Chapter 3
Two years had slipped by unnoticed.
One Month Earlier...
Eldern, now five years old, often came to Elyra's room to read her storybooks. Elyra had just turned two. This was partly because Eldern had been moved to his own room, while Elyra still slept with their parents. For Ryudien—now living as Elyra—the sight always stirred a deep curiosity within him.
In his previous life, Ryudien had been illiterate. The desire to attend school had once burned strongly in his heart, but fate never gave him the chance. Because of that, books became something fascinating to him. The neatly arranged letters on each page seemed to contain another world—one he had never been allowed to enter.
Since Elyra still could not read, Eldern had faithfully read stories to her for the past three months. From Elina's perspective, Elyra looked incredibly adorable—especially because of her curiosity toward almost everything.
From the doorway, Damnern watched them with a gentle smile. He stepped forward, kneeling beside his children. He is twenty-six now.
"Let Papa read for you, Elyra," Damnern said gently.
"No!" Elyra shook her head firmly, clutching Eldern's sleeve. "Eyya only wan Eden!"
Hearing this, Damnern immediately became gloomy, while Eldern puffed out his chest proudly.
"Hehe, sorry Papa. Elyra prefers me," Eldern said smugly.
Why are you the one feeling proud? Elyra thought silently.
In truth, her stubbornness wasn't just typical toddler petulance.
On a quiet afternoon, Eldern came again carrying a brand-new book.
"Elyra! I brought a new book today," Eldern said cheerfully.
Elyra's eyes sparkled. "Eden… read!"
"If you want Eldern to read it, you have to ask nicely first, hehe," Eldern teased.
"Eden! Eden! Please read it for Eyya," Elyra replied, as usual.
"Hehe, what can I do? If it's my beloved little sister asking, Eldern can't refuse," Eldern said proudly.
As Eldern opened the book, Elyra suddenly noticed something.
"Eden, what happened to your hand?" Elyra asked, staring at the bandage wrapped around it.
"Oh, this? I got it during training with Papa. It's nothing serious."
At that moment, something dark stirred within Elyra.
So it's the same after all…
Even in this life, a father was pushing his young child into the world of warriors with blood and pain. The image of her five-year-old brother being forced into combat training made her stomach twist with sickening familiarity. She couldn't understand how their mother, Elina, could remain so calm about it.
That night, she made a quiet decision.
"Mama, Eyya wants to sleep with Eden tonight."
Elina, who is twenty-five now, smiled softly and nodded. "Alright, but don't kick him in your sleep."
As Elyra toddled after Eldern, teddy bear in her arms — a precious gift from maid Sasha — Damnern appeared from the bathroom, freshly bathed.
"Elyra, where are you going, sweetheart?" he asked warmly, reaching out to pat her head.
Elyra walked straight past him without a glance, her tiny face cold.
Damnern blinked in confusion, his hand hanging awkwardly in the air. "Did I… do something wrong?"
Elina chuckled from the living room. "Looks like you're in the doghouse tonight, darling."
Later that night, Elyra lay beside her brother.
As she stared at the dark ceiling, the bandage on Eldern's hand lingered in her mind.
And in the heavy silence of the room, the old memories she had tried to bury began to resurface.
It all began twelve years ago in the Willoreach region, when Ryudien was only six years old. His father, Blanco Rontow, twenty-five at the time, was a drunkard who often beat Ryudien's mother whenever he came home intoxicated.
"Why is the money never enough?!" Blanco roared, slamming the empty bottle onto the rickety wooden table. The sound echoed through the small, dim house like a crack of thunder.
Siana flinched, her thin shoulders trembling. Her stomach had been empty since yesterday, and the sharp pain made her dizzy. Still, she forced herself to speak softly, hoping to calm him.
"Blanco… please, I've tried everything I can. Just… lower your voice a little—"
"Shut your mouth!"
His hand swung fast. The slap sent Siana crashing to the floor. She clutched her burning cheek, tears spilling down her face as hunger, exhaustion, and shame twisted together inside her.
In the corner of the room, six-year-old Ryudien curled into a tight ball, hugging his knees to his chest. He bit his lip hard, trying not to make a sound. His small body shook uncontrollably as he watched his mother on the ground.
Siana slowly pushed herself up. Her gaze shifted toward Ryudien.
For a moment, her eyes dulled.
He looked so much like his father — the same dark hair, the same eyes, even the same fearful expression. Every time she looked at him, it felt like staring at a younger version of the man who had destroyed her life.
"What are you looking at?" she suddenly hissed, her voice cracking.
Ryudien jumped. Before he could react, Siana grabbed his thin arm with surprising strength.
"M-Mom… it hurts…"
Ryudien didn't understand.
He had done nothing wrong.
All he wanted was for his mother to smile at him again.
But Siana wasn't listening anymore. Years of pain, hunger, and resentment finally broke free.
"You're just like him," she whispered bitterly, tears streaming down her face. "Every single time I look at you… I see him."
Her grip tightened as her voice rose into a broken shout.
"Why were you even born?! Why do I have to suffer because of you?!"
She shoved him hard. Ryudien stumbled backward and fell, scraping his elbow on the rough floor. He didn't cry out. He had learned long ago that crying only made things worse.
Siana stared at her son lying on the ground, her chest heaving. For a brief second, a flicker of guilt crossed her face — but it was quickly swallowed by exhaustion and rage.
She turned away, covering her face with both hands as quiet sobs escaped her.
That was the beginning of the end. Not long after that night, unable to endure the endless cycle of suffering, Siana chose to end her life.
Siana's hands shook violently as she stared at her son. Her eyes were hollow, broken.
"Ryudien…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm so sorry… Please forgive me."
End of Chapter 3