“Tell me. I’ll listen to anything you say…”

“I’m not from this place.”

“Are you… joking?”

Although he said that, Edric’s eyes scrutinized me, serious and intent.

“It might be hard to believe, but it’s true. I came from a different world. And now, I have to go back, so I came to say goodbye.”

Edric’s usually sincere eyes flickered like a candle in the wind.

“Cecilia, such jokes are not amusing.”

I didn’t respond. The air around us weighed heavily on us. I called it a joke, but in reality, Edric must be feeling it too.

That my words are true. I forced a smile.

“I’ll tell you the story. What happened until now.”

I sealed my lips with my tongue.

Then, slowly, I recounted everything that had happened so far.

From the day I first arrived in this world after closing the previous chapter of my life, the days I lived as a hedgehog, and the reasons for going to the White Tiger’s mansion.

Thankfully, the noise didn’t burst out of my mouth as it did before. Perhaps, the novel has indeed come to an end?

I also spoke about the death of Roderio and how I knew about the poison well in advance. I laid bare Edric’s fate, which would have been exploited by Percop if things had gone as originally planned.

Throughout the long and winding story, Edric didn’t deny my words, interrupt me, or interfere with my speech. He just stared at me with wide eyes, as if trying to fathom my inner thoughts.

“It seemed suspicious all along, right? I acted like someone who received a divine trust. Everything was because of this. It’s true. There’s not a single lie.”

While wondering if he might not believe my words, I added, and Edric lowered his head.

“Believe me. The stories from another world, the fact that you entered the body of the real Cecilia.”

He believed my absurd story without a hint of doubt. I wanted to pat Edric’s slightly longer hair, grateful for that.

But I couldn’t.

I have to go because I have to lift Edric’s curse.

As Cecilia advised, I kept thinking. I thought once, thought twice, thought three times. Unfortunately, the conclusion was the same every time.

I have to go. It’s the right choice for Edric.

The simple and clear answer turned into a long and sharp thorn that kept pricking me.

I tightly clasped my hands and continued my speech.

When a long story I didn’t want to end finally came to a close, the logs inside the fireplace in one corner had turned into ashes.

“So, I came to this world to fulfill the curse on Percop. That’s why Percop was suppressed in my thorny room.”

I chuckled, but Edric couldn’t. He sighed deeply, wiping his face with his hand.

What is Edric thinking right now?
Wouldn’t I become unlikable or feel distant by saying I came from a different world? It might be funny that I, who will leave soon, have such thoughts, but still, I hoped that his feelings towards me wouldn’t change.

Edric placed his hand on top of mine. I clenched my fist to suppress the desire to hold onto it.

“So, you really have to go back?”

Due to the fire being completely extinguished, the inside of the tent was darker and colder than a moment ago. Even in the shadowy face of Edric, a strong scent of sadness lingered.

Edric is also sad because I’m leaving.

Edric also feels the same emotions, and if I feel a bit relieved and happy about it, is that too bad? But that will be the only comfort I can have after parting with Edric. At least during the time we were together, we shared the same emotions.

Edric also liked me a lot.

“Yes, but there’s also good news. If I leave, Edric’s curse will be completely lifted. If I kiss Edric, the curse will disappear cleanly. Really, it’s not my personal desire.”

I deliberately clapped my hands. I smiled, raising the corners of my mouth. No, I tried to.

But my face stiffened like dried mud, and I wasn’t sure if I made the right expression.

“Why? Smile a bit. It might be the last face you see. I want to remember your smiling face.”

Edric’s eyebrows furrowed. Rather than looking angry, he seemed pained.

“Oh, Edric, are you in pain by any chance?”

Well, considering I fainted for a few days, it’s understandable.

Edric slowly nodded his head. But look at that. He looks extremely hurt.

I wanted to look at Edric’s face more and talk more before leaving. It can’t be helped; I have to free him completely from the curse.

And then I have to leave.

A bitter taste rose in my throat. The back of my eyes felt unbearably hot, but no tears came out. Instead, every time my heart beat rapidly, it hurt as if my whole body were being pierced by needles.

Can emotions make a person physically hurt like this? Even now, in this much pain, could I live forever without seeing Edric?

Still, it’s probably fortunate because I won’t live long there anyway.

“Do you… want to go?”

Edric’s voice choked and cracked.

“Edric… I…”

“No, Cecilia. Don’t answer.”

Edric interrupted my words. As if reading his emotions through his eyes, Edric must have understood what I was trying to say.