[CHAPTER 95]
Sera’s expression twisted before she could even try to compose herself.
Gardrien gently touched her daughter’s trembling lips a few times, as if to soothe her, before speaking.
“I do not know what kind of person you imagine your mother to be, but no matter how frustrated I become, I do not kill an old friend.”
“……”
“And if I had decided to kill them, I would not have failed.”
That was true.
Her mother never failed.
Only after recalling the news that Banje Motenson had survived and was hospitalized did Sera finally understand Gardrien’s words.
“Then who tried to kill Professor Motenson?”
“I am looking into it, but it is not easy.”
She seemed sincere.
It was impossible to fully grasp her mother’s true intentions, but at least the concern shadowing her face for her friend appeared genuine.
“I am worried. Banje must return safely for our plan to conclude successfully.”
“What plan are you referring to?”
If Gardrien and Banje had been plotting something together, what could its purpose be?
Sera felt an instinctive sense of fear.
“Banje is a man who values only honor.”
Sera knew this as well.
Neither personal gain nor meaningless emotions could move Banje.
“The success of the Ocean Agency, the sense of duty to protect this empire from danger, and the brilliant honor he will ultimately obtain.”
“For that, Banje wants to have both Caliph Lennox and Biterion Parker.”
“……”
“He succeeded in recruiting Biterion by using Meina, so there is only one way to bind Biterion to the Ocean for life, is there not?”
Sera let out a sigh of despair.
“You intend to imprint the two of them.”
And Banje’s ambition would have aligned perfectly with Gardrien’s devoted maternal desire to keep her son safe.
“But, Mother.”
Sera once again thought of Meina.
On the surface, she was merely Caliph’s aide, and the two were nothing more than partners bound by contract.
However, anyone who had watched them for long enough would know the truth.
First, to Meina Winslet, being an aide was not simply a means of making a living.
She devoted her life to her work, and thanks to that, Guild 928 consistently maintained both a harmonious atmosphere and top-tier results.
And second, Meina Winslet was just as sincere toward Caliph as she was toward her profession.
To the point that it sometimes stirred jealousy in those watching.
“Lady Winslet will not imprint with Biterion.”
Gardrien looked quietly at her confident daughter, then smiled with a furrowed brow as if amused by her ignorance.
“What if Banje offered Lady Winslet something very appealing?”
“In exchange for imprinting with Biterion, that is.”
“……What could that be?”
Meina was a woman with virtually no greed.
Neither money nor honor, nor anything precious or dazzling, would be enough to win her over.
So what could Banje possibly have used to tempt her?
“Mother.”
Sera asked again, but Gardrien did not answer.
Caliph and Meina.
They themselves might not have realized it, but Sera, who had watched them for many years, knew.
Even if it could be called love and hatred intertwined, for them, only each other existed as man and woman.
Everyone else was merely a colleague, a business partner, or an enemy.
“Hahahaha…!”
Gardrien’s laughter pulled Sera’s drifting mind back to reality.
“Sera. My adorable youngest daughter.”
Her hand gently caressed Sera’s cheek.
“Love is nothing more than a fleeting illusion.”
“……”
“I will hire a capable mage if I must and make my son Biterion and Lady Winslet fall in love with each other.”
“That will not be difficult at all.”
As she tucked Sera’s short hair behind her ear, Gardrien stroked her cheek once more.
“Sera.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Like Banje, I also want both Biterion and Caliph.”
“……”
“Biterion is my own blood, and if Caliph Lennox could become my son-in-law—”
Gardrien’s eyes gleamed with extraordinary ambition.
“Sera, you lack ability, but you are pretty, just like me.”
At the word “ability,” Sera’s face turned pale.
She remembered the winter before her coming-of-age ceremony, when she had nearly died after eating poisoned soup and finally awakened as a healing mage.
“Sera Parker. You have finally become a healer. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“But I hear your measured rank is A.”
“……”
“The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment. Do not expect too much.”
“I am sorry, Mother. I will prepare well for the promotion exam and become an S-rank healing mage.”
“You know it takes at least ten years to become an S-rank ability holder through exams.”
“Very well. You may leave now.”
“……”
“Your elder sister, who went abroad, is discussing an engagement with the First Prince of the Kingdom of Zyro.”
“As you know, Zyro was the last kingdom to refuse incorporation under our empire’s rule.”
“……”
“I plan to have dinner with your sister in celebration.”
Sera bit her lip so hard it nearly split, squeezing her eyes shut.
Gardrien’s voice followed.
“Sera. Imprint with Caliph Lennox.”
“……”
“Remember who made you who you are today.”
Perhaps because they carried noble imperial blood, all the Parker children were born with outstanding abilities and appearances.
The eldest prince, gifted with exceptional intellect, was the rightful heir to the throne.
The second prince, especially adept in affairs, received direct business training from Gardrien.
The beautiful eldest princess brought home a marriage alliance like a precious gift.
Only Sera Parker was lacking.
It had always been that way.
She was the single mismatched puzzle piece in the perfect picture that was the imperial family.
She hated long hair and heavy dresses, and dreaded attending social meetings to exchange pointless conversation with foolish young nobles even more.
So the life of an ability holder that came to her felt like salvation.
A brilliant life unfolded before her.
Her name appeared daily in newspapers and magazines.
She cut her hair short and wore a military uniform instead of dresses, and no one dared to criticize her.
She was doing sacred work, protecting the empire.
A life more honorable than inheriting a title simply by being born a prince.
The person who made all of this possible was Gardrien Parker, her mother.
“No matter what happens, imprint with Caliph Lennox.”
“If he refuses, I will make it so he can no longer resist.”
Gardrien smiled confidently, as if she could read Sera’s thoughts.
“I will keep him alive, just barely, and while he cannot resist, you will mix bodies with him.”
A woman who could secretly poison her own daughter would do anything to obtain what she desired.
Sera met her mother’s gaze, feeling the warmth of her touch.
“Love is nothing special, Sera.”
“……”
“Do not try to love. Desire instead.”
Her vision blurred for a moment, but she clenched her teeth and held back the tears.
“If there is something you want, obtain it by any means necessary.”
* * *
It was a story spanning an incredibly long stretch of time.
Sera laid bare her own story, stripping it down piece by piece like removing fish bones, and told Caliph everything that remained.
That Meina had betrayed Caliph and become Biterion’s aide in exchange for something from Banje.
That the two would imprint, and eventually even marry.
However, Caliph did not seem convinced.
“What exactly was the price Banje promised Meina?”
As expected.
He pinpointed the only missing piece in this long story with precision.
“I do not know.”
“Princess Parker.”
Caliph approached Sera, radiating an oppressive presence.
He glared at her as if he would kill her on the spot if she did not answer properly, then suddenly turned and began walking toward Meina.
For some reason, his hand toyed with the sword at his waist.
