[TKOSINM] 261 – Spirits of The Empress Dowager

 “Oh, I see.”

Since On answered the question, she had been curious about, Irene smiled broadly.

[I will ask you again. Rivena’s daughter, what do you want?]

When On questioned her again, Irene clenched her fist and spoke in a firm voice.

“On, I want to know more about Rivena. To do that, I need your strength. So, make a contract with me.”

Another gust of wind blew at her words.

[Would you like to make a contract?]

 ”Yes.”

Irene nodded. Her expression was more serious than ever. After being silent, On once again asked.

[Must you need to know about her? You should have your present. Is the reality unsatisfactory?]

At On’s question, Irene shook her head.

[That’s not it. Rather, I am happier now than ever.]

It was a sincere statement. There were precious people around her who cared for her, and she experienced new things all the time. And above all else...

Noel told me he loves me.

She couldn’t be happier than anything else in the world. The emotion from that time still lingered.

In fact, it would be better to settle down in the present, according to what her aunt said in her diary and what On said.

Just because I got to know my birth parents, nothing will change.

But...

“If I cover up the truth like this, it will remain in my heart, and I will never have closure. I want to know the truth.”

[Even if it breaks your peace?]

As if to test her Irene, the wind rushed around her.

“That....”

At On’s question, Irene pursed her lips.

If it happened and Noel left me, can I survive?

Wouldn’t you be deeply regretting this choice now? No, you will definitely regret it because I can’t live without Noel anymore. However...

“Still, I don’t want to pretend not to know. It’s a story about me.”

 [All right.]

As Irene spoke firmly once more, On’s voice subtly lowered. After a while, the strong wind blew once, and at some point, the wind calmed down.

Irene looked around. As if time stopped, the objects that had been blown by the gust of wind arrested in mid-air. Her fluttering hair and the hem of her skirt settled down calmly.

As she looked around, Irene felt peculiar energy and looked in front of her.

In front of her stood a translucent wind man. Irene intuitively recognised that he was the wind spirit, On.

[A spirit can only serve one contractor in its lifetime. The contract expires until the life of the contracting party is terminated.]

“….”

[This means that once a contract is made, it cannot be rescinded upon.]

When On spoke, giving her a warning, Irene nodded. Her expression was full of determination. 

“I am prepared.”

 [Indeed... You are Rivena’s daughter. You look just like her.]

Irene couldn’t say anything at the appearance of On as he recalled the past. She did not know, after all, who Rivena was.

Shortly after, he came and extended his hand towards her. Irene looked at him bewildered.

[Reach out your hand.] He spoke.

“Ah, yes.”

She did not know what on earth he was going to do, but Irene put out her hand as he asked.

It tickles.

He grabbed her hand, and she felt a feather tickle across the back of it. But Irene stared at On’s actions, unfazed.

“Ah....” her eyes widened.

[The contract method is different for each spirit, so in my case, I make a contract by blowing wind into the back of your hand. Finished. See for yourself.]

“Ah, yes.”

Irene stared blankly at On as he kissed the back of her hand. Immediately she came to her senses and looked down.

“It’s a strange pattern….”

On had drawn a silver-grey pattern that she had never seen before on the back of her hand.

“This is proof that you have signed a contract.”

Then where is the pattern of the Snow Tree?

That question replayed in her head, but Irene decided to bury it for a while and looked at On. He continued his speech.

[The contract allows you to talk to me at any time, control me and wield my powers.]

“I see...”

 [Are there any more questions?]

At his final question, Irene’s eyes momentarily fluttered. She licked her lips, then opened her mouth.

[Rivena, I want to hear more about the spirits of the former Empress Dowager.]

♔♔♔