5.

The term “Sister” still didn’t roll off my tongue. Cordelia, who entered the room, settled near the table where Serenity had been sitting.

“Before you woke up, I brought one of the gifts I had saved.”

Cordelia pushed a large box onto the table. It was a box adorned with elegant wrapping paper and a red ribbon.

Serenity untied the ribbon of the box. When she opened the lid, she saw what was inside. After confirming the contents, Serenity was momentarily speechless.

“……”

It was a beautifully crafted emerald necklace. The emerald, no larger than a thumb, exuded a brilliant radiance. Next to the emerald were pearls. The golden border that accompanied the green was harmonious.

However, the reason Serenity was at a loss for words was not because of the necklace’s beauty.

The reason she was surprised was because she knew this necklace.

The “Atelier of the West,” renowned for crafting accessories such as necklaces, rings, and bracelets. This place, which had garnered a reputation among the nobility, was famous for producing only a very small number of accessories.

Yulia also coveted accessories from this place. They accepted orders for only five items a month, and the rest were sold to the highest bidder whose design was published in magazines.

She wanted to see the magazine with the sparkling gemstone photos. However, since Yulia always claimed the latest edition, she could only look at old magazines.

The emerald necklace was one of the items Yulia had circled because she wanted it. Seeing how many times she had circled it, it was clear how much Yulia had wanted it.

At that moment, Julie was momentarily captivated by the necklace. She felt envious of Yulia, who could have something so beautiful.

But Yulia had never worn the necklace even once. She had wondered about it before, but now she understood.

‘It’s not that she didn’t wear it.’

Yulia didn’t wear the necklace; she couldn’t. Cordelia had bought the necklace. It was what she had lost at the auction with Zeros.

“Do you like it?”

She stared at the necklace for a while and finally, unable to say anything, nodded.

“I’m glad.”

In a warm voice, Serenity became curious about the expression on Cordelia’s face. Through the slightly raised head, Serenity saw Cordelia’s radiant smile. Her smile was as beautiful as a shining sun.

‘…Amazing.’

Serenity had rarely seen people smile. The people she worked with in Liv were always distant with her. The Liv couple and Yulia were not kind to her either.

Even the rare successors of the Elementals were the same. Wyatt always maintained a poker face, and Dante mostly had a frowning expression as he concentrated. Only Klagenn’s smile was familiar to her.

But the smile Cordelia had just shown was completely different. It was a smile filled with genuine affection. Just from Cordelia’s smile, Serenity could feel how much she valued her.

“Can I put it on for you?”

Serenity nodded. Instead of words, she responded with a nod. Somehow, her throat was choked, and she couldn’t continue speaking.

Cordelia didn’t seem to mind the impolite behavior. Soon, the emerald necklace shone on Serenity’s neck. It matched well with her fair skin.

“I still have many gifts saved for the time we’ll spend together. I hope you enjoy unwrapping them one by one in the future.”

Cordelia lightly tapped Serenity’s shoulder.

“Other people may have to start meeting you too, and there might be many new things. But I hope you think of this as a new opportunity given to you.”

Cordelia was clearly speaking to Serenity, but for some reason, it sounded like something she would say to Julie or Liv.

Serenity, because of her continually swallowing saliva due to the hoarse throat, blushed. She didn’t know why she felt like she wanted to cry more and more. It wasn’t because of despair, but because of this inexplicable emotion.

“You started late; don’t be impatient. Everyone has their own timing.”

‘I can’t really understand this family.’

How did the Duke and the Duchess manage the room for a child who didn’t even wake up, continuing to care for her? How did they react to a suddenly fallen younger sister, not getting angry, but delivering presents and advice?

She was so different from the family she knew… She still didn’t know how to react.

Serenity lowered her head again. The pink hair that flowed down to the side of her face acted like a curtain. The necklace that hung forward with her head down shone.

“Father suggested having a party to celebrate your awakening. I barely managed to postpone it for now, even though he wanted to have it this week. It might take a month… but maybe we should prepare for next month.”

…A party to celebrate her awakening. It seemed like the words ‘Don’t be impatient because you started late; have strength in the future’ were included in the meaning of not being discouraged while preparing for this party.

She might have to worry, but at the same time, she had expectations. Julie, who had to envy Yulia from behind, taking lessons, dancing, and socializing with people, was no longer the same.

“It’s getting late. Have good dreams. Sleep well.”

Cordelia glanced at the clock and then stood up. In the blink of an eye, the clock pointed to 11 o’clock.

Watching Cordelia’s back, Serenity hesitated dozens of times. However, the title of “Sister” still didn’t roll off her tongue.

Even if it wasn’t the title of “Sister”…

“Thank you.”

The words barely escaped her lips. For a moment, her own voice felt awkward.

Cordelia, who had been standing there, turned her head and smiled slightly.

“Take care of yourself.”

She calmly left the room.

But Serenity saw it.

The traces of tears that were in the corners of her eyes.

The human heart can be quite fickle. She had promised herself not to have any expectations.

Serenity held a small hope.

… The hope she had when she first found Liv’s mansion.

A hope that maybe she too could have a family.

Time passed quickly.

Today was the day Dante would come to visit Serenity again. But it wasn’t just Dante; there would also be visits from a doctor and a priest.

“Miss, wake up!”

The child calling Serenity’s name was a maid who had been responsible for her until another maid was selected. Most of Zeros’s people were older, but this time, the newly employed Adele was around Serenity’s age.

When asked if she didn’t want a maid, Serenity shook her head. She had been covering her face, and maybe it was because of her background, but she couldn’t imagine nobles humbling themselves to serve her. So she said she wanted to choose a maid slowly.

But that wasn’t all.

Somehow, when she saw Adele, Serenity felt a sense of kinship as if she were seeing her former self, and she told the Duke and the Duchess that she wanted to personally employ Adele.

[…Serenity asked us for something.]

[Whether we fulfill it or not. If you need anything in the future, tell us right away. Understand?]

The tearful Duke and the Duchess immediately agreed to Serenity’s request.

“It’s time for breakfast.”

Adele, who spoke with a bright voice, guided Serenity, who was sitting at the edge of the bed, to the mirror. Taking into consideration Serenity’s still weak body, she took slow steps. When Serenity sat down, Adele diligently combed her long hair.

“I like combing Miss Serenity’s hair the most. It’s like pink clouds, and it’s like a dreamy magical forest… How can hair be so beautiful?”

Adele was expressive. She was accustomed to giving compliments. However, for Serenity, who was not used to receiving praise, it felt awkward.

Feeling both pleased and awkward, Serenity gently raised the corner of her mouth as she played with the hair Adele had combed.

Adele continued speaking naturally.

“Another guest will be visiting Miss Serenity today. They asked me to apologize for not letting you know in advance, as they come when they have a free moment.”

“Who is coming?”

The Duke and the Duchess, still adapting to Serenity, had mostly declined visitors on her behalf.

Knowing it hadn’t been long since Serenity woke up, they understood and moved on.

“None other than…”

Adele made a surprised face.

“‘None other than’? They must be quite important.”

Serenity also swallowed nervously.

“It’s Lord Clagen Hwaition.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, right. Miss. Lord Clagen Hwaition leads House Hwaition and is known to oversee the largest Hwaition Upper Rank in our empire. It’s said that the connections forged through the Upper Rank are extensive. Upon hearing that Miss woke up, he expressed interest in having a conversation, recommended some teachers to meet with, and set aside time for it.”

Following Dante, a name of someone Serenity didn’t feel particularly pleased to hear was mentioned.

“Moreover, how handsome he is… Miss, today, after Mr. Dante, you’ll be amazed.”

Hearts seemed to pour out of Adele’s eyes. She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes romantically.

Serenity asserted that Adele had already written several romance novels in her mind by now.

…Of course, she was flustered.

She knew Clagen Hwaition was handsome, but outward appearance was a separate issue.

“What do you mean by ‘you’ll be amazed’?”

“Miss, when you see Lord Clagen Hwaition, you’ll feel differently! His killer smile is so famous.”

“A smile, huh?”

Thinking of his final farewell, Serenity stiffened her face.

Clagen Hwaition was a charming man who was always sporting a killer smile. He knew how attractive his dimples and twinkling eyes looked and used it to his advantage.

Initially, she had thought Klagenn was the most humane of the three. But as time went on, her thoughts changed.

She realized it at the last moment.

He didn’t use Julie; he did things that way to suit his convenience.

Among the various sides Clagen Hwaition had shown, she couldn’t tell which one was the real him.

Serenity muttered without realizing it.

“I don’t like smiles.”

Especially if they’re fake.