Chapter 02
The Unknown Man
“……This tastes awful.”
A few days later, Sara walked through the market, tearing into a piece of dry bread as she chewed, her expression rough and displeased.
“Ugh… it still stings.”
Each time she bit down, her cheek—still not healed—throbbed with pain. She touched it lightly, wincing.
After speaking with Derek, the Countess seemed to have calmed down and no longer demanded that Sara revive the flower.
Instead, she ordered her to go to the market and buy the exact same one.
Sara could revive as many flowers as she wanted.
But out of spite toward Diana, she refused to do it.
Why should she?
“……”
As she walked absentmindedly, a gentle breeze brushed past her, causing her golden hair to sway softly.
She adjusted the long strands that reached her chest and enjoyed the wind.
When she lowered her gaze slowly, her long, thick eyelashes came into view. Her pale, smooth skin and full red lips gave her the appearance of a noble lady who had never once done a day of hard work.
She carried an elegant and refined aura—like a noblewoman raised with love from birth.
A perfect lady.
At a glance, she seemed graceful and dignified, the kind who would never utter a harsh word—
but her personality was nothing like that at all.
As Sara opened her eyes, she could feel the gazes of the young men around her—sticky, lingering, almost suffocating.
…So obvious.
She knew exactly what those looks meant.
But she didn’t spare them even a glance.
With a slightly aloof smile, Sara turned sharply and walked forward confidently.
“Let’s go, Meyri.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The market was crowded with people.
It already felt like it would be a long day, and Sara looked tired before it had even truly begun.
That flower was the Countess’s favorite.
There was no way it could be found in an ordinary market.
This wasn’t the first time Diana had tormented her like this.
Sara should have been used to it by now.
She would just waste some time, return, say she couldn’t find it—
then endure a few beatings and go hungry.
It was nothing new.
“Meyri, did you find anything similar?”
Meyri shook her head.
Among all the servants, she was the only maid who treated Sara kindly.
“Hm… where could it be? If we don’t find it today, the house will be in chaos. Don’t you think so?”
Seeing Sara’s already exhausted expression, Meyri gave a faint smile.
“My lady, why don’t we look a little more? If we still can’t find it, perhaps we can explain it to the Countess.”
Sara nodded.
Still, there was almost no chance they would find it in a place like this.
The flower had been imported from another country—something only a woman obsessed with luxury like Diana would possess.
She had known that from the start.
The order wasn’t meant to be fulfilled.
It was just another way to torment her.
Sara knew it—but still came to the market anyway, just as the Countess wanted.
“…Meyri, you’re always so calm. Alright, let’s keep looking.”
Though realistically, the chances were extremely low.
It was a dull, meaningless way to spend time.
She was about to suggest they go back home—
when suddenly—
Crash!
A loud noise and a piercing scream erupted from a nearby tavern.
“What was that…?”
Turning around, Sara saw a commotion inside.
Merchants and townspeople began murmuring.
“….”
A fight?
At that moment—
Bang!
The wooden door burst open violently.
People nearby stumbled backward in shock.
But Sara and Meyri merely stepped aside calmly, watching without much reaction.
Inside, it seemed a serious fight had taken place.
The door swung open—
and a man carrying a large bundle came running out.
Soon after, a merchant rushed out after him, shouting desperately:
“My goods! That lunatic—! Please, someone catch that thief!”
His voice was cracked with anger.
He limped as he ran, blood dripping from his thigh.
Sara sighed as she watched the man sprint toward her.
Meyri grabbed her hand anxiously and shook her head.
“My lady. Don’t.”
“……”
Sara nodded.
Even without Meyri stopping her, she already knew.
There was nothing to gain from getting involved.
“Move! Get out of the way!”
The rough-looking man shouted as he charged toward them, swearing.
Sara’s eyebrow twitched.
Anyone else would have stepped aside in fear—
but Sara didn’t move.
“Move, I said!”
She smiled faintly.
Lowering her gaze, she noticed a branch and a stone on the ground.
Her eyes flickered.
At the same moment—
a subtle gust of wind pushed the branch and stone into the man’s path.
Unaware, the man tripped—
and fell miserably.
“Argh!”
“My lady!” Meyri gasped, realizing what Sara had done.
Sara shrugged.
She knew she’d get scolded—but she couldn’t help it.
Honestly, he deserved it.
“That’s what he gets. Stealing is wrong.”
“But still…”
“Let’s go, Meyri.”
Satisfied, Sara turned away with Meyri.
But then—
“AAAGH!”
A horrific scream echoed behind them.
Crack.
The unmistakable sound of something breaking followed.
“Aaaagh! Ugh—!”
The chilling sound sent shivers down Sara’s spine.
Meyri looked at her again, wondering if she had done something—
but Sara shook her head.
That wasn’t her.
She turned back—
and froze.
What… is this?
“Stealing from others… isn’t that a bit too careless? You should apologize.”
A man had appeared out of nowhere.
He held the thief by the neck with one hand, speaking calmly.
“P-Please! Spare me! Please—AAGH!”
Despite his harsh tone—
his expression was as calm as a still lake under the night sky.
“……”
The man tossed the thief to the ground like baggage.
The hesitant merchants finally approached.
What is he…?
Sara could immediately sense it.
This man was not like ordinary people.
Meyri tugged her wrist, urging her to leave—
but Sara couldn’t move.
“….”
The man slowly rolled his wrist, scanning the surroundings with cold eyes.
He was tall—at least a head taller than most.
Broad-shouldered.
Intimidating.
Standing at the center of the chaos—
his emerald-blue eyes finally turned toward Sara.
They locked eyes.
Neither of them looked away.
It was overwhelming.
After a brief silence, he spoke.
“…Heterochromia?”
His voice was clear—as if only the two of them existed.
Sara stiffened.
His gaze felt like it saw through everything.
Then, brushing back his black hair, he muttered:
“If that’s true… then that race still exists.”
“Race?”
He turned away, as if uninterested.
Sara stood frozen.
“My lady, are you alright?” Meyri asked anxiously.
But Sara couldn’t answer.
She had never told anyone—outside her family—about her eyes.
If others found out, it would bring shame upon the family.
So under Diana’s orders, she had always disguised them as ordinary brown.
But this man—
had seen through it instantly.
And spoke of a race.
Sara’s eyes trembled with unease.
Fear crept in.
Her chin quivered slightly.
Slowly, as if entranced, she began walking after him.
“H-Hey! Wait!”
“My lady! We need to go!”
Ignoring Meyri’s panic, Sara hurried after the man.
Maybe—
just maybe—
he knew something about her.
About her origin.
About her real parents.
Even if it was foolish—
she couldn’t ignore it.
“Hey—wait!”
She finally caught up and grabbed his arm.
The moment she touched him—
Zap!
A sharp, electric pain shot through her body.
“Ah!”
Her hand burned.
She bit her lip.
What… is he?
She had never heard of a man like this.
He stopped and turned.
His eyes were cold—like a blade given form.
Killing intent radiated from him.
He was definitely not human.
And yet—
maybe—
he knew.
Maybe he knew where she came from.
Maybe he knew her parents.
Even if it was reckless—
curiosity overwhelmed fear.
“My lady!”
Before Meyri could stop her—
Sara reached out again.
The moment she grabbed his wrist—
a piercing headache struck her.
Her mind rang—
and a fragment of memory flashed within her.
“KYAAH!”
