“At that time, I had the power to change the prophecy. I changed Elysia’s fate from dying at Sabiel’s hands to becoming Illeon’s companion. Gillian.”

“I don’t understand. Does that even make sense? Then, what about all the things we’ve done to protect Elysia so far…”
“I didn’t make that choice to be unhappy. When I first came to this world, there was a way to return to my original life.”

Seeing Gillian in confusion, Mariella shook her head.

“To see the end written in the prophecy. That was the way to go back to the original world.”

Mariella tightened her grip on Gillian’s sleeve, as if it could be a lifeline preventing him from pushing her away.

“But I didn’t want to go back.”

“Why…”

“I met you, Gillian.”

Mariella gave a faint, sad smile with a troubled expression.

“I wanted to live here with you. So, I swapped Illeon’s pair and Sabiel’s pair.”

“…To change the end in the prophecy?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Mariella and Gillian met at the Imperial Academy, Berelas Academy.

Within the academy, anonymity of status was guaranteed. They concealed their family backgrounds and referred to each other only by names. This was to facilitate sincere academic pursuits and desirable friendships. Positions of superiority among students were determined solely by their merits. If someone brought the disclosure of their status beyond the walls into the academy and got caught, immediate expulsion was the consequence.

Although they promised to marry, Mariella and Gillian thought of each other as noble, assuming there would be no issue with marriage. The fact that Mariella was just the daughter of a viscount with an empty title didn’t bother Gillian, and while Mariella was surprised to learn that Gillian’s family was the only duke family in the empire, their love wouldn’t waver.

“I didn’t memorize all of that prophecy myself. It was when you didn’t know about Yuterra, and we hadn’t even married yet. I didn’t expect our unborn daughter to be foretold with such a fate.”

Gillian remained silent for a moment.

“I see. That’s what it was.”

Mariella didn’t know what to do with his indifferent response.

“So, if Duke Clevante and Elysia continue, we can see the original end of the prophecy. Then you must leave this place.”

“…I’m sorry, Gillian.”

Mariella shed tears. The thought that she would have to inflict wounds on him, who loved her so much, to the extent of creating a magnificent garden known as ‘Yuterra’s Paradise’ on the vast estate of the duchy, troubled her more than anything.

“No need to apologize, Mariella.”

Speaking in the tone he used when they were classmates at the academy, Gillian’s eyes widened.

“You’ve been worrying alone all this time. I’ve had moments when I thought you hadn’t told me everything. But you seemed so tormented.”

Gillian released Mariella’s hand, which held onto his sleeve, and held her hands firmly.

“Nothing will change. Even if we go back knowing this truth, I will be with you. Mariella.”

“Gillian.”
“Elysia is my daughter. We are her parents. It’s only natural to prioritize the child’s happiness, Mariella.”

Gillian wiped away the tears clinging to Mariella’s eyes.

“Elysia’s happiness will make both you and me happy.”

“Uh… Huhuh.”

In the arms of a husband who didn’t speak of unhappiness despite depicting a parting, Mariella cried loudly.

Elysia pulled her hood tighter.

‘How did it come to this?’

Prepared for a boat ride, Elysia wore a thick and dull-colored robe, with a hood on top of it.

However, when she returned to the duchy in that attire and had a conversation with her parents, she still wore the same clothes when she emerged from the waves.

Oddly enough, Illeon looked exceptionally elegant today. He wore a blue jacket with a shining double button closure on the top, matched with black trousers. The contrast with his fair skin and red eyes made him remarkably noticeable.

Passing ladies looked at Illeon with eyes that seemed to be captivated, and Elysia had to watch in her plain clothes. However, Illeon seemed completely oblivious, as he only had eyes for her.

Standing alone beside him, Elysia felt embarrassed. If she had worn a maid’s outfit, people might have thought they were master and servant, but the unbalanced attire between them made their relationship inexplicable.

“Take this.”

Illeon handed Elysia a book from the bookstore shelves as she stood there blankly.

“What is this?”

The cover depicted a sophisticated and profound-looking tree.

The title of the book was ‘Tree of Life.’

At first glance, it looked like a religious text. There was a story in some myth that the universe was made up of a single tree, after all.

While examining the book cover, Elysia, feeling puzzled, Illeon chuckled and whispered softly.

“A book that explains how to make a baby.”

Elysia was surprised, and her cheeks turned red.

“Let’s study together until the day before the wedding.”

“Why… why are you showing me this?”

“You said you didn’t know many things, right? Let’s learn everything together.”

“…”

With a disgusted expression, Elysia put the book back on the shelf. Blushing, she pressed her hood tighter for no reason.

Knowing that Illeon was teasing her, she found it difficult to refute.

“By the way, why have you been wearing your hood like this since earlier?”

“Oh.”

Before Elysia could answer, Illeon casually pushed back her hood.

As a result, Elysia’s golden hair, which had been trapped inside, poured down over her shoulders.

“Wow, pretty!”

A passing child clapped and laughed.

Embarrassed, Elysia quickly gathered her hair and pressed her hood down again.

“What’s this? All of a sudden.”
However, it seems like Illeon is staring at himself as if captivated by something.

“Just now. Can I do it again?”

“What?”

As Illeon’s hand seemed to touch the hood again, Elysia grabbed the edge of the hood with her hand.

“Why? Please don’t.”

“No, it’s because you’re too beautiful. Let me see it one more time.”

Illeon narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Why are you wearing this upside down? What a waste of time to cover your face.”

“Today, I… I’m just trying to stand out.”

“What?”

Elysia pursed her lips.

“You look splendid, but your attire is like this. What will people think if we walk together?”

Illeon looked at her for a moment, seemingly puzzled.

“Oh, it’s not that I don’t want to walk together or anything like that.”

I’m just a bit embarrassed. I am. I am. I am.

At that moment, Illeon grabbed the edge of the hood and lowered his head.

Snap.

Elysia looked at him with a surprised face.

In an instant, Illeon, who stole a kiss, smiled.

“Hoods also have their advantages.”