After a few more questions to the others, Shion Lan, Kin Light, and Glass Sano were dismissed and returned to the academy.
As for King Jord Joul, he went to the chamber of his first wife—the mother of Jaiden Joul. Sorrow weighed heavily on his heart.
"I wish Shion had some connection to someone as powerful as the Shi Family Head… perhaps he would possess something capable of saving you."
He gently stroked her hair with deep affection. The King loved his First Queen dearly despite her illness. When that incident had occurred, he had lost control and ordered the destruction of a family that had remained loyal to him. He regretted it profoundly and longed for a way to atone—but none presented itself.
Lost in grief and thought, he suddenly sensed movement. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword as he turned his head—yet he could hardly believe what he felt.
Someone was tugging at the edge of his sleeve.
A soft voice followed.
The King's eyes widened in shock. He turned toward the bed and saw his wife—awake, her eyes open, looking at him with concern.
"My dear… are you alright?"
He heard her. He saw her. He felt her touch.
Yet his mind refused to accept it.
'I missed you in a way I have never missed anyone before…
I used to sit beside you every day, watching your chest rise and fall slowly, wondering how a soul filled with so much light could disappear behind such long silence. I would tell you about the details of my day, about my fear, about my longing, about the little things that used to make you smile… hoping that a single word might reach you and wake you. Your face was still, yet my heart refused to believe that you couldn't hear me. I learned how to love you in a whisper, how to hold back my tears so I wouldn't burden you, and how to cling to hope as if it were my only thread of salvation.'
"Is this a dream… or reality?!"
The Queen attempted to speak further but coughed weakly. The King rushed to her side.
"You mustn't strain yourself! You've been gone for so long!"
Memories of the Blood Spirit surfaced in her mind.
"Where did that evil spirit go?! Are you unharmed?!"
"Yes… I am fine. But I suffered without you."
Tears fell from the mighty King Jord Joul's eyes. In that moment, he was no ruler—only a man.
He summoned the maids. When they saw the First Queen restored to full health, news spread throughout the entire royal palace. Everyone came—except the Second Princess, who remained at the academy.
When Jaiden Joul saw his mother awake, he broke into tears and rushed to her.
"Mooom!!!"
A shadow standed in distance out of the Royal Palace but was able to see and hear everything as if he was with them.
"..."
They looked for a while before he disappeared.
Time passed until the Queen and King were alone again.
"I was saved," she said softly.
Jord Joul listened carefully.
"How, my love?"
He had assumed that once the Blood Spirit was destroyed, the curse had simply lifted.
"Do you remember the girl you visited three—no, six—years ago?"
He waited silently.
"The girl from the Neumann Family. She came to me… and freed me."
"What?!" The King stood in astonishment.
"Unfortunately, she is dead," the Queen continued sadly. "But she told me that someone helped her—and that I must repay that kindness."
The King's eyes brightened immediately.
"Whoever that person is, I shall reward him!"
She smiled gently.
"His name is Shion Lan."
"…."
The King's mind went blank for a moment.
"How would you like me to reward him? Do you have something in mind—or shall I handle it my way?"
She smiled faintly.
"I fear you would bankrupt the kingdom if I left it entirely to you. First, we must understand him better."
The King waved his hand.
"Shion Lan is a second-year student at Karath Academy—and the head of the third-rank noble Lan Family."
The Queen tilted her head.
"I do not recall such a family."
"Well… that boy is a long story."
He stayed by her side until dawn, recounting everything Shion had done and the events that had unfolded in the kingdom over the past three years.
"I believe the annual celebration is approaching," she said. "Will you allow me to oversee the preparations as I used to? Or have you found someone else?"
The King smiled warmly.
"You may return to your duties whenever you wish."
It was settled. Soon after, the palace officially announced that the First Queen had awakened from her three-year coma. During the annual celebration, her return would be formally welcomed.
...
Shion sat in class, reading a book in preparation for the midterm examinations. A black bird landed on the nearby window. He noticed it but ignored it and continued studying.
Suddenly—
Thud!
The bird struck his head sharply with its beak.
Shion grabbed its legs and noticed a message tied to them.
"If you are just an ordinary bird, fine. But if this letter is meaningless, I'll cook you today."
He opened the letter—and paused when he saw the seal of the Sano Family.
"What is this?"
He read:
Lord of the Lan Family,
I apologize for this method of communication. No one may enter the academy except students and teachers, and during examination season, interaction between divisions is restricted. I sincerely invite you as an honored guest to attend the annual celebration at the royal palace. Your presence would delight me.
Head of the Sano Family — Brad Sano
Shion released the bird and went to the library, selecting another book.
Soon after, a younger girl approached, handed him a letter, and ran away.
"This isn't a confession letter… is it?"
He turned it over—Flair Family seal.
Same invitation.
"What should I do?"
He pushed the thought aside and continued studying.
That night, upon returning to his wing, he found yet another letter.
"Which family this time?!"
He picked it up—and froze.
Second Princess Jina Joul.
It was another invitation. She mentioned she would bring Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai, hoping for a pleasant reunion.
"I think I've found a way to refuse two invitations… but if I attend with her, how will King Jord Joul view me?"
He decided to sleep, though thoughts of the Fourth Level, the celebration, and exams plagued him.
'Should I enter the Veins?'
But suddenly, he fell into a deep sleep.
He felt indescribable comfort.
Yet his sharp senses awakened quickly.
He stood.
Around him were lush green meadows and trees. He heard deer, rabbits, birds—and saw a river flowing from a beautiful waterfall.
"Am I dreaming? No! How can I perceive every detail?"
"Because everything here has a spirit."
He froze at the gentle voice.
Memories spanning fifteen years surged through him.
He turned—and there she was.
The pure beauty with the white silky hair and greenish blue eyes.
Solan Neumann.
He stared in disbelief—then rushed forward and embraced her tightly.
Her face flushed crimson, yet she did not resist.
After a moment, he pulled back, silver eyes shining, their foreheads nearly touching.
Solan thought helplessly,
'I only wanted to tease him… I didn't expect him to come this close!'
He laughed softly.
"I hope you've learned from your mistake."
She realized he had done it deliberately.
Anger and embarrassment painted her face beautifully.
"I missed you," he said, sitting on the grass.
"If this is another joke, I won't speak to you."
"I'm not joking. Where did you go after the battle?"
"Wait!" she protested. "Don't change topics!"
"I don't know how long this dream will last."
She smiled.
"This isn't truly a dream. It's a place between reality and the Spirit World. Think of it as a domain. With Polter and Bloom's help, I created something small like this."
He stiffened.
"Solan—was my soul pulled from my body?!"
"No. I came to you."
When Solan said that, Shion tried to sense Shi Yun Lan
"..... .... ... !"
He could touch his presence and thought,
'She mustn't know about this power or she will run away from me '
Relief washed over him.
Then he realized—
He had embraced her. And it wasn't a dream.
She noticed his reddened face and teased him.
"It seems my guardian has such an expression."
But Shion didn't hold back,
"But since you know it wasn't an illusion… you have such a side too."
Her face burned red.
"Shion! I'll kill you!"
He laughed and ran. Though it was her world, she chased him.....
Time has passed without feeling.
Later, beneath the trees, he rested his head on her lap. She played with his white hair.
Their gazes locked. Their breathing grew heavier.
He touched her cheek. She leaned into his palm.
Then—
A jolt struck his mind and opened his eyes consciously.
When she saw his expression she trembled.
They both recoiled quickly.
"Sorry!" she whispered.
With a wave of her hand, darkness consumed everything.
He woke abruptly.
Morning.
A splitting headache tore through him.
"You little brat!" Shi Yun Lan's voice echoed. "Did you like that world so much you ignored me?!"
But seeing Shion clutching his head in agony, he stopped.
Shion fainted from the pain and did not wake until noon, when a knock sounded.
He opened the door to find a man bearing the royal insignia.
He bowed instinctively.
"It is not an order," the man said. "It is an invitation to the annual celebration."
After he left, Shion looked at the letter and murdered,
"Who will be this time.....?....!!!"
When he realised who the sender is, he smiled,
"I've found a way out of my problems. Thank you, Your Majesty."
The letter stated he could bring two guests.
"Who should I bring? Those two might attend with Her Highness… Should I go alone?"
He remembered what had happened in Solan's world—and the crushing headache.
"New matters are unfolding… I hope everything will be alright."
His face flushed at the memory.
On the other side—
Solan was in an even worse state.
"I was too close to him! I was too close to him!"
She was red and grabbed the pillow and buried her face in it.
She even had forbidden the spirits from visiting her.