as her lover. A person who shares the same burden as her.

But even if they didn't meet that day, Erwin would still fall in love with her in a different setting. Even if their encounter was strange, he swore to himself that no matter what happens, the only person he would fall in love with was Laura.

"That brooch I always see you wearing it, but it doesn't look worn out." 

"Well…you can say. I treasure it very much. Blaine can't even touch it. I even wear it on my own."

"You sound so proud of yourself," Laura giggled as she saw the childish part of him. 

"Of course, I am proud of myself. Usually, the servants would do it for me. Why do you ask? Do you want to do it for me?" He asked, knowing it sounded like a proposal, and Laura knew what he was talking about. "W-what?"

"This might not be the best proposal, but we should at least get engaged. It would be nice if I get to see you every single day," he looked away, feeling flustered with what he was saying. He actually didn't know what he was saying and why he was suddenly saying such things.

"Hmm…that's true. Should we get engaged?" She asked while Erwin was confused. Usually, Laura would be stuttering or flustered or whatsoever, but she accepted it quickly. So being nervous and stuff was pointless? "You're just going to accept it? Just like that?" 

"Why? Is it better for me to let you anticipate an answer? What if I refused? What would you do?" 

"You have a point. But I don't think you will have the chance to refuse," he smiled as he pulled Laura closer to him. Laura could feel his heart beating so fast to the point it made her shy. But it's natural to feel like this, right? When it comes to love, she isn't experienced, and when it comes to him, there isn't anything she could do. Even her own heart was beating rapidly.

Their faces grew closer to each other, and their lips met with each other. How could she explain this feeling? Was it happiness? Excitement? She didn't know anymore. After some time, their lips parted away from each other, and did they not know they were making a scene. 

They heard the people whistling, and some even clapping their hands together. Not only that, but some familiar faces were there smiling and clapping their hands. Laura turned to look at Erwin, who also looked embarrassed but at the same time, he was thrilled. 

"Your Grace, aren't you forgetting something?" asked Blaine who was seen standing beside Mary and a few guards. 

"That's right," He gasped as he hurriedly took a box out of his pocket. He opened the box and slipped a diamond right into her finger. Then gave Laura a kiss on the forehead. "This was all planned?" Laura asked as she admired the diamond ring.

"Well…I planned this long before. It was just the timing was never right."

"Give me the box," said Laura, and Erwin followed. She opened the box revealing another diamond ring, which was Erwin's. She got his hand, then slipped the ring into his finger. "Then this makes us equal," She smiled as she held his hand. 

The ring is an essential item in a person's life. It is where they will begin a new start with their partner. This was their story to tell. What is your story?