Victoria's POV
My life has always been miserable. You only see people's true faces in the hardest moments — that's how it was for me.
When my mother died and the duchy fell into decline, no one cared. But when my father returned stronger than ever, suddenly everyone acted like nothing had happened, pretending to care for me.
I first heard about a man named Raul when I was younger. He was strong — strong enough to do whatever he wanted.
If I had that power, I would have burned the whole world down.
But Raul was calm. He looked like he didn't care about anything, but that wasn't true.
When his father threw him out, I revealed my secret to him and kept him by my side.
Keeping a man like that near you isn't easy.
I could tell he wasn't interested in me, only in my powers.
He got along well with Bella, but the real Raul never revealed much. That man had no purpose.
Nothing shook him. He probably thought I didn't know about the assassination attempts against me, but I knew he had been protecting me.
He was kind… but the world doesn't forgive kind people. I understood that about him.
He always helped me, sometimes as a poet, a cook, sometimes as a teacher.
Or rather, he was many things. With him, and with Bella, I could show my feelings.
Because Raul was someone who had suffered too, but he was stronger than me, and he never showed it.
He knew things… things he couldn't talk about.
Something was wrong.
From time to time, news about his deeds spread across the continent. The remains of a man named Hankel were found.
What Hankel had done was ignored — but the stories about Hankel and that entity, Raul, became legends.
Even demons, elves, and dwarves had tales about him.
Sometimes he'd raise his hand, and I didn't know why, but I could feel it meant something important.
Then a great piece of news spread: the Chosen of the Goddess had appeared.
A young girl who survived a monster attack on her village.
the Emperor took her in.
The reports didn't say much beyond her name: Lara Lightbringer. But what mattered was which goddess had chosen her.
She was the chosen champion of Tiamat — the goddess respected by all gods.
The Mother of Everything...
That news shook the world. The Empire declared they wouldn't speak further, but everyone knew: the last hero had appeared a thousand years ago, and each time one rose, disaster followed.
It was proof that this age would fall into chaos.
Even the other races swallowed their pride and made alliances, prioritizing military training.
It was said that in the coming academic year, the education system would change to prepare for war.
And amidst all this chaos came Raul's marriage proposal.
When I saw that letter, I lost control and accidentally froze my entire room. Raul immediately restored it.
"My lady, I intend to refuse the proposal," he said, "but before that, I must tell you something important. Things might change after this."
His smile was gone. For the first time, I saw him serious.
"Tell me, Raul," I said, though I already had a feeling what he would say.
"My lady, I'll be disappearing for a while. Later, I'll enter the academy as a student in the same class as you. The royal family won't dare attack me there, so you'll be safe." Raul lowered his head, mumbling something to himself.
I grabbed his shoulders. "What about you? What about your happiness?"
"Happiness, huh? I haven't found an answer to that question yet. But don't forget — the first time, I stayed here because of your vision. Now things are getting messy… and I'm running." Raul looked at me like I was a fool — like a child who didn't understand.
I stomped my foot. "Idiot Raul, you don't have to do this! My father can handle it!"
"No, he can't. The royal family will pressure him. They'll say, 'Do you value us less than a servant?' If that happens, Florence will fall — and I don't want this land to burn because of me." Raul pressed a hand to his forehead.
I sighed. He was right. I wanted to deny it, but he kept throwing the truth in my face. "Then… will you say goodbye to Bella?"
"No. She'll just try to stop me. She still hasn't come to terms with everything. I'll leave you a letter — it'll be in my room. Read it and label me a fugitive."
That was the best option. Seraphine had gone too far — she'd pay for it.
Raul closed his eyes. Five seconds later, a book appeared in his hand. "This is a special book. It contains everything about the Ice Element up to the tenth tier. When we enter the academy, if you're not at least at the fifth tier, prepare yourself — or you'll face my wrath." Then he winked.
Steam almost came out of my head — that bastard used to hit me in the ass with a stick whenever I messed up in training. Not even Bella could stop him.
"Stupid Raul…" I muttered, but I was sure he heard me. I lowered my head.
Then my window opened, and the wind brushed my face.
But Raul was gone. My eyes stung, and when I touched them—
Ah… I was crying.
It had been so long since the last time I cried. I had promised myself I would never again.
But while so many had betrayed me, only Bella and Raul had stood by my side.
Raul was gone. Bella was alone.
Fate truly is a cruel bitch.