29.

Serenity Zeros was truly an enigmatic woman.

Despite having just woken up, she adapted perfectly to her surroundings. It was strange. Her actions were flawlessly natural, yet there was something inexplicably off about her.

Clagen narrowed his eyes.

‘It’s likely due to her hostility towards me, but I can’t shake this uneasy feeling.’

Among the nobility, it was rare for someone to display such overt hostility toward Clagen. In fact, it was almost unheard of. Showing emotions openly was rarely beneficial.

Serenity was someone who thoroughly understood and exploited her position. After Julie had fallen into a coma, no one had known her whereabouts for a year.

If she had heard about them from Julie, understanding their true intentions would be difficult. He had even questioned her to see if she really had any information. He had tried everything he could.

Unexpectedly, someone had managed to penetrate Serenity’s ironclad defenses.

Dante Odrayen.

Clagen genuinely admired the fact that Dante had achieved something while he himself was still grappling with it. Considering Dante’s usual demeanor, it was surprising. In terms of human relationships, Clagen considered himself more flexible and adept than Dante.

Which made him all the more curious.

“How exactly did you persuade her?”

Judging by his current demeanor, it didn’t seem like Dante would easily reveal his method.

As expected, Dante remained silent. He gave no response.

“It’s hard to believe your sincerity reached her, given her tepid response.”

Given the opportunity to find a clue about Julie, one would expect Dante to be thrilled, but there was no such sign. Instead, he was diligently working.

He was meticulously combing through records of previous heirs and natural disasters to find anything unusual.

The volume of records was vast. There were limits to what one person could unearth. Clagen knew this well.

“I think we need to look at the records of the first heirs.”

“You’re not going to answer my question, are you?”

Dante closed the records and remained silent in response to Clagen’s remark. Reflecting on why he was in this situation, Dante felt unjust. Who could have guessed Serenity had such secrets?

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to share for once.”

Wyatt, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. With Wyatt joining in, Dante felt even more exasperated.

Dante glanced at Wyatt with a resentful look, recalling that Wyatt had given Serenity the idea for the contract.

“Your Highness, you made a peculiar contract.”

“A peculiar contract… did Serenity Zeros say that?”

“It’s not something a crown prince should engage in.”

“What does a mere title have to do with expressing sincerity? We must do everything we can to avoid regrets. There are already too many things I regret.”

“Are you not aware of how many lives depend on your decisions?”

“That’s why I acted foolishly until now. To ensure it won’t happen again in the future.”

Dante couldn’t argue since he had made a similar contract. He sighed deeply and shook his head.

“I will fetch the records on the first heirs.”

Dante retreated deeper into the library. As Wyatt watched his back, he spoke.

“A contract?”

“It’s possible.”

“What kind of contract did Serenity Zeros make, and for what purpose?”

Despite his silence, Dante’s first mention had been about Wyatt’s contract. Though it seemed unrelated, it also made sense. Wyatt realized that Dante might have made a contract with Serenity Zeros.

“Should I go ask Serenity Zeros myself?”

“I plan to visit her soon.”

“If it’s Artera, I will join you.”

Artera, the city of artists, was renowned for its festivals. Wyatt always attended to enhance its prestige.

“It feels like she’s hiding something…”

Wyatt pondered Clagen’s words.

Serenity Zeros.

What level of sincerity would it take to get her to help wake Julie?

But was it even possible to show more sincerity than they already had?

That wasn’t the only uneasy thing. Wyatt thought of Serenity’s appearance. Her soft, white skin and pink hair. Yet, she showed them only a cold expression.

‘She reminds me of Julie.’

Her tone and mannerisms.

Her actions.

Was it because she was the last person to have contact with Julie? Or was it a separate issue? Was Serenity really showing those traits, or was Wyatt just trying to find traces of Julie in her? Wyatt still hadn’t found the answer.

“This is strange.”

Dante emerged from the inner library, frowning. Wyatt, lost in thought, looked up, wondering what was wrong.

“All records of the past few hundred years and those of the first heirs have been rewritten. By the same king. It’s almost as if he rewrote everything during his reign.”

“And you couldn’t find a reason why he’d do that.”

It was known that omitting anything about the elemental heirs would bring divine punishment. The records and information on the heirs were crucial since they were directly linked to natural disasters.

No one had ever tried to hide such records.

At least, they had thought so until now.

“It seems someone tried to hide something.”

Dante thought of Serenity Zeros.

One person bearing the marks of the four elements. Moreover, she had free access to this place. Though still unknown, she likely had control over the elemental powers.

But claiming that her power was separate from the four elemental heirs?

It was an absurd notion. How could such a person not have existed from the beginning? Dante began to suspect this point.

“We need to investigate further.”

There was definitely more to this.

* * *

Morning sunlight streamed brilliantly into the room. Serenity woke up feeling good.

“Did you sleep well, Miss Serenity?”

Adele, who had entered the room, opened the curtains and, with the help of other maids, prepared Serenity’s breakfast.

This morning, Serenity leisurely stayed in bed. Soon, a table was set up on the bed, laden with a feast. However, more than the delicious food, it was the beautifully decorated cakes and macarons that caught Serenity’s eye. The colors and decorations were unique.

“The desserts are so pretty.”

“Well, Artera is a city of art.”

Adele said proudly, her lively voice full of energy. Adele’s affection for Artera was palpable, even to Serenity.

Artera Castle felt completely different from the Zeros family’s mansion.

“The weather is perfect today. It’s an ideal day to explore outside. There’s a gentle breeze, so it won’t be too hot.”

“A breeze, huh…”

Serenity recalled the power of water she had used the day before.

‘Dante recommended the lakeside.’

A place where she could feel the wind. Cordelia had also suggested it.

“Then I’d like to go to the lakeside. It would be even better if we could prepare it like a picnic.”

“I’ll get everything ready!”

Adele, looking more excited than Serenity, responded enthusiastically. Watching the energetic Adele made Serenity feel happy too, as if she was absorbing some of that energy.

Adele quickly left the room. Serenity, putting a rose-red macaron in her mouth, savored the sweet taste that spread throughout.

‘Eating is the happiest time.’

Serenity set out for the lakeside with her bodyguard Leo, who had come from the capital, and Adele, who had packed food and a blanket for the picnic.

“Wow…”

The lake elicited an automatic exclamation. The sunlight reflecting off the water created rainbow-like waves. The occasional spray from the breeze added to the beauty.

The clear lake was like a mirror, reflecting everything.

Shh. The trees surrounding the lake whispered in the wind. A gentle breeze stirred Serenity’s hair.

Across the lake, a white mansion was visible. Though not as large as the castle, it was significant in size. Its white exterior was particularly striking.

Serenity tilted her head.

‘Could that be the Zeros family’s mansion?’

It could be a separate space they created apart from the castle. Given Cordelia and her parents’ attachment, it made sense. She decided to ask Anna about it later.

While Serenity was exploring the lakeside, Adele and Leo set up the picnic area. They spread a blanket on the grass and organized the surroundings. It was under a large tree, providing shade and a cool breeze, with a clear view of the lake.

“I’ll prepare the food when you’re ready to eat.”

“Okay. Adele, you should rest too.”

With Serenity’s permission, Adele set off to walk by the lakeside.

Serenity sat, leaning against the tree. Leo maintained a respectful distance while keeping guard.

A gentle breeze blew.

Serenity relaxed and enjoyed the peace.

She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so peaceful.

Apart from missing the Zeros family, Serenity liked Artera.

It was a new place with no fragments of the past to recall.

Serenity closed her eyes.

The wind. She felt the wind.

It felt as if the wind was greeting her. The faint sound of the lake’s water scattering in the breeze reached her ears. Though the trees and lake were apart, it felt like she was splashing in the water right in front of the lake.

The wind records and carries sounds.

It doesn’t matter what kind of sound it is.

‘The presence of wind everywhere means it can appear and disappear at any moment.’

Like the breeze that brushed Serenity’s hair and fluttered her dress by the lakeside.

She felt the wind closer than ever before.

Serenity raised her hand and grasped the air. She felt a power, elusive yet tangible. Though she couldn’t fully grasp it yet, something was there.

“Miss Serenity, Miss Serenity.”

Serenity opened her eyes at the sound of Adele’s voice.