Chapter – 27
“My head… hurts.”
As disorganized information poured in relentlessly, Solitary felt dizzy. Then, she suddenly remembered the note left in the book Rienna had given her before she stepped forward.
That note, written as if prophesying everything.
Solitary got up from her seat and ran to the bookshelf. Standing in front of it, she hesitated for a long time, her hand faltering, unsure whether to take out the book or not.
“Hoo.”
One moment, she felt that looking at it would solve everything, and the next, she felt that reading it would be like crossing a river she should never cross.
In the end, Solitary raised her hand and pulled out the book.
“I’ll just take a quick look.”
If Rienna had died because of her, she needed to know if Rienna had anticipated her becoming like this and left the note.
Solitary squeezed her eyes shut and opened the book.
[The first reason you’re opening this is probably news of my death? Did you hear about that, at least? Don’t cry. It’s not your fault. And I probably didn’t die. I’m saying I’m likely alive somewhere.
Don’t even think about telling your wonderful partner.]
Solitary’s strength drained away, and she slumped to the floor. There was no hindrance in reading the note further.
Was it because it lessened her guilt over causing Rienna’s death?
[And it’s still too early to read this book. Close it. The time I mentioned hasn’t come yet. Wouldn’t it be too boring if I told you when that day is?
Don’t worry. Even if you don’t want to know, you’ll find out soon. Everything about the Chimera, too.
For now, just enjoy your peace.]
Was reading this letter also something she had foreseen from afar? At the last words in the note, Solitary couldn’t even bring herself to resent Rienna for being like this.
[P.S. Congratulations on becoming an adult.]
Solitary agonized over whether to turn more pages of the book. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to turn any more pages.
Sitting alone on the empty floor of her room, she was dazed for a long time, caught between the relief that Rienna was alive and the mysteries she had left behind. Unaware of her legs going numb, she sat alone on the cold floor and stayed up through the night.
When sunlight streamed in through the curtains, Solitary finally realized how much time had passed.
Even with shocking events, nothing had really changed.
Solitary didn’t have the confidence to read the book Rienna left, and Heinrich didn’t mention the events of that day.
Above all, with the coming-of-age ceremony just around the corner, Solitary had to move busily. She had to undergo daily treatments, follow Sophia around to learn how the ceremony would proceed, and organize the custom-made clothes.
Finally, the long-awaited coming-of-age ceremony, for which everyone had poured their energy into preparing, arrived.
On the day of the ceremony, Solitary had to follow a packed schedule from the morning. This was because from the early hours, maids had swarmed into her room.
“But… isn’t there still plenty of time?”
Even when Solitary complained, Mary said nothing, just pulled her up and began the preparations.
As if to show that the daily treatments were nothing in comparison, people relentlessly swarmed in and out without a moment’s rest.
After a long preparation, when Solitary thought everything was finally over, she tried to get up and leave.
“Where are you going, Miss Rien? This is just the beginning.”
Mary was smiling kindly, but for some reason, it felt intimidating, causing Solitary to step back. Of course, her small struggles were futile.
Solitary was held by the maids behind her and had to endure all sorts of massages and treatments she had never seen before.
All of this had started at 4 a.m.
After being dragged around here and there for a long time, Solitary ended up sparkling. Her silver hair and beautiful green eyes were a beauty that would catch anyone’s eye at first glance.
But this wasn’t the end. A familiar someone greeted Solitary.
“Long time no see, Miss Rien. We met last time, right? I’m Dilea Crocoy. I came to check the outfits today.”
“Hello…!”
Dilea had appeared suddenly.
Surprised, her eyes widened, but Solitary greeted her as if it were nothing.
Dilea introduced the outfits and accessories in order. With a single gesture from her, all the clothes and accessories were prepared.
She seemed softer than the strict impression she had given last time.
“Last time, we were too busy fitting the clothes, right?”
“Yes.”
“Did you like the outfits?”
“They were very pretty.”
With each exchange with Dilea, the day’s outfits were draped, one by one, onto Solitary’s body.
“There, all done.”
Dilea stepped back from Solitary. Then, naturally holding her by the shoulders, she positioned her in front of the mirror.
Solitary stared into the mirror for a long time, fascinated by her changed appearance.
The black dress, which exuded a rich yet subtle charm, was mesmerizing.
It complemented her silver hair so well that the maids present stared at Solitary with their mouths agape.
“It would be best not to wear accessories. Miss Rien’s hair is accessory enough. It’s very beautiful.”
Dilea put down the initially planned accessories as she checked Solitary’s condition.
Hearing Dilea say that silver hair was the best, Solitary’s face flushed with embarrassment.
This made Solitary look even more vibrant, and everyone present looked at her and agreed with what Dilea had just said.
“Miss Rien! You are so beautiful.”
Even without any accessories, she shone so subtly and exuded such charm. Her white skin and flushed red cheeks made her even more beautiful.
Surely, eight or nine out of ten nobles seeing her for the first time would have their eyes stolen by her.
“The black dress suits you well. As expected, my eye for this isn’t wrong.”
Dilea smiled contentedly and adjusted the fit of the clothes.
There were two reasons for choosing black, a color rarely chosen for parties.
One was because it was the color that best matched Heinrich and also symbolized Hilarupt, and the other was because black, the color that devours everything, was the one that would make Solitary’s appearance standing next to him shine the brightest.
“My, our young master will have to be nervous today.”
“You flatter me.”
At Dilea’s jest, Solitary felt embarrassed and squeezed her eyes shut. Dilea held her shoulders and whispered gently.
“Look. The main character today is you, Miss Rien.”
“……”
“Keep your back straight. If anyone dares to threaten you, don’t be intimidated; look them straight in the eye. Then, there will be those around you to protect you. You are not alone, you see.”
Hearing such words from someone made Solitary’s heart feel unsettled. Dilea, having finished all her preparations, left the room, leaving the dazed Solitary behind.
Left alone in the quiet room, Solitary scanned the interior of the room she had somehow grown accustomed to.
For the first time since arriving at Hilarupt, the room she had never left for a moment felt like her own room.
Not long after, someone knocked on the door.
Even without opening it, she could tell who was standing there.
“Young Mast…”
Solitary, who was about to call him, paused for a moment.
She remembered the hellish title lesson from a while ago. Heinrich, insisting there must be no mistakes at the coming-of-age ceremony, had Solitary brought before him every day to practice changing how she addressed him.
He was so persistent that even in her dreams, he would appear and make her change the title. The ingrained title still didn’t change easily, but she had at least reached the point where she would startle and quickly correct herself.
“Heinrich… nim.”
“Sol, I told you that’s wrong. Shall we try again?”
Even though she hadn’t opened the door and couldn’t see his face, Solitary felt as if he were standing right in front of her, looking at her.
“Hein… ri.”
“Mhm, Sol.”
Finally satisfied, Heinrich let out a low laugh.
Hearing the soft laugh, Solitary felt embarrassed. After a few deep breaths, she slowly opened the door.
In front of her stood not the Heinrich who usually insisted on casual attire, but one dressed up formally from head to toe.
The outfit, which seemed to announce even from a distance that they would appear together, made Solitary’s heart feel strangely stirred.
Moreover, the sight of Heinrich, different from usual, with a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth, became etched in her mind, seemingly unwilling to fade.
For a moment, a tickling sensation bloomed inside her chest.
She regulated her breathing and looked at him slowly again. His neatly styled hair and smooth, gleaming skin came into view.
Solitary realized that she wasn’t the only one who had worked hard since dawn, and a soft laugh escaped her.
“It seems Heinri prepared hard too?”
Solitary asked the question, but Heinrich’s lips didn’t part.
Even though they were facing each other, he just blinked, not giving any answer. He simply stared at her appearance intently.
Solitary gave an awkward smile and poked his stomach…
