Tension has intensified among the aristocrats, ministers, and the royal society of Valria since the King permitted Atreus to depart with Erhard. They are divided perfectly into 2 sides: one who questions the King’s decision, while the other agrees with Nicola’s assertion that there is no use for a crown prince for a non-existent country. In spite of that, Atreus and Erhard leave those concerns behind as they are now walking through the haunted forest. 

On one hand, Atreus is relieved to be finally away from those conflicts, while on the other hand, he is trying his best to hold back tears and resist the urge to run. Supernatural occurrences are not his forte, and he is terrified to see translucent beings staring at him and Erhard while walking along the road to East. He has been holding onto Erhard’s arm tightly, as if they are a newlywed couple. Erhard is aware of this and lets Atreus do whatever he needs to calm himself, knowing that the haunted forest is the only way to the East. 

“Are we still far?” Atreus asks, with large beads of cold sweat trickling down his pale face.

“Not really. Do you want to rest?”

Atreus shakes his head rapidly, causing Erhard to giggle and say, “Then, let’s talk about some things, if you consent.”

Atreus nods thrice and starts conversation by asking, “Do you know where Cenric is?”

“Yes. He is now also going to the East, with surprises. I don’t know if they are good or not for you.”

“What kind? Is he alone?”

Erhard turns right, briefly pondering whether he should answer those questions, before deciding that it would be best to be honest in order to maintain Atreus’ trust. Again, he does not know how important Atreus’ role will be in fate. Nonetheless, he believes that the simple, earnest, honest, and sturdy man, although nearly faints while passing through ghostly roads, is significant enough to resolve whatever is happening in Valria. 

“He’s not alone, and the surprise… Well, it should be a huge one. At least, you should be pleased. The other person is someone you were friendly enough with when you were little, but I have no guarantee whether you still remember her or not.”

Her. That word tickles Atreus, as someone comes to mind who may fit the description. It might just be wishful thinking, but it fills him with enough delight to momentarily forget about the ghosts as he asks, “Her. You mean, Ilze?”

Erhard halts his step when Atreus mentions the familiar name he has been keeping from slipping out of his mouth for the past twenty years. His eyes widen as he turns to Atreus in disbelief at what he heard. Nobody in the capital other than him should have known, or specifically, remembered the name.

“Lord Atreus… How?”

A warm smile flashes across Atreus’ face. It seems his hunch is correct, and he has now truly forgotten about the ghosts. More than that, he harbors his own twenty-year secret which he has been guarding very carefully, just as Erhard has. The fact that he finds someone else who seems to share the same secret puts him at ease.

“Cenric, no, Itri was resisting and shouting he’s going to throw the potion back then, so Nicola was busy persuading him to drink the potion. Hence, I was kinda out of sight. It felt wrong for me to drink it, so I poured the potion outside of the nearest window, straight into the winter rose bed below. It's pure luck that Nicola did not find me.”

Erhard lets go of Atreus’ hand in surprise, silently questioning to himself, ‘Eh?’

Seeing Erhard’s reaction, Atreus laughs loudly and continues, “You never expect it, right? Everyone is drinking the potion just right in front of his eyes, under his supervision. I had a very bad hunch when I realized all people that have to drink it are those who know the late General or Cenric. Health potion, my ass. It was tiring that I have to hide how scared I am from the possibility of slipping Itri’s name all these times.”

Erhard freezes upon hearing Atreus’ words. He truly believed that he was the only one who managed to sneak away from the potion twenty years ago. Never once did he consider that someone really close to him would actually be his ally in this. He always assumes that Atreus is close to Cenric because Atreus views Itri as Cenric, as an older cousin should do, and nothing more. Without realizing it, a tear falls from Erhard’s left eye.

“Eh? Erhard?” Atreus asks, noticings Erhard’s tears. The sudden question brings Erhard back to reality. Wiping his tears, Erhard replies awkwardly, “So, that’s why. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to know that I’m not alone, Lord Atreus.”

“Me too, Erhard. If only I knew this earlier. It's just…"

Atreus' words halt abruptly as he sees a ghost staring at him. He hurries to cling onto Erhard's arm again, this time with a stronger grip. Erhard giggles, and says, "It's okay, Lord Atreus. Just hold onto me and you'll be fine."

"...Rather than saying that, can we go faster?"