Chapter 15 –A Sunlit Farewell

The golden hues of dusk bathed the villa in warmth, the last remnants of sunlight streaming through the large windows. The once-lively halls now stood in serene silence, save for the distant rustling of leaves and the quiet footsteps echoing in the corridor.

Seraphina stood near the grand entrance, fingers tracing the smooth surface of a small, ornate box—a parting gift from Lucien. She knew she had reached the end of this path.

Lucien leaned casually against the doorway, his usual smirk softened by something unreadable. His deep blue eyes studied her, memorizing every detail as if he wanted to preserve the moment.

"So, you're leaving." His voice was smooth, but beneath it, she could sense the weight of something unspoken.

Seraphina exhaled, clutching the item in her grasp. "I have to."

Lucien chuckled, shaking his head.

The days she had spent here had been unlike any other—filled with light, warmth, and an ease she had never expected. Lucien had been different from the others, not bound by duty or restraint but by his own will. He had given freely, laughed easily, and held her without asking for anything in return.

And yet… she had known from the beginning that she could not stay.

"I suppose this is where we part ways." He stepped closer, tilting her chin up with his fingers. "Or do I get a final moment to convince you otherwise?"

Seraphina's breath hitched. He was teasing, but there was an edge to it—a challenge. One last moment before she walked away.

She closed the distance, pressing a lingering kiss against his lips. It was not rushed, nor desperate—just a silent promise, an acknowledgment of what they had shared. When she pulled away, Lucien let out a soft laugh, though his grip on her waist remained firm for a second longer.

"You're impossible, Seraphina," he murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "But I suppose that's why I like you."

She smiled. "Then you'll have to endure missing me."

He let her go.

And as she stepped beyond the gates of the Sunlit Villa, the system window flickered before her eyes.

[Lucien Duskbane's Affection Rating: MAX]

[Duke's Route Complete]

[New Reward Unlocked: ???]

Seraphina took a deep breath, steadying herself for what came next. One path had ended.

But the journey was far from over.

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As the Duke's route came to a close, Seraphina found herself once again standing before the familiar gleam of the system interface, the translucent screen floating in her vision, awaiting her next decision. The golden text shimmered, offering her a path forward.

[Route Selection: Choose Your Next Destination]

[Crown Prince Aldric Valmond – The Golden Sovereign]

[Commander Caius Draven – The Crimson General]

Her fingers hovered over Aldric's name for a lingering moment, the temptation undeniable. As the Crown Prince, his route was one of power, politics, and deep, tangled intrigue. Gaining his favor meant standing at the very heart of the kingdom, wielding influence over the throne itself. And more than that—Aldric was an enigma. Their childhood had been laced with unspoken ties, an unfinished story waiting to be unraveled.

But then, her gaze drifted to the second option.

The battlefield.

The scent of blood and steel felt almost tangible as the system flickered, highlighting the Commander's route with a faint pulse of red. Unlike the lavish court, where words were weapons and deception thrived, this path would be brutal, relentless. The kingdom's survival wasn't just dependent on politics—it was forged in the chaos of war. And whatever loomed beyond the battlefield, unseen yet overwhelming, had drawn her attention like a shadow on the edge of her vision.

Aldric could wait.

With a slow inhale, she pressed the selection.

[Route Confirmed: Commander Caius Draven – The Crimson General]

[New Quest Acquired: The Obsidian Core]

Retrieve the rare mineral buried within the war-torn mines of the northern battlefield. This material holds unknown magical properties and may alter the fate of the kingdom.

Her lips parted slightly as she read through the details. This wasn't just about aiding the Crimson General—the kingdom itself needed this ore. If she was to truly guide this world to salvation, every step had to be taken with precision.

Her mind flickered back to Lucien's parting words, the softness in his usually cool tone. "I suppose this is where we part ways." There had been something else beneath his words—an apology she couldn't quite grasp.

But there was no time to linger.

As the system's energy pulsed, the world around her shifted, and the scent of war replaced the gentle breeze of the Duke's sunlit villa.