Whimper.
The large dog nuzzled Ijia’s hand, as if trying to soothe her sorrow. Ijia gently stroked its head.
“If there’s really such a thing as a next life, I hope I can live long and happy, unlike now.”
Tears streamed down her face.
The dog whined, licking her tears, but they kept falling, unstoppable.
“I don’t want to die.”
Her pale hand gripped tightly, veins standing out. Her brown eyes, as if infected by her grief, glistened with moisture.
“I don’t want to die like this, Ttorong.”
The scene trembled again. I didn’t know how long I’d have to witness this or why. But someone wanted me to see it—I was sure of that.
Calming my heart, I watched the unfolding scene with detachment.
Death now loomed heavily over Ijia’s face. Her mother, stifling sobs, clutched her hand desperately, as if letting go would mean losing her.
“Let’s do this, Mom.”
Facing death, Ijia’s expression was calm. She patted her mother’s hand reassuringly.
“I never got sick. I graduated from high school, went to college.”
“Jia…”
Her eyes closed, a faint smile on her lips, as if imagining it.
“I graduate from college, get a job, meet someone I love, get married, have kids, and raise them with care.”
She opened her eyes, the smile lingering.
“One would be lonely, so maybe two—a boy and a girl. You’d like a grandson and granddaughter, right, Mom?”
“…Yes, both would be nice.”
Her mother’s voice trembled. Ijia, ignoring the tears in her mother’s eyes, continued.
Her father, unable to watch his daughter’s hopeful chatter, turned away, tears streaming down his face.
“And in the end, I’d pass peacefully surrounded by my grandchildren, not now, but far in the future.”
“….”
“Let’s pretend that’s what happened. That I’m not dying now, but living a full, peaceful life.”
“Okay, my daughter. Let’s do that.”
Tears finally spilled from her mother’s eyes. Ijia fell silent, staring into the void. Over her dark eyes, green ones superimposed.
Ah, I see.
It wasn’t Bijonne’s memory that was distorted—it was Ijia’s. Ijia was Bijonne’s past life.
I’d been remembering Ijia’s imagined future as reality. Her desperate wish was so strong it became my memory.
Darkness fell again, silence enveloping me. I closed my eyes, sorting my thoughts.
Bijonne, without Ijia’s memories, couldn’t fulfill her dreams. Unlike Ijia’s hopes, she lived in pain and took her own life.
Was I Bijonne, reborn after death? Or had I merely seen her future?
The answer eluded me, but it didn’t matter.
Whoever I was before, I’m just me now.
My past identity was irrelevant.
“Are you happy?”
A voice, neither male nor female, stirred me. I opened my eyes to see the Black Priest before me.
Their face, hidden by a dark robe, was invisible. Though close enough to touch, they felt impossibly distant.
“Are you happy now?”
Was I?
Sys’s sweet smile flashed in my mind, followed by Father’s stoic but warm presence, Lant’s shy grin, Evan, Anasha—all their faces.
People who love me, and whom I love.
Unlike Ijia, who mourned her unlived future, or Bijonne, who cursed her loveless life, I was alive, surrounded by love.
My answer was clear.
“I’m happy.”
The Black Priest’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
“May you live long and happy in this life, my…”
They stepped closer, kissing my forehead.
Through the dark robe, familiar brown eyes gazed at me tenderly.
Oh, it was you.
I understood the Black Priest’s identity.
Act 26: Happiness
“This is my greatest masterpiece!”
Madame Miela gazed at me, enraptured.
As she said, the dress I wore was exquisite. It flowed over my curves, tailored perfectly, both dazzling and elegant.
“No dress could be more beautiful than this.”
“That’s troubling. I plan to keep commissioning you.”
“Please, keep me in business!”
Madame Miela clenched her fists with determination, making the maids assisting me stifle giggles.
“…Wait a moment…”
“…Move…”
“No, you can’t!”
A commotion grew, and the door burst open without warning.
“What insolence—”
This wasn’t a place anyone could barge into, especially not today. The maids, about to scold the intruder, froze upon recognizing him, bowing hastily.
“We greet His Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”
“Leave us.”
“Your Majesty!”
“I said leave.”
At Sys’s icy command, the maids and his attendants fell silent and filed out.
His hair swept back, dressed impeccably in formal attire, he was the most stunning I’d ever seen him.
Once the room was cleared, he strode toward me. Unlike his usual warm smile, his face was cold, almost frosty.
“On a day like this, why are you so angry?”
He glared without answering, his golden eyes blazing.
“Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts about marrying me.”
“No way!”
Even in his anger, he was quick to deny that. Smiling, I traced my fingers along his lapel, feeling the cool, smooth satin.
“Then why so upset?”
He clamped his lips shut, jaw tight, clearly furious.
Unlike the Sys, who was endlessly indulgent with me, he rarely got angry—except in one specific case.
I had a hunch why he was upset.
In the palace, little escaped the Emperor’s notice. I’d hoped to keep it from him until after the wedding, but it seemed he’d found out.
Not that it changes anything.
Fluttering my lashes, I looked up at him.
“I dressed up to look my best for you today, yet you haven’t said a word about it.”
Feigning disappointment, I started to pull my hand from his lapel. He grabbed my wrist.
“Damn it, you’re beautiful. So beautiful I’m losing my mind.”
His rough tone made me suppress a frown.
Where he’d picked up such coarse speech, I didn’t know, but it had worsened since his return from the battlefield.
Not just his speech—Sys had returned harder, more resolute. As the future Emperor, it wasn’t a bad change.
I smiled, softening my expression.
“Then what’s got you so worked up?”
He hesitated, then sighed, his anger seeming to ebb.
“It’s about the Black Priest, isn’t it?”
My smile froze. I’d hoped to keep that from him until after the ceremony.
“I told you, Bee. They’re dangerous. Why risk it?”
His voice was low, laced with worry.
“I have to know, Sys. There’s something I need to understand.”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
“And you think meeting them will give you answers?”
“I don’t know. But I have to try.”
He stared at me, then pulled me close, his voice softening.
“Just… be careful. I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t.”
I touched the ring on my finger, the one he’d given me.
“Come back to me like you promised, and I’ll handle the rest.”
He nodded, his expression easing.
“After today, you’re mine forever, Bee. No more reckless quests.”
I laughed, leaning into him.
“Only if you stop picking fights with my father.”
He grinned, the tension breaking.
“Deal.”
The wedding awaited, but for now, we stood together, ready to face whatever came—Black Priests, Inayari, or the empire itself.
