Now, You Miss Me.

27.

Serenity was captivated by a strange feeling.

She thought it would be the last day she visited this place, the day when Yulia was chosen as the Water Heirs. So, before leaving, she filled her eyes with the scenery for a long time…

‘I didn’t expect to come back like this.’

It was a place she had first given her heart to, so she couldn’t forget it easily. Just being inside made her feel comfortable. Serenity took a deep breath and looked around.

“Isn’t it fascinating?”

Dante said softly, watching Serenity look around. Serenity nodded. It was indeed fascinating, no matter how it happened.

“Over here, we have the tables where we, the Heirs, sit. Information about the previous Heirs is stored in the room over there.”

Approaching the table, Serenity confirmed that each symbol was engraved on it.

“I wonder if I can sit here?”

“I’m not sure. This is my first time in a situation like this. Would you like to try sitting?”

Originally, only Heirs could enter this place.

Hesitating, Serenity cautiously took a seat where she had wanted to sit from the beginning, in the place designated for the Water Heirs.

As soon as Serenity sat down, light emanated from the Water symbol. The bright blue pattern sparkled brilliantly.

Despite knowing she wasn’t the Heirs, Serenity’s heart swelled with excitement. Perhaps because sitting here had been a long-cherished wish.

Serenity suddenly wondered. What if things had ended like this from the beginning? Would she have been happier now, or would she have been unhappy?

“Since there is the symbol of water, is it possible… Would you like to try sitting in other places?”

Serenity snapped back to attention at Dante’s words. As she rose from her seat, the water symbol, as if covered in brown, ceased to sparkle.

“It was beautiful.”

She felt somewhat regretful about it. Serenity, who had been absorbed in aesthetics, then sat in Dante’s place. As soon as Serenity sat down, the symbol of wind sparkled.

“The symbol of wind is the same.”

Serenity sat in Clagen’s seat and, finally, in Wyatt’s seat. When she sat in each place, the symbols lit up together.

“It seems that the symbols don’t just appear for no reason.”

“I think so too. We’ll have to investigate what’s going on, but perhaps it’s because one can use the power of all four elements. Separate from the Heirs of the elements.”

Only those who could use power could sit at the table. Serenity sitting at the table and the symbols reacting meant that she had the power within her.

Although she hadn’t yet mastered how to use it,

She could use fire, earth, wind, and water.

“There’s no way someone who can use the power of all the elements hasn’t been discovered… Then it’s best to start by looking at the records of the previous generations.”

After rising from the table where they had been sitting together, Serenity followed Dante into the study.

The records, which filled every surface of the room, were neatly stored. Serenity unfolded the records. The records provided information about people’s pictures, names, and what Heirs they were.

Apart from the records of the Heirs, what caught Serenity’s eye was the record of natural disasters.

It was a detailed record of where and how much damage natural disasters had caused that year. Serenity read through the records from the moment Yulia was chosen as the Heirs.

While the frequency of natural disasters had increased this year, it was a trend that had been steadily rising.

‘…Is that why someone like me has appeared?’

To help? But what can she do? She’s a separate existence from the Heirs of the elements.

And why now, of all times? Because there were many natural disasters this year? But it had been steadily increasing.

Why now?

To Serenity?

Despite searching through the records of the previous generations, there was no mention of someone like Serenity.

As she continued to read, she felt like her eyes would fall out. Dante soon checked the time and took the records from Serenity’s hands.

“It’s time to go out now. Sometimes Clagen or the Crown Prince comes to rest in the evening, so I can’t guarantee that we won’t be noticed.”

Dante was thorough.

For the first time, Serenity felt grateful for the contract she had with Dante. If Dante hadn’t looked out for her like this, she might have been caught already.

Serenity left the study. She carefully memorized the room, not knowing when she would return.

Dante, who seemed like he would grab Serenity at any moment, surprisingly waited patiently.

“I hope you liked it here.”

“Yes.”

Dante, who was quietly observing Serenity, asked subtly. It was because Serenity strangely reminded him of Julie.

“…Did Julie like it here too?”

“You didn’t know?”

“…No, I didn’t.”

Dante regretted asking the question for no reason. Serenity smirked.

She must have been teased. Julie often seemed unusually relaxed here.

‘But Dante really wasn’t interested in me.’

Not even noticing that much.

The reason he met with the wind, one of the elements, was because he liked to observe, but he knew nothing about Julie. Dante realized once again that he didn’t know Julie well. The question was both frustrating and amusing.

Now, Dante was trying to read Serenity’s expression.

“Yes, She liked it.”

“…”

“A lot.”

Dante fell silent. Serenity didn’t say anything.

‘What is Dante longing for when he doesn’t even know anything about me?’

Serenity was curious. Was Dante really longing for Julie? Or was it just romanticized memories?

“Do you miss Julie?”

Dante was taken aback by Serenity’s question. He avoided her gaze for a moment and remained silent.

It was unclear whether he was avoiding the conversation or contemplating her question.

“Shall we go out first?”

He wasn’t expecting a profound answer. Following Dante’s words, Serenity tore the scroll to return to his mansion.

As she re-entered his mansion, Dante suddenly spoke.

“There are moments when being alone in the mansion feels strange.”

“…”

“I used to be accustomed to being alone… but not anymore, because of Julie.”

“Maybe you’re just feeling lonely being alone?”

“No. It’s only with Julie.”

Dante said firmly.

“I regret it. I should have done better, shouldn’t have said those things at that moment. It was the first time I had such feelings in a strange situation… I didn’t know what to do, and that’s what I regret the most. That’s why I want to meet again. I don’t want to repeat the same mistake.”

“…”

“Julie deserves to receive. I want to create opportunities for her.”

Serenity didn’t want to receive.

‘I don’t know.’

Whether Dante’s feelings for Julie were guilt or something else. Whether it was guilt or not. It seemed like Julie regarded what she had done for him all along as a debt.

Dante handed three scrolls to Serenity.

“Please take them. I’ll let you know when Clagen or his Highness isn’t around. You can use the scrolls alone as only those with the wind pattern can open them.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“You’ll probably receive letters while you’re in Artera. I’ll also inquire about my visit then.”

“As you wish.”

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

Dante bowed politely to Serenity. Watching Dante’s courteous demeanor, Serenity thought.

“What moments we shared could have changed him so much?”

Why his feelings changed.

* * *

The day to go to Artera was approaching. Serenity prepared to meet Yulia.

When Serenity suggested meeting, Yulia agreed as if she had been waiting. She seemed disappointed that Serenity didn’t call her directly. But Serenity knew she could switch sides at any time.

There was no need for Serenity to ask to show her power as the Heirs of water. Yulia made an effort to show her charm when visiting the mansion. Her power was still evident.

It was proven. Serenity’s power did not threaten the power of the Heirs. They were separate from them.

“Serenity, I am the Heirs of water. I can show you something new.”

“Are you going to show the power of water?”

“Yes, please don’t believe the rumors and just look at me.”

Even if it wasn’t a rumor, Serenity knew very well who Yulia was.

“Don’t forget Julie. Please remember my poor sister who is in the same situation as Serenity.”

It was nothing more than a plea for sympathy, without even wiping one’s mouth. Was Yulia such a small-minded person? Serenity felt anew how important a person’s position was.

“Serenity.”

The voice calling Serenity sounded as if searching for a lover.

It reminded her of Julie’s appearance when she entered the Liv.

Was that why? Yulia’s face looked even more unpleasant than usual.

She disliked Yulia’s hypocrisy.

With a grin, Serenity asked, “Do you love your sister, Yulia?”

“Uh, th-that’s a soft question.”

It seemed to be an unexpected question, as Yulia stumbled over her words.

“Ah, I see. I thought you were just saying it.”

“Yes?”

“You never asked me a single question and always asked for Julie, so it felt like you were using Julie to meet me.”

Yulia’s smile made Serenity uncomfortable.

Serenity didn’t mind. Regardless of her attitude, Yulia was in a position where she had to crawl.

“No way. I was just glad to have someone who wanted to meet me after so long…”

Regardless, Serenity felt the need to make Yulia more cautious.

Oh, of course, personal hatred was the biggest factor.

She still vividly remembered enjoying Julie’s suffering.

“The sincerity you expressed, Yulia, doesn’t seem genuine.”