🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 26
Miela let out a long yawn, clearly just having woken up. Regina couldn’t help but smile at how cute she looked.
Her previously tense mind seemed to heal all at once. Now she could understand why Istein was so fond of this child.
“You’re already awake? You could’ve slept a little longer.”
“No, I’ve been waiting all this time for you to come, Lady Regina. Haa-aam…”
Though she claimed she’d been waiting, the yawn at the end of her words betrayed the truth. It seemed the previously quiet villa had become too noisy and woke her up.
“Hehe, looks like you were waiting in dreamland instead?”
“Huh?”
Miela tilted her head, not understanding the duchess’s teasing. Her expression and voice were hazy — clearly still sleepy. Regina couldn’t help but chuckle again.
“There’s drool by your mouth. And a pillow mark on your cheek too.”
“Ah!”
Miela quickly rubbed her mouth with her sleeve, startled. But it didn’t do much.
Regina pulled out a handkerchief from her bosom and lightly moistened it with holy water. She handed it to Miela.
“Use this to wipe up. The pillow mark should disappear right away too.”
“B-but holy water is really precious…”
Miela hesitated to accept it, clearly conflicted. So Regina took the handkerchief herself and gently wiped Miela’s mouth and cheek.
The soft touch and faint scent of holy water shook off her drowsiness. Miela’s hazel eyes snapped open.
“Ah…!”
“It’s only a few drops. No big deal. If you look at the basin over there, you’ll see we have plenty of it.”
Regina replied nonchalantly. Miela, finally relaxed, murmured softly.
“Th-thank you.”
“That’s right. In situations like this, you don’t refuse — you say thank you. Very good.”
The duchess smiled in satisfaction. At that moment, Miela remembered how Istein had wiped her face in the stables a few days ago.
‘Do nobles just go around gently wiping other people’s faces like this…?’
Of course not — it was a complete misunderstanding. Both Istein and the duchess were known for being cold and individualistic. Sharing or lending personal belongings was unthinkable for them.
But Miela didn’t know that. She had no idea that this famously cold mother and son were offering her very special kindness.
“Well then, shall we begin the purification ritual?”
“May I watch from the side too?”
“Of course.”
Miela stepped in quietly, and Regina gladly made room.
Regina rolled up her sleeves and stood in front of a wide basin. Holding the sword carefully with both hands, she lowered it into the basin filled with holy water.
Then—
A black haze, like a bad omen, began to ooze from the blade that had seemed perfectly normal.
“W-what is that?!”
The butler and head maid gasped in horror. Miela, however, wasn’t surprised — she had expected this.
‘Ugh, gross!’
Still, she instinctively grimaced at the repulsive aura.
The black mist darted around inside the basin, almost as if screaming, before eventually dissolving into the holy water with a faint hiss.
As if nothing had ever happened, it vanished completely. But the now-useless holy water had turned murky and gray.
“There really was a curse on that sword…”
When Regina pulled the sword back out, it shone even brighter than before. She ran her hand across the scabbard in a daze, still unable to believe what she had witnessed.
Then suddenly, she gasped.
“Come to think of it — what about the curse mark on Istein’s body? Has it disappeared?”
“I’ll check immediately, madam.”
The butler, now calm, stepped forward.
After checking Istein’s body, he confirmed that the dark curse mark that had once covered his entire back was completely gone.
“Oh my goodness…”
The butler let out an involuntary exclamation. Istein’s back was as smooth and clear as if it had never been touched by a curse. No more fever either — only the sound of peaceful, steady breathing.
“Ah…”
Regina finally let out a long breath. A miracle had truly occurred. The room fell silent in awe of the unbelievable scene they had just witnessed.
And then, one by one, tears began to fall — starting with Regina, followed by the butler, head maid, and even the royal physician.
Sniff.
“W-why is everyone crying? The curse is gone, isn’t it? Is something wrong?”
Confused, Miela looked around.
Without a word, Regina hugged her tightly. Miela was startled by the sudden embrace — but strangely, she didn’t feel the urge to pull away.
“…!”
That was because Regina’s warm arms reminded her of what it felt like to be held by her mother.
‘It’s warm… comforting… Just like the past.’
Miela rested her head quietly against her. When she finally lifted it much later, she realized something.
“Oh no…!”
Her tears and snot had completely soaked Regina’s beautiful dress.
“I-I’m sorry! I messed up! I ruined your dress with my tears and snot… What a huge mistake…”
She shut her eyes tight and apologized. But to her surprise, there was no scolding from Regina. Instead, she gently stroked Miela’s hair.
“It’s alright. A dress can be washed — or replaced.”
“B-but still…”
“You weren’t the only one crying. I cried too. So did everyone here.”
They were, after all, tears of joy.
Regina added with a warm smile.
“Mm…”
Not long after, Istein stirred. His lips parted slightly as he made a sound, then his eyes slowly opened. It didn’t take long for his green eyes to regain focus.
“What… What happened… Ah.”
His voice cracked. The last thing he remembered was arguing with his mother about bringing Miela to the estate. But now, he was staring at a pure white ceiling.
Looking around, he saw the physician, the butler, the head maid… his mother, and Miela — a group of people who normally didn’t belong together — all gathered in one place.
“Ti-ti! You’re awake!”
Miela was the first to notice. Soon after, everyone else approached to check on him.
“Istein, are you awake?”
“Thank goodness, young master!”
Even in his groggy state, it was easy for Istein to piece together what had happened.
“Mother… Did I collapse?”
“Yes.”
Regina answered evenly, though she was holding back overwhelming emotion.
“Miela lifted your curse. Be sure to thank her properly.”
“…What?”
Istein blinked slowly. What had he just heard?
“You’re saying my curse… was lifted? And by Miela?”
He had noticed how light his body felt — even his eyelids weren’t heavy anymore. But he never imagined the curse was truly gone.
“Yes. You understood correctly.”
“No, Mother. I still don’t quite understand. I’ll need a more detailed explanation.”
“It’s a long story.”
Regina let out a sigh and began to explain everything that had happened.
After listening, Istein slowly turned his head to face Miela.
“…Miela.”
His voice, saying her name, was filled with layered emotions — gratitude, guilt, and the embarrassment of having hidden his true identity from her.
