Side Story 3
<Niyan Epilogue>
Falling in love with her was inevitable. The one and only love Niyan had ever known in his life, from the moment he was born until now, resembled her so closely—her and Eileen. The cotton-candy pink hair and the bright, innocent smile naturally reminded him of her. Viola. Now gone to the heavens.
The story of losing Viola was nothing unusual in the Prlares Empire. A single mistake by one person had led the tyrant emperor to wipe out an entire village, and she had lived there. That was all. Yet in this empire, many met death without cause. Losing Viola meant Niyan had lost everything. For a hundred days, he refused food, refusing drink, crying and crying until he naturally found his way to Neverrest—the gathering place of those who bore hatred toward the emperor. There, he joined and waited, growing stronger as he bided his time.
The desire for revenge gave him a surprisingly great sense of purpose. Having a clear goal allowed him at least to avoid ruining his entire life. It became the anchor that brought him back each time his mind began to fray.
He threw himself into research with a single-minded intensity. If he could turn back time, perhaps he could save her. Holding on to the faint hope that as a genius mage, he might succeed, he tried. But time was a realm reserved entirely for the gods. There was nothing he could do. He despaired—but he continued to try, again and again.
It wasn’t that his efforts bore no results. While observing the flow of time, he discovered a strange phenomenon: a distortion in space allowed a soul from another world to pass into this one. That soul entered Eileen Cowett.
“Time may be impossible, but perhaps space is feasible?”
Curiosity gripped Niyan, and he began to investigate every aspect of that soul. At first, he was startled by her appearance. For a moment, he wondered if she was Viola, but it was clear she was another person, though remarkably similar.
Still, the resemblance brought Niyan great comfort. The more he learned about Eileen, the more he was drawn to her.
“She loves Grand Duke Raymond Luslo. Her love caused her soul to move.”
Though time and space were entirely different realms, Niyan was deeply moved by Eileen’s strong desire, which could transcend even space itself. She had accomplished what he could not. Perhaps his feelings weren’t only about her appearance. As he observed her over time, he even found himself wanting to help her. And since they shared the same goal… Niyan set aside his hesitation and began preparations.
“Welcome. I’ve been waiting.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Of course.”
Up close, Eileen was even more endearing. When her clear eyes reflected him, his heart felt like it might burst. He knew she wasn’t Viola, yet it still pleased him. Had he fallen in love after watching her all this time?
The lips that called him ‘Niyan’ were beautiful.
He deliberately acted mischievous to avoid falling too deeply. To suddenly declare, I’ll serve you entirely! would have been hard to trust. Niyan knew from his master, the Tower Lord Shandalf, that a competent person whose mind you couldn’t read could be troublesome. So he tried to seem lighthearted.
Yet in his heart, he wished to do well for her. He showed her the night sky and even fireworks.
“I’ll show you the night sky.”
“Tonight there’s a fireworks show.”
Even knowing that Eileen’s feelings for Raymond could transcend space, Niyan acted with the hope—just maybe—she might notice him.
And then something earth-shattering happened.
By chance, he saw Eileen healing Kwangho.
“My goodness. Do you know what Lady Gongnyeo just did?”
“She saved and healed Kwangho.”
From afar, he hadn’t realized, or had dismissed it as nothing. But seeing her dispel all the curses laid in the Tower with a single touch, Niyan understood: her body had been destined for this role from the start, and meeting her had been as inevitable as fate itself.
Niyan pledged loyalty to Eileen.
He decided to let go of his romantic feelings and focus solely on serving his master. Of course, love isn’t something that disappears on command, but at least he resolved to console himself in that way.
Even Nyan’s seemingly frozen heart began to change.
Just as it had moved from Viola to Eileen, he could now love someone else.
When he saw Koa, her red hair tied high and sword in hand, he thought, She’s amazing. Her style of swordsmanship was entirely different from black magic. Especially when she defended Eileen atop the castle walls, her movements were graceful, almost like dancing, her silhouette sparkling as if sprinkled with starlight.
How can another woman catch my eye?
This was all thanks to the foundation Eileen had laid in his heart. By letting go of her as a lover and accepting her as his master, he had gained a new bond in its place. Everything felt destined.
Afterward, he spent a period busy with wars for imperial succession and summoning the Tower Lord. Time passed with just feelings of fondness. Even after peace returned to the Prlares Empire, he remained busy as he immediately assumed the role of Tower Lord.
One day, he had reason to visit the imperial palace.
On his way back, he happened to hear news of Koa—and met her.
He was glad she was still alone. Though it was unlikely, it felt as if she had been waiting for him, and his heart fluttered. He shyly greeted her.
“Hello. It’s been a while, Koa.”
“Hello, Tower Lord.”
Koa bowed respectfully, as her character demanded, valuing hierarchy.
“Such a formal greeting. You’re trying to make me feel slighted, aren’t you?”
“Is that so?”
He saw an opening when she sheepishly touched the back of her head.
“Would you like some tea together?”
“I’d like that.”
Niyan and Koa wandered the palace gardens, eventually sitting on a bench. A formal table felt awkward for just the two of them, but sitting side by side created a subtle atmosphere of its own.
“Are you having tea just the two of you?”
Suddenly, Eileen appeared, casting a suspicious glance at the pair, sweat dripping down her back.
“The mood here seems strange.”
Ahem. If you understand, step away.
“Oh, I was too oblivious. Very well, enjoy your time.”
Niyan let the words slip intentionally, knowing Koa could hear. It allowed him to express his feelings without burden. Eileen, who had been the object of Niyan’s long-standing unrequited love, quietly left. Fortunately, Koa didn’t leave either. That meant something, and a smile crept onto Niyan’s face—perhaps her feelings weren’t so different from his.
A few days after spending time with Koa, Niyan visited Eileen.
It was finally time to fulfill the task set for him when he began serving her as master.
“Lady Eileen, you haven’t forgotten the wish you promised, have you?”
“Oh, right. It’s the price for creating Nina!”
“That’s correct.”
“What is your wish, Niyan?”
Eileen blinked her large eyes, welcoming him. Niyan hesitated before speaking.
“Please lift the curse upon me.”
“A curse on you, Niyan?”
Eileen was shocked. A curse that even the Tower Lord couldn’t lift? Was this something difficult for her to heal? While she thought this, Niyan spoke again.
“It’s a forced oath.”
“What kind of oath?”
“It… prevents having children.”
“Children?”
Hearing the explanation, Eileen asked in surprise.
“It was placed by an ancient Dragon Lord on all future Tower Lords. It activates when one becomes a Tower Lord, preventing talents from passing through bloodlines.”
“That’s cruel. To place such an oath…”
“I had intended to leave it as is…”
“But your heart changed?”
“Y-Yes…”
Niyan, blushing, shook his head, eventually admitting it. Eileen smiled, silently nodding in understanding. If she hadn’t discovered it recently, it would have taken her a long time—but now it made perfect sense.
“Of course, I’ll do it. How should I proceed?”
“Just pour the Healing Water over my head, like a baptism.”
“Understood. Let’s do it now!”
Eileen wasted no time, bringing Niyan to the bath. As they filled the tub and prepared, a cold, sharp voice cut through the heated bathroom.
“What are you two doing?”
Raymond had misunderstood, seeing Niyan and Eileen together.
“Raymond, oh, no, Your Majesty. Please don’t misunderstand.”
“Misunderstand?”
“Niyan is ill, so I’m bathing him in Healing Water. I’ll make the solution and leave. Now that it’s ready, we can step out together. Niyan, enjoy your bath.”
Eileen gently pushed Raymond out of the bathroom, winking over her shoulder.
“Thank you, Lady Eileen.”
Niyan submerged himself in the water fully clothed. Black smoke-like mist rose from him, dissolving into the Healing Water. The curse was evaporating.
This is incredible.
Experiencing the effect firsthand, he was amazed again.
The curse is completely gone.
Thus, the insidious oath linking the Tower Lords was forever erased. Niyan leaned back in the bath, smiling brightly.
At last, he felt ready to begin a new love.
