Episode 30
Judging by the original story and Duke Partin’s personality, if Duke Partin were to leave Eden in Elysia’s care, then Lisbeth would most likely end up dead.
Considering how cautious Duke Partin was, that outcome was nearly certain.
The fact that he placed a mana shackle on Eden, who hadn’t even awakened yet, showed how careful and wary he was about everything.
It was probably to prevent Eden from awakening and escaping in his absence.
But that led to some questions.
‘Judging by how he doesn’t bother coming to check on Eden, it seems like Duke Partin roughly knows when Eden will awaken… How does he know that? Was it Delphir’s doing?’
How did he even find out that Eden would awaken as a mage in the first place?
He wasn’t even a mage himself.
‘I didn’t read to the end, so there’s way too much missing information.’
Maybe it was because she realized people were dying in the mansion—
Elysia was starting to feel anxious about how useful her incomplete knowledge would be.
Just the fact that she had read the original story put Elysia a step ahead of everyone else. That was something she was confident in.
But there was a downside.
She didn’t know anything that happened after the original Elysia was executed, or the hints she had missed in the middle.
That included anything related to Eden and Ariel.
“I don’t even know what kind of position Eden held in the kingdom.”
Except that he had no right to the throne.
She didn’t even remember his real name, so how could she possibly know what kind of life he led in the kingdom?
She wanted to investigate now, but if she did, she’d risk catching the attention of Duke Partin and the Kingdom of Saimon.
With a troubled expression, Elysia slumped into her chair.
“Why did Ariel suddenly awaken?”
That was another lingering question.
Thinking about it now was ridiculous, but up until this point, why Ariel had awakened hadn’t been all that important to Elysia.
What mattered to her was finding a way to hide Ariel’s awakening until Eden killed Duke Partin.
“The reason might be important… I guess…”
Why hadn’t she cared more?
It was a moment when she began questioning herself.
But that wasn’t the only strange part. There were so many questionable things.
So many that even thinking about them was exhausting.
Until now, Elysia had brushed all the inconsistencies aside by telling herself it was just because she hadn’t finished reading the story.
It wasn’t exactly wrong, but that also meant she wouldn’t know the answers until she reached the ending.
That in itself was a headache.
Elysia had no idea where this story would end.
Which also meant she had no clue when the missing pieces would come together.
“So frustrating.”
Unable to contain her irritation, Elysia ran her hands through her hair and muttered.
She just wanted someone—anyone—to answer her questions.
“Hey.”
‘She’s back again…’
Eden hadn’t gone to sleep right away tonight and was instead reading the book Elysia left behind.
After flipping through a couple pages, a sharp voice called out from outside the window.
It was a voice he recognized, so it didn’t feel unfamiliar. But that didn’t mean it was welcome.
Even though it was only the second time they met, Eden looked back with an already weary expression.
Ariel was glaring at him with narrowed eyes.
“You really didn’t tell my sister?”
“……”
He did.
As soon as Elysia returned, Eden had tattled that Ariel had come to see him.
Because of that, he got caught up in some unpleasant misunderstandings.
Sure, Eden hadn’t cleared up the misunderstanding either, but even if he could go back, he’d probably do the same thing again.
So, this was the result.
“Yes.”
Eden gave a vague nod without turning to face her properly.
It was a lie, but Elysia had told him to keep it a secret from Ariel, so he was just following her instructions.
“No wonder she didn’t show up…”
Ariel had gone back to her room and crawled under the covers before falling asleep.
Then the next morning, she practiced her best pitiful face in preparation for getting scolded by Elysia.
But Elysia didn’t come.
So Ariel vaguely started to think—
Maybe Eden really didn’t tell Elysia that she had come.
“You’re not even a little grateful.”
Even though she owed him, her attitude was shameless.
“I’m not thankful at all, so I’m not going to thank you.”
“……”
Eden felt something unfamiliar as he looked at Ariel.
The moment they reunited, he could clearly define this new emotion for the first time in his life.
Annoyed.
In his otherwise steady, sunny life, Ariel was like a storm cloud.
“So what if I did?”
“Hah…”
He didn’t know why she kept picking fights with him, but even being hated unilaterally was emotionally draining.
“Hey.”
Despite hearing his sigh, Ariel pretended not to and called him again.
“……”
Still sitting, Eden lifted his head in response.
“Why are you locked up in here?”
“……”
Eden’s eyes widened.
Why was he locked up in here?
Eden was aware that he was confined. But he had no complaints.
He just accepted it as part of life.
He thought being alone was scary, but also that it was normal.
Eden raised a hand to scratch his neck.
“Ah.”
He remembered Elysia had told him not to scratch and lowered his hand.
His neck still itched.
“I asked why you’re in here?”
Why? Why?
Ariel was now leaning her chin on the windowsill, asking casually.
“I don’t know.”
Eden answered in the same calm tone. Ariel narrowed her eyes again, clearly still dissatisfied, and asked another question.
“When did you come here?”
“I don’t know.”
“When are you leaving?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you know?”
“Nothing.”
Other than his own name, Eden knew nothing. He earnestly answered her questions, repeating to himself that Ariel was Elysia’s little sister.
It was an utterly unproductive conversation.
“…Why does my sister come to see you?”
“…I don’t know.”
The intent behind the question was so obvious that even Eden could catch it.
Ariel didn’t care who Eden was or why he was here.
She just hated the fact that Elysia cared for him and wanted to know why.
But Eden didn’t know why Elysia came to see him either.
He’d never thought about it.
‘Do I have to know the reason?’
Wasn’t it enough that she came at all?
Eden’s lifeless gaze fell from Ariel to the floor.
Then, suddenly, he felt irritated.
He was annoyed at Ariel for digging into his life without hesitation. But soon, he calmed himself again.
‘Elysia wants me to get along with her…’
So no matter what, Eden couldn’t harbor negative feelings toward Ariel.
Even if he did, he couldn’t voice them.
He didn’t know if it would work, but if it was what Elysia wanted, he would try his best.
“You really don’t know anything, huh.”
Ariel leaned back as she spoke.
With no expression and such dry reactions, even the normally energetic Ariel felt herself deflating.
“Your name? Don’t tell me you don’t know your own name either?”
Suddenly, Ariel asked for his name. She seemed completely uninterested, despite being the one who brought it up.
“Eden.”
It was the most normal answer he’d given so far.
“Eden…”
Ariel repeated the name and smirked.
“Whoever named you really didn’t put much thought into it.”
Honestly, that was a stretch.
Here, names didn’t carry meanings. As long as they were pronounceable, that was enough.
But Ariel insisted on mocking him anyway.
With arms crossed and a smug look, she waited for the next obvious step.
“……”
“……”
“……”
“You’re supposed to ask my name now!”
How could someone be so frustrating?
Normally, when someone tells you their name, you ask for theirs in return.
Unable to even stamp her foot on the wooden crate, Ariel pounded her chest in frustration.
Watching her, Eden asked in a soulless voice—
“…What’s your name?”
He already knew her name from Elysia.
That’s why he hadn’t asked.
Actually, he wasn’t even curious.
But Eden obediently gave her what she wanted.
“Hmph! You should’ve asked sooner. You’re really so slow. Ariel. I’m Ariel.”
Ariel, oblivious to Eden’s consideration, proudly declared her name.
And, of course, she couldn’t resist throwing in one last jab.
“Mom named me after my sister.”
That was the whole reason she made Eden ask.
To show off her connection to Elysia.
Eden seemed to realize this too, as he scowled and pouted.
Ariel, seeing his lower lip poke out beneath his bangs, raised her chin in victory.
“So, just hand over those clothes nicely.”
She shoved her hand through the bars, demanding Elysia’s missing clothes.
She didn’t seem to care how she’d explain it later.
“No.”
Of course, Eden wasn’t easy either.
“Ugh!”
Even after proving she was closer to Elysia, Eden still stubbornly refused.
Ariel was appalled.
The two glared at each other for a while after that.
Their second meeting wasn’t all that different from their first.
