Disasters still must be avoided, and grudges still must be repaid.Only… I am weak, with little power.The Johnston family no longer bears the former glory of a lineage entrusted by the Lycan King, nor does it hold any real authority.This matter… is exceedingly difficult to resolve.
In my previous life, because of those men, my dearest friend turned against me.Even though I tried countless times to explain that I had never cared for any of those young masters, the rumors within the Blue Moon pack only worsened by the day.I became the kind of frivolous woman noble ladies scoffed at.
Thinking back, it's laughable, none of those men were even worth a single coin in my eyes.I even found them an eyesore. Yet they spread rumors that I was fickle, entangled with several of them, and had stolen their romances.Heaven and earth can bear witness: I never once spoke privately with any of them.All of it was fabricated by their own imaginations.
Only later did I learn the one who spread those rumors… was my very own closest friend.Out of jealousy. She wanted my ruin so desperately that she did not hesitate to trample me and shove me into a bottomless abyss.
…
I touched my eyes, real eyes, that truly existed, that could move. I felt the orb shift beneath my fingertip.How wonderful…
I yawned lazily, the corners of my eyes damp. I wiped them away.Gazelle smiled:
"My lady never leaves bed before the sun is high. Since when do you wake up this early?"
I frowned, closed my eyes, and muttered,"Are you mocking me…?"
"I wouldn't dare."Then she giggled again.
"…"
It's my fault for spoiling the servants so much that all of them dare tease me.
The room grew quiet for a moment.
"Gazelle, cover up my tear mole."
Gazelle froze. Staring at the faint brown tear mole at the corner of my right eye, she hesitated:"But my lady, that tear mole is beautiful. If I enhance your makeup a little, you will certainly stand out at tonight's banquet."
So people would know how lovely the Johnston heiress truly was.
I shook my head gently."Cover it."
I didn't need to stand out, nor to outshine anyone. Today, I only needed to be a quiet guest.
Knowing I had decided, Gazelle obeyed. After more than half an hour, my makeup was complete. Still sleepy, I yawned and was guided toward the dining table.
"Bring me that…"I ordered with my eyes closed.
A warm spoon of medicinal porridge touched my lips. Like a soulless machine, I opened, chewed, swallowed. Open, chew, swallow. Only when my stomach was full did the drowsiness fade.
I opened my eyes, adjusting to the light, and then...
"…When did you come in?"
Nick was kneeling on one knee before me, wiping the corner of my mouth with a cloth. His gaze was serious, focused:"I was at the door when you were about to start breakfast."
For the ten-thousand-and-first time, I repeated,"You must not enter a maiden's room of your own accord."
He nodded calmly, responding without guilt:"I asked Shakira. She said you were already dressed, so I came in."
"Clothes being tidy simply means I wasn't wearing makeup. It's no different from usual, why shouldn't I be allowed in?"
"Even without makeup, Judy is still the most beautiful."
I froze.A straight shot of light hit my heart, stunning me so embarrassed I forgot to scold him.
"…But I'm wearing makeup now. You didn't notice?"
Nick stiffened.His eyes widened, shifting left then right, and then a shadow passed through them. The tear mole was gone.
His hand fell limp, clutching the cloth tightly. Waves surged within him, yet outwardly he remained as calm as a frozen lake.
He smiled. His black eyes held the entire night sky within them.
He spoke each word with care:"You look the same. I didn't notice anything. Judy… is unbelievably beautiful."
I could not withstand that earnest gaze. My heart thrashed, my neck flushed hot. I quickly reached for my tea.
"Stop wasting my time. Go find Jason."
Nick frowned and held the cup down."It's cold. Don't drink it."
I snatched my hand away from his burning palm."Go!"
This boy grows older and more disobedient!
He rose in an instant, like a young wolf brimming with strength, making me momentarily dazed. He looked at me for a long moment before answering:
"…Alright."
He stepped out.He glanced at the sky, then back at my door, his smile fading.
…
Half an hour later, I left my room.
As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, my steps halted.
Not far ahead, beneath the magnolia tree shedding pink snow, Nick stood tall, his silhouette chiseled by the morning light. His features rivaled any noble young lord.He turned when he saw me. In that instant, surprise flashed through his eyes, then a radiant smile bloomed on his lips.
Nick tilted his head.Behind his back, he crushed a fallen magnolia petal into fine powder. A breeze scattered it away.
He approached, voice warm and low:"Judy… Sister Judy. Let's go."
A few days ago, I had visited my uncle's home to ask Third Miss Jesse to attend the banquet with me.As expected, she refused immediately.Jesse, my uncle's daughter from another marriage, was timid and feared trouble.If Leah were going, she might have agreed. But Leah was still bedridden with a rash from a toad incident, so Jesse refused even more firmly.I understood her nature, so I didn't insist. Better she stay home, today's outing was hardly a pleasant occasion.
Nick had been waiting for me since early morning. When he saw me step out wearing a simple, elegant dress, I caught the fleeting astonishment in his eyes. I usually preferred brighter colors.
"Let's go," I said.
My expression remained cool as I walked past him, carrying a faint, gentle scent.Nick frowned slightly.Even the essential oil used to scent my garments had changed.So faint that if his senses weren't so sharp, he wouldn't have noticed.
I heard his footsteps behind me, and within seconds I knew he understood the meaning.
His lashes lowered.The corner of his mouth curled upward a satisfied smile.
Not wanting others to pay attention to me, not wanting anyone to be drawn to me?Perfect.This way, no one would look at Judy, no one would notice Judy, no one would try to take Judy from him.
Just that thought made his entire body feel searing hot; the beast inside him rammed violently against its cage.His loose hand shook slightly, fingers curling. His left hand drifted toward the dagger at his waist. When his fingertips brushed the cold hilt, the impulses raging inside him tightened just a little.
Meanwhile, I remained blissfully unaware of the storm beneath Nick's calm exterior. I only heard him exhale softly, as though releasing some heavy burden. His mood brightened; his steps grew lighter. Even when he saw Jason waiting at the manor gates, he greeted him with a sincere smile so sincere it made Jason's skin crawl.
The three of us boarded the family's luxury carriage. Jason sat in the middle, Nick on the left, and I on the right. Once the carriage began moving, the silence grew almost eerie.
All three of us were quiet by nature, so no one spoke. Jason read for a while, got sleepy, then dozed off. Nick folded his arms, closed his eyes only to open them again seconds later.
I was staring absentmindedly into a corner of the carriage when suddenly a magnolia blossom appeared before me. Its fragrance pulled me from my wandering thoughts. I followed the flower, then the hand that held it, then the face of the person offering it.
Nick watched me intently, smiling. His magnolia-soft eyes narrowed, a familiar glow flickering inside them.
"Flower," he murmured, "for you."
I understood him instantly.The heaviness weighing on my heart for days dissolved like mist. The stone on my chest was brushed aside with ease by that simple gesture. Perhaps his emotions rubbed off on me, because I found myself smiling too.