Lothaire watched Irene while asleep. Today, her skin looked much better. She was healing well. He was happy to see her recover and even left her to have some time alone with her family. Meanwhile, he watched her from The Eye. 

Euphorion came to see her now and then, and those were the times Lothaire couldn’t bear to look into The Eye. He didn’t want to see her staying with that water demon, talking and laughing with him. She seemed happy in his company. Maybe she was also slowly feeling beginning to feel the connection between them. Maybe she was never meant to be with him. 

He reached for her face, letting his fingers slide down her cheek. Her beautiful face that now was covered with burns. She had been in so much pain but didn’t complain once. 

He couldn’t believe that he had been so close to losing her. They had missed the stab by an inch. 

“Irene.” He whispered her name. 

She stirred in her sleep and opened her eyes. He looked into those beautiful emerald eyes. Eyes that had been filled with sadness and pain that he had caused. It was time for him to stop. It was time for him to let go. He wouldn’t accept this punishment, and he wouldn’t punish her anymore. It was time for him to go his own way and leave her to find her way and her happiness as well. 

He felt a lump in his throat and swallowed hard before he spoke. “I am leaving.” He said. 

She looked at him, confused. 

“You seem alright now. I’ll leave you alone to be happy with your family.” He couldn’t believe he was saying that. It had to be the possession. 

“It is your family too,” she said. 

He shook his head. “My family is in my kingdom. That is where I belong and I will always belong there.” 

She looked sad for him, but nodded. “It is a shame,” she said. 

He sighed. She could never understand what his kingdom meant for him. Just like her family was everything to her, his mission was everything to him. Besides, he didn’t know how to love properly. Heaven’s words had been haunting him, about love not only being a feeling. He couldn’t just have feelings of love for Irene, he had to love her. And to truly love someone meant to let go of his selfishness and think of the other person. Think of their happiness and wellbeing before his own. 

Lothaire knew he could do it once or twice, but he was too selfish to do it every day. So today, he would love her one last time. He would let her go to find happiness and be with someone who would always put her first, unlike him. Today he would put her wants and needs before his. Her happiness and wellbeing before his. Just today he would be selfless. 

He smiled. The possession did something for him, at least. It felt good to decide that this wasn’t a punishment anymore. 

“I’ll be going now,” he said. 

Irene sat up, grimacing a little. “Thank you for staying with me until I recovered.” 

He didn’t know what was happening to him, but he became emotional over a thank you. 

“I didn’t do it for you,” he said. 

She shook her head at him with a smile. “Are we parting with no ill feelings this time?” 

“I have no ill feelings toward you. I hope you don’t either.” He said. 

“I don’t.” 

He nodded. “Good. I am saying goodbye then.” He was just eager to get away from there before changing his mind or crying in front of her. 

“Goodbye Lothaire.” She said with a smile. 

“Goodbye Irene.” 

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles before leaving her alone in her room. He went to the garden. He looked around one last time at the place where they had created some good memories together. Memories he had never appreciated before. 

“You are leaving.” Suddenly, a voice came from behind him. 

Lothaire turned back to see the water demon. 

“Yes.” 

His colorful eyes narrowed. “After everything she has been through you are still leaving her.” 

“Why are you surprised?” Lothaire asked annoyed. “Besides you are leaving her too. We are no different from each other.”

Euphorion looked at him questioningly. 

“I know you found your mate in her.” Lothaire said, raising an eyebrow. “I guess she is destined to have bad mates.” 

Euphorion seemed struck by his comment. “I am leaving because she doesn’t want to be with me.” 

Lothaire nodded. “And you are a good demon, so you will do what she wants. I guess we are different after all.” 

“What are you implying?” Euphorion asked. This time he was the one annoyed. 

Lothaire shrugged. “I am not sure. Think what you want and do as you please.” He said then without waiting for a reply, he left. 

He went back to his home, where he truly belonged. It was time to focus on his mission now. 

***********

Irene’s last few days had been filled with a physical pain she had never felt before, yet she was so happy. She was surrounded by everyone she loved. Even Lothaire and Euphorion were there with her very often. 

The only thing that saddened her was the loss of her great-grandchild, but knowing the strong person Heaven was and being surrounded by her family, Irene knew her granddaughter would overcome it soon. She had already proven herself as a good leader, and the soldiers were already praising her. 

Her son was also on his way back with victory, so despite the horrible experience, it was followed by many happy moments. 

Meanwhile, everyone was preparing for Heaven’s wedding. Irene was so excited for her, but she hoped her skin would heal before the wedding so she could attend without scaring people. 

Standing up, she went to the mirror and looked at her face. She was healing fast and looked already much better in just a few days. A few more days and she would look alright. 

“You look beautiful.”

Irene turned around and found Euphorion standing in her room. He had flowers in his hands that he gave to her. 

“Thank you.” She smiled. 

Euphorion had been a good company during her recovering. He made her forget about her pain by entertaining her and making her laugh, but she knew he was eventually going back to his home. Just like Lothaire. 

It would be the second bittersweet goodbye. She still couldn’t believe that Lothaire had decided to leave her and her family alone. She had seen so many emotions in his eyes, which was unusual for him before he left. 

“I hope I look better before the wedding.” 

“You just need to wear your smile.” He told her. 

A blush crept to her face. 

“You seem to be in a better condition.” He said. 

“Yes. The pain is much less now.” 

“Good.” He nodded, and then they looked at each other in an awkward silence. 

“Well then, I should go back now.” He spoke at last. 

“Will you attend Heaven’s wedding?” She asked. 

“Yes. I’ll be there.” He smiled.