“Theia, you are my only princess.”
“K-Koutarou...”
The tears that had stopped began overflowing again. However, those weren't tears of sadness, but tears of joy.
“Don't cry.”
“I'm not crying! I'm laughing! At your stupidity that is!”
“Stupidity?”
“That’s right, stupidity!! She was the Silver Princess you know?! The legendary princess and empress!! You declined her offer and came back here!! How could you be considered anything but stupid?!”
Still crying, Theia began pounding on Koutarou's chest. The force behind her fists was weak, but the emotions were powerful. Koutarou felt Theia's earnest and warm emotions pouring into him for each time she hit him.
“Don't call me stupid all the time. I might start believing I really am.”
“You are stupid!! You chose us over that legendary person!! On top of it all, you chose to swear loyalty to such a flat chested and selfish woman!!”
Koutarou had chosen his own life over the life of the Blue Knight. That's why he returned and swore loyalty to Theia. Theia herself was unbelievably happy by that, as if her very existence had been affirmed.
“A traditional knight of Forthorthe protects his oath and promise. Isn't that a perfect match for a retroactive princess like you?”
“Stupid, idiot, you big idiot!!”
Unable to contain her emotions, Theia embraced Koutarou and began crying even harder. She hung her arms around Koutarou's neck and pressed her cheek against his chest.
Theia needs me this much...
Koutarou gently hugged Theia back. He wanted to let her know that he needed her too.
“You might call it stupid, but I'm glad I came back.”
Theia's small body fit perfectly in Koutarou's arm, which he was happy about.
“Because I can protect you with my own hands... It's best to keep those precious to you close, and protect them yourself.”
As he hugged her, he felt like he was protecting Theia. That he was protecting someone who had put her life on the line to protect him. That sensation gave Koutarou joy.
“Then protect me... Take responsibility and do so until the very end...”
Theia muttered and closed her eyes. She had found someone she could entrust not just her body to, but her mind as well. Theia was in bliss having been able to emotionally connect with him.
“And... only once you have seen us all live a happy life to its fullest, may you die...”
Being hugged by Koutarou, Theia could clearly feel that the place she belonged was here. Just like Theia and the others needed Koutarou, Koutarou needed them.Those feelings and bonds were surely stronger than fate itself.
“...As you wish, my princess.”
“Mm... very good...”
That's why Theia could believe, that even if further hardships awaited her in the future, Koutarou and the girls of room 106 would have happy lives.