Chapter 82
***
He spoke in a manner as casual as if he had been describing the desserts he enjoyed yesterday.
‘Did I hear him correctly? It can't be. Aiden leaving? No way.’
"That… won’t be true."
"I apologize for not informing you sooner, Lili."
Aiden's touch on my hand was gentle, and his voice carried a softness.
‘If he's saying sorry, then it feels like I heard right.’
I slightly lifted the corner of my mouth and shook my head.
"I think I must have misheard you just now. Could you repeat that?"
"...In a few days, once the assembly concludes."
"..."
"I'm returning to the Grand Duchy with Father and then heading to Kardis."
This time, Aiden's voice trembled.
At that moment, it dawned on me that he wasn't merely playing a prank on me.
'If he's going to Kardis, it means he'll be in a country most far from the Erhaden Empire.'
"You'll still come back next year, won't you?"
"I won't return until I'm of age. I'll also be attending an academy there."
