NYM 5

Chapter: 5

The word older sister still didn’t sit comfortably on her tongue.
Cordelia entered the room and perched herself on the edge of the table where Septina was seated.

“I brought one of the gifts I’d been saving up until you came back.”

Cordelia placed a large box on the table. It was wrapped in elegant paper and tied with a red ribbon.

Septina untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. The moment she saw what was inside, she was struck speechless.

“……”

It was a beautifully crafted emerald necklace. The thumb-sized emerald set at the center shone with an otherworldly brilliance. Pearls were embedded beside it, and the gold frame that complemented the green gemstone brought the whole piece into perfect harmony.

But that wasn’t why Septina had lost her words.

She knew this necklace.

The Western Atelier, famous for crafting accessories such as necklaces, rings, and bracelets. Renowned among nobles by word of mouth, the atelier was known for producing only a very limited number of pieces.

Yulia, in particular, had coveted their accessories. They accepted only five custom orders a month, and the remaining designs were featured in magazines and sold to the highest bidder.

Septina, too, wanted to look at the magazines filled with photos of glittering jewels. But Yulia always monopolized the latest issue, leaving her with only old, worn copies.

This emerald necklace was one of the pieces Yulia had circled as something she desperately wanted. The repeated circles made it obvious just how much she desired it.

Even Julai had been momentarily entranced when she saw the necklace—it was that beautiful. Back then, Septina had envied Yulia, who could obtain things like this whenever she pleased.

Yet Yulia had never worn the necklace even once. Septina had found that strange—until now.

It wasn’t that she didn’t wear it.

Yulia hadn’t been able to wear it. Because Cordelia had bought it. Yulia had lost the auction to the Zeros family.

“Do you like it?”

Septina stared at the necklace for a long time. In the end, she couldn’t find her voice and only nodded.

“I’m glad.”

At the warmth in Cordelia’s voice, Septina found herself wondering what expression she was making.

Through her slightly raised gaze, she saw Cordelia smiling brightly. Her smile was as radiant as the sun itself.

…How strange.

Septina had rarely seen people smile.

The servants at the Rieve estate were always curt with Julai. The Rieve couple and Yulia had never been kind to her either.

Even the heirs of the elements were no different. Wyatt always wore a poker face, and Dante was usually frowning in concentration. Only Klazen’s smile had been familiar.

But the smile Cordelia had just shown was completely different.

A smile filled with sincerity and affection. From that single smile, Septina could feel how deeply Cordelia cared for her.

“May I put it on you?”

Nod.
Once again, Septina answered with a gesture instead of words. Her throat felt tight, and she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Though the behavior could have been considered rude, Cordelia didn’t seem to mind. Soon, the emerald necklace sparkled against Septina’s neck. It suited her porcelain-white skin perfectly.

“There are still many gifts I’ve saved for the time we’ll spend together. I hope you’ll enjoy opening them one by one from now on.”

Cordelia lightly tapped Septina’s shoulder.

“You’ll start meeting other people, too. There’ll be many new things, and it might feel overwhelming. But I believe all of this is a new opportunity given to you.”

She was clearly speaking to Septina—yet for some reason, it sounded as though she were speaking to Julai Rieve instead.

Because of her tightening throat, Septina swallowed her saliva again and again.

Her face flushed.

She didn’t know why the moments when she felt like crying were increasing.

Not because of despair—but because of this unfamiliar emotion.

“Don’t rush yourself just because you’re starting late. Everyone has their own timing.”

I really don’t understand this family.

How could the count and countess maintain a room and continue caring for a child who wouldn’t even wake up?

And what kind of older sister, upon suddenly gaining a younger sibling, would offer gifts and advice instead of anger?

It was so different from the family she had known…

She still didn’t know how to respond.

Septina lowered her head again.

Her pink hair slipped down like a curtain, hiding her face. As she bowed her head, the necklace fell forward and caught the light.

“Father wants to hold a party to celebrate your awakening. He wanted to hold it this very week, but I barely managed to stop him. I’m thinking about a month or so… but we’ll probably need to start preparing for next month.”

…A party to celebrate her awakening.

Perhaps that was what Cordelia meant by not rushing, by telling her to keep going—so she wouldn’t be discouraged while preparing for this event.

She might need to worry.

But at the same time, she felt anticipation.

Because she was no longer the Julai who could only watch from afar as Yulia took lessons, danced, and mingled with others.

“It’s getting late. Sleep well. Sweet dreams.”

Cordelia glanced at the clock and stood up. It was already pointing to eleven.

As she watched Cordelia’s retreating back, Septina hesitated dozens of times. But the word older sister, still unfamiliar on her tongue, wouldn’t come out.

If not that, then at least—

“Thank you.”

The words barely escaped her lips.

For a moment, her own voice sounded awkward to her.

Cordelia stopped and turned her head, then broke into a grin.

“You’re thanking me for that?”

She left the room with unhurried steps.

But Septina had seen it.

The traces of tears at the corners of her eyes.

The human heart is truly fickle. She had sworn not to hope anymore.

Yet Septina held onto a small wish.

…The hope she’d had when she first arrived at the Rieve estate.

The hope that she, too, might gain a family.

Time passed quickly.

Today was the day Dante would visit Septina again. It was also the day a doctor and a priest were scheduled to come.

“Miss, please wake up!”

The girl calling Septina’s name was a maid around her age, who had been in charge of her before a personal attendant was assigned. Most of the Zeros household staff were older, but among the newly hired servants, Adel was close to Septina’s age.

When asked if she wanted a personal maid right away, Septina shook her head. She was shy around strangers, and given the environment she’d grown up in, she couldn’t imagine a noble lowering themselves to attend to her. So she made the excuse that she wanted to choose slowly.

That wasn’t all.

For some reason, Adel reminded her of her former self. Feeling a sense of kinship, Septina told the Zeros couple that she wanted Adel to be her exclusive attendant.

[…To think Septina would ask us for something.]

[Of course we’ll grant it. If you ever need anything else, tell us right away. All right?]

With tears welling in their eyes, the Zeros couple immediately agreed.

“It’s time for breakfast.”

Speaking in a lively voice, Adel guided Septina—who was sitting at the edge of the bed—to the mirror. She matched her pace carefully, mindful of Septina’s still-weak body. Once Septina sat down, Adel diligently brushed her long hair.

“I love brushing your hair the most, Lady Septina. It’s like pink clouds… or an enchanted forest from a dream. How can hair be this beautiful?”

Adel was rich in expression, and clearly used to giving compliments. But for Septina, who wasn’t accustomed to praise, it was embarrassing.

It felt good, yet awkward.

As Septina fiddled with her freshly brushed hair, she lifted the corner of her lips just slightly.

Adel continued naturally.

“There’s another guest coming to see you today, Lady Septina. They’re very busy, so they contacted us as soon as they had time. They said to please pass along their apologies for not informing you sooner.”

“Who’s coming?”

The Zeros couple had refused most visits so far, wanting Septina to focus on adjusting. Since everyone knew she had only recently awakened, they generally accepted this.

“It’s none other than…!”

Adel put on a grave expression.

‘None other than’? Must be someone important.

Septina swallowed nervously.

“Lord Klazen Whitetion will be visiting.”

…Excuse me?

“Oh, right! Lady, Lord Klazen Whitetion leads the Marquis Whitetion household and also runs the largest Whitetion Trading Company in the empire. He’s famous for having incredibly powerful connections through his business network! When he heard you had awakened, he said he wanted to talk with you and recommend teachers suited to you.”

After Dante, another completely unwelcome name surfaced.

“And he’s so handsome, too…! Lady, after Dante, today will be another feast for the eyes.”

Hearts practically poured out of Adel’s eyes as she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes dreamily.

Septina was certain—several romance novels had already been written in Adel’s head.

…Of course, Septina was less than pleased.

She knew Klazen Whitetion was handsome. But appearance was a separate issue.

“A feast for the eyes, my foot.”

“You’ll feel differently once you see Lord Klazen Whitetion yourself! His killer smile is legendary!”

Smile…

Recalling his final farewell, Septina’s expression hardened.

Klazen Whitetion was a man well-versed in smiling. He knew exactly how charming his dimples and smiling eyes were—and he used them deliberately.

At first, she had thought Klazen was the most human of the three.

But the longer she spent time with him, the more her opinion changed.

Only at the very end did she realize—

He hadn’t used Julai personally; he’d simply acted in a way that suited his own convenience.

She couldn’t tell which of the faces Klazen Whitetion had shown was his true self.

Without realizing it, Septina muttered,

“I don’t like smiles.”

Especially when they’re fake.