Chapter 66
“Ha, the great mage is sharp as ever. Not even trying to hide my presence worked.”
Lueri turned to face him, eyes cold enough to freeze over.
“I knew you were here from the beginning. You disgusting bastard.”
“You’re the filthy one—lurking around her while hiding your twisted feelings.”
“They might seem twisted to you.”
They clearly knew each other well.
Eclipse walked closer, smirking, then lifted Lueri’s chin.
“I only did what you wanted.”
“What I wanted…?” Lueri scoffed. “What I wanted was…”
“You made her suffer even more with your selfishness, Lueri.”
Eclipse’s words cut deep, striking at Lueri’s guilt.
“She’s suffering because of you.”
“Shut up!”
Lueri panted, his gaze sharp as a blade. Eclipse laughed cruelly—it was a demon’s pleasure to watch humans squirm.
He whispered near Lueri’s ear:
“Do you want to possess her?”
“Shut your filthy mouth.”
Lueri growled through clenched teeth. But Eclipse circled him like a predator.
“What a tragic love. Turning back time for someone who doesn’t even remember you?”
“I said shut up!”
Flames exploded from Lueri’s hands. Eclipse dodged, laughing loudly.
“Let’s see how your precious love turns out!”
And in a swirl of black fire, he vanished.
Only Lueri’s heavy breathing filled the room. He slumped into the stool, staring at Diana’s sleeping face.
Was this really right? Making her relive a life consumed by revenge?
Eclipse came to rattle him, and it worked.
“…I’m sorry, nuna.”
Tears mixed into his trembling voice. He shut his eyes tightly as regretful tears fell.
* * *
Lueri first met Diana at Angeline Orphanage. He had been abandoned at birth.
He grew up unable to bond with others. Though he craved connection, he pushed people away.
One day, the orphanage buzzed with excitement—a sponsor was visiting.
Kids gathered around the boxes full of supplies. But Lueri sat alone on a hill.
“Tch. What’s so great about that?”
He sat under a tree, hugging his knees.
Life was boring. Worthless. Repetitive.
An abandoned child has no value.
“Lueri!”
Joseph, the orphanage director, stomped up the hill—sweating and furious.
Smack! A loud slap echoed.
Lueri’s cheek swelled.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay inside when an important guest comes?!”
Lueri turned away silently. He’d been hit before.
“With that cursed red hair, you still ignore me?!”
Joseph raised his hand again.
Smack! But this time, there was no pain.
Lueri opened his eyes.
A woman stood before him, golden hair shining. Diana.
Her delicate cheek was swelling—she had taken the hit for him.
“Mr. Joseph! Abusing a child as the orphanage director? I’ll report this to my father!”
Joseph stammered and ran off.
“Hi.”
Lueri stared at her in disbelief. She wore a noble’s dress, with flawless skin and silky hair.
She took the slap for him.
“I’m Diana. What’s your name?”
He buried his face again, still silent.
She’ll be better off without me. I’m cursed.
He peeked up, expecting her to be gone.
But she still sat there, blinking her emerald eyes, waiting.
A breeze blew her golden hair gently across his cheek. It was soft—and it made him blush.
“Your hair is really pretty. It looks like my favorite rose.”
She gently held his hair in her hand.
For the first time… my red hair didn’t look cursed.
But Lueri, still a child, yanked it away awkwardly. Diana smiled kindly.
Her smile pierced through his darkness like sunlight.
Lueri, mesmerized, finally spoke.
“…Eri.”
“Huh?”
“Lueri.”
Diana blinked, then smiled brightly.
“Nice to meet you, Lueri.”
That was their fated first meeting.
* * *
“You’ve got real talent, Lueri!”
From then on, Diana visited often—not as a sponsor, but as a friend.
Lueri slowly opened his heart to her.
One day, Diana sensed powerful mana coming from him—even she could feel it.
“You should learn magic properly! I’ll help!”
“What for? I’ll just end up as a weak mage.”
“No, you’re special. Let’s try it. Please?”
Lueri’s heart raced at the thought of being a mage—someone who could rise based on skill, not birth.
His eyes sparkled briefly but then dimmed.
I don’t want to hope and be disappointed.
But Diana didn’t stop.
She means everything she says.
Eventually, Lueri nodded.
“Fine.”
“Really?! Then promise me!”
“A promise?”
“Yeah, pinky swear!”
“…Don’t act like a kid.”
Still, he linked his pinky with hers.
Diana jumped with joy, promising to contact the Magic Tower.
“Huh?”
“What?”
“You smiled!”
“…What?”
Diana’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You look so good when you smile. Keep doing that!”
Lueri muttered shyly,
“…Calling a guy pretty, really? Diana…”
His face turned red—matching his hair.
Diana laughed, and Lueri smiled faintly.
How could I not fall for someone like her?
He had nothing. Yet, she never gave up on him.
By the time he realized his feelings, Lueri entered the Magic Tower.
The Tower Master called him a genius. Lueri trained endlessly—just to be worthy of Diana.
He even ignored her letters, longing for her but staying focused.
If I become a Grand Mage, maybe I can be with her.
Eventually, he earned the title—Grand Mage at a young age.
And on that day, he went to her mansion.
He held a bouquet of freesias, subtle and gentle like her.
Excited, he stepped inside…
But something was off.
There were too many carriages.
Inside, the mansion was filled with nobles.
He followed the crowd into the banquet hall.
What he saw made his heart stop.
The bouquet fell from his hand with a soft thud.
It was Diana’s wedding day.
