Elsez arrived at the temple only after the sun had fully set.
All the way back, her conversation with Tyron echoed in her mind.
When Elsez asked more about Rashiel, Tyron explained in greater detail what had happened.
“He showed up out of nowhere and started asking about necromancy.”
At the time, Rashiel had been emotionally unstable, nearly out of his mind.
Though Tyron didn’t tell Elsez everything, Rashiel had, in fact, tried to kill him when he didn’t immediately answer his questions.
But Tyron understood him.
When his beloved daughter had died, he too would’ve done anything—would’ve gone to anyone who claimed they could bring her back.
Still, while Tyron sympathized with Rashiel, he had no intention of teaching him necromancy.
Anyone who truly loved the dead wouldn’t want to let an evil spirit possess their body.
So Tyron told Rashiel about his daughter, hoping to convince him.
“The person you love may already be reincarnated, living happily in another body—whether in this world or another.”
“……”
“To call back such a soul isn’t an act of love. It’s selfishness.”
Tyron had expected Rashiel to deny reality for a while, but surprisingly, he backed off rather quietly.
In fact, he had looked as if something had just clicked.
“Another world… Right. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Muttering to himself, Rashiel left and never returned.
“Rashiel must’ve thought… maybe I came back into this world.”
Judging by how easily he gave up, it seemed he hadn’t resorted to black magic.
Even so, the fact that he had considered using it to bring her back shocked Elsez deeply.
She now understood just how earnest—how desperate—his feelings for her had been.
But those feelings didn’t just make her happy.
They made her afraid.
To be someone who could shake another person’s entire worldview and beliefs…
“If something goes wrong this time… Rashiel…”
She didn’t want to think negatively, but if the worst came to pass—if she was gone for good…
Then her existence might become the root of his despair.
As Elsez let out a heavy sigh under the weight of her thoughts, the carriage arrived at the temple.
She had been watching the scenery from the window. Now, she picked up Leti, who was sleeping sprawled out on the seat, and stepped down.
“Still didn’t find a way to return Leti to her original body.”
Even Tyron had no answers. He’d never seen a case where a soul, having possessed another body, realized what had happened and wished to return.
After all, he’d never met someone who remembered their original body from a past life.
Elsez had comforted the gloomy Leti as they left Tyron’s home, promising to find a way—but it felt hopeless.
As she turned over the problem in her mind, one possibility occurred to her:
“Maybe Leti’s soul is merged with mine… and that’s why she can’t return.”
Back when they first recovered Leti’s real body, Leti had tried to move her soul back into it using her own thoughts—jumping from dolls or objects.
But for some reason, it never worked.
She had tried again a few days later… same result.
“Then first… we need to find a way to separate our souls.”
Lost in these thoughts, Elsez climbed the stairs to her room—only to find someone unexpected waiting at her door.
“…Your Excellency?”
Tezette was sitting, leaning against the door.
At the sound of her voice, he stood and walked toward her.
Under the faint moonlight in the shadows, there was something different in his expression.
He had closed the distance in just a few steps. And then, he asked,
“…Why didn’t you come looking for me?”
Elsez was startled.
‘What’s with him…?’
Ruel—the fake, yes—but still, Ruel had returned.
So why was he still waiting for her?
“Th-the person you were waiting for… she’s come back now, hasn’t she? There’s no need for me to—”
“It’s you.”
“…Huh?”
“You’re Ruel.”
Tezette’s eyes held no doubt—only certainty.
Elsez’s amber eyes trembled.
Caught off guard, she couldn’t find words.
Her thoughts were scrambled—what should she say? How should she respond?
From her reaction alone, Tezette was now completely convinced she was Ruel.
And the first thing he said after that realization—
“…I missed you.”
Those were words Elsez had once taught him—how to express his feelings.
She stared blankly at him, stunned by the fact that he had expressed himself—maybe for the first time.
In that single sentence, she could feel it.
All the emotions he had longed to share with her if they ever met again.
She had planned to hide the truth from him—for the time being, at least, for what was to come.
But now, seeing that he recognized her first… hearing that he had missed her…
She couldn’t turn away.
Elsez smiled gently and spoke.
“Hi, Tezette.”
As she smiled, a tear quietly slipped from Tezette’s eye.
“Ah…”
Letting out a soft sigh, he blinked away the wetness in his lashes, knit his brows, and bit his lip.
He didn’t know how to express the tidal wave of emotions overwhelming him—his face showed it all.
He reached out, hesitated, and then asked,
“…Can I hug you?”
His voice trembled.
Elsez found it oddly touching—and a little silly—that even now, he insisted on asking for permission.
She was proud of him. Slowly but surely, he had learned to consider others’ feelings and choices—just as she had taught him.
Instead of answering, she pulled him into a hug.
“I missed you too. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner.”
“…”
“Thank you for recognizing me.”
Pat, pat.
Her hand gently patted his back in praise.
It was a gesture Tezette had known since he was a child—one he remembered all too well.
Still dazed, Tezette wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.
A flood of unnamed emotions swelled in his chest.
And while the two of them quietly shared the joy of reunion…
Far behind them, the watching Ruel silently slipped away.
****
Before long, the Founding Festival had arrived.
Early that morning, Rashiel—who was still staying in the Empire—made his way to the imperial palace as soon as he woke.
He approached the deputy commander of the knights stationed outside Rinael’s room and asked,
“Has Her Highness the Crown Princess awoken?”
After a grueling week of effort, Rashiel had finally succeeded last night in breaking the black magic that had been strangling Rinael’s life. It was a near-miraculous result.
That was why he had come to the palace first thing in the morning—
To meet Rinael and gain access to the forbidden texts: both their location and permission.
The deputy commander gave him a reluctant look.
“She has, but…”
“Announce me.”
Rashiel gave a curt nod toward the door.
But instead of going inside to announce him, the deputy commander brought up something unrelated.
“I understand the Founding Festival is being held in the Holy Kingdom today.”
At that, one of Rashiel’s brows lifted.
His eyes clearly asked: And your point is?
“Aren’t you going to attend?”
The knight’s intentions were obvious.
He wanted Rinael, who had only just escaped death and regained consciousness the night before, to rest a little longer rather than push herself.
But Rashiel had no intention of stepping back just because of that.
“There’s more urgent business here. If Her Highness cooperates promptly, I might make it back by evening.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to attend the Founding Festi—”
“That’s enough of your presumptuousness.”
Rashiel’s icy tone cut off the knight’s words.
“My civility toward you as the Empire’s knight commander ends here.”
Though his tone remained low and polite, his usual faint smile hung at his lips, there was no hint of warmth in his red eyes as he stared at the man.
Rashiel had already stayed in the Empire far longer than he’d planned. His patience was nearing its limit.
Overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere, the deputy commander fell silent.
At that moment—
Creak—
The door opened, and Rinael appeared.
It seemed the maid, who had been standing inside the room, had overheard the confrontation and gone to inform her.
Rinael looked pale, clearly still recovering.
“I heard you spent a great deal of time to save me. Things were chaotic yesterday, so I couldn’t say it then, but thank you.”
The deputy commander looked visibly concerned—worried that even just standing and speaking was too much for her frail body.
“I also heard you asked to read the forbidden texts in return. I know it’s late, but… may I keep that promise now?”
“Your Highness, you’re still unwell. You should rest a little lon—”
The deputy commander tried to stop her, but Rinael remained firm.
“No. I appreciate your concern, but I won’t go back on my word to the Tower, who aided the Empire.”
With resolute eyes, Rinael looked up at Rashiel.
“I’ll take you to where the forbidden texts are.”
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