“What do you mean it’s become unclear?”

“I’m just telling you what I see. Before, the shape of the soul enveloping your body was a bit rough, but now, the color is fainter than before.”

“…”

The term ‘fainter’ didn’t sound good at all.

When someone says the color of your soul has become fainter, it feels like it could disappear any moment.

“For example, suppose the vibrant colors of a rainbow are still maintained, but now it feels a bit transparent compared to before.”
“Could it be that the colors are becoming faint again in an attempt to reunite?”

“The fading of colors and the merging of souls are unrelated. Other people’s souls are vivid.”

“Then why is mine becoming faint?”

“I don’t know about that. In your case, it’s the first time I’ve seen something like this.”

“…”

I felt a piercing gaze, but as if someone had blocked my mouth, I couldn’t utter a word. My mind was in such disarray that I couldn’t even think properly.

“Did I say something unnecessary?”

“No. It was me who asked you to let me know if anything changes.”

“Right.”

Ernoa quickly agreed. Looking at his usual expressionless face, an unwarranted laughter involuntarily escaped.

“Still, knowing is better than not knowing.”

“Besides me, there was someone else born in our household with an odd eye. I’ll check the records to see if there’s anything.”

“Thank you, senior.”

Leaving Ernoa behind, I turned towards the castle wall. I wondered if the sight of the vast scenery before me would ease my mind a bit, but my thoughts were hopelessly tangled.

Various speculations seemed to shout from all directions, but I didn’t want to delve deep into them.

“Let’s not get scared without knowing the exact situation.”

After all, I got another chance at life. I wanted to live this life without regrets, just following my beliefs.

Taking a deep breath, I lowered my eyelids. The scent of the sea filled the air carried by the blowing wind.

When I opened my eyes, a vast sea unfolded before me. Watching the undulating waves, suddenly, the contents of the letter left by Rosebelia came to mind.

“The problem is that the Crown Prince eventually became the Emperor, and I ended up causing a war with the Lenore Kingdom, where I took refuge. The Emperor continuously provoked me on the battlefield, telling lies that he killed my younger siblings Caden and Vivian. In the end, I killed that man.

Fighting against the Swordmaster Emperor, I received a fatal wound and probably died on the spot. When I opened my eyes, I was back at this point.

The realization I had before dying was that, despite being crazy, that Emperor was, in a way, a pitiful person. Just before dying, my siblings were being protected in the Imperial Palace, so don’t worry. He thanked me for killing him before he became more insane.

Whether you call it poison or a curse, your life will be much easier than mine if you don’t get involved with that man in the future.”

Ian really tried to die. It was just his life’s goal. So, even when he heard the rumors of being a warmonger, he fought against Rosebelia.

“Rose.”

At that faint call, the fist that had clenched as if to turn white lost its strength without a trace.

Was it a hallucination?
Swiftly turning my body, I scanned below the castle wall. As if the field of vision had narrowed, only his face filled my view. Blinking, as if in disbelief, Ian responded by lightly folding his eyes.

“Ian?”

“Somehow, I wanted to come here today, and I was surprised to find you here.”

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t come to the Knights today?”

“I did…”

“Did you come here because it was tough?”

“No, I came because I missed you.”

Ian smiled warmly and reached out his arms towards me. Looking down at him, I suddenly recalled the awkward posture with outstretched arms that Ian had under the castle wall.

At that time, you didn’t know you would enter my heart…

If you had read Rosebelia’s letter immediately upon entering this body, and if you had left the Knights early, would I have never come to like you?

I shook my head slightly, as if acknowledging the meaningless assumption. What mattered was this moment, facing him.

“I’m glad.”

“Hmm?”

I’m glad that I can like you.

Instead of answering, I pulled my lips into a smile. Embracing the firm chest under the castle wall, I let my body surrender to the gentle wind, placing my foot under the castle wall.