Chapter 79: Everlasting Winter

HANIEL CALYPSO ASTANA

A hero. That's what they hailed me as.

In reality, though, I did not want to be a hero in the slightest. When the novel resurrected my character and bestowed me the role as the new protagonist, I thought of it as a huge burden.

Even so, it's the only way I could meet her again.

So I was grateful.

But then I also had to kill the love of my life with my own hands in order to finish this story. It almost felt like the novel was toying with our hearts. One moment it will give you a chance, only to discover later on that it comes with a price.

Callista only wanted to live, and I only wanted her to be happy. In the end, we never got to fulfill any of our wishes.

"Haniel Calypso Astana, the empire recognizes your efforts on defeating the devil and quelling the disaster that might have befallen the world." The newly-established emperor placed the blade of her sword over my shoulder. "And so, with my authority as Louisiana Odette Von Solaris, hereby appoint you as the empire's paramount mage."

The capital was filled with echoes of cheers that shook even the skies. As I glanced over the sea of faces, all bright with fervor and admiration, I felt alienated and detached. What's the point of this?

She was gone. The only person I wanted to celebrate with was nowhere to be seen.

They waved the flags bearing the empire's sigil in homage to my deeds, but I only received their passionate praises with indifference. As soon as the awarding ceremony ended, I opted to leave.

"You're leaving already?"

I was preparing to depart when the former princess appeared before me. Louisiana Odette Von Solaris was now the first and only woman in the empire who managed to rise to the throne.

Quite a feat, I must say.

"Yes." I answered curtly.

"Why are you in a hurry to leave?" Her purple eyes beamed with fondness. "All the ladies in the empire are dying to have you in their bedrooms."

"Unfortunately, I do not indulge in such activities." I scoffed at her. "Especially when my heart already belongs to someone, Your Majesty."

"Someone who is dead." she pointed out.

I stared at her coldly. "And someone who promised me that she will come back."

When she saw my hostility, the emperor chuckled and raised her arms in defeat. "I was merely jesting. Forgive my rudeness, Haniel."

As much as I didn't want to admit it, the imperial robe worn by the supreme ruler suits the former princess, literally and figuratively. She stood tall and proud with her ebony black hair cascading over her shoulders, complementing the blazing red robe and the golden crown.

She's more than fit to be the emperor. As to what kind of ruler she will turn out to be, I suppose we shall find out in time. But knowing Odette, who was cold and calculative in nature, I can surmise.

"So, where does our paramount mage plan to go?" The emperor inquired.

"To the north." I replied succinctly while mounting my horse.

"Can't you stay and help me rebuild the empire?"

I chuckled. "I refuse to be exploited any further."

For a moment, we were engulfed in silence.

While staring at the former princess, it almost felt like looking at a mirror. For some reason, our characters have the same appearance: jet black hair and amethyst eyes. Was it a coincidence?

I don't know, and I'm not interested in knowing.

The story is done, after all.

"I'm truly sorry, Haniel." The emperor remarked sentimentally. "But I hope you know that you are not the only one who had to sacrifice something just to reach the end of this story. We all had to."

"Hmm." I pulled the reins of my horse. "I know."

And so, I left the capital in its moment of triumph.

As planned, I departed for the north. Thanks to my magical prowess, what's supposed to be a week of journey only took three days of travel. Shortly, I arrived at the sunless land of Chioni, which was ravaged by the devil's malevolence and now bearing the scars of the war.

The citizens of the north were busy rebuilding their homes. At the same time, I witnessed many families mourn for the loved ones that they lost in the war against Lilith.

It was also the reason why I did not celebrate my triumph against the devil incarnate. Because even though we won, we had lost many comrades in the process. Lives were taken and lives were left behind. That was the aftermath of the war where I emerged victorious and defeated at the same time.

"Haniel?"

I went to the place where Callista was buried. Her grave was situated on a peak where the entirety of the north was visible. I just thought she would've loved the scenery from this spot. Seeing the stretch of the snow-covered lands gives you a sense of freedom.

There, I found Servan cleaning her grave and putting white lilies over it.

"You're here again." The mage commented.

I eyed him. "I could say the same to you."

"Well, that's..." He smiled while scratching his ruffled brown hair. "Some naughty squirrels always bring nuts to my sister's grave, so I'm cleaning it everyday."

I gave him a small smile. "I see."

Even though he betrayed me in the past, I know and understand why Servan had to do it. I can't even blame him. There was no way to know if he was acting on his own will or if it was simply the novel dictating his mind.

Well, it doesn't matter to me anymore.

As we stood there in silence, we heard some footsteps from behind. When we turned to the direction of the noise, we found Grand Duke Averill, slightly disgruntled.

"Your Grace?" Servan gawked at him like an idiot.

The grand duke paid no heed to him. His eyes were focused on me.

"I received word from Odette that you would be here in the north." Alistair said, out of breath. "Can we talk?"

For a moment, my eyes stared at him.

After a few seconds, I turned my back from the grand duke. "I have nothing to say to you, Your Grace."

"I have a lot to say to you, though." Alistair replied then signaled towards Servan to leave us two.

The mage begrudgingly left the peak.

When we were finally alone, Grand Duke Averill joined me before Callista's grave. I looked at him in the corner of my eye, and there was an air of melancholy around him.

"The novel is cruel, isn't it?" Alistair told me with a sad smile. "Making us kill the person we love..."

I smirked. "When have we been close enough to share each other's sentiments, Your Grace?"

"That's..." He frowned. "I simply wanted you to know that I understand how you feel."

My jaw clenched. Does he really?

"No, you don't." I faced him, my eyes ablaze. "Just like how I don't understand you, there's no way you'd understand how I feel. I love her with all my heart, and I would do anything to make her happy. You, on the other hand..."

Upon hearing my words, his face became taut with guilt.

"You're selfish, and you hurt her many times. Every time I see you, I fight against the urge to break your neck. So don't compare my feelings with your vile, twisted love... because I don't understand how you could say that you love her when all you did was hurt her." I spat those words as if they were poison.

Perhaps I was just too agitated at that moment.

I hated it. I hated hearing the word love from his own mouth, the same mouth which whispered wedding vows after marrying the villainess, and the same mouth which struck a deal with the devil to take me down and forcibly take Callista.

I don't understand his love, if that was even what you call it.

Alistair lifted his gaze to me. He was about to say something, but he stopped. The grand duke seemed taken aback.

That's when I realized that my face was filled with tears.

"Huh?" I blurted out cluelessly.

I miss her. I miss her so much.

I miss the sound of her voice. I miss her knowing smile. Her uncontrollable laughter, her irremediable temper... The way she whispers my name tenderly and the way she screams my name lustfully, I miss all of it.

What am I supposed to do without you, Callie?

At that moment, I broke down into sobs. Without her, I was so helpless, so hopeless. I didn't know where to go or what to do. How do I live without her?

Perhaps out of politeness, Grand Duke Averill said nothing in my moment of vulnerability. He stood there with an emotional look on his face, and he looked like he was about to cry as well.

After that, my eyes were puffy and swollen. I was just grateful that it was only the two of us here, otherwise I would have died from embarrassment for bawling like a child.

Alistair cleared his throat. "Are you done crying?"

"Shut up." I glared at him.

A small smile dawned on his face.

"Regardless of everything, the fact that you saved the north remains." Grand Duke Averill bowed his head slightly. "The people of Chioni owe their lives to you. Thank you, Haniel."

I clicked my tongue. "You know very well that I didn't do it for you."

"I know." He smiled. "Still, I am grateful."

He stood straight and gave me an earnest look.

"From here on, I pledge my allegiance to you."

My eyes widened. "What are you-!"

"I therefore declare that anyone bearing the name and blood of the Averill duchy shall submit to you. None of us, may it be our ancestors or descendants, can do you harm in any form. This is my oath to your body and soul."

After stating those words, the air around us crackled with a primal energy, manifesting electricity with a bluish-white radiance. I stood there with a dumb look on my face.

It was a pledge of allegiance!

"Grand Duke Averill! Do you realize what you've done?!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "You just chained your future generations to me! What if I become evil and take advantage of this?!"

"So be it." Alistair chuckled. "I'm sure my descendants will figure out a way to defeat you."

My jaw dropped. "I-I didn't ask for this!"

"Deal with it, then."

He turned his back from me then waved his hand for the last time.

For some reason, the way he walked away from Callista's grave felt like the closing chapter of their own story. Before I came into her life, Alistair Kirsten de Averill was the person deeply engraved in her heart.

She loved him dearly. He loved her too much. And the love they shared changed both of them for the worse.

"That's it." I said out loud as I watched the grand duke walk away. "Move forward and live. I'm sure that's what she would've wanted."

As for me, I went down from the peak and came to the exact same spot where Callista breathed her last. It was located in the center of the snow-covered lands, surrounded by tall and sturdy walls.

I stood firmly on that spot, accompanied by the perpetual snowfall of the north. I smiled as I lifted my gaze to the ashy skies, where the sun was nowhere to be found. I suppose this will become my view everyday.

She promised to meet me here again, so I'll wait.

Even if I'm surrounded by the unmelting snow, I can survive the everlasting winter. For now, I shall be content with the embers of our love, waiting to be ignited by the time she comes back.

"It's okay," I whispered to the wind. "I like waiting, so I will be okay. Just make sure to come back."

I closed my eyes then smiled sentimentally.

"Just come back to me, Callie. I can wait forever."

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