Chapter 113
From the time he grew up, Carter had grown weary of hearing the same thing.
That he was the chosen perfect one—born of noble royal blood and the last bearer of the fading “divine power”.
“Carter, do you miss your mother?”
Whenever caught off guard by this question about his deceased mother, he had learned to answer calmly every time.
“No, Richard. I am not attached to such worldly ties.”
The veil his mother had received from the Emperor? He had only fiddled with it because it was pretty. There was no longing attached.
He was the one tasked with saving the imperial family ruined by the Schroders and rescuing the temple that was losing its followers. To feel such emotions as the perfect savior destined to save the Empire was absurd.
But when Carter turned five, that simple, clear world cracked.
The day the Norton family first came to the temple with their only daughter, Richard called Carter aside to advise him.
“Get close to that girl, Carter.”
Carter watched the girl from behind the prayer room window.
She held her mother’s hand tightly—her mother who looked exactly like her. She seemed so happy to be with her parents that the twin ponytails on each side bounced up and down.
Carter’s eyebrows twitched at the sight.
He didn’t want to get close.
For some reason, just being near them made him feel uneasy. He didn’t like seeing her with her parents.
“Richard, must I really do that?”
Why did he feel such deprivation?
He had Richard—the ‘father’ figure—by his side. Even if he was a servant, wasn’t having an official ‘father’ enough?
“Carter, haven’t I told you the Schroder family is suspicious?”
“Yes, I know.”
Tracking the Schroders naturally brought some information to light. Richard pieced together a theory that the Schroders had allied with wizards.
Soon after, the strange background of Theodora Norton, who came from a modest family, caught Richard’s attention first.
“My sources say Theodora Norton, the girl’s biological mother, is suspicious. Perhaps she is a wizard herself.”
“What kind of magic does she use?”
“That will take time to confirm. For now, secure the girl’s side. Just in case.”
“Must I?”
“If Theodora Norton is truly special, then her daughter will be useful as well.”
“…”
“When the time comes to crush the Schroder family, she can remove obstacles.”
Richard’s urging left Carter no choice but to comply. But as he watched Eugenie Norton beyond the window, Carter scraped the floor with his toes.
Ah, but I really hate this girl. She looks so perfect… has what I don’t… Just seeing her makes me want to shrink away.
Throughout his life in the temple, he had been called the “perfect savior.” But watching Eugenie Norton whispering to her parents, he realized:
I’m not perfect.
I’m missing something.
Should I stay by the one who showed me I’m not perfect?
“Yes, Richard. I’ll do as you said.”
But because he had to be the savior, no matter how much he disliked it, he couldn’t refuse.
The opportunity came easily. When Richard Livingston himself came to greet them, Viscount Norton and his wife could hardly say no.
But the little girl sat alone in the temple garden. When Carter approached, the girl, who had been picking grass and flowers, looked up.
Carter smiled as brightly as he could and tilted his head.
“Hello?”
“…Who are you?”
She hugged the flowers to her chest and tilted her head suspiciously, despite her innocent face.
“My mother told me not to talk to strangers.”
“Really? Then if I introduce myself now, does that make me someone you know?”
Carter extended a hand.
“My name is Carter Livingston. I’m the high priest’s son. The one who talks to your parents.”
“Hmm.”
“So now I’m someone you know, right?”
Up close, Carter liked her even less. Chestnut hair brushing in the wind, twin ponytails tied with pale pink ribbons, a white face flushed red on the cheeks.
Clear, large amber eyes.
His chest churned uncomfortably. A chill as if blood was draining from his toes. The moment their eyes met, he wanted to turn away immediately.
“So, what’s your name?”
Carter smiled brightly, thinking:
Eugenie Norton. I really hate you.
Discussion
1 Commentmilano0
malicious thoughts as far as we know. He wants to enjoy himself along with her then peacefully depart.