After finishing their outing, Latil and Lehira confidently entered the imperial palace through the main gate.
Banessa, who had been tearing his hair out over Callisto sending him away, was taken aback by Lehira’s unexpected appearance.
Although a considerable amount of time had passed, the trauma of being shunned by Lehira still lingered.
Lehira wrinkled her nose at Banessa, who was flustered and anxious, looking for her approval.
Though the uncomfortable feelings still remained as a habit, now that she had become friends with Latil, there was no reason to feel uneasy around Banessa.
On the contrary, it was Lehira who needed to apologize. She had misunderstood Latil’s character and held resentment towards Banessa.
“Your Highness.”
Banessa awkwardly smiled and knelt on one knee. Despite having lived as a duke for several years, he always believed in his essence as a knight of Genos. That belief probably wouldn’t change until his death. It was his steadfastness.
“Did Your Highness take care of my daughter?”
Banessa naturally pulled Latil into an embrace as he asked. Although she was quite different from his daughter, a father was still a father. Just by looking at her face, he could gauge his daughter’s mood.
The expression on Latil’s face, who appeared alongside Lehira, looked very comfortable, as if a long-standing worry had been resolved. Even his dull eyes, unable to match his daughter’s delicacy, could read that.
“I went on an outing with big sister Lehira. She even gifted me clothes and a bracelet. We’re friends now.”
His daughter’s bright smile was so endearing that a radiant smile formed on Banessa’s face as well. His plan to cling to Callisto slipped away at that moment.
He felt relieved but cautiously scrutinized Lehira. It was a moment to ponder how to avoid her tearing his hair out again, just like before.
“Lord Duke, I have something to say to you.”
At that moment, Lehira, who had been sulking while looking at Banessa, neatly clasped her hands together and bowed her head.
“I’m sorry. I would like to apologize for my previous rudeness.”
“…Yes?”
“I misunderstood Latil before. But not anymore. Latil is really an important friend to me, and you are important to me too, Lord Duke.”
Lehira took a step forward. Banessa blinked in bewilderment. Lehira bowed her head deeply once more.
“I’m truly sorry for everything that happened. I was foolish and only thought of my own feelings. I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I won’t make the same mistake again. If you can forgive me, I’d like to visit the empire often from now on. I want to spend good times with Latil too.”
Banessa was flustered. Even as he heard Lehira’s words, he couldn’t believe them.
At that moment, Latil giggled and hugged Banessa. At the clear laughter devoid of any ill will, Banessa instinctively glanced towards Julios.
Julios smiled and nodded slightly. His worries melted away like snow. Banessa couldn’t contain his joy and grinned widely.
“It’s my pleasure, Your Highness!”
Banessa beamed with his trademark wide smile that Callisto dreaded. Perhaps out of embarrassment, a smile also appeared on the previously awkward Lehira’s face. Latil giggled as she held Lehira’s hand. Lehira smiled back at Julios.
“Well done, Lehira.”
Julios said with a pleased expression. He was truly proud of his niece, who could do things well without needing guidance.
Watching that beautiful scene, Banessa’s eyes sparkled. A long-abandoned ambition began to sprout in his mind. An unrequited desire to become in-laws with Genos.
‘Should I bring it up with sister again? Let’s give it a try. No, rather, I should persuade brother well. If he gets married, the odds increase, right?’
Although it wasn’t the direction he initially envisioned, ultimately, Genos and the Holy Empire would end up forming a marriage alliance, but that would be…
A very, very distant future.
* * *
A little later, a banquet was held to welcome Lehira, Julios, and the people from Genos.
The nobles attending the banquet were truly astonished several times.
Nobles attending the banquet were astonished for three reasons: first, they had seen the much-rumored daughter of the saint; second, that daughter was close friends with the imperial princess; and third, that Julios looked much younger than they had heard.
“During those seven years of absence, it was said that time for the soul had stopped, right?”
“I thought it was just a rumor. But it turns out it was true.”
Julios’s good looks shone even in the empire. Many ladies in Genos had been swooning over his calm demeanor and kindness. The same phenomenon was happening in the empire.
Meanwhile, Banessa, who felt a sense of pride as if his own popularity was soaring while watching the immensely popular Julios, suddenly had a spark in his eyes.
This was because Callisto had entered the banquet hall.
“Brother, what brings you here?”
Callisto disliked noisy gatherings. Originally sensitive, he had become even more so since becoming the head of the magic tower. Naturally, he rarely attended banquets, often ignoring Banessa’s pleas.
“Ha, did you come to see me after all?”
Of course, that was unlikely. Still, Banessa was glad to see Callisto.
Callisto scanned the banquet hall as if looking for someone. Having reconciled with Lehira and seeing Latil smile, Banessa immediately approached Callisto.
“Brother! You were looking for me, right? Here I am!”
“That’s unlikely.”
As expected, Callisto frowned immediately upon making eye contact with Banessa. Regardless, Banessa began to pester him.
“Brother, when will you return to the magic tower?”
“I plan to move in about a week. Why?”
“Brother, did you know? Princess Lehira, no, Her Highness apologized to me. She even said she likes me!”
“So what?”
“What do you mean, so what? That’s something to brag about. Brother, listen a bit more. So…”
Banessa continued to boast until Callisto looked fed up, then grinned slyly.
“By the way, brother, when are you getting married?”
“You wouldn’t know.”
“Don’t say that. Brother, I’ve thought about it, and there’s more than one way to become in-laws with Genos. You should get married quickly too. One is less likely than two, right?”
“You’re still spouting nonsense. If you’re going to ramble, get out of here.”
Callisto pulled Banessa toward the area where the ministers were gathered.
The ministers, who had many things to say but were too scared to approach, sighed in relief.
“Thank you! Prince Callisto! Do you know how long we’ve been searching for you?”
“Wait a minute, brother! Ah, is this how it is?”
“Your Highness! Where do you think you’re going? There are urgent matters piled up like mountains that we need to discuss! Please listen to us!”
“That’s right! You are the Grand Duke of the Holy Empire! You cannot abandon us!”
Before Banessa could say more, Callisto quickly slipped out of the crowd.
Before leaving the banquet hall, he glanced at where everyone’s eyes were focused.
The stars of today’s banquet were undoubtedly the two children.
Latil and Lehira.
The children who would lead the future of the Holy Empire and Genos.
His gaze lingered particularly long on Lehira. More precisely, it was on her eyes, which resembled her mother’s so closely.
He had come to the banquet hall to see Lehira.
Rumors had circulated that Lehira looked a lot like her mother.
The rumors were true.
A smile that had often been harsh towards Banessa now formed a gentle curve on his lips.
He wasn’t even aware of this soft smile.
“Marriage.”
As soon as Banessa mentioned marriage, a certain person came to mind.
Banessa, who constantly nagged him about why he never looked at women, when he would marry, and if he had ever liked anyone, seemed relentless.
But he had. In fact, there was someone he had cherished in his heart, even if only briefly.
“Just a fleeting moment, though.”
Callisto chuckled lightly as he exited the banquet hall.
The cool breeze refreshed his flushed cheeks, warmed by the festivities.
He walked slowly through the garden adorned with sparkling lights, memories of his most precious moments surfacing.
Though so much had changed since then—the gray clouds, the excited beasts, the fallen priest were all gone…
Yet, the first meeting with Leticia remained vivid, as if it had happened just yesterday.
“I wonder how she is.”
Leaning against a bench, Callisto gazed momentarily toward the south.
That was where Genos lay.
A nostalgic longing shimmered in his eyes.
The only romantic feelings that had visited him.
As soon as he recognized that feeling, he buried it deep. She was already married at that time.
Though it was regrettable, it hadn’t troubled him too much.
To him, her mere existence was overwhelming.
She had been his sole savior of the soul.
He was grateful just for the feelings she had awakened in him.
“Perhaps it’s only natural that no other woman catches my eye.”
No emotion could be stronger than that salvation of the soul.
Instead of daring to covet her heart, he wished for her happiness—now and in the future. He would continue to do so until the end of his life.
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