The Elven Duke Reluctantly Marries The Cursed Lady - Chapter 62
Violette landed on the floor in her cat form. She looked like she had many questions she wanted to ask.
She did not turn into a cat while she was under the illusion and after it was broken, but the curse was activated when I touched her again.
What in the world does this mean?
[Until now, I… have always turned into a cat as soon as any man touches me.]
Her father Syran, her brother Rogie, the butler Orchid, and the evil merchant Tritoma Celsia.
No matter which man it was, Violette’s curse activated each time a man made contact with her.
[The curse might not have activated while the illusion was active.]
“If that’s the case—”
I’m not entirely sure if I should just tell her upfront. But it’s not in her best interest if I keep it from her. Besides, this is only just a guess.
Hydrangea spoke up after clearing his throat.
“Then your cat shifting is not a curse but is something that you have cast on yourself.”
[Wh-what!? I-I know no such spell!]
Magic could not be cast if a person did not have a proper grasp of magic.
Moreover, it was impossible for a mage to use high-level magic that involves transformation if they only knew little magic.
[It’s unthinkable for me to cast any magic on myself.]
“I think so too. But what if—”
But for Violette who possessed a vast amount of mana, there was… one possibility.
[What is it?]
“It’s possible that you might have inherited your knowledge of magic from your past life.”
[M-my past life!?]
After a soul dies, a being called God purifies it of everything that makes up the person such as personality, magic, sins, and knowledge, leaving the soul in a brand new state. They then send them off to live a new life.
This process is called “reincarnation”.
Ordinarily, a baby is born as a different person from its previous life and the mana it possesses is inherited from its parents.
“On the other hand, babies born by way of reincarnation magic retain information, mana, and memories of their past lives upon birth. This process is called the cycle of rebirth.”
[Rebirth, reincarnation… So the past life’s memories and power are inherited through magic?]
“Yes, indeed.”
[That’s… impossible. I am me, and I have no such recollections of a past life.]
If she has no recollection of her past life, then there is no way that she would have any subjective symptoms. Besides, Violette’s high mana levels, knowledge of magic, and adaptability, all of which are unusual, would make sense if she were a reincarnated person.
But another interpretation of the mystery surrounding Violette emerged.
“But what if Tritoma Celsia, who is far older than you, is related to your past life that’s why he’s so attached to you?”
[!]
Was the mage connected to Tritoma Celsia the one responsible for Violette’s reincarnation?
I’d like to explore that possibility too.
Violette looked listless. The possibility that she would be the cause of such a detestable curse came to mind. It was understandable that she would be shocked.
“It’s all just guesswork on my part. It’s best not to think too much about it yet.”
[But—]
Violette tapped her tail against the floor in a show of frustration.
[So you are saying that I turned into a cat not because of a curse but a weakness…?]
“No, you’re wrong. You tried to protect yourself by becoming a cat. You have used it like a shield, so to speak.”
[A shield…?]
“Violette, are you afraid of your father and older brother?”
[That’s—-]
Violette’s eyes widened just as she was about to deny it.
It seems I hit the nail on the head.
[I-I—…..!]
“Don’t force it.”
It was a feeling familiar to Hydrangea.
“I was also afraid of my father when I was a child.”
Hydrangea’s father was a fiercely strict man, both to himself and to others.
When he taught him magic, he was sometimes beaten with a whip if he was slow to understand and was even made to skip meals.
[So you also had such a moment in your life.]
“Do I look like someone who’s had it easy throughout their life?”
[Y-yes… I’m sorry. I am aware that nobody is that perfect.]
“Don’t worry about it. I’m used to being treated like a monster.”
Even when he solved a case by studying and researching to produce the proof, he was told that it was only expected because he was an elf.
But it did not mean that he was born with knowledge and education just because he was an elf. It was all because of his hard work that he had achieved such a result.
“I heard that my father was treated in a similar manner, but since his personality was the very picture of arrogance, he never cared whether people called him a demon or a monster.”
Deep down, Hydrangea respected his father, but he had left before he could honestly admit it.
“Looking back, I wish I had talked more with him.”
Like his father, Hydrangea also served as the commander of the Magic Division at a young age and was often envied and scorned. He had always wanted to ask his father how he got through it when they were the same age.
“But it’s too late now.”
Hydrangea suddenly came to his senses. He was so affected by Violette’s dejected state that he found himself telling her so much about his past. He felt a little embarrassed as he had never told anyone about these things.
“I must be boring you.”
[Not at all. Rather, I feel like I’ve gotten closer to you.]
So even Hydrangea had been a child, Violette mused.
Even though he had long ears and had a wealth of knowledge when it came to magic, Hydrangea was no different from the next person. He was not as special as others thought.
Violette straightened up and began to talk.
[Would you listen to my story?]
“Are you sure you’re alright with it?”
[Yes.]
She told him about her family bit by bit.
[Truth be told, I was more afraid of being hated by my family and servants than anything else.]
Because of the cat curse, she could not go out and was unable to marry.
In such a situation, she was afraid that one day she would be considered a burden.
[My own little world only consisted of my father, older brother, and a handful of servants after all…]
Not wanting to be disliked, she abandoned her appearance as Violette. Is that why she turned into a cat?
I’m still not sure, but her magic must have activated whenever she was afraid of someone. Maybe her selfishness was her way of showing affection.
In the absence of her mother, Violette must have lived with such complex feelings.
When he looked at Violette, she returned it with a strong gaze. She appeared to have come to a realization of her own.
She no longer looked depressed.
[I’ve always hated this useless feline form, but now that you’ve told me that this was a shield, I feel like I would come to like it.]
Violette’s voice was brighter than ever as she said this. Hydrangea was dazzled by her strength.
