"Gasp!"

As soon as I came to my senses, I gasped for air. I wasn't in the lake. Was that a dream?

No, it must have been the original story.

This incident did happen in the original story, but it was not detailed like this.

Ancia was the original Heir of Light.

But the black light in the lake attacked Ancia and she died, while Diana inherited the power of light.

But things changed when I came to this world.

Ancia survived, and the stone plate didn't break.

Then, the power of light wouldn't be passed to Diana either. It would remain within me.

"Are you alright?"

I woke up to Baekhan's voice.

We were in the secret room in the Phillion Palace.

It seems like I lost consciousness for a while after being attacked by the black light as I was deciphering the writings on the stone plate.

"I'm sorry. You almost got hurt due to my mistake."

Like I saw in my dream, the stone plates were shattered.

"Did you break it?"

"There was an evil force in the stone plate, so I broke it. I'm sorry."

The stone plate tried to attack me. However, when Baekhan blocked it, the stone plate resisted and ended up being shattered due to Baekhan's power.

"No, it's okay. You saved me. You also helped me recover the writings."

Although the stone plates were now broken, I remembered what it said.

"I also found out an important fact."

"What is it?"

"I'm the Heir of Light."

Baekhan burst into laughter when he heard my answer.

"Did you only know that just now?"

"You knew it already?"

"I knew it the first time I saw you. How could I not when the lights shine so beautifully on you?"

It really was me. I was the heir of light in the Bellacian's household.

"The food you made had the power of light in it. We have different kinds of power, so I could not eat the food you made. I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay."

"Thank you for understanding."

"It's really amazing how the food I made had the power of light."

I really had the power of light. I never dreamed that it would turn out like this.

"Your power is strong. It's all thanks to you that the curse didn't spread. Your light is preventing the spread of the curse."

"I helped Blake."

"Various powers are fighting inside his body. The powers are all entangled in war. If you make up your mind, you'll be able to loosen the tangled thread and lift the curse."

I was the Heir of Light. I could lift Blake's curse and I didn't have to leave his side.

I was overwhelmed by the whole situation, so tears welled up in my eyes.

"Thank you, Baekhan!"

"There's nothing to be grateful for. I'm a bad person who hid it and only told you just now."

"No, you're a nice person. I couldn't do what you wanted, but you told me everything."

"Thank you for your kind words..."

Baekhan smiled gently.

At that moment, he suddenly staggered.

"Are you alright, Baekhan?"

"I'm okay. It's been a while since I've used my strength. Let's go back."

"Yes, let's go back."

***

After we went back to the Crown Prince's palace, Baekhan's condition got worse.

His skin turned even paler and his body temperature also dropped.

"I'll call the physician."

"No need, I'm just a little tired. I just need a nap and I'll be better soon."

"But..."

"I'm tired. Please go out."

I had no choice but to go out.

Baekhan still had three days left, so why was there a problem when he used his strength?

I needed to meet Eunhan because only Eunhan knew about his power.

Just as I was about to go to look for him, I saw Eunhan coming out of a room.

I hurried down to the first floor.

"Eunhan!"

"...Your Highness."

Eunhan would always greet me happily when he saw me, but today, he was reluctant to greet me. Maybe he was afraid I'd try to persuade him to go to Chang again.

"Eunhan, Baekhan is...!"

"I don't want to talk about him."

As soon as I said Baekhan's name, Eunhan coldly interrupted me and expressed his rejection. But I couldn't give up.

"Baekhan is very sick right now! His lips have turned pale and his body temperature has dropped."

"He used his strength?"

I urgently explained to Eunhan what happened before.

Then, Eunhan's eyes widened and he ran to Baekhan's room.

***

Baekhan was ready to accept his fate.

From the moment the chosen one leaves Chang, their strength would weaken.

In particular, vassals of the White Dragon would have the worst experience compared to the other Dragons.

Only the Heavenly Dragon and the Black Dragon were free of Chang's restraint.

Baekhan had used up a lot of his strength to destroy the magic on the stone plate. He wouldn't be able to do so tomorrow because he'd be too weak.

In a few days he'd collapse completely. He thought he'd beg on his knees and ask Eunhan to go back to Chang for the last time. Yet, Baekhan helped Blake and Ancia.

His body was too exhausted, but he was willing to accept death. He closed his eyes just as the door opened.

"Baekhan!"

"Brother..."

"Why would you do that?!"

Eunhan knew that Baekhan's body was about to reach its limit.

So he treated Baekhan harshly, in hopes that he'd go back to Chang.

Yet, Baekhan still used his power. If Baekhan used up all of his power, he'd lose his life.

He was giving up on his life.

Eunhan knew about this so he hugged his dying brother.

"I must've been blessed because of my good deeds. I can die in my brother's arms."

Baekhan laughed weakly.

"It's not too late now! Go back to Chang immediately!"

Eunhan said so but he knew that Baekhan didn't have the power to go back to Chang by himself.

"Why did you do that?"

"Isn't that what brother wanted?"

Baekhan had become attached to Ancia and Blake. He sympathized with Blake's situation and wanted to help. It was also what Eunhan wanted.

Baekhan helped them because it was his beloved brother's wish.

"Silly child, why would you do this for me?"

"You're all I have left."

Baekhan finally confessed his true feelings at his last moment.

"I wanted to see you. I missed you. I became the high priest and was surrounded by people, but you were still the only one who truly cared for me. Everything else was just an excuse. I came here to see you because I missed you."

"...."

"I don't want to go back to Chang without you. I hate that place. I'm scared. I don't want to go back...I don't want to stay all alone again in that hell. So I helped the Crown Princess."

Baekhan didn't have the will to live on anymore without his brother, so he offered Ancia a deal.

This wouldn't have happened if he didn't bring up the stone plate.

Baekhan's life would be at risk the moment he used the Dragon's power outside of Chang.

Baekhan had already made up his mind since he came here. He couldn't stand living anymore. Everyone in Chang only regarded him as a tool.

He was tired of being used and threatened.

If he couldn't go back to Chang with Eunhan, he was going to die here. So he used the Dragon's power.

"Why are you saying that just now?"

Eunhan was not pleased with Baekhan's answer.

Baekhan knew how Eunhan escaped from Chang and why his mother died. Yet, he still told him to return to Chang and think about the future of the Empire. It was an illogical answer.

Turns out, Eunhan was the reason why Baekhan came here. Baekhan who cared and loved him sincerely.

"I was afraid you'd think I sounded childish and hate me. I wanted to show you my mature side, so I acted like I came here out of responsibility. There are many good people here in Asteric. So please forget about Chang now and be happy."

Baekhan used the last of his strength to smile.

"No, Baekhan!"

Eunhan cried as he hugged him, feeling his body slowly turn cold.

Of all the half-brothers, Baekhan was the only one who he considered as his sibling.

Baekhan was Eunhan's family.

Even though Eunhan's mother had passed away, he still had Baekhan.

This child had always supported him by his side.

However, Eunhan had forgotten the fact and only realized it just now.