Chapter 103
“Do you know what the Blessing of the Moon is?”
Aden, riding next to me on his horse to keep pace with the carriage, turned his head.
I nodded at his calm gaze, which seemed to ask, “The Moon’s Blessing?”
“Before the Heart of Darkness, Bedrax died, he cursed this land, saying that deep darkness would descend. That curse was really strong and dangerous, coloring the entire world in darkness. People were scared of the darkness that wouldn’t go away even when they lit fires, and monsters rampaged in the shadows.”
“I’ve heard that story before. The Guardian of Night, Solitude, and Silence. Bedrax’s death, the fifth husband of the goddess Hermonia, is pretty famous.”
“Exactly. Anyway, to continue, to awaken the chaos that settled in the darkened world due to Bedrax’s curse, an angel pulled out her heart and split it in two.”
She raised her hands as if holding two round, formless objects.
“One became the moon that rose in the sky, and the other fell to the earth. As a result, the darkness receded and bright light returned. But the Guardian of Night, Harmonia, didn’t like that, so she corrupted the moon that was raised to the sky, and it soon fell to the ground and shattered. That’s the origin of the mineral we now call magical stones.”
Aden raised his eyebrows, looking quite intrigued.
It’s not a well-known myth, so most people don’t know this story.
I also heard about this myth through oral tradition, not from books.
As the lord of the Gray Mountains, which produce the most magical stones on the continent, I was practically drilled with this knowledge.
Aden also seemed unfamiliar with the story related to Hermonia.
“So, darkness must have returned, but how was the moon made again?”
“Since ancient times, it’s been said that there are two hearts of angels.”
“Did they take out another heart and raise it again?”
“The angel knew she would die when she took out her heart and raised it to the heavens. That’s what became the moon and pushed the darkness away. But the angel died. Before dying, the angel cursed Hermonia and Bedrax.”
“What kind of curse?”
“Well, I’m not really sure. That part wasn’t passed down.”
The curse of an angel.
Just hearing about it felt terrifying.
A demon’s curse feels common, but angels seem so far from curses.
If an angel were to cast a curse, it would definitely be unimaginable.
“The corrupted moon that fell to the earth became magical stones, and the moon that fell to the ground was affected and vanished somewhere. So I speculate that the moon became buried as magical stones or became stones with the power to curse the world.”
“…”
“Maybe that’s why monsters are gathering in Hermonia. Perhaps a half-heart of the angel that cursed Hermonia is buried somewhere.”
Of course, nobody really knows.
As I slowly smiled, Aden made a peculiar expression.
I chuckled a little at his changing expression and waved my hand.
“I was just joking. Don’t think too deeply about it. Myths are just collections of imagination, and there’s no evidence. There’s no need to take it so seriously. So, lighten up your expression.”
When I tilted my head with a smile, Aden briefly nodded.
He looked ahead again, checking the distant sight of Pallieva.
We were almost there.
“So, what’s this Blessing of the Moon? Is it like a blessing from a priest?”
“Oh, right. The Blessing of the Moon is a stone.”
“A stone?”
“In the distant past, before the angel sacrificed herself, she plucked out her two eyes to curse the two gods—one to cast a curse and the other to give a blessing.”
“That’s quite a gruesome story.”
“Yeah, it must have been hard to pass down as a myth or fairy tale. Anyway, the Blessing of the Moon disappeared somewhere, but it’s often mentioned in fairy tales.”
Like the story of the man who loved the fairy queen or the mermaid who wanted to become human to love a man.
“Do you know what these stories have in common?”
“Uh, I’m not sure.”
I squinted at Aden, who tilted his head, and slowly said, “Immortality.”
“Immortality?”
“The fairy queen is said to have no lifespan, and the mermaid’s heart is said to grant eternal youth and life if consumed. All these tales are connected to the Moon’s Blessing.”
“That’s quite a sweet tale.”
“It’s the kind of fairy tale most people dream of. But it’s an unattainable dream. Maybe what Bozbourne wanted so desperately and longed for was the Blessing of the Moon.”
The front gate of Pallieva was right in front of us.
I watched as they lowered the drawbridge upon seeing the Rippleton and Brilloxen flags, I slowly spoke up.
“A stone with mysterious powers that can grant any wish.”
Whether that’s a blessing or a curse, it’s hard to tell.
“What’s certain is that everyone who possessed it ended up unhappy. The endings of these fairy tales are always tragic, right?”
I quietly smiled at Aden from inside the carriage as we crossed the drawbridge.
“Maybe it’s not a blessing, but a curse.”
But that’s something nobody knows.
* * *
Winston Pallieva.
Winston, the head of the Pallieva family, was a man who carried a lot of rumors on his back.
He was praised for his outstanding work abilities, charisma, and leadership that brought people together, but he had a fiery temperament.
He wasn’t someone who got angry often, but when something didn’t sit right with him, he’d come charging in with fire in his eyes.
He wasn’t an ordinary noble, and being the only duke’s head aside from Bozbourne, he must be quite intimidating.
Before I died, when Kestian ascended to the dukedom, Winston was still healthy and fine.
The official reason he passed the title to Kestian was health issues.
But that was just an excuse, and it was widely believed he wanted to step back from the front lines.
Of course, that was something only they knew, but the important thing was that Winston was right in front of me now.
“It’s been a while, Grand Duke Rippleton.”
I stopped in my tracks at the way he addressed Aden so casually.
I knew Winston was hot-tempered, but I didn’t think he was rude.
But it was only for a moment.
Aden received his greeting with ease, as if it were nothing new.
“It has been a while.”
And he even used honorifics.
Hearing Aden speak so formally caught me off guard.
I had never heard him use honorifics before.
Since Aden grew up as the heir of the Grand Duke’s family, it was natural for him to be addressed with deference.
The title of grand duke is equivalent to royalty, and in the empire, he wouldn’t have to bow to anyone except the emperor, empress, or crown prince.
In a society where ranks and titles are clear, a duke is below a grand duke.
So naturally, I thought Aden would be the one speaking down to Winston. But instead, it was the opposite.
Aden glanced at me, probably noticing my awkward expression.
Sensing Aden’s gaze, Winston also turned to look at me and let out a chuckle.
“Is this the first time we’re formally meeting? I’m Winston. You’re Lady Sierra, correct?”
“I’m Sierra from Brilloxen.”
“You seem surprised. I understand.”
Winston flashed a pleasant smile at my slightly flustered greeting.
He gave Aden a light pat on the shoulder, something that seemed so natural it didn’t feel out of place.
“I’m an old friend of Aden’s mother, the former Duke of Rippleton, Benicia, and the current Duke’s godfather.”
“…Godfather?”
“The head of Rippleton, who has to fight monsters their entire life, is always prepared to die. Because of that, they often ask someone to be the guardian of their child in case they’re left behind. That someone happens to be me.”
Winston motioned for us to follow him inside as he moved ahead.
As we walked behind him, he continued his explanation.
“I’ve known the Duke of Rippleton for a long time. It’s not something most people know, not even the family.”
Winston led us to a pre-prepared table and gestured for us to sit.
As we settled into our seats, Winston casually spoke to the approaching butler.
“Bring the Sunset Rum.”
“…Isn’t that alcohol? Pretty strong, too.”
“You know it? Perfect. Let’s drink together.”
I remembered drinking that once and feeling like my throat was on fire, freaking out afterward.
The thought of drinking something that strong at lunchtime made me hastily decline. Winston seemed slightly disappointed, mumbling, “Is that so? What a shame.”
While I was thinking that maybe his fiery personality came from liking such strong drinks, a regular teacup and liquor glass were placed in front of us.
The clear, colorless rum in the glass didn’t seem too intimidating.
Winston took a sip from his glass, his face showing satisfaction.
Trying not to laugh at the contrast between his reaction and mine from before, I wondered, Doesn’t it hurt?
“Try it. It’s a tea I’m fond of. I think you’ll like it.”
Winston, smiling contentedly, recommended the tea.
Afraid that if I refused, he’d offer me the rum again, I quickly took a sip of the tea.
“By the way, how did the situation with Redboron turn out? I heard there was quite a commotion.”
“Ah, about that…”
I gave a brief explanation of what happened in Redboron, and Winston’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He stayed silent for a moment as if deep in thought, then smirked.
“Bozbourne really did some filthy work there. So, what are you planning to do about the Lady of Bairon?”
“For now, I think it’s best to watch the situation. Fiorette will need some time, too.”
“That sounds about right. You made the right choice.”
Even as we spoke, Winston kept sipping his drink, clearly a man who enjoyed it. Watching him down his glass without turning red, I couldn’t help but be impressed.
As I marveled at his tolerance, a knock came at the door.
When Winston told them to come in, the door opened, and Kestian entered.
“You called for me?”
Kestian approached, giving a brief bow, which made Winston frown, as if he’d seen something unpleasant.
Winston reached for his glass but found it empty. Clicking his tongue, he withdrew his hand and looked at Kestian with a crooked grin.
“What’s with the formality? Doesn’t suit you. Since when have you ever walked through that door and greeted your father like that?”
“I always do.”
“Always-?”
Winston’s eyes narrowed.
Kestian just nodded calmly, then glanced at me and smiled gently.
