Chapter 149
Could this be a dream?
Her mind went completely blank.
The man everyone had insisted was dead stood right before her eyes. Maybe she was seeing things, born of a longing so deep it warped reality.
At Lynette’s voice, the two riders hastily slowed their pace.
“Lynette?”
Her eyes widened at the familiar voice.
Euphen turned his horse around and came closer until he stopped right before her.
Slowly, he pushed back his hood.
It’s unmistakably Euphen.
Lynette’s hands trembled faintly.
A ghost? Or had she finally lost her mind from missing him too much?
As she was still confused, another figure approached.
“I didn’t expect we’d meet like this.”
The woman who dismounted gracefully was Eshar. Seeing her there made it all feel more real.
Euphen truly stood before her, because he would never have been traveling alone.
“…Haah.”
With a low sigh, Sillian stepped out from behind.
Silence fell between the four of them. No one seemed to know what to say.
They only stared at one another.
Euphen was the first to speak.
“Lynette, what are you doing here?”
His voice trembled faintly.
Lynette’s lips parted, barely able to speak.
“They said… that Your Highness had… passed away…”
She spoke carefully, afraid that if she says anything wrong, the man before her would vanish like mist.
“I was going to… attend the funeral.”
“Ah.”
Euphen let out a deep sigh.
Where was he supposed to begin? Should he ask why such a rumor had spread, where she was headed, or what she’d intended to do? Countless questions tangled on his tongue.
Lynette stared blankly at him, then reached out a trembling hand.
She wanted to touch him, even if it hurt.
No, she needed it to hurt.
Pain would be proof that this man was truly alive.
But just before her fingers could reach him, Euphen gave a strained smile and stepped back.
“You mustn’t.”
When she tried to move closer, Sillian’s arm circled her shoulders, pulling her back as he spoke quietly.
“Unless you plan to return to the Imperial Castle, there’s no way to erase the aftereffects.”
At his warning, she pressed her lips together.
It was the truth she couldn’t deny.
Mages were rare to begin with, and those who knew forbidden spells were even more so.
Besides, removing the aftereffects requires extensive preparation. If she didn’t intend to return to Shirin, she couldn’t touch him.
Even slight pain could accumulate, and someday, it would become unbearable.
She could feel Euphen’s gaze fall on Sillian’s hand at her shoulder. He stared at it for a moment, then lowered his eyes with a bitter look.
“Euphen.”
Eshar spoke up quietly.
“We need to go.”
“…Ah. Right.”
He answered obediently, but didn’t climb back onto his horse.
Was this how they would part again?
Even though it was their second farewell, nothing about it felt easier.
Sillian’s hand on her shoulder tightened, as though he feared she might follow them.
When Euphen still didn’t move, Eshar frowned.
“I can’t say it’s nice to see you again.”
She tugged lightly at Euphen’s arm.
As he turned reluctantly, his expression heavy with hesitation, Lynette suddenly blurted out a question.
“Can’t I come with you?”
All three of them turned toward her in shock, as if the thought had never even occurred to her before that moment.
“Whatever happened… you’re heading away from the capital, aren’t you?”
She spoke quickly, turning to Sillian.
“Sillian, you said I could go anywhere. So shouldn’t it be fine if I go with His Highness?”
“Lynette.”
“You said we didn’t have to go straight to Calles, that we could travel a little first…”
He sighed quietly, his expression hardening.
“And besides, since there’s danger, it’s safer to move together, isn’t it?”
“Danger?”
Euphen’s brows furrowed.
“…Do you have any idea who might be behind it?”
Sillian asked, his voice low.
Eshar rubbed her forehead tiredly.
“It seems someone tried to make a move on Lynette as well.”
“What kind of people were they? Lynette, were you hurt? Are you alright?”
His blue eyes swept over her, filled with worry.
Lynette nodded slowly.
“I’m fine. Sillian and I both came out of it unharmed.”
“And who exactly are those people?”
Sillian’s tone was sharp.
Euphen exhaled heavily, irritation flickering across his face.
“So it’s been found out that Lynette is a fake Guide, then?”
At those words, Euphen bit his lower lip hard.
“It was my mistake. Thank you for protecting her.”
“Protecting Lynette is my duty. It’s not something you need to thank me for.”
Euphen’s eyes wavered violently, as if struck by the realization that he truly became someone who no longer had any right to her.
“Lynette. Let’s go.”
Sillian tugged gently at her shoulder, unwilling to continue the conversation.
“Sillian, can’t we?”
“Even if faking his death went as planned, if anyone has noticed His Highness is still alive, the danger will never end. I cannot approve of you going with the Imperial Prince.”
“But…”
Lynette looked at Euphen.
She knew it was selfish. No matter what reason she tried to give, the truth was simple.
She just wanted to be with him again.
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