The dining hall fell into a suffocating silence.
No one dared to speak.
No one dared to move.
The misunderstanding had already spiraled beyond anyone's expectations, yet Prince Rayryn's proposal had made it feel as though Bereshith's future had been decided without his consent.
Then—
Bang!
Bereshith's palms struck the dining table.
"STOP!"
His voice thundered through the hall.
Everyone froze.
For the first time...
Bereshith was angry.
Not irritated.
Not disappointed.
Angry.
His calm smile had vanished.
His gentle eyes had become sharp.
Even Lucas instinctively straightened his back.
No one in the room had ever seen Bereshith like this.
Bereshith slowly rose from his chair.
His breathing was steady, but every word carried restrained frustration.
"Why..."
He looked around the table.
"...are all of you deciding my life?"
His eyes stopped on Prince Rayryn.
"Yes, I understand Princess Inoha's honor."
He glanced toward Princess Inoha.
"And I understand that the customs of the Kingdom of Cartha say so."
His voice became heavier.
"But what about mine?"
Silence.
"Does my opinion not matter?"
No one answered.
"Am I merely an object to be handed over because a tradition demands it?"
His gaze swept across everyone.
"Have all of you gone mad?"
His fists trembled.
"I remained silent because I wished to respect every one of you."
"I listened."
"I endured."
"I honored every decision made by my elders."
"But this..."
His voice echoed through the hall.
"...this is outrageous."
The room remained deathly still.
Bereshith slowly turned toward Princess Inoha.
"Your Highness."
Princess Inoha instinctively flinched.
A chill ran down her spine.
The young man who had rescued her from endless nightmares...
The young man who never failed to speak politely...
The young man whose smile had comforted her...
He was now looking directly at her with unwavering resolve.
"I will speak honestly."
His tone was neither cruel nor mocking.
It was simply sincere.
"And I ask you to hear me."
Princess Inoha unconsciously nodded.
Bereshith lowered his head slightly before continuing.
"I am not going to marry someone who cannot first listen to my wishes or respect my own decision."
His words struck harder than any insult.
Not because they were harsh...
But because they were true.
Without another word, Bereshith stepped away from his chair.
Everyone instinctively watched him.
He walked toward the great doors of the dining hall.
Just before reaching them...
He stopped.
Without turning around, he spoke one final time.
"Father."
Lucas looked up.
Bereshith continued calmly.
"I will obey your command."
"I shall accompany His Highness back to the royal capital."
A brief pause followed.
"But hear me well."
"If I hear even once more that my marriage has been decided without honoring my own will..."
He slowly clenched his fist.
"...then I shall leave this family..."
His voice remained calm.
"...and devote my life entirely to following God."
The words echoed through the hall.
Then—
Bang.
The doors closed behind him.
...
No one moved.
No one breathed.
It was not that they refused to speak.
They simply...
Could not believe what they had heard.
Bereshith—
The young man who always placed duty before himself...
The adopted son who never once complained...
The child who thanked Lucas every day for raising him...
Had declared that he was willing to leave everything behind.
Lucas slowly covered his face.
His voice trembled.
"What..."
"...have I done?"
His whisper carried immense regret.
Beside him, Yareach remained completely still.
Her pupils shook.
"Br..."
Her lips quivered.
"Brother..."
Her breathing became uneven.
"...is..."
She slowly lowered her head.
"...leaving..."
Her entire body trembled.
"No..."
A tear fell onto the table.
"No..."
Another.
Then another.
Her voice broke.
"No...!"
Suddenly—
"GRANDFATHER!! FATHER!!"
She burst into tears.
"Please!!"
She cried so hard that her small shoulders shook.
"Please stop Elder Brother!!"
"I don't want him to leave!!"
"I don't want Brother to disappear!!"
"Please!!"
"Please listen to him!!"
Her cries filled the dining hall.
Lucas closed his eyes painfully.
"Yareach..."
His voice was filled with guilt.
"...there's nothing I can—"
"Father, you idiot!!"
Lucas froze.
Everyone stared at Yareach.
Never in her life had she spoken to Lucas like that.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Elder Brother always listens to you!"
"He honors you!"
"He praises you!"
"He acknowledges you as his father every single day!"
She struck the table with both hands.
"But..."
Her voice cracked.
"...you couldn't even honor his feelings?!"
Lucas lowered his head.
He had no answer.
Because every word...
Was true.
A long silence followed.
Then—
"As enough has been said..."
A calm, dignified voice interrupted the chaos.
Everyone turned.
Lord Ascirick slowly rose from his seat.
His expression remained composed.
His mere presence gradually quieted the room.
"Everyone."
His voice was low.
Yet it carried undeniable authority.
"Allow me to speak."
Even Yareach forced herself to stop crying.
Ascirick turned toward Prince Rayryn.
"Your Highness."
He bowed respectfully.
"If I may make a request..."
"Would you permit me to write personally to His Majesty regarding Princess Inoha's honor?"
Prince Rayryn straightened.
"As you wish, Lord Ascirick."
He paused before adding,
"Though..."
"I believe Father would be even more pleased if you delivered the letter in person."
His eyes shifted toward Lucas.
"And if Sir Lucas accompanies us."
Lucas exchanged glances with Ascirick.
Neither spoke.
After a moment...
Lucas gave a small nod.
Ascirick returned it.
"So it shall be."
He then turned toward Princess Inoha.
"Your Highness."
"If I may ask one more favor."
Princess Inoha immediately straightened her posture.
"Please..."
"Place any discussion regarding marriage on hold."
He smiled gently.
"Let us first honor Bereshith's dignity."
Princess Inoha lowered her head respectfully.
"It shall be so."
She hesitated briefly before continuing.
"And..."
"I do not wish my honor to become a burden upon someone else."
Her voice softened.
"If Sir Bereshith does not wish to marry me..."
She smiled faintly.
"...then I shall respect his decision."
The atmosphere lightened ever so slightly.
Ascirick suddenly clapped his hands once.
"Excellent."
Everyone looked toward him.
His smile widened.
"In that case..."
"Starting tomorrow..."
He looked toward Princess Inoha.
"...you shall accompany us to the royal capital as well."
Silence.
One heartbeat.
Two.
Then—
"EEEEHHHHHHHHHHH!?"
The entire dining hall erupted in synchronized shock.
"WHAT?!"
Levanah and Lexy were the first to stand.
"No!" Lexy protested immediately, her voice sharp. "Grandfather, I cannot agree with this!"
Levanah stepped forward as well.
"I object too!"
Both girls glared toward Princess Inoha.
"If she comes with us," Levanah continued, "she'll only make everything worse! Haven't we already had enough misunderstandings this morning?"
Lexy folded her arms.
"Besides, Bereshith just said he wanted space. Sending her with us is the exact opposite of respecting his wishes."
For the first time since breakfast began...
The two sisters stood completely united.
Ascirick quietly looked at them.
Neither anger nor disappointment appeared on his face.
Only calmness.
"Have you both finished?"
The gentle question alone made the room fall silent.
Levanah and Lexy nodded reluctantly.
Ascirick folded his hands.
"Then allow me to answer."
His eyes settled on the two girls.
"You both say you wish to respect Bereshith."
They nodded.
"Then respect my decision as well."
Neither of them spoke.
"I am not sending Princess Inoha because of marriage."
"I am sending her because avoiding one another will solve nothing."
He continued evenly.
"If misunderstandings are left unresolved, they become resentment."
"If resentment is left alone, it becomes hatred."
"And hatred destroys far more lives than misunderstandings ever could."
The room became quiet.
Ascirick's voice softened.
"Princess Inoha has already agreed to postpone the matter of marriage."
"Bereshith has made his own wishes clear."
"So now..."
He looked at everyone present.
"The matter before us is no longer marriage."
"It is understanding."
His gaze returned to Levanah and Lexy.
"I expect both of you to show the same maturity that Bereshith has always shown."
Neither sister could find a reply.
Their lips parted.
Then closed again.
"..."
Lexy slowly lowered her head.
"...Understood, Grandfather."
Levanah bit her lower lip before doing the same.
"...I understand."
Neither agreed wholeheartedly.
But neither dared oppose Ascirick further.
Seeing the matter settled, Ascirick rose from his chair.
"Very well."
His authoritative voice echoed through the dining hall.
"This breakfast..."
"...and this commotion..."
"...ends here."
He looked toward the servants waiting outside.
"Everyone is dismissed."
One after another, the chairs slid back.
The family quietly departed.
Prince Rayryn bowed respectfully before leaving with Ms. Maliks.
Lucas followed shortly after.
The room gradually emptied.
Until...
Only one person remained.
Lord Ascirick.
Silence embraced the dining hall.
The old lord slowly leaned against the backrest of his chair.
His tired eyes wandered toward the ceiling.
A faint chuckle escaped him.
"Hehehe..."
There was no joy in it.
Only loneliness.
"I suppose..."
"...God wishes for me to see those two once again."
His smile faded almost immediately.
He closed his eyes.
"Amanda..."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"If only you were here..."
He sighed deeply.
"I have a feeling..."
"...things would have turned out differently."
The empty hall offered no answer.
Only silence remained to accompany him.
After several quiet moments, Ascirick finally stood.
His expression had returned to its usual serenity.
Without another word...
He left the dining hall.
Meanwhile...
The family dispersed throughout the manor.
Prince Rayryn and Ms. Maliks followed Lucas toward his study to discuss the letter intended for the King of Cartha.
Maria and Eva gently led Yareach, Mia, and little Peter into the gardens, hoping the fresh morning air would calm everyone's troubled hearts.
Levanah and Lexy...
Walked in another direction.
Toward the manor's training grounds.
Neither spoke.
Neither smiled.
They both knew exactly where Bereshith would go whenever he wished to be alone.
Unbeknownst to them...
Princess Inoha quietly followed several paces behind.
Princess Alesh, worried about her elder sister, cautiously tailed her as well.
The training grounds echoed with the rhythmic sound of wood striking wood.
Clack!
Clack!
Cyte was practicing with a training spear.
As usual, his upper body was bare, sweat glistening beneath the morning sun.
Nearby...
Cyse rested quietly on a wooden bench beneath the shade.
One leg crossed over the other.
His gaze remained fixed upon the sky.
As the four young women entered the grounds...
Cyse lazily raised one hand.
"Hi."
Normally he would have teased Levanah the moment he saw her.
Today...
He lacked even the energy to smile.
Cyte stopped his drills and rested the butt of his spear upon the ground.
"Oh?"
He smiled warmly.
"It's rare seeing you two here."
Levanah ignored the greeting entirely.
Her eyes searched every corner of the grounds.
Lexy looked around as well before asking,
"Sorry to interrupt your training."
"Is Bereshith here?"
Cyte shook his head.
"If you're looking for him..."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"He's at his usual place."
Levanah immediately understood.
"Oh..."
"That place."
She turned to leave at once.
But—
Hum.
A shimmering violet wall instantly rose around her.
Levanah blinked.
"What the—"
She struck the barrier with her palm.
It didn't move.
She spun toward Cyse.
"What are you doing?!"
Without taking his eyes from the sky, Cyse answered calmly,
"I think..."
"...it's best to leave him alone."
His tone remained unusually serious.
"I'm telling you this because I'm worried that whatever you're planning will only make things worse."
Levanah frowned.
"What are you—"
Cyte gently interrupted.
"Levanah."
His voice carried none of its usual cheerfulness.
"Please."
"We're asking you."
"Just leave him alone for today."
He lowered his spear.
"Sometimes..."
"...a man simply needs peace and quiet."
"Bereshith..."
He hesitated.
"He is—"
"That's enough, Cyte."
Cyse cut him off.
The atmosphere grew heavy once again.
Then...
Cyse's eyes shifted toward a nearby stone pillar.
"...The same goes for the two of you hiding over there."
He snapped his fingers.
Snap.
Two more violet barriers materialized.
Princess Inoha and Princess Alesh gasped as they were gently enclosed before they could retreat.
The shimmering cages slowly floated into the open.
Levanah and Lexy widened their eyes.
"So you really were following us..."
Cyse finally looked directly at the newcomers.
His expression remained unreadable.
"You are the Princesses of Cartha."
"Princess Inoha."
"Princess Alesh."
Unlike him...
Cyte immediately placed a fist over his chest and bowed respectfully.
"It is an honor to meet Your Highnesses."
Cyse ignored formalities entirely.
"So."
"What are you doing here?"
His gaze remained fixed upon Princess Inoha.
"I doubt you've become lost."
"This training ground isn't a place noble ladies usually wander into."
"So I'll ask once."
"What are you doing here?"
He folded his arms.
"Depending on your answer..."
"I'll let you go."
"So..."
"Choose wisely."
Princess Inoha swallowed nervously.
Then answered honestly.
"I came to see Sir Bereshith."
She lowered her head.
"I wish to apologize to him."
Cyse stared into her eyes.
Searching.
Testing.
For several long moments...
Neither of them moved.
Then—
The barriers vanished.
"I believe you."
Princess Inoha blinked.
Cyse pointed toward a narrow trail leading away from the grounds.
"Leave through that path."
"Turn right."
"Walk straight."
"Don't take any side roads."
"At the very end..."
"You'll find a giant tree."
He paused.
"Above one of its branches..."
"...there's a small wooden shack."
Princess Inoha's eyes brightened.
Before she could thank him—
Cyse spoke again.
"I've shown you the way."
"But I can't promise he'll welcome you."
His voice remained perfectly calm.
"Now go."
Princess Inoha bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
Without wasting another moment...
She hurried away.
Lexy instinctively moved to follow—
Only for Cyte to gently catch Lexy's wrist as she tried to chase after Princess Inoha.
"Let go."
Lexy's voice was cold.
Cyte met her gaze.
"No."
"Stay here."
The two silently stared at one another.
Meanwhile...
Princess Alesh hesitated.
Instead of following her sister...
She slowly approached the bench where Cyse sat.
He noticed her almost immediately.
"What?"
"Do you need something?"
Princess Alesh froze.
"Ah!"
"N-no!"
"I mean..."
"Yes..."
Her face reddened.
"I do..."
"But..."
She looked away shyly.
"...Never mind."
After gathering a little courage, she quietly asked,
"May I..."
"...sit beside you?"
Cyse shrugged as though it were the most ordinary request in the world.
"Sure."
Cyse and Princess Alesh remained near the training grounds.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Princess Alesh simply sat beside him, stealing glances every few seconds.
Cyse, meanwhile, kept his eyes fixed on the blue sky as though she did not exist.
Finally...
Princess Alesh broke the silence.
"Sir Cyse..."
"What?"
"I wanted to thank you."
"For what?"
"You showed my sister the way."
"I merely answered her question."
She smiled warmly.
"Even so... thank you."
"...You're welcome."
Another silence followed.
Princess Alesh swung her feet gently.
"You know..."
"Hm?"
"I think you're kinder than you look."
Cyse raised an eyebrow.
"You have poor judgment."
Princess Alesh giggled.
"I don't think so."
"..."
"...You're honest."
"..."
"And..."
Her cheeks turned slightly pink.
"...rather handsome."
Cyse slowly turned to look at her.
"...What?"
Princess Alesh immediately covered her face.
"I-I didn't mean to say that out loud..."
Cyse let out a long sigh.
"...How troublesome."
Instead of becoming embarrassed enough to leave...
Princess Alesh scooted closer.
"So..."
"What do you usually do?"
"Read."
"What kind of books?"
"Magic."
"Oh! I like reading too."
"I doubt we read the same books."
She laughed.
"I'll read yours then."
"...Please don't."
"Why?"
"They're boring."
"I don't mind."
"..."
Cyse quietly shifted away.
Princess Alesh followed.
He shifted again.
She followed again.
By the fifth time...
She was practically leaning against him.
Cyse finally stood.
"I think that's enough."
Princess Alesh stood as well.
"Where are you going?"
"Away."
She immediately followed.
Cyse frowned.
"...Why are you following me?"
Princess Alesh smiled innocently.
"I don't know."
"I just want to stay beside you."
"..."
"...Absolutely not."
Before Cyse could escape...
Princess Alesh suddenly wrapped both arms around his left arm.
Cyse froze.
"..."
"..."
"...Let go."
"No."
"...Please?"
"No."
Cyse tried pulling away.
Princess Alesh only tightened her grip.
"I won't bite."
"I'm not worried about biting."
"Then?"
"I'm worried about you."
Princess Alesh tilted her head.
"What did I do?"
"You became clingy in less than ten minutes."
"I did?"
"You did."
She smiled proudly.
"Is that bad?"
"...Very."
Cyse finally reached his limit and used teleportation magic and and slip away from Princess Alesh.
"Levanah!"
His voice echoed throughout the training grounds.
"Help!"
The violet barrier surrounding Levanah immediately disappeared.
Cyse had released it himself.
Without hesitation, he dashed behind Levanah and grabbed the back of her dress like someone hiding behind a shield.
"Let go, you pervert mage!"
Levanah snapped.
She looked at him with complete disgust.
Not because Princess Alesh was clinging to him...
But because Cyse looked utterly pathetic.
"No!"
Cyse protested.
"Help me, and I'll tell you how to soothe Bereshith's pain right now."
Levanah folded her arms.
"Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"You've tricked me so many times before."
She glared at him.
"Do you honestly think I'll believe you?"
Cyse sighed.
"I was hoping you would."
"..."
Seeing no other choice...
Cyse suddenly grabbed Levanah's right wrist.
"W-What are you doing?!"
Before she could resist—
He slipped one arm beneath her knees while supporting her back.
Levanah lost her balance in an instant.
"E-Eh?!"
Cyse effortlessly lifted her into a princess carry.
"I guess there's no helping it."
He glanced toward Levanah.
"You're coming with me."
"W-Wait! Put me down!"
Levanah protested, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Ignoring her completely—
Cyse cast a levitation spell beneath his feet.
Whoosh!
The wind swirled around them as he shot into the sky, carrying the furious Levanah in his arms.
"W-Wait for me, Sir Cyse!"
Princess Alesh cried.
She immediately activated her own flight magic.
"Please go out with me!"
She flew after them without hesitation.
Within seconds...
The three disappeared into the distance.
Silence returned to the training grounds.
Lexy slowly turned toward Cyte.
"...Cyte."
"Hm?"
"Let go."
"I won't run away."
"I promise."
Cyte studied her expression for a moment.
"You promise?"
Lexy nodded.
"I do."
He finally released his grip.
"But if you break that promise..."
His expression became serious.
"I'll stop you by force."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"So... please behave."
Lexy simply nodded.
Without another word, she walked over and sat on the wooden bench where Cyse had been sitting moments earlier.
Cyte watched her for a brief moment before returning to his sword practice.
The rhythmic sound of steel cutting through the air echoed across the grounds.
Meanwhile...
Far from the training grounds...
Princess Inoha had finally reached Bereshith's sanctuary.
High above the earth...
Built upon the branches of a colossal ancient tree...
A small wooden shack overlooked the entire manor.
At its center...
Bereshith knelt in silent prayer.
Below the tree...
Princess Inoha looked upward.
Her heart pounded.
She was nervous.
Ashamed.
Afraid.
Yet...
She gathered her courage.
Step by step...
She climbed the long wooden staircase until she reached the entrance.
There was no door.
Only an open doorway welcoming the morning breeze.
She gently lowered her head.
"Excuse me..."
"Pardon the intrusion."
Receiving no reply...
She quietly stepped inside.
Bereshith remained completely still.
His hands were folded together.
His head lowered.
His eyes closed.
He was so focused on his prayer that he never noticed her arrival.
Princess Inoha quietly observed him.
"I don't know what you're doing..."
She whispered softly.
"But... if this is a custom of this place..."
"...then I should respect it."
She slowly knelt beside him.
Just as she had seen the night before.
She folded both hands together.
Closed her eyes.
And silently repeated the prayer Bereshith had offered before dinner.
The small shack became completely quiet.
Only the gentle morning breeze could be heard.
Moments later...
Bereshith finished his prayer.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Only to discover Princess Inoha kneeling peacefully beside him.
He remained silent.
Rather than interrupting...
He simply sat beside her and patiently waited.
Several moments passed.
Princess Inoha finally opened her eyes.
She turned—
Only to find Bereshith already waiting beside her.
"E-Eh?!"
Startled, she instinctively stood—
But the hem of her dress caught beneath her foot.
"Wah!"
She stumbled forward.
Bereshith instinctively caught her before she struck the wooden floor.
Supporting both her weight and his own.
Once she regained her balance...
He calmly released her.
"Your Highness..."
"I don't know whether you're trying to seduce me or whether this is simply another accident..."
"But please be more careful."
His voice remained polite...
Yet noticeably colder than before.
"As I've already said..."
"I have no intention of marrying you."
Princess Inoha immediately pulled herself away.
Her face turned pale.
"N-No!"
She hurriedly knelt.
Lowering her head until it nearly touched the floor.
"I came here to apologize for what happened this morning!"
"Please..."
"At least don't hate me."
"I know you don't wish to marry me."
"I know I forced myself to kiss you."
"And I caused you nothing but trouble."
She clenched her fists.
"But please..."
"Have mercy on me..."
"And forgive me."
"Please..."
Her apology was sincere.
Without excuses.
Without pride.
Bereshith looked at her quietly.
After a long silence...
He sighed.
"...Alright."
"I forgive you."
Princess Inoha immediately raised her head.
Relief filled her expression.
However...
Bereshith had not finished speaking.
"However..."
"Your Highness."
"Marriage is a sacred covenant between two people."
"It is a promise to remain together—for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health—to love, to cherish, and to remain faithful until death parts them."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"It is not something that should exist merely because of tradition..."
"...or because someone believes honor demands it."
"It should be built upon faith..."
"Love..."
"And commitment."
He smiled gently.
"So..."
"Before speaking of marriage again..."
"I hope you'll first discover what those truly mean."
"Alright?"
Princess Inoha quietly lowered her gaze.
She thought carefully about every word he had spoken.
Then...
A faint smile appeared.
"So..."
She murmured softly.
"You're not rejecting marriage itself..."
"...only a marriage without faith, love, and commitment."
She slowly looked back at him.
Her smile deepened.
Filled with unwavering resolve.
"Then..."
"I'll become someone worthy of standing beside you."
"I'll learn what faith truly is."
"I'll learn what love truly is."
"And I'll prove my commitment."
She placed a hand over her heart.
Her eyes shone with determination. Her smile was intense with such romantic devotion that morphs into extreme obsession, close to possessiveness, such aesthetic behavior.
"From this day forward..."
"I shall devote myself to becoming worthy of you, Sir Bereshith."
Bereshith blinked.
He had expected understanding...
Not a declaration of determination.
"...Y-Yeah..."
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Thank you... I suppose."
Princess Inoha smiled brightly.
For the first time that morning...
The tension between them had eased.
Though Bereshith had no idea...
His words had not discouraged the princess.
Instead...
They had given her a goal.
And Princess Inoha Ghodru Amezu...
Had never been one to abandon a goal once she had set her heart upon it.