Chapter 46
I skimmed through the words I’d written down from memory.
- During the assassination attempt, Edmund loses one eye. The wound festers for months, never stopping bleeding or pus.
- …The Cohen family’s signet is found. In the library.
I already knew these facts.
But those notes overlapped with something I had witnessed not long ago.
“Wait… didn’t I see a strange red light in the library once?”
At the same time, another line I’d jotted down caught my eye:
- …The family signet carries a permanent spell that glows red.
Red light.
And… blood.
In my mind, the puzzle pieces snapped together.
Beside me, Edmund frowned, confused.
“What are those scribbles? I can’t make out a single word.”
Of course not. I’d written all of it in Korean. I was the only one in this world who could read it.
Well… unless someone else from Korea showed up here.
But that wasn’t important right now.
I snapped the notebook shut and tucked it away, then jumped to my feet. I grabbed Edmund by the wrist.
“Come on! Edmund!”
“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“We need to go right now!”
The longer we waited, the more dangerous it would get. Now that I’d connected the dots, I had to act before the chance slipped away.
I fixed Edmund with the most serious look I’d ever given him.
“Edmund. Do you trust me?”
It was a question backed by everything I’d done for him so far—and everything he had shown me in return.
He didn’t even hesitate. He nodded.
“Yeah. I trust you.”
A rush of joy filled me from head to toe.
Before heading to the library with Edmund and Willace, I sent the nanny back.
She looked uneasy about leaving my side, but I told her firmly:
“Guard my room. The duchess or Madam Lillifen might come looking for me. If they do, make up an excuse. You’re the only one I can trust. You know that, right?”
“This isn’t something dangerous, is it?”
“Of course not. Don’t worry.”
“Then please return quickly, my lady.”
Thanks to the secret passages and Willace’s magic, the three of us slipped away without being seen.
But once again, just like when Willace had carried me before, I found myself in another awkward situation.
My vision bounced rhythmically, and I could hear a boy’s quickened breathing right by my ear.
“…Edmund, I’m not too heavy, am I?” I asked nervously.
“…You’re fine. Not heavy at all.”
That’s right. Edmund was giving me a piggyback ride.
Is this really okay?
Sure, he’d grown taller and stronger since we first met. But to me, he was still just a kid.
And yet here I am, making him carry me over rough ground!
Even when I said my ankle was healing and I could walk on my own, Edmund flat-out refused to let me down.
“I can carry you, no problem!”
I felt guilty, so I tried another angle.
“If you’re worried about me slowing us down, you could always let Willace carry me…”
But before I could even finish, Willace shook his head violently, face pale. Edmund only tightened his grip and grew more stubborn.
So I had no choice but to cling to his back like a cicada.
What a stubborn boy.
If he could hear my thoughts, he’d probably snap, “Look who’s talking!”
I let my body relax and leaned my cheek against his back. His warmth and a clean, youthful scent filled my nose.
And then—I heard it.
Thump-thump, thump-thump…
A heartbeat, loud and fast, hammering against my ear.
Wait… is that my heart?
It was so loud it felt like it had to be.
What if Edmund can hear it too? What will he think of me if he notices?
My head spun with embarrassment and confusion.
What I didn’t realize was that the pounding heartbeat didn’t come from me at all—it came from Edmund’s chest.
Especially the moment I relaxed against his back, his heart had exploded into overdrive.
Of course, I had no idea.
Nor did I know Edmund was panicking in his own way:
“Please tell me she can’t hear my heartbeat… right?”
Torn between fear and secret hope, Edmund carried me all the way to the library.
The distance wasn’t far, but compared to when Willace had carried me, it took twice as long.
Willace trailed behind us at a leisurely pace, smiling quietly to himself.
Good thing I told her not to mention I carried her before. This worked out perfectly.
Unlike these two, he had more than enough awareness of the situation—and felt thoroughly relieved.
“Willace, wait out here.”
“Yes, young madam.”
To my surprise, he didn’t argue or even ask why. He simply bowed politely.
“I’ll be here, wishing you luck.”
And so, Edmund and I slipped inside the library alone.
The familiar smell of dust tickled my nose.
I took a deep breath and steadied my thoughts.
If I’m wrong about this… No. I can’t be. I have to be right.
The words from my notebook rose in my mind again.
Blood. Library. Red magic.
I remembered the day I almost fainted—when Edmund caught me and scratched his hand in the process. For a brief moment, I had seen a flash of red light.
In the original story, there was only one thing ever described with red magic like that…
The Cohen family signet ring.
The ancient spell bound to it was always described as glowing crimson.
I gathered a few supplies: a candle placed where the light wouldn’t leak out, a paper knife, and some water to clean it.
Heating the blade until it glowed, I disinfected it with fire.
“Cassia? What are you doing?” Edmund asked, alarmed.
I ignored him. Time to test it.
The moment the knife cooled, I pressed it to my own palm and cut.
“Cassia!!!” Edmund shouted, horrified.
I watched the drops of blood drip down, scanning the floor, the walls, the shelves, the books—even scraps of paper.
And then I knew.
It’s not just any blood that’s the key. Of course—it’s the Cohen heir’s inheritance.
Only one person’s blood could unlock it.
Edmund grabbed my hand, frantic, trying to examine the wound. I shook my head.
“This isn’t the time to worry about that.”
“What do you mean—?!”
I held his hand firmly, stroking it, and asked in a low voice,
“You said you trusted me earlier.”
“I do. I trust you,” he answered without hesitation.
His words filled me with courage.
“Then no matter what I do now—trust me. Accept it.”
Most people would’ve balked, seeing me bleeding, holding a knife. But Edmund didn’t flinch.
“Yeah. Whatever it is, I’ll trust you.”
I gave a wry smile.
“That’s not a good habit. Don’t put blind faith in people.”
I understood his desire to trust and share affection. I’d felt the same once. And I’d been betrayed.
That’s why I said it—because I didn’t want him to end up the same way.
But Edmund’s reply was nothing like what I expected.
“It’s not blind faith. I trust you because it’s you.”
And that’s when I realized—
I had been hoping all along to hear those very words.
That was all the assurance I needed. Without hesitation, I raised the knife again.
“I’m sorry.”
I didn’t want to hurt him. But right now, I had no choice.
The blade opened a fresh cut on his already scarred hand.
And when Edmund’s blood mingled with mine—
The crimson glow finally appeared.
The blood he shed shone with an eerie red light.
