Chapter 132. Serin
Ilea had used so kind of magic on Serena.
Despite the many watching eyes, Ilea hadn’t cared in the slightest.
It was an incredibly reckless act.
From the staircase, Yohan looked down at Ilea and let out a quiet breath.
‘I’ll have to speak with her later.’
Normally, Ilea would have carried herself with poise, but today, sothing was different.
She was visibly emotional.
That’s how it appeared to Yohan.
He silently watched Ilea as she left the estate and then spoke up.
“My apologies, Lady Marcano.”
Serena looked up at Yohan, standing on the staircase.
A trace of confusion lingered on her face.
She couldn’t forget the strange sensation she had just experienced.
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.
“Just now… that person was…?”
She was referring to Ilea.
Yohan cut her off.
“The Lady of Staviana. I’ll introduce her to you properly another ti.”
Serena had no desire to get closer to Ilea.
The lingering unease was still vivid.
She cald her emotions and replied,
“Very well. I’ll look forward to it.”
It was a reply made out of courtesy.
Yohan nodded and guided her to the drawing room.
***
Serena and Yohan sat across from each other at a small table.
Yohan spoke first.
“I owe you quite a bit. Things suddenly beca so hectic that I never got to thank you properly. I hope you’ll understand.”
Thanks to Serena, Yohan had been able to expose the fake Haman’s identity.
That event led to his connection with the king, and in the end, he had gained significant advantage.
It was essentially thanks to Serena that he had reaped all the benefits.
Yohan was sincerely grateful to her.
Serena gave a gentle smile.
“We made a deal, and the Watcher of the Abyss has paid the Marcano family its due. There’s no need for additional thanks.”
In exchange for borrowing the Heart-Piercing Eyes, Yohan had promised to open a Marcano trading branch in the city of Beldana.
That promise had already been fulfilled.
The Marcano Trading Company now had a branch in Beldana, the city under direct control of Staviana.
The profits generated from that location would likely reach astronomical levels.
The Marcano family would rise even higher than before.
Yohan said,
“Hearing that makes feel much more at ease.”
Serena’s expression settled into calm warmth.
“I’m glad our first deal went smoothly. The Marcano family has found another trustworthy business partner.”
Serena had always referred to Yohan as a business partner.
Not exactly the kind of word typically used for soone in an arranged marriage discussion.
Yohan replied in an even tone.
“I’m certain we’ll make excellent partners.”
Serena offered a friendly smile.
“I agree. Sir Yohan is competent and sincere.”
Her way of speaking had a disarming quality.
Serena had been able to hear the true feelings of others since birth, so she knew how to charm people well.
She was likely far more skilled than most demons.
Yohan joked,
“And how am I as a prospective husband?”
Serena’s eyes curved gently.
“Of course, you’re more than qualified. In fact, you may be too good for .”
Yohan felt pleased. It seed there would be no issue in acquiring the Heart-Piercing Eyes.
“That can’t be. I’m the one who’s honored. To have a wife as beautiful as you, Lady Serena.”
The mont his words ended, Serena’s smile faded.
She suddenly spoke with a sunken expression.
“I am a terribly lacking person. I’m not fit to sit by your side.”
Yohan shook his head.
“Excessive modesty can be harmful. You’re more suited to be the consort of a Public King than anyone.”
Serena must have already heard about Yohan’s plans from Horentz.
There was no problem referring to her as the future consort of a Public King.
Serena replied with a composed face.
“No. I don’t have the confidence to bear that role. Therefore, the Marcano family must respectfully decline your proposal.”
She lowered her head.
Yohan was quite taken aback.
‘She’s really rejecting ?’
At present, the Miyatro family was the best possible match.
There was no reason for the Marcano family to turn down his offer.
With a puzzled expression, Yohan asked,
“…May I ask why?”
Serena hesitated for a mont, then opened her mouth.
“As I just said—it’s because of my own shortcomings.”
Anyone could see that was an excuse.
There was definitely another reason.
Yohan paused to think.
From a rational perspective, this situation didn’t make sense.
‘Did I miss sothing?’
His mind raced—and then, suddenly, it clicked.
‘No way…!’
Yohan stared intently at Serena.
After a short pause, he asked,
“Is it because of your sister?”
The mont he said the word ‘sister’, Serena’s expression hardened.
She couldn’t hide her reaction.
“M-My sister…?”
“Serin von Marcano. Your twin sister.”
Serena’s pupils widened.
Her entire body trembled.
“S-Sir Yohan, what are you talking about…?”
“There’s no need to hide it from . I already know of her existence.”
Serena swallowed hard.
Almost no one in the world knew about her sister, Serin.
Only their father, mother, and Serena herself.
No—now, it was only two of them.
Their mother had passed away.
There should have been no way for information to leak.
Even the Watcher of the Abyss shouldn’t have been able to know about ‘Serin.’
But reality said otherwise.
He had spoken the na "Serin" with certainty.
Serena was beyond shocked.
Her emotion was closer to horror.
She clamped her mouth shut.
She needed ti to think.
Yohan said nothing and waited.
Ti ticked away.
Eventually, Serena’s expression began to settle.
Her trembling body regained its calm.
She seed to have composed herself to a degree.
Slowly, she opened her mouth.
“Sir Yohan, may I ask just one question? Please answer . I beg you.”
“Ask whatever you wish.”
Serena took a deep breath and said,
“How do you know about my sister, Serin?”
She had decided to acknowledge Serin’s existence.
Yohan had already ntioned her by na—denial ant nothing now.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t answer that. Please understand.”
Serena’s brow twitched.
“I must hear your answer.”
Yohan swallowed hard.
“I can’t. It’s tied to a prohibition.”
“A prohibition… Don’t tell —”
Yohan nodded.
“That’s right. It’s a Prohibition.”
Yohan had learned about Serin through the original story.
But he couldn’t speak it aloud.
If he did, he’d lose consciousness again, just like before.
Serena’s eyes trembled.
A conflicted light flickered in her jewel-like eyes.
“I honestly don’t know what to do…”
She wanted to use her Heart-Piercing Eyes right then and there.
But she didn’t act on it.
Because of Yohan’s warning.
He had made it clear: the mont he beca the target of the Heart-Piercing Eyes, he would consider the entire Marcano family his enemy.
Serena couldn’t ignore that threat.
If the Watcher of the Abyss beca their enemy, the Marcano family would surely suffer heavy losses.
In the worst case, they could truly be destroyed.
With the royal family and the Count backing him, the Watcher of the Abyss had that kind of power.
As Serena struggled in frustration, Yohan spoke.
“Don’t gamble your house’s fate on sothing so trivial. I keep my word.”
It was a calm, yet unmistakable threat.
Serena couldn’t use the Heart-Piercing Eyes.
The frustration was enough to drive her mad.
She raised her voice slightly.
“It’s not trivial to .”
“A slip of the tongue. I apologize.”
Serena stared at him, as if to pierce through.
“…At this rate, I can’t stay here. I need ti to clear my thoughts.”
Yohan understood her to so extent.
Right now, Serena’s head must be on the verge of exploding.
In a peaceful tone, Yohan said,
“Let’s et again tomorrow. I’ll see you out.”
Serena stood before Yohan could.
“There’s no need. I’ll contact you.”
Leaving only those words behind, she exited the drawing room.
Left alone, Yohan fell into brief thought.
***
Serena had a twin sister.
Serin von Marcano. She was soone who did not exist in this world.
More precisely, she was separated in a subspace.
Serin lived trapped within a massive full-length mirror.
She watched the real world from within, passing between reflections.
Today, she appeared in the full-length mirror installed in Serena’s room.
The twins faced each other.
Though twins, they looked different.
Serena was a grown young lady, while Serin was a girl around ten years old.
Ti did not flow in the world inside the mirror.
Serin couldn’t age.
She would remain as she had been when she was first trapped—forever.
Because of her existence, Serena could use the Heart-Piercing Eyes without suffering any side effects.
All the cost of using the ability was borne by Serin.
It was possible thanks to their magical link.
Even bearing the side effects, Serin remained unhard.
In the mirror world, she couldn’t age, be injured, or fall ill.
She always maintained a bright deanor.
But today was different.
From the other side of the mirror, Serin shouted at Serena.
“I told you not to et him!”
Serena shouted back.
“Then explain why! Do you know what I heard today?!”
Serin didn’t back down.
“How would I know?! You have to tell !”
“Sir Yohan knew about you!”
Silence fell instantly.
Serin started to hiccup.
Terror flooded her eyes.
“H-He really does know everything. He’s terrifying. No—he’s a monstrous creature. Serena, you have to run. As far away as possible. Sowhere he can never find you.”
Serin trembled.
Serena felt suffocated.
“Then tell why! Please, let in! Why is everyone hiding things from ?!”
Serin’s gaze shook.
mories she had tried to forget resurfaced.
A few months ago, a new mirror had appeared in Serin’s world.
It was unlike the others.
On its surface—clear as a lake—a black miasma lood.
Unable to resist her curiosity, Serin entered the mirror.
That day, she saw a monstrous being.
She t eyes as red as blood.
The owner of that mirror was a demon.
What’s more—the mirror was a Cursed Scripture.
The original of the Book of Deceit and Chaos, Chapter 13.
Serin could never forget what she saw that day.
Right before her eyes, the demon transford into a human boy.
After that, the mirror vanished.
Every sunset since, the mirror had reappeared in her world, without fail—but Serin had never touched it again.
Yohan Miyatro.
Until she heard that na again from Serena, she had deliberately buried that day in her mory.
Now, hearing it again, she was overco with dread.
Serena and Yohan must never et.
Serin could never bear to watch her sister marry that monster.
Clenching her eyes shut, Serin scread.
“He’s a demon! No, sothing that crosses the line between demon and human—”
She couldn’t finish her sentence.
Serena’s pupils widened.
“S-Serin!”
From the other side of the mirror, a black, monstrous hand erged and clamped over Serin’s mouth.
Serin thrashed in terror.
It was useless.
The huge, vile hand seized her frail body and dragged her sowhere—gone in an instant.
Serena collapsed on the spot.
A second later, she scread.
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