Being done with our first and tense dinner together, I and everyone left the table and were now at the castle entrance, for it was already time for us to take our leave.

"So you’re really already leaving?" Luke asked, visibly surprised that we really planned to leave just like that after what we had done.

"Yes, Father, I’ve finished what Nia and I came here to do.”

Being done with the dinner and having accomplished what I had come to do, it was finally time for me to bid farewell.

Luke looked at me up and down.

“Is this really all? You’re su-”

Before he could say anything else, I said, “Yes, it is all Father, there is no others reason for us to dwell here any longer. It’s time for us to leave"

Resigned, nodding, he didn’t insist any further.

As if remembering something, "What about your grandfather Emilien?" he asked.

"I have already bid my farewell to him, just before meeting Elliel and heading here." I explained.

"I see," he replied, "so that’s why he cast away everyone in his castle."

Nodding,I confirmed.

"Well, then, Father, this is a farewell."

I said, reaching out my hand, which he took and shook.

Moving onto the next person, at Luke’s side, his wife, I requested, "I know I have no right to request this of the two of you, especially with what we just pulled off earlier, but could you two not inform Ramia of my return?" I would like to choose the appropriate time for her and I to meet again. "

Neither of them answered immediately. Luke, who I was expecting an immediate answer from, looked at his wife, saying that she would be the one to have the final say on my request.

"You know, after your departure, she missed you. Before she realized what we had assumed had happened to you, she repeatedly inquired of your father and me about your whereabouts. The little time she spent with you was enough to make her, after your disappearance, change greatly. She will be overjoyed to see you again. Take good care of her, even if I don’t know what that child is up to lately. "

In other words, this was a yes.

"Understood, I will."

After saying my goodbyes to them, I left Nia with them and approached my grandparents, who were just at the corner of the room. Grandmother was sitting on a seat while Grandfather was standing beside her.

"Grandmother," I started, as I knelt to her level, and declared, "I’d wish our first meeting were different than this one, but things are how they are. It is time for me to take our leave. "

Earlier, when the others panicked as to what I was about to do to Great-Grandfather, only she and Elliel’s mother, by their lack of reaction, were fine with whatever choice I was to make.

She, with the same eyes as Grandfather Emilien, looked at me, then reached her hand to my head.

"I understand it's nothing, child, but I'm glad you were able to return to us, even if it was only for a night. Boy, find wherever it is that which we, as a family, failed to give, you have my benediction."

"Thanks Grandmother."

Standing up and shifting to the next person, I found myself facing my grandfather.

"You do not carry the name Aubrecht. I have no intention of giving you my benediction." He immediately started before I could even say anything. Then followed, "For you have no need for it anyway. Just go, do whatever you plan, the way you want to do it. "

"Thanks, Grandfather."

It was at that moment that I was approached by Nia. She, like me, knelt to Grandmother, and as she reached out her arm to Grandmother, began emitting a light similar to the one I saw that night when she danced.

Knowing what she was up to, so I didn’t interrupt and moved onto the last person I was to bid farewell to.

He was leaning against the entrance door.

"It was not the best way to do it, and we were far from being as reassuring as it should’ve been, but I guess I finally came clean now."

"Sure you did."

"I’m leaving Elliel."

"Will you and Re-Nia ever come back to this city?"

"I doubt that."

"I see."

"This might be the last time we see each other."

"I see."

Up to this point, our conversation reached a standstill, and it was far from being the farewell I was expecting to make.

"I know I have to tell you, even after having come clean, that I turned out to be a very disappointing and deceitful person and brother. I know that I am someone you should be ashamed of, but still..." Reaching my hand out to him, "I am asking you not as Ronandt, not as your brother that committed whatever atrocities and yet to commit some others in the future, but as the An, the one you come to visit each end of the week at the Auberge. Will you still be my friend?"

Elliel said nothing, instead taking my hand in his and embracing me.

"It worked, so you’d know."

"What worked?"

"Your advice, before she left, we talked, she and I. This might just be me, but I had the impression that things went pretty well, all thing considered."

"I see. Glad I could’ve been of help somehow."

I said, tapping on his back.

"I will miss you, An." Upon seeing Nia approaching us, "You too, Rena."

"We too, Elliel. We will miss you. " She said, embracing him at her turn.

"Take care of him."

"Sure I will."

"And you, take good care of her."

"Of course. Take good care of yourself Elliel."

With those words to Elliel, I left the Ducal Palace, with it severing every tie I had with the Aubrecht of the Beaufort.

Though our first meeting and farewell was somewhat rushed and overall didn’t last longer than a dinner but it was fine by me.

***

Above us was the full-mooned dark-blue sky teemed with countless stars.

"Ronandt. I’m leaving first, I last thing I have left to do." Nia announced.

Nodding, I answered, "Understood, we too. See you at the rendez-vous point then. Great-grandfather and I are going to visit an old friend." Glancing at the man next to me.

Yes, it was Great-Grandfather,

No, I haven't killed him, as much as I would've liked to.

I can't imagine how awkward the rest of the dinner and the farewell would've been if it had decapited him there in front of everyone.

Besides, under a person's particular request, I was not to kill him, yet.

And considering what is to happen in a close future, let's say, he will be more useful to the Aubrecht and the Edouard alive than he would be dead.