I had nowhere to go. Still, I didn’t want to be too far from Edan, so I checked into an inn located closest to the Duke’s Castle.

Fortunately, I had enough money on hand—not a fortune, but enough to last me a month or two.

The inn was clean, and thanks to the kind elderly female innkeeper, I was able to hear all sorts of stories about what had happened in the Empire over the past three years.

Killian had become Emperor, hailed as the great sun who saved the Empire from crisis. He ascended the throne immediately after the Emperor and Empress passed away on the same day. Due to the war against demons, his coronation was postponed until a year later, when things had somewhat stabilized. They said he held a formal coronation ceremony then. And the hero who aided him—Duke Edan Dietrich. Thanks to him, peace returned far sooner than anyone had expected.

“There was someone who happened to witness the Duke fighting demons rampaging through a village. They said he looked as if he had a personal vendetta against them. Rumor had it he seemed completely insane. But with a face like his, even if he were crazy, wouldn’t that be fine? Heehee.”

I chuckled along with the innkeeper, who laughed as if thoroughly amused by her own story.

Edan was indeed handsome. They said he revealed his face during the coronation and apparently became wildly popular. I wonder, has he gotten over his dislike of women by now?

After that, I also heard about the giant tree that had grown from the temple.

“So now, people with special abilities no longer suffer?”

“That’s right. It’s truly an amazing tree. They say it resembles a cherry blossom tree greatly—immensely beautiful, enveloped in a warm, indescribable glow.”

Thank goodness. No more priestesses need to sacrifice themselves, and those with special abilities are now free from suffering.

True, unparalleled peace had come to the Empire. It was a tremendous blessing. But the more I heard stories from the time I’d missed, the emptier I felt inside. I should have been happy—I really should have—but I couldn’t stop this heavy, sinking feeling weighing me down.

Every day since then, I went to stand in front of the Duke’s Castle. That was all I did—just stood there, staring blankly at the castle.

“Young lady, you’re back again?”

“So what? It’s my right to watch.”

“It’s just… you’re making me nervous. Just give up. You won’t meet the Duke just by standing here. Oh! Look over there? Another carriage has arrived today.”

“Sir.”

“Yes?”

“…Go get hit by bird droppings.”

Hoping against hope, I visited the fortress several times, but for some reason, its gates remained locked afterward. Unable to enter, I stood for long hours atop the hill, staring fixedly at the fortress.

To others, my behavior probably seemed like a strange obsession with Edan—but I couldn’t stop.

***

Exactly ten days later, I headed toward the riverside where the lantern festival was being held.

“Go on, go! It’s the first festival held in three years, and on the first night, the Duke always makes an appearance.”

“Th-thank you, ma’am!”

The innkeeper, convinced I was lovesick over Edan, kindly told me the exact time and location.

The lantern festival—the first since the war’s end—was even more vibrant and lively than when I’d attended with Edan. Colorful garlands connecting the tents swayed as people bustled about, hanging strings of lights. Delicious aromas drifted from every direction, and cheerful music played without pause.

As I walked quietly, searching for a peaceful spot, I found the bench where Edan and I had once sat. The bench overlooking the riverside was still intact, thankfully unbroken. I sat down and gazed at the flowing waters of the Great River. Then, suddenly, I turned my head toward the Ice Mountains.

The snow-capped, jagged peaks still encircled the North unchanged, and below them stood the indestructible gray fortress walls—stretching endlessly into the distance. The fierce, crimson glow that once blazed there was gone. Demons would no longer appear. That was good.

But Edan must have forgotten me. I couldn’t stop thinking that. Still, I wanted to see him. Of course, seeing him in person, knowing he wouldn’t remember me, would break my heart—but that was okay. I still wanted to see him. Just once. I missed Edan so much.

That thought seemed to consume my entire being. Then, suddenly, people began murmuring and rushing toward one spot.

“He’s here!”

“It’s the Duke!”

At those words, I leapt to my feet and plunged into the crowd. Countless people blocked my view so thoroughly it felt like darkness—but I wasn’t about to give up!

Today, I absolutely had to see Edan. This was practically my last chance. It didn’t matter if he didn’t remember me. I just needed to see him—even if I got trampled to death, I was going to see him!

Gritting my teeth, I pushed through the gaps between people. Still, forcing my way through burly men was impossible, so I targeted spots where women of similar build to me were standing.

“Kyaa! L-look over there!”

“It’s the Duke!”

I didn’t make it all the way to the front, but the moment I pushed myself to a decent distance, a black carriage adorned with gold patterns came to a halt. Knights moved in perfect unison, encircling the carriage protectively, ensuring no one approached too closely. Then, from among them, a tall knight stepped forward. The moment I saw him, I nearly cried out in delight.

Ruben, it’s Ruben!

As he walked forward with his usual impassive knight’s expression and opened the carriage door, Edan finally appeared. He wore gleaming black shoes, neatly pressed black trousers, a white shirt, and a crisp uniform jacket—it was truly Edan.

“Your Grace! Hero of the Empire!”

“Kyaaaa!”

Edan acted as though he heard none of the surrounding cheers, giving no glance to anyone. All he did was step down from the carriage and lightly adjust his uniform collar. Then, straightening his broad shoulders and spine, he began walking through the crowd.

“Edan…”

His golden hair shimmered orange in the setting sun. With each step he took, his hair swayed softly, and the black cape flowing behind him fluttered like waves. His smooth skin, sculpted nose, and sharp jawline remained as beautiful as ever—even his cold, lowered gaze held its own charm.

“E-Edan…”

I wanted to shout my name to him the moment I saw him, the moment I met him—but my voice wouldn’t come out. The crowd’s cheers grew louder, everyone moving in step with his footsteps. I was swept along with them. Edan’s front view turned into his profile, then soon became his back.

“E… Edan, Edan Dietrich!”

My throat tightened. My voice cracked slightly with tears, but I shouted as loud as I could.

“Edan! Edan! It’s me… I’m Latieana Merigold!”

“Kyaaaa! Your Grace!”

I screamed with all my might, but my voice kept getting buried beneath the crowd’s roars. Still, I raised both arms and jumped up and down, desperately chasing after him.

“Edan! Edan Dietrich!”

That was when it happened. Suddenly, Ruben turned around. He looked straight at me—not because he recognized me, but likely because I’d shouted his name so recklessly. For a moment, my breath caught entirely.

There was no contempt or displeasure in his gaze—but it was the look one gives a complete stranger. The exact same gaze I’d felt back in the eastern village.

“…….”

Ruben turned his eyes away, and I stopped dead in my tracks.

Right. This is reality.

Everything felt hollow, futile. My nose stung, my vision blurred. Only now did I fully realize—I truly could never turn back time.

I felt tears welling up, but crying in a place filled with bright laughter and cheerful music would be too pitiful. So I slipped away from the crowd, walking toward a place untouched by the festival lights. Ahead of me lay a path shrouded in darkness—even as brilliant lights glowed just behind my back.

Where Edan was… felt so far away.

Truthfully, it was a lie to say I didn’t mind if Edan forgot me. I’d just been comforting myself with that thought. Until I saw Edan in person, until I locked eyes with Ruben, I’d kept lying to myself—that peace had come, so it was fine; that even if I was left alone, as long as Edan looked happy, that was enough; that as long as he was alive, I should be satisfied.

How ridiculous.

“That was never possible.”

Tears fell like I was insane—but I laughed.

What I’d wanted to see wasn’t that. I’d wanted to see Edan recognizing me. Now, I didn’t want to look into Edan’s eyes. Meeting his cold gaze—knowing he’d forgotten everything about me—wouldn’t end with just a manageable wound.

A dull ache pulsed near my solar plexus. I swiped once at the corner of my eyes with the back of my hand. I was tired, exhausted. First, I just wanted to rest.

By now, the festival street was nearly over.

“Excuse me!”

I turned at the sudden unfamiliar voice—it was two men I didn’t know.

“Got some time? Want to hang out with us?”

Huh? Since when had they been following me? I’d been so lost in thought I hadn’t noticed at all. Seeing me startled and wary, the men softened their expressions and gave gentle, flirtatious smiles.

“We’re not weirdos. We’ve been watching you since earlier—you seemed alone. If you’ve got nothing else to do, come play with us.”

Wasn’t the fact that they’d “been watching since earlier” the weird part?

Suddenly, I remembered Edan bringing me slippers when my feet hurt during my first lantern festival. Back then, Edan had received flirtatious attention from other women too. Right—it was a natural thing to happen. It was a joyful festival. But I wasn’t in the mood to accept.

“I have a lover.”

I replied coldly and turned away.

“Aw, c’mon! You were alone the whole time!”

“My lover’s coming.”

“When? If they haven’t shown up by now, doesn’t that mean you got dumped? Don’t be like that, just come with us—”

Persistent, aren’t they? I turned back around, raising my voice with clear irritation.

“Whether I got dumped or did the dumping is none of your business—just leave, okay? If I say I have a lover, then I have one. Why must you—!”

What? Where’d they go? The men who’d been right here just moments ago had vanished. Was my expression that terrifying? Well, whatever.

“I should go.”

But when I turned, someone stood right in front of me—a large, dark silhouette.

Hesitating, I stepped backward from the figure standing hidden beneath a building’s shadow. Just then, lanterns began rising one by one into the sky. Beneath the lanterns’ glow—red as sunset—the person before me revealed their face.

The moment I saw that face, I broke down completely.

“Where are you going?”

…Huh?