Though surprised Hilna had changed her mind, Teacher Charles respected her decision as her mentor.

"I’ll go with you."

"Thank you, Teacher Charles!" Her face lit up with joy, wishing she could whirl him in a dance.

Hilna’s mother was overjoyed, believing her daughter had finally awakened to ambition. She even pictured Hilna, now a HolySee dignitary, receiving cheers from believers in gilded halls.

Her father, Prince Noren, hesitated but relented under his wife and daughter’s urging.

Holy Knight Perry rejoiced for his own prospects—his recommendation would surely earn him promotion. If not for his duties in the Great Darksend Region, he’d have volunteered as their guide. Instead, he mapped their route to the City of Glory: west from Ipoli through mountain paths out of Great Darksend, then south to a coastal merchant republic. There, they’d board a HolySee-affiliated ship. The journey would take four months—the fastest possible.

He also issued two travel permits using his Holy Knight authority, guaranteeing safe passage, free lodging at church waystations, and protection throughout. Should Hilna miss home, messages between Great Darksend’s regional church and the HolySee would arrive within half a day. Monthly letters would keep her connected to her parents.

It sounded perfect. Hilna’s parents were satisfied.

When Ipoli’s residents learned Teacher Charles and Holy Knight Perry had reconciled—and that their Saintess Hilna would journey to the radiant Holy City to study under the Pope—they felt bittersweet. Though worried about life without Charles, they celebrated his opportunity. Charles promised to return with Hilna after her studies, easing their sorrow. Cheers and congratulations followed him everywhere.

Only Lofna was heartbroken. Learning of their departure, she quarreled fiercely with her sister. Why trust the Holy Knight who’d come to challenge Teacher Charles? Why leave for years? Why abandon her alone in Ipoli?

She clung to Charles, sobbing. "Please don’t go. Let me come with you."

Charles asked Perry for a third permit.

Perry frowned. "Miss Lofna has no magic, status, or wealth. Even with a permit, the Holy City won’t grant her residency. Merely glimpsing its cathedral spires is an honor for commoners."

Charles knew it was true. Traveling with one girl was challenging enough; two would be near impossible.

But to Lofna, these were just excuses to steal her teacher away. He’d raised her—half her life spent under his care. She couldn’t fathom Ipoli without him.

When her protests proved futile, she locked herself in her room for days.

Charles, overwhelmed with preparations—route planning, packing, consulting Perry, and farewell banquets—only learned of her hunger strike when her frantic mother alerted him. He forced open her door to find her faint from starvation.

Bread and broth revived her, but she refused to eat.

"Teacher Charles," she pleaded, tears streaming, "I’m not as gifted as Hilna, but I train hard every day! I’ll be your bodyguard, cook your meals, do anything—just don’t leave me!"

"Lofna, effort can’t solve everything. I’m only escorting Hilna on a trip."

"But the Holy City? A round trip takes half a year! I’ll go mad without you!" She buried her face in her hands. "Please stay..."

"Remember the stories I wrote for you?" Charles gently combed her tangled red hair, wiping her tears with a warm cloth before offering bread. "In *The Magical Adventures of Witch Lofna*, she parted with dear friends after each quest. They reunited later, by fate’s design. Just like that."

"But I’m not a witch," she whispered. "I’m just... Lofna." She was no longer a child who blurred fiction and reality.

"To me, you’re both." He pressed the bread into her hands. "Eat. If you starve, you’ll never see me again."

After coaxing, she nibbled slowly, color returning to her cheeks.

"I promise," Charles said softly, "I’ll return to Ipoli within two years. Every day in the City of Glory, I’ll write stories of my journey and send them via church messengers. I’ll scry for your troubles and warn you ahead of time."

"...Letters aren’t enough. I want to be *with* you."

"Parting is life’s burden, Lofna. Be brave like your story-self. Treat this as a solo adventure." He placed her hand over his heart. "Guard my home while I’m gone. Tend my books. Use the savings hidden under my wardrobe for yourself—and to help Ipoli’s people when they struggle. When Hilna returns, you’ll both be heroes here."

Lofna’s eyes sparked. "If I do well... will you come back sooner? Can your scrying see my efforts?"

"I believe so," he lied gently. *If Hilna thrives, I can slip back alone. If she fails, we’ll return together.*

Her shoulders relaxed. Leaning against him on the bed, she chewed bread slowly, breathing in his familiar scent—a comfort that anchored her.

After a long silence, she turned. Stretching her neck, she lightly kissed his cheek.

When Charles looked at her in surprise, she turned away, her face flushed crimson.

"Safe travels, Teacher..." she murmured. "I’ll wait for you."

In early spring, as winter’s ice melted, Hilna and Charles departed Ipoli in a carriage, cheered by crowds. Lofna climbed the tallest tree nearby, watching until their carriage vanished down the road. Only then did she climb down.

She returned to Charles’ empty house.

Alone now.

She opened his wardrobe, slipped into his heavy coat, and sat in his usual chair. Burying her face in the sleeve, she inhaled deeply. The familiar scent soothed her—but loneliness clung like frost.

*Hilna stole my love away,* she thought.