"Let me get this straight, Haniel. So you insulted the ducal couple and compromised the tower's connection with the grand duke. Is that right?"

Sir Ion tapped his fingers while staring at us.

"Yes, father." Haniel responded rather obediently.

The senior mage of the healing department, Sir Ion, was an esteemed man among my peers. His grey hair and wrinkled face were proof of his accumulated experience through the years.

I only learned recently that Sir Ion is also Haniel's father. But if you look at them, they look nothing like each other, because they're not blood-related.

"And you thought you can resolve the problem by coming to my office with a woman in your arms?"

Out of embarrassment, I faked a cough multiple times. After leaving the library, Haniel decided to visit his father and tell him of the current events.

He did so while still carrying me, by the way.

On the way to Sir Ion's office, I told him to put me down, but Haniel didn't listen to me. He reasoned that it would make the drama more believable if he carries me around like a sack of rice.

Thus, we ended up on this embarrassing spot.

"What problem? There's no problem." He feigned innocence. "And I was only nice enough to come here and tell you in fear that you might suffer a heart attack if you heard from someone else."

"Why, thank you for your consideration." Sir Ion said with sarcasm. "Aren't you such a filial son?"

"You're welcome." Haniel replied, obviously not taking the hint. This guy is such an airhead...

At that moment, Sir Ion looked like he wanted to whack some sense into his son, but he restrained himself. He did a series of inhale-exhale in an attempt to calm down from his child's antics.

"My foolish son," Sir Ion heaved out a deep sigh. "I don't think you understand, but they're not people that you can simply push around as you please."

Haniel remained unfazed, his face stolid calm.

"It's the grand duke and his wife, Haniel."

"My old and stinky father," Haniel imitated Sir Ion's tone. "See my face. Do I look like I care?"

The father and son duo stayed silent for a while, not breaking each other's gaze like they're in a staring contest. Suddenly, Sir Ion laughed.

Much to my confusion, Haniel chuckled as well.

What the heck? Did I miss a joke?

Not wanting to feel left out, I giggled awkwardly as well. We laughed for no reason like three idiots.

But just when the atmosphere was becoming harmonious, Sir Ion slammed his hands on the table and screamed hysterically at his own son.

"DON'T GIVE ME THAT CRAP! APOLOGIZE TO THE GRAND DUKE AND HIS WIFE!" The senior healing mage shouted, his nostrils flaring from anger.

"Don't shout, father. Can't you see? You're scaring Allari." Haniel pointed out with dissatisfaction.

Dude, leave me alone... It's bad enough that you brought me here while carrying me in bridal style.

"Really?" Sir Ion flinched then looked at me. "My apologies, Allari." He's suddenly being polite?!

I could only shake my head frantically.

"As for Grand Duke Averill," Haniel blurted out in an exasperated tone. "Don't act like you're buddies with him, father. Haven't you been dreading on how to kick his company out of the tower?"

"L-Lower your voice!" The senior healing mage exclaimed. "Someone might overhear, you fool!"

"Whatever," Haniel waved his hand dismissively.

"You cocky brat!" Sir Ion fumed. "Come here!"

"Ah, why are you getting mad at me?!" It was my first time seeing Haniel antsy. "You should thank me for giving you a reason to get rid of them!"

Ever since I met him, Haniel always had an air of maturity around him. However, in front of his adoptive father, he acted so brisk and childish.

Even as his father chased him around, the little smile on his face didn't escape my eyes. He was like a child happy with the attention of his dad.

"Tch! That old man is still full of energy." Haniel complained when we finally left his dad's office.

I tapped his shoulder then gestured him to put me down. Until when is he going to carry me around like this? Doesn't his arms hurt? Just put me down!

"Heh," He chuckled softly. "Stop acting like you're not enjoying it. I know you want to be treated like a princess. Therefore, your wish is my command."

I rolled my eyes upwards. Princess, my butt...

"Besides," Haniel nudged his head on mine, like a cat rubbing his face on his owner. "When else would I get the chance to hold you this close?"

Since he wasn't listening to me, I gave up on trying to get down and just enjoyed my free ride. I'll just think of him as a strong and handsome horse.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and quietly rested my face on his shoulder. When I breathed into his neck, Haniel flinched and smiled tensely.

"Don't tease me." He laughed. "You're so mean."

I smirked. You don't wanna put me down, huh?

I puckered my lips and started blowing more on his neck. However, instead of having a bashful reaction, Haniel burst into childish laughter.

"You look like a pufferfish." He commented in amusement. "My adorable pufferfish, Callie."

At that point, I just strangled him passionately.

---

Following that incident, it was quiet for days.

It felt like all the mages were walking on thin ice around the knights from the Averill duchy, vice versa. Both parties seemed uncomfortable with each other's presence, and the situation was tense.

It was then a few days after we framed Ruth that I overheard an argument between the ducal couple.

They left the door of their quarters slightly open and I happened to be there. Well, I was purposely hanging around the area to keep an eye on Ruth.

"So my own husband doesn't believe me as well."

Alistair sighed. "It's not that I don't believe you."

"What is it, then? You want us to leave the tower. Isn't that the same as admitting that I'm guilty?"

Silence ensued between the two of them.

"I stand by the truth. I did not push her." Ruth said firmly. "You know, what other people think doesn't matter to me in the least. But you, of all people..."

The villainess paused. When she spoke again, her voice cracked. She sounded so hurt and betrayed.

"How long are you going to torment me, Alistair?"

If I didn't know better, I would've been deceived.

"I knew from the start that you only agreed to our engagement because you were suspicious of how things played out with Isabelle. I knew, yet I still..."

Ruth broke down into uncontrollable sobs.

"I still hoped that you would accept the truth. In those three years that we were engaged, I grieved with you, I mourned with you, and when we got married I thought you had finally let go of your baseless rancour for me. It seems I was wrong."

The sound of her pitiful cries filled the room.

"Isabelle is gone. I told you that I had no hand in her death. She was the one who betrayed me. She poisoned me and Lady Marchetti and was caught trying to flee from the palace with the eastern princess, thus she was sent to the guillotine."

I heard some footsteps inside the room. It seemed like the grand duke walked towards the bedside, where the villainess was seated while crying.

"So, what more evidence do you want for you to acknowledge my innocence? How long do I have to suffer from your resentment, Your Grace?"

"I'm sorry, Ruth." Alistair remarked contritely.

I slowly took a peek inside the room. He embraced her into his arms, and his face was full of remorse.

The grand duke closed his eyes. "I'm truly sorry."

The two of them shared that solemn moment.

If I weren't part of this story, I would have been moved by this scene. It was a heartfelt chapter wherein the villainess, who suffered from the hate and distrust of others, finally earned an apology from her husband who treated her wrongly.

But the problem is, she was lying. Ruth Alessia di Camellia was lying about every single thing she said, and that mendacious part of her was terrifying. How could she spout lies so easily?

Their reconciliation left a huge hole on my heart.

The two of them are already married. Where am I supposed to fit in his life? It has been three years since Isabelle died. Alistair wants to move on and he's willing to fix his marriage with his wife, Ruth.

I already lost my place in his life.

As if fate was taking pity on me, Alistair and I crossed paths for the last time. I was standing under the same oak tree where we reunited this summer, and he also winded up in that place.

At first, he hesitated to approach me when he saw me from afar, but the grand duke still came to me.

"Hi." Grand Duke Averill greeted earnestly.

I politely bowed to him in response.

Alistair stood beside me, but he kept a certain distance between us. For a moment, we quietly watched the verdant fields stretching beyond us.

"Thank you for healing me that time when we fell from the cliff. You truly saved my life." He broke the silence. "My wife and I are leaving the tower tomorrow, so I wanted to express my gratitude."

My eyes stayed on the viridescent view before us.

"Also, I apologise for being so harsh to you."

My throat dried. I don't want to hear this.

"It was wrong and unfair of me to treat you with prejudice just because you bear a resemblance to someone I know. For that, I'm truly sorry, Allari."

I knew where this conversation was going.

He was finally saying goodbye to me.

To Isabelle, the one who left him deeply scarred.

His eyes were no longer clouded by hate as they stared into my face. He was ready to restart his life and let me go. He was now willing to move on.

And I couldn't deny him that chance.

In the end, Alistair decided to believe in Ruth.

It was frustrating, but I also liked that part of him. He always tries to see the good in people and gives them second chances. He admits his mistakes and corrects them through his honesty and sincerity.

That was the kind of man I fell in love with.

"Take care of yourself." Grand Duke Averill smiled sentimentally. "Wherever fate brings you, I hope that you live a life filled with pure happiness."

Alistair turned his back and slowly walked away.

"That is my only wish for you."

At that moment, it felt like he was saying those words to Isabelle, not to Allari. It was his final wish for the lover he failed to save in the past.

As he walked away from me, I could only watch him with tearful eyes. My voice, sealed away by a curse, failed to let out the words I wanted to say.

That I can do it. It's hard, but I can do it.

I can forgive and forget everything for you.

I can live with the fact that you got stolen from me by the very woman who betrayed me. I can give you up to her if that would provide you peace.

Our love wasn't meant to last long, anyway.

Because it doesn't exist in the pages of this book.

So you don't need to know the truth anymore.

Just forget about the love we once shared. I know it was real, but it was short-lived. So don't dwell on it any longer and just bury my memory.

Just live the passing seasons without me. You don't have to get hurt by the spring anymore, Alistair.

---

Ten chapters left before this arc ends. It's shorter than the previous one. Anyway, Fontaine is out in Genshin so I might not be able to update often lol.

As always, thanks for reading my story!

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san