The following evening, Ray headed to a club where he had arranged to meet Tyler.
This place was unusual for him. Despite his rich life experience, he had never liked such establishments.
Tyler easily recognized his friend's figure and waved. Approaching the table in the corner, Ray shook his hand and said:
"Glad to see you. I don't think any of us ever imagined our prince would become a prosecutor."
"Losing Lily didn't just affect you. It changed all of us. I couldn't have imagined myself in this role either."
"I know. You, like me, dug into that case. Did you manage to find anything?" Ray knew the chances were minuscule, but deep down, a hope still flickered.
"Unfortunately, no. I can't even guess who could have done it. But I know you suspected me for a long time. Perhaps you're still not certain. Relax — I don't hold it against you. In our circle, I really was the only one who could have had a motive. I did like Lily. And I would never have done anything like that to her."
"I won't deny it. At first, I hired detectives to tail everyone. It seemed to me the client was someone from among our acquaintances. But over the long years of surveillance, my suspicions were never confirmed. I told you the truth. But don't expect an apology from me."
"I don't need one. I understand everything."
"How do you feel about having a drink and changing the subject?" The concern for his friend was evident in the prince's voice.
"I don't mind changing the subject. But drinking is definitely not for me. The last time I got drunk, I almost lost my 'equipment.' I wanted to shoot myself in the head, but Yuno interrupted my plans. Instead of my head, I shot myself in the leg. Now I don't drink. But I can keep you company."
"We should thank that girl. And as for your 'equipment'... honestly, I don't think you'll have any use for it anymore. But seriously — you've suffered enough. I'm sure Lily wouldn't have minded. She would have even been glad if a girl appeared in your life again."
"I know you're partly right. But a part of me left with them. And I don't think it will ever return. Besides, I doubt there's a girl in this world I could love as much as Lily. And that would be unfair to her. She may be gone... but Lily will always be in my heart. I don't think I'll find someone willing to share it with a woman who is no longer here."
"You know what I think? It's all just excuses. The truth is, you've never even tried to look. Maybe it seems to you that you don't need to. But everyone sometimes needs someone to lean on."
"In case you forgot, my current wife and I met in a mental institution."
"Yes, you're a very unusual couple. Did you manage to talk her into surrogacy?"
Hearing the question, Tyler replied with a sigh:
"No. But I'm working on it. She still wants to give birth herself. But honestly, it pains me so much to see her suffer after every failure."
"I sincerely believe that one way or another, things will work out for you," Ray said.
Despite the artificial voice, people who knew him well could still feel the sincerity.
"I hope too that a girl will appear in your life, one who can warm your heart and make it beat faster."
The rest of the evening passed in nostalgic conversation. Ray was glad to see old friends. But some part of him disliked these meetings very much — they reminded him of a lost happiness that could never be reclaimed. If there were even the slightest chance, he would have been ready to descend into hell. But, unfortunately, what is lost never returns.