Instead of answering, I threw the window wide open. At the same time, Zahid leapt lightly inside my room. His movements were fluid and relaxed, like a graceful predator.

I immediately locked the window. Then, I pulled out soundproofing magic stones from my bag and carefully placed them in front of the door and window, then turned to Zahid with a bright smile.

“Zahid!”

Zahid was dressed in comfortable clothes for easy movement. No doubt he was hiding his identity while moving around.

Fire wasn’t with him—he was probably hiding somewhere in the forest around the village.

“Weren’t you locked up at the Temple? I didn’t expect you here at all!”

“I didn’t expect it either, until a few days ago.”

Zahid answered as he sat leisurely in a chair.

“I also didn’t know you were playing lovers with Ray.”

The tone was playful and light, but there was a subtle edge to the words.

“Well, there were circumstances.”

With nowhere else to sit, I glanced around, then perched on the bed. Facing him, I held his hand tightly and said,

“If there’s any misunderstanding, maybe we should clear it up?”

“There’s no misunderstanding.”

Zahid narrowed his long eyes and spoke slowly.

“Thanks to that, you got to stay close to Lady Linna, didn’t you? I can tell just by looking. It’s not that I don’t trust you.”

“Ah, I’m glad.”

“I don’t misunderstand. It’s just my mood that’s shit.”

“......”

“My insides are burning up and I’m restless, you know, just that kind of thing.”

His words didn’t match the arrogant and composed face he wore.

But even if it were me in his shoes, I wouldn’t be feeling so great either, so I was searching for something to say to cheer him up when—

“But you’re not as surprised as I thought you’d be?”

Zahid looked straight at me and asked.

I slowly nodded.

“The movement of Fire just now felt strange. I figured maybe.”

“Hm.”

“During the festival—you kept threatening Ray with fire, didn’t you?”

“Caught me.”

Zahid looked completely unfazed.

“Even if I don’t misunderstand, I couldn’t bear to watch you act all sweet with someone else.”

Given that Ray didn’t even notice the presence at all, Zahid’s physical abilities were clearly extraordinary.

Well, that would explain why he was waiting right outside my window with perfect timing.

“Watching the festival together... we never even got to do that.”

Zahid narrowed his eyes in clear displeasure.

“Well, if you put it that way, there’s a lot we never got to do together......”

I gently patted Zahid’s hand in comfort.

“Like being in the same class at the Academy......”

At my bittersweet response, Zahid pulled a pained expression and asked,

“When are you finally going to forget about the Academy?”

“How could I forget our precious memories?”

I pouted dramatically, eyes full of sorrow.

“I... I won’t forget. I never forget anything that has to do with us.”

I must’ve looked more miserable than I realized, because Zahid flinched.

“I won’t forget either. But why are you looking at me like I’m the one who wronged you? I’m the one who got teased.”

Then he let out a shallow sigh and said quietly,

“Anyway, open that first.”

Zahid lightly tapped the note I was holding in my hand.

“It’s from Yuta, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I know.”

I began to open the note and muttered softly,

“I can only communicate with Yuta through these notes... It’s kind of sad.”

He’s someone who weighs on my heart like a wounded finger, yet I can’t even exchange a single word face-to-face. That was what hurt the most.

“Human greed really knows no end.”

I let out a deep sigh and murmured,

“At first, I thought it would be enough just for him to live...”

Zahid, who had been there when Yuta was saved, also had a distant look in his eyes.

“But now, I just want to meet him openly and actually talk.”

Without realizing, I’d grown gloomy as I unfolded the note in front of Zahid.

Zahid seemed to read the content at the same time and asked,

“Can I read it too?”

“Of course.”

And so, we leaned our heads together and read the note.

Rosie, it’s urgent. Zahid has been released. If you’re sneaking around with him, be careful not to get caught. If someone dies, Zahid’s going straight to the imperial palace prison.

“Ahaha, what should I do about this...”

I could only laugh awkwardly.

“It’s too late, Yuta... Zahid got here before your note did...”

At my muttering, Zahid spoke with disbelief.

“Do you seriously think that’s an appropriate reaction to this note?”

“Wow...”

And I let out a quiet breath of admiration.

“It’s been so long since we saw each other, but now that we have... it feels like we went straight back to when we were kids.”

“Is that your way of saying every time you talk, I age a little?”

We looked at each other, let out a small laugh, and turned back to the note.

According to what Zahid found out, my father is planning to cause another incident.

Just like how he extended his life using the power of the Sacred Relic and a Divine Beast,

now it looks like he’s trying to become a monster using the power of Arhad.

He probably wants to become Karso himself, doesn’t he?

I always knew he was inhuman, but I didn’t think even his career goals would be this monstrous...

So in the end, with Karso having failed, he now intended to gain similar power himself.

This didn’t happen before the regression.

But I could guess why things were turning out this way. It meant Aietar was under far more pressure than before the regression.

Well, the Temple had been on the decline for the past nine years.

Anyway, Julian kicked up such a fuss that I had to secretly follow Rosie here,

but with Zahid being released early, there’s a good chance Father will summon me.

It means I might not be able to stay by your side until the end—so I’m apologizing in advance.

But /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ don’t worry. That damn Water Prince will stay close to you no matter what.

Well, if Ray and Athena were nearby, my personal safety wouldn’t be a major concern.

Just in case, I’ll say it clearly: you don’t need to worry about me.

When it comes to Aietar, no one knows him better than I do.

I’m operating well within the boundaries of what he would never suspect, so don’t worry.

And the note turned out to be longer than expected.

But honestly, human greed is endless.

There was a time when all I wanted was to hear you call me “Oppa” just once...

And now, even though I’m this close, not being able to see your face is kind of sad.

It’s been nine years since we last talked.

You grew up so beautifully—just like I was at twenty-one.

If only I could pat your head once.

“Wow.”

Zahid chuckled.

“Like sister, like brother. He talks just like you.”

“Seriously...”

I muttered bitterly.

“Good thing he at least saw me from afar and thought I turned out well...”

I was worried you might miss me too much, Rosie,

so I’m sending you an attachment. It’s from a third-rate magazine that was hard to find,

but this photo came out the best.

I don’t think I’ll ever look this good again in my life,

so I bought around a hundred copies for myself.

I can give you at least one.

Yuta had even cut out a photo from a small magazine interview and attached it.

In it, Yuta was holding Liri and smiling like a literal angel just descended from heaven.

Beneath the photo was part of a cut-off interview.

Volunteering in the Kingdom of Itaa was absolute hell, but it was still rewarding.

Romstone makes divine power work poorly, but my divine power is special...

It really was such a Yuta thing to say.

“He definitely looks good... I bet he really tried to make this one count.”

And then, the unusually long letter continued.

Just as I was about to move to the next line—knock knock, a cautious voice called out.

“Heidi?”

It was Linna’s voice.

“Can I come in for a second?”

Zahid and I flinched and looked at each other.