Maybe it was the cold wind, but the window was covered in frost. Of all times for a chilly breeze to blow… I found myself grumbling, but I knew it was just nature’s doing—something I couldn’t change. Still, a nagging worry lingered in my chest, and before I knew it, I opened the door and stepped out onto the terrace.
The midnight air was biting cold, sharp enough to slice through the thin, loose gown I wore. Well, since I had on the “Shirt of Hope,” it actually felt just right—refreshing, not unbearable. I tugged the hem of the shirt lightly and gazed out into the open night.
The garden at this hour was bathed in deep blue moonlight. Buildings, trees, waterways, grass—all were utterly still. It felt as if nature itself was holding its breath, watching silently. More precisely, everything seemed to be quietly observing, waiting.
Right in the center of that garden stood—
“…”
A massive cluster of thorny vines, hundreds of them, twisted into a tight sphere. The tangled thorns wrapped around something, as if fiercely protecting it. The size was staggering—over six meters tall, at least. I was sure Mar was at the very heart of that mysterious core.
Of course, it hadn’t always been like this. When Mar first donned the thorny cage, the sudden eruption of vines wrapping around her had startled me. But I soon understood it was part of her awakening process, and since then, I’d been waiting patiently.
Day after day, I hoped it would end today, or tomorrow, anxiously counting the days. But even after a week, there was no sign of change. Meanwhile, the vines grew steadily, swelling until they dominated the garden’s center.
“When will it be over…?”
Staring blankly, my chest tightened with unease. I couldn’t think of anything but worry. Even with my third eye, no information came through—I could only wait silently.
Just as I was about to return to my room, a faint shape caught my eye. Someone knelt before the vines, hands clasped tightly in prayer. The soft glint of reflected light made me blink involuntarily. The woman quietly praying was Nimue.
When she was first summoned, the clan members hadn’t looked on Nimue kindly. Probably because they believed what Heo Jun-young had said about her.
But since Mar’s awakening began, Nimue hadn’t left her side for a moment, praying with utmost devotion. Slowly, hostility toward her shifted to sympathy. It wasn’t quite friendship yet, but a few clan members seemed to feel sorry for her.
“Hmm, hmm!”
Just then, while I was watching Nimue, a sudden awkward cough came from behind me. Someone had slipped in unnoticed while I was lost in thoughts of Mar.
Who would be so rude at this hour…? I turned with a frown and saw Vivian leaning casually against the terrace door.
“So, you’re still awake.”
“Vivian? What are you doing here at this hour?”
Curious, I asked. Vivian smirked arrogantly and strolled out onto the terrace. I didn’t know why she came, but it was fine. I wasn’t sleepy and was a bit bored—maybe I could have some fun with her.
“Well… I kind of expected you’d be out here like this.”
“Oh, is that so?”
I nodded in understanding and passed by her, muttering that I should get some sleep soon as I returned to my room and lay down on the bed.
“Uh, hey?”
Her response came slower than I expected.
“Kim Soo-hyun?”
“…What? Oh, yeah, I’m fine.”
“Huh? What do you mean you’re fine?”
“I just came out for some fresh air. It’s chilly, but the view’s nice, so it’s worth it.”
“No, that’s not it…”
“Then just get your fill of fresh air and go back. I’m going to sleep now, so don’t you dare wake me up. Just try waking me.”
I finished with a threat and pulled the covers over myself.
“Hey, hey~ I’m here. Stop messing around and get up. Let’s talk, okay?”
“…”
“Going to sleep? Really?”
“…”
I stayed silent, pretending not to hear. I could hear her exasperated sighs, but I ignored them and closed my eyes. Sleep, sleep…
How long had it been? After about five minutes of her calling me nonstop, Vivian suddenly fell silent. Instead, I heard her frustrated, heavy breathing, which soon stopped altogether.
A moment later—
“Waaah…”
She broke down crying.
“Waaah, waaah…”
I glanced over. Vivian was crouched against the terrace railing, sobbing loudly. Her knees were drawn close, tears streaming down her cheeks, utterly heartbroken. Cry, cry all you want. Let the tears flow like a river, Vivian.
“Naab noomaa… parri darejuh…”
Hearing my chuckle, she muttered something incomprehensible. Sniffling, she got up and shuffled over like a lost child searching for her mother, collapsing onto the bed. For a moment, I wanted to push her away coldly, but I held back and pulled her into my arms. She was just too pitiful.
“Naab, naab noom…”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“You’re not supposed to say things like that…”
“Sorry, sorry. But you shouldn’t talk so arrogantly next time, okay?”
I whispered into her ear and patted her back. Though she didn’t understand the words, she nodded. After a while, her crying began to subside.
With her soft sobs as a lullaby, I held the curled-up Vivian close. I felt a little guilty, but I thought I’d be able to sleep well now. Somehow, my gloomy mood had lifted.
Rustle, rustle…
A faint, irritating sound of scratching near my ear stirred me awake. The room was dim, so I must have dozed off. I thought Vivian was sleep-talking and tried to pull her close, but my hand met only empty air, aimlessly swiping through nothing.
Frowning, I strained my eyes and saw Vivian—except she was quite far away, precariously perched at the edge of the bed.
I could understand restless sleep habits, but this was odd. How could she have gotten all the way over there and be lying so neatly? Even the blanket was perfectly tucked around her.
At that moment, a flash of silver light flickered. Something glowing alone in the darkness was swaying. Someone was there. The instant I realized this, I snapped fully awake. Reflexively, I unleashed a surge of magic and maximized my telekinetic grip. The dark room brightened instantly. And then—
“Who—”
“…Huh?”
As my focus returned, the figure before me tilted its head in curiosity. I felt a strange daze wash over me. Transparent eyes gazed at me quietly.
I’d never seen this person before, yet the face felt oddly familiar. A well-aged, fragrant scent of brandy teased my nose.
It was a bit random, but a rabbit came to mind. Not just any rabbit—a sexy bunny in a costume.
The eyes meeting mine were clear and pure, but beneath that calm lake-like surface was a mature, ripened aura. At first glance innocent, yet unmistakably laced with a subtle, seductive energy.
I shook my head and looked again. This time, I saw clearly.
She looked like a fresh high schooler—or maybe a well-developed middle schooler.
Her face was youthful, dotted with freckles, but her demeanor was dignified and refined, like a noble lady from a prestigious family. Her slender, soft jawline seemed not fully matured, but her voluminous silver hair cascading over a full chest radiated elegance and grace.
Yes, exactly—
“Dad.”
The woman smiled gently and spoke for the first time. She called me “Dad.”
“You woke up because of me.”
Her tone was youthful but polite and refined.
“I’m sorry. I saw you sleeping soundly, but I was so lonely during the awakening. I missed you so much.”
Hearing her calm, gentle voice, I—
“…Hmm.”
Decided to scream first.
Though the early morning chill hadn’t yet faded, the day was clear and quiet as usual.
“Waaah!”
But the first floor of the manor was—
“Eek!”
Especially noisy and chaotic today. Even before breakfast, every clan member had gathered in the courtyard. Not a single person was missing. It was rare for everyone to assemble like this, but there was a good reason.
The awakening was complete.
In other words, Mar had returned.
Yet the clan members seemed unable to fully accept it.
I understood why. For one, her appearance had changed drastically—before, Mar looked no older than a first grader. Even I had trouble believing it when I saw her at dawn. Having raised her since infancy, it was natural to feel awkward about this sudden growth spurt.
…But still.
“Is that really Mar? Can you tell who her mother is?”
“Yes. Of course. She’s Yeon-ju unni.”
“Wow, she’s changed unbelievably.”
“I feel a bit strange too. Hehe… Oh, and I apologize for moving her to the edge of the bed this morning. I got jealous for a moment.”
“Haha. So, should I start calling you Queen Mar now?”
“Ah, don’t tease me like that.”
Yeah, that kind of reaction was pretty normal.
“Nooo! Give her back! Bring back the pure and cute Mar!”
Ahn Hyun’s desperate cries were somewhat understandable, in a way.
“Woohoo, long live high school girls! I love high school girls!” shouted Jin Suhyun, throwing his arms wide like a maniac.
“Hyung! Can I start calling you father-in-law now—ugh!”
Just as I kicked Jin Suhyun, who was losing his mind and running wild, Ahn Hyun approached me with tears in his eyes.
“Hyung, is this really Mar? It can’t be, right? Maybe it’s someone wearing Mar’s face…!”
“Cut it out already. Just look at the garden.”
Ahn Hyun seemed desperate to deny reality, but the woman sitting surrounded by layers of vines was definitely Mar. When I brought her out, still half in disbelief, I confirmed that the tangled vines that had overtaken the garden had vanished without a trace.
They disappeared completely overnight. I guess she returned to the thorny coffin resting gently atop Mar’s crown.
“Anyway, are you feeling okay now?”
Oh right, I’d completely forgotten to check on Mar’s condition. I was so shocked I hadn’t even thought about it.
“Yes, Uncle Jaeryong. For now, I think I’m back to normal.”
“For now?”
“Yes. I’ve fully absorbed and controlled the chaotic essence. But as soon as the awakening finished, the miracle from the heavens that had been holding my imperfect body together disappeared too…”
“Is that so?”
Mar placed her hands neatly on her left knee, wearing a gentle smile.
Looking at the newly awakened queen, I activated my third eye.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Mar’s awakening is almost complete, and I think the next chapter will start from here. :)