~Chapter 110~
All revenge had finally come to an end.
At last, Diana had returned every bit of the pain and suffering that she and Aisel had endured. It was certain that they would now spend the rest of their lives in eternal torment.
She etched into her mind the sight of them vanishing while screaming in despair.
Aisel was the first to tightly clasp Diana’s hand.
“Mother…”
“Yes, Aisel…”
They looked into each other’s eyes before suddenly embracing. There was no longer any grudge left in their hearts. She had cast all of it into the water prison, along with Kalypso, Alicia, and Catherine.
Diana and Aisel gripped each other’s hands as if vowing never to let go again.
As they turned to leave the now-empty courtroom, someone warmly wrapped an arm around Diana’s shoulder.
“Congratulations, Sister.”
Of course, it was Rueiri. He winked and smiled brightly.
“Rueiri.”
At the sight of him, Diana couldn’t help but smile.
Rueiri looked at her, relieved of every burden.
“Feels good, doesn’t it?”
“…Yes. Very much so.”
Aisel glanced at their faces, then excused herself to the washroom. The two left the courtroom together.
In the corridor, the Emperor was waiting for Diana.
He still felt ashamed that, for a moment, he had valued the dignity of the Imperial family more than punishing Kalypso. He had waited to apologize for his hesitation—only to see Rueiri and Diana walking out together in such closeness. The Emperor looked at them in surprise.
“Rueiri?”
Rueiri glanced around. Thankfully, no one else was there.
“…Father.”
Only after confirming they were alone did he speak the word.
“What? Father…?”
Diana turned to him, startled. Rueiri scratched his head awkwardly.
“Ah, I never mentioned it… The Emperor is my father.”
“Then the parents you said you’d found…”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Diana’s lips parted slowly. She was astonished—but it also explained much. She had always thought the Emperor’s eyes resembled Rueiri’s. And it was thanks to those eyes that she had gained the courage to speak her piece.
Rueiri had always been a warm refuge for her, even when absent.
“I’m sorry. I never meant to hide it…”
Rueiri fidgeted nervously. He hadn’t meant to keep it from her. In fact, it was thanks to her that he’d found his parents, and he had wanted to tell her first.
But he had simply missed the timing, never imagining he would run into the Emperor like this.
“It’s all right.”
Contrary to his worries, Diana’s gaze softened.
“In fact, it was your eyes—so much like his—that gave me the courage.”
“Sister…”
The atmosphere between them grew strange. Could it be…? The Emperor narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Rueiri was gazing at her with unmistakable love.
“Rueiri. Don’t tell me…?”
Still holding her slender shoulder, Rueiri met his father’s eyes.
“You’re right, Father.”
He lowered his hand from her shoulder—only to clasp Diana’s hand firmly.
“She’s the woman I love.”
Diana’s heart pounded. She looked up at him with trembling eyes. His gaze was more earnest than ever.
“She’s the one who made me feel alive for the first time.”
“Rueiri…”
“The red hair my mother, whom you loved, left me…”
He swept his long hair into his palm.
“She showed me it wasn’t a cursed color like blood, but as lovely as rose petals.”
The strands gleamed in his hand like gathered rose petals. Ever since the day she told him his hair was as beautiful as roses, he had let it grow longer—wanting to show her more of what she found beautiful.
Rueiri looked at his father with determined eyes. If the Emperor opposed their love just because she had once been divorced, he was prepared to fight for her.
“…I see.”
But the Emperor’s response was unexpectedly calm. He simply stared at Rueiri’s hair, as though recalling someone.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
“I had no intention of stopping you. Do as you will, Rueiri.”
“…Thank you, Father!”
A boyish smile lit Rueiri’s face. Diana also beamed at him.
The Emperor, watching them warmly, told them to be sure to invite him to their wedding before departing.
Soon after, Rueiri slipped a hand into his robe and fiddled with something.
“Sister…”
“Yes?”
He swallowed nervously.
“The order may be a little backward, but…”
From his robe, he drew a small box. With careful hands, he opened it.
Inside was a diamond ring more dazzling than any jewel she had ever seen—brighter even than the famed stones of the Pereshte mines.
Diana’s eyes widened.
“Look closely.”
As he said, she peered inside. Within, a flame of orange shimmered like a sunset.
“I infused it with my magic.”
“It’s so beautiful, Rueiri…”
The diamond’s brilliance shimmered in her eyes. Rueiri carefully slid the ring onto her finger.
“We’ve come such a long way back here.”
He blushed, looking at the ring he’d placed on her hand.
“If only I’d been braver sooner… maybe none of those misfortunes would’ve happened to you.”
His gaze darkened briefly. Then he met her eyes, filled with light.
“But the past has no meaning for us anymore.”
His resolute voice moved her heart.
“I swear—I’ll love you passionately all my life, cherish you above all, and make you the happiest of all.”
At his words, Diana recalled Kalypso’s hollow promise:
‘Passion alone isn’t love. I’ll always respect and cherish you, Diana.’
Rueiri’s vow was the complete opposite—lifelong, passionate love.
She wanted to believe it. No, she couldn’t help but believe it.
Because his heart, even if it could turn back time to protect her, was filled only with sincerity.
“Marry me, Diana.”
Finally, he gave voice to the words that had lingered in his heart. His hands nervously stroked hers, where he’d placed the ring.
Diana looked up at him with a fresh sense of emotion. The way he anxiously awaited her answer was endearing.
She couldn’t keep him waiting too long.
Smiling softly, she clasped his hand.
“Yes.”
“Diana…”
“Let’s get married.”
His eyes shone with emotion as his lips curved into a smile. He leaned closer, slowly.
At last, their lips met.
His gentle touch carried his care for her.
After a long kiss, their lips parted, though Rueiri’s gaze lingered on her with tender longing.
“Mother.”
Aisel had returned, smiling brightly.
Startled, Diana and Rueiri quickly separated.
Diana checked her daughter’s face, worried she’d seen—but Aisel only looked pleased.
“Let’s go home now, Mother. Rueiri, you too.”
She winked at Rueiri. Diana held both their hands, answering warmly.
“Yes, let’s go home.”
Together, they teleported to the estate with Rueiri’s magic. Aisel sneaked glances at her mother and Rueiri. They looked at each other with warmth, as if surrounded by drifting pink pearl dust.
Sensing Aisel’s gaze, Diana turned toward her.
She and Rueiri had already confirmed their feelings. Aisel knew her heart—but marriage was different. Becoming a family required her daughter’s blessing.
“Aisel, dear…”
“Yes, Mother?”
“The truth is, Rueiri just…”
“Oh, Rueiri!”
Before Diana could finish, Aisel teased him.
“You only just proposed?”
“Ah—uh, well…” Rueiri stammered.
Aisel giggled and looked proudly at the diamond ring on her mother’s finger.
“You’d better love my mother very, very much. Got it?”
She said it with unusual maturity. Diana’s eyes brimmed with tears.
“Aisel…”
“Why are you crying on such a happy day, Mother?”
“She’s right, Sister. I’ll love Aisel as my own daughter. In fact, she already feels like mine.”
“That’s right, Dad.”
Both Diana and Rueiri widened their eyes.
“Dad?”
“You’re marrying my mother. That makes you my dad, doesn’t it?”
She tilted her head innocently.
“This adorable young lady has completely captured my heart,” Rueiri said, ruffling her hair. Aisel laughed like a puppy.
Diana closed her tearful eyes softly, wishing this moment could last forever.
