Episode 68
Once I thought that far, I also remembered what Phoebe had once said about Moghold.
“Does he still wander around practicing astrology these days?”
If he could read the future through astrology, wouldn’t Louise or Ren have sought Moghold’s help?
Yet, seeing how things had progressed to this state, it seemed even Moghold had not denied the dream, declaring it false.
‘Then, does it also relate to that complicated diary magic?’
But with the information I had, I couldn’t definitively connect Louise’s preparations for death with the magic placed on the diary.
If she hid the diary believing she would die and disappear, that would be understandable…
‘But if that were the case, she could have just burned the diary.’
Why make the diary reveal itself later?
Did she want to show it to someone?
Just then, a large hand pressed against my forehead.
“Is it not your body, but your mood that’s unwell? Do you want to be alone?”
I must have been lost in thought and hadn’t answered him for too long.
I could read a deep sadness in Callisteon’s icy blue eyes. The old wounds from the countless times he had to force himself to give space to a despairing Louise.
“No.”
So I gently caught the wrist of the hand on my forehead.
“Stay with me.”
Although part of Louise’s emotions had become mine through the unfortunate and fearful dreams, in some ways, it was even more confusing.
‘I no longer know if this desire to hold onto Callisteon is mine or the novel’s Louise’s.’
But seeing the relief in the curve of his lips, I didn’t regret holding onto him.
Callisteon must have seen the traces of tears by my eyes, but he pretended not to notice and joked.
“Sleeping this long during the day. It seems you’ve become the baby, not just had one, Lu.”
I stretched my lips into a smile to ensure his pitiful attempt didn’t end in failure.
Callisteon turned over the palm that had been on my forehead and firmly grasped my hand.
I could finally recognize the man who must have comforted me like this so many times.
‘Thank you, Carl.’
I wanted to say that, but…
“Thank you, Lu.”
I couldn’t possibly not know what that gratitude meant, and my heart broke in a different way.
He was grateful for the very fact that Louise was alive.
The next day
Ernst came to Edessa.
I finished my now-routine lakeside walk with Phoebe and went to find Ernst.
“Erni.”
After Callisteon left last night, I had sketched out a timeline on a blank notebook, trying to piece together past events. I tried my best to understand the situation based on my recalled knowledge of the novel, the diary, and my experiences over the past three months, but it wasn’t perfect, leaving gaps here and there.
‘Now I need to fill those gaps by talking to the people around me.’
Since I was going to live as Louise anyway, I wanted to become a perfect Louise, and if I fully understood the past, I would naturally find the baby’s father.
“Lu.”
Ernst’s eyes lit up like stars when he saw me, but upon seeing my expression, he hesitated and let the corners of his mouth droop slightly.
“Is something wrong?”
He asked, but even averted his gaze slightly.
Thinking about it, he must have experienced Louise coming to him with a depressed face countless times.
‘Because Ernst was the closest to Louise.’
Perhaps he was the first person Louise confided in about the dreams.
“Well…”
I am Louise. I am Louise Amelie Kaya Brentania. Giving myself this renewed self-suggestion, I spoke.
“I had that dream again after a long time.”
Sure enough, Ernst’s pretty face instantly turned pale, and he hurriedly grabbed my wrist.
“That’s all in the past. It’s all in the past, isn’t it? You’re not going to say the dream has changed, are you?”
His voice was low, but it was the first time I’d seen him speak so rapidly. He gripped my wrist so tightly it hurt.
I was quite surprised, but I shrugged as nonchalantly as possible.
“I know. It was just the same dream, that’s all.”
Ernst let out a shallow sigh. Then he spoke with difficulty.
“Actually, I… I’ve been worried these past few days because you seemed a bit different.”
“…Is that so?”
I flinched and asked in return.
When he shook his head, his golden hair cascaded smoothly over his neat forehead.
“It means you’re doing that well. I even heard you secured a profit share from the furniture craftsmen for your designs? How did you think of all that?”
Looking up at those proud golden eyes, I couldn’t very well tell him I’m a specter from a capitalist world.
I averted my gaze, pretending to be embarrassed, slightly avoiding the dazzling golden eyes.
“I learned it all from you.”
Having visited the auction house, I had somewhat figured out the nature of his art investments, so I used that as an excuse.
Ernst laughed out loud as if my words were very amusing.
“Cal will get angry at me, saying something about noble authority and whatnot.”
“It doesn’t matter what Cal says.”
I answered with a grin, and Ernst nodded in agreement.
Then he said something I hadn’t even dared to hope for.
“It’s okay to change. You need to grow by leaps and bounds, making up for all the growth you missed while trapped in that stifling imperial star palace, Lu.”
It sounded less like something the baby’s father would say, and more like something my own father would say.
“What?”
I burst out laughing in disbelief, but his face remained utterly serious.
“It’s okay if you’ve changed after crossing that death.”
I was startled by the directness of the word ‘death’ and swallowed hard inwardly.
“It’s okay if the changed you is different from my expectations. The things you’ve accomplished won’t change because of it.”
To be loved like this…
“Because you’re by my side now.”
How much must it have hurt Louise when she accepted her fate without being able to choose anyone?
I finally felt her heart, which I hadn’t truly grasped until now, as if it were my own, and suffered.
Ernst tightly held my hand as if he could see my heart.
The warmth between our palms was so affectionate.
Then, he finally said words that seemed long-prepared.
“So even if you’ve finally found the courage to choose someone… I’m okay with it. I’ll stay by your side forever.”
Eyes of gold, as brilliant as the sun yet simultaneously gentle, looked at me wavering.
Lips as gorgeous as flower petals made a firm promise to me.
“Because I am your kumquat. Your only friend.”
Among men who say it’s fine to remain in friendship if not love, there could be no other man as dignified and wonderful as this.
“Even your choice is precious.”
Ernst knelt on one knee before me like an obedient subject.
The midday sun streaming through the window cast ripples over his beautiful golden hair.
As he quietly kissed the back of my hand, moisture glistened beneath his lovely golden eyelashes.
One Week Later, The Imperial Capital
Moghold, who had gone to the Magic Tower, returned.
He formally entered the palace using the main gate and headed straight for the audience chamber.
“I have come to report on the restoration of the demon sword ‘Velih’.”
The former Tower Master offered up the sword with a calm face, but neither the Emperor nor the Empress seemed inclined to take it. Eventually, he neatly placed the sword on a large cushion brought by a chamberlain.
The Emperor, looking uncomfortable, dismissed everyone except the Empress and spoke.
“…The current Magic Tower Master, Len Daphte, predicted that restoring the demon sword would be extremely difficult.”
Moghold answered unwaveringly.
“Difficulty does not equate to impossibility. Furthermore, mages each have their specialties, and crafting, as you know, is one of this one’s humble skills.”
The Emperor gritted his teeth imperceptibly.
‘”Restoring the demon sword will be very difficult. And if you, Master, were truly restoring it, you would have no reason to hide it from me.”‘
Len Daphte had clearly said that.
Thus, the Emperor had expected Moghold to pretend to obey the Empress’s command, attempt to restore the sword, and then report failure.
‘But to show up so suddenly like this, without any warning?’
At this point, he was beginning to doubt the loyalty oaths of the Tower Masters entirely.
Just then, the Empress interjected.
“No need to delay. We shall summon the Second Prince.”
As the Emperor frowned, Moghold spoke with his head still bowed.
“Your Majesty, the Empress. If you wish the demon sword to reclaim its host as planned, both His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Second Prince are required.”
