Epilogue

The wedding was grand. Lilia’s wedding dress became a sensation, and people whispered that it was the most splendid wedding the Empire had ever seen. After the wedding, everyone expected Lilia to be active in social circles, but she shut herself away in the mansion once again.

She wasn’t ill, yet people found it strange that she didn’t participate in social events. Still, no one dared to criticize her. Whenever noble ladies gathered, they always talked about the wedding held at the Fortein Duchy.

“I still can’t forget that wedding.”

“Right? Me neither. The dress was so extravagant… Especially the tiara was amazing.”

“Yes. I can’t even imagine how much it must have cost.”

Most wore expressions of envy. The noble ladies couldn’t understand why Lilia would hold another wedding despite already being married, but after attending, their minds changed.

“To be honest… I’m thinking of having another wedding ceremony with my husband too.”

“Oh my, actually, I’m considering it as well…”

Starting with Lilia’s wedding, other noble ladies began showing interest in holding new wedding ceremonies, and it became a trend. However, among them, one person’s face was noticeably dark—Cynthiarel. Seeing her gloomy expression, the woman next to her spoke with concern.

“Madam Delphinne, you don’t look well. Are you alright? If you’re not feeling well, you can leave early.”

“Ah… I haven’t been sleeping well lately, so I think the fatigue is catching up. It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry.”

She answered with a faint smile. Hearing she was fine, the others stopped worrying and turned away.

Cynthiarel stared blankly at her teacup, thinking of Lilia’s wedding. Lilia smiled radiantly, as if she had everything. Damon’s gaze toward Lilia was tender, and she looked stunning in her wedding dress.

Cynthiarel, standing in the corner, watched longingly. At the same time, she felt miserable. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d smiled so brightly. She always wore a formal, empty smile.

She had no husband to share another wedding with. All she had was an obsessive adopted son. She dreaded entering the mansion. His gaze suffocated her, and the marks on her body never faded. That was why she never wore dresses that revealed her neck or arms.

She tried to take a sip of tea, but suddenly gagged. The sudden sound turned everyone’s attention to Cynthiarel. Her complexion turned pale.

“Madam Delphinne, are you really alright?”

“Ah, it’s just… I think lunch didn’t sit well. I’m sorry, but may I leave first?”

“Oh, of course. Go back to the mansion and rest.”

“Thank you.”

Cynthiarel mumbled her thanks and hurriedly left the garden. The others watched in confusion, but soon turned away. Cynthiarel staggered as if she might collapse at any moment.

It was the worst possible situation. She’d need a physician’s examination to be sure, but she feared her suspicion was correct. Cynthiarel climbed into the carriage, which soon rattled off. She absently placed her hand on her belly.

“Ah… ugh…”

She couldn’t cry aloud for fear someone would hear. Everyone around her was his people, so there was no one to confide in. Not even being able to cry felt miserable. Tears slid down her cheeks and fell onto the back of her hand as she closed her eyes.

Where had it all gone wrong? When her husband cheated? Or from the moment they married? Or perhaps when she adopted her son? If there was a next life, she wanted to be like Lilia. With that thought, the carriage entered the mansion.

* * *

A long time passed since then. Damon and Lilia had a son, and as soon as he celebrated his coming-of-age, Damon handed over the position of head of the house. Then, they moved to their estate to spend the rest of their lives in the mansion there.

“Damon, how does it feel not having to work?”

“It’s incredibly relaxing.”

Damon’s expression was truly carefree. Not having to wake up early for work made life much easier. He had more time to spend with Lilia, and happiness followed.

Always together, they sometimes took short trips—always to places Lilia chose. As more time passed, Damon and Lilia grew old and wrinkled.

“Damon, I’m curious about something.”

“What is it?”

“Have you been happy all this time?”

“Of course.”

Without hesitation, Damon replied, holding her hand. Even with all the wrinkles, Lilia was still the most beautiful in his eyes. As always, they fell asleep hand in hand. The next morning, the maid who came to wake them found Damon and Lilia had passed away.

Dying together on the same day was truly miraculous. Their funeral was grand, and they were buried side by side where only members of the Duchy could rest. Their son, Derek, asked quietly,

“How was Father and Mother’s last moments?”

“It was the same as any other day. They had dinner together and went to sleep. When I found them in the morning, both were smiling, not with pain or sadness.”

“I see… Thank you for letting me know.”

The maid bowed and stepped back. Derek gazed at the gravestone for a long time before leaving.

* * *

A loud bell rang in her ears. Lilia rubbed her face into the blanket and slowly opened her eyes. Her head was foggy.

“Ugh… my head…”

Her head throbbed as if she’d drunk too much the night before. Pressing her temples with her fingers, she suddenly sat up and looked around. A very small room. Stained white wallpaper. Even the blanket on the floor wasn’t unfamiliar. The place where she was lying was her studio apartment.

“No way… Did I come back?”

She sat up and picked up the mirror lying on the floor to check her face. Black hair and black eyes. Slightly upturned eyes with a tear mole under one eye. It was Cha Hyemi’s face.

“Is this a dream?”

Lilia—no, Hyemi—muttered blankly and pinched her arm. The sharp pain told her it wasn’t a dream. She didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. It felt strange, as if she were living her life a second time.

Without washing up, she hurriedly threw on some clothes and rushed outside. Tall buildings and busy people everywhere. Instead of a fancy dress, she wore comfortable pants and a t-shirt. Hyemi wandered all around.

“So, was entering the book just a dream?”

Hyemi pulled out her phone to look for the book. No matter how much she searched, she couldn’t find it. She tilted her head and even tried searching online, but nothing came up—it was as if the book never existed.

“No way…”

She stared at her phone, mumbling blankly. The book had vanished without a trace. She tried to look up the author online, but not even a similar name appeared.

Days passed. After her last class, Hyemi trudged back to her studio apartment. She still couldn’t tell what was a dream and what was reality. The memories of entering the book were too vivid, even up to the moment of death, and Damon’s face was still clear in her mind.

She stopped at a crosswalk. On the other side, one person stood out, catching her attention. He was much taller and bigger than everyone else, making him stand out. Hyemi thought absentmindedly that he was just very tall, waiting for the light to change.

Soon, the light turned green and people started crossing. Hyemi moved to cross as well, drawing closer to the people on the other side.

Her dazed eyes slowly widened. The tall man was staring intently at Hyemi. But his face wasn’t unfamiliar at all—jet-black hair and vivid violet eyes. Her lips trembled as she softly called out his name.

“…Damon?”

Upon hearing those words, the man smiled softly, then moved his long legs and strode toward Hyemi, suddenly pulling her into a hug. As she froze in surprise, he whispered quietly in her ear.

“It’s been a while, Lilia. Ah, or is it Hyemi… now?”

Yes, it wasn’t a dream. Meeting him could never have been just a dream. Hyemi’s voice trembled, and then she finally burst into tears.

“Why, why… did you only come now! Do you know… do you know how much I missed you!”

“Sorry I was late. It was my fault, so please don’t cry.”

Even as tears streamed down her face, she cupped his cheek and kissed him. She didn’t care that people were looking at them strangely. He seemed flustered for a moment, but soon wrapped his arms around her waist and accepted her. A bright smile appeared on Hyemi’s tear-stained face. It was the moment when the missing piece of the puzzle fit perfectly into place.