I ran and took her into my arms. “Raviel.”0

A lot of words swirled in my head. I could apologize for leaving her an unerasable scar. I was really sorry. Maybe I could say thank you. I was grateful for her faith in me and for waiting for me and, above all, for someone like me.0

But that wasn’t what I wanted to say. This wasn’t the first time I’d apologized to her or thanked her.0

Tonight was the night we met again. I wanted to tell her the words that I had never said but could offer her only once. My first and last were what I wanted to offer Raviel Ivansia. And that was why I took her hand.0

“Let’s get married.”6

Raviel slowly nodded. “I’m known by many names. I received the name Silver Lily from His Majesty, and I dedicated myself to the empire as the heir apparent of the Duke of Ivansia. But I’ll leave my name, Raviel, untouched so you can use it.”0

Our kiss was deep.0

***0

The two of us woke up at dawn. The sky outside the window was pale blue. I turned my head to the side because I heard someone breathing, and there Raviel was, looking at me without saying a word.1

I looked back at Raviel and reached out and took her hand. Her cool fingers locked with mine. She was beautiful. We shared each other’s breaths, intertwined our fingers, and pressed our foreheads together.0

“You’re a genius, Ra...0