“What are you going to do?” 

Ciela couldn’t bring herself to answer. 

‘I didn’t realise it before, but…’ 

After learning the truth, she understood one thing – the reason why the Arcel couple had been so kind to her when she was young, and why Lilia only came to the Marquis’ estate after the late Marquis had died. 

‘Grandfather must have protected me when he was alive.’ 

But now she was about to tear down with her own hands the family he had spent a lifetime building. The thought stung like a tiny ant biting at her heart, causing a sharp pain in her chest. 

At that moment, Calix, who had been standing quietly by her side, spoke in a low voice. 

“I recommend you open it.” 

“Calix?” 

“Until his death, the late Marquis probably held considerable influence within the Arcel family. I doubt he was unaware of everything.” 

“…….” 

“If he cared enough about Ciela to leave her an inheritance, he would have included something about the curse in his will.” 

Like opening the first page of a dust-covered book, the image of her grandfather’s bright smile slowly returned to her mind. While he had been cold to others, he had always been like sunlight to her, even in his final moments. 

“You’re right.”

With the calm voice that seemed to give her strength, she opened the envelope and pulled out the first page from the thick stack of letters. 

[To Ciela.]

The familiar, hurried handwriting she longed for greeted her. 

[If you’re reading this letter, it means we can no longer share the same moments together.] 

She turned the first page, which was filled with casual, affectionate inquiries about her well-being. As she unfolded the next, the tone of the letter changed. 

[Ciela, there are so many things I need to apologise for. From now on, I’m going to tell you the things I didn’t have the courage to say and that I’ve been putting off every day of my life]. 

[I’m afraid it might shock you. So if you’re afraid, don’t read any further]. 

The page ended with a brief warning. Without hesitation, Ciela turned to the next page. 

[When Clara’s child was just over a year old, she began to suffer from a severe fever. Even when renowned doctors were consulted, there was no improvement. It was then that Clara mentioned something to me]. 

Clara was the name of the Marquise of Arcel. 

[When she was pregnant, she had a little conflict with a certain woman. This woman told her, ‘Your child will suffer from inexplicable pain and will not live beyond the age of ten.’”]

“Ten…?” 

Ciela murmured, her brow furrowed slightly. She pushed away the question that had suddenly popped into her head and continued reading the letter. 

[As the woman spoke those cursed words, she caught a glimpse of something behind her – a pair of translucent wings, like the fairies of legend.] 

[To be honest, it was hard to believe. But since there was no other explanation for the child’s illness, Clara seemed to believe what the woman had said. Perhaps all the more so because having a child had been so difficult for her……. (omitted)…… Then one day, Clara joyfully announced that she had found a way to save her daughter. She said the curse could be transferred, but I objected to the idea of sacrificing someone else just to save her child].

The grandfather she vaguely remembered was someone who valued life and would never be careless with it. 

[Then, one day, Clara secretly left with Widrow, taking the child with her. When they returned, I anxiously checked on the child, and it wasn’t long before I noticed]. 

[The child Clara had brought back wasn’t her daughter]. 

Ciela knew immediately to whom the letter was referring. 

‘That’s me.’ 

Perhaps because he had objected so strongly, the Arcel couple tried to hide the truth from him. He pressed them repeatedly, but Clara insisted that Ciela was her real daughter. He then admitted that he didn’t know what method they had used to transfer the curse. 

[Clara denied it, but how could I not notice the difference in the baby’s developmental stages? Then, until the age difference between you and their child became less noticeable, they used the excuse that you were ill to keep you confined to your room]. 

[Like Clara’s child, I couldn’t help you when you fell ill. All I could do was sit by your side as you cried in pain and vow to raise you as my only grandchild without wanting for anything]. 

At first it was guilt, guilt for the sick girl who had replaced his biological granddaughter. But as she grew, as she called out to her grandfather before her mother or father, as she took her first steps, his affection for her grew at an alarming rate with every milestone in her life. 

As his love grew, so did his guilt, and he wanted to do everything he could for her. But there was only so much he could do for the sick girl who had taken the place of Clara’s child. 

[If you ever want to find your true blood relatives, go to the orphanage listed on the last page. It took some time to uncover this discreetly, but it seems that Clara took you from there. I’ve also included information about the fairy curse, so be sure to check it out]. 

[I have no intention of thinking this will ease my guilt. I just wanted to leave you something as your grandfather. ……(omitted)…… Even if you resent me now that you know the truth, that’s okay. Whatever you do, I just hope you find happiness until the end]. 

[I’m sorry it’s so late to tell you this]. 

The letter ended. The last page gave details of the fairy’s curse and the location of the orphanage. It also mentioned that the villa she had been bequeathed contained a few fairy apple trees. Ciela put the last page back into the envelope. 

“Are you all right?” 

The lawyer asked her and Ciela nodded, a faint smile covering her blurred expression. 

“Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?” 

She wasn’t lying. 

‘It’s just… my mind is a bit cluttered.’ 

Leaning back into the sofa, she began to sort through her thoughts, absentmindedly fiddling with the Will in her hands. It was then that Calix, who had been watching silently, spoke. 

“You two should stay at the Duke’s estate tonight.” 

“The weather looked threatening, so I wanted to request this anyway. Thank you for allowing it in advance.

“You’re my guests, so it’s only natural. Just follow the attendant who is waiting at the door.” 

“Then I’ll take my leave.” 

As the lawyer left first, a moment of silence fell over the room. 

“I’ll leave too.”

Ciela said, getting to her feet. She had planned to rest early so that she could return to the Arcel estate in the morning. Until Calix stopped her. 

“Before the rain starts, I’d like to go somewhere with you.” 

“Alright.” 

Ciela blinked slowly and thought for a moment before nodding. She wasn’t sure where he wanted to take her, but a short trip before the rain wasn’t a difficult request. 

“Please wait a moment.” 

Calix stepped out for a moment and returned with a blanket draped over his right arm and a steaming mug in his left hand. As they stepped into the garden, a cool breeze, heavy with moisture, blew gently around them. Ciela followed a step behind, her pace slightly slower than his confident strides. 

‘Where is he taking me?’ 

Calix ventured deeper and deeper into the grounds. Just as her curiosity began to rise, the faint, unmistakable scent of water reached her, and he finally came to a halt. 

“We’ve arrived.”

Ciela’s eyes widened in surprise. 

‘This place…’ 

A vast lake, connected to the forest, stretched out before her, filling her vision. Instead of stars obscured by storm clouds, fireflies danced gracefully over the water. 

“Pretty, isn’t it?”

Calix handed Ciela the mug and spread out the blanket. Carefully wrapping her in its warmth, he sat down by the lake with the ease of someone who had done this many times before. 

“There isn’t a single place on the Duke’s estate that isn’t beautiful, but this place is one I’m particularly proud of. And there’s something special about it – there’s a unique magic here”. 

Turning to Ciela, Calix patted the ground beside him with one hand. 

“It’s a secret what the magic is, but if you want to know, sit here and find out.” 

‘I already know what it is.’ 

Even as she thought that, Ciela took a seat beside him. She was familiar with this place and fully understood the magic he was talking about. 

‘Though I have to admit I didn’t expect him to bring me here.’ 

Because of its winding path, even the servants of the Duke’s estate rarely knew of this lake. It was a place young Calix often visited with his parents when the Icarus couple were still alive. After their sudden death and his early assumption of the responsibilities of running the family, his visits became less frequent. However, whenever he felt overwhelmed and could no longer bear the weight of his duties, he would return to this place. 

Even in the original story, Lilia would never have known about this place if she hadn’t ‘accidentally’ discovered it. It was a sanctuary meant only for Calix. 

“When I look at this place, no matter what’s happened, my mind feels at peace. As if I’m under a spell.”

Ciela rested her chin on her knees. Even if she tried to doubt his intentions as she had before, the thought crumbled like a sandcastle. 

‘He doesn’t seem to pretend to care…’ 

Such was the importance of this secret place. Ciela looked at the firefly flitting towards her with a complicated expression. 

‘Instead of feeling at ease…’ 

She felt dizzy in a completely different way. She picked up the mug she had put aside and sipped at the now chilled drink. 

‘It tastes strange.’ 

In contrast to its lack of aroma, the drink had a surprisingly sour taste. As the thought crossed her mind, she suddenly remembered books she had read in the past about various elixirs. With that, she jerked her head in Calix’s direction. 

No, it couldn’t be.

With a slight feeling of unease, Ciela asked Calix.

“What exactly is this drink?”