Arsene and protector.
To conceal his impatience, Demimore cleared his throat twice and spoke casually.
“I’m curious about the village where you grew up, Mother.”
Freesia’s eyes sparkled at Demimore’s words. Freesia also wanted to share her past with her son, who was like her incarnation.
As Freesia rolled her eyes, contemplating which story to start with, a gloomy aura emerged. It was like clouds obscuring a sunny sky.
“Next time…”
Watching Freesia lower her head as if trying to avoid him, Demimore fretfully taps the table with his fingers.
But he had a hunch that there was some connection between his mother’s past and Mary’s current situation.
He was usually a good son who never pestered her. He didn’t know how to coax his mother into opening up in this situation.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Demimore cautiously asked, “Is it because of Father? Does Father dislike knowing about your past, so you can’t talk about it?”
“That’s part of it.”
Freesia easily agreed. Demimore thought he could somewhat understand Diego’s perspective, which made him dislike himself even more.
It was because he felt sorry for Freesia.
Freesia’s past was surely an important element that shaped her present self, and yet she had lived, constantly denied, and unacknowledged by the person she loved.
It pained Demimore to see her in such a situation. As Demimore realized that he had never asked about her past, a heavy burden weighed on his heart.
Freesia, who had been closely observing Demimore’s expression, also felt uneasy.
However, the excitement of being able to finally talk about the thoughts she had kept to herself made her feel elated.
She even started doubting whether these memories she had kept to herself were truly accurate.
When she first arrived here, she had almost no memories.
She didn’t know who she was, where she came from, or how she ended up here. It was only after living with Diego and giving birth to Demimore that fragments of her memories started to resurface.
Freesia attributes her ability to regain fragments of her memories to Demimore.
He was her incarnation, after all. When Freesia was able to piece together these fragments into a coherent whole, she was quick to share the joyful news with Diego.
However, she was met with Diego’s disappointment.
The fact that Freesia regained her memories seemed like a betrayal to him, and he became more guarded.
“In ancient times, there was someone known as the God of Death.”
As Freesia suddenly began her story, Demimore’s eyes widened in surprise.
Finding Demimore’s reaction endearing, Freesia smiled. Despite always pretending to be a grown up, he still seemed like a child in many ways.
Diego was too preoccupied with his own worries about Freesia leaving him, so he didn’t pay attention to the assassination attempt targeting Freesia.
Nevertheless, Freesia knew Diego loved her, and she cherished him.
In this palace, or perhaps in this world, Demimore, who sought love while tiptoeing around her, was even more pitiful and precious.
That’s why, for the first time, she felt there was nothing she couldn’t tell the anxious child looking at her.
The hesitation to share her story with Demimore wasn’t solely because of Diego.
As Freesia recalled this story, her heart pounded with fear.
However, she took another sip of tea and continued her story confidently.
“That person ruled this world with fear. Among the sorcery they excelled at, there was one called ‘Yusa.’ It’s an ancient sorcery that not many people know about, but it seems still being practiced somewhere. That sorcery required sacrifice. So, if someone wanted to save a person named Marie, they had to bring someone similar to Marie.”
“Bring someone? You mean…”
“……If you kill her instead, Marie can live.”
Demimore frowned. Was it really necessary to sacrifice someone else to that extent just to stay alive?
“I was originally meant to be the sacrificial lamb for Marie.”
Demimore’s expression completely froze. Reading the chilling atmosphere, Freesia smiled.
“Fortunately, a person named Arsene saved me. Yes, the Arsene I mentioned earlier. He told me to consider it lucky that we met when his power was still somewhat present. He said I might be the last person he could save… and then he took me to that village. It’s the village the saintess in the amulet created to protect us from the God of Death. It was such a beautiful and safe place…….”
“But how did you end up here?”
“Sometimes, he would come down from the village to get groceries. At that time, I begged him to take me, but then I got into an accident…….”
Freesia’s voice began to tremble.
“When I regained my memory, I was afraid that Marie might come looking for me. I fear her more than the God of Death. She was my closest friend in that village; Marie and I were the only ones of the same age…”
“Mother…”
Looking at Freesia’s frail shoulders, Demimore couldn’t help but think that perhaps she willingly trapped herself in this palace.
Demimore reached out his hand towards Freesia, then withdrew it again. His hand trembled, so he clenched his fist tightly.
Freesia shook her head carefully. It was natural that the memories were hazy and from a long time ago.
Demimore felt dejected as clues slipped through his fingers.
“Demimore, are you crying?”
“No?”
Freesia, with a startled expression, brought her hand to Demimore’s eyes, as if wiping away a tear. Demimore was taken aback by her sudden question.
But when he noticed that Freesia’s hand was wet from tears, he realized that he was indeed crying.
“Why are you crying? Is it because I can’t remember the village?”
“No, it’s just… just…”
It seemed that he was shedding tears because he felt sorry for being unable to protect Mary and his mother. Demimore continued to shed tears uncontrollably.
Mary also fell victim to a similar situation. He didn’t even know Arsene was trying to protect her.
What if she had to hide for the rest of her life, avoiding the eyes of the god of the underworld or X? He would never see Mary again.
“Is it possible for me to become a sacrifice to go to that village or meet Arsene?”
“Demimore!”
At Demimore’s eerie words, Freesia screamed his name.
Freesia realized why Demimore reacted that way and was shocked. She owed a debt to Mary.
The emperor had given Mary sufficient repayment and even granted her a wish token…. But Freesia desperately wanted to meet Mary at least once.
Freesia wrapped her trembling hands around Demimore’s cheek. Demimore’s red eyes shed tears.
Demimore rubbed his cheek against Freesia’s hand with a pained expression.
Seeing her child, who had always pretended to be a grown-up in front of her, act so childishly, Freesia felt like her heart was breaking.
“I’ll try to remember it somehow.”
“…….”
“I’ll think about the way to the village…… Don’t cry.”
At Freesia’s words, Demimore smiled vaguely through the tears.
As she watched Demimore shedding tears in front of her, she couldn’t help but feel both saddened and uneasy.
Though Freesia always appeared bright and cheerful, she could sense that people around her often took advantage of her or didn’t genuinely like her.
As she became more aware of others’ intentions, Freesia was able to pretend to be oblivious. She let out a sigh.
If Diego catches her drawing a map of the way back to the village, she will be in big trouble. Nevertheless, she couldn’t help it.
It was evident that Demimore was considering sacrificing himself to bring Mary back.
