**The whereabouts of first love - Part 1**
——From the moment I was born as the third prince of the Lievis Empire, my body was already being consumed by a curse.
There was no cure. Only endless pain and suffering, waiting slowly for death.
The one and only time I met my father, all he said was, *"You’re unlucky."* The thought that my entire life could be dismissed with just those words made me curse the entire world.
After my mother was blamed for my birth and shunned, I never saw her again.
*(What did I even do wrong?)*
From a young age, I constantly wondered why I had been born at all. The only solace in my isolated life was the kindness of the maids in the detached palace where I lived.
In the autumn of my eighth year, the curse worsened, leaving me teetering between life and death.
The pain was unbearable. I didn’t want to suffer anymore. I was sure death would be easier—until *she* appeared.
*"...Wh...o...?"*
*"Nice to meet you, Prince Felix. I am the Grand Saint of this country, Else Ries."*
Else stood before me.
I had always hated the color red—it reminded me of the curse’s burn-like marks covering my body. But her crimson hair was beautiful.
*(So cold... and soothing.)*
Her gentle gaze, the way her hand brushed my cheek—it made me want to cry.
I knew even the Grand Saint couldn’t break this curse. Yet—
*"...Sa...int... sa...ve... me..."*
Those were the words that spilled from my lips. Desperate, I clung to her, not wanting to die.
I knew I was only burdening her, and her face twisted as if she might cry. But then, with a look of resolve, she used her magic—*weakening* the curse.
As the maids wept, calling it a miracle, I felt the pain fade, my body growing lighter.
*"...Th...ank... you..."*
*"You’re welcome."*
Her smile as she patted my head was like that of a goddess.
And in that moment, my long first love began.
After that, my health stabilized enough for me to venture outside.
The magic Else used to save me was special—something she might never be able to use again, she said.
The curse of the Flame Dragon was said to be uncontainable. Young and foolish, I assumed it was a unique magic only she, the Grand Saint, could wield.
*"I’ll get strong and become emperor one day!"*
*"Oh, I’ll look forward to it! Better give me a tenfold raise when you do."*
I wanted to be strong—to stand closer to her. So I begged her to teach me magic.
Despite her endless duties, Else became my mentor. She taught me everything—not just magic, but how to survive in this world.
*"Felix, you’re a genius. You’ll surpass me one day."*
*"No way. Else is amazing."*
*"Well, of course I am. But you have even greater talent. I can’t wait to see your future."*
Her eyes softened as she spoke.
I adored her. For the first time in my life, I was happy—looking forward to the days I could spend with her.
——And yet.
*"Felix! Run!"*
Two years after we met, on an autumn day in a forest near the city—where no monsters should have been—we were suddenly surrounded.
Not just any monsters, but high-ranking ones, the kind I’d only seen in books. It was unnatural.
They moved straight for Else, as if targeting her.
*"Wh-why? We can’t... get out...!"*
*"...No way."*
A barrier-like seal trapped us with the monsters, cutting off escape.
Else tried to dispel it, but the relentless attacks made it impossible. In the end, she fought them all alone—covered in wounds.
Useless, powerless, I could only stand behind her, protected.
*"...I... messed up..."*
When she finally collapsed, her white saint’s robes were drenched in her own blood.
*"H-healing magic! Use it now—!"*
*"...I can’t... anymore."*
Her smile, weak and apologetic, told me everything. Even a child could see she was beyond saving.
Her magic circuits—the ones needed for healing—were destroyed. She laughed it off, calling it a *"silly mistake."*
*(——Else is going to die?)*
To me, it was no different from death itself. She was the reason I’d ever thought being born was worth it.
My mind went blank. Terrified, on the verge of tears, I didn’t know what to do—only that they were falling.
*"I’ll—I’ll get help—!"*
*"Felix, come here."*
The moment the last monster died, the barrier vanished.
As I tried to run for the city, Else stopped me, pulling me into her arms. She must have known it was too late.
The moment she held me, I felt my magic being drained away.
——Maybe, with enough magic, she could still heal herself. Else was an incredible mage, after all.
I was ready to give her every last drop—until I realized.
*"Wh...y...?"*
When I looked up, burns like mine had spread across her once-flawless skin—her arms, her legs, even her face.
There was no mistaking it. It was the same curse. I couldn’t even breathe, frozen as I stared.
And then I noticed—the curse’s presence in my body was completely gone.
*"Why... would you...?!"*
——Only then did I understand. That day, Else hadn’t *treated* my curse. She had *taken* it.
No one knew this curse better than I did. I could easily imagine the agony she’d endured.
As I stood speechless, Else gave me a pained smile.
*"I’ll take all of Felix’s pain... for myself."*
At that moment, I broke down like a child.
Knowing she would die, Else had used her last strength to transfer the curse entirely to her own body.
Why would she go so far to save me? I’d never given her anything in return.
*"No... no, Else...! Don’t die...!"*
A pool of blood spread around her, staining my clothes as I held her.
All I could do was cry. Else, her hand growing cold, gently stroked my left cheek.
*"I’ve been... so happy. With this special power... I saved so many people... and in the end, I even got such a cute disciple. It’s... more than enough."*
Her bloodied lips curved slightly. In a frail, trembling voice, she whispered one last wish:
*"...Next time... may Felix’s future... be filled with joy... and happiness."*
Those were her final words.