Episode 159

Noah’s expression, as he spoke, was one of pure freedom and ease.

Seeing him like that, neither I nor my family could bring ourselves to say anything more. We all wanted to ask him to stay longer, to spend time with us after such a long separation, but we held back. We all knew how difficult his time in the temple had been, especially with the burden he had carried for my sake, enduring rigorous training and hardship to help treat my illness.

I, in particular, felt guilty, so I kept my head down.

“Ayla.”

Noah called me softly and gently patted the back of my head.

I looked up at him, seated beside me.

“You’re not thinking it’s all your fault again, are you?”

“…It is, though. I’m sorry, Brother.”

I apologized to him with all my heart. I felt deeply remorseful for the fact that he had become a priest without even knowing what he truly wanted, all because of me.

“Why are you apologizing? You don’t need to.”

“But…”

“Yes, I became a priest to help treat your illness. But you don’t need to feel sorry for that. It was my choice. I did it because I wanted to back then. No one forced me into it. So, stop apologizing.”

Noah cut me off, his tone firm.

“And that’s not the issue at hand right now, is it?”

“Oh, right…”

“You said the Crown Prince knew I had healed Ian Blighton using divine power?”

“Yes, but it’s been dealt with. Everything’s fine now.”

“By you agreeing to divorce and marry the Crown Prince?”

“…Yes. That’s the decision I made.”

Noah sighed heavily, clearly frustrated, before turning to Father and questioning him directly.

“Father, this isn’t right. How could you put all the responsibility on Ayla—”

“Brother, no! Don’t blame Father.”

“Ayla, you’re really—”

Seeing Noah directing his frustration at the family, I quickly grabbed his arm.

“Brother, I’ll say this the same way you did earlier: no one forced me. This was my choice. And it was the quickest way to resolve everything.”

“The quickest way? Really?”

“Yes, really.”

Noah looked at me with disbelief, but I met his gaze directly and answered firmly.

“So, you went to see Duke Blighton today because of that?”

“That’s…”

I found myself momentarily at a loss for words under Noah’s sharp question, my mind going blank. But seeing the concerned and regretful faces of my family snapped me out of it.

‘I can’t show any hesitation.’

This situation had come about because of my own decisions. I didn’t want my parents or brothers to feel guilty or sorry for me.

“As I said before, I went to ask him about the divorce papers. I also just wanted to wish him a safe return. That’s all.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes. And Brother, I’m the one who gave the Crown Prince leverage. This is all because of the choices I made. So, please, respect my decision.”

“Ayla, it’s not your fault. Stop saying that.”

I gently stroked the back of Noah’s hand as he kept sighing and denying my words.

Then, I forced a bright smile in his direction.

“We didn’t want it to come to this either. But Ayla’s stubbornness is no joke, you know? She made the decision herself and told us she’d get a divorce and left,” Luke chimed in, expressing his frustration.

“This is all because of me and what happened with the princess…”

“Jade, don’t.”

I quickly cut off Jade, not wanting the blame to shift to anyone else. I couldn’t stand it anymore—this constant talk of fault and regret.

“Brother, don’t say that. You know the issue with the princess was never about you or me. If it weren’t for my involvement, it never would have happened.”

“Ayla, but… fine. I understand.”

Jade sighed, giving in as I shook my head to stop him from continuing.

“That’s enough. Let’s put an end to this,” Father said, watching us with a calm demeanor.

“As I’ve said before, as the head of the Anaïs family, I respect Ayla’s decision. So, everyone will follow it without further complaint.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Understood, Father.”

“But, Father—”

“Noah!”

Noah tried to protest again, but Father’s sharp gaze silenced him.

“I said that’s enough. Are you planning to go against my word?”

“…No, Father. I understand.”

Noah finally fell silent, his face set in a grim expression.

“Let’s end the discussion here. Noah, you must be tired since you’ve only just returned. Go and rest.”

“…Yes, Father.”

And with that, our family discussion, the first in a long while, came to a close.

As my brothers and I left the office, the weight of the serious conversation still lingered, and everyone’s expressions were solemn.

“How about we all unwind and have some fun together?” Luke suddenly suggested in a bright voice, attempting to lift the mood.

“Ayla, what do you think? It’s been a while since Noah’s been home.”

“I think it sounds great. What about you all?”

“I’m in.”

Jade answered, and all three of us turned to look at Noah.

He was still stiff and serious but eventually cracked a small smile and loosened up.

“Alright. What do you have in mind?”

“Obviously, this.”

Luke grinned, making a gesture as if he were drinking.

“Drinking? But Ayla can’t… oh, wait, she’s fine now.”

“Yes, I can drink now.”

Noah, still not used to the fact that I was fully recovered, nodded, a bit sheepishly.

“And you can drink now too, Brother.”

During his time as a priest, Noah had been forbidden from drinking alcohol.

“That’s right. I can now.”

“So, did you drink a lot while traveling?”

“Of course. I bet I can drink more than you now.”

“No way! You think you can outdrink me?”

Thanks to Luke, the tense atmosphere had eased considerably, and I was grateful. Feeling more relaxed, I joined in with a playful voice.

“Alright then, you two can have a drinking contest. I’ll be the judge.”

“Bring it on! Let’s see who’s the best.”

With Luke’s confident declaration, we all headed to the dining room.

We spent the rest of the night sharing drinks and laughter, enjoying each other’s company as if all the weight of the earlier conversation had lifted.

* * *

The aftermath of last night left me unable to get out of bed until the next morning.

I stayed groggy and unfocused until late afternoon when someone knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Ayla.”

It was Noah’s voice.

“Come in, Brother.”

The door opened, and Noah stepped into my room.

“How are you feeling?”

He immediately checked on me as he approached.

“I’m still exhausted. I must have drunk too much last night.”

“Same here.”

“Want some tea?”

“Sure.”

“Lia, could you bring us some tea?”

“Yes, I’ll be right back.”

As Lia left to fetch the tea, the room was quiet with just the two of us.

“Come, have a seat.”

I led Noah to the sofa. Before sitting, he glanced around my room, taking it in, and then settled across from me.

“Nothing’s changed, has it?”

“Right?”

“Yeah. Everything’s exactly the same. It almost doesn’t feel like any time has passed. Maybe it’s because you’re still here.”

“Well, that makes sense. I left this place around the same time you did.”

“That’s true. You did.”

As we exchanged light conversation, Lia returned with tea and set it down in front of us.

“Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Thanks, Lia.”

“Thank you, Lia,” Noah added.

“You’re welcome. Enjoy your time.”

After serving the tea, Lia quietly left the room again.

For a moment, we sat there sipping our tea in silence. Then Noah broke the quiet.

“Are you really completely cured?”

“Yes. I’m fully recovered.”

“I see. It feels like we realized magic was the answer far too late.”

“Yeah, it really was the key.”

“I’ll have to thank Duke Blighton properly for that.”

“He’s really someone to be grateful for.”

As Lloydin’s name came up in the conversation, I couldn’t help but smile.

“About Blighton.”

“Yes?”

“I didn’t mention this to Mother or Father, but I learned something while I was traveling.”

“About Blighton?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

The mention of something about Blighton immediately cleared my foggy mind, which had been hazy all day.

“What did you find out, Brother?”

I couldn’t hold back my curiosity, pressing him for an answer.