Those words weren’t wrong. 

But they weren’t right either. 

Using this artefact as leverage to demand the Mage Tower’s assistance in resurrecting the Blante family would violate the fundamental law that prohibited the Mage Tower from interfering in the political affairs of nations. 

The Blante family, rising from the ashes by breaking the continent’s taboo… 

Could I truly face my ancestors and my father with pride? 

For centuries, as one of the founding noble families, the Blante family had never broken the law. 

And now, would I be the one to tarnish that noble legacy? Especially now that my father is dead, falsely accused? 

Ariel shook her head firmly. 

“This… is not the right thing to do.” 

Aster chuckled slightly, as if he had expected her answer. 

“This choice may seem frustrating, but frankly, I would have been disappointed if you’d answered otherwise. Such unwavering conviction is truly admirable.” 

Holding on to your beliefs while standing on the edge of a cliff is no easy feat. 

At his additional remark, Ariel let out a small smile. 

“What is so admirable about standing on the edge of a cliff? It must look foolish to others. They’d think I was clinging to my pride, refusing to let go even when I had no room to be so choosy. I’d probably just be criticised for it. But what can I do? I was brought up in the Blante family, where honour is more important than life itself.

Aster studied her with an indescribable expression before slowly parting his lips. 

“Still, think of yourself. You’ve endured all this alone, with no one to lean on.” 

“That’s…” 

“A tree without a single bend is the one that breaks most easily, especially when a storm rages,” said Aster. “So put that belief aside for now. At least until the storm has passed.”

“……”

Noticing that Ariel was wavering, Aster gently tightened her loose grip on the pocket watch, making sure it rested firmly in her hand. 

Withdrawing his own hand, he added casually, “Besides, even if I wanted to study the magic circle inside the pocket watch, I couldn’t.” 

Ariel paused, her forehead slightly furrowed.

“Why not?” 

“Well, for one thing, it’s ancient, and…”

He hesitated for a moment, scratching his cheek sheepishly, before continuing.

“Most importantly, I don’t know the trigger or the conditions for activating the magic circle. Without that knowledge, the only way to break the seal would be by force… and even my strength isn’t enough for that.” 

“It’s a bit embarrassing to say this as the Master of the Tower.”

Aster admitted, his tone tinged with self-deprecation.

“But the magic circle was made by a mage of a much higher circle than me. If I’m not careful, I could be dead before I even break the seal.”

“By the power of the magic it contains?”

“Exactly.” 

Ariel nodded slowly, withdrawing the hand that had offered the pocket watch. 

In that fleeting moment, Aster discreetly glanced at the watch in her grasp. 

Because, to be honest, half of what he had just said was true, and the other half was a lie. 

It was true that the magic circle had been created by a mage of a higher circle than his own. But the idea that breaking the seal could kill him? That part was a complete fabrication. 

If the great mages of the Tower were gathered together and the task was approached with precision, the seal could be broken. It would take years, but it wasn’t impossible. 

Such an extracted magic circle could contribute greatly to the advancement of healing and barrier magic. 

But Aster’s deep gaze remained on Ariel as she stared intently at the pocket watch in her hand. 

Unlike her earlier expression of bitterness, Ariel now looked at the pocket watch with a faint smile. 

That watch was probably the only comfort she had when she was on the brink of despair. 

No matter how much Aster wanted it, he knew he couldn’t take it away from her – not now. 

Without that small comfort, Ariel would feel unbearably alone. 

It was, after all, a treasured Blante family heirloom. Not only that, but it contained a protective spell, something someone in her situation desperately needed. At the moment, no one needed it more than Ariel. 

The progress of her magical studies? That could wait. A little delay wouldn’t be the end of the world. 

And maybe… 

Aster spoke up, his voice calm. 

“Who knows? Maybe this magical seal was created for the Blante family on purpose, and didn’t end up with you by chance.”

His sharp blue eyes locked with Ariel’s as he continued, his tone carrying a strange mixture of certainty and curiosity. 

“Perhaps you will be the one to break the seal, my lady. Like a miracle.”

There was no trace of humour in Aster’s expression. It wasn’t a joke or a mere consolation – it was real.

Ariel murmured slowly, “A miracle…”

It was a bitter word on her tongue, for she had tasted far too much despair to hope for any more miracles.

But it wouldn’t be polite to show Aster any more signs of weariness.

Gathering her emotions, Ariel managed to offer him a smile.

“Yes. If a miracle should happen, I’ll make sure to let you know first, so that it can be of use to you.”

“If that day comes, I’ll gladly pay its full value to take the watch. Until then, please keep it safe without a scratch, my lady.”

“Alright.”

Noticing Ariel’s slightly more relaxed expression, Aster turned his head towards the small window of the carriage. After glancing outside to check their position, he looked back at her.

“It seems we’ve almost reached my destination,” he said, nodding politely. “So I suppose this will be my final farewell for now.”

“Final farewell?”

“Yes.”

Aster confirmed with a slight smile.

“I must return to the tower. If I linger any longer, I fear one of the archmages will collapse from sheer worry.”

He chuckled slightly before saying his parting words.

“Take care, my lady. And please don’t let the burden weigh you down for too long. I mean that sincerely.”

Ariel smiled faintly and replied with her own farewell.

But to ignore it completely felt wrong, especially after receiving such deep comfort from Aster. She wanted to return the favour, if only in a small way, and offer him some comfort.

Of course, her attempt at comfort was minuscule compared to what he had done for her.

Aster lowered his gaze briefly before raising it to meet hers again. With a smooth, practiced smile, he said, “Thank you for your kind words, my lady. If the opportunity arises, I hope to see you again.”

And with that, it was over. Aster disappeared from her sight.

As if he had never been there.

It felt so surreal that she wondered if she had only dreamed the encounter.

Ariel stared silently at the seat where he had been moments before, before she let out a deep sigh.

Then she muttered to herself.

“And you too, Archmage. Please don’t let the guilt over your sister weigh you down for too long. You’re not the one who hurt her. And I’m sure the princess doesn’t blame you either – especially now that she’s finally found peace.”

For the first time, Aster’s composed gaze faltered slightly.

In truth, Ariel had been debating whether or not to say those words.

“Truly… thank you.” 

It was a heartfelt message of gratitude that she hadn’t had a chance to say to him before he disappeared in the blink of an eye. 

From their unexpected meeting at the party until now, their acquaintance had been brief. 

Yet Aster had been the only one to reach out to her when she had been drowning in despair, stuck at her lowest point. 

That made their parting all the more bittersweet – no, if she was honest, it was deeply disappointing. But he was someone she couldn’t hold on to, even if she wanted to. 

The fact that the elusive Tower Master had even crossed her path in such a fleeting and fortuitous way was extraordinary enough. 

Sighing to soothe her regret, Ariel carefully placed the pocket watch in her hands. 

As she wound the chain, Aster’s words replayed in her mind: 

“I hope you won’t be in pain for too long.” 

“This way… it won’t last long.” 

Since His Majesty had already removed the Blante family plaque, the verdict on the Blante Marquisate was unlikely to change. 

Unless a miracle happened. 

“A miracle…” 

Ariel smiled bitterly, clutching the immaculate, gleaming pocket watch tightly in her hand. 

Then she turned her gaze out of the small window and stared at the sky, which had turned crimson with the setting sun. 

It occurred to her that tonight’s sunset had an unusual resemblance to the colour of blood. 

And with this sombre thought, she returned to the Marquis’ estate. 

—

As the exhausted Ariel collapsed at the Marquis’s estate, the enchanting sound of a harp resonated throughout the Duchess of Viasteus’ mansion.

The musician was none other than the Duchess of Viasteus.

It had been a long time since she had last played the harp. She hadn’t touched it since her mother died, even though it was her mother who had taught her to play.

It wasn’t that seeing the harp reminded her of her mother.

She had only played the harp when there was a reason to be happy. Since her mother’s death and the Emperor’s accession to the throne, there hadn’t been a single moment of joy in her life – until now.

But today was an exception.

Kylance had finally chosen her.

The Blante Marquisate, erased from the list of founders at Kylance’s request.

Kylance had followed her advice. Unlike his father, he hadn’t let go of her hand and had made the right decision.

It’s all thanks to how well I raised this child.

Or perhaps Kylance was meant to be her child all along. 

Born into this world as Alex’s son by some cruel trick of the gods, but eventually raised in her arms and moulded into the extraordinary person he had become. 

And he was so much like her.

The unyielding strength to achieve one’s goals without succumbing to frivolous emotions – that wasn’t Alex’s quality. He was far too weak and spineless. 

If he had taken my hand that day, he could have achieved so much more.

But like a fool, he chose to side with someone as useless as himself.

The Duchess smiled with a hint of contempt as she recalled a scene from the past.