Even though I was cloaked in a robe, I could tell just by the soft glow of the lanterns falling from the sky.

It’s Edan. It’s really Edan.

He’s standing in front of me. And he just called me Latieana. I didn’t mishear. But why does his expression look so fierce? His posture is slouched, almost roguish, and that menacing glint in his eyes, like the first day we met… why? He seems to recognize me, but his reaction is unreadable.

Instinctively, I started to step toward him but stopped, staring at Edan’s face in confusion. His face was obscured by the large hood, so I squinted and tilted my head. Then, he took off his robe.

As more lanterns rose into the sky, the surroundings grew brighter, revealing Edan’s handsome face. I take back what I said about him looking the same. Edan was far more striking than before. His hair was a bit longer, his eyes sharper, and his sleek jawline had thickened, giving him a more mature aura. But the gaze he fixed on me was cold.

I managed to hold back tears while watching him walk at the center of the festival earlier, but now, facing his icy stare, tears welled up unbidden.

What’s this? Does he know me or not? Why that look?

My vision blurred, and tears fell uncontrollably. I thought if I ever saw Edan again, I’d rush into his arms. But my body wouldn’t move as easily as I’d imagined. The meeting I thought would be purely joyful left my throat tight and my chest aching so much I could barely breathe. I wanted to say something, anything, but no words came.

Sniffling, I kept wiping away the tears with my hands. Once with the back of my hand, twice with my palm, and when my vision stayed blurry, I used my wrists, wiping again and again. Only after a while could I look at him again.

When our eyes met, Edan furrowed one brow and asked,

“You… do you remember me?”

What? That’s my line.

I nodded vigorously, forcing out words through the pain tightening my throat.

“How could I, how could I ever forget you? Of course I remember…!”

A sudden shock made me stop breathing. No, it was blocked. My body felt like it might shatter. In an instant, my whole body was engulfed in heat. When I came to my senses, Edan had closed the distance in one stride and was holding me tightly.

“Damn it, Latieana.”

His voice, heavy with a sigh, burrowed into my ear. I clung to his back with trembling hands.

“And you? Do you remember me? Do you know me?”

“How could I forget you?”

“Really, truly?”

“For the past three years, I haven’t forgotten you for a single moment.”

As he spoke, Edan tightened his embrace, as if he’d never let go again. His firm chest and arm muscles enveloped me.

“I missed you.”

His voice, laced with relief, whispered tenderly in my ear. At those words, tears welled up again. My suppressed sorrow burst forth, and my sobs wouldn’t stop. And it wasn’t just me. I could feel Edan’s body trembling faintly as he held me.

“Really, I missed you like crazy.”

His voice was lower than usual, the words forced out as he suppressed his emotions. His uneven breaths brushed against my neck from lips close to my ear.

“Me too. I missed you so much.”

That was all I could manage to say. In his arms again, I cried out loud like a child.

Edan remembered me. I had given up all hope, thinking I’d never see him or laugh with him again. But he was the only one in the world who remembered me. Edan hadn’t forgotten me.

Edan loosened his tight embrace and pulled my wrist. We slipped into the shadow of a building, out of the lantern light. He braced one hand against the wall above my head, the other cradling my neck, and lifted my face to kiss me. His hot breath rushed between my parted lips. He moved fiercely, as if unleashing pent-up desire, biting, licking, and sucking my lips before diving in again. His sweet breath overwhelmed me.

“Ha, Edan…”

My legs felt like they’d give out. Before I knew it, my strength drained, and my body went limp. Edan naturally caught my waist, lifting me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging to him. I kissed his red, sweet lips, softly sucking them, panting heavily as we explored each other. His hands touched every part of me. I couldn’t stop him, nor did I want to. I felt the same way he did.

As the lantern light that had illuminated the river like daylight faded, we faced each other and smiled.

“Edan, how do I look right now?”

“What?”

“Am I ugly?”

“What?”

Half-joking, half-serious. Edan let out a short, incredulous laugh at my bright, smiling question.

“I mean, I cried so much, maybe I look ugly. It’s been so long, I want to look pretty.”

As I sniffled, Edan chuckled, leaned down, and gave me a quick kiss.

“You’re beautiful.”

He brushed his fingers over my reddened eyes once, my cheeks a few times more. Then, as if remembering something, he bit his lip slightly and closed his eyes. With an exasperated tilt of his head, he pressed his palm to his forehead.

“Latie.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m only asking this now after throwing myself at you like a beast.”

“What?”

Why was he hesitating? Edan dragged his hand down his face, his expression darkening as if he’d done something terribly wrong.

“…Are you hurt anywhere? Nothing broken?”

I blinked quietly at his worried gaze. He wore the most serious expression I’d ever seen.

He doesn’t usually regret or reflect, but is he blaming himself now? Or maybe not. Thinking back, he was always gentle with me. Even when he seemed overbearing or reckless, he never crossed the line.

So he really was out of control earlier. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Edan, when I was trapped in that mirror, it felt like my body was shattering. I passed out midway, so I don’t know if it really did.”

“…”

“But now, I’m fine. Except for the chilly weather, I’m completely okay. No pain, perfectly fine.”

“Really?”

“Really. Truly! And…”

“And what?”

“You already checked everywhere earlier.”

“Oh.”

Only then did Edan seem reassured, ruffling my hair gently before carefully taking my hand. He took a step forward and said,

“But you broke your promise.”

“…”

Is he mad about that? I glanced at him cautiously. Noticing my gaze, Edan turned to look at me. In the darkness where the lantern light had faded, the moonlight settled on his golden hair.

“But you’re alive, so it’s okay.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I won’t take back what I said then. As much as you want. As long as you stay by my side, you can do whatever you want.”

“And you? Will you stay by my side too?”

“Why ask the obvious?”

Edan answered with a relieved voice, smiling.

“I said I’m yours. So don’t ever let me go again.”

With a calm, beautiful smile, Edan tightly held my hand again and led me toward the festival streets.

To a place filled with bright light.

To the heart of light, untouched by darkness.

Ruben still didn’t remember me, but just having Edan by my side made me feel neither sorrowful nor lonely anymore.

I returned to the grand castle with Edan and slept sweetly.

Life at the inn wasn’t particularly uncomfortable, but the loneliness and anxiety of being alone made me wake every hour or two. But now, with my heart at ease, all the fatigue and unease melted away, and I slept deeply for the first time in a long while.

“You awake?”

“Can I sleep more?”

“Of course, princess.”

Hehe. Edan ruffled my hair. I burrowed into his arms, hugging his waist tightly. Edan put all his plans on hold to stay glued to my side, and it felt almost like a dream. So, every chance I got, I touched his face to confirm he was real. And each time, Edan kissed my palm and smiled warmly.

“Don’t worry. I’m right here.”

For me, our time apart was only ten days, but for Edan, it was three long years. So he must have been far more anxious than I was, yet he kept reassuring me. Maybe it was because I cried so pitifully while pouring out my heart, or maybe he thought I’d felt the same anxiety he had—I didn’t ask the exact reason. What mattered was that he kept holding me, stroking my hair, comforting me, and filling me with love so I was never lonely.

A few days later, we headed to the white tree in the temple. In what used to be the temple’s vast garden, a glass greenhouse had been built. Inside, a massive tree stood.

“It’s my first time seeing this tree, but it feels familiar somehow.”

“It’s because it was created by your healing power.”

“Is that so?”

“The mages called it a miracle, but it’s a tree born from your sacrifice.”

Holding Edan’s hand, I gazed up at the tree for a long time. The tree danced quietly in the greenhouse, its branches rustling. Pink pearls burst forth, scattering like gemstone rain in all directions. It was an indescribably beautiful sight.

I let go of Edan’s hand and approached the tree. Spreading my arms wide, I carefully hugged its trunk. It was so large and thick that I could only touch a small part, but a warm energy radiated from it.

Thank you for saving Edan from his pain.

When I opened my eyes, the tree swayed its branches as if blessing me. Petals fluttered, brushing against me as they fell.

“Let’s go, Edan.”

After saying goodbye, I stepped outside the greenhouse, where Ruben and Maxim were standing.