“Your Majesty, I have finally found it and brought it.
This is the magic artifact, the Eye of the Sage, that I spoke of earlier.”
Kazan looked coldly at the crystal ball that Temesyan carefully placed on the drawing room table.
It was placed on a pillow, as if to prove its exceptional value, with fog-like smoke rising from within it.
“What is her job?”
“It shows what the user wants to know.
But it can only be used once per person, and it is not possible to choose precisely what is shown, which makes it somewhat difficult to use.”
“Is its effect guaranteed?”
“When I tried it myself, it worked normally.
Unfortunately, I saw a different scene from the Empress’ trail...”
Timsyan explained the method of use and precautions.
He added that the instrument was a valuable treasure that he had borrowed with difficulty and must be returned by the end of the day.
“Do you want to use it now?”
“Hmm.”
Kazan tilted his head slightly as he examined the crystal ball, then moved his eyes only to look at Temsian.
What followed was something neither positive nor negative.
“Leave it and go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.
I will come back to get her in the evening.”
Timsian was not surprised by the sudden evacuation, but bowed politely.
He had anticipated this situation, so he left the room with steps as smooth as running water.
Knock-!
The door closed, and Kazan was left alone, so he returned his gaze to the crystal ball.
He stared at her for a long time before finally moving his hand.
But his hand did not extend toward the ball, but toward the ring hanging around his neck.
He rubbed it with his thumb as usual while lost in thought.
“What I want to know...”
He had only one desire.
So, he knew what the ball was going to show.
Yasiris' place.
Or, the last trace of her.
...But, is verifying the truth the right choice?
If Yasiris was already dead.
If the ending he saw in his dreams was real.
If he faces the worst reality with his own eyes, not just guessing.
What should I do?
Kazan held the ring tightly as if he wanted to crush it.
He wasn't looking for Yasiris so hard to make sure she was dead.
All he did was scream with his whole body to the world that she was still alive, floundering in a desperate attempt.
Because this was the only way to breathe.
The only way to find the strength to move.
But now, the path of retreat was blocked.
The box called Truth, which he was afraid to open, is right in front of him.
Kazan could not ignore him nor extend his hand to him, so he stopped frozen and closed his eyes in surrender.
“Now nothing will change.”
Maybe the timing was right.
He was already running towards destruction.
If this was considered the final trigger, there would be no reason to fear.
“Yes...”
Kazan wiped his exhausted face and decided to extend his hand.
Seconds after he covered the crystal ball with his large hand, the change began...
His dark red eyes suddenly widened.
"Liz, take this too.
It's a gift.
Didn't you mention that Michael liked this earlier?"
“Thank you, Mrs.
Perrin.
I'll tell Michael it's from you.”
“Nothing, the important thing is that the child likes it.
Come back later, and if possible, bring the child!”
"If he's not sleeping like today, I will.
Have a good day."
Yasiris smiled weakly and started walking.
The foods she carried in her lap filled her heart with contentment.
At first, she faced difficulties in commoner life as she had to do everything herself, but now she has completely gotten used to it.
She became adept at shopping, dealing with people, and managing the house.
This was thanks to the help of the people of the mountain village where she lives.
Even though she clearly wasn't a commoner, they treated her comfortably and taught her a lot, which helped her adapt quickly.
Yasiris did not know, but this was the result of Lena's half-hearted threats to the people.
The village lady's threat was effective.
The fact that a beautiful woman was raising her child alone in a remote place without problems was proof of this.
“It took longer than I expected.”
When I got home, I noticed the time telling by the direction of the shadows.
She had wandered to places she didn't normally visit to try a new recipe she'd learned from a book, so she didn't feel like time had passed.
Did Michael wake up?
Yasiris opened the door with a slightly hasty breath.
She put the ingredients she was carrying on the table and entered the sleeping Michael's room, when a small head suddenly turned towards her.
"mama!"
"Michael."
The child dropped the straw he was holding on the floor and got up, leaning on the floor.
He approached his mother with faltering steps and extended his hands, so she naturally embraced him.
“Brave Michael, you woke up without your mother and you didn’t cry.”
“Aww.”
“Mama brought candy that she likes.
Shall we have it for a snack later?”
“Goa!”
Yasiris hugged Michael and rubbed her cheek against his with a spontaneous smile.
It slowly melted with the warmth of the baby's soft body.
He was the child whose life she had protected since he was in her womb.
Even if he looked like her enemy husband, she would still love him, but the child who was born exactly like her completely stole her heart.
From the beginning, his platinum hair, in contrast to Tinilath's dominant black hair, was distinctive.
In contrast to Kazan's sharp features, his features were soft and clear.
The only trace of his father in Michael were his red eyes.
Maybe he also reminds her of Cain.
“In the evening, Mama will try a new recipe, but breakfast will be simple soup.
Is that okay?”
"soup."
“Yes, soup.
I'll make it right away.”
Mother and son's day began simply and peacefully.
As Michael, who had recently begun to walk well, walked around the house, the sound of boiling and a delicious smell filled the kitchen.
Mixed with the sounds of chopping and crushing ingredients to be suitable for the child.
After a short time, breakfast was complete.
A soup with a pleasant texture for adults, but a delicate taste, which the two ate quietly.
Usually, Yasaris would blow on the soup to cool, feed it to Michael, then take a bite for herself.
After breakfast, it was time for the much-awaited snack.
Honey candy, Michael's favorite, entered his little mouth.
“Do you remember Lady Perrin?
She gave you this.
Next time we see her, say thank you.”
“Mooom.”
“It's not difficult.
Just smile at her...”
Boom-!
“Liz!”
Lina stormed into the house without knocking, disrupting the quiet atmosphere.
Yasiris looked in surprise at Lena, who rolled her sharp eyes, and rose, carrying Michael.
"Lina?
What's wrong?"
Instead of responding, her flowing golden eyes focused on a point.
Yasiris automatically followed her gaze, but saw nothing but emptiness, so she looked at Lina warily.
“What's over there?”
“There is nothing necessarily...”
Lena's expression became ambiguous as she confirmed the fading remnants of magic.
She seemed to change her mind about saying something and shook her head to change the subject.
"Maybe I made a mistake.
Nothing happened, right?"
Despite her doubts, Yasiris had no choice but to pass.
If Lina didn't tell her, it probably wouldn't be serious.
"Yes, we were living quietly.
I was just having breakfast with Michael."
“Lena!”
Michael extended his little hands excitedly, welcoming her.
He didn't show any fear or tension, just innocence, and Lina looked at him with swollen eyes.
“This little guy is calling me disrespectful.”
But contrary to her words, she held Michael firmly with her hands.
When I shook him, he burst out laughing.
“This little guy is walking so well...”
Lina laughed lightly and looked at Yasiris.
"It seems he inherited more from your blood.
His growth is slower than I expected.
Isn't he 16 months old now?"
“Yes, next week will be exactly 16 months...but, is Michael’s growth slow?
Is there a problem?”
“Not that, but I heard that Tenilath usually develop quickly.
This seems relatively normal.”
She wasn't lying.
Compared to Lilia, his growth was almost the same, with her little experience in raising children, he seemed average to Lina.
But for it to be so despite Tinilath's blood was surprising.