Facing me, who couldn’t readily answer, Edan opened his mouth again.

“I’m not in the mood to listen to anything you say right now—just do as I tell you.”

His tone carried the nuance that he knew all the worries I’d just been wrestling with.

Exactly. The peace has been shattered; things are no longer as they were. The supernaturals will target me now. Even though I’ve hidden my identity until now, there are still people who know me, and if pressure mounts on the temple, the priests who recognize me will betray my identity to escape their torment. The supernaturals will stop at nothing to escape the agony of their side effects, and the temple has no reason to protect me—especially not in a situation like this….

Edan must be thinking the same thing I am right now. So I fully understood the meaning behind his words.

“…I know. I understand what you mean.”

I knew—but separate from that knowledge, anxiety surged within me, and I bit down hard on my lips. Edan strode forward, closing the distance between us.

“No, you don’t know anything. You don’t understand how desperately the desire to escape the pain of side effects can drive a person to madness.”

“Edan….”

“Battles against demons have always persisted, but never has the situation been as dire as it is now. This isn’t some manageable side effect you can endure with moderate healing. In this state, even I can’t guarantee how I might snap under the influence of those side effects. Our suffering isn’t something we can simply choose to endure because we want to, nor can we escape it just by wishing to. So regarding this matter, I trust no one—not even my brother, nor anyone else.”

Edan gently caressed my cheek with his feverishly warm hand. Then, slowly, he brushed his thumb across my lips.

“Don’t clench so hard—it hurts.”

“But Edan….”

“My world is you. You’re my first, and no one else matters. So you have nothing to worry about. Stay at the fortress. I’ll handle everything.”

Edan’s eyes held not the slightest tremor. They shimmered beautifully, as if truly fearless of anything in the world.

“Ruben, take her away.”

Edan lightly kissed my forehead, then released me. As he turned away, the scent of the soap I loved mingled with the metallic tang of blood drifted toward me.

“Wait!”

Still gazing up at his blood-stained golden hair, I grabbed his arm. Then I threw myself forward and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. I poured every ounce of my healing power into him, covering his entire body.

“Don’t get hurt. Please.”

“Mm. I won’t.”

Having absorbed my healing energy, Edan gently stroked my head, then without hesitation, moved toward the unbreakable wall.

“Lady Latieana. Let’s go—I’ll escort you.”

I stood with my back turned, blankly staring at the fading trace of the portal’s light.

“Sir Ruben. Do you remember what was written in the Empire’s historical records?”

“Yes, I remember most of it.”

“It said fifty years, right? From the first appearance of demons until a tolerable peace was negotiated.”

“…Things are different now—it won’t take nearly that long.”

“How much shorter?”

“Perhaps ten or twenty years less.”

“So, at best, forty or thirty years. Meanwhile, demons will keep pouring out, and the Empire will crumble….”

Ruben said nothing in response to my bitter, resigned words. His silence was affirmation enough.

This is reality. How long can Edan endure while hiding me? One year? Two? At most, three? Until when…?

“Why do you try to hide me, Sir Ruben?”

Why is he so faithfully following even this order, knowing full well it isn’t truly for Edan’s sake?

“It’s a decision Lord Duke made, and I swore to obey any command he gives, regardless of his choice.”

“Even if it isn’t truly for his benefit?”

“That’s not for me to decide. If Lord Duke has resolved to protect Lady Latieana, then it is the right course—and I believe it serves his best interest too. And I, too, have no intention of letting Lady Latieana go. I will protect you with my life.”

At his words, my vision momentarily went dark. Slowly, I turned to face him. His auburn hair fluttered gently in the cold wind that carried the scent of darkness.

Edan’s right-hand man. A subordinate who follows any order for Edan’s sake. And the loyal man who, in the original story, died alongside Edan.

“Ruben, you’re such a fool.”

Tears threatened to spill, so I forced a bitter chuckle.

What is this, really? It’s flowing exactly like the original story. I only ever wanted an ordinary life because I loved Edan—but that tiny wish has become the greatest poison.

If I hide now, Edan will suffer. I’ll suffer too. Even if I don’t hide, Edan will suffer—he’ll never stand by and watch me dragged away in agony.

Then there’s only one answer. If neither of us can find peace, I must choose the path that grants at least Edan some relief.

“Thank you, Ruben.”

“What?”

I slipped my hand into my pocket and activated the artifact Noah had given me.

“Lady Latieana!”

Ruben’s loud cry echoed hollowly into the air. As my body felt suddenly weightless, the flow of air around me reversed.

In an instant, I was transported inside the Southern Duke’s fortress. Noah’s room was empty, darkened as if everyone had evacuated. There was no time to hesitate. I dashed out of the room, sprinting toward the chamber where the portal lay.

The knights remaining to guard the fortress seemed startled to see me, but since they recognized my face, no one tried to stop me. Floor by floor I ran, glancing out at the desert landscape visible beyond the terrace. Unlike the North or the capital, demons hadn’t yet breached the fortress here—but even this place was locked in battle, holding back the surging demons.

The moment I crossed the portal and arrived before the cave entrance, I plunged straight inside.

The cave, seemingly severed from the outside world, was tranquil and still. Without hesitation, I raced to the chamber housing the magic circle and stood facing the mirror.

“Hah… hah….”

Sweat poured from me like rain. As I gasped for breath and lifted my head unconsciously, several demons flew across the open ceiling of the cave above.

My heart pounded wildly, refusing to calm.

When I reached out and placed my hand against the mirror’s surface, ripples spread outward like waves. Instantly, the cave filled with the radiant glow of the magic circle activated by my power. And just as before, my arm was abruptly sucked deep into the mirror.

‘Don’t make me your first.’

Edan’s words flooded my mind.

‘You’re my everything.’

Tears streamed endlessly from my eyes.

There’s no need to be afraid. Edan told me I’m the most precious thing in his world. He promised to protect me to the end—and he was fully prepared to do so. But I, too, hold Edan as my most precious treasure. I want him to be happy.

My arm was pulled deeper inward, and my entire body felt as if freezing solid. Still, I pressed myself slowly but firmly forward into the mirror.

As I did, the cave brightened further with the glow of the magic circle, ignited by my healing power. The moment my entire right arm vanished into the mirror, I planted my feet firmly on the ground. In that instant, having steeled myself and drawn a breath, a familiar voice rang out from behind me.

“Latieana.”

I turned my stiffened body slowly—and there stood Edan. His hair and entire body drenched in blood, he held a sword still dripping fresh gore. How could he have gotten like that… in just a moment?

Edan tried to step toward me, but the glow of the magic circle formed an invisible barrier, blocking the space between us. Furious, he hurled a powerful supernatural force into the air—but the magic circle absorbed it completely. Yet Edan refused to stop, madly pouring out power again and again. The circle remained unmoved, his strength vanishing uselessly each time—only worsening his side effects.

“Edan! Stop it! I’m begging you! Please!”

Only after I shouted several times did Edan finally cease, panting heavily as he withdrew his power.

“Then you stop too. Come to me.”

Through his fallen bangs, his red eyes glared at me with chilling intensity. I shook my head ever so slightly.

“I won’t be angry. It’s okay. I understand why you came this far. You’re kind—I know you’re thinking of me. I understand that feeling, so please stop.”

His gentle voice, his tone like soothing a child—it made me ache with the sorrowful longing that if I just pulled my arm back and went to him now, I could be wrapped in his warm embrace. But I didn’t move.

“I told you to forget.”

Edan’s voice sank heavily.

“I told you to treat it as if it never happened—you even promised you would!”

Frowning irritably, restless and agitated, Edan roughly ran his bloodied, wounded hand through his hair. Then he reached his hand toward me again.

“Don’t do it. Please.”

“….”

“Lati, I can handle it. I’ll take care of everything. I’ll erase it all so you won’t suffer. I can do it.”

“…You know hiding me will only make things harder for you from now on.”

“No. It won’t be hard. When did I ever say it was hard? It’s nothing. I’m fine!”

The tips of Edan’s fingers, stained red with blood, trembled faintly.

“You can act however you want for the rest of your life—I’ll accept it all. Just stay by my side. You can do that, right? You promised you would.”

Gritting his teeth to suppress his anger, Edan furrowed his brow—yet he forced an awkward smile, as if trying to reassure me. Watching him quietly, I reached my left hand toward Edan. At that, the frown on his brow smoothed, a faint smile bloomed at his lips, and a soft sigh of relief escaped him.

“You did well….”

“I’m sorry, Edan.”

May this feeling cross the magic circle and reach you. May your suffering ease, even just a little.

I manifested my healing power as powerfully as I possibly could, directing it toward him—then pushed my body into the mirror. Instantly, I was sucked entirely inside.

“Latieana!”

Edan’s ragged, heart-rending cry faintly reached me from beyond the mirror. All around me, darkness fell instantly—as black as a starless night.

Tears streamed down, drop after drop, endlessly. As if gravity had reversed, they rose upward. A cold numbness began creeping from my fingertips and toes.

Actually, I didn’t want to say I’m sorry—I wanted to say I love you.

You know, Edan… I wish spring would come.

A truly warm spring, so beautiful that the weather alone makes you forget everything and smile brightly.

I hope wherever you are becomes the most beautiful place.

I hope you live the happy, ordinary life you always longed for.

Thank you for making me your first.

I love you, Edan.