Her aunt had already passed away, and she had long since cut ties with her family. All she could do now was do her best in the present. Laying down the diary on her table, Irene turned her gaze to the picture left behind. It was too old to see the shape of the person, and the details were blurred. But the person in the portrait’s face was unmistakable.
...Mother.
Knowing the truth didn’t mean that fond feelings for her mother suddenly rose. Now she only felt pity and sorrow for the woman in the portrait.
It must have been tough.
Not only was the clan exterminated, but she also became the Empress by signing a contract.
But even though Irene knew it, she closed her eyes -- to protect herself and her children. But it was the wrong choice. An upcoming rebellion killed her before she could properly bear her child. -Unlucky woman. She would have never known her real name if she hadn’t come to find the Viscountess.
Now I know.
Irene held the portrait in her hand and spoke aloud with a determined expression.
“I know who Rivena is.”
Whoosh.
A gust of wind blew her hair, and the hem of her clothes fluttered. After a while, she heard a voice again.
[Is it you again?]
-The voice that seemed to have a soul.
“What is your identity?”
[I said I only listen to my contractor, Rivena. Bring Rivena with you.]
“…Rivena can’t come.”
[Why?]
At Irene’s words, the voice turned cold. It was just a simple voice, but she felt a chill that seemed to freeze her surroundings in an instant.
After taking a few deep breaths, Irene answered, raising her head upright.
“Because she’s dead.”
[ ]
“Rivena died twenty-three years ago.”
[Are you kidding me now? Rivena died. She commanded three spirits, including me. She couldn’t have died so easily! Who are you? This energy is similar to Rivena but different. I’ve never seen a human with this kind of energy.]
“I....”
[If you do not answer, I will return. Never wake me up again.]
When the voice was about to disappear again, Irene hurriedly parted her lips.
[I’m... Irene Kristen.”]
[I must say, it is the time hearing this name.]
“And I’m Rivena’s daughter...”
She still couldn’t believe she was Rivena’s daughter, but she had to accept what she had to accept. Irene willed her eyes to be strong, and she spoke a little louder.
“Rivena died in a rebellion that took place twenty-three years ago.”
[...I can’t believe it.]
“But it’s a fact...”
[Yes, you are right.]
“Do you believe me?”
[From the moment she woke up, I knew that my contract with Rivena was broken. I didn’t want her to accept her death. And this aura... When you see this familiar aura that I can feel, you really are Rivena’s child. I guess she sealed me before you were born.]
“...”
There was a feeling of loneliness in his voice. While Irene remained silent, wary of speaking prematurely, a warm breeze brushed her cheek.
[Rivena’s daughter, Irene Kristen, what do you want?]
“...First of all, what is your identity?”
[My name is On. I am the spirit of the wind.]
“The spirit of the wind… it’s my first time hearing about such a spirit.”
[You said you were Rivena’s daughter, but you don’t seem to know anything. A spirit is a mystical body that manipulates nature. It refers to an extraordinary being like me. If you make a contract, you can wield that power. Of course, only a select few can call me.]
“Rivena, did my mother make a contract with other spirits besides you?”
[Rivena dealt with a total of three spirits, including myself. You already have a contract with one of her spirits.]
“I do?”
She had already made a contract with a spirit. Irene’s eyes widened at the spirit’s unexpected words. Suddenly, a memory flashed through her mind.
“Snow... Are you talking about Snow?”
[Snow’s attribute is snow, and Snow is also a spirit that made a contract with Rivena. However, it seems that only the contract has been made, and there is no proper communication.]
“Why?”
When Irene asked, On was momentarily silent.
Soon, Irene felt as if someone was pulling her memory out of her mind. It seemed that On had looked into her memories.
[Rivena’s magical power was truly enormous. She was the person with the most tremendous amount of magic power ever to live. Snow was originally a spirit created from snow trees and Snow maintained snow trees. However, his strength gradually declined, and in the end, Snow maintained the snow tree through a contract with Rivena. However, when Rivena died, the snow tree not supplied with her power began to wither little by little. If he hadn’t signed a contract with you, the snow tree would have collapsed in no time. The reason Snow can’t communicate with you right now is that he’s dedicated himself to replenishing the snow tree’s magical power. Don’t worry. He’ll be back soon after replenishing.]