Chapter 33
I prepared this for you, even though I don’t know when you’ll be born.
I wanted to help my daughter, who must have suffered because of her unworthy mother.
Violet gently stroked her swollen belly, her expression softening. But soon, her bright face darkened.
Holding back tears, her sorrowful expression made Ebony’s tears well up. She wiped them away and reached for the next page.
— You know, I became a spirit master as soon as I became an adult.
Violet was born as the fifth child of a commoner family.
When she turned eighteen, she fell seriously ill.
With no money for medical treatment or medicine, she endured the pain alone for ten days. Then, one morning, she woke up feeling dramatically better.
She was relieved, thinking her illness had finally passed, but then she saw something shocking—right in front of her stood a spirit named Wade.
A poor village girl had summoned a spirit for the first time in a hundred years.
People were puzzled by how someone of humble blood could inherit the ability of a spirit master.
Then, they discovered a surprising truth—Violet’s great-grandmother had been the third daughter of the noble House of Fredia.
She had run away to marry for love, giving up her noble status.
Even though Violet’s great-grandmother never awakened the spirit master’s power, Violet, who had been living in poverty, did. From that moment, her life completely changed.
But the hope of escaping poverty and misery was soon crushed when her family started abusing her.
They only saw her as a way to make money. Exhausted from their greed, Violet made a bold decision—she proposed a contract marriage to Edward Dominique, the most powerful man in the Frined Empire, as a way to escape her hell.
She promised to use her power only for good. And she kept her word—she made rainfall in drought-stricken lands, helped defeat monsters vulnerable to light, and protected the world from various threats.
About six months after marrying Edward, the two were naturally drawn to each other.
What started as a mere contract turned into a marriage filled with love.
Their children, Leonhardt and Herman, became the heart of their happy family—something Violet had always dreamed of.
However, one concern lingered in her heart—she had not yet given birth to a daughter.
Though there was no guarantee a daughter would inherit her abilities, Violet believed it was important to pass on the bloodline of a spirit master.
After years of hoping, she finally became pregnant with her third child.
Regardless of the baby’s gender, she knew she would love them unconditionally.
But deep inside, she instinctively knew—
— I knew right away. My beloved princess had come to me.
She could feel her long-awaited dream growing inside her.
But happiness and hardship often come together. Her already fragile health worsened due to the strain of using her powers.
As her pregnancy progressed, her condition deteriorated day by day.
Everyone begged her to give up the pregnancy, but Violet refused.
— At first, it was about duty. I couldn’t let such a great power disappear because of my mistake.
But then, it became about love. I wanted to meet my precious princess, no matter what.
Violet wanted to protect both her daughter and the world.
— Ebony Dominique, my daughter, my world. I hope my little princess will protect this beautiful world.
She was willing to give up her own life for them.
What happened next was something Ebony already knew.
With the help of her dearest friend, Helene, Violet gave birth to her daughter. But not long after, she passed away.
“…Mother.”
As Ebony reached the last page, the diary closed, resting gently in her hands.
She held it close as if she could feel her mother’s warm embrace through it.
A faint smile crossed her lips before fading away.
Violet might have started with a sense of duty, but in the end, she never gave up on Ebony because of love.
A mother who gave her life to bring her into the world.
A mother who gave her a second chance, even in death.
Her greatest supporter, even in the afterlife.
‘Yes, I’ve decided.’
Since fate had given her a second chance because of her mother, she wanted to use the power she inherited for her mother’s sake.
“I understand now. No, I’ve made up my mind.
I know what path I will take as a spirit master.”
Ebony lifted her head, looking between Wade and Lucia.
“I will follow in my mother’s footsteps. I will ensure that the world she loved remains beautiful forever.”
Her voice was filled with unwavering determination.
<You’re amazing, Ebony!>
Lucia, the spirit, happily flew into her arms, rubbing against her affectionately.
A bright smile spread across her face.
Wade, watching them, shrugged and smiled as well.
<It’s your choice, so I won’t stop you. You won’t regret it, will you?>
“No, I won’t.”
<Alright! Then, let’s form a contract.>
Wade closed his eyes and brought his hands together in prayer.
<Great Spirit God, please answer our call.>
Suddenly, the world around Ebony distorted, shifting into an entirely new landscape.
She stood frozen, unable to grasp what was happening.
A dazzling beam of light fell before her, almost as if calling her forward.
Mesmerized, she took a step toward it.
As she reached the light, she lifted her head to the sky.
The barren emptiness around her filled with radiant colors, creating a breathtaking natural landscape.
“Ebony Dominique, the thirty-sixth child.”
A majestic voice rang out.
Recognizing the unseen but powerful presence, Ebony bowed her head in reverence.
The sacred being chuckled warmly, then gently touched her cheek.
“How do you wish to use your power as a spirit master?”
Ebony instinctively knew—this was the contract Wade and Lucia had spoken of.
Looking into the unseen presence, she spoke firmly.
“I want to protect the world my mother loved.”
“Protect it?”
“I will bring everlasting beauty to the lush green forests, bring water to the lonely, barren deserts, and bring warmth to the vast, empty snowfields.
I will strive to bring infinite happiness to all living things.”
A moment of silence followed.
Then, as if responding to her determination, a gentle breeze caressed her. Birds sang harmoniously in the distance.
“You remind me of someone I once loved dearly. That person also had a pure heart like yours.”
The Spirit God chuckled warmly.
“The contract is sealed. Take good care of my children, Ebony.”
Suddenly, the world shook violently. The scenery crumbled and dissolved into nothingness.
“…!”
Ebony lost her balance and fell into a dark abyss.
Endless falling.
Complete darkness.
Then, a moment later—Ebony’s eyes snapped open.
“…Where… am I?”
The first thing she saw was a familiar chandelier.
The same chandelier she saw every night before sleeping and every morning when she woke up.
‘My room?’
But she had been in her mother’s room just moments ago…
Holding her throbbing head, she looked around.
Amy, who had just entered with medicine, gasped in shock when she saw Ebony awake. She ran out, shouting at the top of her lungs.
“The Lady has awakened!”
A short while later, the family doctor arrived to examine her.
“There are no major concerns. Please make sure to rest well.”
After carefully checking her pulse and condition, the doctor reassured them.
Gale, who had been filled with worry, finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Removing his glasses, he rubbed his face, trying to calm himself.
“You have no idea how worried I was when you suddenly collapsed…”
He handed her a warm cup of tea, hesitated, then finally spoke in a low voice.
“His Grace was also very concerned about you.”
