In here, I'll answer some of the questions that often are being asked:

Why is the main character so powerful, or on the verge of being too powerful?

Well, my question in life has been how remarkable historical figures dealt with love. How did polymaths such as Leonardo da Vinci, Aristotle, Ibn Sina, and Razi approach it? These individuals are giants in our history. I aim for the main character to make the most logical decision, demonstrating how life can be less painful when that path is chosen.

On the other hand, I have also advised caution regarding that route. The reason is that there are moments beyond our control. For instance, you could be the most cautious driver on the road with an impeccable driving record, prioritizing your safety and health. Yet, someone else, coming from a completely different perspective, may engage in drunk driving and cause the very tragedy in your life that you sought to avoid.

Why did I structure the chapters in that manner?

Reason one: Chaos Theory. This was an Easter egg for observant readers who could piece together the clues.

Reason two: To illustrate life's disorderliness.

Reason three: To enhance the story's appeal. I tried to eschew a conventional love story and infuse it with a philosophical dimension.

Reason four: Yet another Easter egg for dedicated readers. Each chapter highlights a pivotal moment of transformation for our protagonist, or the factors that compelled him to evolve. I deliberately omitted explicit mention of these in the narrative, catering to those readers.

Why the plot was so weak as Kostas912 mentioned in his or her Review?

If readers surmised that the plot was non-existent, they wouldn't be mistaken. Experienced readers might notice the foreshadowing scattered throughout the book. For instance, in the second paragraph (The Story of Moths and Candle), I attempted to hint at the story's conclusion. The Story of the Ghost Orchid is another example, among others.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The intent was to emphasize the journey, not the destination.

Why are there so many deaths in my story, as readers like Kostas912 have noticed? Why does it seem unnatural?

That was intentional as well. Hard to believe, I know, but allow me to explain. It wasn't because I wanted to replicate the Red Wedding from Game of Thrones, Hamlet, David Copperfield, or any other great literary works.

The rationale can be dissected on several levels; firstly, it relates to the Main Character. The character I created was exceedingly powerful. Thus, to break him, I had to strip away what he valued most. If it were only a few individuals, say his parents, it would not align with the character's established persona. Regrettably for him, I had to intensify the situation, and I tried to make each loss as impactful as the others, so the readers could empathize with the protagonist.

The core message was for him to endure such trauma that he questions everything, which wouldn't be feasible if the events unfolded gradually and 'naturally'. The character needed that jolt to emerge from his cocoon. This revelation is evident when Agustin observes Marshal's son playing with toy cars. There, he pondered whether our lives are at the mercy of a child's whims. To underscore that question and to seek the answer, he had to experience it firsthand.

When it rains, it pours. If you've grasped that, then that's wonderful.

Why did Agustin end up With Mariana? Why not Bernadina or someone else?

If readers revisit the story, they will find the answer in plain sight. Calysta's role was to shatter Augustin, while Mariana's was to piece him back together.

What happened to other Characters in the book?

I intended to write my second book about Mariana and delve into other characters, but my heart isn't in it. Perhaps I'll write it and choose not to publish it.

At times, I wonder why I released this story into the vast ocean of existing tales. Is it necessary?

Greed, envy, and pride were the driving forces at the start of this story, yet it transformed into a narrative of love and care. It was a heavy burden, taking years to complete.

Perhaps I'll continue writing just for myself and never publish again. The future remains uncertain.

Why Choose those names?

When readers research the names, they will notice that these names also describe the characters.

Okay, I conclude the questionnaire here. There are many more questions, but answering them all would leave no room for discovery. I assure you the answer to your question exists, but it requires a bit of trust from you, the readers, to seek it out. The joy of discovering it on your own is tremendous, and that's my pledge to you, readers who don't require me to explain everything.