On the last night in the capital, I still vividly remember how she lost composure and got drunk. I really can't imagine someone like that would eventually get married.
Wait! Calm down...Am I misunderstanding something?
Getting married doesn't necessarily mean it's with a man. What if she married another woman? Although it's still unclear whether this world would tolerate same-sex marriages, going against norms a little may not be completely impossible.
And wearing a ring on the ring finger doesn't mean she's married either. What if Nicola just doesn't know how to wear rings properly, or doesn't care about their meaning at all?
But how do I explain those books then...
Just as my mind was swirling in the wind with endless wild guesses, Nicola saw my expression and couldn't help asking me.
"So, what's inside?"
"Noth...nothing! Cannot see!"
I quickly stuffed the parenting guidebook into the ring and pretended I didn't discover anything.
"Your reaction..."
Nicola frowned, seemingly puzzled by my strange look at her.
"Oh I see!"
She then appeared to have a realization, gave an awkward smile and scratched her head.
"Looks like my future self is really capable, even bringing me this kind of bonus. Don't know where she got it from, indeed not very suitable to take out here..."
Glancing around at Selene and Eleanora with us, she moved closer to my ear and whispered.
"Remember to pass me those erotic books after we get back."
"Haha...okay..."
I forced out a smile watching her misunderstand. My mouth corner was almost numb from twitching.
Don't know what her reaction would be if she knew the truth. She might run off somewhere again to get dead drunk.
Moreover, the future Nicola said our future became uncertain with the observer. That doesn't mean the current Nicola would definitely get married and have children. So letting her know now may not be a good thing.
But there is no observer this time. So the current Nicola is destined to return to this point in the future. Then everything that just happened, including the ring's position and contents, should also be set...
Thinking of this is somehow headache-inducing...
To avoid complications, I decided not to tell Nicola that I discovered her future married and possibly bearing children.
As for the ring's contents, I'd better find a chance to toss them...
So who exactly is that observer, when will he appear? Is it the "him" mentioned earlier?
"They woke up!"
Just as I was still wracking my brains over Nicola's future, Eleanora suddenly alerted everyone.
"Huh?"
I turned to look. Adrian and Alfreed were crawling up from the ground, checking their bodies in confusion.
"Adrian!"
Seeing that, I rushed over to his side and asked anxiously,
"Are you okay? Feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Because of dealing with Michelle earlier, I didn't have any time or energy to care about him. Also not sure if Eleanora treated him properly.
"No issues! I remember getting severely burnt...Looks like this is thanks to Eleanora."
Adrian looked up at me with a slight smile, reassuring me.
"Actually it's not all because of me..."
Eleanora then shyly stepped out to clarify.
"If Selene didn't help stabilize your injuries initially, you probably wouldn't have made it until I arrived. And that strange rain just now also played a huge role..."
"Rain?"
I immediately recalled when all of Selene's burns got cured, and that figure who seemed to have blue wings.
"The angel staying in the sky look quite similar to the unconscious Feliciana, as if having wings of the same color."
Eleanora stated her thoughts very directly.
"You're that certain it was an angel..."
I opened my mouth, temporarily at a loss for words. Although I guessed that was possible too, I didn't want to admit it was myself based just on some wings.
Because I still can't confirm what that blue-winged version of me was about, or whether it was even me. If that was my future self flying overhead earlier, why didn't she come down? And if not, does it mean I'll be replaced in the future? Who was that in the sky then?
I don't know why, but I strongly resist thinking about such possibilities. It feels deeply powerless and terrifying.
"If judging solely by the wing colors, it's indeed not typical for angels..."
Eleanora tilted her head in thought and said.
"But she was really amazing. I've never heard of such rain magic with healing effects before. I believe even if not an angel, she definitely wouldn't be a demon like that black-winged Claudette."
Looks like she has automatically classified Claudette as a demon now.
"What are you talking about? I don't get it at all?"
Adrian was totally confused looking between me and Eleanora. Alfreed then came over to ask as well.
"Did something happen while we were unconscious?"
"Yeah, where did that Goddess of Flames go? Don't tell me you defeated her? No way..."
Adrian also noticed too many odd things around. He experienced Michelle's strength himself before passing out. Adding to the drastic environmental changes with several huge craters now. He seriously doubted if we could accomplish this.
"It's a long story..."
Amidst everyone's questions, the two finally grasped what happened.
"It's just too crazy. If you didn't say so yourselves, I would have thought someone was making up a novel."
Alfreed remarked after listening.
"I really envy you all for having such a wondrous experience. This is probably a once in a millennium, no...once in ten thousand years rare chance. And even got me a necklace..."
Adrian stroked the necklace on his chest, solemnly thanking Nicola again.
"Unfortunately I can't thank your future self in person..."
"No need! I also can't figure out why she would give you a necklace. Probably something wrong in her brai..."
Nicola didn't seem to appreciate it at all, coldly responding. She almost scolded herself by mistake.
"Umm...I'm grateful to you Adrian. You didn't have to risk your life to save me..."
Getting to this point, I became a little embarrassed and quickly expressed my gratitude and apology to him.
"I'm sorry, I just found out angels seem to be immune to most elemental attacks. So that explosion probably wouldn't have hurt me. But you got seriously injured for nothing and even missed this chance..."
Adrian didn't look surprised hearing that. He smiled and said,
"I actually knew about angels being immune. Don't blame yourself too much. At that time I was too rushed, forgot about that and didn't consider much before...dragging you to run. Speaking of which, I should take some responsibility too."
"No! You risked your life to save me. How can you say you're responsible?"
Hearing that frightened me. Why is he so stubborn? I quickly clarified,
"It should all be my problem. I reacted too slowly. If I had been quicker, nothing would have happened..."
"But I acted rashly without careful consideration. That was my negligence. When it comes down to it, I should take the consequences myself."
Adrian also seemed unwilling to leave it at that. He insisted on taking responsibility for his own mistakes.
"No! It should be me..."
"Enough!"
Nicola cut in impatiently, interrupting us. She looked at me gloomily and asked,
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"Apologizing!"
I was a bit puzzled by her response. Totally not getting what she was unhappy about. She seemed to have issues with Adrian earlier. And now displeased with me too for some reason.
"Adrian was so badly injured saving me. He would have died if not for magic...He did so much for me that I should properly apologize right?"
"But your attitude..."
Nicola had an expression like she wanted to say more but held back.
"What's wrong with my attitude? Not sincere enough?"
I also inexplicably flared up. What was she nitpicking about? It's like she hates seeing me apologize to Adrian.
"Stop arguing!"
The others then noticed something off about us too. They quickly stepped in to resolve things.
"You both have faults here, fifty strikes each, so no need to apologize anymore. And Adrian's healed now, so no one bears responsibility either. A happy ending for all!"
As the mediator, Eleanora declared her resolution perfectly. But somehow I still feel it sounds a bit weird.
It's a bit like the usual tone used in those old TV shows for resolving family disputes. Clearly Adrian and I aren't in that kind of relationship. Fortunately everyone here knows one another, otherwise misunderstandings could happen.
"So you should apologize too..."
Eleanora nudged Nicola's back, discreetly urging her.
"Sorry."
Nicola looked somewhat reluctant but had no reason to refuse now. She could only reluctantly say that to me.
"Fine..."
I sighed. Seeing she did back down after all, I ultimately felt it was better not to make things too stiff.
Ah, with her young master's temper, she may have to marry and have children in the future. I can't help but admire the man who dares to marry her in the future.