Chapter 57
It felt as if she had suddenly become a spring, bouncing back.
Thanks to someone pushing her at just the right moment, she narrowly avoided a dizzying situation.
Strangely, the person’s touch felt a little careless for someone helping—but gratefulness was gratefulness all the same.
Crescent had just turned her body to express her thanks when—
“Thank you, whoe—”
“Please be careful where you walk. My arm almost snapped from hitting the back of your head.”
The man’s voice came. Polite yet indifferent, and still… strangely sweet to the ear.
She had never heard such a voice before.
Just from the tone, one could tell this man was extraordinary.
The moment Crescent saw his face, her heart gave a violent lurch.
And at the same moment, the man’s eyes fell upon hers.
“…!”
Meteor felt time stop when he laid eyes on the young lady before him.
Her skin was pure white, flawless as porcelain. Her eyes—large, brilliant, and pink as gemstones—seemed about to spill over.
Her lashes were long and fanned out like a feathered fan.
Her nose was dainty yet elegant, and her lips looked as though a master painter had carefully tinted them translucent.
A doll?
Or perhaps… a demon?
Meteor had heard of certain demons whose beauty itself ensnared humans. It was said no one could help but fall in love at first sight when beholding them, and that they fed upon human life-force.
Such was the impression she gave him—so much so that he was momentarily seized by the thought.
He even recalled that he might have felt something similar once before.
Then the young woman before him murmured in a daze.
“Meteor…?”
Even wearing high heels, Crescent had to crane her neck far back to look up at him.
That was how tall the man was. Yet judging from his still-youthful skin, he looked only a year or two older than her at most.
Snowy-white hair that gleamed like fresh fallen snow, eyes the deep blue of a summer ocean.
His nose perfectly sculpted, his jawline smooth yet sharp.
In short—a breathtakingly handsome man unlike any she had ever seen.
Dressed in a white ceremonial uniform from head to toe, he shone all the brighter.
As Crescent stared at his unfamiliar yet flawless features, she suddenly realized.
This man resembled Meteor.
Was he Meteor?
So much more complete, so much more striking than she’d ever imagined.
“You…”
At last, Meteor managed to utter a strained sound. His voice faltered, as though only now breaking free from shock.
This girl—she knew him?
He glanced at her hair. Golden-blonde, shimmering as softly as silk—just like Crescent’s.
And her jewel-like pink eyes as well.
Of course she’d grown, just as he had. If Crescent had been fourteen back then, she would now look like this.
But why… why did she seem so unfamiliar?
She brightened suddenly and said,
“Is it really you, Meteor? I heard from the Marchioness you couldn’t come today.”
“…And you’re… Crescent?”
He asked heavily, and her refreshing voice answered.
“Of course! Meteor, you’ve grown so much!”
Reaching out as though to ruffle his hair, Crescent made him flinch and step back.
His eyes narrowed, as if suspicious.
“I almost didn’t recognize you myself. What’s with that hair, that dress?”
“What do you mean? It’s my debutante today, of course. But how did you even get here?”
Meteor let out a faint sigh, at last feeling some of his tension ebb.
“Mother insisted I absolutely had to come today. I’m probably a bit late, though.”
He furrowed his brows slightly.
Even that small expression seemed strange and fascinating to Crescent.
“Do you realize how many years it’s been? I can’t believe you’re standing here alive before my eyes.”
“What?”
What kind of nonsense was that?
But then he realized what she meant.
Yes—after six whole years, meeting her now, it almost felt like a lie. That was how long they had been apart.
“So… did you finish your special training and come home for good? Or do you still have to go back?”
Her pink eyes sparkled like dewdrops, brimming with joy.
Meteor quietly turned his gaze aside, answering more calmly.
“I came back for good. I was about to finish my training anyway.”
“Really? That’s wonderful! Everyone will be so happy!”
Crescent beamed, looking as though she might burst with joy.
The unexpected return of Meteor filled her with relief and delight.
She hadn’t often realized it before, but his absence had left a small emptiness in her heart.
Living under the same roof, even if not family, one could still grow attached.
‘But now… we are family, aren’t we? I wonder if Meteor knows?’
Just as she tilted her head in thought, other young noblemen nearby seized the chance to step in.
“Lord Meteor! So your training is finally complete—congratulations!”
“No, it’s only the special training that’s over. My training continues.”
He shook his head lightly.
For six years he had not only undergone harsh special training but also roamed the Empire searching out demonic energy. That was training as real as any battle.
More than once—eleven times—he’d been dragged into the Demon Realm, nearly killed. But he survived.
And he had grown all the stronger for it. Yet his journey was far from over.
‘Not until the Demon King is dead.’
He had to be strong enough to defeat the Demon King—or else nothing mattered.
Though, of course, it didn’t have to be him. His father and grandfather were among the many great Holy Knights of the Empire.
But still—his own goal was to slay the Demon King.
As all knights of the Empire shared.
He was lost in such thoughts when a sudden comment reached his ears.
“And congratulations also on your beautiful new younger sister!”
“Indeed! Who would’ve thought? Once under the Duke of Pluto’s patronage, and now truly a member of the Pluto household!”
“…What? A younger sister?”
What were they talking about?
Meteor blinked, unable to make sense of their words.
A sister?
Just then, Crescent spoke up a little sheepishly.
“Ah, Meteor—you didn’t know yet. Honestly, I only just found out myself. The ink on my signature hasn’t even dried yet. The Duke officially entered me into the household records today as the Marchioness’s daughter.”
“…?”
Meteor still couldn’t grasp it.
Crescent—adopted into the Pluto family?
Officially?
What did that mean?
Seeing his confusion, Crescent added,
“Ahem. You might not be thrilled about it, but… I’m your sister now. Should I start calling you Brother Meteor?”
“….”
Meteor couldn’t form words.
Crescent gave an awkward smile. But to Meteor, his vision felt strangely blurred.
Slowly, he understood her words.
She was no longer Crescent Dallas—she was Crescent Pluto.
Daughter of the Marquis and Marchioness Pluto.
His sister.
Legally his sister.
It wasn’t really surprising.
Hadn’t Mother long treated her like a daughter? Hadn’t she often told him to look after Crescent as though she were his little sister?
‘Then why does this feel so strange?’
His chest churned.
Heavy, stifled.
Just like that night when Crescent disappeared and he searched all night until, the next day, he finally found her smiling brightly.
Just like when he received letters saying Adrian kept asking her to marry him.
That same unknown, uncomfortable knot began forming in him again.
