“Episode 1”
The carriage rattled along. Ray, as a habit, nervously bit her nails, while her brother, three years her senior, was immersed in a shanty song, an unusual choice for him. It wasn’t his usual tune but a favorite in Wenchis’ slums, revealing their current dire situation.
“No need to worry; we’ll be going back.”
“……”
“Not going to answer? You seem depressed, like something significant happened.”
Something significant. Ray wanted to ask. A neighboring country disrupted by war, resulting in a noisy environment, the ensuing economic downturn, a father gone leaving only debts, a mother recovering in the countryside from the shock, and a brother duped after an attempt to overcome adversity. Thanks to all that, they found themselves in a situation where even distant relatives cast them away. If this isn’t something significant, then what is?
“If we wrap things up well this time, I’ll ensure you live like a lady. Settle the debts with relatives, and your mother will be able to walk proudly again. Do you understand, Ray?”
Ray stopped biting her nails, anticipating that her brother might slap her soon. Instead, her gaze wandered outside the carriage. Her brother, Heish, seemed satisfied even with this small triumph, mocking her with ease.
“By the way, for someone from a prestigious family, why did you settle in a rural mansion? It’s absurd. It’s like a farmer turning dung into a welcoming atmosphere.”
“Heish.”
“I’m just being honest. You have to acknowledge what’s true.”
“Don’t say such things in front of those people.”
“Who do you take me for? You’re the problem, acting all high and mighty, but everyone lives like this behind the scenes. Fine. Illiterate country bumpkin, incapable of learning anything.”
Illiterate country bumpkin. Among the insults thrown at Ray, that one hurt the most.
“And whose fault is that, Heish? If you hadn’t teased the tutors you brought home, I would have learned everything by now.”
“Blaming others again. Instead, blame your ignorant mind. With that time, you could’ve learned at least ten foreign languages.”
His eyes were ominous. One more word, and he might have slapped her. Unjust, if not painful, these moments of holding back tears occurred every day or two. Ray, as usual, asked with only her lips.
“The weather is disgusting. There’s nothing pleasing at all.”
It had been raining since a while ago. Ray liked the sound of rain, opening the window to enjoy it, but after Heish’s comment, she closed it. Not because it was frightening, but because it was dirty. Heish, treated as the eldest son and growing up with preferential treatment, hated responding to questions. Even the late father, who had never raised his voice, might have scolded him at some point. Of course, Heish remained the same, and Ray bore the brunt of the harm.
Thud. The carriage was abruptly shaken. As soon as Heish realized the change in the carriage’s attitude, he became sulky. The courteous attitude of the coachman, once proud of being a noble, crumbled upon learning about their ruined family. To add to that, he shamelessly demanded extra fare, using the excuse of the difficult road. Heish complained like an irritated ox, but with no alternative, he reluctantly agreed, just nodding along.
“It seems like we’ve arrived.”
Only then did Heish look outside properly. There was a road inside the dense forest, but it seemed too narrow for the carriage to enter. Moreover, it was raining. In a situation where they couldn’t expect a warm welcome, various worst-case scenarios crossed their minds.
“Hey, let’s go further inside and get off there. We can’t walk in the rain with luggage.”
“Isn’t it because of the gentleman’s circumstances? Where else can the carriage go in?”
“What?”
“Whose fault is that, Heish? If you hadn’t constantly mocked the home tutors you brought, I would have already learned everything.”
“Blaming others again. Instead, blame your ignorant mind. With that time, you could’ve learned at least ten foreign languages.”
His eyes were ominous. One more word, and he might have slapped her. Unjust, if not painful, these moments of holding back tears occurred every day or two. Ray, as usual, asked with only her lips.
“The weather is disgusting. There’s nothing pleasing at all.”
It had been raining since a while ago. Ray liked the sound of rain, opening the window to enjoy it, but after Heish’s comment, she closed it. Not because it was frightening, but because it was dirty. Heish, treated as the eldest son and growing up with preferential treatment, hated responding to questions. Even the late father, who had never raised his voice, might have scolded him at some point. Of course, Heish remained the same, and Ray bore the brunt of the harm.
Thud. The carriage was abruptly shaken. As soon as Heish realized the change in the carriage’s attitude, he became sulky. The courteous attitude of the coachman, once proud of being a noble, crumbled upon learning about their ruined family. To add to that, he shamelessly demanded extra fare, using the excuse of the difficult road. Heish complained like an irritated ox, but with no alternative, he reluctantly agreed, just nodding along.
“It seems like we’ve arrived.”
Only then did Heish look outside properly. There was a road inside the dense forest, but it seemed too narrow for the carriage to enter. Moreover, it was raining. In a situation where they couldn’t expect a warm welcome, various worst-case scenarios crossed their minds.
“Hey, let’s go further inside and get off there. We can’t walk in the rain with luggage.”
“Isn’t it because of the gentleman’s circumstances? Where else can the carriage go in?”
“What?”
“In plain words, if I knew it was such a remote place, I would have demanded more extra fare. Honestly, be thankful that we came this far.”
“Say that again. Taking the money and eating by pulling a carriage in such a place…!”
“It’s because of this carriage that we came this far, isn’t it? I’ll unload the luggage, so figure it out yourselves.”
The infuriated coachman tossed their belongings to the ground. Heish, who ran towards the bag tumbling in a muddy puddle, followed by Ray, then got off the carriage one after another.
“Do you still think you’re a noble lording over commoners? A penniless young man like you.”
In the face of ridicule unimaginable in the past, Heish was furious, but the carriage had been running away for a long time.
Raindrops pouring relentlessly. A difficult entrance narrowing the street. Difficult baggage for the two to carry. Ray felt a chill in her slightly damp clothes.
“I’ll grab him now and pluck out his eyes!”
At this rate, even if Heish and she both died suddenly, it wouldn’t be surprising. Ray approached Heish, who was still leaping like a locust, holding the precious bag.
“At least, let’s move what we can ourselves. We can ask for help from inside if needed.”
“You’re ignoring me! How dare you ignore me, a noble who lords over peasants!”
“This won’t solve the problem by just shouting here! Let’s go inside first. If we keep this up, both of us will get sick.”
“This darn thing! Just watch. Just you wait and see!”
With eyes rolling in frustration, Heish only took a couple of bags, not particularly valuing anything more than his clothes. For Heish, who cared about his appearance, there was nothing more precious than his attire. Therefore, the letter from their grandmother, valuable items, or the dishes handed over as gifts—all of these belonged to Ray. The siblings exchanged glances. In Heish’s case, it was due to his bad temper, and Ray kept quiet to avoid unnecessary trouble.
The rain was merciless, making their heavy bodies damp and the sole remaining pair of Ray’s shoes pitiful. The belongings of Heish, who was supposed to look more gentlemanly than anyone today, were nothing more than those of a stable boy. From the moment they found a carriage, their luck had been unfavorable, and if they weren’t kicked out like this, Heish considered it a stroke of good fortune.
“I’m not the kind of person to be like this here! Just crumpling my clothes for nothing!”
Heish’s words mixed with the rain and wind sounded muffled. Ray, who sighed unknowingly, slowed her steps.
“Heish.”
“What!”
“It seems like we’re all here.”
Heish hesitated for a moment, catching his breath. The mansion was more magnificent and luxurious than he expected. The imposing walls covered in vibrant rose vines and even the flags fluttering in the strong wind exuded dignity. Heish, who had come to think of it as a rural lord’s residence, naturally felt burdened.
“Heish.”
“I know, I know. Don’t rush me!”
The grand door that was gently knocked on was easily pushed open, like a friendly guide. There was no gatekeeper to stop them. Bewildered, Heish took the first step, and Ray followed, glancing around.
Entering the mansion, the siblings strolled along the flowerbeds soaked in rainwater. The well-kept grass indicated the touch of human hands, yet the mansion itself was dark and old-fashioned. Busy with preparations for the owner’s dinner, the mansion, lacking vitality, seemed to be immersed in a deep sleep.
“Hey. Is nobody here?”
Both siblings became uneasy at the same time. Standing in front of the only door with a candlestick, they shook the lion-carved doorknob as if about to break it. Heish, who was about to fall, had no intention of going back like this. At least, he wanted to take a peek at the owner’s face; that much was settled in his mind.
“For heaven’s sake! Nobody’s here!”
“Heish, could we have come to the wrong place?”
“Open up! Open, I say! This is ridiculous! We emptied our entire fortune to come here…!”
Creak. It was the sound of the rotten wood scratching the floor. Soon, the tightly closed door opened, and a stern-faced old man peered out.
“Who are you.”
A voice cold enough to block speech. Raised eyebrows as if bothered. At a glance, the old man seemed to dislike unexpected guests.
“I’m from the Riesben family, Heish. I’ve come to meet the lord of this place. Where is the letter…?”
“I’ve never heard of the lord. Please leave.”
Trying to close the door with hostility, the old man, finding the intruders odd, glanced at Ray.
“Heish.”
“I know, I know. Don’t rush me!”
After a rather awkward silence, the old man spoke. His eyes still fixed on Ray.
“Come in.”
“Thank you.”
“Indeed, let’s see. Is there anyone inside?”
Both siblings became uneasy together. Heish, who was pushed away halfway, had no intention of turning back. At the very least, he wanted to see the owner’s face.
Ray gave Heish a subtle glance, but his inherently oblivious and shameless nature prevailed. Instead, he loudly demanded extra clothes and a bath, completely disregarding any sense of propriety. Ray’s face turned warm just thinking about speaking.
“Miss.”
“Yes?”
“Do you need a bath or extra clothes?”
Contrary to the initial impression, the old man carefully observed Ray’s complexion. It felt oddly uncomfortable to Ray.
“First, may we meet the lord?”
“Through that passageway?”
“Then, could you please hand over the letter first?”
Just as the smooth sound of clinking glass reached their ears, the aroma of a meal being prepared flowed down the stairs and even reached Ray’s wet shoes. Ray’s mouth instinctively watered. The leather squeaked pitifully, and her gaze naturally moved toward the upper floor.
Water gathered beneath Ray’s feet. Water droplets falling from the tips of her hair gently passed through her chest. Ray felt someone’s gaze. It came from the shadow barely leaning against the railing on the upper floor, depicting a lavish meal.
“Master.”
The man, with a glass in one hand and lips stained with it, looked directly at Ray. His gaze roamed from the damp blonde hair to the ankles trembling with cold. Ray felt a shiver each time raindrops fell from the edges of her skirt. Their eyes met after that.
“Master, Heish from the Riesben family. And…”
The old man turned to Ray and spoke slowly.
“Ray Riesben.”
“We’ve brought a letter.”
The old man carefully handed over the received letter to the master. The man remained on the upper floor, and the siblings were positioned to look up at him.
“Elliott Wester.”
The first words he uttered after quickly scanning the letter.
“Our late uncle’s name. He passed away last year. There was some connection with this family in the past, and they helped us.”
Heish, who roughly wiped off the water with a towel, eagerly explained.
“Our family is going through a bit of a difficult time, and my sister and I are looking for a temporary place to stay. It may be sudden, but would you allow us to stay for a while? Of course, we won’t forget your kindness. The Riesbens have been…”
“But.”
The man awkwardly touched his throat.
“Is your sister engaged?”
Surprised, Heish stuttered, and in the meantime, the man leisurely descended the stairs. The shadow cast by the railing exposed the truth. The man’s stature was unexpectedly giant, and the area around his sharp pupils was particularly yellow. It was eyes that could belong to a beast rather than a human. It wasn’t surprising that Heish sat down weakly.
“Does she have one?”
He now asked Ray directly. While gently sweeping back her hair with pointed fingernails, he oddly focused on Ray’s lips.
“No.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
The man chuckled faintly. The laughter barely perceptible to Ray came from being close to him.
“Stay.”
“…”
“As long as you want.”
More surprised than Ray was Heish. He thought it would be difficult for even a week. The man’s hospitality, not specifying the duration, was unexpectedly generous.
“Th-thank you. But may I ask for your name…”
Ignoring Heish, who got up listlessly, the man replied, looking at Ray.
“Claudan Casiel.”
The greeting was succinct. Ray, now holding onto the edge of her wet skirt, felt an odd desire to leap into the man’s arms immediately.
Strange.
Wanting to jump into the arms of a man she just met.
Her lower abdomen tingled, and her spine felt cool. Ray bit her inner cheek hard. Maybe this would bring her back to her senses. Shaking her head slightly, she lifted her face.
The man’s eyes were still fixed on her.
