Chapter 76
Finally, she opened her eyes and muttered,
“I’ve lost too much.”
“You can’t bring back what’s lost. But you’re the only one who can rebuild the Empire, my lady.”
“Is that so?”
“Pardon?”
Aramis frowned and asked again.
“Are you saying it’s possible to bring back what’s lost? Or that someone else could rebuild the Empire?”
“Both… actually.”
Callista slowly reached out and fiddled with her necklace.
What looked like a simple crystal began to emit a faint light at her touch.
Aramis’s eyes widened.
“No way…”
“Yes.”
Callista spoke.
“One of the wishes granted by the Dragon’s Eye… is regression.”
“That’s never been proven.”
Aramis quickly retorted.
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
Callista clenched the necklace tightly in her hand. Her voice was firmer than before.
Aramis stared at her, as if unable to understand.
“You’ve finally seized the Empire… and now you want to throw it all away again?”
His voice carried both regret and worry.
A bitter smile played at the corner of Callista’s lips.
“You know better than anyone… I never wanted a throne soaked in blood… nor an Empire half burned to ashes. I’d rather…”
“…”
Aramis fell silent for a long time. Callista did the same. Both stared blankly into the air, lost in thought.
Seconds passed. Or maybe minutes.
As if on cue, the two turned to look at each other again.
Aramis, having spent nearly twenty years watching Callista, read her expression perfectly.
“…You’ve made your decision.”
“I’m sorry.”
Callista said. This time, her face held a resolve that hadn’t been there moments ago.
Aramis knew well—his master never went back on a decision once made.
“Whose memory… will you leave it with?”
He let out a small sigh and asked.
When Callista didn’t answer right away, he knelt on one knee beside the throne.
“Give it to me. I’ll take responsibility for putting everything back as it should be.”
He said.
“I’ll stake my life to protect Lady Harper… teach her, guide her, and ensure no one can manipulate her.”
Callista shook her head, resting her hand on Aramis’s shoulder.
“You… can’t do it all. Even if you keep the greedy ones away, you won’t be able to stop me from harming her. The only person who can do everything… is…”
Callista let out another bitter laugh. Aramis’s pupils dilated wide.
“Harper.”
“But!”
“She will regress with her memories intact. With all the experience, regret, death, and misery she’s endured. She’ll know the future.”
“My lady…”
Aramis stood, his face showing distress.
“If that happens… Lady Harper will return with only one certain memory—that you killed her with your own hands. If she knows the future and makes preparations… the person who’s at risk…”
“I know. If she’s as clever as I think… it’ll probably be me who’s in danger. After all, Harper lived and died hating me.”
Callista nodded.
“But my gut says otherwise. She’s more forgiving than I am… maybe even wiser. She never sought power, and she knows how to read a situation objectively.”
“My lady…”
“If her decision is to eliminate me and make herself the Duke…”
Callista relaxed her body and leaned back against the throne.
“She’ll probably make a good Duke. I won’t hold a grudge.”
“Whether she remembers or not, I won’t let it happen.”
Aramis spoke firmly.
Taking a deep breath, he continued.
“Do as you wish. Lady Harper will protect herself and the Empire… and I’ll protect you.”
He bowed his head, showing his quiet acceptance.
Callista reached out and lifted his face by the chin.
“Ari… are you really okay with this?”
She stared into his unwavering black eyes.
“You’ve faced more danger by my side than anyone else. Are you really okay… doing it all over again?”
“In this life or the next… serving you will always be just as difficult.”
Aramis gave a small chuckle. It seemed he had already accepted the situation.
“I could do it ten more times if needed, so don’t worry about me. Besides…”
Aramis blinked once, as if recalling an old memory.
“If I get to see someone I miss again… maybe it’s not so bad.”
“Vittoria would faint in the afterlife if she heard you.”
“That’s a satisfying thought.”
Callista took a deep breath and unclasped the necklace.
“Well then.”
Clutching the necklace in both hands, she whispered softly,
“Take care of the next life… Harper… no…”
She added with a teasing smile,
“My little sister.”
“Ugh…!”
Killian groaned and opened his eyes. A clean, white ceiling came into view. A stinging pain shot through his chest.
“Don’t get up. You need to rest.”
A voice nearby fully woke him.
“Harper!”
He immediately sat up and turned his head. There stood a young girl with long, bright blonde hair.
“Why are you here…? Where is this place?”
“This is Iris’s tavern. We’ll move you somewhere else soon.”
Harper answered calmly.
“The youngest and most capable knight commander in Luperne will guard you. I’ve already told my sister everything. Do you remember what happened at the Hunting Festival?”
“The Hunting Festival…”
Killian racked his memory.
The missing firebird, the annoyingly dense forest, and then…
“There were assassins… then your bodyguard saved me…”
Killian said. Harper nodded as if she already knew.
“Zion. He was really worried you might’ve been seriously hurt. I should tell him you’re awake.”
Killian looked at her with a bewildered expression.
“You… you knew everything?”
“Yeah. I knew it all. I sent Zion. And others too.”
“You? You saved me?”
Killian’s green eyes widened like a startled cat. Harper smiled and nodded.
“Yup. There’s no time, so listen carefully.”
“Okay.”
Killian quickly wiped the surprise off his face and nodded obediently.
“The Empress and Klein won’t stop trying to kill you. And His Majesty… won’t really be able to protect you long term.”
“It’ll be difficult… in the long run.”
Killian finished her sentence.
The Emperor’s sudden attention was useful, but wouldn’t last. The Emperor had grown too powerless for years, unable to resist the Empress and the ministers.
“So you need to disappear. Stay hidden until you’re an adult.”
Harper laid out her long-hidden plan. Killian’s eyes widened again.
“A mage will cast a spell so no one can find you. You can trust them—they’re a master of concealment.”
“…We’re going to the Luperne estate?”
Killian asked cautiously, remembering Harper’s earlier warning to listen carefully. Harper shook her head.
“No. Father’s still there. Not safe. We’ve found somewhere farther and safer.”
“…”
“It’s a connection my sister Callista found for me… no one will suspect because it’s been so long since they’ve contacted us. Oh, and my sister agreed to help too. The Empress tried to kill her, after all.”
“If it’s one of the Luperne Duchess’s connections…”
Killian muttered, unable to guess. Harper smiled.
“The Duke of Litra. My sister’s maternal relatives.”
Killian slowly nodded.
“They don’t visit the capital often, politically neutral, and powerful enough that no one dares investigate. Perfect for hiding you. Plus… they dislike Klein.”
Harper explained quickly and concisely.
Relief flooded Killian’s heart. But more than that, he felt deep gratitude and admiration for Harper.
Harper carefully stood up.
“I’ll come back. You’ll stay here until you’re fully recovered. There’s no direct portal to the Litra estate.”
She turned, then looked back at Killian.
“Congratulations on winning.”
“Winning?”
“The Hunting Festival. You’re the winner… even though you technically disappeared.”
Harper said, half annoyed, half trying to praise. Killian tilted his head in confusion.
“How? The winner was supposed to be the Luperne lady…”
“You killed the dragon. From start to finish, it was all you. Zion made sure your arrow stayed in the beast’s body for everyone to find. That flipped everything. Besides, my sister barely participated on the second day.”
Harper sighed. But the disappointment didn’t last long. She lifted her face and smiled again.
“The festival ended with everyone mourning your disappearance. Exactly as we planned. Oh… and one more thing you captured.”
She walked to the wall and opened the door. A huge bird, glowing with brilliant golden light, squeezed through the door with difficulty.
“Chirrrp—”
“W-What the heck…?”
“The firebird. Pretty, but apparently can’t be transferred to someone else. It keeps looking for you.”
Harper shrugged.
Just as she said, the firebird flapped over and rubbed its head affectionately against Killian.
“I… caught the firebird?”
He asked, staring at the bird in disbelief. It gazed back with pure affection.
“Yeah. It was a chick before… but now it’s grown into a full firebird.”
Harper let out another big sigh as she watched Killian and the bird. Then she grabbed the doorknob again.
“Rest well. And from now on… you’ll have to keep your promise.”
Halfway out the door, she spoke. Killian raised his head from the golden feathers.
“You said you’d become Emperor, remember?”
She said to the silent Killian, shrugged with pity, and added,
“There’s no turning back now.”
Leaving Killian and the giant bird behind, she closed the door with a final word.
“From now on… you’ll have to survive… and truly aim for the throne.”
