The night was silent and deep. Only the soft murmur of wind brushing against the windowpanes could be heard, while the candlelight flickered gently, casting mottled shadows across the room.
Adrian hovered in the air, his gaze fixed on the bed that looked both familiar and unfamiliar.
There lay Liveta, sound asleep. Moonlight spilled across her fair face, cloaking her in a tender silver glow, as if the light itself had chosen to guard her.
Adrian stared at her in silence, a storm of sorrow and despair raging in his chest.
Then, suddenly...
Liveta murmured softly in her sleep.
"Adrian... my love…"
The whisper was so faint it could have been mistaken for a sigh. It was as light as a feather brushing the surface of a pond, as gentle as the night breeze passing over still water. Yet it was filled with unmistakable longing and affection.
Adrian's soul trembled.
Something warm surged through his chest and shattered the cold despair that had taken root in him. She had called for him. She still loved him—not the thief who had stolen everything from him, but him.
A rush of emotion tightened in his throat. That fragile whisper, so soft and fleeting, had pulled him from the abyss and reminded him why he still existed.
Liveta… she still loved him.
She was still waiting for him.
Poor Liveta, still unaware, still believing that the man who held her now was the husband she adored. She didn't know that the man she loved had been replaced, his soul imprisoned while a stranger walked in his skin.
Adrian's soul trembled with grief and hope, each breath of emotion pushing him closer to resolve.
No. He could not give up now.
He had to show her the truth. He had to unmask Arthur's deception. If Liveta knew, if she could believe him, then maybe there was still a chance.
Summoning every remaining shred of strength, Adrian slipped silently into Liveta's dream.
—
Within the dream, she stood in a garden full of white blossoms. Soft sunlight bathed the field in warmth, and the scent of flowers lingered in the air. Liveta was barefoot, dressed in a flowing white gown, laughing as she ran across the grass.
Adrian stepped forward slowly, his heart aching with tenderness.
"Liveta…" he called gently.
She turned to look at him, a flicker of confusion in her eyes, but then her face brightened with a familiar smile.
"Adrian?" she said, blinking in surprise. She ran to him and threw her arms around him, resting her head against his chest.
He held her close, bending to kiss the top of her head. The memory of how cruel he had been filled him with guilt and regret.
"I'm sorry, Liveta… for how I treated you," he whispered.
Liveta looked up and tapped his nose with a soft laugh. "Silly. You already apologized, didn't you? I forgave you a long time ago."
A blush spread across her cheeks as she lowered her gaze, whispering, "This past month… you've been wonderful. I've been so happy."
Adrian felt as though his chest were being torn apart.
This past month... that hadn't been him.
That had been the impostor, the liar, the one who had stolen everything from him.
Pain and anger swirled inside him, but he forced it down, keeping his voice steady and calm.
"Liveta, listen to me," he said urgently. "The man you're with… he isn't me."
Her smile froze, confusion flickering across her face. "What are you saying, Adrian? Is this some kind of joke?"
"No. Liveta, please. I'm telling you the truth," Adrian's voice shook with desperation. "The real me was imprisoned. The man with you now is someone else—my twin brother. His name is Arthur."
The fear in Liveta's eyes grew as she took a step back, her body tensing.
"This can't be true…" she whispered.
Adrian clenched his fists, trying to stay calm.
"I know it's hard to believe. But think back. Hasn't he seemed… different? Little things. His habits. His favorite foods. The way he speaks to you. Haven't you noticed?"
Liveta froze.
She had noticed.
Adrian's recent behavior had indeed changed—more tender, more attentive—but subtly different in ways she couldn't explain. She had wanted to ask but had feared upsetting him, so she told herself not to dwell on small matters.
But if what she was hearing now was real…
Her lips trembled. "How can you prove this?"
Adrian looked into her eyes and took a deep breath.
"The first time we walked together in the palace garden, you accidentally stepped on my foot. You were scared I would be angry. But instead, I picked you up and kissed your eyes. Do you remember?"
Liveta's pupils contracted.
He went on, his voice growing quieter.
"On our wedding night, you told me you were afraid. You had left your homeland and were all alone in a strange kingdom. I held you and talked to you until you fell asleep on my shoulder. No one else knows that. Only us."
Liveta's breath quickened, her eyes wide with disbelief.
These were secrets—intimate memories, hidden moments. No one else could have known.
Adrian's voice wavered as he took a final step forward.
"Liveta… please. I beg you. Help me. Expose Arthur. Go to the High Priest. Ask him to seal Arthur's soul."
His voice broke.
"That's the only way I can return. That's the only way we can be together again."
Liveta covered her mouth with her hand. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
The dream began to tremble. The light in the garden dimmed. White petals lifted into the air, fluttering like silent snow.
"Liveta…" Adrian reached out to her, desperate for just one touch of warmth.
But the dream was breaking apart. His fingers passed through her shoulder, catching nothing.
Liveta looked at him, tears in her eyes. Her voice was a soft sob.
"I'll ask," she whispered. "Adrian… I promise."
And then, the dream collapsed, sending Adrian's soul hurtling back into the black void.
But this time, something had changed.
A fragile, flickering hope had been lit within him.
Liveta had started to believe.
She still loved him.
He hadn't lost everything—not yet.
As long as she remained, he still had something left to fight for.He still had one last chance.