The long day was finally coming to a close as the sun began to set. Orange light spilled from the balcony, stretching across the carpet. Leo stood there alone, watching the horizon in silence.

  Back in the throne room, Lyra entered through the already open doors. She glanced around the vast chamber, but she couldn’t find the person she was looking for.

  'I thought Aurelius might be here, she thought. Maybe he would know where Leo is—'

  Then, she saw him. Leo was standing on the balcony, his figure obscured by a curtain fluttering wildly in the warm wind. She moved toward him, her steps slow and hesitant. When she finally reached the balcony, she reached out and pulled the curtain aside.

  There he was, staring out at the world. Lyra didn't know the full story; she only knew that Leo’s sister had lost her memories after a tragic event, though Aurelius had kept the details a secret. Even without knowing everything, simply seeing Leo standing there so alone was enough to break her heart.

  There he was, staring out at the world. Lyra didn't know the full story; she only knew that Leo’s sister had lost her memories after a tragic event, though Aurelius had kept the details secret. Even without knowing everything, simply seeing Leo standing there so alone was enough to break her heart.

  Say something, she thought. Or don't. Just… don't leave him alone.

  She stepped forward. "You’ve been quiet for so long. Where did you go? I’ve been looking everywhere for you!"

  Leo huffed a laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "Silence is underrated."

  "Huh?" Lyra didn't understand what he meant.

  Leo turned toward her with a deadpan look. "You're disturbing me."

  Lyra leaned on the railing beside him, her boots creaking. "Since when did you start feeling like I was a disturbance?"

  "I don't know," Leo replied, his gaze drifting. "I just need to rest. Too many things have happened in a single day."

  She shrugged with a small smile. "Don't carry the whole world by yourself, Leo. You can rest when you want. You can get angry, you can argue—we won’t judge you. To everyone else, you're a leader and a friend, but if you forget that and keep chasing everything alone..."

  She pushed off the railing and moved closer, leaning in until she reached his ear. Her voice, whispered softly in the warm dusk, felt strangely cold "Then you will lose."

  Her footsteps were soft on the wood. The door clicked shut.

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  The sun dipped lower, and the silence rushed back in, thicker than before. Leo let the wind hit his face, his eyes fixed on the empty sky.

  "Lose?" He snorted bitterly. "Lyra, you sweet idiot. I’m not losing anything. I’ve finally found the guy I locked in the basement."

  He caught his reflection in the window—calm, sharp, and entirely wrong.

  "Leo is just the mask," he muttered. "The kid who smiled, who carried everyone... but on the other side? Akira."

  His eyes grew dry. "I'm tired…" he rasped. "Tired of it always being Leo, Leo, just Leo—and what do I get? Disappointment. No matter how hard I try, I fail. I can't save anyone... because I'm always alone."

  He smiled at the bleeding horizon. "But if they learn to stand without me… maybe I can finally rest."

  It was a whisper, barely louder than the wind. "Just maybe."

  His fingers flexed, crackling with an unseen fire. "Let them see the real me. It’s not wrong to stop pretending, is it?" A crooked grin split his face. "Everyone does it. And if it scares them? Good. They'll learn. After all… I have dreams from a life they’ll never understand. And this time, I won't let those dreams die with me."

  He turned, his boots scuffing the floor. "I’ll teach them everything. I'll build everything for them so that I never have to sacrifice anyone ever again. And then... and then..."

  Click. The balcony was empty.

  Only one thought remained 'Maybe then, I can achieve my peaceful life.'

  The dining room glowed with candlelight, plates steaming with roast and fresh bread. One chair sat empty—Leo's.

  Lyra poked at her food. "Aurelius… where's Leo?"

  Aurelius shrugged, easy. "He earned a night off so he's probably sleeping."

  Lyra's eyes stayed on the chair.

  Lili forced a grin. "Let him sleep. We'll save him a roll."

  Aurelius nudged Lia's plate. "Eat up, squirt. School starts tomorrow."

  Lia beamed. "Really?"

  Lili ruffled her hair. Lyra managed a smile. Soon the table filled with clinking forks and soft laughs.

  Out in the hall, moonlight striped the floor. Leo leaned against the wall, arms crossed, listening.

  He pushed off, footsteps quiet. The laughter faded behind him.

  Night got heavier.

  Leo walked through the hall alone, his gaze fixed on the ground beneath his feet until he reached his door. He turned the handle and stepped inside, closing the world out behind him.

  The room was dark, though the white floors caught what little light remained. The large windows were bare, their curtains left open. Two chairs and a single table sat to one side, while his large bed, covered in a crisp white blanket, waited on the right. Leo walked over and collapsed onto it.

  Thoughts raced through his mind. What should I do next? Should I cut my hair? Oh, tomorrow I need to check on the old man and Sheron. They were badly hurt... the doctors said it would take time for them to wake up from those injuries.

  He glanced around the silent room as he lay there. "I hope Lia is happy at the academy," he whispered.

  With that, he finally closed his eyes. The night was still, and the light of the beautiful full moon spilled into the room.

  Meanwhile, Lia, Lyra, and Niya were staring outside, enjoying a feast without him. Aurelius chattered with them, smiling as they indulged in the delightful, tasty food and the beautiful view. The table was spread with steaks, cakes, jellies, and pastries. There were even large, roasted legs of some unknown animal that looked incredible—the kind of rich, aromatic meal one would only expect from a noble or royal family.