About three years later.
The research laboratory looked completely different from before.
With Titania's cooperation, August had established a technology to amplify magic power. Construction of an experimental city powered by magic energy was now underway.
Terminals covered the walls and glowed in orderly rows, while newly installed machines stood outside the glass.
Stella visited the laboratory for the first time in a while.
"Stella, big sister?"
August's younger brother, Belia, was in the room.
"Belia, you are here."
"Yeah. My brother got called away by some officials, so he left me to watch the place. Honestly, he still overworks people as usual."
"Fufu. Is that not proof that August trusts you?"
"Trust, huh… Anyway, Stella, big sister, are you feeling all right?"
"Yes. I am doing well today, so I thought I would take a walk and stop by. My husband is nearby too, so there is no need to worry."
"I see. Then that is good."
"Is Titania in her usual spot?"
"Yes, in the next room."
Stella nodded and quietly opened the door to the adjacent room.
Inside, the white mist covered by glass swayed gently, just as it always had.
'A rare visitor. It has been about three months, has it not?'
A gentle voice came through the speaker.
"Yes, it has been a while, Titania. Are you doing well?"
'I remain unchanged. You, on the other hand, seem to have changed quite a bit.'
Titania's attention shifted toward Stella's noticeably larger belly.
'It feels very strange. I sense it even more strongly than last time. Another life.'
"Yes, as I told you before, there is a child inside my belly."
'Is this the time to say congratulations?'
"Fufu, thank you."
Stella let out a small breath and sat down on the chair near Titania.
"I have finally regained some strength lately. That is why I came to show my face at the laboratory. I also wanted to see you."
'Do not push yourself. Human bodies are fragile. Right now, your body does not belong to you alone, does it?'
"Thank you for worrying. But I am fine."
Stella gently placed a hand on her belly.
"Lately, every day feels happy. I look at my growing belly, feel the child moving inside, and think, 'Ah, I am really going to become a mother.'"
As she spoke, a tender expression appeared on Stella's face.
"I was an orphan, so I always longed for a family. Now I have married the person I love, and our child is about to be born. I am so happy right now that I want to share this happiness with everyone."
'…So that is what a happy face looks like. You have taught me something new again, Stella.'
Titania's voice was gentler than ever before.
'Humans really are mysterious and interesting creatures.'
"Fufu. I am glad you have come to understand the wonderful side of people, Titania."
'It would be nice if all humans were saints like you.'
"I am not some grand saint. Everyone has bad sides too. Unfortunately, those sides tend to catch people's attention more easily. Still, I think it is hasty and wasteful to judge someone based only on that. Because it also means everyone has good sides as well."
'As expected of the Saint.'
"I do not really like being called that."
'By the way, have you decided on a name for the child yet?'
"No. I have a few candidates, but I still cannot settle on one."
Stella shook her head and smiled a little shyly.
'A name is the first gift a parent gives to a child, was it not?'
"…You remembered."
'Of course. For some reason, those words are burned into my memory.'
Titania's voice carried a touch of nostalgia.
"Fufu… I am glad. Back then you were still confused by the very concept of a name."
'That is true. But now that moment feels like the beginning of my existence. Perhaps because I heard those words, I am still here today.'
"Titania…"
'That is why I can tell you are troubled. You have taught me so many things until now. If there is anything I can do, I will help.'
Stella smiled softly and placed her hand on her swollen belly.
"Thank you. I want to give this child a name that carries meaning. Something that holds wishes, feelings, that kind of thing."
'To put feelings into it, huh.'
"…I recently learned something from a princess of the Shinonome family I met. In the language used on the islands of the Far East, a single character can carry multiple meanings."
'Multiple meanings in a single character… That is interesting.'
"Is it not? I thought it was wonderful too. Among them, there is a character that combines 'beginning' and 'end' to represent 'a lifetime.'"
'…That is grand.'
"Yes. However, it is quite different from the cultural system I live in, so it would be difficult to use for my child."
'That is a shame. So? What is that character?'
At Titania's question, Stella smiled and opened her mouth.
"It is—"