That night, the full moon reflected its light on the surface of the Valeora River.
The village was silent, with only the sound of crickets and the whisper of the wind rustling through the rice fields.
Jeanne sat on the small dock she usually visited with Caelan.
She wore a simple soft blue dress—far from the robes of Continuum she used to wear.
In her lap, a wildflower picked by the village children earlier that morning.
With the gentle night breeze brushing against her face, Jeanne felt a calmness she rarely experienced; moments like this reminded her of simpler times when laughter echoed across the open fields, and hope sparkled in the eyes of every villager, creating countless unforgettable memories.
The sound of footsteps approached.
"Jeanne."
The voice was warm yet nervous.
She recognized Caelan's voice, and as she turned around, her heart fluttered at the sight of him. Caelan stood behind her, dressed in the finest attire of a Valeoran farmer—a crisp white shirt and dark brown leather trousers. His eyes sparkled under the moonlight, reflecting a mixture of hope and fear.
Jeanne felt a surge of strong emotions; one part of her wanted to leap with excitement, while another was tossed about by doubt. She wondered what Caelan wanted to say. Was this the moment for them to embark on a new chapter in their lives?
"I want to talk about something important before the harvest ends," he said, breaking the quiet night.
He cleared his throat, trying to find the right words. "For a long time, I've been searching for a way to tell you how I feel." Caelan's voice trembled as he continued. "Every time we are together, I feel as though... I am not alone in this world." He reached out his hand, close to Jeanne, as if wishing to grasp his newly born hope.
"And I know we have each been struggling with our own dreams for so long, but I hope we can share those dreams," Caelan added. His sincere approach made the night feel even more electric, like a breeze carrying the promise of new beginnings.
Jeanne lowered her gaze, recalling the moment they first met. That feeling had always lingered at the back of her mind, serving as an anchor amidst the noise of her life. A longing began to envelop her, as if she were flowing down an unending river, drawing her closer to the hopes she had long buried.
Gradually, Jeanne stood up, her heart racing. Caelan's voice resonated with hope in her ears, a gentle melody weaving through the chaos around them. She felt an emotional pull strengthen her resolve, as if time momentarily halted when their fingers inched closer together.
Yet now, her heart wavered between doubt and desire. She felt like an ordinary woman waiting for words that could change her life, realizing that this feeling was a significant part of her journey.
Caelan took a deep breath, his expression serious yet gentle. He looked at Jeanne with tenderness, as if etching this moment into his memory. Every passing second felt incredibly precious, and he wanted to ensure that this would be an unforgettable moment for both of them.
"I know I am nobody.
I have no magic.
I cannot give you a kingdom or Nexus."
Jeanne held her breath, feeling every word spoken by Caelan. There was a sincerity in his voice that made her tremble. She realized that in daily life, wealth and power were not everything—there was a certain beauty in simplicity and genuine love.
"But I can give you this field, this river, and this life—a life we can build together, where each day is filled with happiness and hard work."
In her mind, Jeanne began to envision a harmonious life among the green fields and the gentle flow of water. A soft breeze caressed her hair as they worked side by side, tilling the soil and harvesting its produce, creating memories that would bind their hearts forever.
"I can give you simple mornings filled with the aroma of fresh earth, peaceful nights star-gazed under the vast sky, and a hand that will stand by you steadfastly until we grow old together—a promise I wish to make for you."
Caelan knelt down, taking a small ring he had made himself—from copper wire crafted simply yet with great care. He did it with hope and love, each twist of wire telling a story he wanted to share with Jeanne. As he stepped closer, he felt as if the whole world shrank down to just the two of them.
"Jeanne...
Will you be my wife?"
Jeanne's heartbeat synchronized with his, a passionate rhythm pulsing within her chest. No words could fully capture the gravity of the moment; she poured all her heart and thoughts into memorizing every detail, from the soft twilight light flooding the room to the earthy aroma she breathed in every day.
The entire world seemed to stand still. With her body trembling, she sensed that this was a destined moment. She briefly closed her eyes, recalling the times she had wandered the fields alone, all the longing that had built up in her heart. She had always yearned for someone to share her life with, to toil in the weary fields, and to exchange stories at night.
There were no threads of time. There were no streams of possibilities. There was only one choice: the choice to move forward, to take a risk, to accept that love could be the shoulder that always supports.
Jeanne felt the tears fall. The burden that had long shackled her began to loosen. "I have made many choices throughout my life.
But this...
This is the purest choice I have ever encountered."
Each word felt like a mantra, reinforcing the decision she had made in her heart. Amidst the uncertainty, she knew one thing for sure: she wanted to be by Caelan's side, through joy and sorrow, building a future together.
The whole world felt silent.
There were no threads of time. There were no streams of possibilities.
There was only one choice.
Jeanne let the tears fall.
"I have made many choices throughout my life.
But this...
This is the purest choice I have ever encountered."
Caelan watched Jeanne's face, observing every detail—her smooth skin, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, and her smile that seemed etched in his memory forever. In his heart, he felt as if his whole life had been leading to this moment, where the truth of their love filled the air around them, palpable and vibrant.
"I do, Caelan.
I want to be your wife."
In a voice barely above a whisper, Caelan replied, "You will always be with me, right? There will be no barriers between us." He felt a vibration in the air, as if nature itself witnessed this moment. The soft glow of the stars seemed to conspire, making this night feel extraordinary.
Caelan stood and embraced her tightly. He felt Jeanne's heartbeat synchronized with his breath, filling the space between them with profound warmth. In the sky, the stars shone brightly.
For the first time in 500 years, Jeanne Fate chose not for the world.
She chose for herself.
Her heart trembled, akin to a natural symphony played by the universe. She realized that she was no longer just a part of an unending journey, but the author of her own life story, fully in control of her happiness and the choices she made.
As Jeanne returned to their small inn, Joanna was already waiting at the door.
"So...?" Joanna crossed her arms, mischievously smiling.
"I accept," Jeanne replied with a radiant face, tears of joy in her eyes.
Joanna ran and embraced her sister tightly, feeling the weight of the burden that Jeanne had carried for so long. Seeing the happiness radiating from Jeanne's face made her heart flutter.
"Finally, sis... after everything we've been through... you chose not for the world, but for yourself."
Jeanne sensed the positive energy flowing between them, as if their feelings formed a bond only understood by sisters. "Thank you, Jo. Without you, I might never have had the courage to lift my head and choose what's best for me."
Joanna nodded, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. "And I will be the witness to that choice." She felt as if the universe was celebrating this newly spoken choice of love, like invisible fireworks lighting up the night sky.
They laughed together, like children again, celebrating the wonder born from courage. Jeanne felt light, as if she were soaring beyond the limits that had once bound her. Behind Jeanne, Joanna smiled with relief.
For at last, her sister had found the peace and fulfillment that neither the Continuum nor the Fluctuative could ever offer, revealing that true contentment lies in self-acceptance and love.
Her sense of gratitude blossomed in the quiet of the night. "This choice of mine is a new beginning, Jo. I feel as if every step I take now is intertwined with a larger narrative of life. This is the moment where I can finally choose according to my deepest desires."
Joanna replied, "And I will always be by your side, supporting every choice you make." They both smiled, understanding that they would continue to support each other, no matter what happens.
Jeanne and Caelan's wedding would soon be held in the simplest—and most meaningful—way, surrounded by the community that embraced their love and shared dreams.
In a small village that did not know her as a founder or guardian,
but simply as a woman who chose to love and live with deep gratitude, embracing each day with choices that came sincerely from her heart.
On a warm afternoon, under a sky beginning to turn golden orange, Jeanne stood in front of the mirror, gazing at her reflection. Her heart raced as she donned a simple white gown made of light fabric. She could feel a mix of happiness, excitement, and nervousness. "This is the day I have long awaited," she whispered to herself with a faint smile, as if encouraging herself to face this moment with full confidence.
She remembered the moment when Caelan proposed to her by the lake, a location where nature seemed to conspire to create a perfect moment: every second spent in his presence felt like an invaluable gift, an echo of promise hanging in the air. "Jeanne, I choose you not only for today, but for forever. I want to spend my life in both joys and sorrows shared with you," he had said, his hopeful eyes adding beauty to that cherished moment.
And in the distance, the world continued to move on.
But Jeanne and Joanna? They chose not to listen—for now.
Despite the various issues shaking the outside world, here, in this quiet little village, Jeanne and Joanna found strength in each other's embrace, supporting one another through the anticipation and meaningful choices in life. "Let's forget about all this for a moment," Joanna said, drawing Jeanne's attention away from external pressures. "Today is about you and Caelan. Let's savor every second of it." With those words, Joanna held Jeanne's hand tightly, reminding her that amidst life's many choices, true love is what truly matters and can be relied upon.
Jeanne felt a deep affirmation in her heart, resonating with her spirit. "I know this choice is the right step," she said softly, glancing once more at her smiling reflection, now filled with purpose. In her mind, she embraced the understanding that the path she had chosen would not always be easy; yet, it was the unconditional love she nurtured that would illuminate her way forward, providing unwavering encouragement and strength with every step she took.