Chapter 3 – The Girl Who Returned from Sleep
But the Zeros family had never given up hope. They continued to bring in priests and physicians regularly, and even hired mages to pass knowledge directly into Sevtina’s unconscious mind.
…Or so Cordelia explained.
Since Sevtina had been unconscious since birth, Julai didn’t need to imitate her behavior—her mere actions were now Sevtina’s.
“It was worth not giving up,” Cordelia said with a wide grin.
It was unfamiliar to Julai. She was used to seeing Yulia laugh behind a fan or with a polite smile. Cordelia’s open, almost mischievous smile was jarringly honest.
Somehow, it made Julai feel shy.
Though… it’s not like she really cares about me, anyway.*
She wanted to hide her blushing face. As she lowered her head, a curtain of soft pink hair fell across her cheeks—like flower petals drifting in spring.
Cordelia gently brushed Sevtina’s bangs away from her forehead.
“Sevtina, I think that’s enough talk for today.”
“Yes, Lady Cordelia.”
“Oh, won’t you just call me ‘Sister’?”
Her cheeks flushed again—hotter than before. It was a title she had never once used in her life.
“…I’m just not used to it. I’m sorry.”
“We can work on that,” Cordelia said, ruffling her hair.
Julai—no, Sevtina—fidgeted with her unfamiliar pink hair, turning her eyes away.
“In an hour, the physician, the priest, and a mage will come to check on your condition. Now that you’re awake, we’ll do everything we can to ensure nothing goes wrong.”
A mage.
Sevtina bit her lip at the face that immediately came to mind—Dante.
Ah. Right.
Realizing Cordelia was still watching her, Sevtina forced a smile.
“I feel fine. Thank you.”
Cordelia gave her a look she couldn’t decipher—tender, yet thoughtful.
It had been easy to read Yulia’s emotions. But Cordelia was different. Sevtina mustered her courage and asked,
“Is something wrong?”
“…It’s just… ironic.”
“Pardon?”
“Why are there so many unhappy people in this world?”
“…I don’t understand.”
Cordelia hesitated. It wasn’t her place to speak of another family’s matters, and she had hoped to only share uplifting news with Sevtina today.
But Sevtina sensed there was weight behind her words. Something important.
…If I hadn’t died from that fall, I might’ve ended up in a coma too.
The thought chilled her.
“I’d like to know,” she said. “You mentioned something about someone like me—what did you mean?”
It was the first time Sevtina had expressed genuine interest in anything, and that must’ve moved Cordelia. She sighed and began to speak.
“…There was an incident in the Liv family.”
The Liv family.
Sevtina’s heart pounded. She had wanted to ask but hadn’t known how. And now, Cordelia was bringing it up herself.
It was currently May 3rd, Year 201—exactly one year since Julai had tried to end her life.
What had happened that day?
Did she… really die?
“Someone’s life was in danger?” she asked carefully, trying to sound nonchalant even as her heart raced.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes in thought. Her voice dropped low.
“The daughter who had always been ill eventually fell into a coma. She reminded me of you… so I visited a few times. Her name was Julai, I believe.”
That’s me.
Sevtina gripped the blanket tightly, breathing deeply to stay composed.
“S-Someone like me… I’d like to visit her, if possible. Maybe I could help her somehow.”
She had to go. She needed to know—was her body really lying in that coma? What was this situation she’d been thrown into?
Cordelia’s expression softened.
“…That’s the first time you’ve said you wanted to go outside. Let’s take it slow, depending on how your body recovers.”
She gave Sevtina a gentle pat on the head before exiting the room.
Left alone at last, Sevtina drew in a long breath.
So… my body is still alive?
She was genuinely surprised. The Livs could’ve easily ensured her death—so why hadn’t they?
…There’s no use for me anymore.
She looked down at the back of her hand—unmarked, bare. The memory of the moment Yulia was named successor to the Water element still haunted her.
Was Yulia fulfilling her role well? Perhaps she was even engaged by now—it had been a whole year, after all.
“…Not that it’s any of my concern anymore.”
Sevtina shook her head firmly, clenching her jaw.
There were more pressing things to focus on—her current body, her surroundings, and how to survive. As for Wyatt, Dante, or Clazen…
They didn’t matter now.
After all, none of them would miss her.
And she had no reason to care about them either.
The first to enter the room was the physician. He checked her pulse, her temperature, and conducted a thorough examination.
“I never imagined I’d live to see you awake, my lady.”
He tested her pulse multiple times, each time in awe. Sevtina simply let him work—she understood his shock.
Next came the priest. Like the physician, he carefully assessed her condition.
“I’ll infuse you with divine energy. However, now that you’re conscious, it would be good to begin light exercise.”
It was thanks to divine magic that Sevtina had maintained a healthy body despite years of lying in bed. Regular infusions of divine energy had preserved her strength.
Once both their examinations were complete, it was time for the mage.
Sevtina couldn’t help but wonder—could it be Dante? But that was unlikely. Dante was one of the most powerful mages alive and heir to the Wind element. He was far too busy.
Even back when she was Julai, their time together had been rare.
Lying back against the soft bed, Sevtina blinked slowly. Her body, once comatose, was still weak. To rest her eyes, she let them close.
Knock knock.
A knock echoed from the door.
“Come in,” she said.
She opened her eyes at the sound of approaching footsteps.
…And she froze in disbelief.
“Good day, Lady Sevtina Zeros.”
A smooth jawline framed by flowing silver hair. Sharp, slightly upturned eyes. A voice like silk.
“I am Dante O’Drian.”
Dante stood before her.
Why is he here?
He was a mage, constantly buried in spell circles and calculations. As heir to the Wind element, he barely had time to breathe. There was no reason for him to visit the daughter of a noble house on a whim.
‘Actions without benefit are meaningless.’
He used to say that to Julai all the time.
“Lady Sevtina Zeros?”
She was staring without saying a word. Dante tilted his head slightly, waving a hand in front of her.
…This is awkward.
Seeing his face so unexpectedly stirred a confusing rush of emotions. Her body flushed, her heart raced. Sevtina clenched the hand hidden under the blanket to calm herself and finally greeted him.
“Hello.”
Then she fell into thought.
…Is Sevtina really that important?
She had heard of the Zeros family’s prestige, but never learned much about noble hierarchies. As a foster daughter, Julai had never been taught.
Her only real moments of freedom had been when she met the other elemental successors.
The successors were expected to cooperate—adjusting their powers for seasons and climates. So they met regularly. When Julai had been the sole Water candidate, she had joined those meetings.
Dante always preferred the library. He would spend entire visits there. Julai once mustered the courage to ask him to a festival.
“Festivals are just schemes for profit. I don’t understand wasting money just to feel momentary joy. Go without me, Julai Liv. I’m more comfortable here.”
He had rejected her flatly—coldly.
She remembered how harshly he judged her for enjoying such things.
“Pardon me.”
But the voice he used now… was nothing like the one that once scolded her.
Sevtina thought seriously.
…In the end, does status change everything?
As she reminisced, Dante leaned in. She startled, eyes wide, shrinking back.
He adjusted his glasses and bowed slightly.
“I need to examine you more closely. Please forgive the intrusion.”
“Ah… yes.”
This was the first time she realized Dante could be so polite.
It stung a little.
She had believed he wasn’t like Yulia—someone who judged others based on status. But perhaps even he had always seen her through the lens of her insignificance.
“Would you please give me your hand? Just for a final checkup.”
Better to get it over with.
Sevtina pulled her right hand out from under the blanket. Dante gently took it in his own, then closed his eyes as if to focus—
