As Dolores moved purposefully towards her goal, Greta only felt more and more empty. Therefore, this was a habit for her. Tormenting Yurisien, making her miserable. The actions she had taken so habitually, solidifying into routine, Greta, despite not needing it, cursed Yurisien once again.

The content of the curse was simple.

Meeting her deceased mother in dreams. Continuously dreaming the dream she never wanted to wake up from. Being able to dream that dream as much as she desired, as long as she had a strong will. In other words, the more Yurisien conversed with her mother in dreams, the more tender the moments, the more she fell in love with that instant, the harder it became for Yurisien to wake up.

― Together forever. Let’s never part again.

― Mother…

The dream world that Yurisien looked into through the crystal bead was truly beautiful. Even in a world dominated by the undead, there was still hope. The undead lived mingled with humans, and although there were some issues, it had become part of daily life.

Dreams were Yurisien’s subconscious space. Despite the persecution from Heskellyf’s disappearance and the oppression of Kendalry and Laphine, there was always a light of hope in Yurisien’s subconscious. This moment now was when the hope in her subconscious shone the brightest.

In fact, this curse was the most straightforward and effective torment among all the things Greta had done so far. If Yurisien didn’t have the strength not to lose hope, she would have collapsed mentally like others long ago. Greta also aimed for that.

“The problem is, there’s no reason to torment Yurisien anymore.”

There were many reasons why Greta tormented Yurisien, and they constantly arose, but ultimately, there were two.

One was the envy of Yurisien receiving paternal love, and the other was to elevate Heskellyf to the throne.

“But how did it end up now?”

Everbrium, who had so eagerly sought recognition, finally succumbed to Greta. The death of Count Everbrium was overshadowed by the attack on Yurisien due to the suspicion of attempted murder. It couldn’t have been more ironic. Envying Yurisien for wanting recognition from Count Everbrium, Greta killed Count Everbrium to escape from the suspicion of attempted murder.

Heskellyf was no different. The great Windsor was just an obstacle to Heskellyf’s future. He was a necessary figure to eliminate for Heskellyf’s solid position, to become the perfect part of Count Everbrium’s family. But how did it end?

“Haah…”

Greta looked down at her hand. Her clean and white hand was beautifully groomed without a single callus. Although she had grown up without getting involved in dirty work and had a well-nurtured hand, Greta’s expression distorted mercilessly. This hand, devoid of anything. In Greta’s eyes, it seemed to be covered in blood. The only son she had stabbed. Heskellyf’s blood.

“My son…”

Greta buried her face in that white hand. The sensation of stabbing her son born from her belly with this hand was still vivid. It was impulsive. Heskellyf, who sought only him and not Greta until the end, was detestable. But there was never any intention to harm him.

Surprised, as I dropped the sword handle, the face of Heskellyf looking back at that moment seemed to be forever engraved on my retina as an unforgettable mark. It was belatedly regrettable to leave his corpse without handling it properly. Now that Heskellyf was dead, Yurisien and Benjamin would flourish even more. Unlike herself who had lost everything.

Having lost her purpose, Greta felt like time was lingering. Heskellyf’s words kept echoing in her chest.
[At first, Count Everbrium’s recognition might have been the goal. But now, haven’t you developed desires other than that? Like, for example, the imperial throne of this empire! If not, how would you explain the undead and gypsies flourishing throughout the empire? What country do you think I should have!]

His words were entirely right. So now, I don’t know what to do or what I want to do. Greta, who had buried her face in her hands and sobbed for a while, raised her head again. Her face was as dry as the palm of her hand. Greta’s two-colored eyes rolled quietly, and she looked at the crystal bead again.

― How have you been all this time? Tell me your story.

― I have a lot of stories to tell.

Lillian and Yurisien had moved to a sunny spot in the garden, sitting side by side, exchanging lively stories.

“I don’t like it…”

Greta muttered absentmindedly. Although her hand, not stained with a single tear, seemed to squeeze the crystal bead as if it would burst, Yurisien chatted away with an indifferent face. Unable to touch the unconscious, Greta had to watch Yurisien’s world filled with manufactured happiness.

― Because of Greta Hwangbi, my father remarried with Kendalry. Even the accompanying Laphine acted intolerably. But I was fine. I believed that I would get everything back someday.

― Yeah, you’re a really smart and brave kid.

― I met my father not long ago. At first, I didn’t have any memories…