Chapter 17
“Ah, yes. I had something to think about.”
He emerged from his thoughts and looked at me. Behind him, the white silk curtains I had cleaned and hung yesterday fluttered.
“What were you thinking about?”
“Sir Ian said before he left, ‘When love comes, don’t hesitate,’ remember?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know why, but those words gave me a strange resonance, so I was thinking about it for a moment.”
I was a little surprised. Unlike him, I hadn’t felt any emotion at all.
‘Is it because our upbringing was different?’
I lived a life akin to war.
After losing my parents early and entering the research lab, every day was like walking on thin ice.
Emotions like love—romantic, sentimental, and impractical—were… naturally a luxury.
Of course, there were people in the lab who fell in love too…
‘Look, two lowly, inferior ants have found each other.’
The researchers openly mocked their love.
Those in love usually wanted to leave the lab and live ordinary lives, and of course, the researchers didn’t allow that.
So, when inmates formed romantic attachments, the researchers used that love to experiment. In very cruel and horrific experiments.
And they shared that experiment via monitor with all the children in the lab. The state of the lovers in the experiment, the experiment’s content, and even the results.
‘If your love is so great, then overcome this.’
The researchers locked the two in a single room.
A room where the oxygen in the air gradually decreased, but there was only one oxygen respirator.
‘If you truly love each other, yield the respirator to your partner. Since you are so noble in love, you should be able to do that, right? I’ll let the remaining one out.’
10 minutes imprisoned.
The two yielded the oxygen respirator to each other. Holding hands tightly, they resolved that both would survive.
20 minutes.
Her breathing gradually became ragged.
Despite it being his turn, he yielded the respirator without hesitation.
30 minutes.
Even with the oxygen respirator on, her breathing grew shallower.
Holding her hand, he prayed to God Esca.
Even though they knew the end was approaching, the two did not part.
40 minutes.
The woman, gasping for breath as if stuck in a swamp, finally stopped breathing.
Though she still wore the oxygen respirator, he did not take it from her.
Shedding hot tears, he closed her open eyes, then bent down and kissed her.
And… he never got up again.
‘Children, look at the love of these two.’
The researchers showed us that scene and laughed.
‘These two ranked 10th and 11th respectively in the last comprehensive evaluation. But they died helplessly, unable to even resist. In the end, love is something so fragile and futile.’
At that time, the children, including Theo, were all speechless with shocked faces.
Only Alex and I agreed with the researchers’ words.
‘Alex, isn’t it ridiculous? Love is just a fleeting emotion.’
‘Just as you cannot entrust your body to a passing breeze, you cannot stake your life on a transient feeling.’
Fragile and futile love, something that only passes by a few times in a long, long life.
It can blaze up fiercely even from a small spark, but once it passes, it’s as unsightly as leftover ashes.
I still haven’t changed my mind about that. But…
‘When Sir Ian spoke of love, he strangely seemed to shine so brightly.’
My heart also rustled like a reed field in late autumn.
That rustling was ticklish like a spring breeze carrying warmth, and hot like a midsummer beach.
Could someone like me… ever come to understand them one day?
When love comes, will I be able to recognize that the feeling is love?
Do I have the courage within me… to wallow in the mud with that love?
Currently, I’m not confident. But, somehow, my heart kept pounding.
Just then, Calix turned to look at me.
“Rosie, thank you.”
“Pardon?”
“For letting me know that my father’s power remains within me.”
“That is…”
“For letting me know that traces of the spirit can remain even in someone like me, who has no blessing.”
“……!”
As our eyes met, a wind blowing through the reception room window softly ruffled his hair.
I was staring blankly at the strands of black hair swimming across his pale face.
His red lips moved again.
“You know what, Rosie?”
“…….”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard ‘thank you.'”
He gave a soft laugh.
“And since it’s thanks to Rosie … thank you.”
“…Don’t mention it.”
He smiled faintly and was the first to leave the reception room.
Watching his retreating back, I swallowed the words I couldn’t bring myself to say.
It’s not that traces of the spirit remain in you; you had a blessing from birth that was stolen.
‘And your power is…’
So powerful that even Ruin feared it.
Chapter 3. The Day Paper Petals Fall
Meanwhile, at ‘Noctis Palace,’ located in a place even more remote than the Eclipsia Palace.
Before a panoramic window showing only dense forests and rugged cliffs, a woman was looking outside with a troubled face.
Light blonde hair flowing down in waves to the floor. Violet eyes clear and distinct like gems. Skin as white as snow.
She was beautiful enough to be unforgettable at first sight, but she looked as fragile as if she might break at any moment.
Just then, rough footsteps were heard. Startled, she quickly swallowed her breath and turned around.
There stood Brookston, his face angry.
A man once close enough to be called the late Emperor’s right-hand man, now a high-ranking noble with immense power, even mentioned as a candidate for the next Emperor.
True to his reputation, his face was corroded by desire. His red eyes shone with greed, and his thick lips twitched incessantly.
Rings adorned all his plump fingers, and his specially tailored, expensive coat was on the verge of bursting, unable to withstand his bulky body.
After fuming for a while, he finally spoke.
“I heard you tried to escape again last night?”
Her gaze fell to her own feet. They were swollen and it was hard to find a spot without wounds.
Her hands were the same. Not only was there dirt under her nails, unbecoming of her, but they were also covered in scratches.
“Were you going to see your son again?”
She bowed her head. Enraged, he shouted.
“I warned you, if you keep acting like this, I can’t even guarantee your son’s life!”
“…It’s already been a year since I last saw my son.”
When she spoke, her voice was choked, producing a sharp, metallic sound.
It was a voice completely different from her singing-like, elegant tone.
“I’m fine living like this forever, just let me see my son. Please……”
“Ridiculous.”
Before her words even faded, Brookston retorted as if chewing them out.
“If you want to protect even your hollow titles of Empress and Prince, don’t even think about leaving this palace. Live quietly, pretending to be an alcoholic as per the rumors I created for you. Understood?”
“…….”
“If you dare to leave without my permission one more time……”
His voice, filled with rage, echoed through the Noctis Palace.
“I will tell your secret to the nobles who follow you! Immediately!”
Her eyes wavered. Seeing her agitation clearly, he grinned and raised one hand.
At that, one of the attendants hurriedly brought something. An unknown poisonous herb with distinct black lines on its leaves.
Picking up the poisonous herb, he commanded her.
“Chew it, Lienne.”
Her face turned as pale as snow. Staring intently at the poisonous herb, she slowly lowered her gaze.
“Cal…”
Through trembling lips, someone’s name escaped like a sigh.
Over two weeks had already passed since I arrived at the Eclipsia Palace.
In that time, the palace had become impeccably clean, almost unrecognizable from its former state.
Not only had the rats and bugs disappeared, but lush green grass had also begun to sprout in the desolate garden.
And today was the day for cleaning the library.
“…Huh.”
I stopped while cleaning a discarded bookshelf, having found something.
