"Hmm?"I didn't quite catch what he said, but when I turned to ask, Nick didn't respond.
A moment later, as if snapping back to himself, the corners of his lips lifted. That smile clean and bright like spring sunlight flashed across his face. His tall figure and black coat only made him look more striking, enough to make a few passing maids blush.
…
In the private sitting room, I sat across from my mother, sipping tea.
"I heard Leah came to see you this morning?"
I looked at her. Even past forty, my mother was still stunning so much so that time seemed reluctant to touch her. A light layer of powder concealed her illness-induced fatigue, and her eyes held the calm of someone who had weathered many storms.
I knew I couldn't hide the truth, but I still had no intention of mentioning Nick.
"It was my fault," I said. "I kept Leah waiting, so something happened. A frog climbed up the tree somehow… It's because I didn't manage the servants properly. I'll remind them to clean more carefully when I return."
My mother glanced at me and laughed softly.
"Oh please, if you want to cover for him, just do it. I won't interfere. But when it comes to your uncle's family, you must go and apologize."
"Yes, Mother."
"I won't lecture you further. I called you here today for a different matter."
I tightened my grip on the handkerchief.
"You've been sick these past few years, unable to socialize with the young ladies and gentlemen of the prominent families in the capital. Now that you're better, it's time you began interacting with people your age."
I nodded.
"In a few days, it will be the Spring Waltz at the Lycan King's palace," my mother continued. "The Fourth Princess is hosting a ball an occasion for young ladies to showcase their talents and meet the major families. You will attend with Jason."
She exhaled lightly.
"Originally, Leah wanted to go too, but after what happened today, that's unlikely. If she doesn't go, Jesse won't dare either."
The Johnston family didn't have many members. The main branch consisted of just Jason and me; my uncle's second branch had Leah and a few illegitimate children, including Jesse.
I smiled gently and placed my hand atop my mother's.
"I'll speak with Jesse. If she doesn't want to go, then we'll leave it."
Mother smiled, satisfied. Her gaze drifted toward the window, watching a shadow dart past. Her smile faded slightly.
"One more thing," she said. "When you enter the palace, take Nick with you. Have him follow Jason."
Nick's origins were unknown, but ever since he stepped into the Johnston household, he had been considered one of us. Bringing him to meet the royal family wasn't a bad idea.
Still, Mother worried. My health was fragile, my temperament too reserved, she feared I would be isolated the moment I stepped outside.
We talked for a while longer. When Mother grew tired, I excused myself.
Gazelle draped my cloak over my shoulders. As we stepped into the courtyard, there was no sign of Nick.
"Where's Nick?" I asked.
"Master Jason called him outside."
My eyes sharpened a little. When I entered the room earlier, I had seen Jason coming out.
I quickened my pace.
…
Outside the courtyard gate, two figures one in black, one in white stood a few meters apart like statues.
After a while, Jason spoke in his warm voice:
"The Spring Waltz at the Lycan King's palace is in a few days. You'll be accompanying me."
"Will Sister Judy go too?"
"Yes. But when we enter the palace, you must stay close to me, don't stare around, don't wander off, don't..."
Jason's lecture dragged on and on.
Nick leaned against the wall, one long leg crossed over the other, lazily flipping a folding knife in his hand. His black coat fit snugly over his lean frame, eyes half-closed as if he were dozing expression unreadable.
Jason, meanwhile, stood straight in his white shirt and neatly pressed vest, looking like the perfect heir.
Suddenly, Nick opened his eyes. He snapped the knife shut, straightened up, and bowed politely to Jason.
My brother: ???
Jason hadn't even begun to question him before footsteps echoed. I stepped out into the courtyard, my amber-gold dress trailing lightly behind me.
"Brother, what are you two doing?"
"Ah…" Jason forced a smile. "I was just telling Nick what he needs to keep in mind at the palace."
I looked at Nick. He immediately smiled and stepped half a pace closer to me.
I nodded at Jason."Thank you, Brother."
Nick chimed in loudly:"Thank you, Brother!"
Jason: …
All his life he had only one obedient little sister. Now, for the past year, he had gained a half-brother, one who constantly confused him: warm as sunlight one moment, terrifyingly cold the next. When Judy wasn't around, Nick was lazy and distant, but the moment she appeared, he smiled nonstop. A sincere smile, yet whenever Jason saw it, something instinctive inside him bristled with fear.Maybe he was just too sensitive.
"Right," Jason continued. "If at the ball you meet a man you like, don't be shy, Judy. You're old enough to start thinking about marriage. Just be bold and..."
Halfway through his sentence, Jason suddenly felt a sharp prick down his spine, as if a blade were pressed to the back of his neck. His gentle expression cracked. His voice trailed off. He glanced around his sister and Nick looked perfectly normal, and no one suspicious was nearby.
Nick blinked innocently."Brother, are you okay?"
"No… nothing," Jason muttered, wiping cold sweat."We'll… discuss this later."
When he left, Nick watched his back for a long time. His eyes darkened... dangerously.
I tapped him lightly on the head.
Nick turned back with a bright smile."What are you smiling at?"
"Judy, are you angry?"
A spring breeze drifted through. Magnolia petals fell onto my shoulder. Nick brushed one off gently, his magnolia-colored eyes glinting softly.
My heart… beat faster.
I quickly looked away."Let's go."
We walked side by side through the long corridor. The scent of magnolias mingled with the spring air, gentle yet sweet, unsettlingly so.
"Judy, are you uncomfortable?"
"No."
"Then why is your heart beating so fast?"
"…It is not."
"It is. My ears are sharp. I'll measure your blood pressure when we get back..."
"Shut up."
"…Yes." Nick obediently closed his mouth.
…
And so the day of the Spring Waltz arrived.
At dawn, mist blanketed the estate. The air was cool and tender. I sat before the vanity while Gazelle did my hair and makeup. Tonight, I would see many familiar faces… from my previous life.
I no longer hated them as fiercely as before. The burning rage I once held had been eroded by years of pain, suffering worse than death.
In that life, after they blinded me, took my limbs, and left me to die, I drowned in hatred until eventually… I couldn't even hate anymore.I just wanted to die.
And when my heart had turned to ash… my savior appeared and pulled me back from the edge. Sadly, I never learned who he was.
…And I lived, though I didn't know why.
I didn't want to live. But I didn't even have the strength to end myself.
Every day I lay in bed, drowning in despair, resisting the care of that "kind-hearted" man. But he was too strong, I couldn't fight him. Perhaps he sensed my rejection, sensed my desperate longing for death, for he grew increasingly quiet.
One day, he left me alone.
That night, through the stillness of the infirmary, I heard a choked, broken cry outside my door. Just one. Then silence.
I whispered:
"Are you… someone from my past?"
No answer.
Only slow footsteps drawing closer.
He sat beside my bed, his hand resting near my cheek with aching caution, and warm tears dripped onto my wounded face.
When I drifted into sleep, I felt a hot, dry kiss on my forehead.
At the time, I thought… perhaps he was the last person in the world who truly loved me.
Yet I never knew who he was.
…
Eventually, I steeled my mind and decided to face fate head-on. Since the heavens had given me another chance, I needed to make the most of every moment.
To live in a way worthy of this second life.
After returning, I still feared the dark. In darkness, I couldn't help raising a trembling hand to my eyes. But even so, I refused to sleep with the lights on.
Eventually… I overcame that fear. Slowly, I stepped out of the sorrow carved into my bones.
And when I did, the world was still bright. The sun still rose. The people I loved were still alive.
If possible… I wanted to take my family far from all schemes and power struggles, to live peacefully for the rest of our lives. But that was nothing more than a distant, extravagant dream.