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chapter 62
“Don’t worry. You’ll manage it in the end—everyone always does.”
“Yeah… thank you, Karsea.”
At the spirit’s reassurance, Rubiana smiled faintly.
“Then I’ll be off for now.”
“See you.”
Just as Karsea had appeared in the blink of an eye, the spirit disappeared just as suddenly.
Rubiana stared blankly at the spot where the spirit had been, then let out a quiet sigh.
She thought she was starting to understand why she couldn’t fully connect with Karsea.
‘Karsea probably sensed it too. She just didn’t say anything.’
In the original story, the spirit Rubiana was contracted with wasn’t Karsea at all—it was the phoenix spirit, Phenix.
It made sense that the story had become distorted since her possession of Rubiana’s body hadn’t been perfect.
But now that her possession was complete, and yet things still weren’t following the original story, Rubiana couldn’t help but feel confused.
An inexplicable unease followed her everywhere.
‘Maybe this anxiety is what’s making it so hard to connect with Karsea… and also…’
The other reason she couldn’t focus—was Elyon.
Rubiana absently touched the bracelet around her wrist.
Her gaze grew lonely as she looked at the communication stone that hadn’t glimmered even once in the past week.
The month she and Elyon had spent sharing mana felt like a dream now—distant and unreal.
‘What’s he doing right now? Does he… ever think of me?’
No. Probably not.
If he did, he wouldn’t have gone this long without contacting her.
He would’ve at least come to see her once.
“So cold… just cutting me off like that. Hmph.”
Rubiana pouted, mumbling under her breath.
She’d promised herself that once her journey was over, she’d erase all feelings for him.
But letting go of one’s emotions was never that simple.
Elyon’s face would suddenly flash in her mind, and she’d wonder how he was doing.
She stared intently at the communication stone for a while longer—but it showed no sign of light.
Then, suddenly, a strange courage welled up inside her.
“…It’s fine. I’ll just reach out first.”
But as she lifted her finger toward the communication stone, she froze.
‘Wait… what should I even say if he asks why I called? That I was wondering what he was doing? Or… that I just wanted to hear his voice?’
No. That wouldn’t do. She shook her head.
Then a better idea popped into her mind.
‘I’ll just say I pressed it by accident.’
Rubiana imagined his voice suddenly coming through, pretending to be startled, pretending it was a mistake… and a sly little smile crept onto her lips.
Now she could press the stone without any hesitation.
The soft click sounded louder than usual.
As the stone glowed faintly purple, Rubiana’s heart fluttered with a small, nervous excitement.
But no reply came.
She waited.
Pressed it again.
Still nothing.
Her expression fell. She lowered her hand with a small sigh.
‘Seriously…’
It seemed Elyon wasn’t wearing his communication bracelet.
Well, it made sense—they no longer needed to meet every day. There was no reason for him to keep it on.
‘Then why am I still wearing mine…?’
His cold indifference stung more than she wanted to admit.
And yet, she missed him. She wanted to hear his voice.
When she felt the heat pricking behind her eyes, Rubiana shook her head firmly.
Thinking about Elyon—or crying over him—was absolutely unacceptable.
It was time to stop looking back and start moving forward.
“The protagonist’s got too much to do to dwell on the past.”
“Your condition is perfect! Exactly the same as a week ago.”
“Really?”
“Yes. There’s no gap between your body and soul.”
“…I see.”
Rubiana had gone to see Omar again, exactly a week after her last visit.
Even though Omar had already told her her possession was complete, she wanted to make absolutely sure.
Maybe, she’d thought, her trouble connecting with Karsea meant the possession still wasn’t perfect.
But that wasn’t it.
The possession, Omar confirmed, was flawless.
So there was only one explanation left.
‘It’s me. My mindset… that’s the problem.’
Still, she couldn’t help asking, just in case—
“It can’t become unstable again, right?”
“No. Absolutely not. You have nothing to worry about.”
There was quiet confidence in Omar’s voice.
She nodded slowly—then hesitated, a question rising to her lips.
After a brief pause, she spoke with some difficulty.
“Um… how is His Grace’s health?”
Omar looked at her for a long moment before answering.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t share one patient’s medical information with another.”
“Ah… of course. Sorry.”
At her dejected tone, Omar sighed softly, his voice gentling.
“His Highness is doing well. The new mana stabilizer we developed seems to be working nicely. Lady Hayley checks his condition daily and keeps me updated. So you truly needn’t worry.”
“…That’s a relief.”
Rubiana forced a bright tone and nodded.
“If you’re that worried, why not visit him yourself?”
“Visit… him?”
“Why not? You two once risked your lives for each other. Surely a simple greeting isn’t too much?”
Her eyes lit up immediately at his words.
Fred entered the office, looking tense.
“Your Highness, we’ve received a report from Aduvan.”
“What is it?”
“The three assassins imprisoned there have all been killed. Poison in their food.”
“…”
“The presumed culprit has already fled, but Baron Noment is pursuing him.”
“Tch…” Elyon ran a hand over his face, frowning.
“We should have anticipated this. We weren’t prepared.”
“I should’ve paid closer attention. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
Elyon’s brows furrowed at the sight of Fred bowing his head.
They had just lost their key witnesses—those who could prove the connection between Mage Guild leader McKinnon and the Empress.
The Empress always cut off loose ends too easily.
That’s why it was so hard to secure solid evidence or testimony.
“…Understood.”
“And McKinnon’s people were last seen heading south.”
“The south…”
“Yes. Multiple reports place them in the Hughes region.”
“Good. Keep the southern provinces under close watch.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Once Fred left, Elyon closed his eyes.
‘Damn it…!’
He’d dealt with countless assassins over the years—sometimes weekly, back when he was still on the battlefield.
He could handle a blade aimed at his own throat.
But one aimed at Rubiana’s? That was different.
He had to find whoever ordered it and make them pay.
But now, with the witnesses dead, he was back to square one.
He let out a long sigh—just as another knock sounded. It was his butler, Scott.
“Your Highness, Lady Rubiana is here.”
“…What?”
Scott was smiling. Elyon’s brows shot up.
That name—familiar yet distant, comforting yet painful—made his heart skip a beat out of rhythm.
He couldn’t even remember how to breathe properly.
Scott, seeing his frozen expression, added,
“She said she was worried about your health and came to check on you.”
“…Bring her in. And summon Hayley immediately.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Scott didn’t quite understand why the physician needed to be present when two people who clearly missed each other were about to meet—but orders were orders.
Moments later, voices sounded from beyond the door.
“Good day, Lady Rubiana.”
“It’s been a while, Hayley.”
The sound of her voice made Elyon’s heart pound painfully in his chest.
The door opened. Rubiana stepped into the office.
For a moment, seeing her face—after just a week apart—stole the air from his lungs.
She approached his desk and greeted him politely.
“Have you been well, Your Highness?”
Her voice was both familiar and strange, and it snapped him back to himself. Elyon straightened, face stiff.
“It’s been a while, my lady. I’ve been the same as ever. And you? I assume you’ve been busy preparing to enter the Imperial Knights?”
“…Yes. I’m struggling a bit to synchronize with my spirit, though.”
“I see…”
The words felt awkward—mechanical, almost.
And that awkwardness only made Rubiana more tense.
“So I went to see Omar, just in case. I wondered if something might be wrong with my mana.”
“What?”
Her mana—what about it?
Elyon’s blue eyes flickered sharply. His sudden reaction startled Rubiana, who rushed to add,
“But he said there’s no problem at all. He told me not to worry.”
“Ah…”
“…I see.”
Elyon nodded weakly, realizing how ridiculous he must look.
