Chapter 4 — “You Remembered Me?”
Despite everything, the Zeroth family had never given up hope. They regularly summoned priests and physicians, and even asked magicians to impart knowledge to Sebtina.
…Or so Cordelia explained.
Since Sebtina had been unconscious since birth, Julai didn’t need to mimic anyone. Her actions now were, by default, Sebtina’s actions.
“It’s finally paid off—not giving up.”
Cordelia smiled broadly. Having only ever seen Yulia hide her laughter behind fans or delicate hands, Cordelia’s bright, mischievous smile felt unfamiliar to Julai.
Something about that open grin made her cheeks flush.
‘Well… it’s not like she actually cares about me.’
Julai lowered her head to hide her burning face. Her long pink hair spilled forward like falling petals.
Cordelia gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
“Sebtina, maybe that’s enough talk for today.”
“Yes, Lady Cordelia.”
“Ah—can you call me sister instead?”
Just when her blush had started to fade, it returned full force. Julai had never once used such an intimate word in her life.
“I’m… not used to it yet. I’m sorry.”
“We’ll get there, little by little.”
Cordelia gently patted her head. Julai ran her fingers through the still-unfamiliar pink strands, avoiding her sister’s gaze.
“In about an hour, a doctor, a priest, and a mage will arrive to examine you. Now that you’re awake, they’ll do everything possible to make sure nothing goes wrong.”
A mage…
Just the mention made Dante’s face flash through her mind, and Julai bit her lip.
‘Ah, right.’
She forced a smile, remembering Cordelia was right in front of her.
“I’m really fine. Thank you.”
Cordelia gave her a look that was hard to read—affectionate, perhaps thoughtful.
Yulia’s expressions had always been easy to decipher. Cordelia’s were far more complicated.
Julai gathered her courage and asked,
“Is something the matter?”
“…Just thinking how ironic life is.”
“I don’t understand…”
Cordelia hesitated. It was someone else’s family, and she wanted to protect Sebtina from anything unpleasant, especially right after waking up.
But Julai knew there was more behind her words. And something told her she couldn’t let it pass.
‘If I didn’t die from that fall, maybe… I was also in a coma?’
That thought chilled her. So Julai gently pushed.
“Please, tell me. Did something happen to someone like me?”
It was the first time Sebtina had shown curiosity about anything, so Cordelia couldn’t ignore it. She sighed and began.
“Something happened to the Liv family.”
Liv family.
Julai hadn’t known how to ask—but hearing it mentioned so directly filled her with relief and dread.
It was now May 3rd, Year 201. Exactly one year had passed since Julai had tried to take her life.
What had become of her?
“Who was in danger?”
Julai tried to stay composed, though her heart thudded in her chest.
Cordelia’s eyes narrowed in thought.
“Their sickly daughter fell into a coma. It reminded me of your condition, so I visited a few times. I believe her name was Julai.”
Her own name.
Julai gripped her blanket and forced herself to breathe evenly.
“S-Someone like me… I’d like to visit her sometime. Maybe I can help.”
Yes, she had to go. To find out if her body was really still there—if she was truly asleep. This was a chance to learn the truth.
Cordelia brightened.
“That’s the first time you’ve asked to go out. Let’s take it step by step, based on your condition.”
She ruffled Sebtina’s hair before leaving the room.
Once she was alone, Julai took a deep breath.
‘My body is… still alive?’
It didn’t make sense. The Livs could’ve let her die easily. Why keep her alive?
‘…I’m useless.’
She looked down at her unmarked hand, recalling with brutal clarity the moment Yulia was chosen as the water successor.
Was Yulia living up to that title?
Had she gotten engaged to one of the three candidates by now? A year was a long time.
“Not that it matters to me anymore.”
Julai shook her head. She had more pressing things to figure out now. Wyatt, Dante, Clazen—their lives no longer concerned her.
…They had never missed her anyway.
And she had no reason to care about them.
* * *
The first person to enter the room was the doctor. He checked her pulse, temperature, and body in detail.
“I never imagined I’d see the day when you woke up.”
He checked her pulse multiple times, marveling all the while. Julai simply stayed quiet—it was understandable.
Next came the priest, who repeated the same meticulous inspection.
“I’ll infuse you with divine power. But now that you’re awake, you should begin moving your body.”
The divine energy was what had preserved her health through years of unconsciousness. It had kept her from wasting away.
With both the physician and priest finished, it was time for the mage.
Julai assumed it couldn’t be Dante—he was far too busy. As a top mage and heir to wind, he rarely had time to even visit the Liv mansion.
In the plush bed, Julai blinked her heavy eyelids. Her body was incredibly weak after years of sleep. She closed her eyes to relieve the strain.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
She opened her eyes at the sound of footsteps—and froze.
“Greetings, Lady Sebtina Zeros.”
Silver hair brushing a sharp jawline. Eyes as sharp as blades. A voice smooth as silk.
“I am Dante O’Drion.”
Dante stood before her.
‘Why is he here?’
Dante was a mage. He had no reason to visit unless there was something to gain. He was always calculating.
[Actions without gain are meaningless.]
A phrase he had often said to Julai echoed in her mind.
“Lady Sebtina?”
Dante waved a hand in front of her face, confused by her blank stare.
‘…This is uncomfortable.’
Seeing his face threw her off balance. Her chest fluttered and heat bloomed across her cheeks. She clenched her hands beneath the covers and managed a calm greeting.
“Hello.”
And then a troubling thought crossed her mind.
‘Is Sebtina that important of a person?’
She knew the Zeros family was powerful, but had never learned the details. Julai’s own upbringing as a noble’s adopted daughter had only taught her servitude.
The only time she had been allowed to breathe was during meetings with other elemental heirs.
They had gathered to harmonize their powers—coordinating for the sake of seasons and weather. Since Julai had once been the sole heir of water, she had attended those meetings.
Dante always preferred the library. She remembered one time she’d asked him to join a festival.
[Festivals are just tools for commerce. I don’t understand why people enjoy wasting money at such places. You go, Julai Liv. I’ll stay in the mansion.]
He had declined coldly. Criticizing her for even liking such things.
“Excuse me.”
But his voice now was nothing like the cutting tone he had once used.
Julai found herself wondering—
‘Is status really everything?’
Startled out of her thoughts by his approaching figure, she recoiled. He also took a step back, then adjusted his glasses and bowed slightly.
“I need to examine you up close to ensure you’re not in pain. Please forgive the intrusion.”
“Ah, yes.”
She was shocked by how courteous he was.
It stung a little. She had thought Dante wasn’t someone who judged people by status—unlike Yulia. But perhaps he had, all along.
“May I take your hand? I just need to check your physical state one last time.”
Might as well get this over with quickly.
Julai extended her right hand from beneath the covers. Dante took it gently and closed his eyes, clearly concentrating.
