The painting is still blank, which means that the curse is still in place. This means that if he goes back to the city, the engagement is still on. He's sorry that he didn't tell you sooner, but he knows that he's not supposed to live in this world. He says he'll think twice about going back if he were in his position. He wants to know why the painter wanted him to stop the beginning of the story. He apologizes for not telling him sooner, and says that he intended to bring her home without her knowing about the story, but that the portal is still a threat to its creator. He asks her to stop acting like she's a child, and accept the truth of the situation.