Erin followed Ferdin’s lead away from the training ground, feeling the intense gazes of everyone around them. It was only natural that they would attract attention, the two most prominent figures in the Empire walking together.

Before they knew it, they had left the academy grounds. Ferdin looked into Erin’s eyes and asked, “Would you be willing to come with me to the imperial palace right now?”

Erin gave him a puzzled look.

“The palace? Has something happened? Are monster numbers increasing lately?”

Her mind immediately filled with troubling possibilities. Perhaps monsters were overflowing at the borders beyond manageable levels.

Although Duke Asili had promised to free her from Sword Master duties until she turned twenty-five, maybe the situation was dire enough to break that promise.

If that were the case, it would explain why Ferdin had come all the way to the academy despite his busy schedule.

Seeing her expression, Ferdin quickly shook his head.

“No, nothing like that has happened. I simply have somewhere I’d like to go with you.”

“Somewhere you want to go with me at the palace?”

“Yes, I want to take you to the lake I mentioned before. There are also many other things I’d like to discuss with you.”

Ferdin cleared his throat softly and looked around, searching for Lilia. She was at the academy’s main entrance, receiving greetings from Magic Department students.

Just as Erin was famous among the Swordsmanship Department, Lilia was admired by magic students.

When Lilia spotted Ferdin and Erin, she flashed a smile and ran toward them. “Erin! I’ve been waiting for you.”

Her face was radiant—the gloomy girl from before was nowhere to be seen. Erin realized that Lilia, like herself, had overcome her dark past.

“Ferdin, I’ll use the spatial teleportation magic later. Let us talk alone for a moment.”

At Lilia’s words, Ferdin looked back at Erin. Though he didn’t want to part from her even for a moment, he felt he should give them space. He moved away, and Lilia approached Erin, taking her hands.

Then she began to shed hot tears. Surprised, Erin tried to wipe them away, but Lilia shook her head.

“These are tears of happiness.”

“Tears of happiness?”

“Calips appeared in my dream recently.”

Lilia said this with a relieved smile.

“He seemed to be doing well. He said he came to my dream to tell me not to worry about him.”

“…”

“He told me the goddess helped him appear in my dream.”

Lilia’s fingertips trembled.

“He told me to stop suffering now. To live happily. He said he’s in a really good place.”

Lilia appeared completely at peace. Erin’s face also contorted with emotion.

“I’m glad, Lady Lilia. Truly… I’m so glad.”

Lilia nodded at Erin’s words and said, “It might have been just a dream, but I’ve decided to believe in it.”

Erin had already completed Calips’s revenge. Lilia thought that perhaps her subconscious had created the dream she wanted after feeling the relief of revenge being completed.

However, she soon decided to believe the dream was real. This was the first time she had dreamed of Calips since his death.

“I want to believe that Calips came to say his final goodbye to me… that’s why he appeared.”

Lilia embraced Erin and sobbed for a while. Erin gently patted her back, emitting a subtle energy to shield them from view. She didn’t want others to see Lilia crying.

The academy students who had been watching them quickly averted their eyes and scattered.

“I’m okay now. Thank you, Erin.”

Lilia patted Erin’s shoulder. “Let’s stay friends from now on. And… thank you, truly thank you for avenging Calips.”

“…”

“All the bad people are gone now, so let’s all live happily from now on.”

Hearing Lilia’s warm words, Erin nodded slightly.

* * *

When Ferdin returned after Erin and Lilia’s conversation had ended, he looked at them curiously. Both had reddened, bloodshot eyes.

They were supposed to have just talked briefly, so why did they look like they’d been crying? Ferdin gave Lilia a sidelong glance. She shrugged her shoulders and avoided his gaze. Her resemblance to Alexis made him sigh.

With a concerned expression, he asked Erin, “Did something happen, Lady Erin?”

“No, I just heard some wonderful news from Lady Lilia.”

Erin didn’t explain further, believing it wasn’t her place to share. 

“It’s nothing. Just give me your hands. I need to use spatial teleportation magic on both of you.”

Erin took Lilia’s hand. Her stomach churned as her vision inverted. They arrived at the back of the imperial palace where a clear lake stretched before them.

Erin felt her heart race at the sight. The palace lake was breathtakingly beautiful. Brilliant sunlight reflected off the mirror-like surface of the water.

“Do you like flowers, Lady Erin?”

At Ferdin’s question, Erin fell into thought. She had never deeply considered what she liked or disliked besides swordsmanship.

‘I did feel good when seeing flowers along the road.’

After thinking, she nodded. “I think I… like flowers. I’m not entirely sure, but I enjoyed seeing wildflowers during missions or training.”

“I see. I’m glad you like them.”

Ferdin rose from where he was sitting.

“May I go somewhere briefly, Lady Erin? I’ll return soon.”

Erin nodded, watching as he walked away. She found herself wishing he would stay by her side.

‘He must have something important to do.’

He had surely squeezed this lake visit into his busy schedule. Erin turned her gaze back to the lakeside. Somehow it looked even more beautiful than when they first arrived.

She understood why Ferdin wanted to come here with her. Just looking at the lake calmed her troubled mind. Perhaps he had noticed her unease after completing her revenge and brought her here to comfort her.

‘I’ll thank him when he returns. Tell him how happy I am to see this scenery.’

The rich fragrance of flowers lingered around her. The tranquil lake seemed to bring peace to her heart. Erin closed her eyes and recalled everything that had happened until now.

There had been much pain and moments when resolution seemed impossible. Yet she had overcome all those events and was here now, with the person she loved most. The thought filled her chest with a sense of fulfillment.

Then she heard a sweet voice. “Lady Erin!”

Erin turned her head. There stood Ferdin, holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

She recognized the flowers immediately. The white petals resembling snowflakes and their sweet fragrance clearly identified them as the spirit flowers he had mentioned. The somewhat uneven arrangement suggested he had made the bouquet himself.

Realizing this, Erin felt her heart swell. Ferdin approached her, still holding the bouquet.

“Spirit flowers begin to fall around this time. I’ve been gradually making this bouquet while at the palace.”

“…”

“I’ve always dreamed of this. If I survived… I wanted to come here with the person I love.”

Ferdin’s eyes curved gently. This had always been his dream, to appreciate this beautiful scenery with his beloved. He was happy to finally be here with Erin.

“Would you accept this?”

For Erin, the answer was a foregone conclusion. She carefully took the bouquet he offered. As soon as she received it, Ferdin embraced her tenderly. She could feel his breath close to her.

Erin’s heart began to beat rapidly, ready to burst.

“I want to spend my life with you, Lady Erin.”

At that moment, Erin understood what the goddess meant by her happiest moment. This was undoubtedly the moment she spoke of, when the person she loved whispered his desire to be with her forever.

Though she had thought herself happy until now, Erin realized that wasn’t truly the case. True happiness began to stir in her heart. A warm breeze tousled her hair.

“I’ve prepared much more… but I wanted to come here with you before the spirit flowers completely wither.”

Ferdin’s cheeks reddened. Erin, who had been resting her forehead against his chest, embraced him tightly. She saw his startled expression.

She was crying.

“Lady Erin? Are you alright?”

At Ferdin’s question, Erin nodded repeatedly. With a choked voice, she said, “I’m crying because I’m so happy.”

Her tears weren’t from sadness. Erin could finally understand what Lilia meant about crying from excessive joy.