“Tessa?”
Startled, Roxana instinctively put on the mask she was holding. While she hesitated, unsure of what to do, the man approaching her in swift strides wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
“It’s been a while, Granny Tessa.”
The slightly excited voice reached her ears. There was only one person who could roam around this place so freely, this late, in such an unguarded state.
Curtis.
Roxana’s body stiffened. His arms, wrapped tightly around her from behind, left her breathless. She caught a whiff of him—faint alcohol, cold wind, grass, and a hint of sandalwood. Curtis released the hug, circled around, and crouched in front of her to meet her gaze.
“Why aren’t you smacking me on the head? Don’t tell me you’ve mellowed out with age.”
He spoke with the affection of someone whining to a beloved grandmother. Roxana, frozen, stared at the man in front of her. That mischievous, boyish, warm smile—
So different from the one that had once whispered coldly, “You don’t deserve to be happy, Roxana.”
Same man. But it was like he was wearing someone else’s face.
“You still won’t talk to me? So what if I stole some gold and trinkets at the end? I gave it all back. Double, even.”
A big dog with its tail tucked low—that’s what he reminded her of now. Her hand moved on its own. She reached out, brushed back his hair, and cupped his cheek. He closed his eyes like a puppy, savoring the touch.
“I thought you’d never want to see me again.”
“……”
“You used to say only monsters worse than beasts would kill people.”
Gone was the sharp, hawk-like voice. Instead, a boyish, bright tone rang like a melody. A fragment of the boy she thought long lost.
Ten years.
It had been ten long years. Years of deep resentment, an unbridgeable gulf between them.
“Granny…”
His voice snapped her back. As if burned, Roxana quickly pulled her hand away. Curtis, disappointed at the loss of warmth, plopped down on the ground and placed a hand on her knee.
“You came after reading my letter. That’s enough. I won’t be upset anymore.”
His eyelashes were long and thick, oddly elegant for a man. Combined with flushed cheeks and the haze of alcohol, he looked languid—almost seductive.
“Anyway, there’s something important I need to say.”
He murmured as he reached toward her face.
“But first… why don’t you let me see that expensive face of yours?”
“Your Grace.”
Just as Curtis was about to remove the mask, a soldier approached. Distracted, Curtis turned away—giving Roxana the chance to leap to her feet and flee.
—
Running with everything she had, Roxana didn’t encounter a single person on her way back. Once inside her room, she slammed the door and collapsed against the wall, legs trembling.
Seeing that face again… had shaken her.
It was like spotting a long-lost treasure in someone else’s hands—something you thought you’d given up on. A deep sense of loss swept over her, and she closed her eyes tightly.
“…What is he thinking?”
It made sense that he hated her. Her father had killed his parents. Her family had taken everything from his. So of course, it was only right that he wanted to take everything from her in return. Her head understood—but her heart ached. Memories of their childhood—once like golden fragments—were now sharp shards stabbing into her chest.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself, when a grumpy voice came from beyond the door to the adjoining room.
“What’s with the noise?”
Frey had woken up. She rarely slept deeply, so any sleep she did get was precious. Roxana, quickly regaining composure, quietly opened the side door.
“I’m sorry, my lady. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Where were you?”
“There was a gypsy performance tonight.”
“…I see.”
Frey’s expression faltered for a moment before returning to its usual coldness. Under the dim moonlight, Roxana noticed the shift and gently approached the bed.
“Did you want to see the gypsies, my lady? If you’d said something, I would’ve taken you.”
“What’s the point? I can’t see anything.”
“But you can still feel the atmosphere. There were talking birds and snakes that danced to flute music. Don’t you want to hear them?”
She looked ready to prepare for an outing immediately. Frey turned her back, lying down again, and shook her head.
“I don’t need that stuff. You go enjoy it.”
Even if she had gone, it would’ve only deepened her sense of loss. She used to be the most adored girl in the South. She didn’t want anyone to see how far she’d fallen.
“I’m going to sleep. Leave.”
“My lady.”
Normally, Roxana would’ve left quietly. But this time, she whispered gently.
“It’s not your fault that you lost your sight.”
“I know that.”
“You’re still so lovely and beautiful.”
“…I know that too.”
“Actually… I think you’re kind of cute.”
“What?”
Frey turned around in shock, ready to lash out. She wanted to shout ‘How dare you!’ but the tremble in Roxana’s voice stopped her.
“…Are you crying?”
“I’m not.”
A lie. Her voice was thick with emotion.
“Liar. Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I can’t tell.”
Clearing her throat, Roxana changed the subject.
“It just hurts to see you living like you’re guilty… when you’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Are you drunk?”
“My lady.”
Now that she mentioned it, Frey could faintly smell alcohol. Then she felt arms wrapping around her.
“Hey!”
“My precious lady…”
“Let me go…”
She tried to push her off, but Roxana was stronger. Frey gave up, going limp in her arms. Roxana gently but firmly spoke.
“You’ve done nothing wrong. You’re the most beautiful and lovable person I’ve ever met. A little mean, maybe.”
“……”
“I don’t want you to keep hiding away. When someone hides, people start making up reasons to blame them.”
“…Roxana.”
“Anyway… I’m really sorry.”
It had been a long day full of emotional turmoil. Now that the tension was gone, exhaustion took over. Roxana collapsed face-first onto the bed.
“Roxana?”
Frey blinked in disbelief. The maid had drunkenly ranted and was now passed out in her lady’s bed.
“Are you seriously trying to get kicked out?”
Finally—a flaw. Frey had been waiting for this chance to have her removed. If she told Robert, that would be the end of it.
“I’ll show her a lesson—”
“…Sorry…”
Just as she reached for the bell pull, her hand hesitated… then dropped.
“…Whatever. I’m too tired to care.”
It was really just fatigue. Nothing more. Frey muttered as if to convince herself and turned her back. Just before drifting off again, Roxana’s voice echoed in her mind—
“I don’t want you to keep hiding away.”
—
“At the festival?”
The next day, Curtis couldn’t believe his ears. He even questioned whether this girl in front of him was really his sister.
“You want to go to the festival, Frey?”
“Yes. I do. I’m already past the age when I should’ve debuted.”
“Frey…”
His worried voice called her name, as expected. Frey replied firmly.
“Brother, I’m fifteen. I’m not a child. Lots of girls my age are already married.”
“But…”
The social scene was full of sly foxes and cunning wolves. For someone as naïve as Frey, it would be a dangerous place.
“I think it’s best you wait for another opportunity. Instead, how about a diamond necklace? Or a pet?”
“Brother.”
She’d known he’d resist. Frey glanced back, aware that Roxana stood behind her. She’d already said it out loud—no turning back now.
So she played her final card.
“You’re not… ashamed of me, are you?”
“Lady Frey!”
Robert, horrified, jumped in.
“You mustn’t say things like that!”
“I’ll allow it under one condition.”
Curtis cut Robert off and looked straight at Roxana, who was quietly lowering her gaze. He must’ve known who’d put this idea in Frey’s head.
Sensing the weight of his stare, Roxana slowly lifted her eyes. The moment their eyes met, she quickly looked away. Curtis felt a strange irritation twist inside him.
“If you can learn to dance perfectly within five days.”
It was an almost impossible condition. Robert and Roxana went pale. How could a blind girl learn to dance in five days?
Frey’s face, too, turned pale.
“What…?”
“You’re not one of those people who enjoy tripping over their partner or stepping on dresses, are you?”
It was a brutally sarcastic jab. While Robert and Roxana exchanged anxious glances, an invisible spark lit between the siblings.
