Yustia’s figure was not visible due to the window frame. Nevertheless, the ominous energy was felt as clearly as ever.
Already, the gaze and expression of Yustia, which Caliph would have to face alone when he left the palace, were depicted.

She probably expected it. At the moment Evelia fell in the Empress’s palace, she was angry without realizing that she should act as Riu Lian.

Such a sight would have been very unfamiliar to Yustia. Perhaps she didn’t even realize she wasn’t Riu Lian since then.

So, even more so, he had to step forward. In the end, it was probably his fault that he had pushed back the time like this.

“Though in your eyes, humans like us may not seem like a big deal, maternal love is like that.”

“…….”

“To protect one’s child, maternal love can even exert supernatural power.”

Of course, that maternal love probably wouldn’t be directed towards him.

Without delivering the last words, Caliph turned back without regret. Then, he grabbed the handle of the bedroom door.

“I’ll endure as much as possible. Until then, Evelia, please take care.”

“Caliph!”

Felix, momentarily surprised by the final farewell, seemed to be approaching, but Caliph unreservedly went out of the bedroom.

The forcefully pulled door made a rough sound as it closed. Leaning against the closed door, he took a deep breath. And just as he lifted his eyelids for a moment, Caliph had no choice but to narrow his brows at the miserable sight.

The maids and courtiers who had been guarding the front of the bedroom since Evelia was poisoned were lying in a pitiful state.

“Yustia wouldn’t have come this far.”

Muttering to himself, Caliph carefully examined the fallen figures. Then he noticed a faint purple smoke enveloping their bodies.

“Huh, to think that such a thing could kill so many people…”

At that tremendous power, Caliph stiffened his shoulders in tension. Fortunately, the impact of the smoke that took the lives of the palace people seemed not to affect him much.

Caliph took a deep breath and descended the stairs with a fairly determined step. Through the twisted gap in the door, Yustia’s figure was visible.

Instantly, their gazes tangled. The feeling of an indescribable force choking his throat just with that made Caliph tense. Nevertheless, he walked resolutely. Then he stopped at a suitable distance.

“You finally came out. You made me wait so long despite knowing I came.”

Standing motionless, Yustia, who had been standing there without a hint of movement, brushed her hair roughly and sneered faintly. It was just a faint laugh, but the twisted mind was revealed vividly. Just that made an enormous force felt.

It was to the extent that he could be overwhelmed in an instant. However, without changing his expression, Caliph responded to Yustia’s words.

“I’m sure I’m the one who’s been waiting much longer. I’ve been waiting since I was born, but what’s a few minutes compared to that.”
Caliph twisted his lips. In reality, he had never waited for biological parents. However, there was a time when he wondered if he would have been happier if he had biological parents. That was when he was a mere sixteen.

It was a thought too long ago to be called resentment. However, the effect of bringing up that emotion, even by overturning the dust that had accumulated, was quite pronounced.

Yustia’s brows twitched roughly for a moment.

“… It seems like you no longer intend to pretend to be my Riu.”

“You already know everything anyway.”

“…”

“What were you thinking coming all the way here? If your expression from above was anything to go by, you seemed ready to kill me at any moment.”

Caliph confronted Yustia without mercy. Although he thought it was too long ago to remember, once he spoke it out, the resentment he had towards parents he couldn’t even remember surfaced.

“Killing me was enough when you abandoned me back then, wasn’t it?”

“K-Killing. How can you say that when you’re blatantly breathing and alive in front of me like this…!”

“Alive, but it’s as good as dead. My mother, knowing that I would die if left as I was from the moment I was born, still sent me away to a stranger.”