14.

“She doesn’t have any particular reason to like us. Especially, it’s natural to get annoyed when two or three people ask the same question when you’re just waking up and feeling confused. Your first impression, Clagen, was determined the moment you asked that question.”

Serenity was grateful for the fact that Wyatt danced with her. Otherwise, Wyatt might have thought Serenity was strange.

“Any other information?”

“None. And these days, I don’t have much time. There’s flooding every day in the east. The south is facing drought issues. Natural disasters are increasing, and the weather is becoming unpredictable. No need to worry in the capital, but…”

It was the first news about the Empire that Zeros, who initially thought Serenity adapting to her surroundings was more important, heard after waking up. He intended to tell her only good things.

“It’s true that not only rumors but also four successors are struggling to maintain balance.”

Why does it feel like a good thing? She was surprised at her own selfishness. Many people must be suffering, and she finds pleasure in the fact that Yulia couldn’t adapt to the duties of the Water Heir.

“Anyway, there’s no place to get new information. That’s why I leaned more towards Serenity Zeros.”

Dante muttered quietly.

“I really don’t want to do this, but… I think I need to look into books about our successors now. The problems facing the Empire are getting more serious than I thought.”

“Indeed.”

“But it’s really regrettable.”

Once Dante closed his mouth, Clagen spoke.

“The physical condition of Zeros and Lirv was really similar. That’s why we lived with Zeros and Lirv together. If we find out why Zeros could wake up, we can probably save Lirv.”

Wyatt replied to Clagen’s words.

“First, we have to soften her hostility.”

With nothing left but the shell of a body.

It’s fortunate for Serenity to learn facts she can’t confirm directly.

There is credibility in the current conversation because Clagen has no reason to lie to Wyatt.

‘Then Julie Lirv, who is asleep right now, must be in an empty body.’

The unexpected situation revealed quite a bit to her.

“Now stop listening and come down.”

Uh. Serenity swallowed her breath.

“Above, Serenity Zeros.”

‘…Caught.’

* * *

It seemed like she already knew, and there was no denying it.

Serenity, who had come down, faced three men standing in a row on the balcony.

Serenity cautiously protested.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop intentionally. I was planning to leave quietly later so as not to raise suspicions by making noise in the middle.”

“Anyway, since you’ve heard it, it seems we can talk more with each other.”

Wyatt seemed to see this as an opportunity.

Of course, Serenity didn’t want to do as he suggested. She boldly decided to leave.

“I have nothing to talk about. What I realized is that you three didn’t leave a good impression on me.”

Serenity tried to divert the topic to her impression. However, her efforts were in vain, as Wyatt directly questioned her.

“Are you hiding something?”

She clenched her fist at his confident tone. Among the three, Wyatt was the most rational. Right now, he just thought he was observing her.

“I wouldn’t do that.”

She shrugged it off.

“Do you know something?”

“I really don’t know anything.”

“When I asked about the memories before you woke up, I saw your pupils shake. Your shoulders twitched as well. It might be unconscious and subtle, and you may not have noticed it yourself. But I am in the position of an observer.”

“You must have seen it wrong.”

“Serenity Zeros, regardless of what you know, spill it.”

“…”

“If you don’t, it will become quite bothersome. The three of us will take turns asking the same question until you speak.”

“I didn’t know you had that much time for me.”

Even though it was a statement that there was nothing to say even if dragged away for the crime of insulting the royal family, it was already out of her mouth.

Serenity was genuinely frustrated.

“We can make time if you want.”

Wyatt already found her suspicious. It was as if he could sense her feelings just by her gestures or glances.

Serenity bit her lip.

Clearly, it was a crisis now.

They might not know that she was Julie Lirv, but…

It was a fact that she had to confess something.

The reason to make Serenity no longer suspicious while making her animosity towards them understandable.

A reason that would allow her to inquire about Julie Lirv without arousing suspicion.

‘Let’s think differently.’

This could be an opportunity.

If they wanted to prevent the revival of Julie, she had to get involved in this matter.

As a mere observer, she couldn’t do anything by just watching.

She had to get involved in the center of the situation.

So, Serenity decided to admit it willingly.

“Yes, that’s right. I have memories from before I woke up.”

Using what they were trying to get from Serenity as bait, she opened her mouth.

“Look at this, I felt something was strange…”

Dante interjected with a flash of his eyes. Wyatt raised his hand to stop Dante’s actions.

Serenity concluded her thoughts.

Julie Lirv attempted suicide, and there was a gap of one year until Serenity Zeros woke up.

And she had memories as Julie Lirv.

‘I don’t want to go back.’

Serenity, who comforted herself inwardly, calmly spoke.

“As a soul, I talked with Julie Lirv. I also heard about the people in front of me.”

“About us… you heard?”

“She was my only friend, the only one I could have a conversation with. It was special.”

She couldn’t become Julie Lirv, but she could become someone who knew Julie Lirv better than anyone else.

She used the similarity between Serenity Zeros’s body and Julie Lirv’s body to come up with a way.

She created a connection between Serenity and Julie.

This should be enough. She could also make them understand her animosity.

“Do you know what Julie said without me telling you?”

Why she had tried not to speak up.

Silence fell upon them.

The sight of the three people reviving memories with Julie was unfamiliar.

“We also regret that part.”

Serenity was puzzled by Clagen’s words. When Serenity stared at him, Clagen flinched.

“But having memories about Julie… Having memories as a soul is a significant gain, isn’t it? It’s a plan to save Julie. Wouldn’t you like to discuss it more?”

“…”

Serenity really didn’t understand him.

‘No, I don’t want to live.’

“Do You resent us?”

Wyatt asked, and Serenity let out a bitter laugh.

‘Resentment. To call that resentment…’

“I resent you.”

For the first time, Serenity voiced her true feelings.

She thought they would get angry.

She even expected Julie Lirv to get angry with them.

However, Wyatt nodded as if relieved.

“It’s okay if you resent us.”

“…”

“I thought she would hate no one personally but would silently endure it alone.”

Her words were stuck in response to Wyatt’s assertive attitude.

She hadn’t even considered saying it’s okay to resent herself.

“Julie will come back to life.”

Wyatt’s eyes narrowed. Under the dark night sky, his red eyes shone like rubies.

“She has to live.”

His words were not a request but a firm statement.

He declared that he would do whatever it takes to save her.

“If you want the world, I’ll place it at Julie’s feet. If necessary, I’ll give everything I have.”

Concern and understanding are separate things. Serenity laughed bitterly inside.

What she needed now was not the world.

She needed freedom.

Even now, when Wyatt was looking for her, he still didn’t understand her deeply.

So, Serenity had to accomplish this even more.

“If you’re friends, you would naturally want her to live a new life. Isn’t that right?”

This matter had to be kept secret.

“Yes, I hope Julie lives a new life.”

Serenity willingly agreed to Wyatt’s words.

“But I can’t believe it. You, who never cared for Julie Lirv, are now trying to save her.”

Serenity needed time.

Enough time to find out what they were doing to save Julie Lirv and to use it to reach her goal.

“Show her sincerity to Julie Lirv. Let her know. Persuade her, please.”

Of course, she was curious.

What changed them so much?

“Before that, I don’t want to give you any information.”

Until now, Serenity had been searching.

Searching for a way to kill Julie Lirv.

A way for Julie Lirv to die completely.

“I really want Julie to become truly happy.”

To become happy.

That was Serenity’s ultimate goal.

* * *

Serenity saw the recoil in their eyes.

“What did you just say?”

Dante was the angriest. The polite tone he usually used was gone, and informal language burst out. Strangely, this tone seemed to suit Dante better than his usual manners.

Surprisingly, Clagen and Wyatt remained calm. However, Clagen didn’t just let it pass.

He approached her quietly.

“Do you have the right to make such a demand?”

Clagen asked quietly. His attitude was as if he was interrogating.

‘I have more right than anyone.’

Instead of answering Clagen’s question, Serenity stared at him in silence.

Serenity’s figure was reflected in his eyes.

Pink hair.

Black eyes.

It was undoubtedly Serenity, Serenity herself.

“Is this… really what Julie wants?”

It seemed that he doubted her qualification to make such a request.

Serenity stood firm.

More than anyone else.

“Yes.”