Chapter 3

They remained silent.

As for me, the empty space in my chest no longer brought me any sorrow.

There was no point in feeling sad anymore.

My heart was gone. Before long, I would lose all five of my senses. No medicine or cure could save me.

Besides, there was no one left in this world who was worth my heartbreak.

I lowered my eyes and said calmly, “I’m not feeling well, so I can’t receive guests. Snow, Yale, everyone, please leave.”

After saying that, I turned around and went back into my room.

Snow frowned as if she wanted to stop me. Before she could say anything, Yale swayed slightly. She immediately panicked. She hurried over to support him and left in a rush with everyone else.

“Yale, are you all right? Is the Heart-Devouring Affliction acting up again? Don’t worry. I’ll take you to Madam right away.”

She supported Yale as they walked away.

Yale nodded faintly and leaned weakly against her shoulder. She looked at him with nothing but concern.

I found it utterly absurd. I was the one who had taken the Heart-Devouring Affliction into my own body to save her.

How had Yale become the one suffering from it?

For the first time, I found myself looking forward to something. When Snow learned the truth, would she finally feel pain and regret?

…

On the seventh day after I returned to the Ninth Heaven, Emma finally remembered me.

She sent a celestial attendant to invite me to Yale’s birthday celebration.

In the past, Yale and I shared the same birthday. From the moment the sun rose, an endless stream of priceless treasures flowed into my tower.

Some were gifts from Emma. Some were gifts from Snow.

Everything came in matching pairs. Emma always said she had to treat us both equally.

But Snow’s gifts were always mine alone.

I always believed I was different. At the very least, I believed I meant more to them than anyone else.

But every painful experience had carved the truth into my heart. Everything I thought I had was nothing more than an illusion.

Before Emma brought Yale back from the mortal world, everything had belonged to me alone.

After he arrived, he took everything from me, little by little.

There was no reason for me to attend his birthday celebration.

No one remembered that today was my birthday too.

“Please tell Madam that I’m not feeling well today. I’d rather not spoil such a joyous occasion.”

Then again, my absence was probably exactly what they wanted.

This was also the first time I had ever declined one of Emma’s invitations.

I spent a long time gathering everything Emma had ever given me. The magical artifacts and priceless treasures no longer meant anything to me.

Yale had wanted some of them for years, but I had never been willing to give them to him.

He could have them all.

I did not care anymore.

I had no desire to compete with him again.

I also spent a long time sorting through everything Snow had given me. Then, I wrote a letter to end our engagement.

Since her heart belonged to Yale, I would let them be together.

After I finished everything, I had the gifts delivered.

One was carried to Yale’s place. The other was delivered to Snow.

Only after everything was done did I finally feel a weight lift from my shoulders.

…

Rain rarely fell in the Ninth Heaven. I stood beside the pond with an umbrella and watched the fish swim happily through the water.

I never expected Snow to come looking for me, filled with rage, on such an important day. She kicked the gate open and stormed inside.

She saw me standing in the rain with an umbrella. The hem of my robe was wet from the rain. She froze for a moment.

Then she furrowed her brows together. She was furious.

“Henry, what tricks are you trying to pull this time?”

She held the letter ending our engagement tightly in her hand. I had written every word myself.

When I remained silent, she walked over awkwardly, grabbed my arm, and pulled me beneath the eaves.

“Henry, are you determined to make things difficult for Yale?

“First, you purposely skipped his birthday celebration. Then you pulled another stunt by sending me a letter ending our engagement. How long are you going to keep this up?

“Can’t you behave yourself for once?

“If you keep acting this way, our wedding will have to be postponed indefinitely.”