This instinctive reaction had taken over her body the moment she saw her father.

Desperate to confirm that this was all just a terrible dream, she pinched her cheek hard. The soft sensation of her skin and the sharp pain that followed made it clear – this cursed situation was all too real.

“Seria! Are you not listening to what I am telling you?”

The count roared, his voice cutting through her swirling thoughts.

When Seria did not respond, the count pressed against her again, speaking in a more commanding tone.

The same blonde hair as Seria’s swayed in the wind, and his blue eyes fixed on her unflinchingly. Despite his soft voice, his gaze was intimidating, almost as if he were ordering her to come here immediately.

‘But… what if I go to my father now? What if that means I could return to the mansion…?’

The thick steaks served every night, the sweet cakes available whenever she wanted, and the drawers filled with countless jewels and dresses.

Seria’s heart began to race as memories of her life in the Count’s mansion flooded back.

‘What if I could really go back to the way things were…?’

‘I don’t need to wash my face with cold water every morning. I can wash my face with the warm lukewarm water the maids bring and lie down comfortably to take care of your skin. But for how long?’

Seria swallowed dryly as she looked at her father. Their eyes met in the empty space between them, and the count curved his eyes into a crescent and smiled benevolently. He was desperate – desperate to get Seria back on his side.

But just as when she had been cast out, Seria’s br*ast remained swollen, milk still leaking. This made her deeply uncomfortable.

‘As long as I’m producing milk… doesn’t that mean I’m destined to be cast out again one day?’

She had tried to ignore it, but it was an undeniable truth.

And on top of that, not only the knights of the Count’s estate, but also those of the Imperial Palace and other noble families are all around.

“What on earth is going on?”

Despite the Count’s desperate actions, Seria remained silent, showing no particular reaction. The longer she remained silent, the more Kashan felt a growing sense of relief. He desperately hoped that she would choose him over the count.

How long would this suffocating silence last? After what seemed an eternity, Seria, who had kept her lips sealed, spoke carefully, as if she had made up her mind.

“Father.”

“Yes, my child! It’s me, your father. I’m here. Do you see? My dear… You must have suffered terribly after being captured by these savages. Now let’s go home together, back to our family. Okay?”

As expected, the longer the count spoke, the stronger Seria’s feeling of rejection grew.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I… I want to stay here.”

The time to think was shorter than expected. Perhaps her rationality had faltered in the face of such an abrupt situation, leading her to make the wrong decision. But even as Seria spoke her refusal firmly, she felt no lingering regret or hesitation.

“Seria! Have you completely lost your mind? Huh? Or are you being threatened? That’s it, isn’t it? That wild brute by your side must be threatening you -“

“It’s not like that.”

“Seria!”

“If I were to return to the manor with you now… would we really be able to live happily ever after, like before?”

“Seria, what kind of ridiculous question is that? Of course we would!”

“Lies.”

He would leave her again.

Her father’s words were as deceitful as a serpent’s forked tongue. The more he spoke, the more his voice reminded her of the honeyed promises he had whispered before casting her off to the northern lands. The memory turned her stomach.

Back then, the count had used the same sweet tone to persuade her:

‘Go south for treatment. When you recover, you can return to the capital. I’ve arranged for the best doctor to look after you.’

And yet, as everyone knew, the result was this miserable condition.

‘I won’t be foolish enough to trust him a second time.’

Seria’s eyes, usually round and gentle, took on a sharper edge.

He’s only acting like this now because there are so many eyes watching.

Yes, when she thought about it, all the pieces fell into place.

She gave her father a sharp, piercing look and shook her head. At that moment, she felt utterly foolish for having entertained the slightest hope of returning to the way things had once been.

“Father, please go now.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Seria! Have you completely lost your mind? Right now you are…”

“There are many eyes watching,” she interrupted, her voice cold and emotionless. “I no longer have any desire to have a serious conversation with you at all. But you must know… I have many questions I’d like to ask you.”

Her words, spoken in a calm, detached tone, were not only pointed enough to be a threat, but also a genuine expression of her feelings.

From the moment she had seen her father, Seria had suppressed the urge to demand answers.

‘Why did you lie to me? Why did you leave me in the North? You said I was going south – so why am I here in the north like this…’

Seria bit down hard on her lip, forcing back the words that were rising to her throat. Emotions she couldn’t put into words overwhelmed her – betrayal, doubt and disgust.

Her already fragile shoulders trembled pitifully. Kashan silently pulled her into his arms, offering her quiet comfort.

“Are you all right?”

“Why did you do it?”

But even Kashan wasn’t spared her sharp arrows. With the same fierce glare she directed at her father, Seria began to demand answers from him as well.

“Why… why did you bring me here without a word? Why did you decide everything on your own?”

The more she spoke, the more tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. Her voice seemed to carry the faint tremor of a sob.

“…I’m sorry.”

Kashan murmured, bowing his head as if in shame.

But as much as he lowered his gaze, he had to keep the corners of his lips from curling upwards. Inside, he fought the bubbling joy that threatened to burst forth. He wanted to rejoice, to celebrate – because Seria had not chosen the count. It had been so simple, so easy.

“You see, Count,” Kashan said with quiet satisfaction. “I told you, didn’t I? Seria Luzent is here of her own free will.”

Kashan had no desire to remain in this place any longer than necessary. If Seria continued to confront her father, her resolve might waver. That was a risk he couldn’t take.

“With so many witnesses present, there’s no need to waste words on further arguments.”

He held the sniffling Seria tightly in his arms and turned his horse without hesitation. Fortunately, the count didn’t stop them any further – or rather, he couldn’t.

And so the horse picked up speed again, its steady rhythm punctuated by the occasional sharp crack of the reins against its taut muscles, a sound that faintly reached Seria’s ears.