The grievances, resentment, and regret—all of it finally spilled out.
Even though somewhere in her mind she understood he had not been part of the conspiracy…
that night still existed.
And so did everything it had taken from her.
Now, pushed beyond the edge by Liya and Toshiba's betrayal, something inside her finally broke loose.
"Get out."
Reina's voice trembled.
"Get out… I don't want to see you."
Her hands pressed weakly against his chest, but her strength was already fading.
"Leave. Now."
She forced herself not to say anything harsher.
Not because she forgave him—
but because she no longer had the strength to carry more hatred.
Her voice lowered.
"…I won't curse you. You were… part of that night. I just don't want to see you anymore."
Rui looked at her quietly.
"…Victim?"
A faint curve appeared at his lips.
Not warm.
Not mocking.
Certain.
"I don't carry that identity."
Simple words.
But absolute.
Reina's vision blurred.
"I don't care who you are," she said faintly. "Just leave."
Her body swayed.
Three days without rest.
Three days of collapse after collapse.
Her strength finally gave out.
And she fell forward.
Rui moved instantly.
His arm caught her before she hit the ground.
Silence returned to the hall.
Reina's eyes were closed now.
Unconscious.
In his arms.
Rui looked down at her for a long moment.
"…Still this stubborn," he murmured.
His gaze shifted to the portrait of Old Madam Yukisan.
Respectful.
Measured.
"I will take care of her," he said quietly. "As you wished."
The air remained still.
Above them, the wind stirred the hanging chime.
A soft, clear sound—
like an answer without words.
Rui took out his phone.
"Bring the car."
"Yes, Master."
A pause.
"Prepare Grief Mansion."
"Understood."
Moments later—
"The car is ready," Sian reported.
Rui adjusted his hold on Reina and walked out of the hall.
The night air was colder than before.
Inside the car, he sat in the back seat, Reina resting against him.
"Master Griffin," Sian asked carefully, "where to?"
"Grief Mansion," Rui said.
A beat.
Then, quieter:
"Send a team to restore the funeral hall. I want it returned exactly as it was."
"Yes."
The car moved.
City lights blurred past the window.
Rui lowered his gaze.
Reina's face was pale—fragile in a way that contrasted sharply with the reputation she once carried.
Yet even in exhaustion…
something in her expression refused to yield.
"…So this is what they left you," he said softly.
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Then I'll correct it."
He leaned back.
Not pity.
Not emotion.
Only decision.