They ran, rode in carriages, walked, and then ran again.
After fleeing while changing carriages several times, the two finally arrived at a small village beyond the easy reach of the kingdom's authority.
They had planned to escape even farther, but the long journey had drained most of their money. With little left, they decided to live quietly there instead.
They found a small, abandoned cabin on the outskirts of the village.
"Lady Dahlia… after such a difficult journey, I'm sorry that this is all I can offer you…."
Guilt seemed to weigh heavily on Gwynnslun's heart. His shoulders sagged as he spoke, his expression dark with remorse.
"What are you talking about!"
Dahlia shook her head with a bright smile.
"I was truly happy the entire way here—every moment I spent with you. And from now on, there will be even happier days ahead."
Her smile reflected her joy without restraint.
That smile seemed to melt Gwynnslun's heart, and he soon smiled back as well—though a trace of guilt still lingered in his eyes.
"Let's fill this cabin with our memories, one by one. Let's be happy here, too."
Speaking cheerfully, Dahlia stepped into the cabin.
"Lun! Hurry and come look!"
Gwynnslun, who had been standing still as if lost in thought, was called back by her voice.
Fortunately, a few items had been left behind.
An old, stiff-looking bed.
A kitchen sink that didn't look like it would produce water even if turned on.
A small table and chairs that seemed ready to collapse if anything heavier than air were placed on them.
"If we just buy a few necessities from the village, this should be livable, right? What do you think?"
"If Lady Dahlia is satisfied, then I am as well."
"Then let's go down to the village and buy what we need."
Despite being exhausted from the long journey, Dahlia smiled brightly.
Gwynnslun quietly nodded and followed behind her.
***
When they arrived at the village, the warm lights of various shops welcomed them.
"Let's first buy something to sleep under, and a bit of food."
"Yes."
They walked slowly through the streets, searching for what they needed.
Then a fruit vendor glanced over Dahlia and Gwynnslun, then called them with a wide smile.
"Oh my, such a handsome husband! We just got in the sweetest fruit today. Buy some for your wife!"
At the sudden word, wife, Dahlia's face flushed red.
She didn't dislike it at all.
In fact, the thought that they looked like that made her quietly happy.
But when she turned her head, Gwynnslun stood frozen—his face even redder than Dahlia's natural crimson hair.
Unable to hold it in any longer, Dahlia burst out laughing.
"Pfft—Lun! That's the deepest red I've ever seen, and it's painted all over your face right now!"
"H-How could I dare be L-L-Lady Dahlia's h-h-husband…!!"
At the single word, husband, Gwynnslun's eyes shook violently.
"If we ran away together, then doesn't that make us husband and wife? Why not? am I the only one who thinks so?"
"…..!"
Oh no—!
Seeing his face turn even redder, as though he might faint on the spot, Dahlia quickly stopped teasing and moved to pick out fruit.
"Ma'am, please give us the sweetest ones you have."
"Oh my~ Then I'll pack some as sweet and lovely as this beautiful couple."
The vendor smiled as she filled the bag.
After paying, Dahlia reached out to take it, but Gwynnslun suddenly stepped forward and took it instead.
"Oh my, such a considerate husband~ What a lovely couple. Ho ho ho, come again."
"Yes, we will."
After they bought fruit, blankets, and a few other necessities, they headed back to the cabin.
But the entire way back, Gwynnslun remained silent.
He had always been quiet, but now he was even more so than usual.
Even after arriving, he silently organized the things they had bought.
An inexplicable tightness settled in Dahlia's chest.
'Could it be… that he didn't like being seen as a married couple? Was I the only one who wanted that?'
After hesitating, she finally asked.
"Lun… did you not like that we looked like husband and wife?"
The answer she received was unexpected.
"… I don't know if I deserve to stand by your side, Lady Dahlia."
She didn't realize that he was still thinking that way.
She stepped closer to him.
"Oh, silly you."
Dahlia cupped his face with both hands and met his gaze.
"Listen carefully. Did you think I didn't know you were always watching over me? The reason I could walk through those dangerous alleys safely, the reason good rumors spread about me—it was all because of you. There's no one else who has protected me like that… only you did."
Dahlia had secretly helped orphanages and people in the slums, away from the royal family's eyes.
In doing so, she often had to pass through dangerous areas, and every time, Gwynnslun had silently watched over her from behind.
"And beyond that, every small act of consideration you've shown me—I was grateful for all of it."
At her words, Lun's gaze wavered.
Dahlia smiled gently.
"And most of all, your handsome face is exactly my type. I never get tired of looking at it."
She smiled playfully.
In an instant, Gwynnslun's ears turned red.
Finding him adorable, Dahlia let out a soft laugh.
Gwynnslun stared at her for a moment.
"W-What is it…? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Lady Dahlia, please wait here for a moment. I need to step outside."
"… Huh? Wait—Lun!"
Before she could stop him, he suddenly rushed outside.
Not long after, Gwynnslun returned, breathing heavily.
But his eyes were filled with firm resolve.
As Dahlia watched him in silence, he approached her while tightly gripping something in his hand.
Then—
Thud.
He knelt on one knee before her.
"Lun…!"
"Lady Dahlia. You are someone far beyond what I dare to desire."
Dahlia's breath caught softly.
"Even so, I cannot overcome my selfish wish to remain by your side. I offer you my entire life. Please… allow me to stand beside you."
True to a knight, even his proposal sounded like a vow.
His voice was filled with sincerity, loyalty, and love.
Gwynnslun carefully slipped a white daisy flower ring—one he had been holding dearly—onto Dahlia's left ring finger.
"This is all I can give you for now… but one day, I promise I will give you a ring worthy of you."
The ring bore clear traces of the care and devotion with which he had made it.
Dahlia couldn't take her eyes off the flower ring.
"… No. This is my favorite ring of all!"
Overwhelmed with happiness, Dahlia spread her arms and leapt straight into him.
"Ah! Lady Dahlia, be caref—!"
Thud!
They lost their balance and fell backward, but even then, Gwynnslun wrapped his arms tightly around her, shielding her so she wouldn't get hurt.
From within his embrace, Dahlia lifted her face.
Their gazes slowly intertwined.
It felt as though time had stopped, as though all sound had vanished.
Unspoken emotions poured through their eyes.
Shy, ticklish, and yet unbearably happy.
Holding onto that feeling, they embraced each other more tightly—carefully, yet firmly, as if they would never let go.