When had I last felt this powerless? The exhaustion was even more despairing because it was so familiar. Back then, too, I had been facing death. The only difference was that it was my own death, not Leopold’s.

The master had known that Leopold’s condition was severe, but clearly not the full extent of it. That’s probably why he told me to go. How indifferent…

But did Leopold know? Is that why he avoided me as soon as he saw me? Yet in D’Agnon, he had behaved as if he would love me forever…

As if he would love me…

“I have loved Hazel for a long time.”

The image of him saying that calmly, as if he were talking about someone else, suddenly took my breath away. Did he even realize what he was saying? Of course, even though I wasn’t there, that confession…

I wanted to dive into that memory and scream that it was a lie. That way, my past, which had dried up without knowing anything, wouldn’t seem as pitiful. But on the other hand, I wanted to ask repeatedly if it was true. That way, my heart, which I thought was one-sided, wouldn’t seem as pitiful. And you, who lost me…

Was I now going to lose you instead…?

I thought I had cried all my tears, but it was as if every emotion I’d kept hidden had turned to water, and thick drops fell onto the bed once more. In the end, I lay beside him, resting my head on my arm. I couldn’t stop sobbing.

How long did I cry, unable to calm my restless heart, my shoulders shaking? At some point, I felt a cautious touch at the end of my arm. Then, a slightly weary voice reached my ears.

“…Hazel.”

Startled, I lifted my head. Leopold had somehow sat up and was looking at me with eyes more lifeless than ever.

This wasn’t the darkness I wanted to see. I had wanted to see him fully healed, with his energy completely restored… Not knowing what to say, I just opened and closed my mouth.

“You’re… crying again because of me…”

There were long pauses between his words, as if he found it hard to continue. Hearing his troubled voice made me strangely angry. Without realizing it, I spoke sharply and accusingly.

“I saw everything.”

“What did you see…”

Leopold stopped speaking, as if he suddenly realized something. His face showed a sense of defeat. Was he really planning to hide it from me until the end? And then die alone?

“Isn’t it enough that you’re a liar, but you also deceive people and are arrogant…!”

Why was I so unbearably angry? I knew it wasn’t something to blame him for.

Despite my feelings, only harsh words escaped my lips.

“Did you really think I could hate you? Just because we wouldn’t have a child?”

If you really think about it, wasn’t it all his fault? If he had told me anything, I wouldn’t have needed to attempt such a life-threatening spell…

“You never considered me as an equal, so you had such delusions. We could have talked openly about anything…! I was your wife!”

“Hazel, that’s a misunderstanding—”

“No, don’t use fancy words like misunderstanding!”

I shouted almost like someone who had lost their mind. Tears flowed endlessly, and my entire body trembled. If the master found out I had lost my composure like this in front of a patient, I would be severely scolded…

“You’re the one who ruined everything. You messed it all up! We could have just been happy together!”

Leopold squeezed his eyes shut, as if pain was seeping through his furrowed brows.

“Do you even realize what state you’re in right now…? I can’t possibly… I can’t fix it…”

Suddenly, a profound despair engulfed me. I turned my head, fearing that if I didn’t take deep breaths, I might completely lose my mind. Wiping away tears didn’t help at all, but it seemed like the only way to catch my breath.

Watching me angrily, he ran his hands over his face and swallowed a sigh.

“…I’m sorry, Hazel. I just… I just didn’t want you to be in pain…”

“And this is the result? I can’t save you, and I have to watch you die! Now that I’ve finally learned everything—your true feelings, the reasons for your actions—now!”

I gritted my teeth and looked at Leopold. He was clearly right in front of me, yet as my vision blurred again, it felt like he would truly disappear. In the end, I moved closer, held him tightly in my arms, and buried my face in his chest. His gentle hand patting my back was heartbreakingly tender.

Barely holding back my sobs, I spoke haltingly.

“Leopold… please don’t die… I’ll find a way somehow… There’s still time… right…?”

Those with magical powers could instinctively gauge how much strength they had left. Yet, despite my desperate question, he gave no answer.

Was there not much time left? I released him and looked up. Then, clasping my hands together, I pleaded with a broken voice.

“Please, I’m begging you…! I’ll beg like this…”

“Hazel!”

Leopold grabbed me with a face that seemed on the verge of tears. But I clung to him, not letting go of my hands.

“I’m sorry for blaming you, for pushing you away. I was wrong… Please don’t leave me alone… Leopold… please…”

The words leaving my mouth kept turning into sobs.

Beyond his silent back, dawn was breaking.

***

Perhaps because the bed was so comfortable, Roscoe woke up before dawn, feeling so full of energy that staying in bed felt more exhausting.

He jumped out of bed and looked around the room, but having already explored every corner, he quickly grew bored. After a moment’s thought, he decided to explore more of the mansion.

Quietly opening the door, he saw a man dozing off beside it. Judging by his attire, he didn’t seem like a scary knight. With his pale complexion, Roscoe figured that even if he got caught, he could probably win with a strong knee strike. Smirking, he lifted his toes. Luckily, the door was well-oiled and didn’t creak.

Once he was far enough from the room, Roscoe reveled in his newfound freedom, clasping his hands behind his back. He stretched his neck and puffed out his chest, trying to walk elegantly like a butler. Soon bored, he ran to the various statues in the long hallway. Most were of beautiful men and women, towering over him by twice his height, but to Roscoe, they all looked similar. After tapping each statue, he noticed an animal-shaped one at the end of the corridor.

Excited, he didn’t mind the noise his footsteps made as he approached. As he neared the corner of the hallway, he saw shadows of people gathered, casting long silhouettes. Curious, he hid and observed them, sensing a serious atmosphere. The butler, knights, maids, and servants were lingering in front of a room, exchanging worried glances. His curiosity piqued, Roscoe couldn’t tear himself away from watching them. Soon, sobbing sounds emerged from the room. The woman seemed to be holding back her tears, but soon, she let out a long, drawn-out sob.

Suddenly, Hazel’s kind face, who had promised to see him later, came to mind. For some reason, his chest tingled. He wondered why someone was crying so sadly.

“What’s going on?”

Roscoe stepped out in front of the people and asked. The butler, momentarily surprised to see him, widened his eyes before frowning and gesturing to the knight beside him. The knight immediately approached and grabbed Roscoe by the arms, as if to take him back to his room.

“If you don’t let go, I’ll scream.”

Though spoken like a brat, it was a form of threat. The butler glared at him with a tired face. Roscoe returned the stare without flinching. Eventually, the butler shook his head, and the knight released him.

“Go back or stay quiet.”

The butler warned him sternly. Roscoe nodded vigorously, then slowly approached the door. The closer he got, the more deeply he felt the sadness.

He thought the person was crying alone, but then he heard a voice. Initially unclear, he considered leaning closer, but soon heard a sharp shout. He stepped back slightly. Hazel’s voice was loud enough to convey the message clearly. From what he gathered, the man who had returned on horseback and collapsed seemed to be suffering from a fatal illness.

As everyone waited in somber silence, Roscoe tugged at the hem of a nearby servant’s garment and asked,

“Are they married?”

His voice was not lowered at all, so the servant jumped in surprise, put a finger to his lips, and nodded.

Roscoe tilted his head as if pondering something. Then, before anyone could stop him, he flung the door open and entered.