Kaufman's sobs subsided, leaving behind a quiet sniffling and the occasional hiccup. His face, still damp with tears, was turned towards me, his eyes wide and vulnerable.
 
"It's fine, really," I said, my voice soft. "Stop crying. I didn't tell you I got my memory back because... well, I wasn't sure how you'd react. But it was a few weeks ago, and I'm not mad at you. I can't be mad at you. You're the greatest, the kindest, you deserve so much."
 
He pulled me into a hug, his warmth enveloping me like a comforting blanket. I held him tight, the urge to stay in that embrace forever almost overwhelming. But I had to tell him. I had to tell him about Harton's proposal.
 
"I have something to tell you too," I said, my voice trembling. "I don't want to, but I need to decide." I took a deep breath, the words tumbling out in a rush. "Harton proposed to me. He claims me to be his wife, and I... I don't know what to do. I can't think straight, Kaufman. Please, help me decide."
 
Kaufman took a deep breath, his hands finding mine, his calloused fingers warm against my skin. He brought my hands to his cheeks, his eyes searching mine.
"Zerah," he said, his voice firm yet gentle, "you don't have to choose between me and Harton. I will gladly accept whatever is in your heart. I'm fine, and I understand what you and Harton have, what you shared before. It's not a problem for me. You're such a kind person, Zerah. You deserve to follow your heart."
 
His words, so selfless, so full of love and understanding, broke the dam within me. Tears streamed down my cheeks, a mixture of sorrow and gratitude.
It was heartbreaking to think of leaving him, of letting go of the life we had built together. But my first love, Harton, the man who had been a part of my life for so long, the man who had claimed me as his wife, was a part of me in a way that even Kaufman, with all his kindness and love, couldn't fully comprehend.
 
"I don't know what to do," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. "I love you both, Kaufman. But..."
 
I trailed off, unable to articulate the tangled mess of emotions swirling within me. The weight of the decision, the fear of hurting either of them, pressed down on me, suffocating.
Kaufman drew a deep breath, his gaze unwavering as he cupped my hands in his. "Zerah," he whispered, his voice a balm against the storm raging within me, "you don't have to choose between us. I would never ask you to betray your heart. I understand what you share with Harton, and I wouldn't dream of standing in the way of that. You are a kind soul, Zerah, and you deserve to follow where your heart leads."
 
His words, spoken with such selfless grace, shattered the dam holding back my tears. They cascaded down my cheeks, a torrent of sorrow and gratitude. Leaving him was a heartbreak I could barely bear, yet the pull of my first love, Harton, was a force I could not deny.
 
Kaufman, sensing my distress, gently wiped away a stray tear. "Zerah, please, don't cry. I don't want to see you like this. I know you love Harton, and that's all that matters. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I can still visit you in the palace, can't I?" His voice held a hint of sadness, but his smile was unwavering, a beacon of strength in the face of my sorrow.
 
I nodded, my heart aching with a love that transcended even the pain of parting. Kaufman's love, a quiet flame, would forever burn in the chambers of my heart, a testament to the depth of his compassion and the enduring power of his spirit.
"I can't leave you now, Kaufman," I said, my voice firm despite the tremor in my heart. "You need me. You need someone to lean on. You're in the middle of heartbreak, and I can't just walk away."
 
And so, I stayed. We spent the next week together, a balm to his wounded spirit. We laughed, we shared stories, and we talked about everything and nothing, just like we used to. It was a bittersweet time, filled with memories of a love that was and a love that might be.
 
One evening, as we sat by the fire, Kaufman's gaze drifted to the flames, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "Zerah, do you still remember our dream? The one where we'd travel the world, helping those in need?"
 
I nodded, my heart aching with the bittersweet memory. "Of course, I remember. But you can still do that, even without me."
 
He turned to me, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and resignation. "Ahm, yeah, well then… can I be the best man at your wedding?"
 
I laughed, a sound that was both joyous and tinged with sadness. "Of course, Kaufman. You're my best friend, my confidante, my rock. There's no way I'd have my wedding without you by my side."
 
His smile, though tinged with a hint of melancholy, was genuine and warm. He squeezed my hand, his touch a comfort in the face of the uncertain future. Our love, though taking different paths, would forever be intertwined, a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the bittersweet beauty of shared dreams.
"Can I take you to the palace?" Kaufman suggested, a hopeful smile lighting up his face.
 
"Of course, you can take me tomorrow," I replied, a mischievous glint in my eye. "And you can have a chat with Harton. He'll be so happy to see you."
 
Kaufman's smile faltered, and he looked at me with a puzzled expression. "Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, his voice a little shaky.
 
I couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Why is your face so red? Are you embarrassed? Of what?"
 
"Stop that," he said, trying to sound stern, but his cheeks were still flushed. "Talking to Harton is so awkward, you know?"
 
"Huh, why?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "What happened between you two?"
 
Kaufman took a deep breath, his eyes darting away from mine. "Well," he began, his voice dropping to a nervous whisper. "I used my magic to transport us through the forest, and we accidentally landed on the edge of a cliff. We spun together, and then… I landed on top of Harton." His cheeks turned even redder, and I couldn't contain my laughter.
 
"Oh, Kaufman!" I exclaimed, wiping away a tear of mirth. "That sounds… hilarious! I can't believe you landed on top of him!"
 
Kaufman groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I know, it was so embarrassing. He was so surprised, and I just… I felt like a complete fool."
 
I patted his shoulder, my laughter subsiding. "Don't worry, Kaufman. I'm sure Harton will understand. And besides, it's not every day you get to be magically transported onto someone!"
 
Kaufman chuckled, a hint of relief in his voice. "I guess you're right. But I still feel like a complete klutz."
 
I smiled, my heart warming at his endearing awkwardness. "Don't worry, Kaufman. You're perfect just the way you are." And as I looked at him, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance for us, a chance for our love to bloom again, even amidst the complexities of our hearts and the unexpected twists of fate.