Yuri arrived at his old palace.
Catherine was in the garden, admiring the flowers.
She soon sensed Yuri’s presence and smiled softly.
“Hello.”
Yuri approached silently.
Noticing his unusual demeanor, Catherine tilted her head in curiosity.
“You seem more determined than usual today.”
“Lady Catherine.”
“Hm?”
“Can we talk for a moment?”
Catherine glanced at Ena, who was standing behind Yuri. Ena waved her hands nervously near her chest.
Ignoring the exchange of glances between the two, Yuri took Catherine’s hand and stepped inside the palace.
The door closed behind them.
“…”
At the far end of the long corridor just beyond the entrance, their eyes met.
It was the first time in this life they had been alone somewhere no one else could see.
“Don’t you have something to say to me?”
“Well, it seems you have something to say to me.”
Catherine stared intently at Yuri.
Her emerald eyes shifted in hue depending on the angle, mesmerizing anyone who looked into them.
Strangely, it calmed Yuri’s restless heart.
His confusion settled into quiet composure.
In a calm voice, Yuri spoke.
“You know you came back to the past, too.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m sorry.”
In his previous life, he had blamed Catherine for Briol’s downfall, believing it was her fault.
But after returning to the past and living anew, he realized it was all Cedric’s conspiracy.
Catherine was a victim as well.
So Yuri apologized for his misunderstanding.
Catherine only tilted her head slightly, offering no particular response.
She simply smiled playfully and looked up at him with clear, transparent eyes.
Yuri frowned.
Catherine was always like this—no matter how serious the conversation, she would just watch quietly with that expression.
“…So, I thought I should apologize.”
“I see.”
“Don’t you have anything to say?”
“Me? Hmm.”
Catherine tilted her head.
“To be honest, my memories aren’t very clear, especially after I returned the necklace to you…”
Before Briol’s fall, she had given the necklace back to Yuri.
Then, at some point, she had returned to her childhood.
Her memories of the previous life were vague and blurry, but the time when she wore the necklace was clearer.
Catherine smiled.
“Maybe it’s because of that necklace that I came back.”
“Maybe.”
“So, Yuri.”
She called him softly, just like in their past life.
“Is that all you have to say to me?”
“Hm?”
“Just an apology?”
“What else should I say…?”
“Hmm, I see.”
“Well, you seem to have something to say yourself?”
“Nothing.”
“If you have nothing to say, why are you pressing me?”
“Well…”
Catherine’s hand wrapped around Yuri’s neck.
His body stiffened instantly.
At the edge of his vision, he saw her tiptoeing slightly.
Her face slowly drew closer, then turned sideways, and her breath brushed against his ear.
“I won’t say it with words…”
Her fingers were slender and delicate.
Yet Yuri couldn’t resist the gentle touch guiding his head.
Her scent grew nearer.
For a while, Yuri had been wrestling with whether it was right to tell Catherine about his return to the past.
After all, the fight ahead was likely to end in defeat.
He didn’t want to complicate things when death might be waiting.
If he confessed prematurely and then regretted it, he feared he wouldn’t find peace when his eyes closed for the last time.
He thought it better to pretend they didn’t know.
But his mind changed.
“I was killed by Laurent, and when I opened my eyes, I was in the royal palace. So…”
Of course, he couldn’t explain the whole long story in a brief conversation.
But even sharing a little brought him comfort.
Catherine, brushing Yuri’s hair aside, nodded.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
Then, suddenly, she playfully glared at him.
“But were you really going to leave without saying a word?”
“Yeah.”
“If you had, I would’ve been really mad.”
“How would you have gotten mad?”
“I’d have gone on a date with Joshua.”
“Hey…”
Catherine burst out laughing.
Yuri chuckled softly.
Of course, he still wasn’t sure if what he was doing was right.
But he wanted to be honest.
After hearing from Oliver and Raipio about Corie, Yuri had undergone a change of heart.
He had completely revised his plans.
Not just regarding Catherine, but also the final battle ahead would take a different shape.
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“That soon?”
“I have things to do.”
Catherine looked at him quietly for a moment.
Her eyes seemed to flicker slightly.
But soon, they returned to their usual transparent, unreadable gaze, and she smiled.
“Alright, I’ll wait for you.”
Their lips met.
After a while, as they parted, Catherine said,
“Yuri, I have to go now.”
“Why?”
“A guest is coming soon.”
“What guest?”
Catherine helped Yuri to his feet. As he was pushed up, he asked again.
“Who is the guest?”
“It’s a secret.”
She walked to the window, peered outside, then waved him off as if urging him to leave quickly.
“The guest is here. Go now.”
“Who is it?”
“None of your business.”
“I need to know.”
Yuri stepped closer to her and looked outside.
Startled, he took a step back.
“Huh?”
“I said it’s none of your business.”
Catherine patted his back.
“Go on now.”
“Why are there two of them…?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No…”
“Then goodbye. I’m going downstairs, so go on your own, alright?”
Catherine went down to greet the guest. Yuri stayed behind, scratching his head before turning away.
Since this had been his long-time residence, slipping out unnoticed wasn’t difficult.
As he leapt through a window in the corridor, voices came from below the stairs.
“Sis, welcome back.”
“Hello. Catherine looks beautiful today, as always.”
“You too, sis. That dress is gorgeous. Where did you get it?”
“This is…”
Catherine and Marie Rose were coming up together.
Listening to their warm conversation, Yuri hung onto the window frame outside.
“Hmm…”
They were already speaking comfortably with each other. He had no idea when or how they had become so close.
Once they entered the room together, Yuri dropped down silently.
He landed without a sound and brushed himself off as if nothing had happened.
Looking up, a passing maid stopped, surprised to see him.
“Secret.”
Yuri put a finger to his lips and walked away calmly.
Then he pondered.
“Hmm… what kind of scene was that…?”
He couldn’t figure out how Catherine and Marie Rose had become friends.
After a while of tilting his head, he shook it.
He was glad to have restored his relationship with Catherine, but he had work to do.
He couldn’t afford to let emotions cloud his judgment.
Their relationship wasn’t what mattered now.
The faint smile on his lips hardened once more.
The final battle was approaching.
It was time to set aside all trivial feelings.
The next day, Yuri prepared to leave Briol.
He didn’t plan any grand ceremonies or mobilize large forces.
“I’m going to circle the continent.”
During the month Cedric had given him, Yuri intended to move quickly.
“I won’t force anyone to come. Only those who want to fight will join. I’ll make them come to me.”
“Alright.”
Joshua nodded at Yuri’s words.
“I respect your decision. But why the sudden change? Weren’t you going to wait here and leave when the time was right?”
Originally, Yuri had planned to spend time in Briol before departing directly for the empire at the right moment.
But now, he had decided to take the initiative, gathering people as he moved.
He planned to circle the entire continent.
“Something happened.”
Yuri smiled faintly.
“Rather than sitting still, keeping up appearances and preparing a dignified end, I thought I’d rather struggle a bit, even if it looks ugly.”
“Understood.”
Joshua nodded.
He grinned and ruffled Yuri’s hair.
“Come back safe.”
Yuri looked at Joshua and smiled softly.
The reckless Joshua from his past life seemed much more mature this time—people really were unpredictable.
Yuri turned his gaze away.
This time, the number of troops was smaller than before.
When Yuri had formed the Anti-Empire Alliance and marched out, many soldiers had left amid cheers.
This time, the army was smaller, and few came to see them off.
But Yuri thought this was just right.
“Alright, raise the flag.”
Yuri spoke to Tirvo, the vengeful knight who served as standard-bearer.
Tirvo nodded and hoisted a specially made, thick flagpole.
A large, wide banner fluttered upward.
On the faintly drawn symbol of the empire, the words “Anti-Empire Alliance” were boldly stamped in red.
Below it was a phrase inviting anyone opposing the empire to join.
The flag looked humble in some ways, yet it carried a desperate determination.
Yuri planned to carry this flag himself, spreading his resolve as he traveled.
If people gathered, great; if not, it didn’t matter.
“Alright, let’s depart.”
Just before leaving, Yuri glanced into the distance.
There stood Catherine.
She stood behind the attendants who had come to see her off, tightly holding Ena’s hand as she gazed at Yuri.
Though she tried to appear calm, there was a flicker of unease in her eyes.
“…”
Their eyes met.
Yuri gave a small, knowing smile.
It had taken far too long to reunite. But this wasn’t the end. To be together, they still had to survive a brutal battle.
There was even the chance they might never see each other again.
Yuri whispered to herself, “I’ll come back.”
Then, as Yuri stood quietly, something unexpected happened.
The attendants began whispering among themselves, then suddenly stepped aside.
A clear path opened up before Yuri, leading straight to Ekaterina.
“Uh…”
Blinking in surprise, Yuri was gently nudged forward by Jared, who stood behind her.
“What are you standing there for? Move.”
Yuri tried to leave as if it were no big deal, but now she couldn’t.
She walked toward Ekaterina.
The closer she got, the more she was struck anew by how stunning Ekaterina was.
It was almost unbelievable that such large eyes, a sculpted nose, and full lips could all fit into such a small face.
Yuri chuckled softly.
“I’m going. Take care.”
“You too. Be careful.”
“I’ll win, but just in case… if I lose, live well without me.”
“I don’t want that.”
“Hm?”
Ekaterina smiled gently.
Then, just like before, she grabbed the nape of Yuri’s neck, pulled her close, rose onto her toes, and kissed her.
The brief kiss ended.
Ekaterina spoke softly, her words at odds with the calm tone.
“If you die, I have no reason to live either. I’ll jump right after you, so fight with peace of mind.”
Despite the quiet, almost soothing voice, the words were heavy.
But Yuri truly felt a sense of calm wash over her.
“Got it.”
Yuri nodded.
“I’m glad I’m not going alone this time.”
“Right?”
They shared a brief laugh.
Taking one last look at Ekaterina’s face, Yuri gently stroked her cheek before turning away.
“I’m going.”
“Go.”
When Yuri returned and stood before the troops, Jared whistled sharply.
“Let’s move out,” Yuri said.
“Yes, ma’am!”
The sound of the bugle echoed as the entire force began to march.
As she took the first steps, Yuri asked Jared, “The attendants made way for us—was that planned?”
“What are you talking about? They just saw two lovers looking at each other so desperately and stepped aside on their own.”
“How do you know that?”
“Maybe you’re the only one who doesn’t know, but the palace has been buzzing with rumors for a long time.”
“Rumors?”
“That you and the princess are seeing each other.”
“How?”
“They’ve been walking and talking together every day. If you didn’t know that, you’d be an idiot.”
“Is that so…”
“By the way, isn’t the princess looking back one last time?”
“Forget it.”
Yuri smiled quietly as she looked ahead.
“We’ll see each other again…”
“Confident, aren’t you?”
Yuri didn’t bother to answer.
Whether in this life or the next.