Chapter 148

Chapter 148

The dragon blinked once, then turned its head to look beside me. I instinctively followed its gaze. Soon, my mother’s old jewelry box, sitting on the display cabinet, came into view. A yellow light was pouring out from a cracked gap in the jewelry box. It struck my chest and was absorbed into my body, as if being pulled inside. Just as the dragon had said moments ago, it felt like the gap in my soul was being filled with Divine Power.

I watched the yellow light surge in like a wave, then turned my gaze back to the dragon. Beside him, Pre stood awkwardly, glancing around nervously. Then, fidgeting, she climbed up onto the dragon’s snout.

‘That child…… hasn’t ascended yet…….’

If it were only a matter of delivering an apology to the dragon, that child would have already ascended. But she seemed to want to stay by his side a little longer. In any case, it was fortunate—better to ascend eventually than to be exorcised outright. If she could hope for a next life, that was the best outcome.

The child wrapped both arms around the dragon’s snout, and only then did he slowly rise to his feet. Then he gave me a slight nod. I realized it was a farewell. Something about it felt strange. A part of me was sorry I wouldn’t see Shion again. But I couldn’t hold him back.

‘Goodbye… Shion. Take care.’

I murmured the thought in my mind and gave a small wave. The dragon spread his enormous wings wide. Those golden wings stretched out, passing through the window. Then, with a few beats, he vanished beyond the mansion’s walls.

He said he was going back to the forest where he’d stayed with Pre… And that he’d watch over her until she ascended, didn’t he?

I didn’t know where that forest was. It had to be within Luision, but I didn’t care to find out. I only hoped the two souls could spend whatever time they had left in the land of the living together.

“Sister! What happened? Were you possessed again? Are you okay now?”

Once the dragon was gone, Lucia thrust her face into mine. Her large eyes were brimming with tears.

“Yeah. Everything’s perfect.”

I answered with a soft smile. Then I turned my head to look at the Duke. He was frowning in silence. There was so much I wanted to say to him. But my body was so heavy that my eyelids kept drooping. A deep fatigue pressed down on me, impossible to resist.

“I’m a bit tired. I’m going to sleep a little more.”

With that, I let my eyes slide shut and drifted off into a deep sleep.

That night, I dreamed of nothing. I caught no one’s memories or voices. I just fell into a deep sleep and opened my eyes again at some point. The room was already dark, too dark to make out shapes. I leaned on the moonlight streaming through the window and slowly looked around. I could faintly see Lucia and Roti asleep on either side of me. And my uncomfortable dress had already been changed.

‘Feels like I’ve slept a solid eight hours… Is it because of divine power? I’ve heard it has healing properties…’

My body felt inexplicably light. I stretched both arms out and arched my back. Then I noticed the bracelet and ring on my left hand — the Eye of the Sun was gone. It must have shattered completely after the dragon drained the divine power from it.

‘Huh? Did it break into pieces and scatter on the floor? No, wait—what about the one in the jewelry box? That divine power entered me, didn’t it…?’

I reached for the ornament stand beside the bed. Grabbing the jewelry box resting on it, I brought it to my ear. A sound like sand pouring out — shhhhh — came from inside. Just as I’d expected, whatever was in there had crumbled to dust too.

‘Did my parents know this would happen?’

The thought struck me suddenly. That jewel had cost them their entire fortune. Knowing its divine power had now settled inside me felt strange. Not happy, not sad. But… something heavy crept up my throat, a kind of tight ache.

‘Like something caught in my chest…’

I figured I’d better bury this awkward, unfamiliar feeling under something else. And for that, seeing the Duke’s face was probably the most effective remedy.

‘Is His Grace asleep by now? I want to see him. Should I head out?’

Slowly, I sat up in bed. Then I slipped out of the room, careful not to wake the children. A long, pitch-black corridor stretched before me. But it didn’t scare me. I knew no ghosts would appear anymore. Without fear, there was no hesitation.

I walked straight to the Duke’s office, my steps steady. When I reached it, light was spilling through the crack in the door.

‘It’s His Grace! He’s still awake!’

Luckily, he was inside. Come to think of it, he was always in his office. Even when he had no work, he’d spend time here. Maybe he saw it as his sanctuary — carving out his own territory in the manor. In a way, he was just like a cat.

Endearing, really…

A laugh escaped me, and I bit my lip to stifle it. Then I raised my hand and knocked softly — knock, knock. At his voice telling me to come in, I stepped inside to find him sitting at his desk. The moment he saw me, he let out a short, soft laugh.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

I hurried over to him, speaking as I approached.

“Because of you.”

“Me?”

“I thought you were waking up, but then you collapsed again. How could I sleep, worried like that?”

He gave a short response, averting his gaze. His tone carried a hint of grumbling, and for some reason, I found it endearing. But blurting that out wasn’t an option, so I just offered a vague reply.

“Mm… Is that so?”

“Yes, your siblings were beside themselves with worry. It was absolute chaos. Only when the doctor said you were merely asleep did they finally calm down.”

Well… that was only to be expected. Roti would have been sobbing her eyes out, and Ren would have been raising all kinds of hell — maybe even grabbing a priest by the collar, demanding he do something. The image of that literal pandemonium I was imagining was more than a little embarrassing.

“My siblings can be a bit intense.”

I answered, scratching one cheek. In response, the Duke silently rose and approached me. Then he grabbed me, pulling me toward him. Naturally, I ended up in his arms.

“Laura. You always terrify me. This time was no different. I thought my heart wouldn’t survive it.”

He rested his chin on top of my head and murmured. His voice was taut with tension.

“……But it’s all right now, isn’t it? You saw it, Your Excellency! That golden light coming out of the jewelry box, going into my body! Shion — no, the Dragon — infused me with divine power. Since I have divine power in me now, they said I won’t be possessed anymore.”

“Yes, I saw the Dragon’s form as well. But that child Shion was a Dragon?”

“Yes! I was surprised too. At any rate, I’m glad Shion regained her memories. She left Cuvershaiden along with Pre… the old man who came from the Imperial Castle. She said she’d stay by his side until he ascends.”

With that, the Duke slowly pulled away from me. His gaze rested on me silently. I met his eyes without flinching.

“……So, there are no more souls wandering Cuvershaiden now.”

“Yes.”

“The Madam will ascend too, so there’s nothing left to worry about. Well, I suppose new worries could arise anytime, but…”

“…….”

“Well… I’ll think about that when the time comes. For now… let’s just think about now.”

“That sounds good. Because right now, there’s no one else in my sight but you.”

A thin smile settled at the corners of his eyes. Startled, I dropped my gaze to the Duke’s chest. His charms were far too overwhelming for me. Feeling strangely bashful, I fidgeted with both hands and playfully lifted the edge of his outer robe. Beneath it, a shirt buttoned all the way to the collar was revealed.

Well now… How ducally dressed indeed…

Slowly, I reached out and toyed with one of the round metal buttons. Lest he misunderstand my intent, I should add that it wasn’t a deliberate act.

“What are you doing?”

But the duke, as if misreading my intent, caught my wrist and spoke quickly.

“Just… nothing much.”

“News just in: I’m quite weak to temptation.”

“That really wasn’t what I—”

His words, provocative as they were, set my heart pounding in an instant. Yes, I’d started the teasing, and yes, I’d vaguely expected this kind of reaction. But the composure I thought I had crumbled on the spot. I had the sinking feeling that, in front of him, I’d be blushing for a long time to come. Maybe forever. Maybe I’d never get the upper hand.

“Laura.”

Then he cupped my face. His cool palms pressed against my cheeks.

“Your hands are cold, Duke.”

“My hands run cold, but the rest of me is warm. Care to check?”

“…….”

Those blue eyes locked onto mine, steady and unyielding. I looked away again.

What a sly, impossible man…

“Laura, look at me.”

“…….”

He leaned in slowly. He guided my arms to loop around his neck. I didn’t resist—I held on. Then his lips, slightly damp, met mine, pulled back after a brief touch. His hot breath tangled with my own.

“Duke.”

He didn’t answer, only traced my face with his gaze.

“I don’t think I’ve ever said this before. …You know. I love you.”

I saw his eyes waver. But he quickly composed himself and gave a small shake of his head.

“I have a feeling I’ll never win against you.”