Mom's Possessed - Chapter 42

Since Luke did not allow inviting Renan, the only option available to Aria was a letter.

‘But I can’t just write all these circumstances on paper.’

It wasn’t simply because of the possibility of secrets being leaked.

In reality, ‘it couldn’t be written’.

Just like when she tried to reveal herself as Elodie in front of Renan, she was restrained when trying to write related content on paper.

A curse.

At that time, she was just happy that someone had truly recognized her real self and didn’t fully realize it.

However, experiencing again the restrictions that paralyze her when trying to do something, the word pierced into Aria’s heart like an awl.

‘What on earth could be the reason I came back to life?’

In fact, before she had vaguely thought that Luke must have done something.

But it was strange.

First.

If Luke had really tried something and succeeded, he should have at least recognized Aria as Elodie.

However, Luke not only failed to recognize her but even went so far as to openly threaten her. If he had even the slightest doubt, he certainly wouldn’t have acted that way.

Second.

The existence of the curse.

‘Luke wouldn’t have done anything to harm me.’

If she had really been revived by Luke’s magic, there shouldn’t be such a curse.

However, in the second case, the possibility that this curse was an unintended mistake rather than Luke’s intention couldn’t be ruled out.

Anyway, it’s magic that revives the dead. Although it’s been over half a century since black magic disappeared from the entire continent, one thing was certain.

Black magic always requires a price.

Aria clenched and unclenched her hand for no reason. It feels natural, as if it had been hers since birth.

But when she thought of this as the body of a dead person, no, a dead friend, her heart froze.

Then suddenly, such a thought occurred to her.

‘…Was I really dead?’

Elodie believed that she entered this body 7 years later due to Aria’s death.

There was no damage to the body.

However, death is always sudden. For example, acute alcohol poisoning…

And also…

…

In fact, thinking about it, it was strange.

A woman in her late twenties, without any chronic illness, suddenly dies one day. While it’s not impossible, it’s extremely rare.

“…”

Maybe… just maybe.

“Is there… no possibility that Aria is still alive?”

Aria, who was speaking her thoughts out loud, was startled by her own words and covered her mouth.

It was an absurd assumption.

Aria’s body is like this, occupied by herself. Her mind was entirely Elodie’s. Not Aria’s.

So if Aria were alive, she would either be possessing the ‘Elodie’ body that should be rotting in a coffin by now.

Or.

With only her consciousness alive, observing all of Elodie’s actions and thoughts.

Either way, it was horrifying.

Moreover, in the latter case, she wouldn’t be able to move her body at will or choose death.

No matter how resentful she was of Aria who had betrayed her, she didn’t want her to suffer such a terrible punishment.

She just wanted to ask the reason.

Why did she do it?

And after that, probably… she would have her face the judgment of the law.

But it’s all meaningless assumptions.

The real criminal who should face the law’s judgment has disappeared, and only Elodie Lisianthus wearing that shell remains in the world.

Aria flopped down on the bed in the changed room. A sticky feeling of depression began to creep into her mind. It felt like she would disappear into a swamp of viscous emotions.

It’s all because Bonita isn’t here.

Since possessing Aria, except for a very small amount of time, she had been with Bonita 24 hours a day. Even when she wasn’t, there was usually someone by her side.

Being alone like this was lonely.

It reminded her of death.

The body gradually getting colder, vision becoming blurry, and the pain that had been tormenting the entire body until just a moment ago becoming dull as if it were a lie.

And then the eyes close.

The faint hearing that remained until the end was just the sound of wind. Having died in the middle of the night, when Luke happened to be away, there was no one at her last moment.

Aria unconsciously began to scratch her neck. Cold sweat broke out all over her body. Her body was getting cold.

It happened in an instant.

Anxiety and fear grew unknowingly and swallowed her up.

Her breathing became rapid. She instinctively opened her mouth wide, craving oxygen.

At some point, the incoming air was blocked. It was a symptom of hyperventilation.

Long-grown nails dug into her tender neck.

Several streams of red blood flowed down her hand and neck. Red marks were left on the white cotton blanket.

“Ah… ah… huk, kuhuk…”

Her whole body tingled. Due to her hypersensitive senses, she could clearly feel her heart pulsating, squeezing out blood.

If someone could see Aria’s state right now, they would have been shocked unconscious and immediately called for a doctor.

However, whether fortunate or unfortunate, Aria was alone now.

She had sent away all the servants saying she wasn’t feeling well and even instructed them not to enter without permission.

Her vision spun.

Everything in sight turned white. Aria writhed like a wounded animal, scratching her neck pitifully. Her curled-up body was distressingly thin.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

The small knocking sound was like the only lifeline that could save Aria right now. However, her mind, which had already lost reason, couldn’t even properly judge that she needed to ask for help.

A voice was heard from outside the door.

“Mom.”

It was a voice so small it could barely be heard.

The knocking sound was heard again.

“Mom, are you alright…?”

It was a small voice again.

It was too small to reach someone whose judgment was clouded by hyperventilation.

But in this world, sometimes inexplicable miracles happen.

Aria’s hand, which had been scratching her neck to the point of bleeding, stopped. The heaving of her chest, which had seemed about to cause a big incident, also slowed down little by little.

Her vision was still blurry.

Aria blinked.

Then her blurry vision became clear. She could feel hot streams of tears flowing down the sides of her eyes.

She breathed blankly for a while.

Looking at the ceiling wall, what had just happened didn’t feel real. It just felt like she had a bad dream. Murmuring was heard from outside.

“Are you sleeping…?”

Aria tried to get up abruptly, but her legs gave out and she stumbled. At the thud sound, Bonita on the other side became restless.

“Mom? Are you okay?”

Aria hurriedly opened her mouth to answer her daughter. But she couldn’t speak.

Only an unpleasant metallic sound came out of her cracked throat. Aria coughed several times and then spoke again.

“I’m fine! Something just fell for a moment.”

It was a much more cracked voice compared to usual, but it was much better than before. At least communication was possible.

However, Bonita seemed to think differently.

“Mom, your voice doesn’t sound good. Are you very sick?”

It was a tone that seemed about to burst into tears at any moment.

Aria forcibly raised her trembling legs. Feeling like she might stumble again soon, she gripped the bed headboard with her hand.

She stretched out her other hand.

“Just a moment, I’ll open the door soon…”

I’ll open it for you.

Aria, who was about to say that, flinched when she saw her outstretched hand.

Her hand was covered in blood. Looking closely, there was even flesh stuck to her nails.

Now that she was aware, her throat stung.

“Mom?”

“Mmm. Sorry, daughter. Mom is sick right now so I don’t think I can open the door. We can’t let Bonita catch a cold.”

Seeing Bonita comfortably calling her ‘mom’, it seemed there were no other servants around.

Aria painfully walked and leaned against the door. Then Bonita’s voice was heard a little closer.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“No. I’m sure it’ll be completely better after sleeping for just one day.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

At Aria’s assurance, Bonita’s voice brightened.

“That’s a relief. The Duke said Mom was sick, but everyone said we couldn’t go where Mom is…”

“I see. The Duke was worried that you might catch my illness, that’s why he said that.”

“Still, I want to be with you, Mom…”

Bonita trailed off.

Aria’s gaze turned to the window.

It had already become night in the meantime, and it was completely dark outside.

“So you came here secretly?”

“…Yes. I wanted to sleep together.”

Aria’s heart wavered at Bonita’s plaintive plea.

Wouldn’t she want to sleep with the child too? She wanted to go out the door right away and hug Bonita.

But she couldn’t face the child looking like this.

The child was already unstable enough. She felt that even more after seeing other children at the social gathering.

Bonita’s dependence and attachment to her was greater than that of a typical seven-year-old. In such a situation, if she showed herself covered in blood, it would surely make the child anxious.

Aria closed her eyes and composed herself. She needed to calm down as much as possible.

“Daughter.”

“Yes…”

“Are you alone in front of the room now?”

“…Actually, I told Mary I was going to sleep and snuck out secretly. I’m sorry.”

Mary is one of the maids assigned to take care of Bonita.

Aria smiled faintly.

She was reminded of what Hazel had said.

“Alan is so good at sneaking out after saying he’s going to sleep. Derek too. Anyway, they’re so fast that even the servants often miss them.”

Had she already learned this in just one night spent with the three boys?

Aria asked.

“Are you scared to sleep alone, daughter?”

“…I used to sleep alone originally.”

Thud.

The sound of Bonita sitting on the floor was heard. From the presence, it seemed she was leaning against the door like Aria.

“Mother didn’t really like sleeping with me.”