I don't fully understand everything yet… Tell me—what kind of favor did I ever do for you, that you didn't hesitate even for a second to give me your body?
Honestly, this girl must be a fool.
Valerina hesitated for a moment before speaking softly,
"I might be able to answer your other questions… but this one—I can't. Even I don't know the answer. But Riana… do you remember? You gave me your eyes without telling me anything. I didn't help you in any way. I'm not your relative, nor someone close to you… then why did you give me something as precious as your own eyes?"
"I… gave you my eyes? Really?" Riana frowned slightly. "But I don't remember anything like that."
Did I really do that…?
If I did, then there must have been a reason behind it.
"Did I say anything to you before I died? Anything strange… or out of place?"
Valerina thought for a moment before replying,
"I don't remember everything clearly… but as far as I can recall, you were extremely hopeless. It felt like you had completely given up on your life."
"Ah… I see."
Riana waved her hand dismissively.
"Forget it. If I keep listening to all this nonsense, my head will start spinning again. What kind of despair could a five-year-old girl even go through anyway?"
Just then, her stomach growled, reminding her of her hunger. Without thinking much further, Riana started walking toward a small shop nearby.
I'll think about all this after I eat.
"Valerina…"
Riana's thoughts drifted again.
It's not that I remember nothing… but why does everything feel so blurry?
Her mind slowly traced back to the very first time she met Valerina—
It was freezing cold. Naturally so—because it was the end of December, transitioning into early January. This was the time when the cold bit deep into the bones.
On both sides of the road, two rivers flowed quietly, their surfaces almost frozen. Not far from there was a place that looked like a slum—isolated, forgotten.
No normal person would ever come here.
In fact, most members of noble families didn't even know such a place existed. And if they did… these people would have likely been reduced to nothing more than slaves by now.
But this kingdom was different.
Unlike the other two royal families, the House of Verus was not like them. And because of that, the people here—no matter how poor—could at least sleep without fear.
That didn't mean there were no problems.
Winter here was brutal.
No one knew who might die from the cold… or who would survive.
Still, everyone held onto a small hope—that if they could just endure this harsh season, they might find some kind of work afterward.
"Where are you going?"
The voice was calm yet firm.
It was Cornelius Valerin, questioning his daughter, Riana.
The bond between father and daughter was deep… warm… yet complicated in ways that words couldn't fully express.
Location: House of Verus.