Wizard: The Emperor of Magic.

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Chapter 12

At the hall, time had flown.

My brother and I had sat down, locked in conversation for hours before he finally let me leave.

Now, I found myself weaving through the crowd, searching for Olivia.

My eyes caught her in a corner of the hall, speaking with someone I hadn't expected: Cain.

Cain X Borins—of the Borins family, a Count House loyal to our former territory, the Duke House of Silvery.

My chest tightened slightly. I was no longer a part of the Silvery family.

I'd made that decision myself—challenging my brother to reach Duke rank without our father's influence or name.

That path was mine alone now, much like the man before me.

The reason the previous Lucas had once split from the family to create the Maximilian House was born from the same desire—to build something of his own, untouched by the Silvery name.

A foolish pride, I once thought.

But perhaps, not so foolish anymore.

Back then, he was devoured by the praises of others.

An empty glory.

But I—I would earn my rise through fire and blood.

I started walking toward them, but paused as a familiar presence caught my eye.

Grace stood by a wine table, swirling a cup with a cool air of detachment.

I changed course and joined her.

"It has been a long time since we saw each other," I said calmly.

Grace smirked, her crimson eyes meeting mine.

We stood eye-to-eye—neither flinching, neither stepping back.

"Well, that's not true," she said, voice smooth like polished steel. "First day of the week, you were looking at me with eyes full of horror."

She said it with a mocking tone, as if to tease, but there was weight behind her words.

A test.

Her gaze narrowed slightly.

"I should've cut your head off."

I didn't blink. "I'm grateful you didn't," I answered simply. "Or I wouldn't have remembered my path forward."

Truthfully, I had no memory of her being there—from Lucas's memories, she was absent.

But I knew better.

She was a Tier 4 Grand Mage.

If she didn't want to be seen, she wouldn't be.

"But I am surprised," I added, "that you were able to reach me… and defeat the secret guard my brother placed on me… without making a sound."

Grace's smirk deepened. There was no pride in her eyes—just cold precision.

"You've made a very big enemy in the underworld," she said, tone turning grave. "And he isn't someone who lets grudges slide. Stay on your guard."

She nodded toward Olivia and Cain, the latter still visibly trying to charm her.

Olivia looked polite—but bored.

Her patience was clearly wearing thin.

"As for your guard," Grace continued, "I did nothing. I found him already dead when I arrived. I wanted to see if he could detect me. Instead…" she paused, her voice dropping, "someone got there moments before me. Killed a Tier 4 Diamond Knight—and didn't make a sound."

A silence stretched between us.

Her smile darkened, the teasing edge gone. "Keep my sister safe… and out of your troubles."

I sighed. "Don't worry. I've already thought of a way to keep the bloodshed contained. No deaths. Only a light punishment… directed at me."

Grace nodded approvingly. "Good. Keep her safe. Keep the words you spoke in that room…"

Her tone turned final, colder than before. "And you won't see me again."

She took a sip of her wine, crimson eyes never leaving mine.

"Now go. Remove that idiot from my sister."

I gave a soft chuckle and stepped past her.

Her presence lingered like a phantom at my back, even as I approached Olivia and Cain.

Cain noticed me immediately, his face souring like spoiled fruit.

"Well, well," he sneered. "Look what the trash dragged in."

I tilted my head slightly, pretending to consider his words. "Says the man who took eight years to reach Tier 3 – Arch Mage," I replied coolly. "When it took me… three days. Don't be a child."

His face twisted with anger.

For a moment, I saw the flicker of mana build around his fists—he was about to strike.

But I was already guiding Olivia gently by the arm, turning her away from the confrontation.

She followed without resistance, a chuckle escaping her lips as Cain seethed behind us.

We made our way to the doors—leaving Cain, his pride, and his fury behind.

We left the hall with a car already waiting at the steps.

A black, rune-engraved model with an enchantment circle humming beneath the wheels—standard for noble protection, but expensive nonetheless.

As the chauffeur opened the door, I paused before stepping inside.

Something tugged at me.

My eyes scanned the nearby rooftops, then the alley across the street.

My senses twitched—not from sight or sound, but instinct.

That deep, wordless warning that crawled up your spine and whispered from the back of your mind.

I sighed.

"They're already here."

It was inevitable.

I entered the car quietly, sitting beside Olivia.

She hadn't noticed the tension—at least, she didn't show it.

She wore a soft smile on her lips, eyes turned toward the tinted window as the city lights passed in golden streaks.

But the moment I looked at her, the smile vanished.

Replaced by her usual calm, distant mask.

Still, I smiled and spoke gently, "You're beautiful when you smile."

Her head turned slowly, crimson eyes locking onto mine.

Her expression didn't change, but I saw it—the hesitation, the storm behind her eyes.

"Why now?" she asked softly.

I blinked, confused at first. "What do you mean?"

Her voice was low, yet sharp. "Why... just after nearly dying... have you changed so much? You feel like someone completely different—and yet, not at all. You look at me with those loving eyes I waited years to see. I dreamed of them. Begged for them. And you never once gave them to me."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone filled with something fragile—bitterness, grief, longing all braided together.

"So why now?" Her voice trembled. "Why not then? Are you just doing all of this so my sister won't kill you?"

I said nothing for a moment.

The driver must've sensed the shift in air, because he silently rolled up the partition and activated the privacy enchantment.

A pale blue light shimmered across the window, muffling the outside world from us.

I turned back to Olivia.

Her pain was real.

Deep.

Years of it.

I didn't know what the previous Lucas had truly been like in those silent nights.

But in his memories... she was always there.

Always beside him.

Always giving, even when she had nothing left.

Even when she was furious.

Even when she was hurt.

Even when she had convinced herself she no longer loved him.

She stayed.

Even when he forced her into marriage—something she would have given freely if only he'd asked.

Now... that same loyalty, that same unwavering heart, was still here in front of me.

But it was covered in scars.

The kind that don't fade with time.

Maybe the love I felt now came from the old Lucas.

Maybe it was my own.

But when I looked at her, there was no doubt.

She was precious.

She was real.

I reached out and gently cupped her cheek, pulling her a little closer.

Our foreheads touched, and I saw the tears building in her eyes, trembling before falling.

I wiped them away with my thumb as I whispered softly, "As long as the trees breathe, the sun shines, and—"

She cut me off, her voice breaking through her tears: "—moons can be seen…"

And together, we both finished, as if no time had passed:

"We shall forever… be together."

The old words.

The vow we made when we were young.

Back when love was simple.

Even now, the changes to Lucas had come too fast.

But I could understand it.

He was young then—trapped by expectations, crushed by pressure, and chasing the image others demanded he become.

But I would not make his mistake.

I leaned forward and kissed her.

It wasn't long. It wasn't rushed.

It was just right.

When I pulled away, I looked into her tear-glazed eyes and spoke with quiet certainty:

"I want to create a life where you're part of it. This time, I won't be led astray."