Chapter 3

When I finish my sentence, I walk over to one of the chairs and sit down, taking a deep breath.

"So I'm half demon, half human?" I ask with a mocking smirk.

"That's right," he replies. "But... you're not completely half."

"Not completely half?" My smirk fades into confusion as I repeat his words. "Then what?"

"Either your mother or your father was half demon," he explains. "Which makes you a quarter demon."

The moment he finishes his sentence, I burst out laughing.

"A quarter demon, huh?"

"Ahem—my lady, try laughing a little more like a lady," he says with a teasing smile.

I roll my eyes. "So what are you guys going to do with me?"

"His Majesty has decided you'll be adopted by Marquess Dirora until you come of age. After that, you'll sign a magical contract with His Majesty."

"Contract?" I glance around, looking for something to fiddle with.

"Yes," he replies simply.

"What kind of contract?" I ask, irritation creeping into my voice as I find nothing to distract myself with.

"I can't tell you that much—yet," he says, a soft smile curving his lips.

Something about that smile calms me. It's the first time I've seen a smile so warm, so gentle, basking under the sunlight.

First time?

A flash of memory hits me—a soft smile beneath the warm sunshine, under a blooming cherry blossom tree.

Who was that?

Without thinking, I stand up and storm out of the room, chased by a memory that doesn't feel like mine.

My throat burns. I know that if I try to speak, I'll break down. That's the one thing I'm certain of... in this life that's slowly unraveling around me.

Some time passes before I finally slow down and look around.

This isn't the temple, nor the palace. It's smaller. Simpler. I keep walking, not knowing where my feet are leading me.

"My lady!"

I hear someone call out to me. I turn around—who else could it be but Hellen?

To be continued...