Side Story: Gabriel's Predicament (Part 1)

"I'm going to be Uncle Gabriel's bride!"

Gabriel received this innocent confession from Ignatius's third son when the boy was just four years old.

It had happened after Gabriel saved the child from a dangerous man who had attempted to take advantage of him when he got lost in town.

At the time, Gabriel had merely laughed at the child's bright, adoring eyes.

He had assumed it was a fleeting admiration—a young child who had been scared and now idolized the person who saved him.

"That's something you should say to someone important when you're older, Morin," Gabriel had said while ruffling the boy's hair, convinced it was a childish whim that would soon be forgotten.

...

Years passed, and one day, Gabriel was caught off guard by an unexpected visitor.

The one standing at his doorstep, having come alone, was none other than Morin—Ignatius's third son.

He was now 160 years old.

"Uncle Gabriel! I've wanted to see you!"