After Lady Naran's sudden angry outburst, Ronan was finally jolted out of his reverie. He finally realised that things were no longer the same. Caught off guard, Ronan was speechless for a moment. He then breathed and mustered his courage once more.
"Lilia... Listen to me..." Ronan started, his eyes lowered in an abyss of guilt, but Lady Naran, overwhelmed by fury, cut him off, "Enough! There's no need to explain... I don't need it! Just go away... Ronan. I don't want to see your face ever again!"
Ronan felt as if his heart was being stabbed repeatedly, his own tears now mingling with his pain. "Lilia-"
"I no longer carry that name, my name is Naran Ulaan," she corrected him coldly. Ronan grimaced in agony, offering a bitter smile, "N- Naran... Please... Just listen to me.. okay? Give me one chance, okay?"
Lady Naran remained silent, her silence misinterpreted by Ronan as consent to continue. "I know that great injustice was done to you and... Your family. The Tower has already made the Crown Prince lose his position"
"He is no longer the Crown Prince. I'm sorry... I could not save you... Everything happened too fast. When I became aware of what was going on, it was too late. I don't expect you to forgive me... But please... Na- no, Lilia... Please come back with me to home. You should not be in this rotten place..."
Hearing this, Lady Naran sneered mockingly, "Home? What Home? My home was uprooted that day... Where was the Tower then? No one came to help... Even my Master who was like a father to me, did not come forward. Ha! It was my fault, I shouldn't have had any expectations. Ronan, I longer have a Home. Just like the people of this land, I am just a nomad."
Ronan was visibly pained by her words, yet he gathered his resolve. Raising his arms, he spoke with determination, "That's not true! I am here for you! Please... Just come with me."
"Tell me, how long were you watching?" Lady Naran looked deeply into Ronan's eyes. "And how exactly did you find me? How many know of this?" Her questions were laced with an icy calm.
"I found your traces recently through rumors. I was at the camp of Urun Khan—where I heard these rumors, It was just a hunch, but I thought the rumors matched your appearance. But I could not find a way to contact you. That is, until today. I have been watching the entire time. This time, I came here alone so trust me, no one other than me knows that you're here and still alive." His answer was honest, his eyes never leaving hers.
Lady Naran's gaze hardened, then she smiled bitterly, "Then... You should know, right?" She looked into her past lover's eyes and spoke clearly, "I have two children with Batu, the leader of the Ulaan Tribe."
Hearing this, Ronan's shoulders slumped in defeat. Grinding his teeth in anger, he muttered, "These barbarian savages are all scum... How dare he! That scum dared to do such a thing..."
Lady Naran's expression was indifferent, as if she had shed all her warmth, "Ronan, you have always been so naive! I would never let a man force himself upon me." She lowered her gaze, then continued.
"Can you imagine? I was also a naive heartbroken girl at that time. I wanted to live so badly, I wanted to take revenge! This is the only reason I'm alive. But have you ever considered? A young, helpless girl far far away from her country, stuck in a den of snakes and vipers. How could I have survived in this unforgiving land alone?"
"I would not have lasted for long. So I chose to do what only a woman in trouble can do... I... I exchanged my body, my freedom—for survival. I married Batu of my own accord. I sold myself for survival, the only difference between me and a prostitute is that I could offer him much more than my body, and in exchange, I could afford to make my own demands."
Hearing all this, Ronan realized the depth of the hardships she had endured, his emotions a tempest of pain, respect, and regret.
"Lilia, you only did what needed to be done. I don't blame you at all. Just... Just come with me. I will not let you suffer any longer." His eyes were red with emotion.
Lady Naran felt an overwhelming exhaustion, disappointment seeping into her soul.
'All these men are the same. They see nothing beyond their pride and vanity. You will not blame me? What right have you to blame me or not blame me? You were not my husband, not my father. Only a love that could never be realized. Ronan, you still haven't changed. You are still just as disappointing.' She thought with bitterness.
"Don't be foolish, what status can you give me? What about my children? Should I simply be grateful to you forever, Sir Ronan Ashford, an Apostle of The Tower, for showing pity on a woman like me? Furthermore, what will you tell the world? How will you answer their questions? Do you even have the ability?" Her voice was stern, challenging.
Ronan hesitated, feeling he could handle it, yet knowing he needed time. But he couldn't shamelessly ask for more. He had sacrificed so much to find her, yet letting go was not an option. Wasn't it enough that she was alive and well? With this thought, he found a sliver of solace.
Seeing his hesitation, Lady Naran sighed, her eyes resolute. Her heart was heavy with pain, but for her children... she had to endure.
Lady Naran stepped forward, standing before Ronan, her hands meeting his in what would be their final connection. She tiptoed, her lips meeting his in a kiss that held all the tenderness of their past and the finality of their present. There was no resistance, only a shared moment of what could have been.
As they parted, Lady Naran spoke with finality, "I'm happy to have met you. But forget that you ever saw me. Go back, Ronan. This is the final farewell. Don't come back, ever."
Ronan's face was haggard, his eyes dark with reluctance. Things had spiraled far beyond his control or expectations. After so many years, he had found his lost love, but she was no longer the same person.
Realizing that Lady Naran's bodyguard and her son might return soon, Ronan knew he had to accept her decision... for now. In his heart, he swore he would convince her to return with him someday.
Finally, with a reluctant, sad smile, Ronan stepped back and nodded, "Lilia, I'm so glad you are alive. Don't worry, everything will be fine!" Lady Naran simply shook her head, a look of vulnerability and exhaustion on her face, as if she could crumble with the slightest breeze.
Ronan turned to leave but then noticed something that froze him in his tracks—her lips had blackened. Realization dawned upon him like a cold wave, understanding but unable to accept the reality. Suddenly, this young, noble heir coughed out blood, his voice a whisper of pain, "...why?"
Lady Naran's face was streaked with tears, her features ghostly, her lips black, her voice filled with guilt, "You know too much, I imparted secret knowledge to my son, this would not be accepted. I can no longer trust anyone... Not even you... Forgive me, Ronan, my love."
With those final words, Ronan sighed, a mix of happiness and disappointment at being called her love one last time. He wanted to say more, but time was no longer on his side.
Ronan Ashford, a capable and powerful apostle, met his end in the Sumerû Plains, his death a secret, poisoned by the one he loved most.
Lady Naran's heart had grown cold with necessity. Expressionless, she searched Ronan's corpse, taking what she could use. From her cloak, she produced a vial with a sinister purple powder. She closed her eyes, prayed silently, then poured the contents over Ronan's body. Soon, nothing remained of him but a dark patch on the ground, as if something had been burned away, leaving no trace of his existence.