Chapter 18 Summary:
The atmosphere in the palace remains heavy as Lisette finally recounts the details of her vision to a stunned Joshua. She describes seeing him weeping over a body being consumed by fire on a stake, unaware that she is describing her own tragic end in a previous lifetime. While Joshua recognizes the memory with agonizing clarity, Lisette remains oblivious to the reincarnation, viewing it only as a strange, dark dream. As Joshua prepares to consult Finn, the Royal Mage, to find a cure for her sudden illness, Lisette stops him. Driven by a frantic fear that she might die before their marriage is finalized... leaving her sister, Adora, without a protector, she suddenly asks Joshua to be intimate with her. However, despite his deep longing for her, Joshua refuses. He sees the desperation in her eyes and knows that her heart isn't ready; he refuses to take her out of fear, wanting her love instead of her sacrifice.
