Crysta Oken wandered aimlessly through the capital city, eventually ending up at a ruined church.
“…It’s all my fault for Olivier… What should I do? How can I apologize to Jared?”
Despite possessing supernatural powers, she had been coerced by Cassandra Hagedorff because her beloved was used as a bargaining chip. As a result, she had stolen her friend’s fiancé.
She had watched from afar as Cassandra’s scheme failed. She had witnessed firsthand the resurrection of a distant ancestor, the Progenitor. The girl, who was said to possess power comparable to the Progenitor, had not appeared at the scene solely because she couldn’t face her friend.
She was afraid of what would be said. Would she be met with reproaches, shouts of anger, or would they succumb to their rage and attack? She was paralyzed by the fear of all these possibilities.
She had met both Lars, Crysta’s beloved, and Jared, her dear friend. Her Older Brother had enrolled her in the Academy wishing for a normal life, but she had foreseen that her days would surely be dull because she was so different from everyone else. However, reality proved to be different.
Thanks to her two friends, her Academy life was enjoyable and fulfilling. If anything, the only downside was that her two friends rarely attended the Academy. But with the right impetus, things could change. Through Jared and Lars, she connected with her classmates and was blessed with many friends.
“I’m the worst. I weighed my two friends against each other and betrayed Jared.”
However, she realized that she would likely never experience Academy life with her two friends again. She was aware of what she had done to bring about this situation. Crysta prayed to a god she didn’t believe in.
“Please. Please, let Jared get Olivier back!”
If her wish could be granted, she would pay any price. If she could turn back time, knowing the outcome, she would have definitely made a different choice.
As tears of regret streamed down the girl’s face, she heard footsteps approaching. She thought no one would be foolish enough to enter the ruined church. Not wanting anyone to see her crying, the girl tried to conceal her presence, but then stopped in surprise.
“–Thank goodness. I finally found you, Crysta.”
Standing there was the boy she had wanted to see. One of the two friends she had been with since enrolling in the Academy. She cherished him as a dear friend, and he was also the first person she had fallen in love with.
Lars—no, that was wrong, it was Ralph W. Fairygard. He was the First Prince of this Wethered Kingdom.
“Why?”
“Heh, you should be happy. I’ve made a new friend. His name is Pfeil, and he’s a good person, though he used to be part of an Assassination Organization.”
“…Could it be…”
“Indeed. He took responsibility for finding Crysta and for escorting me here. I can’t thank him enough.”
She sensed a presence outside the ruined church. The presence she recognized was likely Pfeil’s.
“Why?”
“Jared asked him to. He said Crysta was suffering.”
“…No way.”
She doubted her own ears. Not only did she find it unbelievable that Lars had come here, but the fact that Jared was the one who initiated it made it even more incomprehensible. There was absolutely no reason for him to care about her after what she had done.
“Pfeil told me the general story. My peerless friend went through a difficult time, and I regret not being there.”
Lars had only learned about everything after it had concluded.
“I couldn’t be there when Crysta was suffering. What kind of friend am I… I’ve never felt so useless. I’m sorry.”
“…Lars, you don’t need to apologize! It was all… all my fault!”
She could no longer hold back, and tears began to pour down her face. Lars knelt beside Crysta and gently embraced her.
“I came here to help you. For my friend—no, that’s not right. Let’s stop pretending for now. I’m here for you, Crysta, because I care deeply about you.”
“…Thank you, Lars.”
“I want to support you always. I want to be by your side forever. It might be cowardly to say this at a time like this, but—I love Crysta Oken. Will you marry me?”
