Ser had always been as innocent as a child. As everyone around her grew and changed, she remained the same, Just talking to her made me feel like I had returned to our childhood days.

But the Ser in front of me now was different. She looked like a woman in love.

She had made her decision after much consideration.

Even though I was her friend, I couldn't meddle in her affairs, so I only congratulated her.

"That's great, Ser. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Laon."

She smiled again, calling me by my nickname.

"I've decided to give Phillip my powers before I become a human being."

"...did Phillip ask you to do that?"

"No. I wanted to do it myself."

"But if you give him all of your powers, you won't be able to go back to your original form."

Even if Ser took on a human form and stayed on earth, as long as she still had her power, she could always abandon her human body and go back to her original form.

Thinking of that, I felt uneasy and couldn't fully support Serphania's decision.

"Phillip was worried too, but I only want to be beside Phillip! Besides, he told me he'll give it back if I ask. I just wanted to give him something."

Ser explained desperately.

But somehow, her expression seemed to be rather uneasy.

"Ser, don't make rash decisions..."

"Laontel, I'm sorry!"

"You are my only friend. I was supposed to give you the power."

"No, you've already blessed me. I'm very grateful for that."

"I'm so sorry. I'll give you the second blessing."

Ser took my hand and a mysterious song came out of her mouth. A strong light enveloped her whole body.

"You love books, so I'll give you the ability to read and speak any language."

After the light disappeared, I blinked.

Perhaps it was because of the intense light, but I couldn't see very well.

"My eyes are weird."

"You'll be alright in a second, and from now on, you will be able to read any book in the world and talk to people from various countries without any language barrier."

I slowly closed my eyes again. Then, my eyes returned back to normal.

"It's alright."

"Isn't it?"

"Did you really give me that?"

"I wouldn't lie to you."

"Wow, thank you. Thank you very much! You didn't have to give me any power."

"What are you talking about? You're my one and only precious friend. Now take this."

Ser handed me a necklace with a jewel in it.

"What is it?"

"I will give all of my powers to Phillip but I only gave you a tiny blessing, so this is a gift from me."

"I'm sorry, it's too much for me..."

I tried to give the necklace back to her.

"Don't feel pressured. It's a gift to symbolize our friendship."

"Even if you get married, don't forget me. It doesn't matter where I am or how far away we are. There's magic in the necklace, and using that, you can come see me whenever you want."

Ser smiled and hung the necklace on my neck.

***

The necklace was called the 'Tears of Light'.

The Tears of Light was the token of friendship that Serphania gave me.

After years passed, people started using it as a tool to determine the Heir of Light and called it the Tears of Light, but in fact, it was originally a gift of friendship.

I grasped the necklace in my hand.

"Tell me where Ser is. I want to meet her."

Light spread out from the necklace.

I quickly let go of it and it flew into the air.

The necklace began to move slowly in a certain direction while emitting light. I quickly followed after it.

I found the way to find Ser. I just needed to use this necklace.

It was getting hotter and there was a sandstorm so it was hard to open my eyes. Moreover, the rotten stench from the mud made it hard to breath.

As I began to walk, it became harder to keep going, but there was still a faint light that guided me.

Soon, another piece of memory appeared in my mind.

***

"Phillip, congratulations on your wedding."

After I returned, I visited Phillip to congratulate him.

"Hmm."

But he was expressionless as usual.

Although he was usually very blunt and cold, his attitude became even colder ever since I came back from the north.

"What's wrong with you?"

"What?"

"You're getting married soon! You should smile more!"

"You want me to act stupid like you?"

"Me? When did I act stupid?"

"I hear your engagement is confirmed."

"That's true."

"Finally, you will be the Crown Princess."

He said sarcastically.

I wanted to argue, but I knew that Phillip hated the Imperial family.

If I was him, I would hate them too. Afterall, the Emperor abandoned him and killed his mother.

"You know, I've liked him for a long time. He's a really good man."

"...."

"You'll come to my wedding right?"

"...."

Phillip remained silent. It wasn't like I could force him to say yes.

"When are you getting married?"

"It's none of your business."

No matter how angry he was, this was just too much.

I held my anger in because I knew he was precious to Ser.

"Hey, I heard Ser's going to give you all of her power before becoming human."

"Yes."

"Well, can you stop her?"

"Why?"

"Ser believes she can only be with you if she becomes human. But if she gives all of her strength to you, it will hurt Ser's body. So can you give a little bit of the strength to her..."

"What? Why? Are you afraid I'll become stronger than Rakshul?"

Phillip replied to me coldly.

"What does that mean?"

He suddenly mentioned Rakshul.

"I'll attend if you have a wedding."

Phillip left coldly without replying.

***

That night, Ser came to see me.

"What did you say to Phillip?!"

She shouted to me suddenly.

"Ser, what's wrong?"

"It was what I wanted! I chose to do it because I wanted to give Phillip my strength!"

"Ser, calm down a little."

"Don't you want me to become happy?"

"What?!"

"Laontel, I won't be your friend anymore."

Ser glared at me with eyes full of tears and disappeared. She hasn't visited me even once since that day.

I kept saying I wanted to see her in the necklace Ser gave me, but there was no response.

Along with her, Phillip also disappeared.

Were they preparing for their marriage?

Is that why they disappeared?

I hoped they'd come to my wedding.

They probably would, afterall, they promised me.

I looked forward to meeting them again.

***

But we didn't get married.

There was a terrible plague in the Imperial family, starting with the 8th Empress' death.

It was a skin disease that caused her skin to become black. She vomited blood and suffered from a high fever, eventually leading to death.

Moreover it was highly contagious.

The disease spread rapidly among the Imperial family and their servants, and even to some nobles.

I had never seen this kind of disease before.

Our wedding, originally scheduled in October, was postponed.

Rakshul and I searched for the cure instead.

But nothing could be done.

The herbs didn't work at all and the Power of Light worsened the symptoms.

I look for Serphania and Phillip, hoping that the two could help us find the cure, but there was no news about them.

"Laontel, get some rest."

"I'm fine. I'm the mage of light that has been blessed by the Goddess, I won't get sick. Rakshul, you're the one who needs sleep. You haven't slept a wink."

"No, I slept a lot."

Rakshul obviously lied.

As the disease spread, the Emperor fled from the palace.

So Rakshul, the Crown Prince was in charge of all affairs on behalf of the Emperor.

Political affairs were already so difficult, and he had to search for the curse and prevent the disease from spreading on top of that.

Rakshul hardly slept.

"Can't you sleep for a while?"

"I'm the Crown Prince. I have my own responsibility."

"The Emperor left and everyone is panicking. Don't do all of this by yourself."

He had to go to the place where the plague was at its worst, meet the sick people in person, and figure out a solution.

I was very afraid. What if Rakshul got sick too?

But I was even more afraid that if I said the words out loud, it would become a reality. So I shut my mouth.

"Don't worry Laontel, I'm fine."

Rakshul saw that I was anxious and hugged me tightly to comfort me.

The next day, a black spot appeared on Rakshul's body.