Like a sleepwalker, Sophie stepped out of the room, out of the branch office, and onto the streets. The bustling crowds around her failed to draw her attention. Even when someone bumped into her, she barely registered it, let alone acknowledged the occasional apologies thrown her way.
Perhaps she was just a wandering spirit—a ghost that didn't belong in this world. That would explain why love always eluded her. Or maybe this was heaven's punishment for not cherishing the love others had offered her. But just as Sir Ray didn't love her, she couldn't force herself to love someone just because they loved her. That would be irresponsible—to them, and to herself.
Maybe she should just marry someone. A marriage without love could still work, as long as he treated her well… and treated the children well.
Lost in her thoughts, she wandered into the square—and then, her heart lurched.
There he was. The man she had longed for day and night. And beside him, a beautiful woman.
Even from the back, Sophie was certain it was Sir Ray. They stood so close. Were they whispering sweet nothings, sharing the pain of their separation?
Her chest ached as she stared at his back. It hurt more than she had ever imagined possible—more than the last time her heart had been broken. What was happening to her?
Then the woman across from him glanced in Sophie's direction, her expression shifting from confusion to sorrow. Sophie's own sadness deepened. All she wanted now was for them to be happy—even if there was no place for her in that happiness.
She turned away before she could see Sir Ray lean in to kiss the woman. A single, glistening tear traced a perfect arc through the air before landing silently in a nearby flower bed.
She didn't see the two part ways immediately after, nor did she notice the woman walking toward the spot where she had just stood, searching carefully through the flowers for something.
Back in her room—familiar yet now foreign—Sophie sighed and left without a second glance.
*Forget it. Pretend you never came here. Pretend you never met him. Pretend you never loved him. Be the old Sophie again.*
"Odile!" Returning to the Rose Pavilion felt like stepping into another lifetime, even though just yesterday, she had walked through its doors hand in hand with the man she loved—the place that had once brought her so much joy.
"Sophie?" Odile's face lit up with surprise and delight. "I was just about to go looking for you! Even though you've only been gone a morning, I already missed you!" She threw her arms around Sophie, her heart swelling with happiness.
"Odile, something urgent came up at home. I need to leave early. Do you know of any merchant caravans heading to Bell? Or even to other cities in the Kirisya Kingdom?" Sophie asked awkwardly. She hadn't wanted to trouble Odile, but in this unfamiliar place, the girl was her only lifeline. If she was leaving Sir Ray, she couldn't rely on his caravan anymore.
"You're leaving? So suddenly?" Odile's eyes widened in shock. "Can't you stay? What will I do without you?"
Sophie felt a pang at Odile's pleading, but she couldn't stay. Staying would only bring more heartache.
"Odile, it's really important. I have to go." Seeing the sadness in Odile's eyes, Sophie remembered yesterday's suggestion. "Why don't you prepare for your own adventure? Traveling will keep you too busy to miss me! And if you pass through Bell, visit me at Seaview Manor. Everyone in Bell knows where it is."
"Oh! You're going back to Seaview Manor? Will you ever come back?" Odile's voice was hopeful.
"Maybe. It depends. But I'll try to visit you if I can." Sophie forced a smile, burying her emotions deep.
"Odile, could you have someone prepare some food for the road? Your dishes are so delicious—I'll miss them terribly!" Changing the subject—and fulfilling Belindak's request—Sophie made her small request.
"Of course! But if it sits too long, it might spoil..." Odile fretted. She wanted to give Sophie everything she desired.
"Don't worry. I have this." Sophie tapped the small pouch at her chest. "It's a Phoenix Bag—a spatial magic pouch. Nothing inside ever spoils."
"Perfect!" Clapping her hands in excitement, Odile relayed the order to Head Maid Emma.
As they waited, the two chatted away, making the most of their last moments together.
"Odile, be careful, okay?" Sophie winked playfully, her tone suddenly mysterious. "Not every man on a white horse is a prince. Some are just monks!" Remembering an old joke, she burst into exaggerated laughter—until her eyes brimmed with tears.
"Sophie, what's a monk?" Odile asked, bewildered by her outburst.
"A monk is..." And so, their final hours passed with Sophie recounting a simplified version of *Journey to the West*. Perhaps this was the only way to distract herself from the pain.
After bidding Odile farewell, Sophie joined a caravan bound for Kasina, heading once more toward the desert. She had convinced Odile that her departure was due to urgent matters—not because of Sir Ray. And since she was returning to Seaview Manor, Odile didn't question it further. After all, that was Sir Ray's home too.
Despite her resolve, Sophie couldn't help but turn back for one last look at the beautiful city. Just yesterday, she had arrived here with Sir Ray by her side. He had promised to build a place just as lovely.
*Perhaps for the woman he truly loves.*
*Goodbye, beautiful city. Goodbye, my love. May you and the one you cherish find happiness—long, lasting, and eternal.*
*If there's a next life… let me meet you first. I'll love you properly. Cherish you. Give you all the happiness you deserve.*
Clutching her chest, where the pain threatened to tear her apart, Sophie forced back her tears.
*No more crying. Save your tears. There's nothing left inside to empty.*
She turned away, leaving the beautiful, heartbreak-laden city behind.
---
"Baron, have you seen Sophie?" Sir Ray searched the entire branch office, but there was no sign of her—only a scattering of glistening beads on the floor of her room. He didn't know what they were, but they filled him with dread.
He needed to find his caravan members—someone must have seen her today.
"Uh… Huldar was the one who met her. I didn't see her myself!" Baron quickly passed the buck before vanishing.
"Huldar, did you see Sophie today?" Sir Ray cornered the evasive man, his voice urgent.
"Yeah, I saw her. Heh…" Huldar laughed nervously. *Why am I always the unlucky one?* If they'd had a fight, he didn't want to be caught in the middle.
"Where is she now?"
"Wasn't she at the branch? She said she was tired and wanted to rest." Huldar frowned. Had Sophie really disappeared?
"She's not in her room. I've searched the entire place!"
Meeting Camilla again had made one thing clear to Sir Ray—he didn't love her. What he'd felt in his youth had been infatuation, nothing more. The dream was over, and there was no going back.
His heart belonged to Sophie. The love of a man for a woman.
Even though he and Camilla were no longer together, he couldn't ignore her when she needed help. But once her problem was resolved, he had rushed back—determined to confess his feelings. His earlier hesitation had stemmed from uncertainty, but now that he was sure, he wouldn't hold back.
Instead of the woman he longed for, he found an empty room and those hauntingly beautiful beads.
"You gave Sophie the tracking bracelet, didn't you? Use that to find her!" Huldar's suggestion snapped Sir Ray out of his panic.
Focusing, Sir Ray sensed Sophie's location—and his blood ran cold.
She was heading into the desert.
Had she been kidnapped? Or was something else wrong?
Handing full command of the caravan to the steady-handed Brook, Sir Ray leaped onto his monibeast and raced after her.
**Will he reach her in time?**