After Kailas disappeared, Ahwin spread his spirits across various cities.
And finally, they found it. A few days before Leticia arrived, on a day when the blizzard was as severe as today, a small disturbance occurred at a restaurant near the imperial palace.
“That day, a fairly well-known doctor in the area was lynched by Lansen’s subordinate. I heard the injuries were severe enough that he seemed on the verge of death.”
But the next day, he was perfectly fine, as if nothing had happened.
“A miracle happened.”
“That’s what people are saying.”
“Ahwin believes that miracle was caused by Kailas.”
Leticia spoke, trying to stay calm. Ahwin nodded.
“It might seem like a hasty conclusion… but it’s worth checking out.”
“What are the chances?”
“It depends on how severe the patient’s injuries were. If the rumors are true that his life was in danger, it’s highly likely the Wing of Healing was involved in his recovery.”
“It could be magic.”
“That’s unlikely.”
Ahwin shook his head firmly.
“Magic is less effective than healing powers. Of course, there might be some powerful magic I don’t know about.”
“His Highness the Prince wouldn’t have missed such powerful magic being cast nearby.”
“Indeed.”
Leticia closed her eyes for a moment. Her heart pounded. Someone who could be the fifth wing might be near her.
There was a possibility Kailas was a fake wing, but she wanted to remain hopeful.
“Ahwin, if I gain the Wing of Healing, I can use healing powers too, right?”
“Yes.”
“Can I heal people with broken hearts with healing powers?”
“People with broken hearts?”
“His Majesty’s mother hurt her heart long ago after losing her son. If I gain the healing powers, I definitely want to heal her.”
Leticia looked earnestly at Ahwin.
“Is it possible?”
“I’ve heard that healing emotional wounds is harder than healing physical ones, but with your abilities, it should be possible. So, don’t worry…”
After hesitating for a moment, Ahwin cautiously asked.
“Speaking of His Majesty, have you heard about how to lift the curse on Noel?”
“I’ve heard. My answer remains the same. If he dies, I die too.”
“You make the most terrifying threats so casually.”
Ahwin sighed. Leticia smiled faintly.
“Don’t be too upset. It’s because of him that I can be here. In a previous life, I survived instead of him.”
“I understand your intentions well, Leticia. This issue will not trouble you again.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Even though you love him so much, you have decided not to reveal the past.”
“If possible…”
Leticia trailed off. Then she whispered softly.
“I don’t really want to tell him.”
“Because it was a difficult time?”
“Indeed, it was.”
Ahwin, staring at Leticia, had a deepened look in his eyes.
“I understand.”
After that, the topic shifted back to Kailas.
“I need to meet Kailas as soon as possible. We can’t delay any longer.”
Leticia proposed a plan to lure out the hidden Kailas.
“I think this method will allow us to meet Kailas. What do you think, Ahwin?”
“I think so too.”
Although Ahwin agreed with its effectiveness, he asked with concern,
“Are you really okay with this? If your presence becomes more prominent, Josephina will not stay quiet.”
“Of course. Even if it’s not okay, it’s something that needs to be done. I didn’t come to the empire to hide in this mansion forever.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait for Her Highness the Princess’s contact?”
“We don’t have time to wait.”
Leticia shook her head.
“I want to resolve this as quickly as possible. Whether it’s the barrier stone, my mother, or the curse. I have so many things to do once I return to the Principality.”
“Ah, I heard. You’re getting married again.”
“Yes. Everyone says they can’t accept the wedding in the empire. His Highness has decided to hold the most splendid and perfect wedding in the world for me.”
“That’s the one thing I like.”
Ahwin said with a sigh, pressing his temple. It was clear he didn’t feel comfortable about Dietrian due to the curse. Leticia chuckled. It felt like Ahwin had become her big brother again.
“And also…”
Leticia’s voice faded. She leaned her head against the bed’s headboard and closed her eyes slowly.
“Leticia, you seem very tired. I will proceed with the plan you mentioned. For now, please rest.”
“Should I…”
With Ahwin’s support, Leticia lay down on the bed. She spoke while trying to keep her heavy eyelids open.
“My stamina seems to have dropped a lot. Lately, I keep feeling drowsy.”
“It will be a long fight. You must not overdo it.”
Saying that, Ahwin infused Leticia with divine power. Leticia felt the familiar energy spread through her body as she closed her eyes slowly. After a long while, Ahwin quietly left the room, confirming that Leticia had fallen asleep.
Leaning against the wall beside the door, his face was cast in deep shadow. He soon took out a small pouch from his pocket. When he opened the gray pouch, a flat, purple stone appeared.
It was a communication stone. He stared at the stone in his palm.
‘Lady Leticia wants to hide the past from the Prince.’
Should he follow her wishes? In the past, he would have considered unconditional obedience as the answer, but not anymore. Ahwin immediately activated the communication stone.
* * *
Principality of Xenos. An office submerged in darkness. The only light in the room was the moonlight. Facing the bluish evening sky, Dietrian looked down at the purple gemstone with a bewildered expression. The communication stone flickered slowly. Even seeing it with his own eyes, he could hardly believe what it meant.
‘Leticia has returned from the past?’
The communication stone created by Callisto was certainly groundbreaking, but it had limitations. When there was a considerable distance, like between the empire and the Principality, it could only convey information through light, not sound. It expressed letters through the intervals and frequencies of the blinking light.
At first, Dietrian thought he had misinterpreted the meaning of the letters Ahwin sent. But it wasn’t the case. The flat, purple stone was slowly but surely repeating the same message.
Leticia has returned from the past. She is living the present to avoid repeating the past.
“What on earth…”
Due to the limitations of the communication stone’s method of conveying information, he couldn’t hear the detailed story. Nevertheless, the weight of the shock was not lessened.
“Leticia has already lived once.”
His mind was in disarray. Yet, he felt a sense of alignment with the subtle actions of Leticia. She rescued Enoch through a secret passage while being abused by Josephina. She warned him to be prepared because her mother would send someone to check the nuptial night. She proposed a solution to the water problem when Tenua contaminated the spring. And another thing.
[Your Highness is indeed kind.]
[I know too. That I make you uncomfortable.]
Though she had never experienced it, she repeatedly assured him of his feelings. Amidst the shock, he recalled those memories, and at that moment, his vision went black.
Dietrian unconsciously gripped the desk tightly. Cold sweat seeped from his palms.
‘What is happening?’
The surprise at the sudden turn of events was brief, and he soon regained his composure.
‘It’s the same sensation as before.’
Rozantine. The day he first learned about Leticia’s curse. All the light before his eyes vanished, revealing an unfamiliar scene. Thanks to that, he understood the conditions of the curse.
‘It’s happening again.’
Realizing the situation, Dietrian closed his eyes. He felt tense but not afraid. He had a guess as to who was orchestrating all of this. The goddess Dinute or Sigmund. It had to be the two transcendent beings aiding Leticia.
“Who are you?”
He asked the presence in the darkness trying to help him.
“Is there something you wish to show me?”
“You are indeed perceptive.”
After a moment, a low chuckle came from the darkness. Dietrian swallowed hard at the voice of the young man.
‘It’s Sigmund.’
Though it was his first time hearing Sigmund’s voice, he was certain.
“You have many questions on your face. But I can’t answer them all. The laws of causality are always watching us. We cannot interfere carelessly with the mortal realm.”
“Are you speaking of the restrictions of causality?”
“There are ways to overcome restrictions, but they cannot be used. We cannot take innocent lives like Josephina. So, we must come around in a roundabout way. Only by minimizing our intervention will the laws of causality turn a blind eye.”
It was a strange thing. Even though he couldn’t see, Dietrian knew Sigmund was smiling in the darkness.
“So, we waited and waited. Once it seemed hopeless, but not anymore. Thanks to what you all have done, we have come this far.”
Sigmund avoided detailed explanations, likely due to the existing restrictions. Still, Dietrian understood what Sigmund wanted to convey. Because of the restrictions, they couldn’t actively intervene, but if Dietrian found a clue, they could use it as an excuse to help him.
“That means.”
Dietrian’s voice trembled slightly.
“It means I have found a very important clue just now.”
Sigmund only laughed quietly in the darkness.
“Then let me ask. Leticia, my wife, has returned from the past. Please tell me about her past.”
“I thought you were cautious, but you have a hasty side. Well, caution isn’t always a virtue. Hesitation often holds us back.”
“Sigmund, I don’t have time.”
“Do not be impatient. Even if I do not show you, you will come to know. Your bloodline will give you the answer.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You are Gilead.”
“…!”
“Now that your power has awakened, all truths will unfold before you.”
And with those words, white light suddenly engulfed his vision.
“Your brother’s choice was the beginning of everything.”
An unfamiliar banquet hall in the empire, his brother Julios stood there.
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