The Heir's Secret: 1-9 Farewell

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The Heir's Secret

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Some people are destined to be passers-by in life, and she will not make futile efforts. Final moments are reserved for farewells, not to be squandered.

Info

Style: No dress-up component Required: Olive Goodwill Lv. 8 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Past Glory

Past Glory

Dialogue Choices

There are no dialogue choices in this stage.

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Doorkeeper: Master Langston!

• The doorkeeper recognizes Cyrus at a glance.
• She is now taller, and her facial features have become more defined with time.

• Doorkeeper: Mr. Walter has been waiting for you.

• Langston: Got it.

• The Duke's residence remains the same as it was two years ago, and even the servants have not changed.
• But Cyrus can feel a change in the atmosphere the moment she steps through the door.
• The huge compound now feels lifeless, giving the impression that death can arrive at any moment.

• Mr. Walter: Master Langston, you're back.

• Langston: It has been a while, Mr. Walter.

• Walter's face shows no sign of joy.

• Mr. Walter: Mrs. Melly has been waiting for you.

• Cyrus can't shake the feeling of unease. She casts her eyes downward, bracing herself for what's to come.

• Langston: Let's go.

• Cyrus opens the door, and the pungent smell of medicine hits her nose.
• Despite the broad daylight, the bedroom is shrouded in darkness and an eerie silence. She can't help but wonder if someone is living here.
• As her eyes adjust to the dimness, she finally sees the woman nestled in the bed, with a gaunt face that protrudes sharply even at the cheekbones.

• Langston: Mrs. Melly...

• The bed creaks softly, accompanied by a hoarse, aged voice.

• Mrs. Melly: Master Langston, you're back...

• Cyrus strides forward and leans over Mrs. Melly's bed.
• If it were in the past, Mrs. Melly would have solemnly bowed her head and reminded the youth of her identity with meticulous care.
• But now, the simple act of reaching under the pillow causes her chest to heave dramatically, gasping for air without pause.

• Langston: Let me help.

• Cyrus finds a brass key under the pillow.
• Perhaps it has been placed here for a long time, waiting for her arrival, so long that it has even absorbed the warmth of human touch.

• Langston: Is this for me?

• Mrs. Melly manages to nod, her gaze clouded yet filled with intense determination.

• Mrs. Melly: The box...

• She raises her quivering arm to point at the locked compartment on top of the cabinet, its lock covered with rust.
• Cyrus takes out the key, inserts it into the lock, and the cabinet door opens with a sound.
• A thought fills Cyrus' mind, making her heart race.
• Cyrus goes back to Mrs. Melly's bedside to verify her suspicions, only to find that she has already closed her eyes.
• Has Mrs. Melly been stubbornly holding on to her terminally ill body, waiting for her?
• The youth can no longer care about rigid rules and strict hierarchy. She takes Mrs. Melly's hand and presses it against her cheek.

• Langston: Mrs. Melly, I miss you very much.

• She leaves the room silently, unaware of the tear that has slipped from the corner of Mrs. Melly's eye.

• When Cyrus was very young, she often wondered about her mother.
• However, Mrs. Melly's warning and Mr. Walter's silence point to one fact—her mother is a taboo topic.
• Despite this, Cyrus is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.
• The past that has been deliberately concealed is far crueler than she ever imagined.
• The Olive family weathered countless trials and tribulations for three centuries, demonstrating an unshakable resolve in the face of adversity. However, the unexpected accusation of treason ended their legacy.
• As time marches forward, the legacy of the Olive family is now preserved only in the faded ink of dusty manuscripts.
• The true nature of the Olive family remains a mystery.

• Cyrus steadies herself before opening the box.
• As she lifts the lid, her eyes fall on a painting tied with a silk ribbon.
• With trembling fingers, she carefully unwraps it.
• The lady in the painting is stunningly beautiful and graceful, with light blue eyes and a gentle smile on her lips.
• But what's most striking is her fiery red hair that curls like flames.
• Cyrus reaches out to touch the painting, feeling a deep longing and a sense of loss.

• Langston: Mother...

• She finally sees what her mother looked like.
• She doesn't blink, trying to commit every shade of color and stroke to memory.
• Tears begin to well up from the strain.
• One drop falls onto the paper, smudging the words at the bottom.

• Langston: Demeter Olive.

• Cyrus wipes the stain away with a shaky hand, afraid of damaging the fragile painting.

• Langston: It's all my fault.

• She notices a yellowed letter in the box.

My dearest daughter,

It pains me deeply to see you grow up in these circumstances, but your grandfather and I had no other choice.

I had hoped that being a child of the Olive and Langston families would being you nothing but joy and privilege, but sadly, reality proved to be much harsher than my dreams.

A traitor appeared in the Olive family. Although my father removed the traitor, he couldn't save us. Three centuries of glory vanished in an instant. Those who had received our kindness wouldn't lend a hand, while our enemies wanted us to fall from grace. Even your father distanced himself from us. If your twin brother had not died, you would have had someone to rely on. But there are no "ifs" in this world.

I cannot imagine your bleak future if your father remarries and has a new heir.

We chose to conceal your true identity to protect you from harm. It's entirely up to you whether you choose to embrace this life in the future.

As your mother, all I want is for you to be happy and healthy. If being the Langston family's heir brings you closer to that goal, then use it for your advantage. But if the weight of the secrets and the burden of being an heir becomes too much to bear, know that you have the freedom to let them go.

I wish I could be there with you to shield you from the world's cruelty and teach you to live life on your own terms.

But my time is running out.

• Langston: Live life on your own terms...

• Cyrus' mind is racing with a flurry of thoughts as she reflects on her journey.
• She remembers the guidance of Mrs. Melly, the teachings of General Levy, her father's warnings, her conversations with Saoirse and Arturo, and even her fleeting encounter with the elderly woman and her granddaughter.
• With the knowledge and experiences she has gained, she realizes how privileged she is.
• Fate has led her to her current position, and perhaps she can achieve more than most people can.

• Langston: Thank you, Mother.

• Exhausted from the journey, Cyrus falls into a deep sleep while holding onto the scroll.

• The Tara Kingdom has always had a tradition of celebrating with their families on the last day of the twelfth month, to welcome the new year.
• During the day, people participate in outdoor celebrations. As the evening sets in, they return to their homes and perform prayer rituals, surrounded by laughter and joy.
• However, the Duke's residence remains unusually silent as the staff diligently prepares for the long-awaited return of their master, Hernando Langston, who has been away for three years.
• Standing at the front of the crowd, a small child in formal attire exudes a serious expression, but it barely masks her bubbling excitement.
• The child speaks in a hushed tone to Mr. Walter, who is standing behind her.

• ???: Is it true that Father is coming back today?

• Mr. Walter: Yes, and once the war ends, he can stay home with us for a long time.

• Despite her strict upbringing, she's just a child. Her face lights up with joy at Mr. Walter's words.
• She clenches her chubby little fist and stands even straighter.
• She knows she can't disappoint her father.

• Not a single person can be seen on the wide road from dawn until dusk.
• The child stands outside the Duke's residence on this frigid day with a bright red nose, freezing from the cold.

• Mr. Walter: Master Langston, please get some rest.

• Mr. Walter: I will send someone to notify you when the Duke arrives.

• ???: No, I want to stay.

• Mr. Walter lets out a silent sigh.

• As time passes unnoticed, the exhaled breath condenses into white in the air. The sound of orderly marching outside the door gradually becomes audible, growing louder and closer with each passing moment.
• As the child looks from a distance, a towering figure in armor, riding a fully armed warhorse, comes into view at the front of the formation.
• The figure's resolute dark eyes convey the wisdom of one who has seen many battles, while his face bears the ruggedness of a life spent on the front lines in the North.
• He embodies every image of a brave warrior that a child could dream of.

• ???: (He must be my father!)

• The child's eyes are shining with pride.
• As the procession comes to a halt in front of the Duke's residence, Walter and his entourage bow to greet the Duke.

• Mr. Walter: Welcome back, Duke Hernando.

• Hernando nods in response and shifts his attention to the child.
• Hernando looks at his child with a scrutinizing gaze, as if they are strangers meeting for the first time.
• And in fact, they are, since he wasn't present at the child's birth.

• Duke Hernando: Cyrus Langston.

• The child stands up straighter, as if she knows her father is calling her name.

• Duke Hernando: This will be your name from now on.

• A resonant tolling breaks the youth's reverie, returning her to reality.
• Whose funeral bell is it?
• Mr. Walter: Master Langston, Mrs. Melly, she...

• After Mrs. Melly's funeral, Cyrus leaves Leto.
• Mr. Walter insists she brings an entourage with her, and Cyrus doesn't refuse.
• She's always cautious and aware of the value of her life, having learned that being reckless once is enough.
• For Cyrus, surviving is the key to unlocking endless possibilities.

• Cyrus returns to the familiar camp and is greeted by an excited Tobi, who is eager to see her owner.

• Langston: Tobi, you've recovered well.

• Tobi: Neigh!

• She dismisses her servants and heads to Saoirse's house with Jenny and her gift.

• Langston: Saoirse, I've come as promised.

• Saoirse: Welcome back.

• Saoirse takes Jenny's reins while Tobi eagerly breaks free from Arturo and runs to Cyrus' side.

• Saoirse: How was your journey?

• Langston: It went smoothly, thank you.

• Saoirse: You've changed since I last saw you.

• Langston: Do you think it's a good thing?

• Saoirse: Definitely! You seem more focused and determined now.

• Langston: Yes, I've discovered my goals along the way.

• Saoirse: That's great to hear! I wish you all the luck in achieving them.

• Langston: I should apologize to Father.

• After instructing someone to take Tobi to the stable, Cyrus walks to her father's tent.

• ???: It's my fault for not doing a good job.

• Duke Hernando: It's not a bad thing to go through some trials and tribulations.

• The conversation coming from the tent makes her stop in her tracks.
• Soon, the curtain of the tent is lifted, and a strong figure appears.
• Seeing Cyrus, he pauses for a moment.

• ???: Greetings, Master Cyrus.

• Cyrus nods in acknowledgment and stares at his back as he leaves the tent.

• Langston: (He looks like the one who helped me at the outskirts of Sierce.)

• Finally, she has the answers to the questions that have been weighing on her mind.
• Why was she able to leave the military camp smoothly? Why did someone help her when bandits were chasing her?

• Langston: (Father must've had a part in this.)

• It all makes sense now—Hernando knew what decision Cyrus would make.

• Langston: Father, I'm here for my punishment.

• She remembers his warning before leaving.
• Military deserters must face punishment.
• Hernando remains silent, noticing the fire in his child's eyes burning brighter.
• A report written by the servant who secretly protected Cyrus lies on his desk.

• Duke Hernando: You may report back to the squad.

• There will be no punishment this round.
• The youth looks up in surprise and meets the gaze of her usually stern and impartial father.
• She doesn't notice anything unusual.

• Duke Hernando: Silly child.

• Duke Hernando: Did you think it's that easy to leave my camp?

• His brows remain tightly knitted, and his face stern with anger.
• But to Cyrus, that's merely a façade.

• Langston: (I know it was you who let me go.)

• Cyrus wanted to say this but changed her mind at the last minute.

• Langston: Father, I'll report there right away.

• Hernando is not a loving father, but he needs an heir.
• Cyrus is a qualified heir, but she's not Hernando's "son".
• They'll never get along like father and son.
• It's probably for the best that they never cross the line between superior and subordinate.