IPWDP 26

Chapter 26

“No. Don’t listen to him.”

Ephelia tried hard to shake off his insistent words. She had to free herself from the fate that seemed to bind her feet.

“But it doesn’t matter.”

“What?”

“Even if I was just a substitute, it doesn’t matter.”

It wasn’t just something she said to reject Regios. It truly didn’t matter. Even the affection she received in return was enough. The long-overdue warmth of that affection felt so good.

It wasn’t any different from the love she had received when her parents were still alive. In a sense, they comforted each other by filling the voids left by what they had lost.

“So that means it doesn’t matter what I do?”

“What do you mean?”

“If I commit a sin, I should be punished, right?”

“What sin are you talking about?”

“They hid my fate from me. I had to endure years without you.”

He spoke as if her parents had hidden him. But it was Ephelia’s own choice that she had not returned.

“I didn’t go back by my own choice.”

After regaining her memories, she could have returned. She had seen the wanted poster for herself. Yet she still didn’t go back. She had been rejected, and in her despair, she abandoned herself. That place was no longer somewhere she could return to.

“No, you took yourself from me, and they hid you.”

“If you choose them, then I have no choice but to take you back from them.”

“How on earth would you do that?”

Ephelia thought that since she wouldn’t go, he couldn’t force her. But the words that left his mouth shattered her fragile imagination and hopes.

“For example, I could imprison the princess for hiding her.”

Prison… it was no longer just a threat. The very mention of it implied he was capable of far worse.

“Regios! Are you insane?”

“I’ve been insane for a long time. Since the day you let go of the cliff. So you choose. I won’t spare any method to bring you back.”

She never imagined he would say something like this. She had been deceived by his calm appearance. She assumed too easily that if she resisted, he wouldn’t force her.

He knew how to move her. The moment Regios confirmed Ephelia’s existence, he must have known he wasn’t in his right mind.

Regios didn’t know the significance of Ena and Joy. They were Ephelia’s family. A precious family that held her to life in this world.

Although he hadn’t been informed in detail, Ephelia could have died. She only woke up three months after the accident. When she did, a middle-aged couple was beside her.

“By the world, she’s awake. Thank the gods.”

Tears filled their eyes as they looked down at her. They were Ena and Joy, her family in this world.

It was Joy who found her. Ephelia was hanging by a rock at the forest’s edge in a torn dress, looking dead. Shocked, Joy ran over and checked her—she was still breathing, but like a candle about to go out.

Joy hesitated. Taking her home would require a large sum to save her. He looked at her face. Despite the mess, her dress suggested she was noble. More than that, if the dead girl was alive, she must be about that age. That was why Joy couldn’t leave her behind. He lifted her and headed home.

“Husband, who is this woman? Did she… kill someone?”

Though blunt and tender-hearted, the man could never have done that. But she looked like a corpse.

“No, she was just collapsed by the stream.”

“So?”

“She reminded me of our daughter, Senaren…”

Ena fell silent. Their daughter had died young. This barely-breathing girl seemed the same age.

“What are you waiting for! Take her to the temple!”

If she could be saved, they wanted to save her. Their daughter had been swept away by the water too.

“Yes! Let’s go quickly.”

The couple spent nearly all they had to take her to the temple, bringing in a priest. Her life was barely saved. Thanks to the priest’s holy power, her body was mostly healed, but she strangely remained unconscious.

The priest himself couldn’t explain it. Ena and Joy spoke to her every day, caring for her. Then, as if by a miracle, Ephelia woke up.

“Mm…”

“By the world… she’s awake?”

“…Who are you?”

Ephelia opened her eyes with difficulty. In front of her were a middle-aged man and woman. They looked alike, like a couple. Who were they? And where was this?

“Oh, we are—”

“Where am I? Ah, ow.”

Trying to move, she trembled from the pain.

“Stay still. You were badly hurt, so we treated you. We feared you might not wake up, but thankfully, you did.”

“Pardon? What… why am I hurt?”

She didn’t remember why. Not even her age or name—nothing.

“Who… am I?”

She had no memory at all when she awoke.

“What do you mean… you don’t know who you are?”

“Yes. I remember nothing. Who are you? Why did you save me?”

The couple looked at each other and nodded, as if making a decision.

“That’s because you’re our daughter.”

“Our daughter?”

“Yes. We are your mom and dad. You were badly hurt and almost died.”

“Mom… Dad?”

“Yes. Your mother and father. Your name is Senaren.”

“Senaren…”

Later, Ephelia understood why Ena and Joy were so overjoyed. It was as if their dead daughter had returned.

Thus, Ephelia received the name Senaren and began to live again. Life with her new family was good. Her mother was kind, her father stern but loving.

For someone with no memories, they felt like her real parents.

“Senaren, want to help me make an apple pie?”

“Of course.”

She helped Ena knead the dough and cut the fruit in the kitchen. But she had no knack for it, often dropping the fruit.

“That’s okay. I’ll handle it. You rest.”

“I’ll stay and watch you, Mom.”

“Really?”

Ena looked at her with such affection. With Ephelia out of the way, Ena finished the pie. When she took it out of the oven, it shone and smelled delicious.

As Ephelia cut a piece with a fork, the glossy apple filling glistened. She took a bite. Sweetness spread across her mouth.

“It’s so delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Couldn’t you make it even better?”

“No, really, it’s perfect. Did I like this before?”

In truth, the real Senaren didn’t like apple pie. They had been trying to discover the tastes of the girl who had now become their daughter.

Ephelia discovered the truth by accident while tidying up. Deep in a drawer, she found a worn, small notebook—Ena’s diary about Senaren. In it, Senaren was allergic to apples.

Why would they make apple pie? Was it a trap?

No. They weren’t lying. Their affection was real. Ephelia realized this after regaining her memories.

They gave her the name Senaren but saw her as family, making an effort to understand her preferences.

So she never asked why they lied. She didn’t even tell them she had regained her memories, fearing they might abandon her.

Ephelia loved her life now. They weren’t her real parents, but she was happy with them. Having family again felt so warm. Life was simple, but happier than ever, as if reclaiming her childhood family.

“Why go to such lengths?”

“Because you’re mine. So come back.”

Ephelia smiled faintly.

“Do I even have a choice?”

At her words, Regios smiled too. That was answer enough.