Chapter 44
As Alvin and the servants’ anxiety reached its peak, Claude voluntarily moved his bedroom to the first floor.
Even while having seizures, even in extreme pain—
Aseline would suddenly appear in Claude’s mind, almost like a prank.
Even now, he could see her.
Aselin, handing him bottles of medicine.
Her wide blue eyes staring at him like a curious rabbit.
‘Having seizures isn’t so bad after all… it’s the only time I get to see her.’
Suddenly, blood poured from Claude’s mouth.
Bruises began to appear all over his once-smooth skin.
From the bruises, thin red lines spread, as if someone had cut him with a blade.
Dark red blood dripped through the open wounds.
It was as if his body was fighting a war inside.
His breathing grew more labored.
His tightly clenched lips trembled from the pain.
Claude grabbed a handful of painkillers from the floor and swallowed them all at once.
‘Sleep tight, my baby, off to dreamland. Beneath the starry sky where worries disappear. Sleep well, little one, and wake to a bright morning…’
A lullaby Aselin once sang to him echoed in his ears.
Her voice had been soft like silk, warm and comforting.
It felt like her gentle singing was soothing the wounds in his heart.
Claude exhaled slowly.
Just as he was closing his eyes, preparing to embrace death—
“…Even if it means you might die?”
Suddenly, Aselin’s voice brought him back.
What was that?
That moment… the tears shimmering in her blue eyes…
Why did that come to mind as he was dying?
That one question began pulling him out of the darkness.
Damn it. It’s happening again.
Claude cursed and slowly opened his eyes.
Thud, thud.
Someone was running down the hallway—fast.
Then, the door burst open and Alvin came in, out of breath.
“Your Highness, are you okay?!”
Claude stayed silent.
Judging by Alvin’s pale face, he must’ve looked horrible.
Claude raised the blood-soaked collar of his robe—his bleeding had completely stopped.
Even the wounds had mysteriously healed, as if nothing happened.
Is death just playing games with me now?
It comes close, and just when I want to live again, it runs away laughing.
His mind cleared up quickly, too fast for comfort.
With a sigh, Claude sat on the sofa, looking tired but calm.
Alvin watched him anxiously.
His brow furrowed deep in worry, eyes darting in all directions.
“The seizure passed. I’ll be fine for the next few hours. So stop fussing and leave.”
Claude’s cold tone was like a command.
But Alvin didn’t move. Not even a step.
Normally, Alvin would have either scolded him or run away by now.
But now, he stood frozen like a rock.
Claude’s sharp gaze pierced him, and Alvin’s face turned red with emotion.
His lips trembled as he finally forced himself to speak.
“Your… Your Highness… It’s… it’s serious…”
Claude frowned at how slow he was being.
He gripped the glass on the table threateningly, and Alvin shut his eyes, voice shaking like a goat bleating.
“L-Lady Aselin… she’s… she’s gone missing… since last night…”
***
Where is it…?
The path looked familiar, like the one from the orb’s vision—but also different.
I looked down at the paper in my hand.
I had drawn a map based on the crystal orb’s vision.
Sigh. Even though I drew it myself, it was hard to tell what it was.
I couldn’t use the crystal orb in public, so I was wandering around looking for a quiet spot.
Then I spotted an old abandoned house ahead and quickly walked toward it.
Up close, it looked even more ruined.
Cobwebs at the entrance, cracked walls, half the roof missing…
Is there seriously nowhere better than this?
I looked around.
The wind kicked up dust over the dry, barren ground—no grass, no trees.
Well, can’t help it… let’s do this quickly.
I glanced down the empty road, pulled out the crystal orb, and turned it on.
***
[…Haaah… Rachel, I can’t hold it anymore. Come on, spread your legs.]
A greasy voice—Alex’s voice—blasted in my ears.
Ugh, of all scenes, why this one?
There’s no fast-forward on this thing! I quickly lowered the volume, frowning.
Then, I saw some people walking this way.
They were wearing fancy silk dresses—they looked like nobles.
If they recognized me, it could cause a mess.
I clutched the orb and rushed into the abandoned house.
Hiding behind a torn curtain, I watched them walk past and disappear into the distance.
I brushed off the cobwebs on me and prepared to play the orb again.
Bang! A loud sound made me jump.
I turned around—no one was there.
It’s just the wind, I thought.
But then, a strong gust blew through the broken window.
Cough, cough.
I waved away the dust, but accidentally dropped the crystal orb.
“…!”
It rolled into the deeper part of the house. I followed it—and froze.
A little five-year-old child was tossing the orb in the air like a toy.
Worried it might break, I spoke gently.
“Hey, sweetheart, that belongs to me. Can you give it back?”
“No! I found it first, so it’s mine now!”
The kid looked up at me with defiant eyes.
He was holding the orb in his tiny hands like it was a bouncing ball—my heart nearly stopped.
***
[It’s rare even on the Western Continent. You won’t find another one like it.]
– Chandler’s voice echoed in my head.
“Sweetie, if you drop that, it’ll break and hurt you. Let’s put it down, okay?”
“Tch! You just want to take it and run, lady!”
Lady?
Did I just get called ajumma (auntie)?
I’m still young!
I put a hand on my neck, dumbfounded by this little rascal.
Despite his angelic looks—fluffy hair, round cheeks, small lips—his attitude was the opposite.
“Listen here. I wasn’t going to say this, but that crystal ball is cursed.
It attracts evil spirits. Look! They’re trying to cling to your body right now!”
“…E-Evil spirits?”
His eyes widened in shock.
Of course a kid would be scared of that.
I smiled inside and reached out my hand.
“Come on, let’s get out of here. The ghosts are gathering!”
Though he trembled like a ball, he didn’t take my hand right away.
Then suddenly—he bolted like lightning out of the house.
Whoa, he’s fast! I couldn’t even see his legs move!
I chased after him with all my might.
But as I reached the entrance—CRASH!
The door slammed behind me, the wooden beam snapped, and the roof collapsed.
The kid stood a distance away, eyes wide in shock.
That house was bound to fall apart anytime, but he looked convinced that evil spirits had caused it.
I looked up.
The sun that had been high earlier was now hanging low behind a mountain.
Time was short. I knelt down and looked him in the eye.
“Can you give that back now? If you keep holding it, the spirits might come back.”
“Here! Take your creepy ball!”
He shoved the crystal orb back at me like it was a bomb.
Despite his rude words, his eyes were clear and blue like a lake.
His round face and sharp little features—he looked like someone I knew…
