Chapter One

When the seemingly neverending night finally dawned with the golden light of the hero's righteous sword, the world finally returned to its peaceful state. The formidable necromancer, Damien, who threatened the whole world with his sinister necromancy for months, was finally defeated by the group of noble heroes who stood against this daunting opponent.

 Crown Prince, His Highness Alphonse Estignory.

 Lady Arlette of the Vernillard Marquessate.

 Knight Rowan, the Head of the Sishonian Knights.

 Callista Lovelace, the Witch of the Moonlit Peaks.

 Izax Astamieres, the Supreme Archmage.

 After the war against the necromancer, the king rewarded these noble heroes greatly. All but one denied the reward with humbleness. And it was the Supreme Archmage himself, Izax Astamieres. The one who made the biggest contributions in this battle was him, but for reasons the king does not even know, he still rejected the reward the king wanted to give. But his actions were not questioned. He's always been the most unreadable and unpredictable person after all.

 The king indeed didn't question, but a few of those who fought alongside him in the battle couldn't help but ask.

 The crispy autumn leaves made crunching sounds as two people walked on the leaves-covered path. There was the sound of birds flapping as well as tweeting from a close distance. This forest is not only bountiful of life, it also has plenty of wonderful scenery. The air is cold, as the end of autumn is already nearing, and winter is just right around the corner. 

"Lord Izax, why is it that you refused the reward His Majesty has offered? Among the five of us, you deserve it more than anyone."

Arlette's voice, calm and soothing, reached Izax's ears and his heart couldn't help but tremble and beat as loudly as it could while his lips parted to answer. He subtly shook his head, "What I want… What I wish to obtain cannot be granted by the king." his voice was soft and slow as if he intended to not let the other hear his words. But Arlette, who walked beside him perfectly heard. She raised her head, her golden hair that was tied up moved corresponding with the movements of her head. "Lord Izax, with your power and authority, I doubt that there's anything you cannot have." She then chuckled and added on,

"I am quite curious about your wish. If you don't mind, could you tell me what it is?"

Izax then stopped in his tracks, standing still as his eyes closed and he went silent. But his heart, he could feel it clearly. It was beating so loudly that it seemed like it was going to burst out of his chest anytime soon. He clenched his hands tightly, only to let it loose after. Arlette also stopped walking and looked at Izax. "Ah." she paused. "O-Oh, if you don't mind, of course! If you do not want to tell me, that's fine too. I am merely curious, you do not have to tell me!" Thinking that she was being too forward and that she said something wrong, she panicked a bit. But then, Izax finally opened his eyes. His long, snowy lashes fluttered open and revealed a pale color similar to that of an ocean and the sky. 

His gaze was still on Arlette as he pursed his lips with a bit of hesitation on his face. "I…" he whispered first, trying to collect his courage and confidence as he did so. He lowered his head, feeling a wave of warmth on his face. 

Arlette looked at Izax, feeling quite lost until she saw the redness of his usually pale face. 'Ah.' Just by looking at his current expression, Arlette could somehow guess now, what Izax's wish could be. She also lowered her head with a solemn face and waited until Izax finally spoke.

"Lady Arlette." Izax started. He finally raised his head, and so did the other. The two looked at each other, one with an embarrassed expression and the other had a shallow smile. "Yes?" Arlette replied in a quiet voice. 

His lashes trembled, like a winter leaf that's been burdened with the weight of the snow. But his eyes were steadily looking at Arlette as if she was the only one he could see in this world. "I am not aware of when I had started to be unable to not think of you at every moment given… My eyes couldn't help but follow you in every move you make." his voice paused for a moment and then when he continued again, there was a small smile on his lips. 

This sight stunned Arlette, for she had never seen, nor anyone else had seen such a gentle smile on this person's face at all. No, Izax's stoic face probably has not shown a single curve of a smile to anyone before. But now, he's smiling so gently, gazing so fondly, and the receiver of all this is Arlette. 

And never has she ever felt so conflicted and troubled before. 

"I have never felt something like this before, so I was very confused… Until one day, I realized these feelings towards you." he looked straight into her emerald-colored eyes, which stared back at him. "Lady Arlette, I wish to protect you, to be with you, to hold you. I wish to experience a lot with you by my side." His lips parted and his face warmed even more, but in his eyes were determination and passion. 

"I like you."

While Izax had such a hopeful expression, Arlette only had a troubled heart. Her guess was right after all… 

"Lord Izax… I really appreciate it. You have helped me out a lot of times, and you have been kind and patient with me all these times." She smiled slightly for a moment, but it quickly dissipated. "I… am sorry. I cannot reciprocate your feelings towards me. I am already engaged with His Highness Alphonse." She lowered her head and calmly continued further, "The official announcement shall be held in the coming banquet for the celebration of our victory. His Majesty had already approved too."

Every word she spoke were like swords that stabbed through Izax's heart. He felt numb, but at the same time, he felt pain that was much worse than all of the damage he took from the villainous necromancer throughout the battle. His heart felt like it was being squeezed so tightly, so harshly…

"Is… that so…?" His breathing was a bit uneven but, strangely, his head was clear and calm. "I apologize. I didn't know."

No, perhaps, he knew after all. He wasn't blind. During the journey toward the lair of the villainous necromancer, Izax has seen the intimacy between Alphonse and Arlette, intimacy which can never be between friends. 

Perhaps, at the back of his mind, he already knows. But he still denied it and held on to the hope that he might still be accepted by his first and only beloved. In the end, what happened was this. Rejected, and yet, Arlette still spoke with consideration and kindness. 

His heart ached and aggrieved. 

But his face betrayed whatever emotions he currently held in his heart, as his face remained stoic. At times like these, Izax feels grateful at the fact that his feelings rarely express itself outwardly. 

Everything after that became a blur in Izax's memory. Like a painting that has withstood years of weathering, Izax's memory of that day was blurry. But again, like a piece of artistry from the past that was created out of a tragic tale, the Izax now is the endpiece of the heartbreak and grief of not being chosen from that time, five years ago… 

───

An excerpt from ???'s ???:

"I do not know how and why I arrived in this world with a body, face, status, and background I was not familiar with. My only possession is my memory, myself, and my… feelings for him.

He may not even bat an eye towards someone as insignificant as me, however, sincerely, my only wish is for him to find his proper place. A place where he'll be happy and where he'll find the joy and love he wanted and needed. 

I was given nothing, so I'll give myself a purpose. I shall make my wish come true, and I will do whatever I need to, to do so."