# Part 1

I am Evelyn, the most revered goddess in all of Asgard.

I have three older brothers who once spoiled me rotten.

Calder, the eldest, commands the sun and is the most radiant being in Asgard. Oliver, the second, was born without sight and rules over the darkness. Cyril, the third, is the fastest, and he cherished me the most—always giving me the finest things in existence.

But today, I have decided to sacrifice my divine soul and leave them forever.

“I volunteer my divine soul as the offering, your most beloved younger sister, Goddess Evelyn.”

“Your brothers will lose their minds if they find out you’re doing this.”

Yes. They once said they would protect me for the rest of my life.

But that was a very, very long time ago.

Twenty-four years ago, sacred flames had reduced my home to ash. I thought I would be consumed by the fire as well. But right at that moment, they appeared.

*”Don’t be afraid. From now on, we are your family.”*

I truly believed I had finally found happiness.

*”Evelyn, we bless you with primordial divine power. May you be forever happy, our precious little girl. We will make you the most carefree person in all the divine realm.”*

Those memories were so beautiful—so beautiful they nearly made me forget I was just a child they had picked up off the street.

This dream of happiness shattered the moment they brought home their biological sister, Ella.

*”Ella, Mother’s darling daughter. Don’t worry, Mother will make sure you are the most carefree and happiest girl in the entire divine realm, my love. We will compensate you for all the suffering you have endured. No matter what happens, we will protect you forever.”*

I watched them pour every ounce of their love onto Ella.

It’s true, isn’t it? An adopted daughter means nothing. If forced to choose, my parents and brothers would always choose their own flesh and blood.

Ella deliberately smashed the crystal sphere my brothers gave me, then falsely accused me of hitting her.

No matter how hard I tried to explain, my family refused to believe a single word from me.

*”How dare you hurt Ella?”*

*”Even though I’m blind, I can feel the malice radiating from you.”*

*”You’ve disappointed all of us, Evelyn.”*

*”I was blind to think you actually had a kind heart.”*

*”She is my daughter. Who gave a foundling like you the right to touch her? If it happens again, I will banish you from Asgard forever.”*

I know I’m nothing but a burden to them.

Now that I no longer matter, let me do one last thing for them.

The corruption from the abyss of the World Tree has begun seeping into the gods’ divine power. Only the *Evelyn Ritual*—created by my eldest brother, Calder, and named after me—can purify this corruption.

And I will be the sacrifice.

Sacrificing myself to my brother’s ritual is the only way I can repay this debt.

The High Priest begged me to reconsider, warning that the Abyssal Ice would freeze me for three thousand years—or that I might never wake up again. David couldn’t convince me otherwise. Finally, he agreed to send escorts to accompany me to the sacrifice site, in three days—on the very day of my coming-of-age ceremony.

*”This is the sacrificial contract. Once you step into the ritual, your divine soul will dissipate completely. Not even your family, not even Lord Calder, will be able to find any trace of you.”*

In three days, I will vanish from this world forever.

—

I dragged myself back to the temple, exhausted. Passing through the garden, I saw Ella looking pale, leaning weakly into Calder’s embrace.

Their sibling bond is so unbreakable.

Suddenly, my vision went dark, and my knees buckled. I could feel divine power churning violently inside me—the aftermath of saving Cyril from the Underworld Spring.

Calder’s eyes met mine.

For an instant, I thought he would rush to my side like he used to.

But then Ella clutched her chest, sobbing in pain.

Calder’s attention immediately snapped back to her.

*”Cut the pathetic act, Evelyn. We’re sick of your miserable performances.”*

Cyril—the brother who used to spoil me the most—said I was just pretending to gain sympathy.

And Calder actually believed him.

There was a time when a single cough from me would send them into a panic, summoning enough healers to fill the entire temple. Now I collapsed right in front of them, and they didn’t spare me a single glance.

*”You wouldn’t even care if I disappeared without a trace, would you?”*

*”If you disappeared, that would just be one less thorn in this family’s side.”*

Maybe this is for the best.

Like this, from now on, you will have nothing but happiness.

—

In my dreams, my brothers still spoil me, calling me Asgard’s eternal little princess. I selfishly drown in that lost tenderness, sobbing like a child.

But when I wake up, only my pet, Molly, and my handmaiden, Very, are by my side.

*”I guess I really don’t mean anything to my brothers anymore, do I, Molly?”*

*”Evelyn, thank the gods you’re awake.”*

When they rushed in, my heart skipped a beat. I truly thought they were worried about me.

*”Don’t waste time here. Ella is waiting for us.”*

But I was wrong again.

They had hurried back from the battlefield—because they heard Ella had a cold—and accidentally walked into the wrong room.

Ella’s room is right next to mine.

Their laughter pierces through the walls, carving into my heart.

Watching this picture-perfect family scene feels like a knife twisting in my gut.

A precious fruit from the World Tree—my mother once gave it to me and said nothing in the world was as precious as I was.

She clearly wasn’t telling the truth.

My brothers clung to Ella, refusing to leave her side for a moment.

They used to protect me exactly the same way.

So from the very beginning, I was just a placeholder. A cheap counterfeit to keep them company until the real thing came back.

But I still have three days.

Three days to say my final goodbyes to the family who once warmed my heart, then cruelly snatched it away.

—

*”How wonderful. We finally found a willing sacrifice.”*

My family received the news that a volunteer had been found for the sacrifice, but they have no idea it’s me.

Would they be sad if they knew the truth?

I don’t know.

*”Speaking of which, we haven’t seen Evelyn in a while. I wonder how she’s been doing. She’s still family, after all. We should go visit her.”*

*”I’ll go with you.”*

Occasionally, they still think of me, but…

I should have died in that war.

They brought me to Asgard and showed me how wonderful it was to be alive again.

But I forgot that even the sweetest candy can become poison after its expiration date.

*”Very, do you think they’ll grieve for me after I’m sacrificed?”*

*”Oh, Lady Evelyn…”*

What am I even hoping for?

They already have Ella.

If I could go back to the beginning, I wish I had never been part of this family.

—

*”So being part of our family causes you that much pain?”*

*”No, that’s not what I meant—”*

*”We shouldn’t have come here at all. You truly disappoint us. We treated you like our own flesh and blood, yet you’re this ungrateful.”*

*”Stop, please! Lady Evelyn has always cared about everyone—she was just worried—”*

*”I was just rambling. I’m sorry.”*

If she says one more word, they’ll find out I’m the sacrifice.

They already hate me. Knowing the truth wouldn’t change anything.

*”Oliver, I’ve finally found a way to cure your eyes!”*

Oliver and the others were overjoyed.

I smiled too, but tears fell before I could stop them.

*”Oliver… you’ll finally be able to see.”*

The moment Oliver heard my congratulations, his smile vanished.

*”Yes. Soon, I won’t need you as my eyes anymore.”*

His words stabbed into my heart like ice.

He completely forgot the promise he made about his eyes all those years ago.

*”Don’t be afraid. I’ll be your eyes.”*

Fine.

He’ll finally get to see the world.

And to give him that light, I traded away the last thing I had left.

*”May I ask you one more thing? After I’m sacrificed, can you use my eyes to break Oliver’s curse?”*

*”The curse can only be broken by someone who truly loves Oliver and willingly offers their eyes. If it’s you, I’m certain it will work.”*

—

*”Stop crying. Today is a day for all the divine realm to celebrate. My ritual finally has a willing sacrifice.”*

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

The sacrifice he’s talking about is me.

So my death brings them this much happiness.

*”We’ll throw a huge party in Asgard in three days to celebrate.”*

They completely forgot that’s also my coming-of-age day.

*”You’d better come. After all, this ritual is named after you.”*

*”Yes.”*

When Very walked in carrying the Starlight Crown, a fragile glimmer of hope flickered in my frozen heart. Very said my brothers hadn’t forgotten me.

*”You are my only goddess. On your coming-of-age day, I’ll have the divine smith forge you a crown unlike any other in the world.”*

I clung to that promise for twenty years.

But the moment my fingers touched the starlight, Ella shoved me away.

*”This is my brothers’ gift! Get your dirty hands off it!”*

*”Evelyn, who gave you permission to touch Ella’s things?”*

That crown was never meant for me.

It was Calder’s gift to Ella.

*”I’m sorry. I thought it was for me.”*

*”There are limits to selfishness, Evelyn. Do you actually think everything in Asgard belongs to you?”*

God, I’m such a fool for still holding onto illusions about them.

Ella pretended to stumble weakly, acting as if she was about to give me the crown. That immediately enraged the entire family. My adoptive mother embraced Ella, screaming that she was her only daughter. The father who once looked at me with loving eyes pointed his finger at my face and ordered me to personally place the crown on Ella’s head and apologize.

My heart went cold.

I don’t even feel the pain anymore.

Watching my trembling back, Calder’s eyes were full of impatience. He snapped, *”Don’t let this happen again.”*

*”It won’t happen again. Don’t worry, Lord Calder. There won’t be a next time.”*

Cyril thought I was still bitter and arguing with Ella, so he angrily shoved me to the ground.

The box containing my contract fell out.

They saw it.

*”How is this possible? The sacrifice is you?”*

*”Oh, my chest… it hurts so much!”*

They almost discovered the contract.

But Ella’s scream pulled everyone’s attention away.

She seemed to be getting weaker.

So my father and brothers demanded I give up my room for her.

My room has the purest spiritual energy—it could help her recover.

*”Evelyn, give this room to Ella. Ella’s health is fragile. Are you really going to fight a sick girl over a bedroom? Don’t be difficult, Evelyn.”*

*”Fine. I’ll move. Where am I supposed to sleep?”*

*”There’s an empty guest room in the auxiliary palace. You can stay there temporarily.”*

*”But that place has been falling apart for years. How can anyone live there?”*

*”Then go clean it up for her right now!”*

*”Understood, my lord. I understand. Let’s go, Very.”*

As I passed by Ella, she gave me a sweet smile and whispered, *”You’re just trash they picked up. You’ll never compare to me.”*

It doesn’t matter where I sleep anymore.

I won’t be here for more than three days anyway.

—

*”How can they make you sleep here?”*

*”Look, Evelyn. Isn’t this amazing? Whenever the wind blows, I’ll know exactly where you are. This place will always belong to our little princess.”*

Yes, I know I’m just an adopted daughter.

I’ve known for a long time that this family no longer has a place for me.

*”Where’s Molly? She’s never been gone this long.”*

I asked Very if she’d seen Molly, but she said no.

I have a bad feeling.

No. I have to go find her.

When I rushed outside, Calder was using healing light on the back of Ella’s hand.

*”You should have told us immediately.”*

*”I’m sorry for making everyone worry. I just wanted to pet it, but it suddenly went crazy and lunged at me.”*

*”Have you seen Molly?”*

*”You have the nerve to mention that creature? Look what it did to Ella!”*

I desperately tried to explain that Molly would never attack anyone without reason.

That only made my brothers angrier.

*”Are you saying Ella is lying?”*

*”You’re the one who gave Molly to me! You know her better than anyone!”*

*”Who knows? People change, let alone a stupid animal.”*

*”If you don’t care, then I do!”*

*”Are we going too far? I was just angry. Come on, let’s help her look.”*

My Molly is dead.

I couldn’t protect her.

Trembling, I brushed away the rubble. I saw Molly lying motionless on the gravel, soaked in blood.

*”Do you like it? I specially prepared this gift for you.”*

Ella killed Molly with her own hands.

My poor Molly.

I’ll make her pay.

I wanted to kill her, but my third brother, Cyril, rushed over and roughly pulled me back.

Cyril even dared to say, *”I’ll buy you another one later, okay?”*

*”Okay? No! Molly is irreplaceable. No one can replace her.”*

Molly was the first gift Cyril ever gave me.

Back then, he wasn’t the monster he is now.

*”This is for you. When we’re not home, she’ll keep you company.”*

I thought she would stay with me for the rest of my life.

But now she’s left me too.

*”It’s okay, Molly. I’ll be joining you soon.”*

—

Kneeling before Molly’s grave, my divine power is exhausted, and my body sways violently.

Then my vision goes black, and I collapse from exhaustion.

Right before I faint, I see Oliver throw away his cane and stumble toward me.

Is that really him?

I even hear Calder and Cyril calling my name.

Am I dreaming?

Oh, no. This feels too real.

*”Evelyn! You’re awake.”*

They’re all here with me.

And they even brought me a beautiful dress.

Could it be that they actually remember today is my coming-of-age day?

*”Do you remember what day it is?”*

*”Of course. Today is the anniversary celebration for Calder’s ritual. We finally found a sacrifice, didn’t we?”*

I expected too much.

I shouldn’t have held onto any hope.

Calder just noticed the wooden box by the bed.

Oh, no. My sacrificial contract is in there.

*”What’s this?”*

My heart stops as I watch Calder reach for the box.

Thank the gods—a guard interrupts.

*”My lord, Lady Ella reports that her divine power is unstable again!”*

Cyril tells me before he leaves that he’ll find me another divine beast identical to Molly next time.

But Brother Cyril, there is no *next time* for me.

At the party, the gods raise their glasses to toast my impending death.

*”Thank you all for coming. Raise your glasses to our mysterious sacrifice!”*

Then Calder gazes affectionately at Ella. He says only a true goddess can bless the divine realm, so he renames the ceremony—from the *Evelyn Ritual* to the *Ella Ritual*.

The crowd erupts in applause.

Oliver and Cyril are also smiling and clapping.

I stand in the corner, watching my statue in the center transform into Ella’s face in a flash of golden light.

In that moment, I suddenly realize—the place beside my brothers will never belong to me again.

—

*”Ella, I heard Oliver’s eyes are cursed and he’ll never see again. Is that true?”*

*”Of course it’s true.”*

*”Oliver, I’m over here. Come here quickly.”*

Oliver doesn’t know what’s happening.

I watch him about to walk straight into the sacred flames.

I rush over and push him out of the way.

*”Evelyn, are you insane? How could you push Oliver like that?”*

Everyone crowds around. I try to explain that I was saving him, but even Oliver doesn’t believe me.

*”No, I didn’t, Oliver. You almost walked into the fire. I was just—”*

*”Stop wasting your breath, Evelyn. If it was really dangerous, why would Ella tell me to go there? And besides, why would you risk your life to save me?”*

Because I’ve done it before.

Two years ago, Oliver and I snuck into Vanheim to play. His hand almost touched a brightly colored poisonous plant. I threw myself in front of him, using my body as a shield.

*”Evelyn, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”*

*”I’m fine, don’t worry.”*

*”I’m just a blind burden. You should focus on protecting yourself.”*

*”I’m really fine, Oliver. Don’t worry. I’ll always protect you.”*

*”What trick is she trying to pull this time?”*

Ella fake-sweetly inserts herself between me and Cyril, pretending to beg for forgiveness.

*”Do you know how miserably Molly screamed before she died? I crushed every single one of her bones.”*

Hearing about Molly’s death, I lose my mind.

I scream and lunge at her.

But I didn’t expect her to secretly create a knife, grab my hand, and stab herself in the shoulder.

Blood sprays everywhere as she falls with a scream.

My father is furious. He blasts me with a golden light, knocking me to the ground.

They surround me, calling me cruel and ungrateful.

Only Oliver doesn’t know what’s happening.

*”Ella is your sister. How could we have raised such a vicious monster? We gave you everything luxurious, and this is how you repay us? We treated you so well, and this is your gratitude? You ungrateful wretch.”*

*”No, that’s not how it happened—”*

*”Enough! I should never have brought you to Asgard from the very beginning.”*

Why won’t anyone believe me?

*”Evelyn, you are no longer worthy to stay in Asgard. In the name of Odin, the god of gods, I banish you from Asgard forever.”*

*”Father, don’t do this. She’s still our sister.”*

*”Evelyn, if you just admit you were wrong, everyone will forgive you.”*

Admit I was wrong?

What did I do wrong?

My only mistake was believing their empty promises.

And now it’s time to fix it.

*”I accept the punishment of banishment.”*

*”Evelyn, what are you saying? Are you serious?”*

*”Hmph. Fine. Get out, and don’t ever come back.”*

*”Thank you for taking care of me all these years. Goodbye.”*

I never imagined that my coming-of-age day would also be the day I said my final goodbye to them.

*”Are we really not going to convince her to come back?”*

*”She has nowhere else to go. She’ll come back when she calms down. This time we need to teach her a lesson, make her realize her true place.”*

No, I won’t.

After today, I will never come back.

—

*”Evelyn. Today is your coming-of-age day. This is my gift to you.”*

The entire Asgard wants me to leave.

Very is the only one who still remembers what day it is.

Before I leave, I want to go to one last place. A place only my brothers and I know about.

*”No one ever comes up here. From now on, this is our secret base.”*

*”Oliver, what do you have there?”*

*”It’s a whispering seashell. From now on, it will hold all our secrets and promises.”*

The seashell remembers every promise they ever made.

I remember them too.

They’re the only ones who forgot.

Calder once said he would always stand by my side. But just now, he said he should never have brought me home.

Oliver once thanked me for being his eyes, for saving him from the darkness. But yesterday, he said he didn’t need me anymore.

And Cyril, he no longer sees me as a princess. He called me selfish.

I’m the only one who still remembers.

Let our memories be buried here forever.

—

It seems my brothers regretted it after I left.

*”At this grand ceremony, we should seal the star jar together as a family.”*

But Calder refused.

He said I am also part of this family.

The rest of the family agreed. They decided to wait until I came home.

But they don’t know I’m never coming home.

*”Calder is right. Let’s wait until Evelyn comes back before sealing the jar. I agree too.”*

*”Wait, what? What’s today’s date?”*

*”The 7th of the month of Asgard. Why?”*

*”Oh, no. Today is Evelyn’s coming-of-age day.”*

*”Damn it. How could we forget? Such an important day, and on this very day, we humiliated and banished her.”*

*”No, I have to go find her.”*

Finally, they remember.

Today is my birthday. My coming-of-age day.

But it’s also the day I’m being sacrificed.

They won’t find me.

Because I’ve gone somewhere they would never expect.

Stepping into the sacrificial array, I see the hands of Calder, Oliver, and Cyril reaching out to me when I was little.

*”Don’t be afraid. From now on, we are your family.”*

But I also see the way they screamed at me.

*”Enough! I should never have brought you to Asgard from the very beginning.”*

*”We gave you everything luxurious, and this is how you repay us? You ungrateful wretch. You are no longer worthy to stay in Asgard. In the name of Odin, the god of gods, I banish you from Asgard forever.”*

Goodbye, my family.

I won’t be your burden anymore.

—

*”She’s not here either. Where did she go?”*

Why can I still see my brothers?

Is this my soul?

Calder’s fingers stop just one knuckle’s length from the wooden box.

He was so close.

The box containing my sacrificial contract holds all the truth.

Just as he’s about to open it, Very walks in.

*”Very, tell us where Evelyn went. We’ve looked everywhere for her.”*

Finally, they remember me.

*”Lady Evelyn has suffered enough. She’s gone out to calm her mind and doesn’t want to see anyone.”*

Not wanting to see them?

Only after I’ve disappeared forever.

*”She doesn’t want to see us? I knew it. She’s just hiding on purpose, trying to force us to apologize.”*

*”You’ve completely shattered her heart. Today is Evelyn’s coming-of-age day. Not only did all of you forget, but you publicly banished her because of Ella.”*

*”That was indeed our oversight. But so what? It’s just a ceremony. We can easily make it up to her.”*

Make it up?

So in their eyes, my coming-of-age ceremony is just a trivial event they can easily compensate for.

But finally, they compromise.

*”If she wants to sulk, we’ll wait for her to calm down. When she comes back, tell her we’ll throw a belated ceremony for her.”*

*”But it has to be three days from now. You spoil her too much.”*

*”Because first we have to remove the curse on Oliver’s eyes. That’s what’s truly important.”*

*”Let’s go.”*

*”Evelyn, where are you? The first person I want to see when I open my eyes is you.”*

But Oliver doesn’t know that for him to see, I traded my life.

—

*”Lady Evelyn, you’re never coming back, are you? This is the last thing I can do for you.”*

One day has passed since my sacrifice, and my family still hasn’t heard anything.

I guess they just don’t care.

But anyway, today is a happy day. Oliver’s eyes will finally be freed from the curse.

Today, Oliver can finally see.

I’m so happy for him.

He’s never seen light before.

Back then, I promised to be his eyes.

And I kept my word.

*”Brother, you can finally see now. I prayed to the World Tree day and night. It must have been moved by the willing sacrifice who offered her eyes to—”*

*”No.”*

How could Ella be the one who cured Oliver’s eyes?

That was me!

*”Calder, Cyril—Ella is lying.”*

*”Evelyn isn’t coming?”*

*”Ella almost died for you, and you’re only thinking about Evelyn? You see? She didn’t even bother to show up for your important moment.”*

*”Fine. Today is a wonderful day. Oliver has regained his sight. Let’s not mention anything that ruins the mood.”*

They call me a mood-killer.

But they don’t know I’ll never be able to show up for any occasion ever again.

*”Why do these eyes make me think of Evelyn?”*

Because those eyes were mine, Oliver.

Can you feel it?

Can you see me?

*”Take your medicine, Oliver. The healer said the curse can only be broken by someone who truly cares and willingly offers their eyes. But there might be rejection symptoms. This herbal concoction will help soothe it.”*

*”No, Ella! What have you done? I gave that to Oliver.”*

*”What did you do?”*

Ella flinches in fear at his loud shout, nearly dropping the bowl.

Then, predictably, she starts crying and whimpering about how Oliver could yell at her over a broken stone.

*”It’s just a broken stone. How could you yell at me over that?”*

But Oliver completely ignores her, staring only at the shards on the floor.

Oliver, do you remember? That’s the crystal you carved for me with your own hands.

Why does my heart ache so much seeing it shattered?

Oliver closes his eyes and points toward the door. He orders Ella out, his voice cold as ice.

*”Get out!”*

After Ella leaves, Oliver crouches down. His trembling hands pick up the broken crystal shards. The sharp edges cut his fingertips, and a drop of blood falls onto the fragments.

*”You cut your hand when you polished this crystal for me too, back then.”*

*”Oliver, I made this crystal for you. It brings peace, joy, and it will help you relax.”*

*”Thank you, Evelyn.”*

*”Evelyn, where have you gone?”*

I’m right here, Oliver.

May Asgard forever bask in glory, and may my family forever be happy.

When they see the blessing I left behind, Oliver’s fingers tighten, crushing the parchment.

He turns to the wardrobe and sees all my things still neatly inside.

I didn’t take anything with me.

*”This is the winter cloak he gave her. She hates the cold the most. How could she leave without even this?”*

Because I can’t take it with me, Oliver. Where I’m going is even colder and lonelier than nothingness.

Besides, it’s a gift from you. I couldn’t bear to dirty it.

*”Lady Evelyn didn’t take anything with her. She doesn’t even want to keep her own life anymore. So why would she want to take those things?”*

*”Very, what do you mean by that?”*

Oliver presses Very, desperate to know where I’ve gone.

But it’s useless.

He’ll never find me.

*”Explain. What happened to Evelyn?”*

Oliver, are you finally starting to panic?

But do you know that panicking now is too late?

Oliver senses something terrible has happened to me. He goes to find Calder and Cyril, wanting Calder to send people to search for me.

But Calder and Cyril don’t seem concerned at all.

*”She brought this on herself. Who told her to hurt Ella and cut ties with us?”*

*”Cyril, don’t say that. Evelyn was just jealous because you gave your love to Ella. That’s why she acted that way. You should go find her.”*

No, I won’t be jealous anymore. I’ll never beg for their love again.

*”Ella, you’re too kind. You’re still defending her at a time like this. I absolutely refuse to go find her. The make-up ceremony is in three days. She’ll be back by then. Let her calm down for now.”*

*”Come on, Ella. I’ll take you back to rest.”*

They all think I’m just sulking. That in three days, I’ll crawl back on my own to accept their pathetic make-up ceremony.

But that will never happen.

Calder and Cyril are completely convinced I’m not in danger. They really think I’m just hiding in some corner, waiting for them to come coax me.

*”Don’t overthink it, Oliver. Cyril is right. This is Asgard. What could possibly happen to Evelyn here?”*

*”Isn’t that Very? Is she praying for Molly?”*

How could they think she’s just praying?

Molly was brutally killed by Ella, and they still have no idea.

*”Praying? I’m mourning for Molly. Lady Ella killed Molly and didn’t even leave a single bone intact.”*

*”Very, even if you tell them, they won’t believe you.”*

*”What the hell are you rambling about? Molly went crazy and bit Ella. Ella is the victim here. Isn’t that enough?”*

See? I told you.

I know you’re heartbroken for Evelyn, but please don’t make false accusations.

Besides, Cyril said he’d find Evelyn an identical divine beast.

Even if it’s identical, it will never be the same one.

Once something is lost, it can never come back.

Molly can’t come back.

And neither will I.

—

To protect me, Very was publicly reprimanded by Calder and Cyril.

Cyril pointed his finger at her face, erupting in anger.

*”I’ve tolerated you only because Evelyn likes you. But remember this: you are merely a servant, a maid. You have absolutely no right to judge the relationship between us and Evelyn. Know your place. I won’t punish you today, but if you slander Ella again, you will face the consequences.”*

I watch Vera trembling on the ground, sobbing miserably.

I’m sorry, Vera. I brought this upon you.

Only Oliver looks at Vera one more time.

A glint of suspicion appears in his eyes.

Oliver, are you finally using the eyes I gave you to see things clearly?

Vera’s grief certainly isn’t fake.

If Ella were truly the victim, Vera wouldn’t have said that.

I need to investigate this.

Please, Evelyn. If you’re hiding something from us, give me a sign.

I don’t know what’s happening to Oliver, but when he opens his eyes again, a faint golden halo spreads throughout the room, and right at the desk, a phantom image of me appears.

The illusion doesn’t turn around. Instead, it whispers. The voice is faint, as if echoing from somewhere far away.

*”Oliver, by the time you read this letter, your eyes should have fully healed. Don’t be sad if fate has decided that I must leave. Let this be the last thing I do for you.”*

*”Evelyn.”*

Clutching his painful eye, Oliver struggles to stand and walks toward the desk. His hand passes through my phantom image, and it vanishes.

Oliver stands frozen by the desk, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Was that an illusion? Or was it real?

It really is this letter.

Oliver, you’ve found the last thing I left behind.

It’s just much later than I expected.

Oliver opens my letter.

Finally, he knows the truth behind his eyesight.

*”Could it be… the one who broke the curse on my eyes really was Evelyn?”*

Are you finally starting to question that so-called truth, Oliver?

But it’s too late.

—

Oliver rushes out like a madman, sprinting desperately toward the World Tree.

He grabs High Priest David, his eyes bloodshot and his voice trembling as he presses him.

*”High Priest David, tell me. Who was the willing sacrifice? Was it Evelyn?”*

*”Lord Oliver, according to the law, I cannot reveal the sacrifice’s identity to anyone. Please go back.”*

*”Don’t evade the question. Please, tell me!”*

*”I’m sorry, Lord Oliver. Now that you have regained your sight, please cherish it. Don’t let their sacrifice be in vain.”*

Let my sacrifice be in vain?

It’s already been in vain.

*”Evelyn… I beg you, Evelyn. Please let me see you one more time.”*

Are you begging me, Oliver?

But before, when I begged you to believe me, none of you would listen.

*”Lady Evelyn, how devastated will they be when they know the whole truth?”*

Right now, he’s just sad.

When he truly knows what I traded to give him these eyes, he’ll completely break down.

And that day is coming very soon.

David must be hiding something from me. His behavior is too strange.

Is the truth finally about to be revealed?

How will Calder and Cyril react?

I hold my breath in anticipation, even though I no longer need to breathe.

*”Calder, Cyril. I know everything now. My eyesight wasn’t restored by a miracle. It was because of Evelyn.”*

Just as I expected, Cyril doesn’t believe him. He pushes Oliver’s hand away, sneering.

*”Your eyes might have healed, but has your brain turned to mush? Listen to me. Evelyn is that mysterious sacrifice. She gave her eyes to me before she disappeared, and that’s the only reason your curse was broken. Otherwise, if she cared about you that much, how could she have vanished without a trace?”*

Ella looks at Oliver with a gloomy, complex expression.

I know she’s panicking.

I watch her coldly.

*”Ella, I can’t stand how you use lies to blind my brothers. Let’s see how long this stolen affection lasts.”*

*”No, why would Evelyn go that far for us?”*

*”You don’t understand. I saw the letter she left in the auxiliary palace, and High Priest David’s attitude…”*

*”Enough! Oliver, I know you’re worried because you can’t find Evelyn now that your sight is back. But you can’t deny Ella’s sacrifice to make excuses for Evelyn.”*

Always the same.

Every time it involves Ella, I mean nothing to you.

*”Ella is your sister too! She’s frail but she prayed for you all day. You can’t cruelly ignore her efforts just because of Evelyn!”*

That damn blind fool. He should have been burned to death at the party that night.

I can’t let him keep talking. If Calder and the others get suspicious, I’m finished.

I need to distract them.

—

My soul hovers above the main hall, watching this ridiculous play unfold.

Soon enough, Ella walks in, looking like she’s about to collapse.

Calder and Cyril immediately rush to her, their faces full of worry.

They hold her up like she’s a priceless treasure.

*”Actually… I heard everything just now.”*

*”Oliver… do you think I drove Evelyn away, and that’s why you’re angry with me?”*

*”It’s okay. Think whatever you want about me. As long as your eyes are healed, all the suffering I’ve endured is worth it.”*

Look at her acting.

With just one sentence, she shifts all the blame onto me.

Cyril and Calder always fall for her tricks. Every time, they hurt me because of her.

*”Do you hear that? Even now, Ella is only thinking about you.”*

This time is no exception.

*”Oliver, apologize to Ella now.”*

Once again, they side with Ella without a second thought.

Oliver, are you wavering too?

All of you are still blinded by Ella’s fake pitiful, weak act.

How ironic.

I traded my life to give you light, yet I’m defeated by her pretend illness.

*”Could I… have misunderstood?”*

*”Evelyn’s letter and David’s silence are just coincidences?”*

*”Why do I feel such disgust toward Ella?”*

*”No, it’s not me… it’s these eyes.”*

You’re right, it’s not you rejecting Ella.

It’s me.

Because these eyes used to be mine.

Oliver, you finally realize something is wrong.

But it’s too late now.

Even if you discover the truth, I can’t come back.

*”High Priest David wouldn’t say a word about the sacrifice, even when all three of us pressed him. So how did you manage to see the sacrifice?”*

*”I… I secretly watched the World Tree. When High Priest David wasn’t there, I snuck in to see the sacrifice’s face myself.”*

*”The temple is protected by the World Tree. Even I can’t get close without being detected. How could you?”*

For the first time, Calder and Cyril don’t immediately defend Ella.

But I don’t need that anymore.

*”I don’t know… I just wanted to save you so badly. I was so scared, I don’t remember anything…”*

See? Lies are always so fragile when faced with the truth.

Calder, you’re so smart. How can you not see it?

You just don’t want to hurt your precious biological sister Ella.

*”Oliver, Calder! Have you both lost your minds?”*

*”I’m just trying to find the truth.”*

*”The truth is she can barely stand, and you’re interrogating her like a criminal! She’s your sister!”*

Cyril, you’re still as impulsive as ever.

You always protect Ella, and you always help her hurt me.

But this time is different.

This time Calder doesn’t help her.

He insists Oliver is right.

*”We’ve been so caught up in the joy of Oliver regaining his sight that we overlooked this detail. How exactly did you discover the sacrifice?”*

But I don’t need this belated protection, Calder.

Your shielding comes too late.

Ella clutches her chest, tears streaming down her face as she stumbles backward, trembling violently.

There she goes again.

Whenever the situation turns against her, she plays this weak, pitiful act.

Watching her perform just exhausts me.

Will you still choose to believe her without hesitation, like before?

*”I’m sorry… did I do something wrong? Why don’t you understand?”*

*”The World Tree’s barrier was erected to protect against divine power. But precisely because Ella’s divine soul is unstable, the barrier couldn’t sense her power, so she accidentally snuck in!”*

Cyril, you always find excuses for her so quickly.

Bitterness rises inside me.

When I was falsely accused, did you ever speak a single word in my defense?

And Ella immediately latches onto this lifeline, continuing to smear my name.

*”I know what happened now. It’s Evelyn! She must have created some kind of illusion before she left to make all of you feel indebted to her!”*

I’m so angry I could laugh.

Ella, how many more lies will you tell to cover up one lie?

*”Oliver, my dear brother, you must have been deceived by some illusion, right?”*

*”An illusion? No. It wasn’t an illusion. And here’s the proof. This is Evelyn’s letter.”*

*”You call this proof? It doesn’t even mention her being the sacrifice. She clearly left this letter somewhere obvious for you to find, just to win your sympathy!”*

Cyril, in your eyes, everything I do has ulterior motives, doesn’t it?

Cyril, you’re such a good brother.

*”Brothers, please don’t fight over me.”*

*”Oliver, until there is concrete evidence, you’re not allowed to suspect Ella.”*

*”Ella, we just found an ancient plant in Vanaheim. The healers say it can completely heal your damaged divine soul.”*

*”Really… really? That’s great. I’ll go to the healers for a checkup later.”*

She’s panicking.

She’s terrified of being examined.

Suddenly I realize: has her weakness all been fake?

She turns to flee, but Oliver steps forward, blocking her path like a wall.

She tries to step back, but Calder is right behind her.

*”Ella, your body is too weak. We’ll go with you.”*

I stand right there, watching Ella’s meticulously crafted lies crumble under Calder and Oliver’s interrogation.

But I seem to have forgotten—Ella always uses her fake frailty to gain their sympathy.

Maybe this time will be like before.

They’ll stop questioning her, take her back to her room, and comfort her.

*”Oh… I’m so dizzy. Brothers, I really don’t feel well. I’ll see the healer tomorrow…”*

*”Then we absolutely cannot delay. We’ll have someone examine you right here.”*

*”Oliver is right. I’ll call the healer immediately. Ella, don’t be afraid. We’re all here with you. The healer will arrive shortly.”*

This time, Calder and the others… truly aren’t softening like before.

But it doesn’t matter now.

The wounds they’ve inflicted on me are beyond repair.

The healer has arrived.

Ella, your lies are about to be exposed.

Calder, Oliver, Cyril, you’re about to know the truth.

*”Ella is a very important member of our family. Please examine her thoroughly.”*

*”Yes, my lord.”*

*”Lord Calder, Goddess Ella’s divine power is extremely abundant, and there is absolutely no sign of instability in her divine soul.”*

*”What… what did you just say? Say it again!”*

Calder, Oliver, Cyril, do you see clearly now?

Your precious biological sister, whom you coddled like an egg, afraid she would suffer even the slightest grievance…

Her weakness, her pain—it was all a spectacular lie.

And the most expensive price for this performance was me.

Cyril glares furiously at Ella. He angrily demands whether she’s been deceiving them this whole time.

Panicking, Ella reaches out to grab him, but he pulls away.

Ella sobs, saying she didn’t mean to, that she only did it because she felt so insecure.

Thankfully, this time Cyril doesn’t indulge her. He snaps that that’s no excuse to lie.

*”You faked being sick… so was the story about exhausting your divine power praying for me also a lie? So Oliver’s suspicion was right from the beginning. Evelyn gave me her eyes, and now… she’s blind. We banished her… all because of a lie!”*

*”Ella, you may be our sister, but you’ve crossed the line. For now, you are not allowed to leave the palace. Stay here and reflect on what you’ve done.”*

*”No! Evelyn, you bitch. You’re gone now. What right do you have to still hold such a high place in their hearts?”*

—

Calder, Oliver, and Cyril, carrying the deepest regret, come to our secret hideout.

Finally, they find the whispering seashell I left behind.

*”Yes, this is the whispering seashell. She didn’t even take this with her. She must have been heartbroken to despair when she decided to leave.”*

*”Maybe Evelyn’s voice is inside. Open it.”*

It holds so many memories.

Not just the joys, but also the pains—all the pain my brothers caused me.

*”Today marks my tenth year in Asgard. And my brothers really prepared gifts for me. I’m so happy.”*

*”Today my brothers even fought over who got to carry me on their back. They treat me so well.”*

*”You foolish girl… she remembers every little detail.”*

Those beautiful memories only existed before Ella appeared.

Maybe my brothers never realized it, but since Ella arrived, they haven’t loved me like before.

*”The blessed crystal sphere my brothers gave me—Ella smashed it. She falsely accused me, saying I pushed her into the lake. But I really didn’t. Why won’t anyone listen to me explain?”*

The promise to protect me forever had its limits, and it shattered the day Ella returned.

*”Look at you… It’s okay. I don’t care anymore, anyway.”*

*”She never pushed Ella… why didn’t any of us believe her?”*

*”How desperate must she have been when we all misunderstood her?”*

*”God, what have I done to her? I… I actually hit her.”*

It’s too late for regrets, my dear brothers.

My brothers are listening to the last sounds I left in this world.

They’ve learned some truths from the seashell, but they have no idea the real shock hasn’t come yet.

*”This is… Cyril, wait!”*

*”That’s… that’s from when you fell into the Underworld Spring two years ago!”*

*”But what was Evelyn doing there?”*

*”Ah… ah…”*

Cyril, Cyril. You finally remember.

All these years you’ve considered Ella your savior, but how could you have guessed that I was the one who traded everything to save you?

No, I can’t let Cyril wake up and see me like this. He’ll worry about me.

Cyril… Cyril, I don’t actually mind whether you remember I saved you.

What I care about is how you’ve changed.

Ever since you mistook her for your savior, you’ve treated Ella so well, just like the beautiful days we used to share.

Now that you remember, it’s too late.

*”It was Evelyn… The one who saved me that year was Evelyn. She was hurt trying to save me. And when she was in pain, I accused her of acting. What have I done to her?”*

*”Evelyn… it’s all my fault. Why didn’t I believe you?”*

Watching Cyril’s suffering doesn’t stir any emotion in me.

I’m completely calm.

The whispering seashell keeps playing my voice.

*”Calder, the Starlight Crown is truly beautiful. Even though it ended up on Ella’s head. I remember you once said I was your only goddess. And you would forge a crown unlike any other in the world, just for me. But it turns out I was the only one who took that promise seriously.”*

That’s right, Calder. Do you remember that promise under the sunset all those years ago?

I held onto it for twenty years.

And you took the gift I’d been waiting for and gave it to your biological sister Ella.

What does that make me?

*”No… No, Evelyn. How could I have forgotten my promise to you?”*

Too late.

You’re always one step behind.

You deserve to die.

*”That’s my sacrifice. That’s my sacrificial contract.”*

My brothers, are you finally about to learn the truth?

Will you be sad?

My brothers almost discovered my sacrificial contract.

But just as they got very close, a servant called them away.

So they still don’t know I sacrificed myself.

However, the messages I left in the seashell revealed too many truths to them.

Finally, because of me, they decide to punish their precious biological sister.

*”Alden has gone too far. How could he lock her in her room?”*

*”Mother… Father, I know I can’t compare to Evelyn. I won’t compete with her for anything anymore. Please tell my brothers not to be angry with me.”*

*”You foolish girl, you are our flesh and blood. How can your brothers stay angry with you forever?”*

This is the first time Cyril has treated Ella like this.

And it’s because of me.

If this were before, I would have been overjoyed.

But now it’s too late.

*”What are you doing, Cyril? Have you lost your mind? Let her go!”*

*”Cyril, stop!”*

*”Calder, have you gone mad too? Are you just going to stand there and watch your sister get hurt?”*

*”Mother… Father, you still don’t know what Ella did to me, do you? But even if you did, you’d probably still protect her. After all, she’s your biological daughter.”*

*”Ella, we are extremely disappointed in you. We know everything you did to Evelyn.”*

*”What the hell are you talking about?”*

*”You killed Molly. You lied to us, making us think you saved Cyril. And worst of all, you used our guilt to frame Evelyn.”*

Watching Calder expose the truth, my parents stare at Ella in shock.

But that is the truth, Father, Mother.

You’ll probably still defend Ella anyway.

Not that it matters to me anymore.

I’m already gone.

*”How… how can that be, Ella? This isn’t true, is it?”*

*”I didn’t do any of those things! Where did you hear these rumors? None of it is true.”*

*”Stop lying. The seashell Evelyn left behind showed us the whole truth.”*

*”Evelyn must have faked it!”*

*”We personally gave that seashell to Evelyn. It contains our divine power. Nothing in it can be faked.”*

—

Watching my brothers order the guards to drag Ella away to repent, watching my parents’ tears of regret, I feel a little better.

But I won’t forgive them.

The pain they caused me can’t be erased with a simple punishment.

Besides… the others don’t even know the truth about my sacrifice yet.

*”Send people to find Evelyn immediately.”*

*”Don’t worry, we’ll bring Evelyn home.”*

*”Evelyn… it’s all our fault. It turns out we were the ones hurting her all along.”*

*”Mother… Father… remember, we decided to throw a make-up coming-of-age ceremony for Evelyn. When she comes back, we’ll make it up to her and have Ella apologize. We’ll be a family again, just like before.”*

*”Listen to me. This make-up ceremony can’t be done carelessly. It has to be grand. We need to show Evelyn how serious we are.”*

A grand ceremony?

Do they really think I’ll come back?

That everything can go back to how it was?

How ridiculous.

*”Mother… Father… brothers… No matter how grand the ceremony, I can never come back.”*

The World Tree…

This is where I sacrificed myself.

And this is where so many of my beautiful memories reside.

But with my sacrifice, they have all vanished.

Suddenly, I hear an ancient voice echoing, calling my soul…

It turns out I am the daughter of Odin.

I need to witness my brothers confronting my sacrifice, Father.

Once I have seen what I need to see, I will return.

My biological father agrees.

He has taken my body, but my soul remains in Asgard.

It won’t be long now.

My brothers will soon know the truth.

—

At the Pantheon, servants bustle about preparing for my ceremony.

My brothers have also carefully prepared gifts.

I used to love looking at them.

Now I only feel irony.

They actually think I’m coming back.

*”I led a team all the way to the far north and found a divine beast identical to Molly. Evelyn will be overjoyed to see it.”*

*”I’ve prepared the best herbs in the entire divine realm for Evelyn.”*

*”How wonderful. Once Evelyn returns, our family will be reunited.”*

A family?

Were we ever truly a family?

And I can never come back, no matter what you do.

I can’t come back.

*”Sverre, where’s Evelyn? Have you seen her?”*

*”Don’t hide her from us anymore. Where is Evelyn? I’ll go get her right now. I don’t care if she hits me or yells at me. I’ll take it.”*

*”I want to see her too… but there’s no way anymore.”*

*”Don’t cry for me anymore. You need to move on.”*

*”Sverre, stop joking. She’s not coming back. She’s never coming back.”*

Finally…

They know the truth.

That I sacrificed myself and I’m gone.

*”Sverre, what nonsense are you talking? Evelyn is our family. Why wouldn’t she come back?”*

*”Evelyn must think what we did isn’t enough. Fine, let’s go ask Evelyn what she wants us to do. I will sincerely apologize to Evelyn. I promise, no matter how many divine beasts, crowns, or jewels she wants, I’ll give her everything. As long as Evelyn comes back, she’s still our daughter. The revered goddess of Asgard.”*

Divine beasts… crowns… jewels… a revered position…

Hearing the prices they offer, I only feel profound irony.

Calder, Oliver, Cyril… Father, Mother…

Do you still not understand what I truly care about?

*”My lords, do you truly believe Lady Evelyn still cares about any of what you just said?”*

Calder, Cyril, and Oliver all freeze.

Tears stream down Sverre’s face, and her voice suddenly rises, carrying the long-suppressed resentment and grief.

*”The only thing she cared about was your love! But Lady Evelyn did so much for you, endured so much humiliation, and in return, all she received was your indifference and blame.”*

*”Sverre…”*

Thank you, Sverre.

Thank you for saying the words I no longer have the chance to speak.

I didn’t expect you to be the only one in all of Asgard who truly understands me.

*”Eldrick Sverre, you’re just a servant. How dare you speak to us like that?”*

Sverre looks Eldrick straight in the eye without a hint of fear, sneering slightly.

*”Forgive my rudeness, Lord Eldrick. But I truly feel Lady Evelyn’s sacrifice was not worth it. Every time I think of the pain she’s suffering right now, my heart aches as if cut with a knife. No… perhaps Evelyn can’t even feel anything anymore.”*

Everyone stares at Sverre in utter bewilderment.

A very ominous premonition begins to spread through everyone’s soul… everyone’s heart.

Calder, Oliver, and Cyril press her, asking what she means.

Sverre glares at the three of them.

*”Yes, she is in terrible danger right now. But you are the ones who caused this.”*

Sverre says I’m in danger right now?

Yes, the abyss at the bottom of the World Tree.

The most dangerous place in all of Asgard.

Thank you, Sverre. Thank you for speaking the truth I can no longer voice.

*”Sverre, we would never put Evelyn in danger.”*

No.

Every danger I faced was caused by you.

*”Shut up, Sverre. I’ve tolerated you long enough. Out of respect for Evelyn, if you keep spewing this nonsense, I’ll deal with you right here. If you tell us where Evelyn is right now, I might pardon you and even reward you handsomely.”*

No, don’t threaten Sverre.

Calder, Oliver, Cyril, Father, Mother.

You still think Sverre is deliberately hiding my whereabouts?

She’s not hiding anything.

No.

I can’t come back.

Sverre, give them my trap.

Let them see for themselves, okay?

*”Fine, then I’ll tell you. See for yourselves. This box contains all the answers you’re looking for. Open it, Calder. You’ll see my whereabouts, as you wished. I hope you’re not scared. But if you are, there’s nothing I can do. I can never cheer you up again like before.”*

*”Really? How old is Evelyn, still playing these games? Leaving clues for us to find her? Yeah, this was her favorite game when we were kids. Hahaha.”*

A game?

You still think this is a game?

Of course, I wish it were a game… but unfortunately, it’s not.

*”The sacrificial contract… why is it here?”*

Finally…

My brothers know the truth.

Finally, they found me in the cruelest way possible.

*”That mysterious sacrifice… it was… it was Evelyn.”*

*”No, my daughter. My Evelyn…”*

*”No… this is impossible. It must be fake.”*

Calder steps back, his hands dropping, and the contract flutters to the ground.

With trembling hands, Oliver picks it up.

He stares at the parchment suspended in the air with utter shock.

Watching their faces, I only feel a pathetic sense of relief.

*”No, this is impossible. It must be fake. No… No, Evelyn must have deliberately made a fake contract to annoy us.”*

Sverre is crying, but she smiles at them.

She taunts Calder, asking him—the one who ordered the construction of the sacrificial ritual—if he can’t tell whether the contract is real or fake.

Calder can only clench his fists, his lips pale, unable to retort.

*”Lady Evelyn never blamed any of you. Before she left, she told me to tell you that she loves you. Those eyes, that life… it was the last thing she could do for you.”*

*”Shut up! I don’t believe it!”*

*”Evelyn, come out right now!”*

*”I’ll go find her myself.”*

Cyril rushes out of the hall like a madman.

Snapping out of it, Calder and Oliver also run after him desperately.

Watching them run frantically toward the World Tree, I only find it ridiculous.

Where else do you think you can find me?

*”Evelyn!”*

At the foot of the World Tree, they stubbornly call my name.

They even think I’m just playing hide-and-seek with them, like when we were children.

But you’re here now. You already know the answer.

*”Evelyn, come out! You must be hiding somewhere, watching us, right? Just like hide-and-seek when we were little. We give up. We’re looking for you now. Please come out, Evelyn.”*

*”If I never see you again, what good are these eyes?”*

Oliver, do you finally truly understand?

Give up.

*”Lady Evelyn’s divine soul has completely dissipated.”*

*”Ah! Why didn’t you tell me? You’re the High Priest. You knew the sacrifice was my sister! Why didn’t you stop her?!”*

*”You drove her away!”*

*”Lord Calder, this order was given by your own mouth. Besides, it was also Lady Evelyn’s wish. She said there was nothing left to keep her in Asgard.”*

Watching their confessions at the foot of the World Tree, I find it truly ridiculous.

As if they’ve completely forgotten all the terrible things they did.

They scream for me to come back, but come back to what?

To be hurt by their affection again?

No, I won’t.

I have my own family now, and I’m about to go back to them.

*”Lady Evelyn can no longer hear your apologies.”*

*”No, she’s not dead! She didn’t sacrifice herself! She’s just hiding!”*

They don’t believe I sacrificed myself.

Oh, no.

They don’t dare believe it.

They keep repenting, their cries of sorrow echoing through the divine realm.

But there’s no answer.

My sacrifice is complete.

Their belated apologies can never bring me back.

*”Evelyn, please come back. I don’t need these eyes anymore. I’d rather stay blind, as long as you’re by my side.”*

*”Yes, exactly! This must be a joke. Evelyn, I was wrong. I should never have hurt you.”*

*”Evelyn, please come back. I made you a new crown. And it’s only for you. You’ll like it. You’ll definitely like it. Just come back and try it on, okay, Evelyn?”*

*”We were wrong. Please come back.”*

No, I can never come back.

Now I will leave forever, returning to my biological father.

It seems I have another brother too.

Surely he will treat me better than any of you.

—

I am Hedlind, the long-lost daughter of Odin.

I am also Evelyn, but that was just my identity in Asgard.

Now, I have returned to the Supreme Divine Realm.

My old name no longer matters.

My biological father and brother—Odin, the All-Father, and Glorian, the God of War of the Supreme Divine Realm—walk toward me.

They look at me with eyes full of tender love, as if they’ve found a treasure they thought they’d lost.

Their attitude toward me is exactly the same as when my adoptive parents and brothers found Ella.

Back then, I could only stand on the sidelines and watch their family reunite.

But now, my real father and brother are looking at me with overwhelming joy.

Good. I’ll never have to be jealous of anyone again.

*”My daughter, you suffered in Asgard. Now that you’ve regained your rightful place and returned to us, I will surely make it up to you.”*

*”Hedelin, my real sister. You’ve finally come home. I’ve been going crazy searching for you all these years.”*

My eyes still unconsciously drift toward Calder, Oliver, and Cyril at the foot of the World Tree.

But Glorian notices immediately.

Following my gaze, he looks coldly down at the roots of the World Tree, at the three figures frantically punching the ground and torturing themselves in regret.

He looks very angry. I can feel his fury on my behalf.

*”Are those the three who call themselves brothers and hurt you in Asgard? They think they’re worthy of being your brothers? Hedelin, I will inflict divine punishment right now to avenge you.”*

This is a real brother—willing to draw his sword for me.

Unlike you, who only cry and pretend to be remorseful when it’s too late.

*”Brother, all that is in the past. Now I am Hedelin. There’s no need to ruin our family reunion because of three irrelevant people.”*

*”Good. Now that you’re back, I will throw you the grandest party in the entire universe. I want all the gods to know that my glorious real sister, the Supreme Goddess Hedelin, has returned!”*

*”Hahaha! I will decree that all gods, all divine families, must attend to welcome my precious daughter.”*

*”Thank you, Father. Thank you, Brother.”*

Goodbye.

From this moment on, the Evelyn you once knew no longer exists in this world.

—

My father and brother place great importance on my welcome-back ceremony.

They order the servants to start preparing very early.

My father even issues a divine decree, inviting countless gods to attend.

For the first time in my life, I feel truly valued.

And this divine decree also flies to Asgard.

Flies to the place I once called home.

*”Odin has found his long-lost daughter. The Supreme Divine Temple will throw the grandest Evergrande party to honor her.”*

*”Calder, you will take Oliver and Cyril to represent Asgard and offer congratulations.”*

They are still living in the shadow of Evelyn’s sacrifice.

How ironic.

*”Calder. Calder. My sons, I know Evelyn’s sacrifice was a shock to all of you. But it’s been a week now. You need to let go.”*

*”Look at your real sister. You’ve been ignoring Ella all this time. You can’t live in darkness forever.”*

*”Please don’t grieve over someone who’s gone anymore. I know I’m not good enough, but please believe me, I will repay Evelyn’s love double. From now on, I will take her place and stay by your side forever.”*

Take my place, Ella?

You’ve been doing that for a long time.

*”Take her place, Ella? What makes you think you can replace Evelyn’s position?”*

Hasn’t she already, Cyril? Why are you still angry?

Startled by Cyril’s roar, Ella staggers, her face turning pale.

Oliver reaches out to steady her.

*”Ella, I’m sorry. He’s just grieving. But that doesn’t mean he’s wrong, Ella. You need to face the truth. No one can replace Evelyn. Even if you are our real sister.”*

*”He’s right. Evelyn is irreplaceable.”*

Ella’s expression freezes, tears beginning to well in her eyes.

Unable to watch any longer, Eldric and Aline step in to stop their three sons.

*”For the sake of Asgard’s reputation, you must shake off this grief. In five days is the welcoming ceremony for the new goddess’s return.”*

Seeing their father’s angry expression, they have no choice but to bow their heads and nod in bitter resignation.

Ella lowers her head, pretending to be obedient, but actually hiding her extreme anger.

*”You’re really something, Evelyn. Even after sacrificing yourself, Calder and the others can’t stop thinking about you. But that’s fine. If I could replace their real sister, one day I’ll also take your place in their hearts. I am the only one worthy of becoming Asgard’s one and only goddess, Ella.”*

How are you going to replace someone who no longer exists?

—

Calder and the others are bringing Ella to my return ceremony.

I wonder if we’ll run into each other.

If we do, will they be surprised?

After all, seeing someone whose divine soul was supposedly completely destroyed now alive again is quite shocking.

*”Do I look beautiful today?”*

*”If Evelyn wore this dress and that crown, she would be the most beautiful goddess in the three realms.”*

*”That timid little girl, if she were still here, she would definitely be terrified by such a large crowd. She would cling to my clothes and hide behind me.”*

How ridiculous.

When I was right beside them, they showered all their love on Ella.

Now that I’m gone, they can’t stop remembering me.

Don’t they realize it’s too late?

I’m sure Ella will pull their attention back to her again, just watch.

*”We’re sorry, Ella. Please forgive us. This won’t happen again. Don’t cry. We promise we won’t ignore you anymore.”*

Brothers, you’ll see me soon.

But I won’t be Evelyn anymore.

I will be a completely new Hedelin.

My brother truly treats me wonderfully.

Everything I never received from Calder and the others, Glorian gives me, and I can see it in his eyes.

I am his most precious treasure.

*”Brother, I think every attending god will be overshadowed by your radiance.”*

*”Brother, you’re exaggerating.”*

*”The ceremony is about to begin. Let’s go. Let the whole realm see how beautiful my sister is.”*

Calder, Oliver, and Cyril have arrived at my new home.

They are preparing to attend my welcome-back ceremony.

To be honest, I’m a little nervous but also full of anticipation.

I really want to see their expressions when they see me.

It will certainly be a very entertaining sight.

[Crowd noise]

*”Oh my god, that’s Odin’s strongest son, Glorian, the God of War of the Supreme Divine Temple. And the one standing next to him must be the legendary goddess Hedelin, who just returned from Asgard.”*

*”We used to hold Evelyn’s hand just like that. Yes, back then Evelyn always clung to us, following behind like a lost little angel.”*

And now all of that is completely gone.

How ridiculous.

The person they’re grieving for is the one they drove to death.

And the person they’re staring up at in awe is the one they can no longer reach.

*”That damn bitch. She’s dead, yet she still holds such an important place in your hearts. I’ll make you forget that name forever, brothers.”*

*”The ceremony is about to begin, and all the gods have gathered. We can’t afford to be rude at an event like this.”*

Calder snaps out of his thoughts. His face is still marked by grief.

Seizing the opportunity, Ella walks over and affectionately takes his arm.

Calder looks down at her arm, frowning involuntarily. But seeing Ella’s sweet smile, he just sighs helplessly.

Around me, the chatter about my return as Hedelin is endless.

Calder and the others must have overheard.

*”Of course. Hey, have you heard? This goddess has been missing for a long time, and it turns out she’s actually been in Asgard all that time. I even heard she had to sacrifice her divine soul just to return to the Supreme Divine Realm.”*

*Crash!*

The wine glass slips from Oliver’s hand. Nectar splatters across the floor.

Calder and Cyril exchange glances. Their pupils dilate in utter horror.

*”Lost in Asgard… could… could this goddess be Evelyn?”*

You guessed right, but only half.

Calder and the others look absolutely stunned.

Well, anyone would be shocked to see someone come back from the dead.

But they’re still so stupid.

The moment Ella opens her mouth, they dismiss their own thoughts.

Always the same.

*”Brothers, you’re overthinking. Asgard is vast. While sacrifices are rare, surely this isn’t the only one.”*

*”Oliver, I know it’s hard for you to face the truth, but Evelyn’s soul is gone forever. If you keep indulging in these fantasies, it will only break Mother, Father, and my hearts.”*

How ridiculous. As if their guilt toward me vanishes the moment Ella speaks.

*”Evelyn was just an orphan we picked up from the ashes. How could she be Odin’s daughter?”*

*”You’re right. She’s gone. We need to put these irrational thoughts aside.”*

—

Introducing the Supreme Goddess, Hedelin.

As I step forward, the light gently dims to reveal my face.

The face they know by heart.

The face of the girl they drove to the edge.

*”Evelyn…”*

*”Evelyn…”*

Yes, Calder, it’s me.

The adopted daughter you brought home like a stray dog.

The replacement you forced to sacrifice her own divine soul.

Now I have returned, and I’ve returned with an identity you can never reach.

Daughter of Odin. Goddess of the Supreme Divine Realm. Hedelin.

Here they come.

Under the watchful eyes of all the gods, the three of them rush up to the high platform like true madmen, abandoning all etiquette.

*”You’re really still alive!”*

*”I knew it. Fate wouldn’t be so cruel to you!”*

*”Ever since you disappeared, every second, every minute, we’ve been burning in regret. We’ve missed you so much… So you didn’t sacrifice yourself! Wonderful, Evelyn! Come back to Asgard with us right now!”*

Before, I had imagined countless times what our faces would look like if we ever met again.

But now…

*”Evelyn…”*

*”I’m afraid there’s no one by that name in this hall. I am Hedelin, daughter of Odin.”*

Calder and the others freeze.

Their faces are full of confusion and panic.

Not far away, Ella’s face is as pale as a corpse.

*”No, that’s impossible!”*

*”Calder, Oliver, Cyril, she can’t be Evelyn! Evelyn was consumed by the abyss in that ritual long ago. She’s dead…”*

*”Shut up, Ella!”*

*”She lived with us for eighteen years. How could I not recognize her? Evelyn, why won’t you admit it? Are you still angry with us?”*

*”If she really were Evelyn, she’d be completely blind right now! But look at her. She can see! You’ve mistaken her for someone else!”*

*”Shut up!”*

*”Evelyn, I want to hear it from your own mouth.”*

*”I am indeed the Evelyn you’re talking about. But as I just said, that Evelyn is dead.”*

After that cold banishment, the moment the sacrificial ritual took effect, I was no longer your sister.

From the day I left Asgard, we no longer have any connection.

I never thought I could say those words so calmly.

And I know it’s not because of hatred, but because I truly no longer care.

From this moment on, my new life—my life as Hedelin—truly begins.

I watch Calder, Oliver, and Cyril desperately trying to vindicate themselves.

I feel nothing.

I just look at them blankly, as if watching a ridiculous play.

They think that if they apologize, show regret, and offer a tempting enough price, I will forgive them like I used to and return to the family that pushed me into the abyss.

There is no future between us.

*”As you can see, I am now Hedelin, Goddess of the Supreme Divine Realm. Evelyn died in that sacrifice, and all the unpleasant memories died with her.”*

*”Evelyn, you are our sister. That’s an undeniable truth. Please come back with us!”*

Oliver and Cyril have completely lost their minds.

They rush straight toward me.

*”What is this? How dare you touch my sister with those filthy hands!”*

My new brother, Glorian.

He stands beside me like an impenetrable wall.

*”Evelyn is our sister!”*

*”Sister? What a ridiculous joke.”*

*”As her brothers, you knew she was afraid of the dark, yet you forced her into that isolated palace chamber.”*

*”As her brothers, you ignored her explanations and falsely accused her because of a few trivial lies.”*

*”You even stood by and watched her sacrifice her own divine soul!”*

*”Calder, do you feel guilty now? When you accused me back then, you never hesitated for a second!”*

*”That’s not true! It was Ella—she’s been deceiving us all along. That was never our intention! And the sacrifice… we knew nothing about the sacrifice!”*

*”You didn’t know? Does ‘not knowing’ mean the hurt never happened? Your negligence was the deepest cut.”*

*”Stop making excuses. It only makes you look more disgusting.”*

*”Brother, let it go. Everything is in the past.”*

Glorian nods coldly, glaring at the three of them one last time before putting his arm around my shoulder to continue the ceremony.

But Calder is still trapped in his own thoughts, refusing to accept reality.

*”Have you completely forgotten all our beautiful memories? We lived together for eighteen years. Are you just going to throw away all that happiness?”*

*”Those days were indeed very happy. But you forgot, they also brought me nothing but heartache and pain.”*

*”Your love was once real. But after Ella returned, everything changed.”*

*”Let’s stop here. Calder, Oliver, Cyril. Just consider my divine soul completely destroyed.”*

After saying those final words, I turn and walk away without a backward glance.

Calder reaches out in horror, begging me not to leave, while Oliver and Cyril scream in despair, pleading with me to listen to them.

But why should I stop?

Someone whose heart is completely shattered never gives a second chance.

They try to rush forward again, but my real brother, Glorian, steps forward bravely, blocking their path like an impenetrable divine wall.

*”Enough. I’m warning you. Step back, or… I won’t mind letting your souls taste true destruction.”*

*”Don’t you still have your precious biological sister, Ayla? As for whether she truly shares your blood, I advise you to go investigate thoroughly.”*

I don’t fully understand what my brother means, but I see Ayla’s face turn pale the moment she hears that.

Glorian… what do you mean?

Glorian doesn’t waste another word.

He orders them removed.

The divine guards immediately step forward.

*”Let go of me! Evelyn!”*

They drag away a struggling Calder, along with Oliver and Cyril, and also Ella, pale as a corpse, like throwing out trash.

*”You can’t do this to us!”*

My brother asks if I’m sad.

But how could I be?

My tears dried up in Asgard.

I no longer care about them.

But I ask him what he meant about Ella.

*”I discovered that woman named Ella is the one who killed the real daughter… the one the Eldric family lost in the mortal realm all those years ago. She tore off a piece of her divine soul to put on this impersonation act.”*

What?

So the person they protected and cherished with their very lives was actually the murderer of their real sister.

What an absurd joke.

But right now, I don’t want to worry about that.

I’m walking to my welcome-back ceremony with my brother Glorian.

I’ll leave all those terrible things behind.

—

After my ceremony ends, Calder, Oliver, and Cyril trudge back to Asgard, weighed down by inescapable grief.

My adoptive parents look at the three of them, haggard and hollow, and freeze in shock.

Then, finally, they learn the truth: that my soul was never completely destroyed.

The most ridiculous part is that even now, they still delude themselves into thinking I will return to that place called *home* and play out the happy family reunion scene.

Never.

I am Odin’s daughter.

Hedlin!

I will never set foot in that iron cage that brought me nothing but endless pain and betrayal.

*”Evelyn is Odin’s daughter?”*

*”Then she’ll never come back…”*

They sink into the deepest regret.

Everyone in the hall is grieving my departure.

Everyone except one person: Ella.

She can barely hide the manic joy in her eyes when she hears the news… that I’ve left Asgard forever.

Satisfaction blooms in her heart. She tiptoes over, acting obedient and sweet beside my grieving parents.

She pretends to be the most caring and gentle presence to soothe them.

Swearing every word that she will stay by their side, by her brothers’ sides, forever.

*”Evelyn… ah, no, Goddess Hedlin… has found her real family and returned where she belongs.”*

*”But that’s okay. Mother, Father, you still have me. I am your real daughter… who shares your blood.”*

*”From now on, I am your only sister. I will always be here with everyone. I will make up for Evelyn’s absence and give everyone double the love.”*

*”Stay with us, Ayla. Do you really think you have the right to utter the words ‘real sister’?”*

Ella’s fragile, pitiful smile freezes instantly.

She looks petrified, her body beginning to tremble slightly.

Ella’s performance has finally come to an end.

*”Calder, my son… have you lost your mind? We went through so much trouble to bring Ella back from the mortal realm. She is your real sister! I know the news about Evelyn… ah, no, Goddess Hedlin, has hit you hard. But you absolutely cannot joke about something so serious.”*

Calder doesn’t even look at his parents.

He just stares coldly at Ella.

Ella grows increasingly anxious and scared.

*”Brother Calder, what’s wrong? I’m Ella, the sister you swore to protect forever. You’re scaring me looking at me like that.”*

*”Ella? Perhaps we should call you by your real name… Lucy.”*

Hearing that name, Ella flinches violently.

She mutters, *”How is that possible?”* and collapses to the floor.

*”Won’t admit it? Then let everyone see the truth.”*

*”I love you, Ralph… From now on, I am the most revered goddess of Asgard.”*

Ella lets out a savage scream, clutching her painful chest, struggling to stand.

Eldric looks at the reflection, trembling with rage.

*”Ella! Oh, wait. Now we must call her Lucy.”*

Lucy regains her composure and puts back her pitiful mask, begging frantically.

*”No, that’s not what it looks like! Father, Mother! I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to survive! I’ve given my whole heart to this family! For the past two years, I’ve truly considered you my family!”*

This time, Eldric doesn’t fall for Lucy’s lies.

He slams his scepter on the ground and banishes Lucy forever.

*”Shut up, you filthy murderer! In the name of the gods, I banish you! I condemn you to the Ginnungagap Abyss, to repent forever… in endless hunger and cold.”*

Two divine guards rush over and roughly drag Lucy’s limp body out of the hall.

Only her piercing pleas echo in the space.

How pathetic.

We cast out an innocent Evelyn for a murderer.

We are the biggest fools in all the realms.

That wicked Ella… no, now we must call her Lucy, is finally punished.

My parents and brothers discovered what Lucy did.

After learning the whole truth, they banish her to Ginnungagap.

Her luxurious, exquisite dresses are now as ragged as dishrags.

Her exposed skin is covered with cold burns and dirt.

This is the punishment she deserves.

*”Get out, you lonely monster!”*

However, a despicable person like her will never admit fault.

She blames all her crimes on me.

She hates me for leaving the Whispering Seashell, and hates my brother Glorian for exposing her identity.

But she completely ignores the fact that she killed the real Ella with her own hands.

She is the one who stole twenty years of false glory with lies and blood.

*”Hedlin!”*

*”You damn bitch. If you hadn’t left that damned seashell, Calder and the others would never have abandoned me.”*

*”Right now, I should be the most worshipped goddess of Asgard, doted on by three brothers, not trapped in this hellhole.”*

But it seems she finally has a chance to get revenge on me.

Two divine servants are discussing my schedule.

*”Did you hear that the newly returned Supreme Goddess Hedlin was injured?”*

*”Huh? Didn’t she just return to Odin?”*

*”I heard… her divine power hasn’t fully merged with her new divine body, so her divine soul is extremely unstable.”*

*”The temple guards say she’ll secretly go to the Divine Spring… at the border of Asgard in a few days to heal.”*

*”The water there can soothe her fluctuating divine power.”*

She overhears their conversation.

An extremely sinister plan forms in her mind.

She wants to drag me to hell with her.

*”Evelyn, since you’ve stolen everything from me, I’ll drag you down to hell with me.”*

*”I’ll make Calder, Oliver, and Cyril watch their precious sister die, right at the hands of this imposter.”*

—

I sit in my cloud chariot. Because my soul and divine body haven’t fully integrated yet, my aura is a bit chaotic.

Suddenly, I feel the air ripple with unusual waves, and a faint purple mist with a foul stench spreads out.

*”Watch out!”*

I call out a warning.

In a second, two divine servants collapse into the rubble, unconscious.

A sinister, twisted smile appears on Lucy’s haggard face. She looks like an evil spirit crawling straight out of hell.

*”Oh, look at the almighty, noble Supreme Goddess. You can’t even stand steady.”*

She glares at me maliciously, her eyes filled with uncontrollable madness.

*”Evelyn… ah, no, I should call you Goddess Hedlin now. Long time no see.”*

*”Long time no see, Lucy.”*

*”Don’t call me Lucy! I am Asgard’s goddess, Ella!”*

That name is like a sharp needle, stabbing into Lucy’s tense nerve.

She suddenly reaches out, grabs my long hair, and yanks my head back.

*”Feeling sleepy? This is a gift I went to great pains to find for you.”*

*”A hallucinogenic herb that can put a divine soul into an eternal sleep.”*

Lucy pulls out a bundle of herbs, radiating a strange purple light, and presses it to my face.

Inhaling that strong smell, I lose all my strength and collapse limply at her feet.

Then she drags me like prey, toward the ruins deep in the canyon.

*”Go to sleep. When you wake up, I’ll show you a grand play I’ve painstakingly prepared. A play you will never, ever forget.”*

I am taken hostage by Lucy.

She ties me up in the rubble of the old temple.

She stands beside me, running her fingers along the cold stone pillars. A sick, manic satisfaction dances in her eyes.

As if she wants to skin me alive.

*”You’re awake? Don’t rush. I’ll call the actors for our grand play right now.”*

*”Calder, Oliver, Cyril! Want to save your precious little sister Evelyn? Come watch her die. Last chance.”*

She really wants to call Calder and the others to witness my death.

I have to admit, Lucy was born to be a villain.

Soon enough, Calder, Oliver, and Cyril are at the old temple.

Seeing me tied up, they look extremely worried.

It’s a look I used to see in Asgard, but it’s been a long time since I last saw it.

*”Dear brothers. You came so quickly. It seems you really can’t let go of your precious little sister, can you?”*

*”Lucy! Let her go. What do you want? Divine position? Power? All of Asgard’s resources, we’ll give them to you.”*

Calder and the others frantically try to convince Lucy, begging her to release me.

But Lucy’s madness exceeds their imagination.

There’s no way she’ll let me go that easily.

*”Such touching promises. Too bad. I prefer listening to Evelyn’s last breath.”*

Actually, hearing their words only makes her press the dagger closer to me.

The cold dagger is at my throat. A trail of bright blood immediately seeps out.

Calder stares at the blood on my neck, consumed by uncontrollable rage.

*”How ridiculous. Look at your faces. Now you remember to treat me like a sister? It’s too late! You didn’t say this when you kicked me out of Asgard… like trash.”*

*”Lucy! Listen. Just let Eva be safe, and we swear we’ll compensate you a thousand times over.”*

*”Yes, we’ll give you the highest privileges of a goddess. We swear on our divine status. Put the knife down!”*

I coldly watch them beg Lucy, trying to stabilize her mentally.

I just find it amusing.

They still think I’m that poor little sister… who depends on them, who can’t live without them?

*”Oh, listen to these sweet vows. But I’m not a three-year-old child. Do you really think I’d believe that?”*

Lucy’s eyes immediately turn cold and venomous like a snake’s. Her hand tightens on the dagger.

*”The moment I release her, you’ll turn around and tear me into a hundred pieces with the most brutal magic. Won’t you?”*

*”No, we—”*

*”Absolutely not!”*

*”I don’t believe a single word! Since you can’t forget your precious little treasure, perfect. I’ll make you live in a nightmare for the rest of your lives. I’ll make you watch your beloved sister… die right before your eyes, while you almighty, great brothers stand there helpless.”*

Lucy has completely lost her mind.

*”Go to hell!”*

She puts all her strength into stabbing the dagger toward my heart.

Driven by her extreme madness, Lucy’s dagger plunges straight into my heart.

Calder, Oliver, Cyril… my three good brothers roar in despair, desperately rushing forward.

But they’re too far away.

They can’t save me.

Just like they couldn’t stop my sacrifice before.

They’re completely powerless.

But that’s okay.

I’m not as weak as I used to be.

My father is Odin, the supreme god.

My brother is Glorian, the God of War of the Supreme Divine Realm.

My people today will not let themselves be slaughtered… like in the past.

My real brother, Glorian, lands steadily beside me, holding the Sword of Eternity.

Yes, now I have a brother to protect me.

I don’t need my old brothers anymore.

My brother will take me home.

He will protect me and will never break my heart.

*”Let’s go home. This place stinks of disgusting hypocrisy. One more second here makes me nauseous.”*

*”No, Evelyn!”*

*”Goddess Hedlin, please give us another chance to explain.”*

Calder and the others still want to justify themselves, but to me, it no longer matters.

I have decided to start a completely new life.

—

My bedchamber is truly magnificent.

Countless jewels are piled high like mountains.

I… look at them in amazement.

*”Father, Brother, that’s too many gifts. And each one is incredibly precious.”*

*”My daughter, you are our most precious little princess. You deserve the finest things in the world.”*

*”Brother is right, Hedlin. If you want, I will pluck… I will pluck the entire starry sky for you.”*

These words, someone once said to me.

*”But Hedlin, my dear sister, please rest assured. I, Glorian, swear in the name of the God of War: I will spoil you forever. This love will never fade.”*

I can no longer contain my emotions.

I step forward and hug Glorian tightly, feeling the very real warmth radiating from him.

My father also pats my shoulder comfortingly.

*”You foolish girl. This place will always be your home. From now on, no one will ever make you shed a single tear again.”*

*”Look, brothers, these are the crystals I made for you with my own hands. We’ll be together forever! Hahaha!”*

*”I pushed Evelyn away with my own hands… I deserve to die. I truly deserve to die…”*

*”These eyes… she gouged them out to give to me. And I… what have I done?”*

*”She’s in the Supreme Temple, where we can never reach her. She’ll never look back at us again.”*

Goodbye, Calder, Oliver, Cyril.

Goodbye, the me who used to be Evelyn.

My past is buried here, at this very moment.

And my present and future will bloom brilliantly, from this moment on.