[This following scene is not mentioned in the manhwa.]

At the National Foundation Banquet, the thought of seeing my beautiful silver girl being with the Crown Prince made me feel heartbroken and unable to participate.

I miss you, my lady. I really miss you, Tia. Can't I go see you just once? I know I shouldn't approach you to protect you. I know it may be dangerous, but can't I really go see you once, just once ?

After hesitating, I finally attended the banquet on the third day. As soon as I entered the banquet hall, my heart beat fast at the sight of my silver-haired lady.

So many people surrounded my lady. Tia smiled and talked to everybody around her.

You're getting more and more dazzling, Tia. You're taking off to a different world from me, my lady.

"May I have this dance?"

Her dazzling beauty made me ask her for a dance. My lady, who had her hair curled up like a river, wore a light-green dress, different from usual. A fresh, sunny atmosphere sprang up from the little silver girl like shoots rising in spring, like light shining through the darkness.

Tia, with a rapt smile, took my hand. The warmth from our joined hands filled my empty chest with fierce emotions. She was so pretty.

Time, stop right now. May this moment last forever, when I can hold my baby in my arms in the presence of all men.

The more the music flowed, the more the dance got closer to its end, and the sadder I got and the most difficult it was to control my mind. When I decided to attend the banquet, I thought I would just look at her face from afar. But I became greedier and greedier and kept asking for more, always more. I didn't have much time left, and there were so many things I had not done with my baby.

I thought this would be the last time I could see my little girl. When she agreed to go to the town festival with me, I kept laughing because I felt like I was floating in the air.

***

[This following scene is not mentioned in the manhwa.]

"I'm sorry, Sir Verita. Lady Aristia cannot receive any guests at the moment."

"And for what reason?"

"The Lady is sleeping because she's not feeling well."

Not feeling well? I frowned at the housekeeper's words. What was wrong with her? She looked fine when I saw her at the banquet. Don't tell me the Marquis ordered his staff to prevent me from meeting with Tia.

"What does she suffer from?"

"She's got a fever, and I was told not to disturb her rest."

"I'll wait."

"I don't know when she'll wake up."

I was angry at the young butler.

"You're but a mere butler. Since when did a butler gives order to a man of noble birth?"

"...I apologise."

"Good. If the Lady wakes up, tell her I'm in."

I glanced coldly at the butler and stared down at the basket containing the kitten. The time when I would join the mission to the Kingdom of Lua on His Majesty's orders was approaching.

I couldn't take a cat that was sensitive to the changing environment with me. So I brought it here because I thought it would be good if I left it to my lady.

My little silver-haired girl, who seemed to have little emotion on the surface but who was warm inside, would take good care of Tia, a cat named after her. And I thought that maybe it would remind her of me every time she would look at the cat.

***

[This following scene is not mentioned in the manhwa.]

"It's been a long time, Tia."

"Has it? It's only been three days."

The silver-haired girl looked a little pale. I was upset at the sight of her emaciated look, but when she said we had only been apart for three days, as if it was nothing to her, I was heartbroken.

Three days. A long time for lovers, but a short time for friends. This showed how different our feelings were, so there was no way for me to hide my bitterness. I was so sure that I was the only one for her at the beginning... How did we end up like this ?

Maybe it's a good thing. I don't think it'll be too hard for you if I leave.

My lovely lady, it is cruel of you to keep drifting away from me, when I have to leave soon.

What shall I do with you, beautiful and cruel Tia ?

***

[The following scene appears in chapter 99]

"Allen, what should people do when they want to get rid of their shadow?"

Tia, now you're dazzling, but sometimes I could still see the darkness passing through your eyes.

I guess you finally realised its presence, and you want to get rid of your shadows completely and move on to the world of light, my lady.

Tia, the only way to hide your shadows is to be in the dark. Only light can reveal shadows. So you must avoid the light if you want your shadows to disappear. I've never been out in the world of light, so I don't know any other solution. I don't know how to get rid of shadows. Can you teach me one day if you find out? A way out of this darkness, a way out of this awful shade.

You're shining. And I've always been a shadow pursuing you. I was your shadow. And I'd rather remain a shadow if it means I can follow you always. So, Tia, don't hate shadows too much. Don't deny the shadow too much, my lady. The shadow that is after you will be very sad to know what you're thinking. If you deny it, it will have to hide in the dark and disappear quietly.

My moonlight, my love, my lady, do I really have to fade away like a shadow? I'll do it if it's what you wish, Tia. Shadows that have been discarded by their owners have no meaning to exist. I'll do that if you want, my lady. If it's what you want, be a brilliant light.

"Wow, there are so many people."

My little girl looked excited as she wandered around and smiled brightly as if she had no cares and worries.

Maybe this was our last date, the last chance to be alone with the girl I loved, and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't rejoice or smile wholeheartedly.

My heart was empty. I knew I would regret not enjoying this moment later, but I couldn't just.

If you're having fun Tia, that's enough. I'm fine. I can capture your joy in my memory. As I told you one day, I can recall the countless memories I made with you. I can think of you smiling prettily.

I'm glad you said this time with me was fun. That's a relief for sure. That way our last date could be a good memory for you.

***

[The theatre play appears in chapter 99]

Before I knew it I was falling into the content of the performance. As the story progressed, I couldn't take my eyes off it.

I saw myself overlapping with the sight of the young man sending letters to the maiden over and over again. When Tia went down to her estate, I wrote dozens of letters that I couldn't send.

When the young man failed to confess to the maiden, everybody laughed around me, even my lady laughed, but I couldn't because I sympathised with the youth more than anyone else. It was like I was the young man. I felt so close to his desperate heart.

"How harsh is love? When I saw you smiling at me, it was as sweet as honey. When I saw you in a pure white dress for another man, it burnt me like a vicious poison. Now all I have left is a heart that has been turned to ashes. My dear friends, be happy. I will sprinkle flowers of blessings for you."

The young man's last sentence stabbed me in the heart.

I was just like him. It was as sweet as honey when Tia was smiling at me. But seeing her smiling at the Crown Prince made my heart burn as if it had been poisoned.

What if one day I had to see my lady wedded to another man, dressed in her wedding gown for him? Maybe I would take the same path as a young man. For I would have lost the will to live. My heart would be burnt to ashes and there would be no reason to exist anymore.

When I saw the face of my lady who kept looking down at the red flowers she was holding, I was determined. I didn't know if she would accept my feelings, but I would confess. I shall not live and die like this young man, I have to convey my feelings to her. That way at least I won't have regrets.

"I like you, Tia."

No, I love you. I long for you and I miss you. I want you to smile at me and just look at me only. I pray every day that you have the same heart as me. When I see you, I'm happy. How can I express these feelings in one word? But I'm just saying this for you, Tia. I'm afraid you'll be scared if you find out what I'm going through. Forgive my selfishness, my lady. I can't get over my feelings and I must burden you.

"...Allen."

When Tia, who had been fumbling at the bouquet for a long time, raised her face, I realised that I would be rejected.

When I saw the silver girl shedding tears saying she was sorry, my heart sank.

I wanted to be with you. I wanted you to love me. I thought if you accepted me, I could throw away all my vanity and ambition for a title. But it was just a dream.

In the end I am your shadow, the poor shadow that pursues the moon that illuminates the dark.

When I saw the red blood on her little lips, I was upset. The pain of being rejected was great, but I was more heartbroken at the sight of my wounded lady. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I already knew you didn't love me. Forgive me for hurting you out of my selfishness. Don't cry, Tia. Smile, my lady.

I don't want to leave you crying. I don't want this to be my last memory of you. I wanted you to be in the dark like me, but you were always meant to shine. Your smile is prettier than your tears. So don't be sad, Tia. Please, I've done everything wrong.

"Tia..."

***

[The following scene is not mentioned in the manhwa.]

I thought I had given up all hope, but when I saw the girl walking along me in a daze, my heart shook.

Can't you stay with me, Tia? I will cherish and love you more than anyone else. I will devote my whole life to you, for God's sake.

I burnt with desire and covetousness. My empty heart was blazing. I want her. I won't let her escape. I want to keep her in my sight and make sure I'm the only one who looks at her.

Look at me. Come to me, for I love you so much. Don't go. Stay with me. Please, my lady.

What if I dragged her to the old house and locked her up? There was food and money in the safe house of the aristocracy that I had been to the other day. As long as I stopped there and get the supplies I needed and got out of the capital before the end of the day, no one would be able to find my lady.

I hid enough money for our entire life anyway. As long as we get out of the capital without being discovered, no one will find us hiding for the rest of our lives. I don't have a genius brain for nothing.

My heart throbbed at the sight of unsuspecting Tia. As soon as we get to the safe house, I'm gonna knock her out. Then I can get her in the wagon and out of the capital.

Forgive me, Tia. You'll feel happy after. Because I'm the only one who cares, loves, and looks at you. You wanted to get out of your shadows, too. If you live in hiding with me, you don't have to face shadows or struggle to escape the darkness. You'll be free from your heavy status as the Prince's fiancée, and from the pressure of becoming the heir of your family. You can simply lead a normal life.

So come with me, my lady.

"Allen, I don't think it's the way home."

When I saw the golden eyes staring at me with innocence and trust, the dark madness subsided. My head cleared and my heart sank. Even though I had decided to protect her, I was overwhelmed and tried to hurt her again.

I'm sorry, Tia. I must have been out of my mind. What shall I do, my lady? I think I'm going crazy.