Chapter 277
“Yes, that’s right. We decided not to probe Lady Rosalyn’s memories because, if she truly was the real one, it would only add to her pain. But after she heard what I had to say, she insisted herself.”
Sebelia paused, taking a deep breath before she continued.
“She said that, as repayment for saving her life, she’d let me see her memories.”
“What…?”
“No matter how I look at it, she really is the true Rosalyn.”
“Ha…”
While Claude let out a long sigh, Dehart, seated beside him, remained silent, gripping his knees. In his golden eyes, deepened by shadow, not even the faintest movement was seen.
“I tried to persuade her, several times, but it was useless. All she wants is to pay me back for saving her life by letting me look into her memories.”
She was so stubborn, so much like Dehart himself, that Sebelia gave a faint, rueful smile.
“But I can’t bring myself to do it—not now, when I’m finally sure she’s real. It just feels too easy, too wrong.”
“I understand.”
“So I have a favor to ask, Claude. If you’re willing…”
Claude blinked in surprise, pointing at himself. Sebelia nodded in an apologetic look.
“If you wouldn’t mind…”
As she spoke carefully, Claude’s expression changed and became unreadable. Dehart, sitting beside him, looked much the same.
* * *
“Did you wait long?”
The door opened and a clear, cool voice filled the room. Rosalyn, who’d been gazing out at the beautifully kept gardens, slowly turned her head.
Sebelia wasn’t alone. Rosalyn glanced at the two men who entered behind her.
“So, you’ve decided to accept my terms, then?”
Well, it only made sense—if they wanted to confirm the identity of a noble heiress, the Duke himself could hardly be left out. Rosalyn accepted this with a resigned shrug, but when she saw the middle-aged man standing beside Dehart, her brows drew together in confusion.
“But what does he have to do with any of this…?”
“No, Lady Rosalyn. If anything, he’s the one most closely connected to everything that’s happened.”
“Your uncle, is it?”
Her words were sharp with disbelief, but Sebelia didn’t seem bothered.
“You’ll understand soon. For now… may I take your hand?”
Sebelia approached, offering her hand gently. Rosalyn studied her pale face for a long moment, then placed her own hand over Sebelia’s.
“You might feel a bit dizzy.”
“That’s fine.”
It’s just business, after all, Rosalyn said in her flat tone. Sebelia gave a smile, and before she began her magic, glanced back at Claude.
He nodded, slowly, and only then did Sebelia inhale deeply and draw out her power. The blue light that had once filled the foggy lounge now burst forth around the bed, flooding the room in a wave.
“Ugh…!”
Rosalyn bowed her head, queasy from the sensation. Somewhere, far off, a man’s sigh echoed.
And then Rosalyn saw a vision of a young girl running past her.
“Oh…”
It was a spring day, the sunlight warm and gentle. Rosalyn sat in a small field, ringed with lovely rose bushes, lost in wonder.
It was beautiful—and achingly sad.
Children with golden eyes ran laughing through the afternoon garden, chasing after a man. They called his name—Claude—flinging flowers and toys his way as they ran.
“My God…”
A pained groan sounded from somewhere nearby. Rosalyn turned to look at the younger version of herself with wide, incredulous eyes.
Shock froze her in place.
“You—who are you?”
The kindly middle-aged man had vanished. In his place, a man doubled over in pain, his body stretching and changing as if pulled from above and below.
He raised his head. The wrinkles of age seemed to melt away like dripping paint, and beneath them—
“Rosalyn.”
He had chestnut-brown hair and gentle eyes glistening with unshed tears. He smiled through the pain and called her name.
“What are you…?”
Her voice shook; the answer already clear. She saw, in the man’s face, the young man who once carried her on his shoulders and made her laugh.
“Who are you?!”
“I’ll answer that for you.”
Rosalyn realized her hand was free now. While she was still trying to process it all, Sebelia turned and took Claude’s hands, just as she’d promised.
“What are you trying to do now…?”
Rosalyn’s voice was trembling. Dehart clenched his teeth at the sound.
“We’re only going to show you the truth you never knew, Lady Rosalyn.”
Sebelia replied calmly and unleashed her magic. Petals of light swirled around her like a storm, radiating from where she sat.
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