HANIEL CALYPSO ASTANA

As the saying goes, you can know a promising tree from when it's a baby tree. That was true, at least for me, an orphan who demonstrated a flair for magic at an early age and was declared a prodigy.

Thus, after stumbling into a noble's territory and surviving in a forest full of magical beasts, my life changed. The count saw my talent and took me in.

That was the start of my journey as the strongest.

"I'd like to unearth the truth behind this corpse."

"Haniel," My father massaged his own temples, obviously stressed out by my words. "Can't you just stay still in the tower, you intrepid brat?"

I shook my head. "I would die out of boredom."

"Ha, I give up." Count Astana waved his hand dismissively. "Do as you please. Just don't die."

"Of course," I smiled. "Who do you think I am?"

Growing up as a genius, very few people understand how lonely it is at the top.

I lived a nondescript life in the tower. I learned too fast. I improved too fast. I got strong too fast.

No one could keep up with me. So while everyone was busy working hard to climb, I was alone at the top, waiting for all of them to catch up.

Which means I had too much time on my hands.

And I had nothing better to do. My life was dull.

Until I came across that corpse in the forest, who cursed itself to death while holding onto a letter.

For the first time in my life, I was intrigued.

When I left my father's office, I spent the next hour idling in the glades of the Forest of Silla.

Beside me was the coffin that I customized to store the cursed corpse. I also got the mysterious letter on my hands. I have read it many times, but I just can't get enough of it. I was dying out of curiosity.

"What a brave lady." I blurted out in admiration.

In my case, it was probably love at first read.

In my hands was a letter written by a woman whom I have never even seen before. This was her declaration of love for the man she liked.

I was moved by the weight of her love, which remained immovable even in the face of death.

Before I knew it, I found myself thinking of her all night, wondering about the colour of her eyes, the shape of her lips, and the stature of her body. She was like a dream that I kept chasing so foolishly.

I had longed to see her every single day.

I was often euphoric at the thought of meeting her for the very first time, the same way I was dispirited each time I failed to find the lady.

It became an unquenchable thirst of mine.

For three years, I ventured into different lands and braved the seas in search of this woman who had captured my attention unbeknownst to her.

Again, I failed. I didn't know what she looks like.

Due to the incessant messages of my father to come home, I had no choice but to return to the tower despite my whole journey being unfruitful.

That's when I met her unexpectedly.

At first, I did not recognise her. I was dawdling in the capital for a bit before going back to the tower when I accidentally collided with a certain lady.

She had lost her balance and was about to fall on the ground, but I swiftly caught her by the waist.

When she opened her eyes, they were out of focus due to the sunlight beaming behind me. But the moment our gazes met, I was enthralled by her.

I am a man, after all. I may have been indifferent towards women all my life, but it does not mean that I am not appreciative of their beauty.

And this lady was absolutely beautiful.

Her cerulean orbs were like oceans compressed into her eyes. The way her plump lips parted in surprise was so enticing, like it was inviting you for a taste. Her blonde hair looked like the sun.

She was truly the embodiment of beauty.

"Are you okay?" I whispered to the lady softly.

As if I woke up from a spell, I noticed the coffin behind me vibrating. It was the first time I have seen the cursed corpse mustering a reaction.

"Hm? How strange. Is it reacting to you?"

Later on, I realised that the lady in question was mute and that my father had sent her to fetch me.

There was nothing notable about her.

Until I saw her own handwriting, that is.

I cannot be mistaken. I spent many nights staring at the letter. It was the same penmanship without a doubt. My heart was filled with so much bliss.

"It's the same." I marvelled at her handwriting, which perplexed her. "I finally found you."

At long last, she was no longer faceless to me.

"We finally met, Isabelle..." I gently held her hands then leveled our gazes. "Or should it be Callista?"

That was the first time our paths crossed.

My imagination did her no justice. She was more beautiful than I thought. Feisty as well, if I may say. She was the type of woman who wouldn't back down. She was bold, candid, and daring.

The more time I spent with her, the deeper I fell.

It was impossible not to love someone like her.

Even so, I was never a greedy person and I knew where to stand. From the start, I was aware that her heart already belonged to somebody else.

But I could not get myself to stay away from her, especially when she was such a lonely person.

"Besides, I told you, didn't I?" I stared at her eyes affectionately. "That I am on your side. Was, am, and will always be. You're not alone anymore."

My hand gently caressed her head.

I smiled ruefully. "You did well, Callista."

When I embraced her into my arms, she broke down into tears. How lonely she must've been. How terrified she must've felt. A woman who has gone through death twice, yet never faltered at all.

The sound of her cries crushed my heart. It drove me insane. It tempted me to torture every single person who had a hand in her suffering.

While she was crying in my arms, my mind was filled with lurid thoughts. Should I just kill them?

I sighed. No, she probably wouldn't like that.

When she told me that Allari was my lover in the original storyline, a part of myself was hopeful.

If it happened in another universe, then wouldn't it be possible here? I know that she's in love with someone else, but is there a chance for us two?

I detested myself for even having such thoughts.

However, whatever hope I've had disappeared soon after. When Grand Duke Averill finally bade his farewell to her, Callista was simply distraught.

She yearned for him. I could tell, because I yearn for her the same way. The two of them were just madly in love with each other's whole existence.

There was no place for me in her heart.

Still, I could not stop myself from coveting her.

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

She stared at me with bated breath.

"Kiss me," I told her 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 my entreaty, she didn't move an inch.

As soon as tears formed on her eyes, I knew the answer. She couldn't do it. She couldn't even lie. It would always be him, Alistair Kirsten de Averill.

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

I know, but I can't let you go. I don't know how.

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

My eyes moistened with tears as I spoke.

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

I planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

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

It was the truth. I meant it with all my heart.

That's exactly the reason why I willingly sent the letter to His Grace. She didn't have the courage to tell him the truth, so I did. Because I loved her.

When the two of them reunited, she was so happy.

I could not even feel sad for myself, because Callista was overflowing with happiness.

Even while I stood by the doorway as their bodies united as one, I steeled my resolve. I made an oath to myself that I will prioritize all of her wishes.

Even when the house was filled with her moans of pleasure, caused by another man, I stayed in case she needed me, in case she called for my name.

I was foolish. A slave to an unrequited love.

But I never regretted any of it.

"It's quite sad." I then chuckled softly. "I think I am bound to stay in love with you forever. Only death can end this one-sided love of mine to you, Callie."

I would die for you. But even if I do, you would probably only remember me as a dear friend.

You would be able to get over my death and live happily ever after with the love of your life. You would miss me, but that longing is momentary.

You would eventually forget about me.

Even so, I would still die for you.

"Run!" I shouted in anguish right before the blade pierced through my neck. When I saw the painful expression on Callie's face, my heart clenched.

I'm sorry, I thought to myself before my death.

Despite my efforts to make her happy, the summer was treacherous to the both of us. She was hurt by the people she loved. I was betrayed by the people I trusted. In the end, we were the only ones who were true to each other. If only we had known.

I never fully understood love until I met you.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

---

"Finally, all the conditions have been met."

My head feels so light. What is this?

"You were born for this moment. When she died, we gave life to you so that you could replace her."

The voice that spoke to me was so soft. It almost sounded like a lullaby. I wanted to open my eyes and see their face, but my lids felt too heavy.

"You've done well, child." A warm hand gently touched my forehead. "The gods reward those with noble hearts. Go back to your world."

A pair of arms embraced me affectionately.

"The novel has been overwritten. Henceforth, it is Haniel Calypso Astana." They whispered softly.

My consciousness gradually slipped away.

"That is the name of the protagonist of this story."

---