The Existence

After Eugene and Kaizer departed from the Marquis Household, Euric extended an invitation to Timber to visit his office.

Uncertain about Euric's intentions, Timber sensed the weight of the situation from his serious expression. Timber took a seat on the couch across from him and inquired, "What does Brother Euric wish to discuss? Is it about Eugene?"

"No, it concerns the two of us."

Euric placed a document on the table and said, "I know this might catch you off guard, but I'll be direct."

Confusion etched Timber's brow as he wondered what was happening.

"Timber Rozans, marry me."

His eyes widened slowly, and Timber stammered, "A-Are you serious?!"

Initially, when he heard the proposal, Eugene's face came to his mind. As a friend's brother, Timber had never considered anything beyond such relationships. However, he now panicked, fearing that Euric had fallen in love with him and was offering marriage.

What should he do? He had always regarded Euric as a brother, and marrying the sibling of his friend felt...

In any case, Timber couldn't accept the proposal. He did not harbor such ambitions.

"Allow me to finish. It's actually a marriage contract. We'll both sign an agreement and get married. It will benefit both of us because once you agree, you won't have to return to the Rozans Household; you'll become the Marchioness of Shradinza. As the Marchioness, you'll have the authority and privileges associated with the position, and I promise to respect your decisions in life," Euric explained.

"A marriage contract? B-But what about Eugene? What if he feels--"

"No worries. I already informed him."

With a sigh, Euric continued, "Eugene shared your situation with me, and I thought it would be advantageous for both of us to work together. If you ever fall in love with someone, we can get a divorce, and I'll ensure you receive appropriate compensation."

He recognized that marriage might be the only way for him to fully sever ties with the Rozans Household. He just didn't expect the opportunity will come knocking on his door and he couldn't help but feel tempted.

Euric didn't seem to have romantic feelings for him.

He was relieved but at the same time couldn't help but feel guilty.

Euric pushed the contract forward, and Timber examined it. To his surprise, everything in the contract seemed to favor him. Curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "What about you? What if you fall for someone while being married to me? The contract only grants me the right to divorce. Isn't this a bit..."

"The person I like left the empire long ago. No need to worry."

Timber's eyes widened, "You have someone you like?!"

Euric's lips twitched, "Why are you so surprised? I have desires too."

Timber chuckled, "It's just that you've always been so reserved. But if you have someone you like, why marry me? What if that person returns?"

Euric shook his head. "Even if that person returns, it's not easy to discuss feelings. Besides, that person doesn't even know I like him, so it's complicated."

Timber looked at his brother Euric with sympathy.

"But Brother Euric, if you confess, that person would probably agree. After all, you'll be a Marquis; aren't the title and privileges of a Marchioness tempting?"

"He's not interested in titles. They mean nothing to him."

Timber smiled, "Then he's a good person."

Timber handed back the paperwork, saying, "I have no issues with the contract. What about you? Won't you add something for yourself?" Recognizing the opportunity given to him, he decided to seize it. Once he stabilized his situation, he would repay everything.

Euric took the paper and shook his head, "It's fine. This contract was originally intended to help you, and I merely took advantage of your situation, so your interests are its priority."

Timber felt deeply grateful. "I feel so indebted to you and Eugene."

"Don't dwell on it. You're like a little brother to us, and we're more than willing to help as long as it doesn't harm the interests of the Shradinza Household."

"Still, I'll strive to be of use."

"No need." Euric stood up and placed the contract on the desk. "Raphael will be your personal attendant, serving you as the future Marchioness. He was sent by Eugene to take care of you. Don't reject his assistance."

Timber smiled, "Understood."

They continued their discussion, finalizing the details of the contract. Euric explained that it would be valid for several years and would only terminate if Timber chose to divorce. Timber couldn't believe that such a favorable contract was drafted for him. He questioned whether he truly deserved the kindness shown by the two brothers, as he felt he had done little to help them in return.

Meanwhile, Eugene rested his head on Kaizer's lap while reviewing reports on the grand duke's mission.

"Kaizer, I heard your family has close ties with the Catharis?"

Kaizer paused, humming thoughtfully, "Yes, that's correct."

Eugene's curiosity piqued, and he asked, "How did the Karsten family build such a strong bond with the Catharis?"

Kaizer considered for a moment before answering, "My father was adopted by the patriarch of the Catharis family. They treasured and acknowledged him for his abilities. The Catharis had their eyes on him when they learned about the abuse he endured from the former grand duke."

"While enduring the former grand duke's violence, my father received help and training from the Catharis. So when the former grand duke passed away, the Catharis seized the opportunity to support my father's ascension, making him the youngest grand duke in history."

Eugene was taken aback. It was the first time in his lifetimes that he had learned about the grand duke's difficult childhood. No wonder Kaizer was so pampered and cared for.

This newfound curiosity led Eugene to ask, "But Kaizer, I don't understand how your experiences are similar to mine. In those years, why did you travel through different dimensions? Weren't you supposed to live a contented life with the woman you loved? How did you end up like me?"

Kaizer's expression turned serious, and he asked, "What do you mean?"

"I meant—"

"What do you mean by the woman I love?" Kaizer interrupted with a tense tone.

Eugene raised his head and found Kaizer staring at him intently.

"Do you not understand?"

Kaizer gritted his teeth. "I was furious when I heard you said that I should be happy with a woman when it was you—the person I loved. So tell me, what did you mean by that?"

Eugene got up to face Kaizer.

"You know, I've lived through countless lifetimes in Artha before being exiled. In those incarnations, you and I were enemies, and you were deeply in love with someone named Chantall. You always found ways to have me executed in various ways."

Kaizer grab Eugene's shoulder with visible anger in his eyes.

"Chantall? Who's that?" Kaizer clenched his jaw. "I've never been in love with anyone but you. If you're talking about my past lives in Artha, I have none, because Khalil is the one inhabiting my body during those timelines, not me. I've been wandering around ever since I was born, and you are the only one who made me feel like my existence has worth."

Eugene's pupils dilated as he absorbed Kaizer's words.

"Kaizer, explain to me! What do you mean by your younger brother?"

"Listen, have you ever heard of the grand duke having two sons in your past lives?" Kaizer asked.

Eugene's lips parted, and he suddenly realized something. "Yes, I wondered why you had a younger brother, and yet his personality seemed so strange. But I don't understand, how is he..."

Eugene looked at Kaizer, feeling somewhat speechless.

"You..."

Kaizer hugged Eugene tightly. "You must know the truth. I am only guilty of crimes committed in those alternate worlds. Your suffering in Artha had nothing to do with me. But the way Khalil treated you in those lifetimes filled me with the desire to commit a great sin. Eugene, can you tell me?"

Eugene shook his head and held onto Kaizer's shoulder firmly.

"No, you explain to me first. I don't understand what's happening."

Kaizer pulled Eugene into a tight hug, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions as he thought about the misunderstandings that had occurred between them. He should have told Eugene the truth from the beginning. If only he had noticed it sooner.

"Existences born through magic are always twins, as it is meant to balance the positive and negative energies of life. However, creating life through magic defies the gods' will and challenges their authority. Why? Because a child born through magical means is not classified as human from the very beginning. They are an existence that could potentially rival the gods."

Kaizer narrowed his eyes.

"The gods couldn't prevent humans from thinking outside the box. They foresaw a time when magicians would find a way to defy the world's order, so they made a decision. If someone were to create an existence through magic, that being would not receive balanced energy. Instead, they would be filled with either pure positive or negative energy. Hence, the two existences are destined to have different fates."

Eugene's eyes sharpened.

That's why he suffered while Casimin could live a normal life.

It was because Casimin was the child who possessed positive energy and was blessed, while he was the one burdened with negative energy that was perceived as evil—a curse bestowed by the heavens destined to bring destruction to the world.

"I know you're grasping the meaning now. While our twins can live a normal life as a human beings, our existence is meant to bring about the world's destruction. Only we are aware of this fate, while our other half remains ignorant of the disguised blessing they've received," Kaizer continued.

Kaizer's expression turned solemn. "It also explains why Casimin broke the laws of the heavens and turned back time with my assistance. It was because, at that time, your twin brother's consciousness awakened, and he realized that the world was in disarray, a forsaken plane."

Eugene clutched his chest, anger evident on his face.

"Tell me, why does Khalil reside in your identity?"

Kaizer touched his cheek and sighed. "Khalil and I were the very first beings created through magic. Since I am a negative existence, my birth caused the sky to turn black, with thunder roaring. I possessed tremendous mana, and unknowingly, everyone around me kneeled. Furthermore, at that moment, I already had my consciousness and understood things."

"I already had thoughts and acknowledged my existence as a god."

"It was only when Khalil was born that the sky cleared up, and flowers bloomed. At that moment, the pope declared me a calamity, while my little brother was hailed as the blessed one."

Kaizer chuckled. "But you know what? When I thought I'd be discarded, my father embraced me tightly and refused to let go. He said he would find a solution to ensure my survival. That old man was so naive, and thinking about it now, it amuses me because I never expected to be kept at all."

"In my mind, all I wanted was to ascend through the heavenly realm, to the place my instincts told me I belonged."

Eugene gazed at Kaizer's eyes, which suddenly glowed crimson.

"But the old man sealed me before I had the chance to absorb nature's energy. It's infuriating to think about. He placed my little brother's soul in my body, sealed my little brother's body while storing my soul there. Fortunately, I managed to free myself but was accidentally expelled and ended up traversing different dimensions. I was trapped, preventing me from reclaiming my body for a hundred years, and even when I returned, I only observed them from a distance before traveling to another plane again."

"Why didn't you reclaim your body?"

"Because Artha is an abandoned world, and its energy is not enough to sustain me."

Eugene held Kaizer's hand tightly.

"So you'll leave Artha again?"

"Yes. My stay here is limited, and that's why I wanted to spend all of my time with you. I'm so greedy because I know that in the future, I'll have no choice but to forget you."

Eugene's eyes teared up. "Why? I thought..."

Kaizer smiled. "The 134th reset has already occurred, and I'll remain until the 135th. However, the 136th reset is inevitable for me. I will have to leave this world eventually. Even if I'm reluctant, if you desire to settle here, then I can only disappear so that this world can continue to exist."

Tears fell from Eugene's eyes.

"Why? Why must it be like this?"

Kaizer wiped away Eugene's tears. "Don't cry. We still have enough time together. I won't have any regrets."