Tears flowed without stopping.
Karl, not reflected in the mirror, shook his head as if he knew what I was thinking.
“Don’t do what you think. Do you really have to do it this way?”
I nodded resolutely, supported by Callius's warmth.
"Yes."
“You might be alone.”
“Even if that’s true, there’s nothing I can do.”
“Are you really going to erase me?”
I quietly held Karl as he burst into tears.
Lhasa's words came to mind.
"Don't keep relying on empty promises. They may be sweet in the moment, but they're not beneficial. They'll only weaken you. You need to cut them off from the things that keep lingering around you."
What Lhasa was worried about became clear when I looked back on my recent fight with Karl.
Karl, that gives me strength, but at the same time weakens me.
Karl always told me to doubt my choices, not trust others, and to run away from difficult things.
Depending on the situation, this may not be entirely wrong.
But if I always live like that, I will never grow.
I realized that when I came to Ronheim.
Only when I believe in my choices and am determined to take full responsibility for the consequences of those choices will others follow my choices.
And trusting others takes a lot of courage, but when I finally muster up the courage and face it, I become a part of society.
Also, running away isn't always the solution.
Life is about everyone having courage, facing challenges, taking responsibility, and enduring.
With Karl, I would never be able to break the egg and would just sleep comfortably inside and die.
I chose life, that is, suffering.
"Erasing you will be painful, but it's something I have to endure. I have to become stronger."
I had things to do.
I must avenge myself, govern the people of Ronheim, and protect my home.
To others, Karl may be useless, but to me, he has been a friend and family member for decades.
Even now, I couldn't quite believe that Karl, who was so vividly before my eyes and that I could touch him, wasn't real.
Aside from the death of ny mother when I was young and ignorant, this was the first time I had said goodbye to someone I loved.
I shuddered at the pain of my heart being ripped out, but I gritted my teeth.
"Thank you, Karl. Thanks to you, I was able to endure. Don't worry about me. I'm not the weak me I used to be."
I said goodbye to Karl.
“Please don’t show up anymore.”
Then I turned away from Karl.
Callius comforted me like that.
From Callius's perspective, it must have seemed like I was talking to the air, embracing the air.
I thought to myself how strange it would look.
But he waited silently until I finished saying goodbye to Karl.
There was something I really wanted to say to Callius.
"Thank you for appearing before me again. The memories you left me with have been a great source of strength. For a very, very long time."
I was surprised as I was expressing my gratitude.
It was because tears fell from Callius' eyes.
“Why are you crying?”
By confirming for yourself that I am crazy?
Because of your disappointment in me, whom you trusted?
Is this the kind of person that Ronheim's new Saintess is?
Because I ruined our marriage?
I closed my eyes tightly, trying to guess the meaning of his tears.
I promised myself not to get hurt, no matter what Callius thought.
I decided to endure whatever change in his attitude might make.
But the words that came out of his mouth were not resentment.
“I’m sorry, Chloe.”
"Yes...?"
“Thank you.”
"Yes...?"
Callius hugged me as I was flustered.
I was lying in his arms, holding my breath.
His tears soaked my shoulder.
How could such a big, strong man burst into tears?
After being held in his arms for a while, my body, which had been stiff with tension, began to relax little by little.
I lifted my arm and carefully placed it around his waist.
Then, I buried my face in his chest and hugged him with all my might.
Then Callius also tightened his grip on the arm that was holding me.
Our hearts touched.
This person won't turn his back on me.
He won't leave me lonely.
Although we never said a word to each other, that trust grew in our embrace.
“Callius.”
I whispered quietly to him.
"Will you be my Karl again? Now I don't have to hide, and we can grow old together as real friends."
“As much as you want.”
At that moment, I thought I heard Karl's playful laughter in my ears.
The voice of Karl, mixed with laughter, brushed past my ears.
I hope you're happy. Bye, Chloe.
'Goodbye, Karl.'
A party was in full swing in the palace's Grace Hall.
It was a party to celebrate Andrea's birthday.
Even though it was winter, all kinds of flowers blooming in the magic greenhouse were splendidly decorating the spacious hall.
Amidst the pleasant melody flowing, beautifully dressed people gathered in groups of three or five, laughing.
“Prince Andrea asks Princess Lien to dance.”
“Wow. They are a perfect match.”
“Didn’t His Highness dance with Young Lady Brian earlier?”
The nobles chattered among themselves as they watched Andrea ask the daughters of the most prestigious families in the empire to dance one after another.
Some people praised it, saying it looked good, but others shook their heads.
Most of those shaking their heads were the parents of the women Andrea had asked to dance.
They whispered to each other so that no one could hear.
“The Prince again...”
“I told the child to avoid it, but he still does that.”
The Prince who will become the next Emperor.
For most people, it was the perfect marriage.
But that wasn't necessarily the case for the girls Andrea chose.
They were all children of great families and were coveted by foreign royalty.
Besides, the women Andrea asked to dance with weren't just from good families.
They were all women in their early twenties, the flower of their youth, and among the most beautiful women in society.
Although it might not seem like it to others, Andrea's thoughts were clear to the parents of marriageable daughters.
“Still, the age difference of 12 years or more is a bit much.”
“All the young ladies who had romantic relationships with Princes start looking for other spouses once they turn 25.”
“Yeah, that’s true. What does that mean?”
There was a rumor going around among parents who had daughters that Andrea was too much of a nerd.
Even if that wasn't the case, there were other troubling issues.
“Besides, he is of the Empress’s bloodline.”
“Seeing as she hasn’t become Empress yet...”
“Why has Your Majesty the Emperor left the position of Empress vacant until now?”
Although the Empress was the Emperor's legal wife, she was still his second wife.
Some people felt a little uneasy about the possibility that something new would come along.
“I wonder if His Majesty still has Princess Chloe in mind as his successor... Unless Empress Kavala becomes Empress, Prince Andrea will forever remain second in line to the throne.”
“Hey, that can’t be right. But he has some issues.”
“Just in case. Just in case, you never know.”
“Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor has another woman in mind?”
There have always been all kinds of rumors about him.
The topic of conversation quickly drifted into another direction.
“There are rumors that the Empress is still obsessed with all kinds of magic these days.”
"The Empress has everything, so why can't she let it go? I really can't understand."
Since ancient times, sorcerers have not been treated with much respect.
People would bow down to sorcerers and pay large sums of money when necessary, asking them to place various curses on them or lift them, but it was only when they felt sorry.
It was natural for people to feel uncomfortable with beings that had the power to harm others.
So, isn't it true that Kavala is maintaining a connection with the Magic Tower by calling herself a black magician to change his image?
Thanks to this, the image of Kavala has been heavily packaged.
But even so, parents facing the issue of their daughter's marriage had no choice but to be conservative.
People did not understand why Kavala held on to its power, which seemed to be eating away at its own flesh, and why it was being talked about so negatively.
On the other side, another story was in full swing.
“Many people seem to have forgotten, but Empress Kavala was actually an illegitimate daughter of the Blanco family.”
"That's right. Because the Blanco family's heirs died young one after another, the Marquis Blanco considered her special, as his only blood relative..."
"Duke Lien, even when his first daughter was getting married, was meticulous about her origins. Look at her expression now."
Duke Lien frowned as he watched his daughter dance with Andrea.
In fact, all of these things might not have been a problem if Andrea had just lowered his gaze a little.
Anyway, Andrea will become the Emperor, and Kavala will be the highest-ranking woman in the empire.
But Andrea's standards were too high, and the problem was that the opponents he wanted to reach were just as high.
Andrea, who was dancing happily with Princess Lien, saw people whispering and got a rough idea of the situation.
"You damn nobles. You're just so arrogant. I'm destined to be Emperor! Just wait and see once I've taken the throne."
Andrea, feeling offended, went out onto the terrace in a huff as soon as the piece ended.
He was thinking of cooling off a bit.
But on the terrace, a completely unexpected person was waiting for him.
“Long time no see, brother.”
“...Chloe?”
Karl, not reflected in the mirror, shook his head as if he knew what I was thinking.
“Don’t do what you think. Do you really have to do it this way?”
I nodded resolutely, supported by Callius's warmth.
"Yes."
“You might be alone.”
“Even if that’s true, there’s nothing I can do.”
“Are you really going to erase me?”
I quietly held Karl as he burst into tears.
Lhasa's words came to mind.
"Don't keep relying on empty promises. They may be sweet in the moment, but they're not beneficial. They'll only weaken you. You need to cut them off from the things that keep lingering around you."
What Lhasa was worried about became clear when I looked back on my recent fight with Karl.
Karl, that gives me strength, but at the same time weakens me.
Karl always told me to doubt my choices, not trust others, and to run away from difficult things.
Depending on the situation, this may not be entirely wrong.
But if I always live like that, I will never grow.
I realized that when I came to Ronheim.
Only when I believe in my choices and am determined to take full responsibility for the consequences of those choices will others follow my choices.
And trusting others takes a lot of courage, but when I finally muster up the courage and face it, I become a part of society.
Also, running away isn't always the solution.
Life is about everyone having courage, facing challenges, taking responsibility, and enduring.
With Karl, I would never be able to break the egg and would just sleep comfortably inside and die.
I chose life, that is, suffering.
"Erasing you will be painful, but it's something I have to endure. I have to become stronger."
I had things to do.
I must avenge myself, govern the people of Ronheim, and protect my home.
To others, Karl may be useless, but to me, he has been a friend and family member for decades.
Even now, I couldn't quite believe that Karl, who was so vividly before my eyes and that I could touch him, wasn't real.
Aside from the death of ny mother when I was young and ignorant, this was the first time I had said goodbye to someone I loved.
I shuddered at the pain of my heart being ripped out, but I gritted my teeth.
"Thank you, Karl. Thanks to you, I was able to endure. Don't worry about me. I'm not the weak me I used to be."
I said goodbye to Karl.
“Please don’t show up anymore.”
Then I turned away from Karl.
Callius comforted me like that.
From Callius's perspective, it must have seemed like I was talking to the air, embracing the air.
I thought to myself how strange it would look.
But he waited silently until I finished saying goodbye to Karl.
There was something I really wanted to say to Callius.
"Thank you for appearing before me again. The memories you left me with have been a great source of strength. For a very, very long time."
I was surprised as I was expressing my gratitude.
It was because tears fell from Callius' eyes.
“Why are you crying?”
By confirming for yourself that I am crazy?
Because of your disappointment in me, whom you trusted?
Is this the kind of person that Ronheim's new Saintess is?
Because I ruined our marriage?
I closed my eyes tightly, trying to guess the meaning of his tears.
I promised myself not to get hurt, no matter what Callius thought.
I decided to endure whatever change in his attitude might make.
But the words that came out of his mouth were not resentment.
“I’m sorry, Chloe.”
"Yes...?"
“Thank you.”
"Yes...?"
Callius hugged me as I was flustered.
I was lying in his arms, holding my breath.
His tears soaked my shoulder.
How could such a big, strong man burst into tears?
After being held in his arms for a while, my body, which had been stiff with tension, began to relax little by little.
I lifted my arm and carefully placed it around his waist.
Then, I buried my face in his chest and hugged him with all my might.
Then Callius also tightened his grip on the arm that was holding me.
Our hearts touched.
This person won't turn his back on me.
He won't leave me lonely.
Although we never said a word to each other, that trust grew in our embrace.
“Callius.”
I whispered quietly to him.
"Will you be my Karl again? Now I don't have to hide, and we can grow old together as real friends."
“As much as you want.”
At that moment, I thought I heard Karl's playful laughter in my ears.
The voice of Karl, mixed with laughter, brushed past my ears.
I hope you're happy. Bye, Chloe.
'Goodbye, Karl.'
***
A party was in full swing in the palace's Grace Hall.
It was a party to celebrate Andrea's birthday.
Even though it was winter, all kinds of flowers blooming in the magic greenhouse were splendidly decorating the spacious hall.
Amidst the pleasant melody flowing, beautifully dressed people gathered in groups of three or five, laughing.
“Prince Andrea asks Princess Lien to dance.”
“Wow. They are a perfect match.”
“Didn’t His Highness dance with Young Lady Brian earlier?”
The nobles chattered among themselves as they watched Andrea ask the daughters of the most prestigious families in the empire to dance one after another.
Some people praised it, saying it looked good, but others shook their heads.
Most of those shaking their heads were the parents of the women Andrea had asked to dance.
They whispered to each other so that no one could hear.
“The Prince again...”
“I told the child to avoid it, but he still does that.”
The Prince who will become the next Emperor.
For most people, it was the perfect marriage.
But that wasn't necessarily the case for the girls Andrea chose.
They were all children of great families and were coveted by foreign royalty.
Besides, the women Andrea asked to dance with weren't just from good families.
They were all women in their early twenties, the flower of their youth, and among the most beautiful women in society.
Although it might not seem like it to others, Andrea's thoughts were clear to the parents of marriageable daughters.
“Still, the age difference of 12 years or more is a bit much.”
“All the young ladies who had romantic relationships with Princes start looking for other spouses once they turn 25.”
“Yeah, that’s true. What does that mean?”
There was a rumor going around among parents who had daughters that Andrea was too much of a nerd.
Even if that wasn't the case, there were other troubling issues.
“Besides, he is of the Empress’s bloodline.”
“Seeing as she hasn’t become Empress yet...”
“Why has Your Majesty the Emperor left the position of Empress vacant until now?”
Although the Empress was the Emperor's legal wife, she was still his second wife.
Some people felt a little uneasy about the possibility that something new would come along.
“I wonder if His Majesty still has Princess Chloe in mind as his successor... Unless Empress Kavala becomes Empress, Prince Andrea will forever remain second in line to the throne.”
“Hey, that can’t be right. But he has some issues.”
“Just in case. Just in case, you never know.”
“Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor has another woman in mind?”
There have always been all kinds of rumors about him.
The topic of conversation quickly drifted into another direction.
“There are rumors that the Empress is still obsessed with all kinds of magic these days.”
"The Empress has everything, so why can't she let it go? I really can't understand."
Since ancient times, sorcerers have not been treated with much respect.
People would bow down to sorcerers and pay large sums of money when necessary, asking them to place various curses on them or lift them, but it was only when they felt sorry.
It was natural for people to feel uncomfortable with beings that had the power to harm others.
So, isn't it true that Kavala is maintaining a connection with the Magic Tower by calling herself a black magician to change his image?
Thanks to this, the image of Kavala has been heavily packaged.
But even so, parents facing the issue of their daughter's marriage had no choice but to be conservative.
People did not understand why Kavala held on to its power, which seemed to be eating away at its own flesh, and why it was being talked about so negatively.
On the other side, another story was in full swing.
“Many people seem to have forgotten, but Empress Kavala was actually an illegitimate daughter of the Blanco family.”
"That's right. Because the Blanco family's heirs died young one after another, the Marquis Blanco considered her special, as his only blood relative..."
"Duke Lien, even when his first daughter was getting married, was meticulous about her origins. Look at her expression now."
Duke Lien frowned as he watched his daughter dance with Andrea.
In fact, all of these things might not have been a problem if Andrea had just lowered his gaze a little.
Anyway, Andrea will become the Emperor, and Kavala will be the highest-ranking woman in the empire.
But Andrea's standards were too high, and the problem was that the opponents he wanted to reach were just as high.
Andrea, who was dancing happily with Princess Lien, saw people whispering and got a rough idea of the situation.
"You damn nobles. You're just so arrogant. I'm destined to be Emperor! Just wait and see once I've taken the throne."
Andrea, feeling offended, went out onto the terrace in a huff as soon as the piece ended.
He was thinking of cooling off a bit.
But on the terrace, a completely unexpected person was waiting for him.
“Long time no see, brother.”
“...Chloe?”
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