to protect himself and his feelings. he started convincing himself that you will gonna be back soon. but you didn't. you didn't come back when his master died or when he became the new master of the black tower. every day.

he heard from athanasia about the famous herbalist that was working in the imperial palace. out of curiosity, he decided to pay a visit to that herbalist. and there he saw you. even though you changed your hair and eye colour through a potion he easily recognised you.