"...Ian!"
The place Ian appeared was, surprisingly, the Asterian Estate. Whether it was due to a twist in space from the void, or because he had directly moved from the carriage to the Asterian Estate, he found himself there.
Not only that, but the spot he emerged in was Tiel's room, where she was lying down, and everyone inside the room widened their eyes in surprise.
Ian Dross had torn through the void and emerged, looking at Ferdie, Ludian, Karsus, Alpheus, and the Asterian family's physician.
He could tell something was off by the atmosphere, and after realizing that Tiel was nowhere to be seen and that someone was lying behind him, he slowly turned his head.
On the bed lay Tiel, her pale face visible.
Without needing any explanation, Ian Dross rushed to Tiel and immediately checked her condition.
As he placed his hand near her neck, he felt the faintest trace of energy flowing through her body.
It was weak.
At that moment, Ian Dross sensed that something was wrong.
Tiel's energy, if it could be compared to anything, was like a waterfall. A vast amount of energy had always been flowing through her body.
But now, it wasn't even as much as a stream of water; it was barely a trickle. Ian Dross turned his head sharply and looked at Karsus.
"What happened?"
"We don't know either. For now, it would be best for you to leave so that Tiel can rest," Karsus replied.
Despite Ian Dross' sudden appearance, Karsus didn't show any signs of being flustered.
Ian Dross couldn't shake the feeling that all of this was somehow his fault as he asked Karsus and Alpheus "What happened?"
Originally, Ian Dross was the only one who could enter his void space.
Except for an unknown intruder who had started entering his void space at some point, it was only Ian Dross who had access.
But Tiel's energy had entered Ian Dross' void space, and she had pulled him out of the maze.
Whether Tiel had done this intentionally or not, he didn't know. What was certain, though, was that it had allowed Ian Dross to escape the maze.
'Is it the mark's power?'
Was she trying to help him unconsciously through the mark? Ian Dross gazed at Tiel's face, covered her with the blanket, and then left the room with Karsus, Alpheus, and the Asterian twins.
Today was the day Tiel's birthday had been set in the Asterian family, a rare day of joy that came only twice a year.
But for something like this to happen today?
As they walked, Alpheus spoke up.
"She suddenly collapsed during mealtime. We were shocked, so we called for the physician, but he said there was no physical problem. I must ask, though, was there any instability in His Highness the Crown Prince's powers today?"
"…Yeah."
Ian Dross nodded.
Alpheus, as if he had anticipated it, didn't press further, and Karsus did the same.
Ferdie, who had become quite familiar with the fact that Ian Dross was the Crown Prince and would soon ascend to the throne, refrained from speaking any more.
However, Ludian was different.
"So you're saying all of this happened because of you?"
"Ludian, watch your words. This is His Highness the Crown Prince. He is not your friend."
"But isn't that true? Didn't Tiel collapse because of that mark?"
Ludian's words pierced Ian's chest like a dagger. Ian Dross walked forward without saying a word, feeling like a sinner.
"I've been feeling that my energy has been unstable lately," Ian Dross spoke as he entered the reception room. Alpheus had already cleared the room of guards and servants, preparing for any possible situation.
Once they confirmed no one else was nearby, Ian Dross began speaking.
"A long time ago, someone intruded into my void space."
Perhaps some had already heard this, and some may be hearing it for the first time. But Ian Dross didn't stop speaking.
"Since then, strange things have been happening. The void has twisted, shrunk, and intruders have appeared again… And recently, my void space has started to shrink to the point that I can notice it."
"The void… shrinking?" Alpheus asked in disbelief.
"Today, while I was on the carriage to come here, I was suddenly pulled into the void. When I came to, I was in a small, old room…"
Ian Dross gazed absently at a vase on the table, lost in the memory.
"When I opened the door and entered, another door appeared. And when I opened that door, yet another one appeared. Like Russian dolls… I wandered through a never-ending maze when Tiel's fish appeared."
"…"
"And that fish led me to an exit before completely disappearing."
Ian Dross pushed his hair back irritably with his hand. He continued speaking without giving Alpheus or Karsus a chance to respond.
"My powers are unstable, and I think the mark between Tiel and I caused this, which is why Tiel collapsed. To resolve this… "
Ian Dross closed his eyes before opening them again.
"We either need to break the mark between Tiel and I, or complete it. Originally, I planned to complete the mark with Tiel, but now, my thoughts have changed."
"You're changing your mind?" Alpheus asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"I'm thinking of breaking the mark. So that I don't cause harm to Tiel."
***
A moment of silence followed Ian Dross's words. Alpheus looked at him, startled.
"Your Highness!"
The Duke's eyes looked at Ian Dross as though he were a foolish, naive boy. In that instant, Ian felt as though he had returned to his childhood, being scolded alternately by the Duke and the Emperor.
"Breaking the mark is impossible. You know it's impossible, don't you? If breaking the mark were possible, bonded mates wouldn't have disappeared, and so many wouldn't have lost their lives following their marked partners."
"I know. But Duke, a half mark is unprecedented, isn't it?" Ian Dross replied.
Ian Dross didn't want to break the mark with Tiel.
Why would he want to break it? All Beastkin have the desire to fully possess their mate.
Ian Dross felt the same way. Even though it was a half mark, it was still a mark. As long as the mark existed, Tiel would never leave Ian, and Ian would never leave Tiel.
But even a half mark was still a mark.
A long time ago, as the Emperor had hoped, Tiel had shared Ian's powers, but her body couldn't handle the overwhelming energy, and she lost consciousness. Ian Dross had felt that something was wrong with Tiel's energy, but because he couldn't fully mark her, he couldn't share or alleviate the burden her small body was bearing.
Everything about it felt unjust and harsh. For Tiel and Ian both. …To watch his mate collapse because of his powers?
And on top of that, Ian Dross's powers would become even more unstable from now on. Every time that happened, Tiel would have to endure the runaway powers alongside him.
Just imagining that reality made Ian feel suffocated. He gave up on the idea of completing the mark with Tiel.
He would break the mark. If it was impossible, he would make it possible. His resolve was firm. Ian Dross's eyes gleamed with sharp determination.
And those present immediately realized that there was no way to stop Ian Dross.
Then, Ferdie spoke.
"Ian."
"Say it."
"I respect your decision. It's not for us to add anything. The ones who understand best how the half mark is affecting them are you and Tiel."
Ferdie's words were sharp and cut deep into Ian's gut. He continued calmly.
"Besides, I'm fine with it. If the mark breaks between you and Tiel, she won't have to share the burden of your powers anymore."
"…"
"But what about Tiel?"
Ferdie looked directly at Ian Dross, his golden eyes glowing brightly, watching Ian silently.
"Do you think Tiel would want that?"
Ferdie muttered under his breath.
"I think you're missing something. Tiel is also involved in this…"