“How about taking Lady Frey out for a change?”
“What?”
“Forgive me, my lord, but there’s not a soul in the South who doesn’t know she’s blind. That said, she can’t stay locked inside this castle forever.”
Indeed, being blind was not a crime. A blind person was no criminal. But sometimes, curiosity and pity could be more poisonous than anything else. Frey was like a glass doll—fragile, delicate, his little sister whom he had to protect, always hidden close to his heart.
“It’s too soon.”
Curtis flatly refused and waved his hand to dismiss the visitor. Robert sighed inwardly and turned back before exiting.
“By the way, what should I do with the request for entry?”
“Approve it. The outer gate can close a little later. Leave some guards stationed. But no outsiders are allowed inside the inner fortress.”
Picking the document back up, Curtis added,
“Except for the one in the white mask.”
—
Frey’s stubbornness could put the strongest ox to shame. Even after Roxana successfully got her to eat, Frey would wipe her mouth with a napkin after just one bite, acting unpredictably. Roxana dealt with her like a mother bird feeding a baby chick.
“If you just eat this one last bite, I won’t ask for more. I promise.”
“Why should I? Who do you think you are? Getting cocky just because you cooked a few meals?”
People don’t change easily. Being touched by food wouldn’t suddenly alter Frey’s personality or character. Roxana hadn’t expected much, but even so, the sharp retort drained some of her energy.
“You’re right. I’m nobody. But you, my lady, are the one and only precious daughter of the Duke of the Borderlands. You need to stay healthy so you can live a long life, enjoy good food, and see beautiful places.”
“What’s the point of beautiful places when I can’t see? Are you mocking me for being blind and trapped in this castle?”
Frey, enraged, flipped over the food.
“Ahh! Roxana!”
Alice, who had brought the food with her, rushed over. Roxana, now covered in stew, calmly wiped her cheek with her hand.
“You okay?”
Alice, flustered, handed her a handkerchief. Roxana nodded in thanks and used it to wipe her cheek, nose, chin, and neck, then gently addressed Frey.
“It’s all right, my lady. The food had already cooled. You knew that when you flipped it.”
“Knew what? You should’ve gotten burned. Then you wouldn’t be around anymore.”
“I know you didn’t mean that.”
“…You’re really annoying.”
Listening to them, Alice shook her head. She’d thought Lady Frey was the most stubborn person she’d met, but Roxana was on another level. It felt like watching an unstoppable spear meet an immovable shield.
“I’m sorry if I forced you to eat when you didn’t want to.”
“If you’d just taken it away sooner, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I’ll bring something even tastier next time.”
“Just take it away and leave. I’m going to sleep now.”
“Then let me get your bed ready—”
“Get out!”
Frey screamed at the top of her lungs, and Roxana and Alice were practically thrown out. Alice tiptoed, fearing Frey might hear and cause more trouble. Only when they reached the kitchen could they finally breathe again.
“I swear, I can still hear her yelling in my ears.”
“She certainly has a loud voice.”
“How can you stay so calm? I thought I misheard you when you offered to prep her bed.”
“It’s my job.”
Roxana shrugged and dipped her finger into the leftover stew, tasting it. It wasn’t under-seasoned or too salty. Maybe Frey just wasn’t in the mood to eat today.
“Roxana, aren’t you scared of Lady Frey?”
“Scared?”
“Yeah. You could get slapped or worse, end up punished by the Duke.”
“She’s difficult, but not scary.”
“What?”
“She’s like a pretty, sensitive cat.”
“A cat?”
Honestly, Roxana preferred these hectic days over her previously monotonous life. Sometimes, she flinched when she saw Frey, whose face reminded her of Curtis. But unlike him, Frey was still a pure-hearted girl. Roxana wanted to be the eyes and hands that guided her. It was the only way she felt she could atone.
“You’re out of your mind.”
Alice muttered as Roxana quietly began washing dishes. Alice, still stunned, shook her head.
“I thought you’d run away crying after a few days… you’re tougher than I thought.”
“Hm?”
“Nothing. Forget it.”
Alice smiled and turned back to her chores.
Just then—
“Roxana! Alice!”
The back door flung open, and a maid named Kessie rushed in—she had grown close to them since they saved her little sister.
“Did you hear? There’s a Fairy Festival tonight!”
“Oh, right! Is it that time already?”
Alice clapped in delight, tossing aside her rag. Her face flushed like Kessie’s.
“Fairy Festival?”
“Oh, right. You’re from out of town.”
Realizing that, Alice and Kessie exchanged knowing glances.
“You’ve got no idea, do you? You’re in for a treat tonight, miss.”
The “Fairy Festival” was the visit of a gypsy troupe.
They traveled the country, performing dances, songs, and tricks. Their visit, once a year, was a joyful celebration. In peaceful times, most welcomed the gypsies. They stayed briefly, shared exotic sights, and only asked for some food and coin in return.
“Look at those outfits! Their bellies and limbs are showing! Where do they even find clothes like that?”
“Look at their smooth skin. They must use potions from witches or something, right?”
“That monkey’s waving at us!”
Leading ornate wagons, the dusky-skinned, scantily dressed gypsies paraded into the inner castle. People lined the roads, waving like it was a parade. In the chaos, Roxana lost sight of Kessie and Alice.
“Kessie? Roxana?”
Bumped around by the crowd, Roxana found herself alone. She brushed off the dust and stood up—just in time to spot something rolling on the ground.
“Did one of the gypsies drop this?”
It was a white mask. Aside from two eye holes, it completely covered the face. A black cloth in the back even hid the hair.
“Excuse me!”
Roxana shouted, but the music and cheering drowned her out.
She finally pushed through the crowd and reached the gypsies. Knocking on one of the wagons, she was met by a man in stage makeup.
“The white mask? Oh, that belongs to our leader.”
“Really? Where is he now?”
“Who knows. But hey, miss—are you free right now?”
The gypsy man grinned slyly and touched the end of her hair. Roxana flinched, but just then, a woman wearing a wig slapped his hand away.
“Cool it, you horny dog.”
“I was just talking. Not cheating.”
“Shut up. Anyway, miss?”
The woman shooed the man away and gave Roxana a once-over.
“Do you work at the castle?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect. The leader went there. You can return it directly.”
“Huh?”
“If we don’t get that mask back, there’s no performance tonight. It’s more precious than life to our old lady. Please take it to him quickly, okay?”
Startled, Roxana could only blink. The gypsy woman gave a frosty smile and slammed the wagon door shut.
—
Roxana had planned to return to the castle anyway. She wasn’t fond of all the noise and needed rest to care for Lady Frey in the morning.
“Did I just get caught up in something weird…?”
Sighing, she showed her ID and entered the inner castle. Intent on returning the mask and heading straight to her room, she wandered around looking for the leader. But strangely, there were fewer guards than usual, and the place was oddly quiet—most had gone to watch the gypsies.
“Where could he be…”
Her feet ached from walking. Eventually, she reached the zelkova tree in the central courtyard. A low swing for children hung there. She’d seen it before but never sat on it due to onlookers. Glancing around, she plopped down on the swing.
The mask she held was unlike any she’d seen—engraved with a mysterious symbol on the forehead. As she examined it closely, she heard someone approaching from behind through the grass.
A man was drawing near.
