12.

“Serenity.”

Cordelia’s calm voice awakened Serenity’s mind. Serenity bit her lip.

‘I need to focus.’

At least, she didn’t want to do it in front of Wyatt.

In front of Wyatt, she wanted to be someone else.

Serenity composed her voice. A clear voice escaped from her lips.

“I am Serenity Zeros. Nice to meet you.”

Serenity finished the greeting with a somewhat stiff tone. Her gaze was still fixed on Wyatt’s neck. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“Certainly interested in my necklace.”

Wyatt, who noticed Serenity’s gaze, spoke. Serenity managed to smile.

“…It must have been because the necklace has a different atmosphere from the Crown Prince’s. I apologize.”

Unlike the black jacket with gold embroidery or the silk-like soft-looking clothes, the necklace looked shabby.

It clearly looked cheap.

But of course.

It was only natural.

It was the necklace she claimed to have given as a birthday present and made with her own hands, using cloth.

It was impossible to buy Wyatt a gift when she had no money in the first place.

Julie knew that too. So, she excused herself, saying that he didn’t have to wear it.

She just wanted Wyatt to accept her sincerity. The memory of offering birthday wishes is vivid.

In the end, he was rejected.

The box rolling on the ground. The moment was still vivid.

“That’s rude.”

“…Excuse me?”

“It’s my most cherished possession, this necklace.”

Everything about Wyatt made Serenity suspicious.

‘Is he sincere, or is he mocking me?’

Unable to determine what to say, Serenity fell silent.

Wyatt lowered his head and clenched his fist.

He gracefully smiled, and the conversation they just had seemed to seamlessly fade away.

“I came here today to celebrate Serenity Zeros’s recovery. I sincerely congratulate you on returning, including the imperial family.”

“Thank you.”

Serenity wondered if Dante and Clagen, including Wyatt, had gone mad.

[…For Julie Lirv.]

Starting with Dante collecting information for Julie.

[The time we spent together after the collapse is really missed.]

Clagen’s chubby remarks.

[It’s my most cherished possession, this necklace.]

Even Wyatt, who wears the necklace he gave.

It would have been impossible if they hadn’t all gone mad together.

‘But they aren’t really crazy.’

Serenity became curious about why they would go to such lengths.

‘They’re not the kind of people who do things without a reason.’

Clearly, there must be something they want or gains they can obtain.

“Are you ready?”

Taking a deep breath, Serenity, who had been lost in thought, stood in front of the door to the banquet hall.

Feeling a bit nervous about facing people for the first time as Serenity, she nodded slightly.

“Let’s go, Serenity.”

Cordelia escorted Serenity, and the Zeroes couple stood in front, guarding them.

‘Is this what real family is?’

Just being together made her feel secure. Smiling gently, Serenity felt her heart calm down.

“Entering, the Zeroes family! First, Lord Yustian Zeroes and Lady Jane Zeroes!”

With a resounding announcement, the Zeroes couple entered first. Glancing around, Serenity noticed nobles dressed in splendid attire, all gathered together.

People near the table and those talking in groups were present, but all their gazes were focused on one place. It was directed towards Serenity Zeros, who was revealing herself for the first time today.

“All right, let’s go.”

Led by Cordelia, Serenity took a step forward, feeling a mix of anxiety and a strange excitement. She walked toward the dazzling light.

“Serenity Zeros is here!”

At the moment her name was called, if the concentrated gazes weren’t burdensome, it would be a lie. She had never experienced people focusing on her.

But she didn’t want to run away anymore. She didn’t want to be isolated from the world any longer. She had learned that the first impression was crucial.

Serenity glanced around. Among unfamiliar faces, she saw some familiar ones – Dante, Clagen, Wyatt, and Yulia. Yulia’s face looking in this direction seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

‘A facial expression I’ve never seen before.’

Serenity learned for the first time that Yulia could appear friendly to someone she had goodwill towards. Serenity smiled naturally, gracefully, without appearing too arrogant.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Serenity Zeros.”

“We look forward to working with you, Lady Serenity.”

“Congratulations on waking up, Lady Serenity.”

People offered congratulations one after another. Most of them were people she had never met before. They warmly talked to Serenity, inviting her to their estates, bringing gifts, thinking she would like them. Their actions were full of kindness toward Serenity.

Escorted by Cordelia, Serenity arrived, having received various congratulatory greetings.

She, who had been asleep in the largest banquet hall in the castle, became the protagonist of the party.

This was enough to show Serenity’s status in the Zeros family.

“Congratulations, Lady Serenity.”

A somewhat thin and delicate voice echoed in her ears. It was a voice that was too familiar to Serenity.

‘…I can’t avoid it, can I?’

Serenity turned her head. There stood Yulia, her face grinning like an angel.

“Thank you, Lady Serenity.”

Despite knowing this was aristocratic courtesy, Serenity couldn’t help but find Yulia’s true self completely different, and she didn’t like it.

Serenity forced a smile.

“Thank you. May I know your name?”

“Oh, I’m Yulia Lirv. Thank you for inviting me… I’m really grateful.”

Quick-witted Serenity caught the overwhelmed emotions in Yulia’s words. It wasn’t just words for courtesy.

There was something more.

It seemed that Yulia had a considerable liking for Serenity.

‘Wasn’t she the one who said she was being avoided by people?’

Serenity recalled the words spoken by the Zeros couple. She pondered deeply.

‘It was said to be because of the calamity that occurred after being chosen as the successor of water.’

Yulia, who had been watching the silent Serenity with an anxious expression, spoke up briskly.

“As the successor of water… I want to bless Lady Serenity for waking up.”

Yulia spoke with a confident voice.

It was rare for successors to bless people. Despite her desperate appearance, Yulia’s actions had an urgent aspect to them.

‘How long has it been since we met?’

This level of fondness was excessive. Was there a reason why she had to be treated like this?

Serenity glanced briefly at Yulia’s hand. On the back of the hand without gloves, the water symbol was vividly displayed.

The symbol she had longed for so much.

Serenity’s chest tightened a bit.

Perhaps that was why words didn’t come out as quickly as she had thought.

“Thank you. I’m glad that you seem to be thinking of me.”

“Oh, no need for that.”

Yulia clapped her hands. Serenity clenched her fist.

There was something to confirm with Yulia.

It was time to get to the point.

Serenity approached Yulia closely.

“By the way, Yulia, may I ask you something?”

“Yes, please tell me anything.”

“I heard your sister is still asleep.”

“Ah, you mean Julie, right?”

There was a brief silence, but Yulia regained her usual composure. Serenity nodded.

“I heard he was in a situation similar to mine, so I’m worried… I would like to visit and meet her at the mansion. Would that be okay?”

This was the reason why Serenity continued the conversation with Yulia.

‘I need to know my situation.’

Whether Serenity’s soul was in Yulia’s body or if it was completely empty.

…Even though it might not be possible to tell by seeing, it was better than not knowing.

To do that, she needed to meet the sleeping Julie Lirv.

Yulia’s complexion darkened.

“She was always a sickly younger sister. But I didn’t expect it to turn out like this…”

Yulia paused for a moment. To someone observing, it might seem like she was holding back tears.

After trembling a few times and finishing her sentences, Yulia met Serenity’s eyes. Tears were pooling in her eyes, ready to fall at any moment.

“If you find him, we will be extremely grateful.”

With a voice mixed with sobs, Yulia smiled as if she was happy.

Serenity, without any trace of emotion, continued to address the point she wanted to clarify.

“…But how did it happen? How did it end up like this?”

She was curious.

‘Do I know why I made such a choice?’

Or perhaps she was curious about how to justify her current state.

“Oh, that…”

It seemed to be an unexpected question, as Yulia hesitated in her words for a moment.

“I don’t know either.”

Serenity was dumbfounded by her words. Almost involuntarily, she asked.

“… What?”

“One day, I woke up, and my sister’s condition had changed. We don’t know the reason, and it’s so heartbreaking… We’re mourning.”

Serenity looked into Yulia’s eyes.

The innocent-looking eyes were full of confusion.

There was not a single trace of guilt. It was even confusing because it seemed sincere.

“Why is that?”

There was no sign of irritation. She seemed to have no thoughts at all. Serenity, who had been thinking repeatedly, soon realized.

“Oh…”

Yulia didn’t understand why she tried to end her life.

There was no need to.

It was just an unpredictable whim, an action that didn’t require any thought. Julie was unimportant.