35.

Serenity pondered how to answer Dante. It was harder than she expected, sifting through old memories to find what Julie liked.

Recalling her time as Julie, Serenity realized there were few things to choose from, given the limited experiences. After a while, she smiled softly as she finally remembered something.

“She liked weeds.”

Dante listened attentively, watching Serenity as she spoke.

Talking about Julie as Serenity felt like unraveling a hidden part of herself. Julie now seemed more like a friend than her former self.

“She preferred the small, inconspicuous weeds over the prominent flowers because they felt more like her. She found solace in those weeds, as it was hard to find people like herself.”

Dante saw a familiar look in Serenity’s eyes, reminiscent of Julie.

‘Julie.’

The way she spoke, her calm and deliberate tone, brought back memories of Julie, one of the few things that remained of her.

‘Do friends end up resembling each other?’

Serenity was a completely different person, yet she reminded him so much of Julie. Dante concluded that he missed Julie more than he realized.

“She didn’t like books, but she liked the smell of them. Unlike you.”

“I didn’t know that.”

Julie seemed to know a lot about him, but he knew very little about her.

Dante smiled bitterly.

* * *

Arriving at the room where Julie lay asleep, Dante was startled by a figure in the darkness.

He quickly realized it was Wyatt and bowed in greeting.

“Aren’t you supposed to be heading down for the festival?”

“I’ll be leaving soon. I’ve prepared the scrolls.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

Dante knew Wyatt had started investigating the current situation. Trusting anyone outside the heirs was difficult. It could have been a collaboration among multiple families.

Despite this, Wyatt visited Julie every evening.

“Do I have the right to be?”

Wyatt responded calmly, not taking his eyes off Julie. He gently touched her cheek as if handling a precious work of art.

“I brought this upon myself.”

Dante had no response.

“I’m here to fit the bracelet.”

Wyatt nodded. As Dante approached, he realized Wyatt had channeled his fire into Julie. Despite being told it was useless, Wyatt continued to provide her with warmth.

“Your Highness, you’ve used your power again.”

Channeling that much power required high skill and control. The process of reviving a heart with power was intense, demanding complete focus and causing pain to the user. Though Wyatt showed no signs, he was likely feeling as if his body was burning.

“Rejection.”

Wyatt shook his head in response to Dante. Dante sighed. The Crown Prince’s expression remained unchanged, showing no intention of heeding his words.

‘He’s never shown his emotions.’

Dante had never seen Wyatt display anger or sadness.

Wyatt’s eyebrows raised slightly as he watched Dante fit the bracelet.

“The bracelet looks different from before.”

“I’ve added more barriers.”

“No, it’s something else…”

Wyatt frowned, a thoughtful hum escaping his lips. Sweat formed on Dante’s back.

“…The wind feels different.”

He didn’t expect Wyatt to notice the wind’s subtle difference. Recognizing powers not one’s own required extraordinary perception.

Hiding Serenity’s contribution was like concealing a thin sky-blue thread among hundreds of white ones. It was almost imperceptible.

Wyatt’s talent was exceptional, even among the heirs.

“Are there two wind heirs?”

“No.”

Wyatt’s eyes flashed.

Dante shook his head, knowing there was only one thing he could do.

“Serenity is not an heir, but she can use the wind’s power due to unique circumstances. She has been practicing and improving her abilities. It’s a rare and unusual case, but she can assist us in protecting Julie.”

Wyatt’s expression hardened. He didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he trusted Dante enough to let it go for now.

“Just make sure she’s safe.”

“I will.”

Dante finished securing the bracelet on Julie’s wrist. The additional barriers would ensure her protection, and he had Serenity’s power as a backup.

“Let’s ensure nothing happens to her,” Dante said, meeting Wyatt’s eyes.

Wyatt nodded, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at Julie. They would do everything in their power to protect her, no matter what it took.

“That’s not true.”

“Did I see it wrong?”

Wyatt’s tone didn’t suggest he was admitting a mistake. He was already confident that he was correct. Being bound by the contract meant that answering “yes” would break his agreement with Serenity, while answering “no” would be lying to the Crown Prince. Dante, caught in a dilemma, clenched his fists and answered in a low voice.

“…That’s not true.”

“Your recent actions with the records and the changes in the bracelet seem connected.”

Dante struggled with how to respond. No matter how much he thought about it, there was only one thing he could do.

“It’s also not true.”

His voice sounded weary, and Wyatt chuckled.

Dante’s tone was more rigid and tense than usual, a subtle change that most wouldn’t notice. But Wyatt was sensitive to such nuances. Recognizing small shifts in people’s behavior was his specialty. Saying “no” was essentially the same as saying “yes.”

Serenity Zero clearly didn’t fully understand what kind of person Dante was dealing with.

“Whatever contract you have with Serenity Zero, it seems quite troublesome.”

Dante, who had been bowing his head in guilt for lying, quickly looked up. There had been so many things he couldn’t share because of the contract. Wyatt’s words were a welcome relief.

“…What do you mean?”

“I only noticed that there is a contract. I’ll ask about the details when I visit her.”

Even Serenity wouldn’t remain silent if the Crown Prince asked about the contract.

‘Finally, I can talk about it.’

The contract was ineffective against those who knew its secret. Dante’s face brightened, but his words remained consistent.

“There’s nothing I can tell you.”

Wyatt chuckled at Dante, who was repeating the same phrase like a parrot.

“You mean I need to find out.”

Wyatt nodded and stood up.

“When are you returning?”

“After the festival.”

“What? I thought you were only giving a speech. Why stay so long…?”

“I made time to talk with Serenity Zero about Julie. And I think it’s better to delay reporting to the Imperial Palace.”

“…Do you think so too, Your Highness?”

Wyatt sighed and spoke in a self-mocking tone.

“No matter how much I think about it, the only place capable of doing all this, and keeping it hidden until now…”

A place with the power and authority to manipulate records and eliminate nobles while covering it up. Those who could hide something by breaking the world’s rules, regardless of people’s safety and lives.

The Imperial Family was one of the most likely suspects.

“The person who wrote the records is dead, and Clagen found a lead on the bloodline. Clagen will be heading back to Artera for the castle restoration. You’ll need to follow up.”

“Understood.”

Wyatt handed Dante the information Clagen had given him. Dante nodded as he looked at the names and addresses on the paper.

* * *

Dante left with the promise to return, as he couldn’t stay long due to the urgency of the situation.

Thanks to Serenity, the couple who lost their home in the fire found a new place. It was a home they chose from the options she provided.

Wanting to show that her help wasn’t mere charity, Serenity supported them in showcasing their talents at the upcoming festival. Both were musicians, so she also provided them with instruments.

She discussed with Anna about establishing a support project for those in Artera who suffered sudden accidents or natural disasters.

‘I’ll have to talk to Father about this…’

It was still in the early discussion stages.

Meanwhile, the Artera festival was just around the corner.

It also meant that the day of Julie’s death was approaching. Serenity felt relieved, as she would finally be free from her old self.

News arrived that the Crown Prince would attend the festival to celebrate its opening.

“This happens every year. He’ll just show his face briefly, so don’t be too surprised.”

Anna, worried that Serenity might be nervous about meeting Wyatt, reassured her. But Serenity had a different perspective. She didn’t believe that Wyatt would just show up and leave without speaking to her.

It was the first time she would see Wyatt again after his shocking statement. There was no way he wouldn’t talk to her.

But Serenity wouldn’t avoid the conversation. She was making an effort to understand the different elemental powers, and this was her last chance to learn about the power of fire.

Once this was over, she wouldn’t have to face the stress of dealing with them because of Julie. They wouldn’t cling to her anymore.

If they found out that she had killed Julie, she might even become an object of their hatred.

“Clagen will also be coming down. There were several things to purchase for the castle restoration, and he needs to finalize the payments and confirm the details. Do you remember the documents from last time?”

Serenity nodded, recalling the papers.

‘They have no idea that the person they’re looking for is right here.’

It was amusing.

They were completely unaware that the person they so desperately sought was among them.