Soon after, Ilso returned. Diqi opened the door as usual and rushed to kiss him. She didn’t tell Ilso about Mis’s visit. Ilso had already worried about her; she didn’t want to cause him more trouble. If Mis made a move, it would be against her, not Ilso.
Three days passed, and Mis hadn’t received a call from Diqi. He stared at the phone for a long time before finally getting up to find Ilso. This was a private matter that could only be resolved privately.
Mis was always working. When Ilso saw his visit, he didn’t think Mis was there to socialize. He asked, “What advice or warning do you have this time?”
“I’ve seen her,” Mis said calmly.
“Oh? Who?”
“That girl you didn’t want us to know about.”
Ilso laughed. “Is that so?”
Mis sighed softly. “Now I know, and soon more people will know.
Have you thought about what you’ll do?”
"No, not at all."
Mis walked around the room before saying firmly, "Ilso, let her leave and never appear here again. This is the best and last choice."
"Is that so? I don't think so."
"Do you think there's a better choice?"
Ilso shrugged. "Don't forget, this is my private matter."
Mis took a deep breath. "It won't be for long. I thought you could be an example."
"I am, just don't interfere with my private affairs."
"Ilso, I'm talking to you seriously, and I hope you'll handle this seriously."
"I am serious, Mis."
Mis was taken aback. Ilso's calm assertion of his seriousness showed his unwavering resolve. How could he persuade such an Ilso?
"Have you... considered the consequences?"
Ilso smiled. "No, I haven't."
Mis was speechless. Such an Ilso left him at a loss; he had never been at a loss before, but this was an exception. After a long while, he finally said, "Perhaps this will be a tragedy."
"Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't. Who knows?"
Mis was truly at a loss for words. He hurriedly said goodbye, leaving somewhat embarrassed. Looking at Ilso's calm eyes, he knew Ilso would not compromise.
This is a royal family’s private affair; it should be handled according to royal rules, secretly.
Returning home, he finally pressed that special button. After a long time, a distant voice came through: “My child, has something happened?”
“Ah, yes, Goisgu, regarding Ilso’s matter, it’s a private affair. I’m troubled and don’t know what to do. I think I need to report to you in person…” Mis’s tone was exceptionally respectful.
“It seems you are troubled. Then come, my child.”
On the rooftop, Ilso calmly overlooked Mirror Lake. Had his secret finally been exposed? This day would always come, no matter how cautious he was. The world was in “her” control. What he needed to consider was how to handle the consequences of the secret’s exposure.
Actually, there was only one way, just as Mis had pointed out, but he refused to take that path. “She” should know by now. Everything would depend on how “she” decides.
The sky was clear, but he could see the shadows of dark clouds in the lake.
Dichi finally met the legendary god, Goisgu, the creator and ultimate ruler of the empire, an existence even the all-powerful Ilso would bow to.
She could not speak, could not blink, could not even move. Who could not be intimidated by the appearing god?
In the morning, after Ilso left, Mis came again, immediately saying to her, “‘She’ wants to see you.”
His expression and tone were extremely solemn and cautious. She could not pretend not to have heard: “Who?”
“Lady Goisgu.”
The four words “Goisgu” shook her. It was a name Ilso also spoke of with great reverence. She was unsure what to do: “I must ask the master of this house.”
Mis said, “If she wants to see Ilso, then perhaps you will never see him again.
The light on Goisgu’s body became softer: “Since you acknowledge your guilt, I will forgive your sins. You will immediately leave Ilso, leave this sacred Eden, and can never appear again, nor ever mention Ilso’s name.”
Dichi almost unconsciously said “yes”, but the word stuck in her throat, unable to come out.
She lowered her head, tightly clenching her fists, pressing her feet to the ground, sweat continuously dripping, trying not to collapse, and even more determined not to say “yes”.
Suddenly, her body began to tremble violently, almost uncontrollably. Just as she was about to break, she abruptly lifted her head and shouted with all her strength: “No—I will never leave him!”
The power emanating from Goisgu was too strong, suffocating her, she could barely stand, but even so… she didn’t want to leave… Ilso.
Goisgu’s appearance completely changed, looking incredibly angry.
Her long black hair stood up and spread, like burning black flames; her face was no longer gentle, becoming extraordinarily bewitching and strange, her eyebrows inverted, her eyes dark and gloomy, like a midnight witch; her voice low and deep.
“Stubborn and foolish person, you shall receive punishment from hell.”
Saying “no” to God exhausted all of Dichi’s courage and strength, and she collapsed to the ground.
Facing God made her nervous. Before closing her eyes, she mumbled: “No… won’t leave… won’t leave… Ilso…”
Mis walked over, looking at her, truly an extraordinary child, able to say “no” even to Lady Goeisgu. Such courage was surprising, yet not admirable. This child would not know what price she would pay for her defiance.
Dichi was safely sent back. That night, she slept deeply, not knowing if Ilso would return.
Ilso did not return, because Goeisgu was summoning him. He was gone for a long time. When he returned to Dichi’s side, dawn was almost breaking, and Dichi was still asleep. He sat by the bed, watching her. If Dichi had awakened at that moment, she would have seen an unusual tenderness and love in his eyes, and a barely perceptible gloom.
But Dichi did not wake up then.
When she awoke, it was already afternoon, and Ilso was in the room, sitting by the window, looking outside.
“Ilso, why are you here? Aren’t you going to work?” she asked, puzzled.
Ilso’s smile was like ice in sunlight: “I don’t want to work today. How about we go out for a drive and eat?”
Dichi was surprised: “Can I go out?”
“Of course.” Ilso smiled enigmatically, his expression calm and mysterious: “I am Ilso, Ilso Ge.”
Dichi found Ilso’s behavior somewhat incomprehensible, but he was always confident and could arrange everything. What could she doubt or question? Moreover, she longed to go out.
They left. Ilso headed directly to the civilian district, which made Dichi feel more at ease and relaxed.
After wandering, as the sky began to darken, Ilso took her to a secluded restaurant.
The restaurant was empty except for the two of them. Dichi no longer needed to be cautious. This was her second time dining out with Ilso, and she did not want to recall her past experiences. Now, this was a completely new life and existence.
When they came out of the restaurant, it was already dark.
At the car, Ilso asked her: “Are you carrying the gifts I gave you?”
“Yes, what’s inside?” Dichi asked. During dinner, Ilso had given her a thin envelope, with nothing valuable apparent. Why would he suddenly give her a gift?
Could something good be happening?
“You’ll know soon,” Ilso smiled mysteriously, then said: “So, Dichi, goodbye.”
Dichi couldn’t help but laugh, saying: “Ilso, are you going to leave me here?”
“Yes.”
Dichi wanted to laugh but couldn’t. Ilso’s gaze was so calm: “Are you joking?”
“No.” Ilso smiled, getting into the car: “I’m no longer interested in you. I despise you, Dichi. So, we will never meet again. That’s it, farewell.”
The car door coldly closed, blocking Dichi out. She couldn’t see Ilso.
“Why? Why?” Dichi had no time to consider whether she should be angry, sad, shocked, or anything else; she just frantically beat the car door, shouting.
