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Author's Note:
Thank you—truly. Your support and love mean more than words can express. Without it, this journey wouldn't have continued. But today, a small correction:
[Correction – From this chapter forward, "Stage" will be referred to as "Class" to more accurately reflect a mage's level.]
Stage → Class.
Now, enjoy the chapter.
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Dining Hall, Skyster Castle
Outside, the evening breeze danced with the petals in the garden, but inside the Skyster dining hall, a warm, comforting air greeted all who entered.
Golden lanterns flickered gently along the walls. Under the sprawling chandelier—enhanced with floating runes and candlelight—the grand dining table stretched long and wide, carved from ancient enchanted wood that kept the feast warm without ever overheating. Its enchantments whispered softly, preserving not just the food, but the ambiance.
The aroma of roasted wild boar and spiced magical beast meat lingered in the air, mingling with the faint perfume of exotic wines and floral dishes. Salads gleamed with enchanted dewdrops, and goblets shimmered with crimson nectar.
And yet…
Despite the bounty spread across the table, no one had taken a bite.
At the head sat an empty, regal chair—its runes glowing faintly. To its right and left sat two radiant women: Suzine and Gianna, their laughter soft and melodic, filling the room with a warm glow.
But every so often, their eyes flicked toward the massive entrance doors.
Waiting.
For him.
Across the table sat a man whose presence once turned heads in the Capital. Leon—Major General, Chosen One of Fate(Not knon to him).
Clad now in elegant golden-white robes, Leon looked the part of a hero: sharp-jawed, broad-shouldered, sun-kissed hair framing amber eyes that once sparked admiration. Many had whispered his name in awe—maids, noble daughters, even officers. In the Capital, he was revered, followed, and quietly adored.
But tonight…
He felt invisible.
And the worst part?
He hated it.
He clenched his fist in his lap, watching the way Suzine's eyes sparkled when she glanced toward the door. Not toward him—but someone else.
Dian Skyster…
The name tasted like ash on his tongue.
That boy—no, that man—had everything Leon had ever wanted. Power. Presence. Authority.
And Suzine.
Her laughter hadn't changed—it was soft and fluttering, like a petal in the breeze. But it wasn't his anymore. Her every glance toward the door stabbed him deeper.
Leon let out a slow breath.
A reward, he reminded himself. You've earned her. Fought for her memory. Bled for this kingdom.
And yet… she belonged to another.
No. His eyes hardened. No, she's still mine.
His gaze lingered on her lips—on the way they curved when she smiled. How her shoulder brushed Gianna's as they whispered and giggled. Her warmth…
That warmth was mine first.
Then—snap.
The moment shattered.
A bead of sweat formed on his temple.
Warning… the memory of Dian's golden brown gaze echoed in his head. If you stare at my wife again like that—there won't be another warning.
He straightened in his chair, suddenly aware of the many eyes on him.
Wait… not just any eyes.
The maids.
Standing in silence by the walls, graceful and composed… but every single one of them was watching him.
Their expressions weren't shy or admiring.
No blushes. No stolen glances.
No reverence.
Just cold, calculating comparison.
And that's when it hit him.
They're comparing me... to him.
To Dian Skyster.
Rage, humiliation, and something deeper—something bitter—boiled in his chest.
In the Capital, he was a star.
Here… he was a shadow.
He gritted his teeth.
Across the table, Suzine noticed the change.
"Sir Leon?" she asked, her voice soft but distant—polite, not personal. "You seem unwell."
Her concern wasn't for him. It was the compassion nobles showed strangers. The kind a Lady offered because it was expected of her.
Gianna turned, also watching him now with gentle curiosity.
Leon forced a smile.
"I—I'm fine. Just not used to this… elegant setting," he said, his voice tight. "But thank you for asking, Lady Suzine."
The words stabbed him. He had once imagined calling her name freely, intimately.
Now, even her name came wrapped in formality.
Suzine offered a nod. "Very well, Sir Leon. But if there's anything troubling you, do let us know. Our darling isn't here at the moment."
Darling…
That word felt like a dagger.
Her voice softened when she said it. Her smile grew warmer.
Every syllable carved a scar.
But Leon kept smiling, even as something cracked inside.
He stared at the flickering chandelier, trying to steady himself.
And then, unable to stop himself, he spoke:
"Lady Suzine."
Suzine turned, surprised by the hesitation in his tone. "Yes, Sir Leon?"
"May I ask you something… personal?"
Suzine paused, uncertain. "If it's within reason… yes. What is it?"
Leon's heart pounded. His voice shook slightly. "Do you… remember a boy? From the orphanage in the Capital. Blonde hair. Golden eyes. Around six years old."
He almost couldn't breathe.
Finally… after all this time… he had asked.
Suzine's brows furrowed. Her eyes flickered—digging through forgotten memories.
Leon held his breath.
"I don't think…" she began slowly, and his heart nearly stopped.
She paused, visibly straining her thoughts.
She doesn't remember—
But then—
Her eyes lit with sudden realization.
"Wait… yes!" she gasped. "Yes, I do. I don't know how I forgot it."
She frowned, a nostalgic sorrow pulling at her lips. "But… I don't think they were happy memories."
Leon's eyes welled, just a little.
But he laughed softly. "No, they weren't… not all. But do you remember that boy? He was timid. Shy. Always hiding behind that rusted garden fence."
Suzine searched again… and then it hit her.
Her gaze sharpened.
She stared at him—truly stared.
"Leon…?"
He nodded slowly, his throat tight.
"It's really you!" Suzine exclaimed, her eyes widening. "You've changed so much."
Her voice was warm—genuinely surprised.
But something was missing.
She didn't stand.
Didn't reach out.
Didn't call him friend.
Gianna, intrigued, leaned forward. "Sister Suzine? You know Sir Leon from before?"
Suzine nodded politely, smiling. "Yes. We were raised in the same orphanage."
A simple answer. Nothing more.
And it shattered something inside him.
Not a friend. Not a companion. Just a shared past.
Leon laughed, but it was hollow.
Then Suzine looked at him again, smiling that warm, perfect smile.
"I'm happy for you, Leon."
And those five words crushed him.
Because they were the kind of words you said to someone who no longer mattered.
Even after everything, his mind fed him only the words he wanted to hear.
She remembers me.
His gaze lifted to her—no tremble, no flicker of past emotion. Just a calm, resolute look in his eyes.
I will make her min—
But the thought never finished.
The grand hall's heavy doors creaked open.
Heads turned. Gasps echoed. Breaths caught in throats.
A man entered—tall, around six feet—with obsidian-black pants and a dark robe that flowed like shadow. His glossy midnight hair framed a face sculpted with quiet strength, and his brown eyes, glinting like fine crystal, held calm power. His lean, muscular form moved with elegance.
Every single maid in the hall blushed faintly at the sight of him.
Except for Gianna and Suzine—they had grown somewhat used to their irresistibly handsome husband. But even so, their lips parted ever so slightly, hearts fluttering as they stole a glance.
Of course, Leon was another exception.
But in his eyes, a storm brewed—something far more complex than awe. Irritation. Jealousy. Anger. Hatred. And though he would never admit it aloud…
Admiration.
He couldn't deny it.
Dian Skyster was maddeningly handsome.
As Dian stepped forward, his gaze gently settled on the two empty seats beside his.
A full, warm smile curled across his lips.
"My dear wives~," he said, his voice a soft caress—warm, sweet, and laced with longing.
Gianna and Suzine flushed deeply at the sound of his voice. Their eyes lowered briefly, hearts racing, before they smiled—tender, glowing smiles that seemed to light up the room.
And then, in perfect harmony, they responded:
"Darling."
"Husband."
And instantly a screen poped up infront of Dian.
.
.