Chapter 10

"Se, Serxia?"

Why is my sister here? Serxia, with her long legs, walked over and greeted me with a friendly smile, despite my shock.

"Se, Serxia. How did you...?"

"I came after seeing the broadsheet. You must have been surprised, Fereshati. Now that I’m here, everything’s fine."

No, I was surprised because of you. I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

"You came after seeing the broadsheet?"

"Yes, I was on my way to a merchant’s guild in the capital and saw the broadsheet. I was shocked. How dare that scoundrel. If I catch him, I’ll make him swallow a red-hot iron... ."

"Se, Serxia, calm down."

Her face turned white as she casually made such a terrifying threat with a beautiful smile. I was so startled that I quickly tried to calm her down.

"I’m fine."

"No, you’re not."

Serxia shook her head firmly.

"I’m not fine, Fereshati. The whole capital is buzzing about you. I hate it when people talk about others without knowing anything."

Serxia’s red eyes blazed with anger.

"Besides, isn’t it natural for a beautiful woman to meet many men? Making a fuss over just one man and publishing an article about it. Tsk."

"Terdeo and Selphi went to the newspaper office, so it should be resolved soon. ...Rebecca, can you prepare some tea in the parlor?"

"Yes, yes!"

Rebecca, intimidated by Serxia’s imposing presence, couldn’t even speak and hurriedly ran out with her luggage still in hand.

"I happen to have some good tea. Let’s have it together, Serxia."

Serxia readily accepted my offer. We walked side by side to the parlor like sisters.

"I hope I didn’t intrude by coming so suddenly."

"No, not at all. I was planning to enjoy some tea since I had nothing to do. It’s more enjoyable to have it with someone."

"Really, Fereshati, you always say such beautiful things."

As we entered the parlor, the sweet aroma of tea and the nutty scent of cookies filled the air, thanks to Rebecca’s quick preparation.

"What a lovely fragrance."

Serxia sat on the sofa and watched Rebecca pour the tea into the teacup.

"I haven’t seen her before. Is she a new maid?"

"Oh, yes. She’s Lady Knights, my new maid."

I introduced Rebecca, who then bowed to Serxia. Serxia hummed and crossed her long legs, fanning herself gently.

"Lady, serve the Grand Duchess well."

"Yes, yes?!"

"I find her very pleasing."

Serxia smiled as smoothly as butter.

"If you don’t serve her well, you’ll be in trouble with my sister."

Her voice was playful, but Rebecca, who didn’t take it as a joke, was frozen in fear, unable to respond and on the verge of tears.

‘Why is she like this?’

Is she so scared of Serxia? Rebecca clutched her skirt and bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. Only then did I realize and quickly comfort her.

"Are you okay?"

Rebecca nodded, her lips trembling like a crying child.

"I, I was just surprised to see Lady Serxia suddenly..."

Rebecca’s voice was shaky. I patted her shoulder and sent her out of the parlor.

"Alright. Go back to your room and rest while we talk."

Rebecca, still sniffling, bowed and left the parlor.

‘Rebecca must be very sensitive.’

As I watched Rebecca’s retreating back, Serxia, sitting opposite me, tilted her head with an innocent look.

"I didn’t do anything, Fereshati."

"I know. She’s probably just adjusting to her new role. I’ll calm her down later. ...But I’m not sure if the tea will suit your taste."

"If you like it, Fereshati, I will too."

Clearly, the talk about the red-hot iron must have been a misunderstanding. She’s such an angel. I must have misheard her before too! There’s no way such a kind person would say something so terrifying!

"By the way, did Theo and Selphi go to the newspaper office?"

"Yes... They went to find out who wrote the broadsheet."

"Really? It won’t do any good."

"Huh?"

"I just came from the newspaper office. They were tortured, but they didn’t reveal anything, so they probably don’t know anything."

...Huh? I just heard something really scary. She’s smiling so brightly and sweetly... Is there something wrong with my ears?

"They need to know their place. If we catch the culprit, we’ll scatter their limbs across the continent."

No, it’s not my ears. I stared blankly at Serxia, who spoke so freely.

"Don’t worry about the broadsheet. Since it’s a matter of the Laphireon family, we won’t just sit by."

"If you’re not just sitting by...?"

"Fereshati, how do you think we’ve kept the curse a secret all this time?"

Serxia smiled seductively, dangerous yet alluring.

"No one dares to speak of the Laphireon family."

"Really?"

"Because anyone who talks about the Laphireon family disappears without a trace."

"......!"

Don’t say such scary things with that beautiful smile!

"No one in the capital, not even a child, will dare to speak of you, Fereshati."

Suddenly, I remembered the infamous stories of the Laphireon family from my previous life.

‘Anyone who talks about the Laphireons disappears the next day!’

‘The Laphireon family has a torture chamber in their basement.’

‘Shh, if you talk about the Laphireon family, you’ll disappear from this empire.’

Back then, I laughed it off, saying, ‘That’s ridiculous.’ But why do these rumors feel so real now? I forced a bright smile to hide my tension. Serxia, noticing my awkward smile, tapped her teacup and changed the subject.

"The tea is really delicious. You have excellent taste, Fereshati."

"Thank you."

"Actually, I wanted to visit and see how you were doing after that day, but I didn’t want to intrude on you and Theo. It’s annoying when your husband’s family shows up unannounced. Today is an exception, though."

You were thinking of me even after saying those scary things. I couldn’t help but laugh at her considerate gesture.

‘Is she scary or kind?’

Anyway, I understand that she’s family and won’t harm me.

"I’m fine. Feel free to visit anytime. I’ll always have delicious tea ready for you, Serxia."

"Uh..."

Serxia’s eyes widened in surprise, like a rabbit’s. Her usually composed demeanor was replaced by a visibly flustered expression, which was unfamiliar.

"Serxia? What’s wrong?"

Was the tea not good?

"...Really?"

"Really?"

"Are you inviting me to visit again, Fereshati?"

Did I say something wrong? I nodded slowly, and Serxia blushed, placing her hand on her cheek.

"Being invited twice is a first for me. Usually, after one visit, people ask me not to come back."

Serxia laughed awkwardly.

"Thank you, Fereshati. I’m happy."

I was captivated by Serxia’s pure, childlike joy.

"Serxia, you have a really beautiful smile."

My sudden comment made Serxia stop talking and blush.

"R, really? I think Fereshati is more beautiful..."

"Seeing Serxia smile makes me feel good too. So, always smile."

Always be happy. Serxia’s expression suddenly twisted strangely, neither smiling nor crying. She turned her head to the window, where the warm sunlight filtered into the parlor.

"Fereshati, aren’t you... aren’t we scary?"

Serxia fidgeted with her fingers and lowered her head uncertainly. I swallowed the words, ‘I was scared when you talked about the red-hot iron.’

"Fereshati, you say you won’t die even if you drink our blood, but others will eventually die, won’t they?"

"Accidents and murder are different."

My firm answer made Serxia take a sip of tea. A moment of silence followed.

"Do you... want me to smile, Fereshati?"

"Yes, smiling feels good. It’s good for the person smiling and the one watching."

At this common answer, Serxia smiled faintly and closed her eyes.

"...You’re the second person to say that to me."

"Second?"

"Yes, besides you... "

Serxia laughed sadly, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"My husband and child said that to me."

"......!"

"I never thought I’d hear those words from you, Fereshati. ...It’s been a long time. I had forgotten."

Serxia wiped the teacup with her thumb, looking melancholic.

"They were good people and a happy family. You’ve never met my child, but he was really..."

Serxia laughed softly, recalling the memory.

"He was an angel."

Her voice wavered.

"Our family’s curse is passed down when men have children after marriage, so fortunately, my child grew up without the curse."

"......"

"Actually, my past was difficult. My father died early because of the curse, and my mother couldn’t handle my brother and me. So, as a child, I was locked in a dark attic."

I listened quietly, holding my breath as Serxia shared her past.

"My mother called us monsters who kill people."

"......"

"It’s okay. It’s the truth."

Serxia smiled calmly. Her red eyes, looking down, were filled with detachment.

"I understand my mother. She was a person before she was a mother, and she must have been afraid we would kill her."

"......"

"My poor mother, who wanted to love her children but couldn’t. She took her own life out of guilt."

I didn’t know what expression I had. How could such a thing happen? How could she smile?

"Since then, I haven’t smiled. I felt I shouldn’t smile after eating my mother."

I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t even offer a hollow comfort. Selphius, who was abandoned by his mother as a child, and Serxia. The real curse of the Laphireon family might not be the poison in their blood but the inability to be happy.

"Did my past bore you? That’s when I met my husband."

Serxia laughed without tears.

"My husband was a consistent man. Even after learning everything about me, he still wanted me to smile. He said he would make me smile. ...What a fool."

She seemed dry, as if all her tears had dried up. How long did it take her to be able to talk about it so calmly?

"Everyone who gets close to me dies."

Serxia took a sip of tea. Her hands were still trembling.

"If they hadn’t met me, they would have lived happier lives. ...Maybe it would have been better if I hadn’t been born. If I hadn’t existed, that person wouldn’t have met me, and my child wouldn’t have died."

"Serxia!"

I forced my tightly closed lips open. My voice cracked, but it didn’t matter.

"Serxia!"

I called her name repeatedly. I reached out and firmly held her trembling hand. Surprised by the sudden contact, Serxia tried to pull her hand away, but I held it even tighter, as if rescuing her from the edge of a cliff.

"I’m so glad to know you, Serxia. I want to know you more. I think that person felt the same way."

"Fereshati."

"I want to see you smile more in the future. Look, Serxia."

I lifted our clasped hands to eye level.

"I won’t die, Serxia."

"......"

"I’m sitting here, talking to you and holding your hand. Serxia, do you know how beautiful your smile is? I’m sure that person and your child would want to see you smile beautifully too."

So, don’t say such things. After my rapid-fire words, the parlor was silent. Serxia stared at me blankly, then laughed softly.

"You’re so dramatic, Fereshati."

Seeing Serxia’s sad, almost deathly expression, I acted on impulse.

‘Suddenly holding her hand!’

My face turned tomato red with embarrassment, but I didn’t let go.

"I’m sorry for suddenly holding your hand."

"It’s more comforting than a hundred words. No one has held my hand like this except that person."

Serxia gently shook our clasped hands and smiled like a precious gem. Her smile, filled with sunlight, was dazzling.

"Fereshati, I really liked you from the moment I saw you. I have a good eye for people. You’re too precious to marry Theo."

With a more relaxed expression, Serxia took off a small ring from her finger and handed it to me.

"If Theo ever mistreats you or if you need my help, call me anytime. Fereshati, no matter where you are or what the situation is, I’ll come to help you."

"This ring..."

"I run the Rabrun wine business."

Huh, Rabrun wine... It’s a very high-grade wine, mostly enjoyed by nobles and royalty. It’s said to be so addictive that once you taste it, you can’t stop. Because of the high demand, it’s extremely expensive and not easily accessible.

"This is a ring with the emblem of the Rabrun wine guild. I’m the only one who has it, so it’s like my face."

"Why are you giving it to me..."

"Fereshati, I’m giving it to you because it’s you. If you want to see me or need my help in a difficult situation, or even if you need to use me, just show this ring anytime."

"Show this ring?"

"Our guild does business with all the empires on the continent. Because we have the attention of all the nobles and royalty, no one dares to mess with us easily."

So, it’s an incredibly valuable ring? Can I really accept such a precious gift?

"If you show this ring, no one will dare to harm you easily. Unless they want to make the entire continent their enemy."

I fiddled with the ring I had received.

"I’ll always be on your side, Fereshati."

She was a reliable ally.

"And from now on, call me ‘Cetshi’ informally. My family calls me that."

"......Then, please call me ‘Shasha’ informally, Cetshi."

The sunlight shining on Serxia was dazzlingly warm.

"Sure, Shasha."

She smiled beautifully, more radiant than ever.