Chapter 126
Even if there were no other threats, if the same thing that happened before the regression were to occur again, he would need this necklace to survive.
If she took it away, then who would be there to save him at that time?
As Lynette spoke firmly and held it out, the man received the necklace with a faintly conflicted expression.
“A handkerchief will do.”
“…”
He slowly brushed his thumb over the pendant.
Lost in deep thought, Euphen blinked, then unclasped the necklace.
He gently placed it around her neck, careful not to touch her skin, and fastened it again.
“Your Highness.”
“This will protect you.”
At those words, Lynette gripped the necklace tightly.
“You’re the one in danger, Your Highness. I’m fine.”
“No one knows what might happen outside.”
“It’s more dangerous inside.”
At that, the man gave a bitter smile.
“If this is going to protect me, then I wish it would protect you instead.”
When she reached behind her neck to remove it again, he spoke with a sighing voice.
“Just keep it, Lynette.”
His tone sounded almost like a plea, and she could only gaze quietly into those blue eyes.
“If I know that you have this with you, I can feel at ease.”
“…”
“So please, just take it.”
‘But Your Highness will need it later.’
If something like before the regression happens again, what will you do then?
Even so, that accident wasn’t something his power could stop.
‘But maybe… it won’t happen this time.’
She had struggled desperately to change the future, and to some extent, things had turned out differently.
Though her emotions hadn’t changed as she wished.
Pushing aside the ominous thoughts that kept rising, Lynette slowly lowered her hand.
“I’ll treasure it.”
She held the small pendant tightly and pressed a gentle kiss to it.
She couldn’t kiss him directly, but she hoped this one would reach him.
A soft laugh escaped from Euphen.
“If there’s something Your Highness needs-”
“I don’t need anything.”
He cut her off firmly before she could even finish her words.
“…I don’t need anything. Lynette.”
When he murmured it again in that low voice, it sounded like he was forcing the words out.
“You said you’re leaving tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
He simply looked at her in silence, as though engraving her face into his memory.
“Wherever you go, be happy.”
She wanted to say ‘Yes,’ but no voice came out.
Could she really be happy after leaving him?
Wouldn’t she just spend every day longing for him instead?
She felt she would end up regretting it, thinking she should’ve done whatever it took to stay by his side.
‘But that doesn’t mean anything can be changed now.’
Even if she stayed, she could never truly be beside him.
She knew better than anyone that she was his weakness. She knew disappearing was the right choice, where he could be at peace the most.
“…I don’t think I’ll be able to see you off.”
Euphen spoke in a low voice and gave a dry laugh.
Lynette clasped her hands tightly together.
What words were right for a final farewell?
Last time, she had lied, saying she loved another man.
And when it truly ended, she’d asked him to smile.
After hesitating for a moment, she lifted her head.
“Please… smile.”
At her words, Euphen’s expression briefly faltered before he smiled.
It was the same smile as that time.
His lips forced into a curve, yet his eyes were filled with sorrow.
Somehow, this moment… even without tears, seemed even more painful than back then.
‘I keep making him sad, both then and now.’
Lynette swallowed down the bitter feeling and smiled.
At the very least, she wanted him to remember her with a smile.
And so, the two smiled for each other.
Barely, yet sincerely.
***
Lynette turned back.
No one was there to wave goodbye, yet she felt as if someone were watching her.
He had said he wouldn’t see her off, but she could almost picture him standing by the window, watching her leave.
That was just the kind of person he was.
It was a farewell without any goodbyes.
No one bid her well, and no one seemed to care that she was leaving.
The Detached Palace was as quiet and calm as always.
Lynette hadn’t packed much.
To an outsider, it wouldn’t even look like she was leaving for good. Just stepping out for a brief errand.
Considering all the thoughts and resolve she had gone through, the farewell felt almost absurdly simple.
‘When I left before, I just wanted to get away quickly, because I didn’t want him to see me die.’
Everything was different now. The situation, the emotions, all of it.
At least this time, the last thing she saw was Euphen’s smiling face.
Even if that smile had looked sorrowful, it was still a smile.
A few steps ahead, Sillian quietly glanced at her expression, then let out a barely audible sigh and said nothing.
Leaving the Imperial Castle was easy.
She had rarely gone through this gate before, and yet… here she was, stepping out without Euphen.
Lynette looked around the bustling streets.
Though she had lived here for years, even including before the regression, it all felt strangely unfamiliar.
The man walking ahead, however, moved with the ease of someone who knew every street.
She followed him at a slow pace, without asking where they were headed.
There was no need to.
From now on, she would be following Sillian wherever he went.
At a nearby shop where horses were kept, he brought out two mounts.
He helped her up onto one, then easily climbed onto the other.
“It’s best not to look back anymore.”
“…All right.”
And so, the two slowly left the Imperial Capital behind.
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