Episode 123

Not long after Desar left, Father came to visit.

He looked utterly exhausted, like someone who hadn’t slept for days.

‘I must be the only one who still looks human around here.’

Even though I had been bedridden for two weeks due to the curse, thanks to all the nutrients they pumped into me, my skin was practically glowing.

To be honest, it felt like I had just woken up from the best sleep of my life.

In contrast, everyone else around me looked absolutely terrible.

In fact, it almost made me wonder if it was them — not me — who had been the ones bedridden.

“F-Father… how many days have you gone without sleeping?”

“Let’s see… since the day you collapsed, I suppose.”

At his words, I nearly gasped internally.

“I promise… nothing like this will ever happen again.”

This wasn’t just about me anymore.

As long as there were people around me who would suffer more than I did, I couldn’t let this happen again.

“You don’t have to worry anymore.”

“…I’ve already heard everything.”

At those words, I stiffened and looked at him nervously.

Since I collapsed in Robert’s laboratory, it was natural that Father had learned the full story.

“The trips you kept making to the south, the times you disappeared without a word — it was all for the Lisbeth cure, wasn’t it?”

“…I’m sorry for hiding it.”

I hadn’t wanted to give him false hope.

Even if I failed, I thought it would be enough if I alone bore the disappointment.

But looking at him now, I realized maybe that choice wasn’t entirely right.

I could see it — the guilt staining his face, the weight of not having been able to carry the burden alongside his daughter.

Father had put a tremendous effort into finding a cure for Lisbeth.

Far more than I had realized.

“It’s not that I didn’t trust you, Father. In fact… it was because you never gave up that I was able to keep holding on to hope, too.”

“I’m not blaming you for hiding it. In the end, you succeeded.”

He smiled, but there was still guilt lingering behind his expression.

“When you were just five years old and suffering on the verge of death… when you were later diagnosed with an incurable disease… and when you collapsed this time too.”

In a low voice, he said,

“I realized just how powerless I truly am.”

“Father.”

How could he call himself powerless?

I had grown up strong inside the walls he built around me.

“Everything was thanks to you. It’s because you raised me so strongly.”

After losing the wife he loved more than life itself, he had been left with nothing but a tiny newborn in his arms.

Who could deny the devotion Serkhan Drenihan had given to his only daughter?

It was a well-known fact even within high society.

“So please, don’t say things like that.”

I smiled brightly as I spoke.

At my words, Father brushed his hand over the corner of his eyes, which had slightly reddened.

‘W-wait, is he about to cry?’

To think that a man rumored to be colder than ice itself could be made to cry…

Life really was full of surprises.

Fortunately, he didn’t actually shed tears, but he was so moved by my words that he couldn’t speak for a while.

“Is the physician’s cure truly reliable?”

“Yes. Completely.”

Father, relieved, nodded.

“Now that I think about it… what should we do about the Blessing of Terium?”

At those words, I recalled something I had forgotten.

Because of my deteriorating condition, Father had intended to pass the Blessing of Terium down to me.

To do that, I would have had to inherit the position of family head.

But now, I no longer needed the power of the blessing.

I was completely healthy.

“I’ll leave it to your decision. If you wish to inherit the dukedom, I’ll pass it down. If not, I’ll appoint another relative as successor.”

“…….”

Neither option… could be decided easily.

If Bergeus were to awaken, the holder of the Blessing would be in grave danger.

‘Of course, there are ways to avoid it… but honestly, I’m still not sure.’

I thought of the deed for the mansion, still tucked away in a drawer somewhere.

But for now, I couldn’t leave Father to hold onto something so dangerous.

It would take at least half a year just to select and appoint a new successor.

In the end, there was only one solution.

“Please pass it on to me, Father.”

“Of course, if that’s what you want. But I must say, I’m surprised you’re interested in the dukedom. You always said you had no interest in titles.”

At Father’s words, I gave a slightly awkward smile.

“I changed my mind as I grew up. I want to inherit the Blessing as soon as possible. It’s a lifelong honor, after all.”

Father nodded in understanding at my words.

Perhaps he thought it was natural — after all, it was a position that granted power, wealth, and honor all at once.

Indeed, the Blessing of Terium was a great honor.

‘At least, until you know its true nature…’

“Then let’s schedule the blessing ceremony for a nearby date…”

“The ceremony isn’t necessary. Since the Founding Festival is coming up soon anyway, it would be better to announce it then.”

I hurriedly stopped him, as he habitually tried to organize a private banquet to commemorate the occasion.

The first time I rolled over, the first time I learned to read, the first time I took a step…
At Drenihan, every milestone in my life had been celebrated with a grand banquet.

If you lined up all those records, you’d basically have a complete biography of my life.

Father looked slightly regretful, but it seemed he agreed that it was a good idea, and he nodded.

“I hadn’t thought about the Founding Festival. You’re right — the impact will be far greater.”

“Yes. You can just give it to me right now.”

“Alright.”

Father then placed his hand behind his neck, and from there, a white light emerged.

The light, soft like a bundle of cotton, stretched outward.

Father transferred the Blessing he extracted through my hand.

Immediately absorbed, the Blessing’s energy spread warmly at the back of my neck.

“Is it done?”

Still feeling dazed, I rubbed the back of my neck — and when Father brought over a mirror, I could confirm it clearly.

The Blessing was engraved on the back of my neck.

A red flower-shaped crest.

Long ago, it was the blessing that Bergeus had bestowed upon mankind.

At a glance, it almost looked like a brand.

‘Askan’s going to have a fit when he sees this later.’

I sighed inwardly.

* * *

Spring had passed, and the most bustling period of the Empire had arrived.

“The Founding Festival is already here.”

Nella busily moved about, organizing my clothes.

The day the Terium Empire was founded by the first emperor, Herz, was the grandest celebration in the Empire.

Since the founding date fell on a leap month, it was a festival that returned only once every four years.

The festive atmosphere, which had been heating up for days, finally reached its peak on the opening day.

It had already been ten days since I recovered.

At first, it had felt strange, moving around in a body as light as a feather, no longer weighed down by fatigue — but now, I was fully used to it.

With Nella’s help, I put on the dress I had ordered three days ago.

It was a gown particularly designed with a low-cut back, leaving the Blessing of Terium prominently exposed once I also swept up my long hair.

Thankfully, considering I had only recently woken up, Nella and the maids didn’t keep me sitting for long.

Instead, they poured their full effort into dressing me up in a short amount of time — and the result was truly astounding.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t help but admire them with genuine awe.

My hair, braided delicately like an elf from mythology, was adorned with restrained yet elegant jewels.

The empire-style fluttering dress was clearly the product of much collaboration and thought.

Most of all, the light makeup suited my now-flushed complexion perfectly.

“We poured everything we had into it, my lady.”

“You were always beautiful, but now you’re truly dazzling.”

Nella dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, holding back tears.

This body had always been naturally beautiful, but until now, that beauty had been hidden behind sickness.

I gazed at my reflection for a long time, almost dazed.

Seeing myself now, I thought the phrase ‘beauty that could bring down a kingdom’ wasn’t an exaggeration.

It wasn’t just striking looks — there was an aura that naturally drew the eye.

“Did you all go through some secret training or something? You’ve completely transformed me.”

I praised them warmly, thinking of how they had seemed almost possessed while working with such determination.

“You’ve merely regained the light you always possessed.”

Nella said with a proud smile, but then she suddenly widened her eyes as if spotting something.

She quickly walked over to the wide-open window.

“Oh my!”

Pointing outside, she exclaimed,

“The Karsian carriage and the Selber carriage have arrived together. His Grace the Grand Duke and Young Master Arzen are standing there… facing off.”

“……What?”