IATAOTHKG | CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 29

Meyna took off the white velvet dress from last night and changed into her usual plain cotton one.

She looked a little tired, but as always, she was neat and clean from head to toe.

It was clear she had already bathed and gotten ready early.

Kalif barely suppressed a terrible thought as he moved to the edge of the table to make room for her.

Meyna, a little surprised to see Kalif, quietly sat beside him.

They sat side by side but far enough apart that their hands wouldn’t even brush.

“Did you finish your walk well?” Banze asked.

In truth, Meyna hadn’t been out for a walk. She had gone to ask Magia for medicine because she hadn’t been feeling well, and she froze for a moment at the question.

“Yes,” she answered quietly.

Banze nodded.

Meyna then realized why Banze had called her to the reception room of Lennox Castle.

‘So this meeting was meant to put us face to face.’

“Here.”

Banze took out a sheet of paper from her briefcase.

It was the contract between Meyna and Kalif that Banze had received from her the previous day.

“The legal team said it has no binding power as a contract.”

The document, worn by seven years of time, carried the traces of the past.

Banze lifted the old contract, which bore both their names.

Rip—!

Meyna’s eyes widened in shock.

The paper, now nothing more than trash, fell to the table in two torn halves, like a withered leaf past its prime.

“Well then, Sir Lennox,” Banze said.

“…”

“Take good care of your health—and of your performance.”

Speaking in her usual pleasant tone, Banze stood up.

As she walked toward the door, she glanced back at Meyna.

“Lady, shall we go out for a bit?”

Meyna jumped up, startled.

She didn’t dare look at Kalif’s expression and instead faced Banze stiffly.

“Let’s buy some clothes and shoes. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, tiaras, and hairpins—everything beautiful and expensive.”

‘What on earth…?’ Meyna thought.

Earrings and brooches felt strange to her now; she was more used to axes, swords, and potions.

As she blinked blankly, Banze added, “You’re my favorite employee. You should look your best.”

“…”

“After all, you’re meeting the new Class-X Holy Knight for the first time.”

“Ah…”

Banze led the flustered Meyna out of the room.

Bang—

The door closed behind them.

Left alone, Kalif sat silently, his face expressionless.

Outside, spring had arrived in full.

***

Once a cold and barren land, it had become a symbol of power and prosperity after the royal family settled there.

“It’s quite crowded even at night,” Banze said, looking around calmly.

〈Parthethon Station〉

Located in the capital city of the Farman Empire, the station bustled with people arriving from all across the continent.

“It feels exciting to be outside the eastern continent again. Should I have a drink while you meet Prince Biterion?”

“Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“You’re incredible.” Meyna’s voice held genuine admiration.

From morning until night, Banze had taken her shopping, treated her to meals and desserts, and even accompanied her onto the train.

Despite her age, she didn’t look the least bit tired.

“I’m joking. I have my own schedule, so I’ll head back to Ocean. Handle things well, alright?”

“Thank you so much—for everything,” Meyna said, bowing her head slightly.

Banze patted her shoulder lightly. “Don’t mention it.”

Then she turned halfway around. “I’ll send those to Lennox Castle, alright?”

She pointed to the two male assistants carrying large shopping bags in both hands.

Inside were expensive dresses, shoes, gloves, hats, and various accessories.

Even though Meyna had repeatedly refused, Banze insisted.

“A model like you not buying these would be a crime.”

“Can you ignore the craftsmanship that went into cutting diamonds this delicately?”

With such absurd reasons, she had bought everything she pleased.

“Good luck!” Banze called out cheerfully and waved as she walked away.

Meyna bowed deeply toward her retreating figure.

Outside the station, she walked for a while until she reached the central clock tower in Parthethon Square.

Groups of tourists gathered with excited faces.

At midnight, the clock would chime twelve times, and legend said that making a wish at that moment would make it come true.

Passing through the bright square, Meyna arrived at a monastery.

It was dark and silent, without a single guard or visitor in sight.

Crossing the fence felt like stepping into a different world.

A chill of fear crept up her spine.

“Where’s the lake supposed to be…?” she murmured, glancing around nervously.

But before she could finish, something strange happened.

An unseen force guided her steps forward as if she were following an invisible map shown directly to her heart.

Without hesitation, she walked until she stood before a black lake.

‘Strange…’ she thought, scanning the area.

It was impossible to tell what could possibly “open” in the middle of that still, empty lake.

‘And why exactly 23:23 on the 23rd?’ she wondered.

Could Biterion Parker have some kind of obsession with numbers—or worse, be a deranged eccentric?

And what if touching the water really did burn or freeze people alive?

“Am I going to die here?” she muttered.

The image of the man who had burst into flames trying to open a sealed door at the La Rundel Town ball flashed in her mind.

He had turned to ash in an instant, the air thick with the stench of burning.

“Ha…” Meyna sighed heavily.

But it wasn’t ignorance or fear that weighed on her heart the most—it was her deep resentment toward the royal family.

The truth was, her father, Tunnel Winslet, had been killed not by the current emperor but by the previous one.

Emperor Dan Parker was the nephew of the late emperor, who had murdered the crown prince to seize the throne.

So technically, the current royal family wasn’t her direct enemy, yet hatred still stirred inside her.

She stared blankly at the vast lake, like the open maw of a monster.

Then—

A brilliant light flared in the middle of the black water.

The once still surface began to whirl, splashing icy droplets over her.

Drawn by something she couldn’t resist, Meyna stepped into the lake.

‘Wait—I can’t swim!’

Gurgle—

***

“Cough! Cough!”

She jolted awake, gasping and coughing violently.

As she spat out water, she saw she was surrounded by bright sunlight.

All around her were trees, flowers, and plants—it looked like a massive greenhouse.

Lying on the ivory marble floor, Meyna struggled to her feet, wiped her wet glasses, and started walking.

‘What a strange place.’

Between the plants stood colorful statues carved from gemstones—humans walking, running, sitting, even animals like dogs and cats.

Over the past few days, she had imagined what kind of secret mansion the prince might live in.

But instead of a dark, closed space, it was full of life and color, like a jungle.

As she walked toward the massive door ahead, a refreshing fragrance grew stronger.

‘I’ve smelled this somewhere before…’ she thought.

Finally, she reached the door—made entirely of marble and tightly shut.

There wasn’t a soul around.

‘I can’t just open it on my own…’ she hesitated.

Then a man’s voice spoke.

“Come in.”

It wasn’t from beyond the door—it echoed inside her head, calm and melodic.

Cautiously, she opened the door and stepped inside.

Everything in sight was made of white marble.

There were only a bed and a table, giving the space a quiet, empty feel.

On the large white bed sat a man.

His hair was silver, almost platinum. His skin was pale, and his crimson eyes were mesmerizing.

He looked like a figure from a painting as he slowly stood up.

“Thank you for coming all this way. I’m Biterion Parker,” he said.

Stopping before a large table, he pulled out a chair and offered it politely.

It took Meyna a moment to realize he wanted her to sit.

No one had ever treated her with such courtesy before.