“What happened to turn a person into that? They used to be such a bright friend. Is the curse of the spirit mage truly dragging Jeokhwa into the flames…?” sigh
Sadaeryong murmured with a troubled expression.
Unlike Paecheon, who were itching to devour each other, Jeokhwa and Heukryeon had maintained a friendly relationship for generations.
This was the case even now, but it had been many years since Jeokhwa’s head had rapidly deteriorated, leading to a strained relationship.
That time coincided with Yeon Minha’s birth and also the year her biological mother passed away.
“…So, what’s the situation like right now…?”
Upon hearing my words, Sadaeryong furrowed his brows even more.
Just as someone had warned me, this morning, the Grand Council publicly announced a resolution imposing sanctions on Jeokhwa.
Furthermore, all the atrocities committed by the head of the clan, Yeon Jeongmun, were thoroughly disclosed.
All of Jeokhwa’s businesses and funds were frozen, and an urgent arrest order was issued for all its members.
Even those who barely escaped the tragedy of that day were being held and subjected to intense investigations.
Naturally, Yeon Minha was no exception.
As the rightful heir to Jeokhwa, there were even strong suspicions that she could have been involved in the conspiracy orchestrated by Yeon Jeongmun.
This morning, those who were late to pursue the traces of our escape had demanded our detainment.
However, at this point, Sadaeryong scoffed disdainfully.
“You don’t need to worry. I already chased off all the ruffians. As long as they don’t intend to start a war, they won’t dare set foot on Heukryeon’s territory.”
“But, Senpai has nothing to do with that matter. In fact, he even tried to stop my father from killing me. He almost got caught up in the mess himself…”
“I know, I know. I told you not to worry. We believe what you say.”
As I desperately protested, the Host calmly waved a hand to reassure me.
The man beside her nodded in agreement.
“You too, that child, are safe now. So just focus on your recovery. We’ve detoxified the demon lord’s poison to some degree, but you’ll still need time before you can move around freely.”
“Dear, let’s go now. You need to rest. We can talk after your body has recovered more…”
I still wanted to ask various questions, but they rather dissuaded me and left the special room.
They said it was fine to use everything in the mansion freely and to ring the bell without hesitation if I needed help.
Such unexpected and gracious treatment left me feeling quite dumbfounded.
While such consideration somewhat eased my heart, there were parts that were hard to understand.
It was clear they had received some prior instructions from the Head.
Their words that they had been waiting for me.
They didn’t care at all about the strange appearance of the masked figure. Rather, they even prepared a new mask for me as if it was planned ahead.
Even with my inexperienced eyes, the Head’s parents felt like people of considerable character and dignity.
Considering that their background was that of a prestigious family with five clans, it was even more awe-inspiring.
In the cradle, I at least had the title of a recommended student from Heukryeon… but to them, I was just a lowly orphan.
Unless genuinely moved, acting like this is nearly impossible.
But had the Head ever spoken about his family or parents? No matter how I think, I cannot recall any stories related to that.
The Head and his sisters babbled about all kinds of things, but they had never touched on that topic. Now, it even feels like they deliberately avoided it.
And when I asked about the Head’s relationship, their attitudes were also strangely off.
What could it be…
“…”
Suddenly turning my head, I began to notice smaller details of the guest room that I hadn’t seen before.
Among them, one particularly large frame hanging in the corner caught my eye.
I walked over to it, as if entranced, and examined the frame.
Although it seemed a bit faded and like an old photo, I could definitely recognize the people within it.
The reason this frame caught my attention was clear. The people in the photo were all incredibly familiar and close to me.
To my surprise, it was the Head and his sisters.
While the embellishments on their sleeves and collars were somewhat different now, what they wore was undoubtedly the school uniform of the cradle.
In that case, could it be a picture taken during their school days? Since the Head and his sisters had all graduated from the cradle.
Their childhood appearances felt quite distinctive.
They seemed much the same as they are now while reflecting a liveliness and youthfulness that no longer existed.
I became captivated by the photo.
In the center sat the Head, wearing his characteristic grumpy expression.
Somehow, that expression looked no different from how he is now, and it felt oddly endearing.
Surrounding him were his sisters.
They wore the same school uniform, yet each sister showcased her unique personality.
To the Head’s right: Sehwa, the model student with long skirts and jackets, diligently adhering to the school rules.
In the center: Chaewon, casually unbuttoned with a skirt that was embarrassingly short, radiating a free-spirited vibe.
To the left: Jinn, a cute girl awkwardly clinging to the Head’s arm with a somewhat anxious expression. Why is she wrapping a jacket around her head?
Have these people been inseparable for nearly twenty years since their cradle days? That’s some extraordinary bond.
At the bottom of the photo, in small, dense letters, something was written.
I slowly began to read them from the bottom.
Cradle 57th Student Council Executive Committee
– Treasurer Yun Chaewon
– Discipline Committee Chair Ryu Sehwa
– Secretary Ye Jin
“…”
All of them were from the student council?
I had heard that the cradle opened its doors to anyone with the right abilities, but I was also under the impression that the student council was outside that category.
It was said that not only skills but also background and origin were required to get in.
While I had thought about that, these people truly were impressive.
And the biggest shock was the name written at the very top.
– Student Council President Sa Jaehyeok
“What kind of nonsense is this…”
Did I read it wrong? I blinked several times and checked the name again. There was no mistake.
The name next to the title of Student Council President was surely the Head’s.
Not someone else, but he was the student council president…?
It’s undeniable that the Head is a good person, but at the same time, the term ‘student council president’ does not suit him at all.
Even if I spent the whole night tickling his feet as torture, this fact wouldn’t change.
The shock was substantial, and I could finally register another presence in the photo with someone else.
Sitting behind the Head was another female student.
She stood up, wrapped her arms around the Head’s neck, and rested her head atop his crown.
At a glance, she appeared gentle and innocent. Closer than anyone else in the photo.
The smile she wore seemed clearer and more serene than any smile I had ever seen.
I looked downward to check her name.
– Vice President Seol Yujeong
A name I was sure I had never heard before.
But, for some reason, her face seemed familiar.
I had definitely seen this person before.
In a familiar haze enveloping me, I pondered over past memories.
And eventually, I could recall.
“…”
I was at a loss for words.
This woman.
She is the one from my dream!
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