Ansel died when he staged a rebellion against his own brother. 

He had good intentions. At that time, the Imperial Palace had all been in the hands of the Witch, and even Leo stopped acting on the behalf of the Empire, only following the Witch’s desires. 

Moreover, Ansel wanted to give the Holy Empire a new source of hope. Magic. The Goddess had already abandoned the Holy Empire by then so he thought they needed a new power who could save the Holy Empire from complete destruction. 

Alas, he failed and he was killed by his own brother. 

The night before the rebellion took place, he visited me in the tower in which I was locked up. He asked me. 

“You asked me if there’s a way to turn back time before right? I wasn’t able to give an answer. I did all that I could trying to learn magic. Still, nothing. Perhaps it’s something that wasn’t possible after all.” 

He laughed but the pain was evident in his eyes. 

“But…if we’re ever given a second chance, I hope that you’ll choose me instead.” 

If he had remembered, I would’ve wanted to tell him that our most desperate wish had come true. That the Goddess had blessed us with a miracle. 

But since he doesn’t remember. I can’t tell him that. 

“It’s nothing you need to worry about.” Louis replied in my stead, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Why are you here in the Imperial Palace anyway? Aren’t you studying in the academy?” 

At his question Ansel frowned and put his hands on his hips. 

“Look at this kid. I only attended the academy because of you, you know? Uncle was so worried about you that he asked me to look out for you. But since you quit, well, I had no reason to stay.” 

“Ahh…” 

“Seriously though, you shouldn’t treat the academy like a runaway place whenever the two of you get into a fight.” 

It makes me happy to think that my brother was able to make some friends of his own. It was my wish for him, after all. Still…for some reason, I can’t help but find myself feeling lonely. 

While I was thinking that, I caught sight of the entrance of the Imperial Library, not far from where we’re at. Since we were here in the Imperial Palace anyway, I thought that I might as well find the answer to something that I had been curious about. 

With this in mind, I turned to Louis. 

“Louis, I’ll head over to the library for a bit. You two can stay here and talk.” 

“What?” 

Louis looked shocked. He seemed confused and worried so he asked me. 

“Cena, is there something wrong? Are you alright?”

“No, I’m perfectly fine. Why would you think that?” 

Then I realized. Just a month ago, I was consumed by anxiety just being Louis out of my sight, and now I myself am suggesting to leave his side. 

He really didn’t need to worry though. 

I am fine. 

“I’m fine, Louis. Really.” I said but Louis didn’t seem convinced. “Besides, it’s something that we had to deal with eventually.” 

“But…” 

“Geez, you’re such a worry wart. I told you, I’ll be fine. See you later.” 

I said and then left before Louis was even able to open his mouth. I was sure he had an utterly confused look on his face at the moment. 

As I walked away, I could hear him talking to Hans.

“Go with my sister.” 

“Understood.” 

He really worries too much. 

***

Meanwhile, two people sat facing each other on the Empress’s study. Talking to each other while looking through documents over tea. Or at least, one person was looking through the papers. 

“So, I thought you said you’re quitting. Care to explain why you’re back? Hmm?” 

The Empress spoke, brow raised as she peered onto him from between the papers blocking her face. 

“Well, I did say I will be with my children. And my children decided that they would want to live here in the capital. As their Father, I must accompany them, no?”

The Archduke said, then leisurely sipped on his tea. 

“I always knew that you’re such a smitten father, Alexei, but I never thought you could be so crazy. Ha…” 

The Empress sighed. Leaning back on the sofa, she continued. 

“I guess the Hero has finally abandoned the people. If only I could do the same, haha. But I am the Empress.” 

“I hope you understand, Gabrielle.” The Archduke spoke sincerely. “My children needed me. So I only did what I thought I should. Moreover, I believe that this course of action will only benefit the world more. I don’t see it as abandoning the people. I only wanted to save my own children. Only then, will this world be saved.” 

The grimness of the words coming out of the Archduke’s mouth caused the Empress to frown. But she dared not ask what it’s about. She may be the Empress, but there are things even she could not step on. Instead, she decided to change the subject. 

“Lucena, was it? That child is going to have a hard time here in the capital. Though I suppose Louis isn’t that much different. I find it hard to believe that you allowed them to stay here, considering how protective you are of them.”

“I have my reasons.” 

The Archduke said curtly, but the Empress had more to say. 

“And I also noticed how Lucena didn’t seem to have a personal servant. She’s a girl you know. It’s irresponsible for you to not even assign her a handmaiden.”

“Believe me when I say I tried my best. It’s more difficult to find someone to serve my daughter than you think.” 

The Empress felt that the Archduke was speaking the truth. Well, considering Aris, and the identity of his daughter, it makes sense why he’s had so much difficulty just finding a young woman to serve his daughter. 

“Would you like me to recommend someone?”

The Empress offered.

“Someone I hope could be trusted? My children are more precious than you think.” 

She scoffed. “Why of course, this is me you’re talking about here, Alexei. Lucena is like my daughter as well, so I care for her.”

“If you say so, then I won't refuse. It would be nice to finally find someone who would care for my daughter. She’s growing up too…”

The Archduke let out a heavy sigh. 

“You know, you’ve always been such a weakling but seeing you like this makes me think that you’re carrying the entire weight of the world. You’ve become the Hero because you saved the Holy Empire from so many threats but don't let that title get to you, understand, Alexei? 

The Empress spoke sternly as if she was nagging at him, causing the Archduke to furrow his brows and shook his head.

“You don’t understand anything, Gabrielle.” 

Saying that, the Archduke stood up, prompting the Empress to ask. 

“Leaving already?” 

“I don’t feel comfortable leaving my children alone for too long.” 

He replied. 

“Seriously, what happened for you to be so..” 

“Don’t ask.” 

The Empress only sighed at his cold remark.

She lamented the changes that happened to the man. When they were younger Alexei had always been such a gentle, and kind hearted boy that she and her now late husband always found the need to protect him despite the fact that he was, in fact, stronger than both of them combined. 

“Ah, I almost forgot.” The Archduke spoke as he opened the door. Looking at the Empress, he said, “Please tell your lover to stop deliberating and send a reply to my daughter. If he continues to dawdle and cause my daughter to be distressed…well, I’m sure you know.” 

The Archduke smiled. But the Empress could only blink in shock and confusion. 

“Well then, I’ll be going now, Your Majesty.” 

He left, leaving the Empress feeling incredulous. 

“Ha! I wonder what demon started possessing that man. I know they say that people change when they get children, but isn’t this too much?” 

In any case, the Empress thought that she should write a letter to her lover. Then, she caught sight of the heaps of papers piled practically at every table in the room, she sighed. It was bearable at first, but the Archduke’s absence really caused a major problem in her management of paperworks. 

***

Servants weren’t allowed within the Imperial Library, so I headed inside alone. 

Frankly, I still felt uneasy being separated from Louis. But as I told him, it was something that we had to get used to. Louis and I couldn't possibly stick together forever. And now that we’re in the Imperial Capital, there would be more occasions wherein we couldn’t be together. 

Thinking this, I took a deep breath and ignored the anxious thumping in my chest and headed deeper inside.

I scanned the shelves for books that might have something to do with the Witch. Before the Goddess turned back time, she would often say that she’s a human from another world, whose soul was brought here by the Goddess.