“Isn’t she that Princess? The child you said was on your mind.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“I was wondering why you were so bothered, honestly.”

“She’s a very bright and kind-hearted kid.”

“You’re not really talking about that, are you? ” Belkiel asked with a cold face. “Her soul is broken. No matter how much power you’ve lost, you should know this.”

Instead of giving a reply, Eton just shrugged.

Belkiel was right. Eton had recognized at his first sight of her that Sezh’s soul was distorted.

“So what’s happening with her? I can’t see anything,” Belkiel said.

At his words, Eton’s eyes narrowed.

Before losing his power, when everything was perfect, Eton could recognize humans at a glance— their past, ancestors, and even distant past events they could not recall. Thus, he thought Belkiel would be able to do that since he’s still a complete god.

“I don’t see anything… It’s like being surrounded by a veil. I’m sure her soul is distorted, but… ” Belkiel continued.

“…”

“No, how could that kid be able to go back in time in the first place?”

“I don’t know about that either.”

“Of course, you don’t know. You lost your power, but I haven’t.”

Belkiel looked annoyed as he had never seen such a case like this before.

“Well, maybe someday we will find out about it when the time comes…”

“And that’s funny too— that kid.”

Belkiel pointed to Mathias, who had become a small dot.

“He’s a descendant of ‘him.’ He was loyal to you until the end and the only one who died.”

Eton’s gaze, of course, also swiveled over to Mathias now.

“Since then, they have never been involved in the affairs of the Imperial family. ‘He’ must have felt disillusioned. The same goes for the child’s father, grandparents, and distant ancestors; however, will he come and do Imperial work now?”

“…”

“It’s all lies, you know that much, right? The Princess is the reason that child is going against his parents and has decided to take a post in the Imperial family. Do you think that Princess is worth it?”

“At least in my eyes,” Eton said with a fleeting laugh. “I don’t know if it will look the same to a human eye, but it was also like that a long time ago, right? ‘Him’ too.”

“…”

“He was always warm and kind to the point he could understand even God’s feelings.”

“That’s why he died,” Belkiel bluntly stated before he glanced at Eton. “It’s frustrating, Eton.”

“Is it?”

“Are you feeling a little better now? Your descendant has fulfilled what you wanted.”

Eton was silent for a moment. He looked down with a face full of remorse.

“No.”

After answering with a low voice, Eton chewed his bottom lip.

“This is not what I wanted, but…”

“…What?”

“The thought of watching until the end remains the same, Belkiel.”

“This is not what you wanted? What do you me— Eton!”

Belkiel didn’t continue to speak but instead called Eton’s name as the man suddenly jumped off the roof. Landing with his feet on the ground, Eton looked up at Belkiel, smiled again, then walked away alone.

Belkiel harshly bit down on his lip.

‘To see things that you didn’t even want, just for such things… If you stay here, you know what will happen.’

“You idiot.”

Belkiel let out a deep sigh then looked down at the main hall with a stoic face.

‘I’m sorry, but I don’t intend to leave everything like this.’

The silver-blue eyes under the light shone sharply. Belkiel then jumped off the roof, just like Eton did.

***

The wind blew: a gentle spring breeze with flowers and a strong, grassy scent.

Even though his eyes were closed, Raytan could still feel the warm sun shining on his face.

A gentle hand was stroking his hair.

“Are you still sleeping?”

At the delicate voice, he slowly opened his eyes.

“Wake up. You took quite a long nap.”

When their eyes met, the woman smiled faintly.

She was a charming woman. Her skin was as fair as snow, creating a figure that looked like a statue made of marble. Her silver hair that hung down to her waist shone like jewels, and even the mysterious gaze of her pale purple eyes was all beautiful.

She was a strange woman but not unfamiliar— she resembled Lize.

Raytan lifted himself up and sat down. He stared at the smiling woman.

“Look at this. Isn’t it beautiful?”

The woman waved a purple flower she was holding in her hand.

“It’s the same color as my eyes, isn’t it?”

Strangely, it was a familiar flower. It looked similar to one Raytan had slipped behind Sezh’s ear on their way back from her debut.

“It’s Laurinacious: my favorite flower.”

Smelling the flower, she looked noticeably delighted. Raytan was still looking at her then parted his lips.

“Who are you?”

Regardless, the woman came up with words that had nothing to do with the question.

“You know what? The meaning of Laurinacious flower is so cool.”

“Answer my question.”

“Love that does not change even after death,” the woman explained, making a curve with her lips. “A flower as beautiful as its appearance, isn’t it?”

It seemed like she couldn’t hear his voice. Raytan couldn’t understand anything from his current circumstances. He then turned his head and looked around. He and the woman were currently settled under a tree on the hill he always visits with Sezh.

Different from usual, dew-soaked grass replaced the dry sandy ground. Also, the tree… the tree that had withered and died was vividly alive as if boasting its deep, prosperous, and healthy roots.

“I want to give you this Laurinacious.”

Raytan turned his sight to the woman again.

“Other flowers are exquisite, but I think the only thing that can express my feelings is the Laurinacious. You know how I feel too, right?”

Raytan couldn’t understand what she was saying, and his eyes were drenched with confusion.

“I will always be with you. As long as I live, and even after my life is over, forever and ever. Just like the meaning of this flower…”

“You must have me confused with someone else. I don’t know a woman like you,” Raytan firmly exclaimed.

However, instead of answering, the woman stretched out her hand. Soon after, a small, white hand wrapped around his cheek.

“Allow me to stay by your side. We feel the same things.”

“I said I don’t know y-”

“I love you, Raytan.”

Raytan’s expression hardened in an instant.

“…What?”

“I won’t change.”

“Who are you?”

“If you let me, I’ll always be with you forever…”

“Who are you talking to?!”

His infuriated face reflected in those mysterious pale purple eyes. Raytan looked at her face with an absurd look.

I love you, Raytan.

The woman’s voice once again hovered around his ears like a dream.