Even with my eyes closed, there was a star that would not fade.

Not just in the depths of darkness, but even amidst the bright blue sky, it remained vivid.

Though I knew I could never reach it, at some point, it turned into a dream that pierced my heart.

All I could do was stretch my hands toward it, hoping that someday I might kiss it.

Though there were many times I dismissed it as sour grapes and tried to give up, once a sunflower blooms, it stubbornly tilts its head toward the light.

A childish dream of a young man that grew, untamed, into the seasons of adulthood.

By the time I came to my senses, I had grown so tall that I no longer needed to look up to see it.

The name of my star was Mirian.

“The humble servant of His Majesty, Count Riand Brey, greets the hero.”

“...”

“I apologize for the lack of preparation in welcoming you so suddenly, but please forgive us and grace today’s gathering with your presence.”

Three years ago, Count Brey, who had spat on the mansion’s staircase, was now bowing in the lowest posture to honor the hero’s party. Perhaps it was amusing to see how far he had fallen since the dragon’s head was severed, and his status plummeted. As usual, Seha couldn’t resist mocking him.

“Oh-ho, I shall forgive you with my magnanimity. That is, if you kiss this beautiful lady’s feet. I trust your fat neck isn’t clogged with phlegm today?”

“Seha.”

“What? Back then, this man called me an ‘elf freak’—he deserves at least this much fun, don’t you think?”

“He’s a noble.”

“Noble, my foot. He’ll be painting the walls with his cane in half a century. Who cares about nobility?”

It was arrogance befitting an immortal race, but her words weren’t entirely dismissible. Still, lecturing wasn’t my style, and I hesitated to intervene. That was when Jorfe , the party’s only sage, spoke calmly.

“Let her be, Alpheus. She’s just throwing a tantrum because she doesn’t want to part with us.”

“What? Nonsense. To me, you’re just mayflies I’ll forget about after a nap. I wouldn’t harbor such stupid thoughts.”

“Oh? Forget about us after a nap? I didn’t know elven memory was so inferior.”

“What... what did you just say? You little—Jorfe, you really…”

“Which is why you should remember this moment, Seha. For those of us whose bodies will rot and disappear after death, our only burial place will be in your memories.”

Jorfe’s wise yet weighty remark silenced Seha. No matter how gifted a warrior she was, the elf could never best the eloquence of a sage from Harbit. Or perhaps his words had unearthed the grief she had tried so hard to bury. She wiped at her suddenly damp eyes and spoke in an exaggeratedly cheerful tone.

“Honestly, you’d be the first to drown with your big mouth. Save those pretentious words for your king, and let’s get going already. I’m starving.”

“Please remember to show proper decorum before His Majesty. Though we are celebrated as heroes, we are no more than wandering mercenaries.”

“Well, that doesn’t apply to me. I don’t know about you lot, but I’m quite the big deal among elves. And you’ll get decent treatment too, Jorfe, being a sage and all. The only drifter here is Alpheus, this idiot.

”

“Perhaps for now. But after today, Alpheus will outrank us all. He’s to marry a princess of the kingdom.”

“...”

“Isn’t that right, Alpheus?”

Jorfe’s words carried an air of certainty, as though everything had already been decided. All I could do was offer a cryptic smile. Seha laughed loudly at my expression.

“Ha! Rescuing a princess from an evil dragon and ending up marrying her? That’s straight out of a children’s fairy tale. Although, to be fair, she was a noisy, annoying girl.”

“She’s a refined lady who simply couldn’t endure your barbarism. If you’d cursed less, the two of you might’ve become close friends.”

“Friends? With someone like that? Please. Just calling you two my companions is more than enough.”

“So you admit we’re your friends?”

“Yeah, yeah. Feel honored, alright? How many people get to travel with a sage from Harbit and a beautiful elf warrior like me?”

Her smug grin met my gaze, and I could only respond with a faint smile. To be honest, it felt like a miracle that someone like me, a countryside nobody, could be part of this. Perhaps that’s why I was even more determined to do something I couldn’t handle.

“Let’s move now. Any more delay would not only be disrespectful to Count Brey but also to His Majesty, who is waiting for us.”

“Impatient short-lived races, I swear.”

“Enough, Seha. We’re in His Majesty’s presence now.”

“Fine, fine. Stop nagging me—I get it. I can behave when I need to.”

“That’s a relief. Shall we, Alpheus?”

“Yeah.”

Breaking my long silence, I gave a brief response. Sensing something was off, Jorfe asked with a hint of concern.

“Is everything alright, Alpheus?”

“I’m fine.”

“If anything bothers you, please let me know. Promise me, alright?”

“...”

Knowing it was a promise I couldn’t keep, I only nodded faintly. Seha misinterpreted my hesitation as nervousness and slung an arm around my shoulders.

“Kid, are you scared? Don’t worry—if the king doesn’t like you, I’ll hire you as my servant. So relax and stand tall.”

“Seha, you’re unbelievably blunt, even to the future king.”

“Ha! If this idiot becomes king, then I’m the emperor, you fool. Now open the door! The hero’s party is here!”

Her confident voice echoed through the air as the massive doors creaked open, kicking up dust. Unprepared, I shrank back as a blinding light spilled out, grazing my eyes like a shooting star.

It was as if the heavens were demanding a wish from me. But I had already wasted too many wishes on falling stars. If I had any small hope left, it was that those standing beside me wouldn’t be too shocked by what was about to unfold.

And so, as the murmurs escaped my lips, the gates of triumph creaked open. Accompanying the resounding fanfare came an eruption of cheers—a tidal wave of joy from the crowd.

“Alpheus enters!”

“Glory to the hero! Glory!”

“Praise to the hero who defeated the wicked dragon!”

“Long live Alpheus!”

Voices poured over me like a torrential rain, accompanied by applause. My name, intertwined with lavish praises, echoed in the air. Each time I waved back in response, strangers surged forward, extending their hands to greet me.

Do they truly love me? The hero they’ve never even met face-to-face?

Is it admiration born from the fairy tale, now worshipped as myth?

The overwhelming affection clung to me like thick cigarette ash, nearly choking me. Just as I suppressed a cough, Seha broke the silence with her grumbling.

“Ugh, these inferior races only have eyes for the human hero. They don’t even notice the idiot and the ‘elf freak’ standing next to him.”

“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you.”

“Then why don’t you dance around over there? Maybe I’ll finally get treated like someone important by these human ladies.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean…”

“Greetings, everyone! I am Viscount Hernan of Liberto! If you need accommodations while in the capital…”

“Over here! I’m Baron Erdu! This way, hero’s party!”

Even the nobles were swept up in the fervor caused by the hero’s return—or perhaps theirs was the more desperate cry. To them, I wasn’t a figure of admiration but a ladder to greater heights.

Reaching out in desperation, they extended their hands, hoping to ascend alongside me. Their fervor unnerved me, and I instinctively tightened my cloak.

“Well, well. Already trying to curry favor, aren’t they? Should I humor one or two of them?”

“No need for that. Besides, you don’t even enjoy such things.”

“It’s just fun, that’s all. Nothing’s more entertaining than messing with fools.”

“If you do, you’ll just cause trouble for Alpheus.”

“Tch.”

“And more importantly, His Majesty the King is approaching.”

“What?”

At her words, I finally raised my head. My trembling gaze found the king, accompanied by his queen and their beautiful daughter, the princess.

Before I could fully take in their majestic figures, the princess stepped forward and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

“Alpheus.”

“Princess.”

“Why so formal? We shared a long journey together, didn’t we?”

“I’m merely adhering to courtly etiquette.”

“With me, you’re an exception. Others, maybe, but not you.”

Her gaze flitted to my companions with a hint of disdain. During our arduous journey home, the princess had clashed with the sharp-tongued elf and found the sage’s intellect discomfiting. But with the hero who had reached through the dragon’s corpse to save her, she had fallen in love.

Now, with decorum and pretense discarded, nothing stood between her and me.

“So please, relax. This place is suffocating enough without you adding to it.”

“Even so, you are still a princess.”

“And you are a hero. That alone makes you my equal.”

“Princess…”

“Enough. Don’t make our hero uncomfortable.”

Finally, the king spoke, his calm yet commanding voice cutting through the moment. He gently pushed his anxious daughter aside and pulled me into a firm embrace.

“At last, we meet, Alpheus. I’ve long heard your name.”

“Your Majesty.”

“I can’t express how much I’ve wanted to meet the man who stormed a dragon’s lair to rescue my daughter. My goodness, you have broader shoulders than I expected.”

“...”

“On behalf of the entire kingdom—and as a father—I thank you. You saved not just a girl but something far greater.”

The king’s hands, heavy with gratitude, patted my back. His embrace, firm and warm, was as solid as his youthful visage. Though a king in title, he carried himself more like a general—a man of action.

It was no wonder some whispered that he was not a true king but an upstart—a dragon born in the streams, a once-in-a-lifetime hero who had claimed the throne. A conqueror who tamed a witch. Though detractors sought to belittle him, his titles were formidable, and his authority was undeniable. Even his harshest critics spoke his name with a reverence that bordered on awe.

I, too, shared that respect. To me, this man, bearing an illustrious name, was not just a king but a mentor—a beacon to follow.

“I merely fulfilled my duty as a citizen. Your praise is more than I deserve.”

“How polite. But formality tires me. How about we share a drink and talk, man to man?”

“If it’s an offer from Your Majesty, I cannot refuse.”

“Excellent! That’s the spirit. I invite your companions as well. This is no ordinary drink—it should suit even the refined tastes of an elf and a sage. And…”

The king’s gaze softened as it fell on his queen.

“My dear, won’t you join us just this once? It’s not every day we meet the hero who saved our beloved daughter.”

A goblet was placed in my hand, and rich wine filled it, its fragrant surface reflecting my face.

“...Of course.”

“...”

“To the hero who defeated the wicked dragon—and to the health of us all.”

“To your health!”

“Thank you for your dedication, Alpheus.”

The scent of wine teased my senses. Seeing my flushed face reflected in the red liquid embarrassed me, so I hastily emptied the goblet. But even after drinking, my face remained warm and red, too early in the evening to blame the wine for my discomfort.

“A brief but touching toast. Don’t you think so?”

“...”

“Oh dear, our hero seems unaccustomed to alcohol. If it’s too much, feel free to spit it out.”

“No, Your Majesty. I would never reject what you’ve graciously offered.”

“Haha! What an admirable response. But surely, I can’t let such thanks end with a mere drink.”

The king laughed heartily, moving toward the podium. Addressing the gathered crowd with a booming voice, he declared:

“You are the benefactor of this kingdom! Though your deeds were not done for reward, the royal family cannot ignore the immense debt we owe you. I’ve spent days pondering how best to repay you, but no gift seems sufficient…”

“...”

“And so, whatever it is you desire—just one thing, no matter what it may be—I shall grant it. A title, treasure, a person—anything you wish, say the word, and it is yours.”

“...”

“I have a feeling I know what you’re about to say,” the king said with a playful smile, his gaze drifting toward the princess.

Receiving his look, the princess flushed a deep crimson before shyly turning her head toward me. At that moment, everyone gathered in the hall envisioned the same scene: the hero proposing to the princess, the king blessing their union, and a radiant coronation of the hero as the future king.

I knelt on one knee at the king’s feet, bowing my head as if to fulfill their expectations.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes, hero?”

The king responded, his voice filled with emotion, as if already envisioning the future of the dynasty he had torn down and rebuilt. And so began a dialogue between two usurpers that would go down in the kingdom’s history.

“Thank you for your boundless grace, Your Majesty.”

“Well, well.”

“Although I acted without thought of reward, it would be ungrateful to reject the gift you offer. If I may, I wish to humbly state my desire here and now.”

“Speak, then.”

“What I wish for is…”

Though I had prepared for this moment countless times, my voice caught in my throat. The king, observing my hesitation, attempted to lighten the mood with a joke.

“Ah, such hesitation is only natural. You’re about to whisk away my precious daughter, after all. Surely, it can’t be so easy to say aloud?”

“...”

“Shall I say it for you, then? Or better yet, should we hold the wedding right here and now? I, for one, am ready.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Oh? Have you finally gathered your resolve?”

After a long silence, I finally spoke, and the king, smiling warmly, looked at me as a father might at a son-in-law who had found his courage.

But his smile faded the instant I uttered the next words.

“The person I desire is not the princess.”

“...What?”

A hush fell over the hall. The once-celebratory crowd, the nobles dreaming of the kingdom’s future, and even my companions—all were struck silent in shock.

Slowly, they began to process what I had said. It wasn’t that I desired something else; it was that I desired someone other than the princess.

Jorfe , the wisest among us, was the first to understand. His voice trembled as he called my name.

“Alpheus.”

“I have never desired the princess, Your Majesty. While she is undoubtedly an extraordinary person, she is not the one I wish to spend my life with.”

“Alpheus.”

“I fell in love the moment I first met her. Though I knew it was beyond my station and tried many times to let go, I could not.”

“Alpheus. Please…”

“No matter how much I tried, there was only one person I wanted, from beginning to end.”

At last, the sunflower that had waited so long raised its head. The golden seeds of my heart, cherished in secret, were not directed at the princess. They reached past her, toward the woman standing beside the king—a woman with snow-white hair.

The moment our gazes met, her eyebrows twitched in reaction. Though I knew this was a harbinger of ruin, I cast myself fully into the blazing fire.

“What I desire, Your Majesty…”

“...”

“…is the kingdom’s cursed woman, its very flower.”

“...”

“The untouchable white shadow.”

“Grant me the witch, Mirian.”