Chapter 4
Although it was clear that no one would pay attention to her, Nayeun, unnervingly frightened, dashed back toward the inn.
She grasped the door handle at the inn’s entrance, ready to step inside.
But she didn’t want to return to her room so abruptly.
Glancing around, she noticed that despite being close to the promenade, the area around the inn was quiet.
If not the promenade, then so what? As long as I can feel the breeze.
Cautiously, making sure not to run into anyone, she began to walk in search of a peaceful spot.
Following the outline of the building, she found a flat, low rock behind the inn.
From the spacious clearing, where empty carts and firewood were scattered, it was clear that few people passed by.
Climbing up onto the rock, Nayeun sat down, taking a deep breath and letting the wind wash over her.
The air here was much fresher and cleaner than in the world she had lived in.
The sky felt higher, too. The color seemed similar…
Thud-thud—tears fell onto her knees.
Comparing the two worlds, she realized how long it had been since she’d stepped outside like this.
Nayeun felt a pang of self-reproach for having spent every day cooped up at home, crying.
She hadn’t appreciated the simple, ordinary freedom of moving through the streets.
‘Maybe coming here is meant to wake me up from how foolishly I’ve lived. Mom, Dad… you must’ve been worried looking down at me from the heavens.’
Biting her lip, she tried to hold back her tears.
It’s useless to blame myself now.
Wiping her tears with her hand, Nayeun stood up with renewed energy.
“It’s fine. Let go of the past. What matters is how I live from now on.”
She resolved that, when she returned, she would live boldly and cheerfully.
With clear eyes reflecting the blue sky, she clenched her fists as if making a promise to herself.
Ruban, reading a report, tapped his fingers on the table.
He was displeased with how the proxy sent from the palace was handling things while he was away from Blayer.
Normally, he would have entrusted such matters to his most trusted subordinates, Adelion or Lemen, but the expedition was urgent, and everyone had to move together.
Even though he had mountains of tasks that required his personal attention, reports reached him that the town’s administrator was manipulating taxes and mistreating merchants.
“Stay a bit longer to handle the town’s affairs, and then deal with Inael…”
His thoughts naturally drifted to Inael as he planned the upcoming schedule.
From the first moment he saw her, she had been persistently on his mind.
Even when she was unconscious, he found himself thinking of her. The brief moments they spent together after she woke up were already etched deeply in his mind.
Her lips moving as she spoke, her small hands fidgeting when embarrassed, and those deep black eyes, so difficult to look away from.
Ruban stiffened, unconsciously brushing his lips with his hand.
“This is madness.”
Muttering with a serious expression, he was shocked to find his own mouth curving into a slight smile at the thought of her.
I need to get some fresh air.
He picked up a thin coat and left the room.
Lately, he had been visiting the nearby promenade on sleepless nights.
But at midday, the promenade was unexpectedly crowded.
He stopped at a distance, observing the throng of people.
I hate crowds. If I go in, everyone’s attention will be on me.
A frustrated sigh escaped him.
He considered going farther, but his hands were empty.
If Adelion knew he went out without his sword, he would surely scold him.
He had faced multiple armed spies barehanded countless times, yet still worried about this.
He despised crowds, and he especially despised Adelion’s nagging.
Tsk. With a light click of his tongue, he turned back toward the inn.
At that moment, his gaze fell on a small figure hiding behind a stone pillar.
Could it be…?
Ruban’s eyes sharpened at the obviously suspicious behavior.
—Could she be a spy sent by the enemy?
Adelion’s warning from the forest rang in his ears.
She could be a spy… Maybe she even suspected me.
Even in his recent conversation with Inael, he hadn’t trusted everything she said.
Her expressions shifted with every question, her voice trembled, and her words trailed off.
She had looked suspicious, as if struggling to tell an unfamiliar lie.
Then why…?
A faint, chilly smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Perhaps, from the very moment he first saw her in the forest, he already knew the reason.
He had simply refused to accept it because it seemed impossible.
“Pathetic…”
The feeling that surged whenever he thought of her was undeniably desire.
To feel desire for a woman he had only just met…
He tried to rationalize it with other reasons, but there was only one answer: he was foolishly infatuated.
He had always thought stories of men falling for women at first sight were ridiculous… and now he realized he was that foolish man.
Standing there, staring at Inael, his eyes flickered.
She had seemed to head toward the promenade, then quickly hurried back to the inn.
Ruban silently followed.
If she were a spy from the enemy, he would deal with her without hesitation.
As always.
Making a cold judgment, he tore the button from his collar in frustration, feeling the rising tension.
He watched Inael’s movements with a sharp gaze.
But then, a crack appeared in his stern expression.
Contrary to his suspicion, Inael had simply perched on a rock behind the inn, enjoying the wind for a moment before tears began to fall from her eyes.
Why was she so sorrowful?
She bit her lips tightly, shoulders shaking as she cried.
Then, abruptly, she stood up and murmured softly, almost inaudibly,
“It’s fine. Let go of the past. What matters is how I live from now on.”
Clenching her small fists, she strode boldly back into the inn.
Ruban’s eyes lingered on the spot where she had disappeared, filled with a strange mix of emotion.
Quietly opening the door, Nayeun peeked her head out and rolled her eyes around.
Seeing the empty corridor, she smiled faintly and descended the stairs with quick, light steps.
“Miss.”
Startled by the call as she reached the first floor, she looked and brightened, waving her hand.
“Roziana!”
Roziana, who had become close to her, approached cheerfully and set down the basket of groceries she was carrying.
“Going out again today? You must really like the promenade.”
“Yes, the breeze was so refreshing.”
“Still, wear a coat. It gets chilly when the sun sets.”
“I’ll just be out for a short while, so it’s fine.”
Smiling at Roziana’s concern, Nayeun glanced at the baskets on the floor.
“Should I take these to the kitchen?”
“Yes, these are the ingredients we’ll use for tonight.”
“They look heavy. I’ll help you carry them.”
Before Roziana could protest, Nayeun grabbed the handles of the baskets, looking a little flustered.
But Roziana simply picked up the other basket and led her to the kitchen.
“If it’s too heavy, you can put it down. I can manage on my own.”
“Oh, no, it’s not… huff. Heavy at all…”
The baskets scraped along the floor, failing to stay suspended in her hands.
Anyone watching might think they were carrying boulders.
Roziana bit back a laugh at Nayeun’s struggles.
“You can leave them here.”
Nayeun set the baskets at the kitchen entrance, her arms trembling.
She couldn’t believe Roziana had carried these with ease.
“Thank you for your help. Oh, your face is red. Would you like something to drink?”
“No, I’m fine. I’ll be going now. Have a good day, Roziana!”
Despite her cheerful farewell, Nayeun staggered out of the inn.
Watching her go, Roziana smiled warmly.
At first, it had been difficult to interact with someone so guarded and quiet.
And, as someone appointed by the Grand Duke to watch over her, it hadn’t been easy.
Yet in just a few days, she had grown bright and affectionate, and Roziana found her endearing.
“I’ll make sure tonight’s meal is perfect.”
Rolling up her sleeves with determination, Roziana lifted the baskets and entered the kitchen.
Heading behind the building instead of the promenade, Nayeun took the cookies she had brought in a handkerchief, broke them into small pieces, and scattered them on the ground.
She stepped back and sat on a rock, and almost immediately, birds flew over to eat the crumbs.
“How cute.”
A soft smile appeared on her face as she watched the small birds cluster and peck at the cookies.
Suddenly, the shadow of someone looming spooked the birds, and they all took off with a flurry.
Startled, Nayeun shivered and turned her head.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.”
A man stood a short distance away, having apparently been there unnoticed.
Seeing her tense, suspicious reaction, he smiled awkwardly and stepped closer.
Nayeun hurriedly stepped down from the rock and retreated slightly.
“Oh, don’t be afraid. I’m just a traveler passing through this village. I heard the promenade by the inn is beautiful, so I was trying to go there… but I got lost.”
The man scratched his forehead in slight embarrassment and took one more tentative step toward her.
