Mother was clinging to me tightly, her arms wrapped around me like she hadn't seen me in years. Her grip was so strong, I could barely breathe. I gave her a few gentle pats on the back, trying not to laugh.
"Mother," I said softly, my voice muffled by her shoulder. "I need to talk to you. Alone."
She finally let go, although her eyes shimmered with unshed tears and her lips trembled. She looked hurt for a moment, but I smiled gently to reassure her. Taking her hand in mine, I led her to the greenhouse—her favorite place, filled with blooming herbs and colorful flowers. The soft light filtered through the glass walls, and the warm, earthy scent made it feel like a world separate from the troubles outside.
We sat on the old wooden bench near the orchids, their petals gently swaying in the breeze. The soft scent of flowers filled the air. I watched the butterflies dance near the window for a moment, their wings catching the light like stained glass. Then, I drew in a slow, steady breath.
"During the second phase of the Final Selection," I began, keeping my voice as even as I could, "I was attacked… by a demon."
Mother went still. Her fingers tensed in her lap, but she said nothing. Her eyes locked onto mine—wide, searching, waiting.
"That demon," I continued, choosing each word carefully, "he said something strange. He told me that the necklace you gave me—the Evergreen family heirloom—is the key to the Demon Lord's seal."
Her lips parted slightly. "What?" she breathed, the color draining from her face.
"He said he needed me to break the chains that bind the Demon Lord. That somehow, I'm connected to it." My voice faltered for a second. The memory still felt unreal, like a puzzle missing too many pieces.
Mother didn't move. She sat frozen beside me, her face pale, unreadable. Even the orchids seemed to lean in, listening.
"I don't know what it means," I said quietly. "But… I thought maybe you would."
She shook her head slowly, as if each movement took effort. "I wish I did, Valkyrie. Truly, I do. But I don't know the full story. I'm not of Evergreen blood. I only learned about the necklace after I married your father."
I blinked at her, trying to process. "So… the necklace wasn't passed to you by bloodline?"
"No," she said, her voice soft. "It was given to me after I became part of the Evergreen family. The necklace is only passed down to the women in the family. But for generations, there weren't many daughters born. And some… didn't live to become adults."
My brows furrowed. "Why? What happened to them?"
She looked away, a shadow passing over her features. "No one ever told us the truth. But your grandmother used to say the necklace chooses its bearer. That only someone with powerful mana can wear it without being harmed. That's why I gave it to you."
I looked down at the necklace hanging from my neck, its surface glowing faintly. "So maybe the reason the girls didn't survive was because the necklace drained their mana? Maybe it took too much from them?" I paused. Maybe that's what happened to the original Valkyrie too—maybe it wasn't Alexander's fault. Damn, I owe him an apology.
Mother looked startled. "It's possible. But you've survived. You're still here."
"I wouldn't be so sure," I murmured, rolling up my sleeve.
Her breath caught. The curse mark on my arm was visible now—dark and jagged like cracked stone, pulsing faintly beneath my skin.
"I was wounded by the demon who attacked me," I explained. "I managed to negotiate with him not to kill me. But I know he'll return someday. This wound never heals. I was cursed—I can't even speak the demon's name aloud."
Her hands flew to her mouth, eyes brimming with fear and disbelief. For a moment, neither of us spoke—the silence thick with things we both didn't know how to say.
"The pain never really goes away," I continued. "Sometimes it burns, even when Master Eisen try to freeze it with magic. It feels like it's trying to spread. But I've kept it in check. For now. With Master Eisen's help."
She leaned forward and gently took my hand. "I had no idea. If only I'd known what this necklace really was, I never would have given it to you."
I squeezed her fingers lightly. "It's not your fault, Mother. But I need to know the truth. Why does our family have this necklace? Why is it tied to the Demon Lord?"
She looked at me with eyes full of sorrow and concern. "What are you planning to do?"
"For now, I'll go back to the Enchanted Forest," I said. "But can you help me find someone who is a true descendant of the Evergreen family? Someone who might still be alive? Maybe they know more."
Mother nodded slowly. "I'll try. I'll reach out to the old branches of the family. Someone must know something."
"Thank you." I looked at her and smiled faintly.
She held my hand tighter. "I'm proud of you. Truly. You've grown so strong. But promise me you'll be careful. You may be stronger than those who came before you, but strength doesn't make you invincible."
"I promise," I whispered. "And… thank you for giving me life, Mother." At that, she buried her face in my hand and began to cry.
***
A sudden burst of footsteps echoed down the hall, and then two familiar figures appeared at the doorway, panting heavily.
"Val, you're home?" Vin gasped, eyes wide, breath ragged. They must've run all the way back.
"Hello, brothers!" I laughed, the weight on my heart lifting just a little.
"You've gotten taller," Vandrel said with a grin as he strode over and effortlessly scooped me into a tight hug. "Our little sister's not so little anymore."
"Hey! No fair—let me hold her too!" Vin protested, stepping forward, arms already outstretched.
"You've gotten taller," Vandrel said, squinting at me with mock seriousness, "but you've also gotten uglier."
I gasped, feigning offense. "Wait—so you're saying I was ugly before too?"
He smirked. "Well, if the shoe fits."
We fell into our rhythm of playful bickering, tossing insults back and forth. Vin groaned in the background, muttering something about "immature siblings," but I could see the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
I laughed again, truly and freely—surrounded by their warmth, their chaos. My other family.