“Ruben…”

His arms around her tightened as though vowing never to lose her again. Helia rested her head on his shoulder, leaning into him as they held each other. Ruben’s shoulder grew damp, and feeling the warmth of her tears, he finally spoke.

“You’ve walked a difficult road to get here. I should’ve said this to you first.”

Helia’s sobs briefly paused, only to grow louder. Perhaps those were the very words she had most needed to hear. Gently, Ruben patted her back as she hiccupped and swallowed her tears. Yet, emotions overwhelmed her, and the tears kept falling. Helia cried for a long time, her pent-up emotions melting away. Silently, Ruben accepted her sorrow, holding her close.

He would have whispered into her ear if he could, begging to take all her tears away. Her tears were the weight of his sins. Why was she paying the price for his mistakes? It tore at his heart. He wanted to tell her he was a fool, to plead with her not to shed another precious tear. He tried to hold her and atone. But he couldn’t because he knew the words that would ultimately escape his lips: I love you. In truth, every word he had ever said to her, every promise he made, had been a variation of that one confession. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to say it. He didn’t deserve to love her. Enduring this love silently, painfully, was his penance. Above all, he now understood that what she needed wasn’t his guilt-laden confession but a steadfast embrace she could lean on whenever she wanted.

Helia eventually calmed, her sobs subsiding little by little. When she came to her senses, she realized she was leaning her entire weight against Ruben. His solid chest supported her without wavering. She placed her hand on his chest, lightly pushing herself upright. Feeling her movement, Ruben loosened his arms around her.

“Ruben.“

“Yes?”

When their eyes met, Ruben smiled. His flawless features formed a smile so beautiful it was almost dazzling. Helia couldn’t look away from it. At this moment, it wasn’t just his gaze—Ruben Effenberg himself seemed to radiate light.

“You said you’d return everything that was originally mine.”

“Of course.“

“Then give it to me now. What I need the most.”

Ruben tilted his head slightly, puzzled. He wanted to give her anything, but as things stood, he had nothing. Having ridden alone to Pteria, he was utterly alone. The only thing he could offer her was…

When his eyes met hers, a realization dawned. Her gaze, like the radiant sun, shone unwaveringly on him. At that moment, everything else in the world felt insignificant, mere impurities beside her.

Would it be okay? Could I dare to covet the seat beside you?

For a moment, unease surged within him. He thought he wasn’t worthy. Yet, those resolute golden eyes unwaveringly desired him. How could he not respond? In truth, he had been waiting for this moment as well.

Ruben stood and carefully helped Helia to her feet. As he did, he began to speak in a low voice.

“You’re unfair. You’ve never told me anything, yet expect me to stay by your side. You made it impossible for me to understand you, yet you wished for me to understand.”

Despite his sudden reproach, Helia smiled. Her confident smile was unshaken.

“But it doesn’t matter anymore. Even if you don’t say a word or ask me not to inquire, I will comply. Even if I understand nothing, I will stay by your side.”

Ruben knelt on one knee before her once again. With a firm movement, he drew the sword from its scabbard at his waist and placed it between them. As if predetermined, his every action flowed seamlessly. Helia watched him without blinking as if afraid to miss a single detail.

With his head bowed Ruben recited his oath in a deep voice—a vow of atonement for the past and a promise for the future.

“I, Ruben Effenberg, swear to my great lord Helia Bailey that I will dedicate my life to your side through pale dawns and dark nights until the end of the world.“

A complete vow. A solemn oath. Helia slowly picked up the sword before her. She placed it gently at the crown of his head, exposing his most vulnerable spot to the blade. Ruben didn’t flinch—an unmistakable sign of trust. His resolute gaze held hers as he awaited her response. Helia replied with a soft yet firm voice.

“You shall become my brilliant guardian, granted the honor of staying by my side until the day your life ends.”

Ruben bowed his head once more, signaling his obedience. Helia handed the sword back to him as if bestowing it. He accepted it as though receiving the blessing of a sacred goddess.

For a moment, he adjusted the sword before slowly rising. Waiting for that moment, Helia rushed forward even before he had fully stood. Ruben reached out instinctively, and she relished the warmth of the embrace now freely hers.

At last, she felt grounded. Though the night remained dark, it seemed as if all the light in the world poured onto her, dazzling her. This was her overwhelming reality.

***

“I’ll see you in Bailey, then,“ Ruben said, his parting words lingering as he disappeared through the window.

Helia stood by the window where he had vanished, gazing at the moon. The full moon illuminated the earth, even without other lights, casting deep shadows in contrast. Between those shadows, fragmented light lingered. Helia fixated on that glow for a long while, her golden eyes reflecting the pale moonlight. The moon remained still, yet its light flickered with the movement of scattered clouds. The night wind carried the light further.

There is no darkness without light. Darkness can only exist where there is light. She realized this now.

Helia began to think of the tasks that remained. First, she had to settle the empire’s marriage proposal. There was no intention of dragging it out further. Like a princess awakened from a spell, her path was now clear. She could barely remember why she had deliberated over this choice in the first place.

As the moonlight grew brighter, her thoughts solidified. At dawn, she would act. But until then, she wanted to savor this lingering moment—a night that felt like a miracle of the stars.

When dawn began to swallow the moonlight, Helia finally fell asleep. When she awoke, it was already a bright morning. She let Beth, her attendant, prepare her without protest. Even her movements were graceful and efficient to the last detail.

Today was the day to return. But there was one thing she needed to do first.

“I must see the Crown Prince,“ she declared.

Beth quickly sent word. Helia went to the reception room in the guest palace to wait. She finished a cup of tea before Cedric appeared—a swift response considering the urgency of her request.

“You called for me?“

“Yes. Shall we walk for a bit?”

Helia led the way to the gardens. Cedric followed silently, and the two walked to a secluded area. The silence was oddly heavy.

Why, he wondered, did her figure seem so distant this morning? Cedric found her silhouette in the sunlight dazzling. Like light itself, she seemed out of reach, untouchable. He unconsciously stretched out his hand, but she turned to face him first. Cedric found himself frozen as she…

Countless times, he withdrew his hand. Helia maintained a composed and indifferent expression as though she had overcome every hardship like a sage.

“I have something to tell you.“

“Hm, I wonder if what I don’t want to hear is merely my worry.”

At Cedric’s playful words, Helia gave a small smile. Yet somehow, the sight of her smile caused him pain. He couldn’t bring himself to smile along with her.

Instead of continuing immediately, Helia gazed at Cedric, who was waiting for her words. That hand permanently extended to her willingly, full of kindness.

She could have taken that hand. She could have blinded herself to reality, isolated herself by his side, and ignored the path she had walked her entire life. But one day, everything she turned her back on would have collapsed, leaving her suffocated.

Now, Helia understood. She could not turn away from herself, even at the cost of abandoning herself. She was Helia Bailey. She chose not to avert her gaze from that truth. If possible, she wanted to walk the path she had chosen to the very end and be a witness to her own journey.

“You once said you would do anything for me.“

“Of course.“

“Then let me ask you one thing.“

Helia’s expression grew resolute. Why did it already feel like she was rejecting him, even though she hadn’t said anything yet?

“Can you give me the Empire?”