CHAPTER 69………………………….
The Mysterious Clemence
I had followed Julmon into the cave where the mysterious Silverberry grew — and there, I witnessed something unbelievable.
Inside the cave, on a rock, two young lovers were locked in a passionate kiss. When I saw the woman’s face, I froze in shock.
“…Mother??”
It was unmistakably my beloved mother, Yurahel. And the man holding her so tenderly — though I couldn’t see his face since his back was turned — was definitely not my father, Marquis Uzcal.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a solid build — and most strikingly, he had the same platinum-blonde hair as me.
After Lea and Julmon went into the cave to gather Silverberries, Mikroc and Shine sat on a large flat rock near the entrance, waiting for them to return.
The Geupha Forest was so cold that frost had formed on the cypress branches all around. Yet Shine, dressed in a gown that exposed her shoulders and chest, didn’t seem to mind. Mikroc found that fascinating.
“Are you really not cold in this weather?”
“Why? If I say I’m cold, will you take off your coat and offer it to me?”
“If you wish.”
Shine gave a small, amused smile at his calm reply.
“When you were begging for my attention, I couldn’t get you to look my way. But now that I’m marrying another man, you’re suddenly being so kind.”
“It’s not as though I ever had personal feelings involved.”
“Don’t worry. We’re demons, remember? A little chill like this is nothing.”
“Actually, I’ve always wondered…”
Mikroc glanced at her confident expression before speaking carefully.
“The Malau tribe are powerful demons. Why do you try so hard to resemble humans?”
“Well…”
Princess Shine rested her chin on her hand and looked up at him.
“For as long as anyone can remember, the Malau have admired humans — maybe even been enchanted by them.”
She gave a self-mocking smile.
“The funny thing is, the humans feel the same. Thanks to that, half our tribe now carries human blood.”
“So that’s why the Malau aren’t as hostile toward humans as other demons.”
“Even after building cities, establishing systems, and proclaiming a kingdom, my father’s still unsatisfied. He wants a kingdom that lasts for centuries, like the humans’ do.”
“And you, Princess Shine — don’t you share that desire?”
“You noticed!”
She laughed brightly. Strangely, she enjoyed these kinds of talks with Mikroc.
“At first, I thought becoming your concubine would help strengthen Malau — though I’ll admit, you were tempting, too. But now things are different. I’ll build the Malau Kingdom with my own hands.”
“As Malau’s ally, I’ll support your resolve, Princess.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said.”
Shine smiled in satisfaction, then teasingly added,
“No human has ever resisted the allure of a Malau before. In that sense, you should be proud.”
“Well, I think that pride should belong to Lea — she managed to keep her husband safe from a Malau temptress, after all.”
“Hmph. Always bragging about your wife.”
Shine frowned in mock irritation, and Mikroc laughed heartily. She wasn’t wrong, after all.
Then, deciding to change the subject, Mikroc asked her more about magic stone crafting.
“How much magic power would it take to fully transfer your heat-preserving stone technique?”
“Let’s see… for a human mage, around third-circle mana should do it. It depends on the individual, of course.”
“Third circle, huh…”
Human mages are ranked from the 1st to 5th circles based on their power. Only three 5th-circle mages exist across the entire northern continent. A 3rd-circle mage isn’t common, but not impossible to summon from Pritan either.
Feeling reassured, Mikroc nodded. But then Shine suddenly looked past his shoulder, her expression turning alert.
“Eva? What are you doing here in your condition?”
“I heard we had guests — I can’t just stay cooped up in my hut.”
Mikroc turned to see a strange woman approaching. At first, he didn’t notice anything unusual, but soon realized she was blind.
“The man beside the princess radiates an extraordinary aura. Could he be the King of Pritan — the so-called Bloodthirsty Warmonger?”
“Eva! Don’t ask things like that so bluntly!”
Shine looked embarrassed, but Mikroc didn’t seem offended.
“I don’t know about my aura, but yes, I’m the King of Pritan.”
“As I thought…”
Eva nodded slowly, then asked Shine,
“And where is that foolish grandson of mine?”
“Julmon went into the cave. The king commanded that we offer our guest some Silverberries.”
Shine sounded apologetic, but Eva frowned.
“When you draw a boundary, you keep it — even if the heavens fall! First, you pick for the princess, then for the guest… what’s the point of guarding the cave if you just take the berries out?”
“This will be the last time. Julmon won’t open the cave again.”
Eva muttered to herself in dissatisfaction — until suddenly, she froze. Turning toward the cave, her blind eyes widened.
Puzzled, Mikroc and Shine also looked that way — just as Julmon emerged, supporting Lea.
“Lea!”
Mikroc rushed forward and caught her in his arms. His expression darkened as he turned to Julmon.
“What happened?”
“I just got a little dizzy, Mik. It’s nothing serious.”
Lea squeezed his hand reassuringly, trying to calm his worried frown.
Shine approached them and glanced at Mikroc, then turned to Julmon.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, Princess, I’m fine.”
But as he spoke, Julmon noticed Eva standing frozen like a statue.
“Grandmother, what’s wrong?”
When he approached, Eva grabbed his sleeve and whispered so only he could hear.
“Who was that woman you were with?”
“Oh, that’s Her Majesty, the Queen of Pritan.”
“What?”
Shock crossed Eva’s face. She wanted to say more, but couldn’t — not with Mikroc nearby.
“I think our forest outing ends here,” Mikroc said curtly. He lifted Lea in his arms and started down toward the horses.
“Mik, I can walk! Put me down!”
But he ignored her protests.
“Well, I hope he knows the way,” Shine muttered, shaking her head. “See you later, Eva. I’ll head out first — Julmon, come after me.”
After they left, the forest fell silent except for the wind. Once Julmon resealed the cave entrance, he turned to his grandmother.
“What startled you so much, Grandma?”
“It was Lord Clemence! I could feel his presence — strong and clear!”
At that name, Julmon swallowed hard. He’d suspected as much, but asked calmly,
“The Queen of Pritan is the daughter of Marquis Uzcal of the Haron Empire. There’s no way she could carry Lord Clemence’s aura.”
“I don’t know why. But I was his nursemaid when he was an infant — blind or not, I’d never mistake that aura.”
Julmon’s expression grew troubled.
Clemence — the current Malau King’s half-brother, and the rightful heir of the previous chief — had been executed as a traitor, his name forever forbidden.
“What exactly happened to him, Grandma?”
“I’m not sure. I stopped being his nurse when he was twelve.”
Julmon nodded thoughtfully.
“The tribe’s shaman once prophesied that if the Silverberry ever touched human hands, our people would perish. The former chief ordered Lord Clemence to guard it with his life.”
“And then?”
“As feared, humans stole the Silverberry. The shaman sent soldiers to pursue them, but… Lord Clemence died helping the enemy escape.”
Even after twenty years, Eva’s voice trembled, tears glistening in her blind eyes.
“But Lord Clemence was supposed to be the next chief. Why would he help the enemy?”
“I never understood it either. The Silverberry was stolen, the soldiers failed to catch the thief, and Clemence returned only as a corpse.”
“…The current king says he believes in Clemence’s innocence.”
Eva’s blind eyes seemed to flash as she laughed bitterly.
“Have you forgotten? I once fasted and wept, begging for Clemence’s pardon. For that, the shaman — the current king’s mother — took my eyes.”
Julmon nodded solemnly.
“She was a cruel woman.”
“The current king inherited the throne and told me to guard the Silverberry — said it was to honor Lord Clemence’s final duty. But I don’t trust any of the royal bloodline.”
Julmon gently embraced her trembling shoulders.
“Let me take you back to your hut. You need to rest.”
“Julmon, find out why the Queen of Pritan carries his aura. Promise me you’ll learn the truth before I die.”
“…I promise.”
After Mikroc and Lea left for Geupha Forest, William was excited to finally have some quiet time with Millie.
He wanted to go outside the castle with her, but she refused, insisting she didn’t want to be away when Lea might return. So they decided to have tea together in the sitting room — their own private date.
William was pacing anxiously when a knock came, and Millie entered quietly.
“Sir William.”
“Millie? Is that really you?”
When she shyly smiled and bowed her head, he almost forgot to breathe.
Gone was the simple girl in a work dress with her hair tied up. Instead, a stunning lady stood before him — her full-length gown accentuating her figure, her glossy brown hair cascading over her shoulders, a jeweled hairpin sparkling atop her head.
“Why? Do I look strange?”
Seeing his shocked expression, Millie glanced at herself nervously.
“No, you’re beautiful. Really beautiful. I just wasn’t expecting it.”
“Her Majesty lent me the dress and shoes. She said I should get used to wearing them…”
As she explained, her cheeks flushed red. Lea had told her that if she married William, she’d need to adapt to noble society.
“So that’s why you didn’t want to go outside?”
“I’m embarrassed to show myself like this in public.”
Her bashfulness made William’s heart melt. He pulled her into his arms.
“Then don’t. Don’t show this adorable side of you to anyone but me.”
“Ugh, you’re so cheesy…”
Her expression made him laugh, and he peppered her cheeks with kisses.
“When we return to Pritan, I’ll buy you a ton of dresses.”
“Her Majesty already promised that.”
“She did, huh? Well, mine will be different. Honestly, I’m not a fan of the queen’s fashion sense.”
“Really?”
Millie looked up in surprise. Lea’s style was the trendsetter of Pritan’s high society.
“You look amazing right now, but I want you to have clothes that suit you — not ones that make me feel like I’m on a date with the queen instead of my Millie.”
“So… you’re saying I don’t look good in these?”
She pouted a little, misinterpreting his words. William gently held her hand.
“No. I’m saying I’ll get you dresses made just for you — for someone brave, kind, full of life, and who knows exactly how to melt my heart.”
“…That’s just your way of saying I’m short and chubby compared to Her Majesty, isn’t it?”
Embarrassed but secretly pleased, she glared playfully.
“The queen’s just too tall and skinny. You’re perfect.”
“Then… are you going to keep me standing here all day?”
“Huh?”
She stepped closer. William stumbled backward and fell onto the sofa.
Looking down at him with a mischievous grin, Millie leaned in — and captured his lips.
“Mmph!”
William let her lead, her hands framing his face, her lips moving boldly against his.
No one in the world would ever believe that in this couple, Millie was the one in charge of the kiss.
