episode_0047

When asked if he intended to take the academy entrance exam, Albert naturally expressed his affirmation.

It was inevitable for him to enter the academy in order to do things he couldn’t do in his previous life, to become a slightly better person.

And above all.

“If I can find Luna’s voice….”

It was said that Luna’s inability to speak was congenital. She couldn’t speak from birth and as a result, lived a quite difficult life.

However, the important thing was that they couldn’t find the reason why she couldn’t speak. It wasn’t a physical or mental issue.

So the biggest possibility could be….

“A devil’s curse.”

Not all devils are the same. Broadly speaking, they are divided into high-ranking devils with names and lower-ranking devils without names.

The commonly seen ones are lower-ranking devils who seduce humans, grant wishes, and take souls in exchange.

Then, what kind of creatures are high-ranking devils?

How should I put it? In short, they are “unique creatures.”

They have no interest in human bodies. They are creatures who live solely for fun and their own reputation.

No, to be precise, it’s ambiguous to say they live. Because they don’t have a lifespan to begin with.

Anyway, the method mainly used by these creatures who are obsessed with reputation and fun is curses.

Weakening someone, making their legs useless, blinding them, or…

…making them unable to speak.

Whether it’s their unique ability or they want to widely publicize what they’ve done. They always insist on the same curse.

For example, yes. A devil who cursed someone blind will continue to curse blindness. And then again, they will continue to curse blindness.

In this way, if you follow the curse of muteness, eventually….

Of course, everything is just speculation. There’s no certainty that a devil did it, and even if you find records of the curse, the possibility of tracking down the devil is like finding a needle in a haystack.

However, that doesn’t mean I can just give up.

“For Luna’s sake.”

I made a promise to live this life to the fullest.

Even if I end up failing and feeling defeated, as long as there’s a glimmer of hope, I’ll pursue it.

But it’s truly ironic.

“If Luna were to lose her voice due to a devil’s curse…”

Who would wish for that, and why?

At least devils weren’t known for doing things themselves, so that raised questions.

* * * * *

Clatter, clatter…

The carriage moved forward, causing a slight vibration.

Luna gazed out the window at the grand castle she had grown up in.

It was Iris Castle, where she was born and raised.

“It’s suffocating.”

One would think it should be comfortable to be where you were born and raised, but it wasn’t. It felt suffocating, as if her chest was tightening.

In truth, she never wanted to come back here. She wanted to stay forever with the Duke and Duchess of David Castle and their son.

She felt truly at ease there. She didn’t need to worry about anyone’s judgment. The gardens also appealed to her greatly.

But unfortunately, it was impossible. She was engaged to Albert, the Duke, but they hadn’t officially married.

If an unmarried woman wandered outside, rumors would surely spread among the nobility.

Moreover, she couldn’t bring disgrace to David Castle any further.

She had been treated well enough until now.

For various reasons, Luna had returned to Iris Castle.

Among the many misfortunes that weighed on her mind, the only solace was being able to see the morning glories she had planted in the garden.

“I wonder if Dali is doing well.”

The gardener must be taking good care of it, but she couldn’t help but worry.

It was a flower more special than any other in the garden.

Small and unassuming, yet its significance was greater than anything else.

After all, she had planted it herself. She worried if the roots had taken hold, if the stem hadn’t bent.

After bidding farewell to the coachman, Luna headed straight for the garden.

I passed through the splendid flowers that filled the surroundings.

For some reason, my steps felt light. Perhaps the time spent at Duke David’s had brought about some change.

It was when I arrived at a small corner of the garden.

“No, why does she like these kinds of flowers? Aren’t the splendid ones better?”

Thud-.

A small shovel scooped up the earth.

The person holding the shovel was none other than Rachel, who had tormented herself so much.

‘What on earth is this…’

It was surprising enough that the daughter of the duke was personally digging the ground, but even more astonishing was the fact that morning glories had sprouted in the garden.

Thud-.

Diligently moving the shovel, Rachel took out the flowers from the basket.

It was a morning glory with yellow buds.

“Grow well.”

After planting the flower in a small hole, she gently tapped the soil despite her harsh words.

Luna, who had silently observed the whole process, stood there blankly, blinking her eyes.

Even though she had seen it with her own eyes, she could hardly believe it.

That Rachel.

The Rachel who had tormented herself so much, and whom one could hardly find any mercy in.

Why on earth would she be planting flowers, especially morning glories?

The fact that she liked splendid things is not only known to the members of the family but also to most nobles.

It is even rumored among commoners. What else can be said?

Yet, that she was planting such an unassuming morning glory was almost more believable as a dream.

While Luna was lost in thought, Rachel, sensing a presence, turned her head.

Eyes with the same color, but their gazes were so different, crossed paths.

After silently gazing at each other for a moment, Rachel was the first to turn her head. She grasped the shovel again and began to dig the ground.

Thud-.

Only the sound of digging echoed in the quiet stillness.

They were too far gone to forgive anyone or seek forgiveness.

* * * * *

This was a few days ago, just after Luna ran away.

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

I was just trying to look at the flowerpot. I was curious about what kind of gift Albert Gongja had prepared for Luna.

I knew that David Gongjaka’s finances were not good, but still, he wasn’t a “Gongjaka,” right? I thought he must have prepared something flashy and expensive.

But all I received was an ordinary flowerpot. I thought there would be some jewels or something in that pot, but…

As I was checking it, Luna came back to the room and was startled, dropping it.

It was a mistake to begin with, but the deep misunderstanding between Luna and myself turned it into an incident.

In short, a misunderstanding. Yes, it was a misunderstanding.

“I should have explained.”

I know it rationally.

If you misunderstand, you should clarify.

And the truth is, Luna did nothing wrong. It was just negative emotions from her lost childhood.

But admitting that made her mother’s death seem more tragic, so I couldn’t bring myself to admit it.

“Well, she’ll come back soon.”

As emotionless as ever, she was always clear-headed.

But Luna didn’t plan on coming back even as time passed.

In the end, I ended up going to the social gathering alone.

Despite this and that, it felt awkward to go to the social gathering alone after always being with Rachel.

But Luna, whom I met there, seemed to be in better spirits than ever before.

Nothing had changed significantly, but the atmosphere felt different. Even though others didn’t notice, as family, Rachel could tell.

“Annoying.”

For no reason, Rachel, who was feeling mischievous, decided to torment Luna as usual.

As a result, things took a turn for the worst due to the involvement of Hwangja.

In the end, she had to apologize to Hwangja herself.

She didn’t directly do anything wrong, but when a problem arises, it’s right for the leader of the group to step forward.

Afterwards, feeling down due to various things, including ugly rumors, Rachel left the social gathering early and returned to the mansion.

Feeling frustrated, Rachel wanted to have a glass of wine alone, but just at that moment, the housekeeper delivered a message.

“It seems like another day with nothing going right.”

With that thought in mind, Rachel headed to her home office. Upon arrival, the first things she saw were expensive wine and two glasses.

“What on earth is going on?”

As she pondered, a low, steady voice broke the silence.

“Sit down, my dear. It’s time I told you a few things.”