Rhinecrest has held both Azriel and me captive for an indeterminate period. I can’t tell how long, but I doubt that there’s anything we missed – for we practically managed to talk about everything and clarified all misunderstandings.

Our discussions ranged from strategies for the impending war, his failure of his marriage, the empress's health issues, what’s waiting for me in Eurhyia, and our divergent visions for the future, leading me to believe that our aspirations do not align.

I repeatedly reminded myself that if we regain our original forms, my current sentiments towards him should not persist.

Nonetheless, he is aware that my feelings are unwavering and unlikely to alter.

Despite my efforts, I find it challenging to shake off these lingering emotions, intensified by our continuous proximity. It is imperative for me to depart from this environment promptly.

I’m sure that the grand duke is actively seeking solutions to facilitate our return to our original forms.

Each passing moment spent with Azriel feels akin to a gradual descent into emotional turmoil, leaving me feeling spiritually barren despite my physical existence.

I cherish him, but seeing him causes more pain than happiness – and it’s mostly because I loved someone I shouldn’t.

While our past enmity has transformed into an alliance, loving a married man remains ethically questionable.

Despite Zera's exile for her attempted assassination of the empress, the fact remains that they are legally married, even though they are estranged.

Azriel said that Zera was exiled to Eskal, and as far as I know, we are in Eskal’s castle. She might be somewhere in the vicinity, more or less. I don’t even know what I’ll do when I see her. It’s not like me to cry in front of anyone, and I won’t. I can’t let my emotions rule over me twice.

“You seem to be in deep thoughts, as I’ve called your name several times and I didn’t get any response at all,” Azriel’s voice echoed in my Rhinecrest – and whenever I look at my surroundings, the light that surrounds me and the alexandrite-like walls in marquise shape feels toxic. Azriel woke up earlier than I am, giving me a reason not to complain because he was here longer.

He described how I was unconscious for a period when he initially encountered the red diamond Rhinecrest, noting an invisible barrier that creates a sense of proximity yet distance between us.

The Rhinecrest is purported to rejuvenate the life I nearly forfeited, prompting contemplation about whether my powers will endure once I depart this place.

He mentioned that every time I use his power, he can feel it, and when I used too much of it, he feels the pain. The hand chain he created for me to share his powers with is not in my hand, nor my alexandrite ring.

I can’t think of anything, for I have no leads of what to expect, assuming we’ll be able to return.

Grand Duke Raleigh, please. I hope he’ll find a way to get us out of here. I don’t want to depend on anyone, but at this point, he’s our only hope.

There is one development that I noticed in my body, but I can’t tell if it means anything. At first, I felt like I was simply a soul, but now I can feel the warmth of my body.

“You’re right, a lot of thoughts are running in my mind. But it’s something normal to me. All this time I’ve been thinking of what to expect outside this place to make myself mentally prepared. You know that I’m the kind who plans everything,” I closed my eyes for a while, and opened it, seeing Azriel’s dejected face from afar.

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When we talk about ourselves, he cheers up. But whenever I talk about my desire to leave this place, a sense of disappointment clouds his demeanor.

I can imagine the feeling of wanting to stay because we can talk here without worrying about anyone after us, but this isn't how life is supposed to be.

However, I’m more than grateful that we talked about the things we failed to discuss when everything was normal.

Azriel, I love you. That’s the reason why I’m letting you go.

“Thyra, you should get out of here and kill me when you see my body. I’m losing my mind, and I want to stop suffering mentally,” my eyes widened as I heard his words, and I felt myself being awakened from a long dream.

“I know we’re both unsatisfied with our current reality. But if you can’t live for yourself, then please live for my sake. We’re going to get out of here together. I know we’ll get over this.” The moment I said those words, a loud, shattering sound echoed in my ears, and it was almost deafening.

Blood rained down from a lacerated sky. The surroundings were mostly black and red, and the air felt like it is pressing against my skin, making breathing difficult. Not a single soul can be seen in the open space, and I found myself walking through the streets of the cemetery.

A man holding a bouquet upside down was staring at a tombstone, reflecting on the memories he shared with the person buried. He was crestfallen, and though I know that I’ve met him before, I cannot recall his name, or recognize who he is.

He put the bouquet on the tombstone and spoke his mind.

“This … doesn’t feel real. I keep on telling myself that you’re gone but it won’t sink in. I married you, but you were never mine. This may be a marriage of convenience but I found myself wanting to make the marriage work. If I’ll be given a chance to have another life, I want to be a man who knows how to love, instead of realizing it when it’s too late.”

The man turned his back to leave, and glimmers of light surrounded him until he vanished on thin air.

I visited the grave where the man was and read the engravings on the tombstone.

‘Thyra Van Zia Edevane-Ruivenfiere, second princess of the Ruivenfiere Empire. Died on the 17th day of Plevez.’

The sound of a ticking clock rang in my ears as if it started reminding me of how much time I have left. The gravity pulled my knees to the ground, and my hand found my chest that felt like it will fall apart.

I didn’t marry a Ruivenfiere, and I’m not the second princess of this empire either. Most of all, I doubt that I’m already dead, so how can someone mourn for me in this deserted place?

The sights before me conflict with my reality and convictions. However, if this surreal experience is akin to a nightmare, I must rouse myself.

Despite expressing my desire to depart from the Rhinecrest, I am left pondering the enigmatic nature of this realm.

“Is there anyone inside? Who or what are you?” a voice coming from the red sky asked, but nobody is there. Another voice followed.

“I heard a loud, shattering sound and had a glimpse of some strange light on my way here. Did something happen here?”

“Yes, sir! The sound and light came from this room! All this time His Grace instructed that someone should guard this room but he never said who or what is behind this door. Don’t you think it’s strange that His Grace is keeping something this much, to the point that not even us guards are trustworthy enough to check what’s inside?”

“Are you hearing yourself? How can you doubt our master? He has his reasons, and we should follow his instructions. I’m sure whatever is inside is harmless. It can’t be any living thing. Because if it was, it must be dead now because nobody’s giving food inside. Maybe it’s an object that needs surveillance so that it won’t get stolen.”

“He used to visit this basement room around four times a week, but since he’s in Marrossi for the imperial meeting and banquet, nobody entered this room since. Have you ever heard of when they’ll come back?”

“If it were His Grace alone, he’ll return right after the event. But with the grand duchess around, maybe it’ll take longer. They’ve been married for a month now, but they buried themselves with work right after their wedding. They’re both diligent, so maybe they’ll take this opportunity to have a break. Maybe they’ll be back in two or three weeks?”

"I guess we have no choice but to wait, then.”

Judging by their words, it sounds like the Rhinecrest shattered that brought me to this strange place that feels like a nightmare. I’m still unconscious. Because if I were awake, I should’ve walked to the door and asked the guards to let me out or find the grand duke.

Azriel … isn't here. Last time, we were in a place that lacks gravity and all the things we're seeing are glimmering lights, and ourselves in a separate room with a transparent wall.

Now, it feels like the Rhinecrest acted on its own, and changed the surroundings, but my body is in an indefinite state of unconsciousness.

It’s a good thing that I’m still able to hear the voices from the outside, but this deserted place seems to be in my mind … what can this be? Why did I see a tombstone of myself, and who is the man mourning for me?