- Chapter 16
After finishing breakfast, Sevetina returned to her room. There were no lessons scheduled today, and with the party having ended just recently, she’d been granted a day of rest.
But she did have one visitor.
Clazen Whiteion.
He had moved quickly to arrange a meeting. In truth, Sevetina was curious about what he would say.
Would he refuse?
It was entirely possible he’d come just to politely decline. He was a merchant, after all—surely he’d weighed the risks and benefits thoroughly.
What choice would he make?
She was the one who’d given him the choice… so why did she feel so anxious? She thought a new life would only bring happiness. But moments like this—where something unfamiliar loomed—made it hard to breathe.
Lying on her plush bed, Sevetina took a deep breath.
She didn’t want to do anything.
I wish time would just stop right here.
She didn’t want to face anyone.
Knock knock.
A knock came at the door.
“Lady Sevetina.”
Adel entered the room, carrying a large box—so large it looked awkward in her arms.
He really must like our young lady, Adel thought, smiling to herself with satisfaction.
“Sir Clazen Whiteion has sent this gift for you.”
Sevetina’s eyes widened.
…Clazen?
Had he already made up his mind? Or was there some kind of message hidden inside the box? With a trace of suspicion, Sevetina sat near the table where Adel set the box down.
It was wrapped in elegant paper and tied with a vivid red ribbon. Opening the lid, she found a matching bracelet and earring set nestled neatly inside.
The accessories were made of emeralds, just like the necklace she’d worn to the party.
Tiny, pearl-sized emeralds were intricately inlaid into the bracelet, forming a delicate floral pattern. The earrings were set with large emeralds, each the size of her thumb.
“Wow… they’re beautiful,” Adel whispered in awe.
Even Sevetina—who didn’t know much about jewelry—could tell the set was expensive.
There’s no way he sent this for no reason.
She was starting to understand Clazen’s intent.
Sevetina picked up the letter placed beside the jewelry.
A pleasant scent rose from the envelope. She tore it open and unfolded the letter. It was written in Clazen’s handwriting.
*Please accept this as an apology for my rudeness. I hope you will receive it kindly.
–Clazen Whiteion*
“Rudeness,” huh.
Sevetina frowned, recalling his past behavior.
Hardly just one or two offenses.
Folding the letter with a sigh, she turned to Adel.
“Also, Lady Sevetina,” Adel added, clearly waiting for the moment, “Sir Clazen is already here. He’s waiting for you.”
If I can’t avoid it, I’ll face it.
That was why she had made the offer in the first place.
Sevetina stood and began preparing to meet Clazen.
“Would you like to wear the necklace and bracelet he sent?” Adel asked as she helped her.
Sevetina shook her head firmly.
“No.”
She wasn’t ready to forgive his rudeness.
Adel was disappointed, but didn’t show it. Her job was to follow Sevetina’s will.
Still, she couldn’t help but wonder.
Just what did Sir Whiteion do to make her react this way?
Before meeting Dante or Clazen, Sevetina’s expression had been indescribable. The emotion flickering in her eyes and the solemn look on her face had made even Adel, a mere maid, want to comfort her.
Adel found herself wishing she could tell her—
It’s okay to be happy now.
“It’s been a while, Lady Sevetina.”
“…Yes, it has.”
As soon as Sevetina entered the parlor, Clazen rose to greet her.
His golden hair shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the window. His sharp eyes glanced subtly at her bare wrists and ears—unadorned by the jewelry he had sent.
Sitting down, Clazen gave a faint, regretful smile.
“So, you’ve chosen not to accept my apology.”
“Accepting an apology is up to the person receiving it.”
“Quite right.”
Clazen nodded in agreement, his expression mild and pleasant.
On the table, a tea set had been prepared. Clazen took the lead in conversation.
“Shall we talk over tea? I’m actually known for my tea-making skills. Surely even July knew that much.”
“…”
“Well, I’ll make a cup for you anyway.”
Her silence might have frustrated others—made them feel she was being rude—but Clazen’s face remained composed. If anything, he seemed relaxed.
He was always like this, Sevetina thought.
Once again, Clazen took out his own tea leaves—a red variety with a subtle fruity fragrance.
As he opened the kettle lid, he spoke unexpectedly.
“You must have realized… July and I were never truly close.”
So this is the “rudeness” he was talking about?
Sevetina let out a faint laugh—more a scoff than anything.
She was relieved he’d gotten to the point. She seized the opportunity Clazen had offered.
“That’s exactly why I’m curious. Why do you want to save July?”
Hot water poured into the teapot with a gentle hiss. Clazen closed the lid and turned toward her.
“Because I love beautiful things.”
A simple phrase—but it was the motto that sustained his life. The philosophy that had brought him to where he was.
“At first, I didn’t know.”
Yes, he hadn’t known—how much he would miss July Rib.
“She was the most radiant and beautiful person I’ve ever met.”
“…”
“Her will, her kindness… things I’ll never see again. I realized it far too late.”
Things that would never return.
And so, things one could ache for forever.
Hearing his words, Sevetina narrowed her eyes.
He was kind on the surface, yes. But Clazen had never once praised July while she was alive.
Her stomach turned.
“It’s strange,” he said softly. “I always thought I was the one who could end this relationship.”
“…”
“But now I understand. The only one who ever could… was July herself.”
Even she hadn’t realized that.
She’d never thought she could walk away from them. She had clung to them like they were her final lifeline.
“That’s why I want July to return.”
“…”
“I want to begin again.”
His answer struck a chord in Sevetina.
For Clazen, starting over was easy.
Too easy.
“I failed in our relationship. But if I failed, I can try again. I can change.”
For him, failure wasn’t the end—it was just another choice.
That was never an option for July, who had run out of road long ago.
“But now, I can walk the same path as her.”
He truly believed July would want to come back to them.
Sevetina knew better.
And yet… July might still want that if she returns.
Those relationships had only existed because of July’s power—as a candidate for the Water Heir. She had made those bonds possible.
But during that time, July was utterly alone.
If she were to go back… she would still be alone.
But now, I’m Sevetina Zeros.
That’s why she had to stay sharp when facing them.
She needed to assess the situation.
“How exactly do you plan to save July?”
“I’m still searching for a method. My plan was to get closer to you first, Lady Sevetina, and then ask for your cooperation.”
“And how exactly would my cooperation help?”
“Dante will use magic to analyze the mana flow within your body. With your memories from before July fell asleep, we’re hoping to reconstruct the sequence of events.”
Clazen gently slid a teacup toward her.
“So… will you help us?”
His calm tone and logical approach were convincing.
But if he thought that alone would sway her—he was underestimating her.
Sevetina didn’t need persuasion. She needed time and information.
She shook her head firmly.
“No.”
Clazen nodded slowly.
“I see.”
He didn’t argue. He simply asked:
“May I ask why?”
“First, I’ve only heard your side. I don’t know what the others think, or whether they’ll even seek me out. More importantly…”
Sevetina lifted the teacup with a bright, charming smile—as if she knew nothing.
“I can’t trust everything based on your words alone.”
“…”
“You didn’t think a few nice sentences would be enough to win me over, did you?”
That would be your own selfish hope.
Though she didn’t say it aloud, Clazen clearly understood.
His gaze sharpened.
“We need to wake July as soon as possible. Don’t you want her to be happy?”
“There’s no guarantee she will be happy if she wakes up.”
“But… she’ll have us.”
“Or maybe she’s only being revived because someone needs her. For their own gain.”
After all, natural disasters hadn’t increased when July was alive. Missing her might have more to do with utility than affection.
Clazen’s words rang hollow—both to Sevetina and to the July within her.
“Am I… truly someone you can’t trust?”
“Then tell me—what should I trust you by?”
“…”
“Your polished image, built through July?”
“That’s—”
“Your potential gains as a merchant?”
“…”
“Your perfectly clean farewell—because you thought you’d never see her again?”
Clazen fell silent.
Sevetina had listed every word and deed he had once spoken to July.
And as she spoke those buried feelings aloud… a weight lifted from her chest.
Who would’ve thought that speaking directly to the person involved would feel this easy?
“All July ever heard… were words like those.”
Clazen offered no excuses.
