Chapter 96: I Stole Yeoju's First Love
After entrusting the island's affairs to my mother, I was discussing future plans with Mario. Suddenly, Lily appeared in front of me with a pale face.
"Oh, Miss, something terrible has happened. The Master of the Magic Tower was injured while installing the purification device!"
At Lily's words, I jumped to my feet. We immediately arranged for a boat and rushed to Pahiti Island.
Anxiety gnawed at my mind throughout the journey.
It seemed that this incident was also my fault.
Nivea, my mother, everyone.
It felt like I had caused all this by unnecessarily stirring things up.
Her face was more resolute than usual.
"We don't know the Master's condition yet. She probably isn't seriously hurt."
I tried not to fall into self-loathing at Lily's words.
No matter what, I had to hold on until I could confirm my mother's condition.
The boat soon arrived at Pahiti Island.
The magicians who had come to meet us at the dock approached me.
A young male magician bowed before me.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lady. I am Chris, sent by the Magic Tower to investigate this incident."
His eyes sparkled in a way that made me feel uncomfortable.
"Nice to meet you, Chris. By the way, where is my mother?"
"Oh, yes! The Master is staying in a house in a nearby village."
Chris's expression darkened.
Scared, I didn't ask any more questions and headed for the village on the island.
When I opened the door, I saw my mother lying there, her face as calm as if she were asleep.
I approached and carefully examined her body. From the outside, she didn't seem to be injured.
"Can you explain what happened?"
At my question, Chris opened his mouth with a slightly dark expression.
"While installing the purification device, the cave walls started to collapse. To prevent major damage, she used magic forcefully and absorbed a lot of distorted mana. Although she seemed fine on the outside, she put herself in a coma as a precaution."
"Is there anything wrong with her body?"
"Yes, yes. The absorbed distorted mana will likely dissipate naturally over time."
His uncertain expression made me feel drained.
"I'll attempt purification using the data obtained from Sir Wilhelm's research. However, since Lady Freya absorbed more than Sir Wilhelm, who handled the sword, I'm a bit worried."
Since the research had just started, it was understandable.
I held my mother's hand for a moment, then let go and stood up.
"Doctors will come from the capital soon. They'll find a faster way."
I forced a smile to hide my anxiety.
"Once her condition stabilizes, we'll take her to the mainland. The Magic Tower will do its best to help."
Chris said this and left the room.
I sat down again and held my mother's hand.
The unusually cold temperature made me feel like crying.
'Everything will be fine.'
I had to believe that this time would be different.
When I came out and closed the door, Wilhelm, who had been dragged to this island, was waiting for me.
"Please give me an order so I can help."
His face was more determined and enthusiastic than usual.
'Pio said he almost completely purified the distorted mana.'
Even so, I didn't want him around.
Just because Wilhelm had regained his senses didn't mean I trusted him.
"I don't need your help."
"I'll do any menial task you assign me."
Wilhelm clung to me persistently.
He looked almost on the verge of tears.
"Please, I beg you. Let me atone for what I did to you."
Wilhelm was now pleading.
"I must have lost my mind for a moment. I betrayed the trust you showed me..."
His face contorted with tears, and I was at a loss for words.
We weren't engaged because we loved each other.
Knowing Wilhelm's integrity, I had believed he wouldn't betray me and proceeded with the engagement.
The night before the engagement, Wilhelm had made a knight's vow to me.
I had thought we might have a decent marriage.
But that future was shattered by another betrayal soon after.
It seemed nothing would change now, no matter how he apologized.
Thinking about what he had done to me, I didn't want to see him, but dealing with the aftermath of the accident was more important.
Wilhelm's face brightened at my words.
But it soon darkened again. Wilhelm shuddered when he saw Pio, who had appeared behind me.
For someone who didn't know Pio's true identity, it must have been a significant trauma to be defeated by a mere dog, even as a Sword Master.
A few days later, Robert came to the island.
He carefully examined my mother's condition.
"There doesn't seem to be any major physical damage. I'll also check how much the distorted mana has decreased, as you mentioned."
Wilhelm's voluntary assistance was quite helpful.
With Robert's help, we moved my mother to a hotel.
Wilhelm stayed behind to help the magicians with the purification work.
Lily was already waiting in the lobby.
He must have heard about my mother's condition and couldn't stay away.
I boarded the elevator with a dark expression.
When I entered the room where my mother was staying, I saw my father standing silently by the bed.
Father quickly wiped his face with his sleeve and turned to me.
His puffy eyes suggested he had been crying.
I tried to act as if everything was okay, but my voice trembled.
"Don't worry so much. The Master of the Magic Tower has been sharing reports on mana purification with me."
Alison, who had just entered, spoke to comfort me.
"Yes, Karina. Don't worry too much. Your mother isn't someone who gives up easily. She'll recover soon."
Father must be the one suffering the most...
"Yes, I believe in Mother. She'll get up for your sake, too."
"What... what can I do..."
Father awkwardly smiled and turned away.
Seeing this, I managed a smile as well.
But I couldn't shake off my concerns.
After that, I worked hard to wrap up the affairs on the island.
I wanted to finish what my mother had started.
Marco's expression as he watched me was peculiar.
Although he didn't say anything outright, I could guess what he was thinking.
'He must think I'm only focused on work even though my family is down.'
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have cared.
I believed that personal matters shouldn't interfere with official duties.
Many people whispered that I was cold-blooded when they saw me like this. I had become accustomed to their reactions.
I was tired of those looks and silent criticisms.
"Let's finish early today."
"Ah, is Lady going back now?"
I headed to the dock with Chris's farewell.
The island was small, so it wasn't far from the cave to the dock.
Wanting to clear my mind, I declined Wilhelm's offer to escort me.
"But... the islanders aren't very friendly to Lady."
The villagers, led by Marco, who hoped to borrow Andrew's power, didn't like me.
"I know. They won't harm me. Besides, Pio is here."
I pointed to Pio, who stood at my feet. Pio looked more confident than ever.
Wilhelm sighed and stepped back.
I walked along the beach with Pio, who had grown accustomed to the sand.
I thought a walk would help, but it didn't.
After a short walk, I headed to the dock.
The knights who had been waiting for me approached.
Their cold gazes were palpable.
I wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Even after rushing back to the hotel, I still felt uncomfortable.
I couldn't complain to my father about how hard it was.
He must be the one suffering the most right now.
After briefly checking on my parents, I left the room, using work as an excuse.
"I'll go with you, Miss."
Lily, looking worried, ran out to the lobby.
"It's okay. I'll just take a short walk. I feel suffocated."
"I'll go with a guard, so don't worry too much."
When I reached the beach, I told the guards to stay back and sat on a bench alone.
The quiet surroundings made me feel better.
I gazed at the dark sea, trying to calm my mind.
Today was especially tiring and exhausting.
My mother's condition hadn't improved or worsened, which only increased my anxiety.
I couldn't forget the looks people gave me earlier.
After incidents, whenever I tried to act normal, people mocked or despised me.
"What do they know about me?"
I liked to focus on work to forget my anxiety.
Moreover, I had to move quietly on my own because I couldn't trust anyone.
This wasn't by choice but out of necessity.
Because the people I trusted had all turned their backs on me.
Tired of pretending everything was fine in a world where I had no one to trust.
Would there be anyone I could trust after my parents