BVWG 12

chapter 12

The breathtaking scenery surrounding Mor and me was so beautiful that it was hard to believe even when seeing it with my own eyes.

“Well, I guess it’s just an illusion.”

Deciding to enjoy the flowers while I was here, I showered him with compliments and began strolling among them. There were not only roses flaunting their brilliant colors but also cosmos, tulips, daffodils, irises, chrysanthemums, forsythias, and countless other flowers.

Among all these blooms, what caught my eye was a modest cluster of white wildflowers in a corner. Morpheus immediately noticed my gaze.

“Do you like those flowers? They are called starflowers.”

As he explained, I became completely captivated by the subtle fragrance emanating from the tiny flowers.

“Though usually classified as weeds, they bloom in clusters, asserting their presence, and their vitality is remarkable.”

A flicker of curiosity danced in Mor’s eyes again, directed at me.

“Miss Asha, you’re full of surprises. I thought you would prefer more extravagant flowers.”

Hearing his explanation, I liked the starflowers even more.

‘Where else would you find such beautiful weeds?’

I thought they resembled Han Cho-a, who had always been treated as unnecessary baggage, and the starflowers, which were treated as weeds destined to be pulled out someday.

Moreover, something about the flowers’ strong vitality strangely drew me in.

Lost in thought and smiling softly, Mor suddenly came closer, his warm, sunlit amber eyes meeting mine.

“It’s rare to see you smile like this, Miss Asha.”

‘What are you talking about? I smiled when we exchanged names earlier.’

Perhaps noticing my frown, Mor added with a smile:

“I mean a genuine smile, not just a polite one. I’ve wanted to see you smile sincerely.”

The brief flashes of memories from my past life warned me: unprovoked kindness should always be met with suspicion.

“Why are you being so good to me, Wizard Mor?”

“Do you really need a reason? If you insist, let’s just call it a thank-you. For covering my back during the fight with the Incubo.”

Suddenly, he took my hand, bringing the back of it to his lips. His soft lips lightly brushed over it.

My eyes widened at his unexpected action.

It wasn’t uncommon for noblemen to greet women with a hand-kiss, but since I hadn’t yet debuted in society, this was my first experience.

“Consider this another way of expressing my gratitude.”

Mor winked playfully with one eye.

‘Was a hand-kiss always meant to feel so intimate?’

Tilting my head, I stared at him for a moment before concluding that he was probably a rather lighthearted man.

Even if there was some ulterior motive in his behavior, he didn’t seem inclined to reveal it to me. So I decided to clear my mind for the moment.

Leaning against a massive tree in that beautiful meadow, we rested silently. Perhaps the fight against the Incubo and dealing with all those people had exhausted me more than I realized. Fatigue washed over me as I remained seated.

The gentle breeze tickled my hair pleasantly. Struggling to resist sleep, he offered:

“You can rest your eyes for a while. I’ll wake you if anything happens.”

“No, I think it’s about time to return to the others. Thanks to you, I’ve enjoyed the flowers and rested well.”

I slowly stood.

“Thank you so much. Please send me back to reality now.”

Mor looked as if he had no choice but to comply.

“You could have rested a bit longer with me, but it seems you’re the type who needs to learn to rely on others more.”

With another smooth remark, he followed me in rising.

“Well, then, let’s consider your earlier request sufficiently repaid.”

He leaned toward my ear, adding confidentially:

“If we linger any longer, I’m afraid you might fall into a nap whether you want to or not.”

His subtle teasing tinted my cheeks a soft pink.

In the blink of an eye, Mor and I returned to the bustling crowd by the lake. The trace of the peaceful, beautiful meadow had completely vanished.

I thanked Mor once more before turning—but he grabbed my wrist.

The second time his hand held mine, the first had felt urgent, but this time it felt considerate. It was as if reassuring me not to be startled by his sudden action.

“Looks like the situation here is mostly under control. How will you return to the capital?”

“Once the Duke’s attendants recover, we’ll return by carriage the same way we came.”

“Or, why not use my teleportation circle? I’m going to the capital anyway, so I can enlarge the circle while drawing it.”

I hesitated, and he quickly added:

“Your party can easily be transported to the capital. Don’t worry.”

Teleportation was that easy? And over such a long distance, with over 30 people? I realized once again why he had become the youngest head wizard of the royal family.

Since it was a rare opportunity, I accepted his offer. Mor smiled in satisfaction.

I instructed the Duke’s servants to prepare for departure, and the area was quickly organized.

A little farther away, Mor had already begun drawing the long-distance teleportation circle.

Amid the hustle and bustle, a maid approached me—it was the one I had entrusted with Dalia earlier.

“Miss, what should we do with this child?”

From behind the maid’s back, a bright blonde head peeked out.

“Dalia?”

Dalia looked at me cautiously with her deep pink eyes. Her appearance, cleansed by the lake water, shone radiantly.

Even strangers passing by couldn’t help but turn to see how adorable she was.

“Sister, can Dalia really follow us?”

“How do you feel? Do you really want to come with me?”

She hesitated before replying:

“…Yes.”

“Even with all your memories from your past life, wouldn’t it be uncomfortable for you to follow Han Cho-a? Didn’t you dislike her in your previous life?”

Her face lit up in surprise.

“No! Absolutely not! Yoon Jeong-hee envied Han Cho-a! She didn’t dislike her!”

I frowned, not understanding. In my mind, a handicapped Han Cho-a wasn’t someone to be envied.

“Dalia, don’t think I’ll fall for that lie. Yoon Jeong-hee, fully able-bodied, envied Han Cho-a, who could barely move alone? That doesn’t make sense.”

Dalia quickly protested:

“I really did envy Han Cho-a. She was so pretty. That’s why Hero oppa liked her so much.”

I was at a loss for words again. There was only one reason she could have envied me.

‘Yoon Jeong-hee liked Kim Young-woong. That trash.’

It was plausible. In her past life, Kim Young-woong had been kind to everyone but me.

“So that’s why you always left me with Kim Young-woong? Nurse Yoon was hardly ever around.”

“Yoon Jeong-hee hated that Kim Young-woong only doted on Han Cho-a. But being jealous of a sick child she had to care for would be wrong, right?”

Speaking in a timid voice, she admitted her past feelings were embarrassing.

“That’s why Yoon Jeong-hee ran away. She didn’t have confidence in taking care of Han Cho-a properly.”

It made sense for timid Yoon Jeong-hee to act that way. At least she hadn’t harmed me out of jealousy like Kim Young-woong did.

Also, she probably didn’t know about the violence he inflicted on me. That was understandable. Kim Young-woong, being no fool, would only act when no one was around.

“Then why did you think Han Cho-a would avoid Yoon Jeong-hee in the past?”

“Han Cho-a avoided Yoon Jeong-hee whenever she bravely approached.”

Actually, it wasn’t only Yoon Jeong-hee I avoided. I had avoided all adults because everyone seemed scary due to Kim Young-woong’s violence.

Even if my mind was foggy after awakening, the unconscious wounds didn’t dull. I instinctively avoided adults.

But now, talking about this felt pointless. The past wouldn’t change. My obsession with completing the Devil’s Game mission outweighed everything.

“Dalia, I understand your feelings and Yoon Jeong-hee’s. Let’s forget past entanglements and start over.”

Dalia looked up at me with pleading eyes.

“I’m playing the Devil’s Game, and you’re my guide. I need you. I’ll take you to the Duke’s residence. Let’s get along from now on.”

I extended my hand, and she grasped it with a relieved expression.

Just then, preparations for departure were complete. Mor waved to us, indicating the teleportation circle was ready.

Holding Dalia’s hand, I gathered all the Duke’s servants, including the injured, and led them onto Mor’s circle.

As Mor raised his staff to activate the circle, my eyes caught sight of the remaining slum residents.

Would they have to face the Incubo again in a week? There was no guarantee they would survive.

“Wizard Mor, could we add 150 more people to this circle?”

Perhaps Mor, the genius wizard of the century, could manage. Once we brought them to the Duke’s residence, feeding and sheltering them could be handled with the Duke’s wealth.

‘If the Duke refuses, maybe I could manage with my allowance?’

Morpheus looked forlorn, like a wet puppy.

“Miss Asha, that’s an idea unbefitting of a villainess like you. Unfortunately, it’s beyond my ability.”

Once again, he teased me. That excessively handsome man seemed to have taken pleasure in teasing me.