Chapter 2 (Part 1)

A grand mansion stood atop a cliff where fierce sea winds blew. Past the meticulously trimmed garden, which allowed no room for imperfection, lay the drawing room corridor where a woman stood gazing at a large painting. 

The painting, adorned with a golden frame, was enormous yet exuded majesty. The little boy in the painting met her eyes. 

The woman murmured softly.

“Cardin.”

The meaning of her existence. At the same time, he was the one who had constantly tormented her since the past. 

Because of this child, she had to learn the hard way when she was young. From the time she was in the Duchy, she learned everything without rest, including etiquette, geography, history, horse riding, and even how to manage servants. 

She had to know it all because she was to be connected to the Messerode family. After the marriage, which seemed inevitable, she endeavored to continue the Messerode family line.

When she struggled to conceive, she felt sorrow and anxiety. At times, she feared that her life and all she had learned would collapse because of just one child. 

When she finally became pregnant after going through disappointment, disregard, emptiness, and frustration, a fortune teller said a very bright and noble star had risen. Only then did the Duchess of Messerode think she had done all she needed to do.

A founding contributor of the Kingdom of Gerok. The grandest of the grand nobles. Despite the family’s honor and power, the Messerode family barely continued its lineage.

The Messerode family had a family law that prohibited having mistresses and allowed only one wife. Furthermore, it was specified that only a man could continue the family line, making it difficult for a woman to do so.

Thus, the Duchess of Messerode engraved the meaning of her existence by giving birth to Cardin. The Duke of Messerode wanted to raise his son strongly. Cardin, who was more delicate than expected, constantly clashed with his father. 

Even when young Cardin cried after being hit by his father, or when he grew up and charged at his father, ending up in a mess, or when he was exhausted from his father’s tyranny, the Duchess of Messerode did not blink an eye. 

She thought she had finished her duty by giving birth to Cardin. 

However, the position she had maintained with dignity became precarious. It had been a month since Cardin had not returned. During that time, the Duke of Messerode died, and people rushed like wolves to seize the family.

“Is there still no news?”

The butler beside her bowed his head before continuing.

“I’m sorry. Although people were sent, there has been no word so far…”

The Duchess of Messerode slowly turned her body. Her hand rose elegantly, then suddenly gained speed. The sound produced by her thin, slender fingers was exceptionally sharp.

“How long has it been since people were sent, and still no news?”

Despite her age, there was no hint of hoarseness in her voice. The butler could not raise his head at her still clear and resonant voice.

“With him dead, Cardin must come immediately. Roquek is opening his mouth, bringing a lawyer to take this family. What on earth are you all doing?”

The man remained silent. At that moment, the large entrance door swung open.

“Madam!”

A person in black quickly approached her. The Duchess of Messerode regarded him sharply. 

Finally, the man stood before the Duchess of Messerode. He bowed his head deeply before speaking hastily.

“We have finally found him! The Young Master is near Romseed Village!”

“Romseed?”

“It’s a small village in the mountains.”

The Duchess of Messerode let out a small, hollow laugh.

“It seems he’s not dead. Tell him to come to the mansion at once.”

The Duchess of Messerode turned her body. At that moment, the man in black spoke urgently.

“The Young Master seems to have lost his memory.”

“Lost his memory?”

“He is living in a shabby house with a woman, wearing worn-out clothes.”

The Duchess of Messerode’s eyes sharpened.

*   *   *

The next morning, she woke up groggily. As she slowly turned her head, she saw Cardin sleeping. His well-defined nose stood out prominently. 

It felt like a dream. She wished she could remain like this forever. But soon, reality returned. Wishing for such things was greedy. It was also a futile desire. 

She soon got out of bed, busily changed clothes, and grabbed the doorknob. Cardin was still asleep, so she carefully opened the door, but a low voice resonated.

“Are you leaving already?”

Startled, she turned around to see Cardin sitting up, watching her. His gaze lingered on her. She hesitated for a moment before answering.

“I need to go now to gather herbs for a long time. Don’t follow me this time. It’s more convenient to gather herbs alone.”

She couldn’t bring herself to look at Cardin’s face. It was because she remembered what happened yesterday. Embarrassment crept in belatedly.

Just as she was about to turn her head, a familiar scent wafted over.

“Which direction are you going?”

The voice was close. As she looked up, a solid figure stood before her. She quickly replied.

“I’m planning to go towards the path with the storage. I’ll be back before lunch.”

She was about to close the door when Cardin held it with one hand.

“Wait a moment.”

He took a small knife from his pocket. As she wondered what it was, he explained simply.

“It was in my pocket. It seems to be a knife I received from the Knight Order, and when I hold this part, faint smoke comes out.”

When Cardin grasped the back of the knife’s handle, white smoke emerged. He looked up just then. His gentle gaze was fixed on her.

“This smoke, if inhaled closely, momentarily paralyzes the face, so if a dangerous person approaches, hold this part and swing the knife at them.”

Cardin turned the knife handle towards her and offered it. Her hand hesitated to reach out.

‘Should I take it?’

It was Cardin’s belonging. It could be something that might help him remember, something that could trigger his memory. 

At that moment, Cardin took her hand and placed the knife in it. As she looked at him in surprise, he warmly enveloped her hand.

“Take it, I’m worried about you going alone.”

His slightly disheveled hair looked particularly comfortable and well-suited. It was different from the atmosphere she had seen at the Academy, but now it seemed like she was seeing a different side of him, which caught her attention even more. 

Cardin met her eyes and playfully tilted his head slightly.

“Or shall I come with you?”

“No, it’s fine.”

She hurried out of the house. Viche quickly approached her side. 

She untied the rope tied to Viche and walked along the path towards the storage. Her face felt flushed, perhaps because of the heat. 

She suddenly took out the knife from her pocket. The knife handle was silver and intricately carved in the shape of a dragon.

‘This isn’t the Knight Order’s emblem.’

It was Cardin’s family emblem. Especially the emerald held by the dragon was a representative gem of the Cardin family. The Cardin family owned the majority of the emerald mines. 

If he asked where his home was, she could immediately tell him. The Messerode family’s mansion was built on the largest estate in the southern part of the capital. Probably, there was no one who attended Stern Academy who didn’t know it.

‘I should tell him.’

Cardin’s family might be looking for him. She even promised to help him find his memory.

She remembered Cardin’s face smiling amidst her selfish anxiety.

After the incident with his father, she didn’t expect Cardin to make such a face at her. Moreover, he was kind. He even kissed her.

So she wanted to see him a little longer. Because after some time, she might never see him again, so just a little longer.

She liked Cardin. It was a crushed first love, but it seemed like a flower bloomed again within it.

So just this once, she wanted to enjoy that flower a little more by his side.