Chapter 13
Selenea’s expression was calm. She shrugged her shoulders.
“Why are you looking at me like that? It’s not exactly wrong. Martina is an orphan, and feeling disgusted by that is your choice.”
Rozetin’s face froze in shock.
Just a moment ago, she had reached out to Martina with a tender look, and now… how could someone say something like that so shamelessly?
“You… what are you…”
She muttered, pale-faced, glancing at Martina’s expression. At that moment, Selenea stepped closer and spoke in a low, steady voice.
“And you… you said the same thing to me.”
“What…?”
“That no one would be by my side, and I would never be loved?”
Rozetin’s gaze trembled as it met Selenea’s eyes.
But Selenea murmured as if it didn’t matter.
“Think whatever you want.”
Rozetin could hardly believe her ears.
“What did you say?”
“Laugh at me, look down on me—do whatever you want.”
Her voice was calm, almost serene. Rozetin gaped like a fish out of water, then let out a short sigh.
But soon she furrowed her brows and shouted.
“Don’t act so calm! I know you’re boiling inside!”
She stomped as if fury consumed her.
“Even if you try to psych yourself up, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re useless! You haven’t even manifested, and you’re already doing everything wrong!!”
But Selenea didn’t even blink.
‘Why is she so calm…!’
Rozetin scowled and trembled.
Then, unexpectedly, Selenea, who had been quietly listening, smiled.
“That’s all?”
Caught off guard, Rozetin slowly fell silent.
Selenea took a step closer, made a soft “hm” sound, and murmured calmly,
“Then I guess I can speak now.”
I stared at Rozetin and spoke.
“Alright. Let’s hear it.”
“…….”
“Why do you think I’m psyching myself up?”
Rozetin’s eyes widened slightly. I looked at her, lips moving as she tried to speak, and said,
“According to you, I’m useless because I haven’t manifested my ability yet.”
“T-That’s… obviously…”
“Right. Good. Then that makes you useless too, doesn’t it? Compared to people with incredible abilities, yours is still lacking.”
At my blunt words, Rozetin’s face flushed bright red. Tears welled up instantly in her eyes.
“No! You don’t know anything!!”
I watched her shivering with tightly clenched lips.
“Really, isn’t it worse not to know? Ability is relative. Once you start comparing, there’s no end.”
Tears streamed down Rozetin’s cheeks.
“That… that’s not it. I’m different from you. I… I’ve manifested my ability…”
I let out a small, expressionless sigh. The reason for her overreaction was obvious.
Hearing that she was still lacking, that she was useless…
‘These are things she must have been told by her parents constantly.’
I spoke quietly.
“First, get rid of that damn pride.”
Rozetin flinched.
“…What did you say?”
“Curious why I’m so calm, aren’t you?”
Rozetin stayed silent. Her large purple eyes slowly filled with confusion.
“Be honest. You thought it was annoying that I was calm even though I haven’t manifested, didn’t you?”
Correct. Rozetin’s face turned bright red. I looked her straight in the eyes and said,
“I’m tired of living like that. That’s why, no matter how much you try to rile me up, it doesn’t bother me.”
“…….”
“Acting pitiful alone isn’t going to make abilities appear, right?”
Rozetin’s trembling eyes froze. I stared at her silently, swallowing the words I wanted to say.
‘…So just wake up already.’
This girl was thoroughly twisted.
Having been mentally exhausted under adults who weren’t really adults for a long time, she was clearly worn out.
Just like I was in my previous life.
But…
I swallowed a sigh that rose to my throat and tried to organize my thoughts.
Memories from my past life that I hadn’t wanted to recall kept pushing in.
‘Sevin, why are you so incompetent?’
‘Oh my. She didn’t even learn the basics.’
‘Tsk, that’s why your family environment matters.’
“I know. It must feel like nothing goes your way right now.”
Rozetin looked up at me with trembling eyes. I faintly smiled.
“But if you look carefully, there is a way.”
I knew from experience. From living a whole life as a pushover and dying unfairly.
“You can’t stop others from saying nonsense, but…”
“…….”
“You can close your ears and not listen. Ignoring them is your choice.”
Rozetin paused at my words.
“You… you don’t mean…”
She frowned and trailed off.
‘She must be wondering if I know her situation.’
I stayed silent for a moment, then finally said something I had hesitated to speak dozens of times.
“You’re going to die if you don’t change.”
Rozetin’s eyes widened. I looked away and added,
“I mean, if you don’t change, you’ll live and die just like this. And by then, it’ll be too late.”
“…….”
“What do you think will remain then? Abilities? No, all that remains is regret.”
‘So please, escape from that hell on your own.’
It might sound meddlesome, but I was determined to live well in this life.
My previous life had been tragic and unfair.
So I wanted her to avoid a predetermined future too.
It wasn’t just sympathy or shared circumstances from the novel.
Even though Rozetin’s personality was harsh and she spoke rudely, she had nowhere to lean on. Just like I did.
That fact somehow kept weighing on me.
I slowly raised my hand.
“……!”
Rozetin froze in surprise.
I had grabbed her hand firmly.
“Follow me.”
“L-Let go!”
“You don’t really have anywhere else to go anyway.”
Without hesitation, I turned and started walking. Rozetin was dragged along weakly, and Martina hurried to follow.
Glancing back at them, I tilted my head and thought,
‘Is it a bit cold today?’
For some reason, Rozetin’s ears were bright red.
Meanwhile, in Duke Tigris’ study.
Alleon was reviewing documents sent from the manor of his territory.
He had been staying in the system’s mansion for quite some time.
Alleon recalled the words of the servants who had been urging him.
“You cannot leave the castle unattended forever. For the prosperity of your domain, you must return.”
“It has been a long time since the late emperor passed while you remained in the system. The empire is stable now, and no one will doubt your loyalty.”
Alleon leaned back in his chair, looking tired. The servants weren’t wrong.
As he closed his eyes, memories began surfacing.
The late emperor, who died nine years ago, was the first lord to whom he had sworn loyalty.
A friend to whom he could confide everything.
But misfortune came suddenly. The once strong man began to weaken without explanation.
His illness worsened daily, and after a month…
The late emperor passed away with astonishing suddenness. But before people could mourn, a new crisis struck.
The late emperor’s only heir had gone missing.
But the heir was just a child, and the late emperor, who could have protected him, was gone.
So perhaps…
No one spoke it aloud, but everyone believed.
The heir was not missing—he was dead.
The empress, having lost her husband and only son, stopped eating entirely.
And naturally, the palace fell into a gloomy state.
Officials split into factions, vying for power over the next heir. But the empress could not maintain control.
The grieving empress, living like a corpse, could not hold on for weeks and eventually took her own life.
It was a tragedy. A tragedy with no clear beginning.
Soon after, the current emperor, the late emperor’s brother, ascended the throne unexpectedly.
Officials urged the new emperor to quickly marry and produce an heir.
The one who became empress was Grace, daughter of the former Duke Belmart, one of the four dukes at the time.
Grace was wise and strong. Unlike the young, emotional emperor.
She was kind but firm, unafraid to speak directly to the emperor.
It was only natural she earned the respect and love of the people. The emperor trusted her deeply.
Over time, the imperial family stabilized.
The empress soon bore a healthy, intelligent heir.
People gradually forgot the late emperor, empress, and the missing prince, as if they had never existed.
But Alleon could not forget.
‘Alleon, remember this.’
The voice was still vivid.
‘To protect Selenea.’
He exhaled slowly and opened his eyes. They were bloodshot.
Two days later.
I jumped out of bed.
Looking out the window, the day was brightening.
Without hesitation, I walked to the table, where Anna had polished the mirror.
But the reflection still seemed unfamiliar.
Platinum hair messy on my shoulders. A small, pale face with a sharp nose.
Bright, intelligent blue eyes.
“…Still, I’m more used to this than yesterday.”
I muttered, tidying the hair that had fallen over my face and hurriedly slipped on the slippers on the floor.
No time to change pajamas.
I dashed to the door and opened it, the hallway still quiet, probably because it was early.
My pace quickened.
‘Today is the day.’
The day I had been waiting for for three whole days.
The day of training had arrived.
