ISMFB 20

CHAPTER 20

Why?

Noticing Linaria’s confusion, Magnus softened his tone slightly.

“How are divine beast contracts usually formed?”

“By blood. They’re always passed on through bloodlines.”

“Textbook answer. But there’s one exception—only one divine beast can be contracted purely through human will.”

That was the divine beast of time.

According to Magnus, its powers were not only formidable but extremely dangerous.

The key point: there was no benefit to letting the world know someone had formed a contract with this divine beast.

He explained the story as gently as if reading from a fairy tale, and Linaria blinked slowly.

She had just woken up, but a strange drowsiness began to overtake her.

“This is no time to be sleeping…”

She shifted slightly, trying to resist, but Magnus quickly pulled the blanket up to her shoulders.

“You’ll feel better after a good rest. Set aside the thoughts for now—just sleep.”

As expected, he had mixed a sleeping agent into the restorative tonic. He figured she’d be distressed after learning the truth.

With both body and mind exhausted, Magnus believed rest was best.

Blink, blink…

Linaria tried to keep her eyes open, struggling against sleep.

But her heavy eyelids would not obey.

“Then Father… he won’t be sick anymore, right?”

“Instead, you’ll be the one hurting. You’ve suddenly inherited immense power—you’ll be vulnerable to many wounds.”

“If Father can recover… I don’t care what happens to me.”

Her voice was slurred and quiet.

But her resolve was clear.

“Even if it means you’ll be in pain your entire life?”

“Father was sick for half his life because of me… so…”

“…”

“It’s fine.”

Even if it meant devoting her entire life.

“You’re incredibly soft on your father.”

To the point that Magnus felt a pang of jealousy.

Then he suddenly realized what he was thinking—and the color drained from his face.

“Am I… envious of Obell?”

Absurd.

Snort.

Scoffing, Magnus kept his gaze on Linaria and spoke.

“You heard the child, didn’t you?”

At that, the door opened, and Dante entered, looking even more gaunt than usual.

“If this is what she wants, why not give up your stubbornness?”

“…I thought I could hold on at least until she came of age.”

“And after her coming-of-age ceremony, you’d make more excuses. ‘I got through today, so let’s try tomorrow…’ That’s how life passes you by.”

“…”

“Look at you two. You’ve both made sacrifices, but neither of you looks the least bit happy. Not you. Not the child.”

Dante needed the divine beast awakening agent—to erase the traces of Linaria’s contract using divine power.

But in exchange, he couldn’t remain by his daughter’s side.

If the awakening agent touched Linaria, it would trigger the very divine beast he had sealed away.

Most likely, today’s collapse had been caused by that very agent.

“If news of the contract spreads, she’ll be in danger.”

Dante cautiously approached Linaria and extended a hand. For a moment, the contract mark flickered faintly on her cheek before vanishing again.

The fact that it didn’t fully appear reflected his inner turmoil.

“Isn’t it better than letting her be in danger without knowing anything after you’re gone?”

“Tower Master… Do you really think this is the right choice?”

Magnus nodded.

Never once had he imagined he would collaborate with someone as deceitful as Obell.

But now… it was different.

“I don’t care what happens to me.”

The willingness to give her life for a loved one was a sentiment even two-hundred-year-old Magnus found unfamiliar.

That made it precious—and dangerously tempting.

But for someone like him, who had treated Linaria’s heart as something replaceable, coveting such a pure emotion was akin to robbery.

And so—

“Loose lips can be silenced. That way, there’s no danger at all.”

If only to see that beautiful heart for a little longer… he wanted to protect it.

A child was born. A daughter.

His wife had wanted to name her “Linaria.” When he asked why, she said it was from a cute flower, just like a child.

And, she added, it sounded like the most beautiful flower she knew.

The way she smiled while saying that was so lovely, he nodded over and over.

“If you have any other names you like, tell me. I’ll give them all to our child.”

She laughed and asked just how many more children he planned to have.

That’s when he realized how foolish he’d been acting.

“Then should we give the baby all your favorite names right now?”

Thankfully, she hadn’t thought of any other names.

And so, “Linaria” was born.

She was a tiny thing, not even able to open her eyes properly.

So small.

His wife told him to hold her, but he was afraid.

Afraid he’d drop her because she was too light.

Afraid his touch would leave marks.

Afraid he’d hurt her somehow.

Seeing him tremble, his wife reassured him—it was natural for her father to hold her.

But in the end, he couldn’t even touch her cheek.

That little, squirming bundle of life was too precious to touch.

They made a promise to always protect her.

…

And then his wife left, with only that final promise remaining.

The smoke cleared.

In pain so deep he could barely breathe, Dante resolved to protect their child in his own way.

He could no longer stay by her side—but if she could grow up happy, that was enough.

Meril said Linaria was smart and never caused trouble. A child to be proud of.

She didn’t even ask about her father.

That stung a little.

But when she started walking and talking, he heard something that stung more than sadness.

“The young lady said she never wants to see you again. When she saw you lying down last time, she said you looked like a walking corpse. It scared her.”

“…”

“She said she never wants to see your face again.”

“I see. Still… maybe if we talked for a moment…”

Cough, cough.

He wanted to clear the misunderstanding—that she hated him. But his body, frail from talking too much, broke into a coughing fit.

Watching his pitiful state, Meril said gently:

“She already hates you. Forcing her to come see you might cause her emotional trauma.”

“…”

“And she can’t be near the herbal smoke, either. I don’t think it’s necessary to push it.”

Meril understood completely and postponed their meeting.

“Don’t be in such a rush, my lord. Once the young lady is older, she’ll understand you.”

Every time he looked out the window, the seasons changed frighteningly fast.

And with each change, Linaria grew at an astonishing pace.

Through Meril’s reports, he learned what she ate, what she learned, and what made her laugh.

“The young lady seems very fond of the Crown Prince. I showed her a portrait, and it was love at first sight.”

That tiny child had grown enough to love someone.

“They’re looking for a fiancée for the Crown Prince now…”

Meril hesitated.

“The young lady wasn’t chosen by a divine beast. Maybe that’s why… she doesn’t seem confident.”

“I’ll speak with His Majesty.”

Though he hadn’t been there to raise her, ever since she was born, his world had revolved around her—and his time had become her time.

To her, he may only be a grotesque, bedridden man.

But Linaria…

He would always love her.

If what she wanted was the Crown Prince’s love—

“Ricardo.”

“Yes, my lord?”

“You know what I’m about to say, don’t you?”

“…Must you do this?”

Ricardo, heir to House Obell, clenched his fists tightly.

“You know there’s poison in that chocolate. It’s disguised as if Linaria sent it, but it came from the Crown Prince. He wants you dead.”

“I know.”