A few months later, after a long journey, Magon returned to his ancestral home, where he was greeted by his joyful mother and, still feigning illness, his father. Amidst the general rejoicing on the occasion of his safe return, Magon sought and did not find the only eyes he desired. Bertina was not in the crowd of servants, and the young man's heart clenched with a premonition of distress. Baalhannon's news that the girl, for some unknown reason, had secretly escaped, and no one knew where she was now, simply overwhelmed the young man. An explosive wave of emotion threw so much intolerable bitterness into his mind that Magon could not sleep, eat, or speak. He was obsessed with only one desire: to find his beloved and find out why she had done such a cruel thing to him. For the sake of this, Magon spent twenty-four hours scouring Carthage to look at girls who were rumored to be like Bertina. Exhausted by long vain searches, the young man became so desperate and exhausted that he collapsed in a fever. Baalhannon, seeing Magon's physical and mental torment, realized that his son's feelings for Bertina were far more serious than he had realized.

- I was very deluded about myself and was sure that I was incapable of making mistakes. Now I realize that human beings are inherently mistaken. Even I," said Baalhannon, torturing himself for what he had done.

- Husband, everyone makes mistakes, even gods. Accept this mistake as an experience given by fate, and let life correct what you have done. She is the only one who knows the right path, and by beating yourself up, you can create a storm that can cover the road we are all destined to travel," his faithful wife consoled him.

Although Baalhannon realized his mistake, Bertina's return to Carthage was out of the question. He knew Magon's character well and feared that if he knew the truth, he would not forgive him, and he would lose his only son forever. So Baalhannon decided to let time heal the deep heart wound of Magon, which he, his father, had inflicted on him.  

Several years had passed without joy for Magon. The young man's eyes no longer shone with a cheerful luster, but more like sapphires tarnished by time. Wishing to put his son out of his misery Baalhannon decided that he, like a precious stone, needed good care and then his eyes would again acquire their original luster. For the role of such a caring engraver he chose a suitable, in his opinion, candidate - the daughter of an influential member of the Council of Elders of the state government - Arishatbaal. She was not a very clever girl, but she had a beautiful face and a slender figure. This Baalhannon considered it enough to carry the title of wife and not to think much about the reasons for her husband's depressed state.  

- Father, I don't want to marry a woman I don't know and don't want to know at all," Magon resisted his father's intention.

- Magoon, you must finally let go of the past. Stop this frantic search for someone who didn't want to be with you. Humble yourself and accept a girl who truly wants her heart to be beating next to yours. Besides, this union is very beneficial to our family.

- Don't you think it takes a little more than a desire to expand my sphere of influence to get me married?

- I believe that a good union requires two sensible people who perceive life realistically, not through the prism of emotions. Look at where your boasted feelings have gotten you and your mother and me. We are a living example of a mutually beneficial relationship. And we've been living together happily for many years.

- But, Father, I'm not you, and this girl is not my mother.

- Yes, but you're our son! And you must act like one!

- So I'm supposed to realize everything you dream of? Doesn't it bother you that the price of your prosperity is the unhappy marriage of your only son?

- Don't talk nonsense! This marriage will strengthen you.

- And your positions in government.

- Magoon! Stop chasing illusions and be realistic. You have to get married sooner or later.

- Good! Then you, too, accept this alliance with common sense and realism, and do not delude yourself with illusions that someone can replace Bertina for me. Even if that girl has divine beauty and is made of gold.