~Chapter 74~
‘But… who was it?’
Because of the deep hood, I couldn’t see the magician’s face.
I couldn’t even guess their height or build.
“The price of defying our king is death.”
That clear line was all I remembered. The voice wasn’t distinct, but one thing stood out…
The brand on the right forearm.
I recalled the mark stretching down from under the sleeve.
The World Tree, wrapped by a rising dragon.
The emblem of Arcadia, branded on the magicians of the Magic Kingdom.
‘I didn’t see the full pillar, but I’m sure it was one of the branches of the World Tree.’
That faint, branch-shaped mark flickered in my mind.
I replayed the magician’s words.
‘Our king’—that could only mean the Demon King.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
“In the original story… Leviathan was killed for defying the Demon King.”
But who was it? Other than the Demon King, was there any magician strong enough to kill a hero?
I tried hard to remember, but no face came to mind.
‘I’ll need to recover more memories.’
I stared at the closed door.
Dad hadn’t gotten angry or pushed me away after learning my true gender.
If I told him I was a magician… would he react the same way?
I pulled the blanket over my head.
My back throbbed.
Right where the brand of the Magic Kingdom was.
“I hate it… so much.”
Magicians had taken Dad’s baby away, and now they wanted to kill him too.
And me? I was someone who had once called that enemy of his—“father.”
“Whether you’re a boy or girl, whatever past you have—it doesn’t matter.”
If I confessed I was a magician… maybe Dad would still say the same.
Maybe he’d stroke my head, tell me it was okay, and promise to take care of everything.
“Without even knowing he’s fated to die.”
I still hadn’t prevented the original ending.
Yet Dad treated me with such kindness.
The worst part was that I… had fallen completely into that endless affection. Shamelessly, I didn’t want to leave his arms.
“Idiot. Get a grip. I’m the only one who can stop Dad’s death.”
I shut my eyes tight under the blanket.
I was used to enduring darkness alone. I wasn’t yet good at calling out for someone.
That evening, Dad came with Rosetta.
I had just woken from a nap, so I was wide awake.
After changing out of my sweaty clothes, I sat on Dad’s lap and ate soup again.
“Feels like you’re heating up.”
Dad frowned, pressing my forehead.
“Your fever’s rising again by evening. Kids sometimes do that.”
Rosetta folded her arms with a serious look.
Really? I didn’t feel sick… maybe I just didn’t nap enough.
“I’ll take the medicine—cough, I’m fine!”
I reached for Borvel’s medicine bravely. Dad sighed deeply and fed me the dose himself.
“You keep coughing. How is that fine?”
“It is… ugh, bitter.”
“I’ll get candy.”
Rosetta turned to fetch the jar of sweets.
As I followed her movement, my head tilted.
“Huh? What’s that?”
I spotted something under the table.
“Ah.”
Rosetta nudged it with her foot.
“Nothing.”
But I had already seen it…
Catching my stare, she scratched her chin awkwardly.
“Er… well, while I was in the south…”
She glanced at Dad, hesitating.
“I found a shoemaker I liked while recovering, so I ordered something.”
She crawled under the table and pulled out the box.
A luxury gift box, shiny and elegant. Inside was a pair of polished leather shoes.
“They’re a bit sturdy for a girl. Better to throw them away and order new ones.”
She looked embarrassed.
“No! I like them! Don’t throw them away!”
I flailed in Dad’s lap.
“Hm?”
“They look strong, and they’ll fit my feet. Can’t I keep them?”
Before she could toss them, I clutched them tightly, the smell of new leather filling my nose.
“But we could get prettier ones—”
“You bought them while thinking of me!”
I knew that feeling well.
Like when eating delicious cake and thinking of someone else.
Wanting to share something good with those precious to you.
Even before meeting me, Rosetta had thought of me and bought a gift.
That made me so happy.
“I like these. They’re mine now.”
Even coughing, I insisted stubbornly. Above my head, I heard Dad chuckle.
“Give up, Rose. I can’t break this stubbornness either.”
“…I didn’t expect this.”
Looking dazed, Rosetta slumped her shoulders. Then, with a smile, she said,
“Truthfully… I kept imagining you wearing them. I was so excited to meet our new little one.”
“You didn’t even know what kind of kid I was.”
“I was ready to love you no matter what. But to have such a kind, cute daughter… I’m even happier.”
“Kind, cute daughter.”
My lips wobbled.
“Thank you… sniff.”
“Goodness.”
And once again, I cried.
At that moment, Dad turned me around sharply. His brows twitched.
“Your nose is dripping.”
“It’s tears!”
“Better it be snot. Stop crying.”
“Hngh.”
“…No. Maybe crying is better. What kind of kid hides so much at your age?”
He scolded lightly, pinching my nose.
“Blow.”
“Snf… ow, my nose!”
My poor, precious strawberry nose.
“Levi, don’t pinch children’s noses like that.”
Rosetta scolded him with a glare, then spread her arms toward me.
“Ruby. Instead of stiff, uncomfortable Dad’s arms… want to try Mom’s soft, cozy arms?”
“M-Mom…”
I froze.
Mom…
Dad pulled me closer, shaking his head.
“Rose, stop. You’ll break her.”
He spoke with the confidence of experience.
“Ah, too soon?”
Rosetta looked regretful.
“….”
Slowly, I reached out toward her pale arms.
Maybe because I had already shown her my weakness. Or maybe because my heart’s lock was finally opening.
This time, it felt natural.
“M-Mom…”
“Ah!”
Rosetta hugged me with a glowing face.
She rubbed her cheek against my head, stroked my back, brushed my hair. Unlike Dad’s, her arms smelled sweet and soft.
“My nose hurts. And I want to run around in my new shoes.”
For once, I wanted to act like a real child.
Rosetta stroked my face gently.
“I’ll rub your nose. And you can run later—once you rest more. You still have a fever and cough.”
“Okay…”
I nodded meekly. Unable to hold back, she hugged me tighter.
“When you’re better, let’s eat spicy stew together.”
“And hot cocoa too?”
“Of course.”
Her natural reply warmed my heart. I fiddled with her silky pink hair, smiling.
“Seriously…”
From the side, I felt Dad’s intense stare.
“….”
“…So gifts… were the answer?”
His muttered despair, I ignored.
Rosetta gently stroked Rubian’s forehead as she slept. The fever had gone down, and the coughing had eased.
Leviathan closed the curtains tightly and took Rosetta’s shoulder.
“Let’s go.”
He whispered carefully.
She stifled a laugh. Since when had he become so delicate?
“But what about this?”
She frowned at the shoes clutched in Rubian’s arms.
“She won’t let go.”
“Exactly. So let’s not wake her.”
Leviathan guided her out.
‘Guess I’ll have to buy her a soft teddy bear too.’
Rosetta squealed inwardly.
Boyd and Liam had always hated such things, so she had never bought any.
“This is amazing… is this what having a daughter feels like?”
She murmured with a glowing face. Leviathan glanced at her, puzzled.
They closed the door quietly.
The knights and servants outside bowed.
But one boy stood like a statue, not moving.
“Khalid.”
Leviathan let out a sigh.
“You’ve been here all this time?”
