NYM 3

Chapter: 3

But the Zeros family never gave up hope. They regularly called priests and doctors, and asked mages to pass knowledge along to Sevtina.

…so explained Cordelia.

Since Sevtina had been in a coma from birth, Julai didn’t need to act like her. Her very presence had become Sevtina.

“It’s worth it to have never given up hope,”

Cordelia smiled mischievously. Julai had only ever seen Yulia cover her mouth with a fan or her hand when she laughed, so Cordelia’s wide, playful grin felt strangely unfamiliar.

Watching the smile made Julai feel oddly shy.

‘Well, she probably isn’t thinking about me at all.’

She wanted to hide her flushed face. As Sevtina lowered her head, her hair fell forward, its soft pink reminding Julai of flower petals.

Cordelia brushed Sevtina’s bangs aside.

“Sevtina, I think we should stop talking for today.”
“Yes, Cordelia.”
“Oh—call me ‘big sister.’”

Sevtina’s carefully cooled face immediately burned red again at the awkward title she had never been able to use in her life.

“…I’m still not used to it. I’m sorry.”

“We’ll change it little by little.”

Cordelia stroked Sevtina’s head. Sevtina fiddled with her still-awkward pink hair, avoiding eye contact.

“In about an hour, the doctor, priest, and a mage will visit to check on you. Now that you’re awake, we’ll do everything to make sure nothing goes wrong.”

A mage…

Sevtina bit her lip, recalling Dante’s face that flashed through her mind.

‘Ah, right.’

Realizing she was in front of Cordelia, she forced a smile.

“I’m really fine. Thank you.”

Cordelia looked at Sevtina with an unreadable expression—affectionate, yet thoughtful.

It was easy to read Yulia’s emotions, but Cordelia was a mystery. Summoning courage, Sevtina asked:

“Is something wrong?”
“…I just find it ironic,”
“Pardon?”
“Why are there so many unhappy people in the world?”
“What do you mean?”

Cordelia hesitated. It was another family’s business, and she wanted to tell only good things to Sevtina, who had just woken up.

But Sevtina realized there was truth in her words. She felt she couldn’t just let it pass.

‘…If I hadn’t fallen from that height, I might have ended up in a coma too.’

Thinking this, Sevtina spoke first.

“Please tell me. You said ‘unhappy.’ Is there someone like me?”

Because this was the first time Sevtina had expressed curiosity, Cordelia couldn’t just brush it off. She sighed and spoke.

“…There was a problem in the Live family.”

The Live family. Julai had been unsure how to ask, so it was a relief that Cordelia told her first.

It was now May 3, 201 of the calendar. Exactly one year had passed since the day Julai had tried to take her own life.

What had happened to her that day? Had she… really died in the Live family?

“Who was the person in danger of losing their life?”

She tried to keep calm, though her heart raced.

Cordelia’s eyes narrowed as she recalled the memory, speaking in a dark tone.

“The daughter, who had been sick for so long, finally fell into a coma. She became similar to your condition, so I visited a few times. Her name… was Julai, I think.”

Her own name. She gripped the blanket and took a deep breath.

“Someone like me… I want to visit her someday. Maybe I can help.”

It really would be good to go. To see if she was truly asleep, what her body had endured, and to understand the situation she couldn’t grasp now.

Cordelia brightened slightly.

“…It’s the first time you’ve said you want to go outside. First, let’s take it step by step, checking your body condition as we go.”

Cordelia stroked Sevtina’s hair and left the room.

Alone, Sevtina took a deep breath.

‘My body… is alive…?’

It was surprising. Honestly, the Live family could have killed Julai, yet they kept her alive. She didn’t understand why.

‘…Even though I’m useless.’

She looked down at her hands, which had no markings. She still vividly remembered the moment Yulia had been chosen as the successor.

Was Yulia fulfilling her duties as the successor of water? Perhaps by now, she was already engaged to one of the three. A year was a long time.

“Now, it’s no longer my concern.”

Sevtina shook her head, biting her lip. She had many things to check about her body. What Wyatt, Dante, and Clazen were doing no longer mattered.

…No one would miss her anyway. She had no reason to care about them.

The first to enter the room was the doctor, who checked her pulse, temperature, and thoroughly examined her body.

“I never thought I’d see you alive like this.”

The doctor marveled at her pulse several times. Sevtina stayed silent, sensing the astonishment.

Next came the priest, who carefully checked her condition as well.

“I will channel divine power into you. But now that you’re awake, you should begin exercising.”

Despite her long coma, Sevtina maintained the stamina of a normal person thanks to divine energy. The regular infusion had preserved her health.

With the doctor and priest done, it was time for the mage.

She thought Dante might come, but that was impossible. Dante, the top mage and successor of wind, was always extremely busy managing magic and observing territories. His time with Julai had been rare.

Sevtina, lying in the soft bed, blinked sleepily. Her body was weak from the coma. To reduce eye strain, she closed her eyes briefly.

Knock. Knock.

“Come in.”

Hearing someone approach, she opened her eyes. And then doubted her own sight.

“Hello, Sevtina Zeros.”

Through the shimmering silver hair, a sharp jawline appeared. Slightly raised, piercing eyes, and a voice smooth as silk.

“I am Dante O’Driann.”

Dante stood before her.

‘Why is he here?’

Dante was a mage, usually busy adjusting formulas and drawing magic circles. As a successor, he barely had time to observe the territories. He wouldn’t come here just to see a count’s daughter.

[Actions with no gain are meaningless.]

Dante’s words to Julai echoed in her mind.

“Sevtina Zeros?”

Sevtina stared silently, which seemed odd to Dante. He waved his hand again in greeting.

‘…This is uncomfortable.’

Seeing his unexpected face, she felt confused. Her body warmed, and her heart raced. She gripped the blanket tightly, controlling her emotions, and finally greeted him.

“Hello.”

Then she thought:

‘…Is Sevtina really that important?’

She knew the Zeros family was remarkable but had never studied nobles in detail. As an adopted daughter, her role had been mostly household duties. The time she spent alive had been to meet successors of other elements.

Elemental successors met regularly to balance seasonal or weather-related powers. Sevtina had been able to meet them when she was the sole water candidate.

Dante preferred the mansion’s library. He usually stayed there, so she once dared to invite him to a festival.

[Festivals are mere tools for profit. I cannot understand joy from spending money there. You go if you wish, Julai Live. I prefer staying in the mansion.]

Of course, he had sharply rejected her.

“Excuse me.”

Now, however, his voice was completely different from the cold tone he had used with Julai.

Sevtina thought seriously:

‘…Is status truly everything to people?’

Recalling old memories, she was startled by Dante’s sudden approach. Eyes wide, she stepped back, and Dante slightly bowed in response, adjusting his glasses.

“I need to examine you closely to ensure nothing is wrong. Please forgive any rudeness.”
“Ah, yes.”

Sevtina realized for the first time how polite he was. She felt slightly saddened—at least Dante wouldn’t judge her by status like Yulia had. Her status had been the problem, apparently.

“Could you extend your hand? I need to check your condition one last time.”

Better to comply quickly and let him leave.

Sevtina pulled her right hand from under the blanket. Dante gently held it, closing his eyes as if focusing his mind.