Chapter 379.2
“It was by chance that I stumbled upon the truth of Corin’s identity as Anika. Her alabaster locks weren’t a symptom of illness but the result of meticulous bleaching, courtesy of potent concoctions. Beneath that facade lay her true essence, with black hair, black irises, and a rare gift to tame larks, particularly the Hwansu—a creature with matching ebony features, transformed from a foe into a companion under her hand. It was then that everything fell into place,” Pered recounted, the pieces of the puzzle finally fitting together.
Corin’s sufferings, induced by the potent potions, troubled Pered deeply. He sought counsel from Taon, questioning why they endured such hardships when comfort awaited them within the sanctuary. Pondering if their nomadic lifestyle compelled this sacrifice, he offered aid in seeking acceptance, realizing the gravity of his words only in retrospect.
“In hindsight, how foolish I was to utter such folly. It’s like beckoning someone into the jaws of a beast,” Pered lamented, grappling with remorse for his naivety.
It was during this exchange that Taon divulged his family’s history, unveiling the relentless pursuit of his wife, Celis, by relentless knights. Yet, at the time, Pered failed to grasp the depth of Taon’s fears, erroneously assuming Celis’s parents were fugitives of grave crimes. In his ignorance, he believed that their possession of Anika would secure forgiveness, failing to comprehend the true extent of their perilous plight.
“Taon hesitated to seek refuge in the sanctuary, so I offered to safeguard the three families. My first task was to subdue Corin’s Hwansu. As a prince bereft of even a single Hwansu, it was the only recourse available to me,” Pered recounted, his voice heavy with the weight of his past decisions.
Kasser, grasping the implications, nodded in understanding. Acquiring his inaugural Hwansu marked a pivotal moment, granting the prince a semblance of independence. With newfound autonomy came a dedicated budget, and instead of relying solely on attendants, the prince could command loyal subjects.
“Upon my return to the capital with the Hwansu…” Pered faltered, his voice trailing off as he struggled to continue. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his gaze to the table, as if addressing his own reflection.
“The judicial pursuers were relentless, sparing no effort to track down Celis,” Pered continued, his tone laced with sorrow. Taon, far from a passive spectator, waged a valiant struggle to rescue his captured wife. However, he faced insurmountable odds against the knights. Moreover, Pered knew Corin well enough to understand that she wouldn’t have hidden while her parents faced peril.
Bound by an unbreakable familial bond, the three families made a fateful decision—to confront death together rather than survive apart, a choice deemed foolish yet resolute.