Papa continued his story after a long period of no response from me. He again emphasised that the situation at that time was very difficult, it felt like there was no other choice that could be done. Moreover, Mama looked increasingly depressed with various other difficulties that came one after another.

Papa said that his first meeting with Xavier was not like the book references he found, everything went smoothly without any strange requests asked by him. Xavier only asked Papa to promise to fulfil one of his requests someday.

Not long after his meeting and agreement with Xavier, Papa's life slowly began to change. Job offers from various large companies, projects that were always successfully done, even Papa had his own company which of course automatically raised Mama's social class back then.

However, it turns out that this is the cunning strategy of a Xavier intended by the book. He would first make the victim comfortable and dependent on him, then he would ask for a reward at the end that the victim would inevitably have to fulfil.

''What reward did Xavier ask Papa for?''

Papa seemed to be surprised at my sudden question, his previously calm face lowered.

''Xavier asked for your sister,'' he said later while grasping Mama's hand.

''Big brother?'' Again, my heart was surprised by the new fact that Papa told me, even though all this time I thought that I was an only child.

Papa nodded.

''Then where is sister now? Did Xavier take her?

''I don't know where your sister is, he suddenly disappeared just before Xavier arrived.''

What kind of surprise is this? Why is Papa now saying that sister just disappeared? In fact, Xavier hasn't even had the chance to bring her. Gosh... what exactly has happened to my family in the past? Why is everything this complicated?

''Was it that incident that caused Xavier to get angry and curse me?''

Papa shook his head. ''Xavier was very angry at the time because he thought we had broken the agreement with him, but what you are experiencing now is not part of his anger or punishment.''

''So it wasn't Xavier who cursed me? Then who did? And what does this curse have to do with that witch? Why did I have to be mated to her?''

Another surprising fact was revealed by Papa to answer this question. Papa told me that after the disappearance of their first daughter, Xavier asked for something else as a substitute which Papa was lucky to be able to fulfil at that time even though it almost cost him his life.

When I asked what Xavier asked for as a substitute, Papa refused to explain and only said that at that time they were very lucky because Xavier was willing to forgive and let them go.

A new problem arose when Mama gave birth to me. I had a strange disease that was very difficult to cure. All the best treatments were tried to save at that time, but it was all in vain. In fact, my condition seemed to be getting worse by the day, and again made Mama depressed because she was afraid she would lose her daughter again.

In a moment of despair at the lack of results, Papa again asked Xavier for help to cure me, and the wizard was again willing to grant it.

However, there was a difference from before when Xavier asked for a reward at the end after his help was given. This time, he directly stated the conditions at the beginning that would be the reward for him later.

The witch said that she would come to get me when I was old enough to be his wife, and implanted that strange symbol as a shield to keep me away from people who came near, as well as a sign that she was coming soon.

I really don't know how I feel now after hearing all the stories Papa told me. I don't know who should be responsible and to blame for this problem that has already happened. Is it Papa and Mama who used the wrong method to save my life, the foolish Xavier who granted their request with unreasonable conditions, or even myself who should not have survived and lived in this world.

''Thank you for telling us everything, Allena will go to room now.'' I got up from the sofa, then ran towards the exit without looking back despite Mama's repeated calls to try and stop me.

Brukk!

In my haste and not paying attention to the road, I accidentally bumped into a waitress which resulted in the entire tray of fruit she was carrying falling all over the floor.

''Forgive me.'' I picked up some scattered fruits, then handed them back to the woman in the black and white uniform. ''Are you okay?" I said then while touching her shoulder.

''I-yes. I isn't...'' The maid's sentence was cut short as she suddenly collapsed before me, her face also slowly turning red as if burnt.

''Maid! What the...''

''Sorry, Miss. Let me do it.'' cut in Mike who had suddenly appeared with some other servants.

''What happened to her, Mike? Why did she suddenly become like that?" I asked frantically as the butler prepared to lift the woman up.

''Mike, you know what to do, right? Hurry up and save that maid now before it's too late.''

I was startled as I turned my head to hear the alto-pitched voice of the only man in the house just now. Papa. It seemed like he was called by the servant at the back who accompanied him.

The panic and cluelessness of the situation immediately increased when Papa intervened, because so far only certain emergencies had made the servant dare to call Papa in his study.

''Allena, you have to come with Papa now.''

I followed Papa back into the room that I had just left a few minutes ago, and sat down in the same place as before. Only there was no Mama in the room anymore, probably retreating to the garden as she usually did when she was sad.

Mama... I'm sorry.

''Allena, this is why Papa forbade you to touch Mama that time,'' Papa said softly, almost inaudibly.

''W-what do you mean?''

''The symbol.''

My heart, which had not been beating steadily since before, became even harder to control now that I heard that word again. ''Is this what caused everyone's attitude to change, Pa? Everyone will experience the same thing as the maid if I touch her?''

Papa nodded, then looked down after seeing me. ''Yes, Xavier doesn't allow anyone to touch you after the appearance of the symbol. That was one of the contents of the agreement we made before healing you.''

What? So I can't touch anyone now?