"Tomorrow is Valerie's birthday."
Austin heard his mother-in-law's soft voice as she spoke, and everyone at the table turned toward her.
"What should we do?" she asked, her words gentle, uncertain.
Valerie wasn't here—she had been taken back to rest. Only close family members from both sides, along with Austin, remained at the table.
Austin hadn't forgotten. He had planned to celebrate the day quietly, just the two of them. Something small and meaningful.
But of course, it made sense that her mother would remember too.
"Austin… did you remember?" his father asked with a teasing smile, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
But Austin replied without missing a beat. "I've already prepared a gift for her."
There was no way he would ever forget a day like that.
The world had gained a fine warrior, and he… he had been blessed with an extraordinary wife. On that day, everything changed.
He silently offered a word of thanks to Lady Corwon for bringing Valerie into his life.
