Chapter 11
The Two Who Met Again
Sara’s condition only continued to worsen. According to the physician, she would have to remain bedridden for several days.
When the doctor saw her body covered in wounds, he was horrified. But Diana calmly lied, saying it was nothing more than injuries from a simple fall, without even blinking.
Three days passed like that.
Meiri skipped meals and took care of Sara day and night without rest.
“…Miss, I hope you get better soon…”
Sara’s condition was even worse than before, and Meiri was deeply worried. She gently wiped the sweat from Sara’s forehead.
“….”
Meiri, a girl a few years younger than Sara, was an orphan with no parents.
The day Sara first found her, Meiri had been wandering the slums, eating scraps from piles of trash.
Even as insects swarmed around her, she was eating just to survive. Watching her, Sara must have felt a sense of kinship.
Sara brought her to the count’s estate and allowed her to work as a maid. Thanks to her, Meiri finally became “human” again.
For Meiri, Sara was not just her master—she was family, a friend, and a sister.
“Mei…ri?”
“Miss! You’re awake?”
Thanks to Meiri’s devoted care, Sara’s fever had finally gone down, and she slowly regained consciousness.
Seeing Meiri’s worried face, Sara smiled faintly.
“…Thank you, Meiri.”
Her voice was weak, as though she had no strength left.
Meiri shook her head.
“It’s nothing I need thanks for! Ah, you must be hungry. I’ll bring you something light to eat—something easy on your stomach!”
Sara grabbed her.
“I’m okay…”
But Meiri was already gone before she finished speaking, rushing out in a hurry.
Sara let out a small laugh at her energetic maid and slowly moved toward the window.
I’m still alive… even today.
“….”
She carefully touched her body.
Most of her wounds had healed slightly thanks to medicine, but faint scars remained on her arms and legs.
Sara bit her lip hard. Tears quickly welled up in her reddened eyes.
Once scars formed, her skin would never be clean again.
“….”
Her teeth ground together.
She reached for the necklace around her neck.
She wished it would break.
But the necklace was so solidly made that it showed no sign of damage.
Instead, it felt even more unbreakable.
Sara sighed and began searching the room for something heavy or sharp.
“Miss!”
The door suddenly opened. Meiri rushed in.
“Meiri, what is it?”
“Ah, Miss… there’s a guest in the annex reception room.”
A guest?
Sara responded indifferently.
“It probably has nothing to do with me anyway. Where’s the dessert? You came back empty-handed, huh?”
Meiri shook her head violently.
“No, Miss… It’s from the Marquis Dayburn’s estate!”
At those words, Sara’s previously dull eyes lit up.
“The Dayburn Marquis? You mean Sir Dayburn?”
“Yes! I heard it myself while they were speaking quietly!”
He came.
Cassian came here?
Why?
Sara tilted her head, then recalled what happened days ago.
[“Please think of it as because of this handkerchief.”]
He really came. He actually came.
He came back to see her.
A smile naturally spread across Sara’s face.
There was no time to waste.
She needed to meet him, talk with him, and change the future.
And maybe… become friends again.
Sara spoke with a brighter expression than before.
“I should go. First, I need to wash up… and change clothes. Meiri, help me.”
“Miss… can you go with your eyes like that?”
Right. Her eyes must have returned to normal since she couldn’t use her ability.
Sara’s expression darkened instantly.
If she walked through the mansion like this, the servants would be horrified by her eyes—like she was a monster.
“….”
But if it was Cassian…
Somehow, she felt like he might understand even her eyes.
“I’m scared.”
“….”
“But I still want to go.”
Sara smiled softly at the thought of seeing Cassian.
Seeing her expression, Meiri could no longer stop her—and ended up smiling as well.
The first to hear about the guest from the Dayburn Marquis family was Lady Diana.
She quickly silenced several maids so Sara would not find out, then headed straight to the reception room.
“Oh my, Sir Cassian Dayburn! I never expected you to visit again so soon.”
“Lady, I am honored by your welcome.”
Cassian gave a polite noble bow and a gentle smile.
At least this should be enough to appear proper, he thought, hiding his irritation.
“I will have tea prepared. But may I ask what brings you here?”
Diana smiled behind her fan, observing him carefully from head to toe.
Cassian Dayburn, eldest son of the Dayburn Marquis family, was a mysterious figure in high society.
Rumors of a peerless handsome man and a once-in-a-century sword genius followed him everywhere.
Wealth and prestige.
The Dayburn Marquis family possessed both—making them a highly desirable connection.
Diana had only ever heard rumors through noblewomen.
She never imagined she would meet him in person.
If she could build ties with him, it would bring no loss.
Diana smiled with hidden greed.
“I would have prepared properly if I had known you were coming. What a shame.”
Cassian observed her.
Beautiful, yes—but completely fake.
“Ah, it’s nothing important,” he replied vaguely, sighing inwardly.
‘…How boring. I don’t have time to play along with her.’
He had come all this way, yet the one he wanted to see wasn’t here.
Instead, he was stuck with someone entirely unpleasant.
He needed to find Sara immediately.
“Oh my, how fortunate.”
Cassian frowned slightly.
What is this woman talking about?
Diana continued in a sweet, overly familiar tone, ignoring his thoughts.
“Our daughter has been wanting to see you. She kept praising you so much… I even got a little jealous.”
At the word “daughter,” Cassian finally looked at her properly.
“…Really?”
Sara… wanted to see him?
A strange warmth rose in his chest.
Then he immediately frowned, confused by his own reaction.
“Yes,” Diana nodded proudly.
If Beria married into the Dayburn family, it would be a dream.
A union between noble houses was only natural—and a powerful alliance would be an honor.
“Oh ho ho.”
Diana was already lost in her fantasies, unaware of Cassian’s thoughts.
Different minds, same space—truly a mismatch of intentions.
“Since you’re here, she said she would come over right away. Such an improper child, isn’t she?”
Cassian turned toward the door.
Sara was coming.
His heart started to beat faster.
Of course it did—it was only natural.
Cassian stood up without realizing it, staring at the door.
“Oh my…”
Diana smiled, satisfied by his reaction.
They looked like a perfect match already.
“Come in.”
Knock, knock.
A soft knock sounded.
The door opened.
Cassian quickly straightened his clothes.
It had been days since he last saw her—he was strangely nervous.
What should he say?
He cleared his throat.
“Cough…”
He lifted his head with anticipation.
“I am honored to meet you. I am Beria Tresha.”
But what appeared…
Was not Sara.
It was a stranger.
