-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: A Pendant's Power
-----------------------------------------------------------------
* * *
“My daughter’s birthday is coming up, isn’t it?”
“Huh? It’s still a while away…”
“Come on, it’s less than a month away.”
As Enoch walked Lilis to her room after her lessons, he was the one who seemed more excited.
“What does my princess want?”
“Well…”
“Tell me anything. I couldn’t get you anything expensive last year, but this time, Dad will buy you whatever you want!”
“Nothing much…”
Lilis’s reaction was lukewarm as she walked, adjusting the teddy bear backpack on her shoulders.
“Nothing you want? Last year, what was it… you said you wanted princess shoes.”
…He couldn’t buy them. They were a bit expensive.
For James, who sold firewood for a living, spring—Lilis’s birthday season—was the slow season, as few people needed fuel.
“No, I have lots of shoes. I don’t need them. Auntie bought me plenty.”
“Then?”
“There’s nothing I really want…”
Lilis, who had been pondering, glanced up at Enoch.
“You said there’s a festival in the capital soon. Can we go see it together?”
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, the ‘Children’s Day’ festival was scheduled for two weeks, starting early next month.
During the festival, it was common for noble children to enjoy refined activities like poetry recitals, musical performances, and horseback riding.
But what Lilis was talking about was probably the commoners’ festival.
The one with toy stalls lining the brightly lit streets, where you could watch jesters and puppet shows…
It was truly a paradise for children!
“Never mind… Just pretend you didn’t hear me. It won’t work, right? Grandfather wouldn’t like it…”
“Why not?”
Enoch scooped up the crestfallen Lilis into his arms.
“Let’s go, let’s go!”
“Sigh, are you silly, Dad? If you go out looking all flashy like this, people will recognize you and come bow and everything, won’t they?”
“Oops, don’t worry about that. I can just disguise myself as James Brown for a bit that day. We can sneak out without Grandfather knowing, eat some tasty food, and buy you those princess shoes.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
Lilis’s expression brightened instantly.
“Ahaha! Dad, you’re the best!”
“I’m the best, right? Then give me a kiss.”
“Okay!”
Lilis, smiling bashfully, kissed Enoch on the cheek.
It was right then that the father and daughter, giggling as they looked at each other, were startled.
“Aaaargh! Hngh, aack!”
A sudden scream from within the mansion brought Enoch’s steps to a halt as he crossed the hallway.
The source of the pain-filled groans was beyond a firmly shut door.
‘Damn. It must be Theo.’
Enoch’s expression hardened.
His nephew, Theo Antracse, who suffered from a rare disease.
Theo had suffered frequent seizures even before Enoch left the capital.
Unfortunately, there was nothing anyone could do for him now. They could only watch him suffer.
“Hey, Princess. Why don’t we go out for a little…”
“Put me down!”
“Huh?”
Enoch, who had been about to leave with Lilis to shield her from the shock, hesitated.
“Put me down, quick!”
“No, wait a second.”
Taken aback, Enoch set down Lilis, who was pounding on his chest with her small hands.
The moment her feet touched the ground, Lilis swung her teddy bear backpack around, opened it, and took something out.
A small pendant…
No, the small, dark purple orb inside it was clearly.
‘A core? Isn’t that a monster’s core?’
Why would a child have something like that?
Before he could confirm his suspicion, Lilis rushed over and opened the door.
* * *
“Young Master, just hold on a little longer!”
“Hngh, h-huaaargh! Aaaaaah!”
The difficult sight that unfolded the moment I opened the door made me freeze on the spot.
“Ah…”
Theo was writhing in agony, his bloodshot eyes wide open.
His hair was plastered to his skin with sweat, and his neck was bent back at an impossible angle.
The servants holding down each of his arms and legs couldn’t bear to watch, their eyes squeezed shut.
「The frequency of his seizures shortened as Theo Antracse grew older. When the unbearable pain came, he would tear at his own neck and chest, leaving scratches.
Each time, the servants would have to forcibly hold down his arms and legs and wait for the seizure to end.」
I always feel this, but…
The gap between reading about a situation in text and seeing it in person was immense.
“Oh, Theo… Please, please just endure a little longer. It’ll be okay soon. Mommy’s so sorry, Mommy’s…”
My aunt, unable to do anything, had collapsed to the floor, sobbing.
Leon stood beside her, just biting his lip and clenching his fists.
‘This is no time for this.’
This was no time to be lost in shock.
“Brother!!”
I shouted and rushed toward Theo.
“Lilis!”
“Ah, Young Lady! If you get any closer!”
Ignoring their protests, I recklessly jumped onto the bed and hugged Theo tightly around his neck.
The pendant around my neck pressed gently against his chest where we touched.
“Heok! Ah…”
“Brother, don’t be in pain. Please, don’t be in pain…”
“Aaaargh!”
I shook my head to clear my blurring vision and prayed inwardly.
‘Please, please. Please let him be okay.’
I knew the monster’s core was the way to soothe Theo’s pain, but since it was never actually used in the original story, I was secretly worried.
‘Don’t tell me it’s useless. It can’t be. Please…’
Just then.
“Hah, hah…”
Amazingly, Theo’s ragged breathing began to slow. His violent thrashing also subsided.
‘Oh my god. It really worked!’
I quickly took off the pendant from my neck and clasped Theo’s hand, as if in prayer.
“What’s wrong, brother? Does it hurt? Hmm?”
“Hah, hah… Li-Lilis…?”
“Y-Young Master. Are you all right?”
“Are you conscious?”
The servants looked bewildered as they watched Theo’s seizure subside in an instant.
“Theo! My baby!”
My startled aunt rushed over. I placed the pendant in Theo’s hand and got off the bed.
“Are… are you okay?”
“…Ah. Yes, Mother.”
“I can’t believe it, oh my goodness… Thank you, God. Thank you so much.”
“What, you’re not in pain? Already?”
Leon asked with wide eyes, and Theo, his dry lips parting, nodded dazedly.
“What a relief, Lady Ordia. The seizure subsided quickly today.”
“I know. This has never happened before. Oh, thank you, God…”
Watching my relieved aunt and the servants, I realized my mistake.
‘Ack. This isn’t right.’
The situation was unfolding differently from how I’d pictured it.
My plan was for everyone to wonder why the seizure had stopped so suddenly and, in their search for the cause, naturally turn their attention to the pendant…
‘But everyone’s just relieved that the seizure is over! This won’t do!’
Theo’s illness wasn’t the kind that could be cured; it required constantly offsetting the periodic clash of powers.
In other words, he had to carry a monster’s core with him for the rest of his life.
But at this rate, they would overlook the fact that the ultimate cure was right in front of them.
But if I just jumped in and said, ‘Don’t you think this pendant somehow made my brother better?’ I’d look suspicious.
‘Isn’t there anyone sharp here?!’
I was screaming inwardly.
“Are you all right, Theo?”
My dad, who had been in the back, approached and stood by the bed.
“Ah, yes. Uncle. I’m okay… It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“I see, that’s a relief. Sister, did you say the seizure just started?”
“Yes. About ten minutes ago.”
“Something’s strange. I remember it always lasting three or four hours.”
…As expected of the protagonist.
I felt a sense of relief watching my dad eye the situation with sharp, suspicious eyes.
“I’m so glad, Brother. Maybe you got better so quickly because I told you not to be in pain, right? Hehe.”
I tactfully squeezed Theo’s hand, which was holding the pendant, as I spoke.
“I think you might be right… Thank you, Lilis. You must have been so scared.”
“Yeah. But it’s okay now that you’re not in pain anymore, Brother.”
As I smiled shyly and hugged him, Theo gently stroked my hair.
I peeked at my dad and saw that he was, as expected, staring intently at the pendant in Theo’s hand.
“Lilis.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Where did you get that?”
“Hmm? This?”
Everyone’s gaze fell upon the pendant.
