It was a coincidence.
At the very same moment, the same question slipped from the lips of two people.
That question split into two paths, taking on slightly different forms as it reached two different recipients.
One sighed deeply, while the other smiled faintly.
─ What kind of person was he?
“He was lazy and careless. A pathetic kid who caused trouble every day.”
“Confident and composed. He had talent with the sword but never fully committed to it.”
─ Why was that?
“Simply put, he was lazy. He shirked every responsibility given to him. A worthless scoundrel who dumped his burdens onto his brother.”
“He didn’t want to hurt others. And though he never admitted it, it was because of his brother.”
─ His brother?
“His brother excelled in every way. So he just relied on him, throwing away his own duties and wasting his life.”
“He loved his brother too much. Even though his own sword skills were better, he didn’t train harder because he didn’t want to surpass him.”
─ What did others think of him?
“A useless nuisance who couldn’t do anything right. A sinner who ruined everything by falling for a mere trick. No excuse. He was selfish to the very end.”
“Everyone liked him. He played pranks often, but never with malice. He treated everyone equally, regardless of status or rank. Until the end, everyone followed him, and he led them all.”
─ Until the end?
“Yes. He committed a crime that brought down the kingdom. Yet instead of taking responsibility, he begged for his life and ran away. Everyone else died, but he survived in disgrace. Truly a pathetic end.”
“My mistake caused his kingdom to fall. But he never blamed me. He just fought with all his might. Never gave in. Everyone who faced him was left in awe.”
─ That’s hard to understand. The kingdom fell?
“Ah, maybe I went too deep. It happened. His crime was grave. It’s an old story; you probably don’t know it.”
“I don’t remember clearly either. I recall the scene where I blamed myself, and the kingdom burning. I couldn’t even properly say sorry back then…”
─ Well, that’s enough. It’s just a story. So, what happened to him in the end?
“He was given a new chance. A final opportunity to undo his mistakes. So he tried to set everything right.”
“If I’m right, he went back to the past. I can see how desperately he’s trying.”
─ Has he changed much from before?
“Of course.”
“Not at all.”
─ Really?
“He’s changed a lot. He’s not repeating his mistakes and is correcting his wrongs.”
“He’s exactly the same as I knew him. Then and now.”
─ I see. So, what’s the point of telling his story?
“Well…”
“Well…”
Yuri set down the gray stone and finished her story.
“That’s all there is.”
“Thank you for sharing.”
Yuri looked at Graham’s lined face.
What she had told him wasn’t something that could save him. If anything, it might push Graham further.
But she didn’t want to lie.
Sir Graham Hartpole wasn’t the kind of man who would change his decision just because of a single piece of advice. No matter what he heard, he would walk the path he chose.
So this wasn’t persuasion—it was a courtesy for Graham.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Sir Graham. I hope I was of some help.”
“You were a great help.”
Graham smiled faintly as he looked at the Third Prince of Briol.
Even he couldn’t quite explain why he had come here.
He had met countless people in his life, but when he hit a dead end, the young Third Prince of Briol—who hadn’t been through much—came to mind.
He wondered what kind of answer the prince would give.
And he was not disappointed.
“I’m glad I came to see you, Your Highness.”
“If that’s so, then I’m relieved.”
Graham recalled the first time he met the Third Prince.
Though his face was youthful, somewhere between boy and young man, his demeanor was that of a seasoned veteran hardened by war.
He had bluntly invited Graham to come to Briol.
It was unexpected.
Though he was called a paragon of knights, it was a hollow title. Monarchs didn’t welcome knights like him; they only wanted obedient hunting dogs.
But this prince genuinely wanted him.
From that moment, Graham found himself intrigued.
And it wasn’t just that. The more he got to know the Third Prince, the more new facets he revealed.
His inaction in the allied forces was overwhelming, reminding Graham of his own father. His mindset, revealed through his actions, was so knightly that even Graham felt awe.
He had never seen a royal who ate the same food as common soldiers and played cards with them.
Sometimes, Graham wondered.
If only he had been born in the empire.
Or if only he had been born in Briol.
Would things have been different?
Foolish thoughts.
“This world has no place for knights like me. And the ground beneath my feet keeps shrinking.”
“Then come to Briol.”
“Hahaha…”
Graham shook his head.
It was time to leave. There was no room to linger. He gazed quietly at the Third Prince, then suddenly extended his hand.
“Let’s shake hands, Your Highness.”
He had seen the prince do this often.
So he wanted to try offering his hand first.
The prince looked a little surprised but soon clasped Graham’s hand.
“Sir Graham, let’s not part so wistfully. It feels like we might never meet again.”
“Maybe so. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”
“That’s true.”
As they shook hands, Graham recalled the story the prince had told him.
Though it was framed as describing someone else, it ultimately pointed back to the prince himself.
It was quite impressive. While listening, Graham almost believed it was the prince’s own story.
But he knew the prince’s words couldn’t be true.
People don’t change.
Not even death changes that.
Even if the man in the story truly returned from death, he wouldn’t become someone like the prince. Eventually, he would revert to the pathetic man in the tale.
That’s why stories are just stories, Graham thought.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“If you ever do go back to the past, please let me know first.”
Graham joked.
Yuri laughed.
“I never said that was me.”
“I thought it sounded like you.”
“How disrespectful. Do you think I’m that pathetic?”
“You never know with people.”
“Hahaha, true. Same goes for you. It’s best if it never happens, but if you do go back, be sure to tell me.”
“I will.”
“Farewell.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Graham followed the Third Prince out of the palace.
“Are you heading to the empire?”
“No.”
“Where then?”
“That’s a secret.”
“I thought I was the only one with secrets. You’re the same.”
Graham was headed straight to the border of Yohaim to join Yalta. The empire’s army, secretly prepared, would swiftly march on Yohaim’s palace.
He had decided not to turn away from tragedy.
If he didn’t go, more would die.
At least he could try to prevent that.
Though his hands would be stained with blood, it was a burden he had to bear.
“Well then.”
After taking one last look at the Third Prince of Briol, Graham turned away.
It was strange.
He had thought of many reasons why, but he still didn’t understand why he felt so drawn to the prince. Their bond wasn’t that deep, yet he had come here.
Suddenly, the prince followed him.
“Sir Graham.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I forgot to tell you.”
The prince leaned close and whispered something.
Graham tilted his head, then burst out laughing.
It was something he hadn’t expected.
Truly, the prince seemed born to be a storyteller.
“Is that so?”
“It is.”
“I think I did well.”
“Thank you for that time.”
Graham gave the Third Prince of Briol a casual nod, no need for formalities.
“Farewell, truly.”
“Goodbye, Sir Graham.”
Graham left Briol.
If the fate of the world was heading somewhere, then he too had to go where he belonged.
Irene sat silently for a while after hearing Ekaterina’s story.
Returning to the past—it was a hard tale to believe. Yet somehow, it all fit together too neatly to dismiss.
It felt like mud stuck stubbornly to the soles of her shoes.
“An interesting story.”
“It was, wasn’t it?”
Irene admitted it.
She was somewhat convinced by Ekaterina’s tale.
“Alright. Let’s say the princess’s story is true.”
“Mm.”
“May I ask a personal question?”
“Go ahead.”
“I got the sense you two were very close…”
“We were.”
“So I’m curious…”
It wasn’t a crucial question, but Irene couldn’t help herself.
“Did one of you make the first move…?”
Whether true or not, she was curious. After all, other people’s love stories were always the most fascinating.
Ekaterina answered immediately.
“Me.”
“Excuse me?”
“I was the one who seduced him.”
“Why?”
Irene’s voice rose without her realizing it.
Yuri Briol was a decent man, but the idea that Ekaterina—so stunning she could shake the heavens and earth—had made the first move was almost unbelievable. She couldn’t imagine anyone else being so lucky.
Ekaterina smiled faintly and replied,
“I thought I was going to lose him.”
“Lose him?”
“He was very popular. He probably didn’t realize it himself, but there were so many people lurking around, all targeting him…”
“Th-That’s…”
“My memories are fragmented, so I can’t recall everything, but I think he sensed the danger.”
“I see. So how did you approach him at first?”
“I just started talking to him.”
“Ah, I see. Since the princess spoke first, he must have responded right away.”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“He wasn’t interested in me.”
“Are you kidding me…?”
Irene couldn’t help but curse under her breath. How could he be so indifferent when such a beautiful woman approached him first? It was unforgivable.
Ekaterina burst out laughing.
“Thanks for reacting like that. Looks like you believe me now?”
“Uh…”
Irene suddenly snapped back to reality. She realized she had gotten way too emotionally involved without meaning to.
“Well, you see… I don’t know. Ha ha ha…”
Irene had to admit she was convinced by Ekaterina. Not only did her story align with some of Irene’s own thoughts, but she also shared details that would have been hard for anyone else to know.
And above all, after seeing that unreal beauty face so often, Irene wanted to believe her.
Appearance really is a terrifying weapon.
Irene let out a long sigh.
“Alright, Your Highness. Let’s assume your story is true and continue our conversation.”
“You’re stiffening up again.”
“Ahem. Now, Your Highness, what is it that you want from me…”
“Oh, first, let’s look at the catalog.”
“Pardon?”
“The catalog.”
“But you said you didn’t need it earlier…”
“Well, since I’m here, might as well buy something. I like new things.”
“Understood. I have just the perfect items for you here. For starters, this ornament—if you drape it around your neck, it would be absolutely…”
“Beautiful.”
“Exactly.”
“But isn’t it a bit too flashy?”
“Compared to your beauty, it’s quite modest.”
“Heh heh…”
“And also…”
Irene busied herself searching for items that would suit Ekaterina.
The two of them browsed the catalog together, chatting quietly and exchanging opinions.
They were having a warm, friendly conversation when a signal came from outside.
Irene excused herself and cracked the door open slightly.
“What’s going on?”
“Something’s come up.”
“What is it?”
“Well…”
As they spoke, the noise from outside seeped through the gap.
“Go take a look.”
Irene peered out through the window in the hallway.
An angry mob was marching through the streets of the imperial city.
“What the hell is this?”
Listening closely, she caught their shouted slogans.
“Oh my god…”
Irene pressed her palm to her forehead.
“What’s happening?”
The crowd was roaring to tear down Yohaim, who had tried to poison the emperor, and to find every Yohaim sympathizer in the city and hang them all. The streets were shaking with their cries.