And so, the ducal couple finally left the tower.

That was a huge load off my shoulders. With the villainess gone, I won't have to worry about our safety and any potential attacks, at least for now.

"We should not be complacent. It's far from over." Haniel hinted while slouched on the chair in front of me. "They'll come back for my precious heart."

Out of curiosity, I raised a certain query to him.

Why do you have the devil's heart, anyway?

"Well, it is traditionally passed down to the next master of the tower." He casually explained. "The strongest mage of the current generation, that is."

When I glanced over him, there was a smug look on his face, like a cat waiting to be doted on by his owner. So, is he indicating that he's the strongest?

I gave him an unimpressed look.

"Anyway," Haniel faked a cough. "The devil's heart makes me immune from sorcery. That's why I'm the only one who's able to handle black magic."

Well, power and responsibility goes hand in hand.

After the grand duke's company departed from the tower, I focused all my attention on work. I stayed cooped up in our quaint lab, creating potions for the imperial army and testing out emerging cures.

Haniel, who seemed to have too much time on his hands, spent most of his days loitering around in our department. He was, surprisingly, an indolent man in nature and too lazy to do actual field work.

"As I thought," The black-haired mage rested his chin on the table. "Something did happen, huh?"

I flinched. Why does he have to be so sharp?

"You've been making potions nonstop like you're out to heal the entire human race." He said with palpable curiosity. "I know you're not that kind to be saving the whole world, so this must be a way to distract yourself. What's the matter, Callie?"

I furiously wrote down on my sketchpad.

What do you mean I'm not that kind?!

I made a cute face by batting my eyes and pouting my lips, a lousy attempt to change the subject.

Aren't I such a kind sweetheart?

Haniel stared at me blankly, as if my charming didn't work on him at all. Shortly, he snickered.

"Being cute and being kind are different." Haniel rubbed his chin. "By the way, don't make that face towards anyone else. Too cute for your own good."

My cheeks flushed. Seriously, what am I doing...

He stood up from his seat then made a turn to my spot. Haniel thoughtlessly sat on the table in front of me then leaned closer to me. "So, what's up?"

At first, I didn't want to disclose him the truth, but then Haniel was giving me such a soft gaze that it melted my heart. I could feel his genuine concern.

So I gave in and told him everything, about the conversation between Alistair and Ruth, about how the grand duke finally bade me his goodbye.

The whole time, Haniel never interrupted me and he listened quietly. From time to time, he would rub my cheek whenever I was on the verge of crying, a gesture offering me consolation.

When I finished telling him all of it, he spoke.

"Stupid," Haniel breathed a deep sigh.

My jaw dropped. That's the first thing he says?!

"Why do you have to complicate things, Callista?" He raised a brow. "You love him, so just tell him the truth. If he doesn't believe you, then that's his loss. If he does, then it's happily ever after, right?"

I shook my head. It's not that simple.

"Why do you have to give up? Why do you have to forgive when you were wronged? Be more selfish. You're allowed to cry, to complain, and to resent."

He seemed frustrated on my behalf.

"Besides, you keep insisting that he will be happier without you," He told me discreetly. "But whatever makes him happy, isn't that up to him to decide?"

My mind was filled with so many emotions that I was rendered speechless. When Haniel placed his palm on my cheek, I held his hand emotionally.

It was a desperate display of my vulnerability.

In that intimate position, I shared my thoughts.

Have you ever loved someone, Haniel?

He smiled. "I have. Her name is Callista."

His frivolous words earned a chuckle from me.

You don't love me. It's only a fleeting crush.

Haniel stared intently at me, but remained quiet.

But once you find someone you love, you'll know. That you can sacrifice your happiness for them.

"Hmm," He murmured softly. "Is that so?"

Haniel suddenly sprung out of his seat. When he stood up, his countenance suggested that he had made up his mind about something important.

"There's something I have to do. I need to go."

The mage glanced over me. To my surprise, he embraced me affectionately with his arms.

"No need to be dismal." He caressed my head, as if comforting me. "I assure you, it will be alright."

Haniel was used to expressing his affection by physical touch. He was someone clingy, but not once did it ever make me feel uncomfortable.

Rather, it always made me feel safe.

And I'm grateful for having to meet him.

"Tonight, meet me in the observatory." He said out of nowhere, referring to the uppermost part of the tower where the stars were studied and perused.

I gave him a puzzled look. Why?

Instead of telling me, the black-haired mage simply smiled before leaving in high spirits.

---

Through the next few hours, I unintentionally finished three days worth of work. The other mages were also shocked by my unusual zeal.

Still, since I have been given the role of a mage, I wanted to fulfill my duties with the best of my abilities. Not everybody gets to experience the miracles of magic, so I'm lucky to have this body.

I'm trying my best to look at the brighter side.

Anyway, as requested by Haniel, I went to meet him in the observatory, a wide and open space located on the uppermost floor of the tower.

It's mainly a place dedicated for studying the stars, so the only things present there were stargazing equipment and books related to constellations.

"Oh," As soon as Haniel saw me enter through the door, he smiled. "You're finally here. Sit down."

I carefully made my way to his spot as my eyes roamed around. I noticed that the observatory was empty and we were the only ones here.

How strange. I thought there will be many people since stargazing is a popular hobby among mages.

I couldn't help but ask Haniel about this.

No one else is here?

"No. I told them to scram." he said indifferently.

I gaped. He kicked them out? Why?!

"Because I have a date with you." He added, as if he read my mind. "We don't need an audience."

I shot him a horrified look. What date? Dude, you only told me to come here and now we're suddenly on a date? Are we on the same page?

I jumped in surprise when my leg accidentally hit something. I gasped in horror when I realized that it was the coffin where Rumi's body was stored.

I knelt down and carefully caressed the coffin.

I haven't seen you around lately, Rumi.

"I also took her with me so she can watch the stars with us." Haniel remarked as he laid out a blanket.

I smiled. He's really treating her like his friend.

When he was done preparing our space, Haniel carelessly lied down on the sheet and tapped the space beside him, inviting me. "Join me, Callie."

I couldn't resist the urge to lie down.

When I did, languor took over my body.

It was so relaxing. Above us were the night skies filled with brilliant stars, and the summer breeze kissed our skin as we laid in that spot side by side.

At that time, it felt like all my worries vanished.

"This is nice," Haniel whispered. "If only I could freeze time and stay in this moment forever..."

He tilted his head to my direction then smiled.

"I spent the last three years searching for the mystery girl who wrote that heartfelt letter."

I found myself momentarily lost in his gaze.

"I only knew your name, I didn't even know what you looked like, yet fate still brought me to you."

Once again, the black-haired mage smiled.

"Callista," Haniel cupped my face. "Thank you."

I should be the one thanking you, Haniel.

We have only been together for such a short time, and yet it feels like you've been with me in all my lives. You always say what I need to hear at times when I feel unsure. Your ridiculous jokes made me feel better whenever my dander was down.

But, why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?

Are you going to leave me, too?

His purple eyes were so enticing. They resembled the colour of the skies during midnight. His gaze was dark and deep, stirring with many emotions.

Haniel slowly got up and leaned down on me, his jet black hair falling freely past his shoulders. He placed one of his hands on the side of my head as he stared at me from above with a softened face.

"You said that I do not love you, that my feelings are simply a fleeting crush." Haniel told me with all seriousness. "But my heart can't stay still at the sight of you, my head feels light whenever I hold you, and my chest hurts in a good way when I'm with you. If this isn't love, then tell me what it is."

I stared at him with bated breath.

"Can you do me one last favor before I let you go?"

So he was indeed saying goodbye to me as well.

"Kiss me," Haniel said desperately. "I would take it, even pretentiously. Kiss me as you would kiss the love of your life. Just lie and say that you love me."

Despite his desperation, I couldn't move an inch.

I couldn't do it at all. I knew I was in love with somebody else, and Haniel didn't deserve any of that tepid sentiment. So I couldn't lie and pretend.

Before I knew it, tears formed on my eyes.

His face immediately turned crestfallen.

"I know," He smiled sadly. "I already know."

I broke down into tears. He looked so hurt.

"But I truly am in love with you." Haniel placed his forehead on mine. "It doesn't matter if you are Callista, Isabelle, Allari, or whoever you become in the future. My heart will always belong to you."

His eyes moistened with tears as he spoke.

"You know, there's nothing really special about the way I love you." He chuckled softly. "I am simply a man who wants to make you smile, keep you safe, and grow old with you. Quite boring, isn't it?"

Haniel planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Even so, I just want you to be happy."

Both of us turned our head to Rumi's coffin when it suddenly lit up. The ominous energy that it was leaking slowly dissipated, like the coffin was being cleansed. It also emitted a radiant yellow light.

What on earth is happening? I'm so confused.

Then realization splashed on me like cold water.

Rumi was finally breaking free from the curse.

Haniel's previous explanation came to mind. That Rumi manifested a curse which prevents a person from dying completely unless a duty is fulfilled or a promise is honoured as they wish, he told me.

"I'm sorry for doing it without your consent." He gave me an apologetic smile. "But since you didn't have the courage to do it, I had to take matters into my own hands. I delivered the letter to His Grace."

In an instant, my face was filled with fear. I was about to stand up and run away, but Haniel caught me by the shoulders and held me tightly on place.

"Callista!" Haniel said through gritted teeth. "He must've read your letter by now. There's no point in running away! What are you so afraid of?!"

My lips trembled. What if he doesn't believe me? What if he hates me? He's finally decided to move on from me. How could I just return to his life?

"Don't cry." Haniel gently wiped my tears with his thumb. "You can do this. Everything will be okay."

Despite his encouragement, I was apprehensive.

What will you do now that you know, Alistair?

---

Haniel, my best boy, you deserve the world.

Anyway, happy reading, everyone!

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san