WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 132: Serin
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Ilea had used some kind of magic on Serena.
Despite all the eyes watching, Ilea did not care.
It had been quite reckless.
From the stairs, Johan watched Ilea leave and swallowed a groan.
'I should warn her later.'
Normally, Ilea would know how to conduct herself, but she was different now.
She seemed quite emotional.
At least, that was how she appeared to Johan.
Johan stared at Ilea as she left the estate, then spoke.
“Lady Marcano, please forgive the discourtesy.”
Serena looked up at Johan, standing on the stairs.
Confusion showed on her face.
She could not forget the strange sensation she had felt moments ago.
In a slightly trembling voice, Serena said, “Who exactly was that person just now...?”
She meant Ilea.
Johan cut her off.
“She is Lady Staviana. I will introduce you properly another time.”
Serena had no desire to become acquainted with Ilea.
The lingering chill had not yet left her.
After composing herself, she said, “I understand. I look forward to it.”
It was merely a polite response.
Johan nodded and led her to the reception room.
* * *
Serena and Johan sat facing each other across a table.
Johan spoke first.
“I owe you a great deal for your help before. I suddenly became very busy and was unable to properly thank you. I hope you can understand, my lady.”
Thanks to Serena, Johan had uncovered the fake Haman’s identity.
That had led him to become involved with the King, and in the end, he had gained considerable benefits.
In truth, Serena was the reason he had gained all of it.
Johan was sincerely grateful to her.
Serena smiled gently.
“We made a deal, and the Watcher of Narak gave House Marcano appropriate compensation. There is no need for separate thanks.”
In exchange for borrowing the Mind-Piercing Eye, Johan had promised to allow the Marcano Trading Company to establish itself in Beldana.
That promise had now been fulfilled.
The Marcano Trading Company had opened in Beldana, a city in Staviana’s direct domain.
The profits it generated would likely be astronomical.
House Marcano could rise higher than ever.
Johan said, “Hearing you say that puts me much more at ease.”
Serena’s expression softened.
“I am also relieved that our first transaction concluded safely. House Marcano has gained another trustworthy business partner.”
Serena called Johan a business partner.
It was not a fitting word for people discussing marriage.
Johan replied evenly, “We will certainly make good partners.”
Serena gave him an affable smile.
“I agree. Sir Johan is capable and thoughtful.”
The way she spoke had the power to soften people’s hearts.
Having heard the inner thoughts of others since birth, Serena knew well how to charm people.
She was likely far more skilled at it than an ordinary demon.
Johan spoke jokingly.
“And how am I as a husband?”
Serena’s eyes curved softly.
“Of course, you pass. In fact, you may be too good for me.”
Johan was pleased. It seemed he would obtain the Mind-Piercing Eye without much trouble.
“That cannot be true. Rather, I am honored to have such a beautiful woman as you for my wife.”
The moment he finished speaking, the smile vanished from Serena’s face.
Her expression suddenly darkened.
“I am sorely lacking. I am not worthy to sit beside you.”
Johan shook his head.
“Too much humility is poison. My lady is more suited than anyone to be the wife of a Duke-King.”
Serena must have already heard all of Johan’s plans from Horentz.
There was no issue with using the title Duke-King’s wife.
Serena spoke calmly.
“No. I do not have the confidence to bear that position. Therefore, House Marcano respectfully declines your proposal.”
She lowered her head.
Johan was greatly taken aback.
'She is really refusing?'
House Myatro was currently the finest marriage prospect.
There was no reason for House Marcano to refuse Johan’s proposal.
Looking puzzled, Johan asked, “...May I ask why?”
Serena hesitated briefly before answering.
“As I just said, it is because I am lacking.”
Anyone could see it was merely an excuse.
There had to be another reason.
Johan fell silent in thought.
By all common sense, this situation made no sense.
'Did I miss something?'
As he thought it over, realization suddenly struck him.
'No way!'
Johan stared directly at Serena.
After a brief pause, he spoke.
“Could it be because of your sister?”
The moment he said the word sister, Serena’s expression stiffened.
She could not hide her agitation.
“M-my sister...?”
“Serin von Marcano. Your twin.”
Serena’s pupils widened.
Her entire body began to tremble.
“L-Lord Johan, what are you talking about...?”
“You need not hide it from me. I already know of her existence.”
Serena swallowed dryly.
Almost no one in the world knew about her sister, Serin.
Only her father, mother, and Serena herself knew.
No, there were only two of them now.
Serena’s mother had died.
There was no way for that information to have leaked.
Even the Watcher of Narak could have had no way to know about Serin.
But reality was different.
The Watcher of Narak had clearly spoken Serin’s name.
Serena was deeply flustered.
In truth, she was closer to shocked.
Serena pressed her lips together.
She needed time to think.
Johan waited silently.
Time ticked by.
Serena’s expression gradually settled.
Her trembling body grew calm.
She appeared to have composed herself to some extent.
Slowly, she spoke.
“Lord Johan, I have one question. Please answer me. I beg you.”
“Ask freely.”
After taking a deep breath, Serena said, “How do you know my sister, Serin?”
Serena had decided to acknowledge her sister’s existence.
There was no point denying it when Johan had already spoken Serin’s name.
“I am sorry, but I cannot answer that. I hope you understand.”
Serena’s brow twitched.
“I must hear your answer.”
Johan swallowed a groan.
“That is impossible. It is tied to an unwritten rule.”
“An unwritten rule? Could it be...?”
Johan nodded.
“That is right. A Prohibition.”
Johan had learned of Serin through the original work.
He could not say that aloud.
Just as before, he would lose consciousness if he did.
Serena’s gaze wavered.
Conflict flickered in her jewel-like eyes.
“I truly do not know what I should do.”
She wanted to use the Mind-Piercing Eye immediately.
But she did not act on that impulse.
It was because of Johan’s warning.
Johan had stated that the moment he became a target of the Mind-Piercing Eye, he would regard all of House Marcano as enemies.
Serena could not ignore that warning.
If the Watcher of Narak became their enemy, House Marcano would surely suffer great losses.
In the worst case, the house might truly fall.
The Watcher of Narak, backed by the royal family and the Count, had that much power.
As Serena found herself unable to act either way, Johan spoke.
“Do not stake your house’s fate on a trivial matter. I tend to keep my word.”
It was a calm threat.
Serena could not use the Mind-Piercing Eye.
She felt so frustrated that she could have gone mad.
Serena raised her voice slightly.
“It is not a trivial matter to me.”
“I misspoke. My apologies.”
Serena glared at Johan before speaking.
“...For now, it is difficult for me to remain here. I need time to sort out my thoughts.”
Johan understood her feelings to some extent.
Serena’s mind must have been so tangled that it felt ready to burst.
Johan replied calmly, “Let us meet again tomorrow. I will see you out.”
Serena rose before Johan did.
“There is no need. I will contact you again.”
With only those words, she left the reception room.
Left alone, Johan fell into thought for a moment.
* * *
Serena had a twin sister.
Serin von Marcano. She was someone who did not exist in this world.
More precisely, she was separated off in a subspace.
Serin lived imprisoned within a huge full-length mirror.
Passing between the worlds inside mirrors and watching reality was her daily life.
Today, Serin appeared in the full-length mirror installed in Serena’s room.
Serena and Serin looked at each other.
Though they were twins, they looked different.
Serena was a grown lady, while Serin was a girl of around ten.
Time did not pass in the world within mirrors.
Serin could not grow older.
She would live forever in the state she had been in when she was first trapped in the mirror.
Because of Serin’s existence, Serena suffered no side effects from using the Mind-Piercing Eye.
Serin bore every cost of using the Mind-Piercing Eye in her place.
It was possible due to their magical connection.
Serin, who bore those side effects, was unharmed as well.
Within the mirror world, Serin could neither age nor be injured.
She always remained cheerful.
But today was different.
Serin shouted at Serena from within the mirror.
“I told you not to meet that person!”
Serena shouted back.
“Then tell me why! Do you know what I heard today, Sister?!”
Serin did not back down.
“How would I know?! You have to tell me for me to know!”
“Lord Johan knew that you existed!”
Silence fell at once.
Serin began to hiccup.
Fear filled her eyes.
“I-I knew it. That person knows everything. He is frightening. No, a vicious monster. Serena, you have to run. Go as far away from him as you can, somewhere he can never find you.”
Serin trembled violently.
Serena was unbearably frustrated.
“That is exactly what I am asking! Please let me know too! Why does everyone hide things only from me?!”
Serin’s eyes shook.
Memories she wanted to forget came vividly back to her.
Several months ago, a new mirror had appeared in Serin’s world.
It was unlike the other mirrors.
Black Ghostly Energy clung to its clear pane of glass like a lake’s surface.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Serin entered that mirror.
That day, she saw a vicious being.
She met eyes as red as blood.
The mirror’s owner was a demon.
Furthermore, the mirror was an Ominous Book.
It was the original Chapter 13 of the Ominous Book, the Book of Chaos and Deceit.
Serin could not forget what she saw that day.
Before her eyes, the demon suddenly transformed into a human boy.
After that, the mirror vanished.
Whenever the sun set, the mirror would reappear in Serin’s world, but she never touched that Ghostly Energy-filled mirror again.
Until she heard the name Johan Myatro again, she had deliberately buried that day in her memories.
But Johan’s name had come from her younger sister Serena’s lips.
Serin was terribly anxious.
Serena and Johan could never meet.
Serin could never watch her younger sister marry that monster.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Serin shouted, “That person is a demon! No, something that goes between human and demon...!”
She could not finish her sentence.
Serena’s pupils widened.
“S-Sister!”
A pitch-black hand appeared from beyond the mirror and clamped Serin’s mouth shut.
Serin struggled in shock.
It was useless.
A vicious, enormous hand seized Serin’s fragile body and vanished somewhere with her.
Serena collapsed where she stood.
Then she screamed.
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