It was a familiar voice. And an unwelcome one at that. The smell of alcohol wafted from behind her. A rough hand grabbed the collar of her struggling clothes.

Now the muffled scream under the hand covering her mouth carried a meaning of pain, not a call for help.

The man embracing Celian from behind fumbled with her front. The wooden buttons were torn off helplessly.

“I couldn’t get the sight of you from earlier out of my mind. I just couldn’t hold back anymore.”

“Hngh……!”

Though her mouth was covered, her hands were free. The pitiful hands trying to reject his touch and clutching at her front were merely an annoyance to Peter.

Tsk, a small click of the tongue was heard, and then her body was dragged along. Throwing her down forcefully was likely intended to make her faint.

Blood flowed from where her head hit the wooden floor. She didn’t lose consciousness, but her vision spun. At the very least, Peter had succeeded in draining her of enough strength to prevent her from making loud noises.

A heavy body climbed on top of the woman who was staggering to get up. The woman’s groans were swallowed into his foul-smelling mouth. Her flailing hands were pinned above her head. Judging by the rough hand hastily pulling up her skirt, the man seemed to be using only one hand to restrain Celian.

Peter forcibly spread her legs, gripping her thighs. He felt her soft thighs under his heated hands. His trousers bulged with unbearable excitement. Just as he reached out to pull down Celian’s underwear.

“Gurgh!”

Peter’s body rolled to the side. Blood flowed from his mouth. The white blouse of the woman who managed to escape from under him was also soaked in blood.

Blood poured out every time the man opened his mouth to speak. His pronunciation was unstable due to his cut tongue.

“You, b*tch……”

A strong force gripped her ankle. Celian screamed and kicked his head. Fortunately, the shoes she wore today were very sturdy and…… thanks to that, while the blow wasn’t enough to kill him, it seemed to have knocked him unconscious.

The woman’s hand, trembling as she propped herself up, frantically grabbed the doorknob. Sweat beaded on her hands as she struggled with the stiff lock.

‘Quickly……!’

If the town’s influential figure found out about this, Celian would be as good as dead. No, dying would be better. It wasn’t just the son, Peter, who desired her, but his father as well. She’d rather die than live locked in their basement, alternately violated by father and son.

But she couldn’t die either. If she died, her sister would be left alone. The fate awaiting a girl of barely ten years old wandering the streets was obvious.

The door opened. Celian ran without even thinking to close her clothes. The woman’s destination, as she ran with her black skirt fluttering, was the fruit shop lady’s house.

The lady gaped blankly at her blood-covered appearance.

“Celian?”

“Ma’am, I’m sorry. Where’s Beth?”

And so, Celian Berienne fled.

To the capital she thought she’d never return to.

* * *

Owen appeared with disheveled hair. What’s going on, the man blinked his sleepy eyes and jumped up in surprise.

“Celian?”

“Sorry for coming without notice. Can you let me stay for a day?”

“Uh…? Oh, of course. Come in.”

“Thank you.”

Celian only removed her hood after letting Beth in. Her hidden silver hair cascaded down in waves.

At nearly midnight, Owen bustled to the kitchen and lit the fire. Clang, a sound was heard as a decorative nutcracker doll rolled onto the floor.

Owen picked up the doll and explained, seemingly embarrassed.

“Oh, it’s a bit messy, sorry. I haven’t been living alone for long……”

Celian asked in surprise.

“You’re living alone? What about Dr. Caleb?”

Could it be that he has passed away? Seeing her anxious blue eyes, Owen hastily corrected himself.

“Ah, it’s not like that. He said he’s spent enough time in the city and wants to go to the countryside. He always said he wanted to run a ranch, but I didn’t think he’d actually do it.”

“My goodness.”

“He left all his patients to me before leaving, so it’s a good thing for me. Thanks to that, I don’t have to worry about making a living.”

Owen scratched his head sheepishly. His gaze turned to Beth, who was tightly holding her sister’s hand.

“Beth, it’s been a while, right? I’m Uncle Owen. Oh…… you look exactly like your sister when she was young.”

“I think so too.”

Celian replied proudly. Her younger sister, who had grown up strong despite difficult circumstances, was her pride and joy.

Whoosh, a sound was heard and the kitchen brightened. The pots and pans hanging on the wall showed signs of use. Owen took out a kettle that proudly occupied one corner and filled it with water. He was glad he had done the dishes in advance.

The tea water started to boil. Watching the steam rising from the kettle, Owen turned and suggested. His matte, dark brown hair looked almost black under the dim lighting.

“Celian, why don’t you let Beth rest first? We seem to have a lot to talk about. Wine, tea, coffee, whatever you want.”

“I’ll have tea, please. Can you provide an empty room?”

“Fortunately, there’s a guest bedroom on the second floor. I don’t have a maid, but this is still a doctor’s house. You don’t have to worry about cleanliness.”

“Thank you so much, Owen.”

“It’s the left room when you go up the stairs. If you open the door on the right next to it, you’ll find the bathroom. Take care of Beth and come down at your leisure.”

Celian seemed to have more to say. To the man who raised his eyebrows, she asked. Her voice became small, embarrassed to make another request after asking to stay and for a room.

“I’m really sorry, but…… could I ask for some clothes to change into?”

“For you to wear, or for Beth?”

“Both. Especially since I’m in quite a mess……”

Celian trailed off. Owen understood what she meant before she could elaborate. Seeing the blood spattered on her silver hair and upper body, he had suspected something had happened.

It must have been an urgent situation to not even be able to bring clothes. Owen suppressed his rising emotions and replied.

“There should be some clothes my mother used to wear. I’ll find them for you.”

The wooden floor creaked. Following Owen, who held a lamp, Celian climbed the stairs and suddenly realized where she was.

A familiar house, a familiar scent, and familiar people. She was now in Humming.

* * *

The clothes Owen provided were a bit big for Celian, but not unwearable. Hearing her coming down, the man poured water into the teacup.

“What happened, Celian? You don’t think I’ll believe the lie that you came up happily after receiving my letter, do you?”

“Something happened.”

Celian haltingly spilled out the story. Her listener was her only friend. Although they hadn’t seen each other’s faces for years, they had consistently exchanged news through letters.

When she reached the part about the landowner’s son finally trying to r*pe her, even Owen couldn’t suppress his emotions.

“That crazy bastard! We should break every bone in that bastard’s d*ck!”

“I couldn’t break that, but I think I cut something else instead.”

“What?”

“……His tongue. I don’t think it’s enough to prevent him from speaking, but there was some blood.”

A way to cut the tongue, huh. Owen, who had been standing blankly, shouted.

“Did that bastard kiss you too?”

“That wasn’t a kiss. I don’t define such a thing as a kiss.”

“Right. Did he put his lips on yours and entangle his tongue, smearing his dirty saliva on you?”

If you put it that way, there was no denying it. Celian admitted readily.

“That’s right.”

“We should have ripped out his tongue, not just cut it!”

Celian giggled. The events that had happened just a few hours ago felt distant now. It was such a pleasant thing to have someone get angry on her behalf.

Owen calmed his excitement and asked.

“What are you going to do now? You must have come to the capital with some plan, right?”

Her answer was straightforward.

“I had no such thoughts.”

“……”

“I simply had nowhere else to go.”

* * *

Neigh–

The horse stopped with a snort. The man nimbly jumped off the horse’s back. The servant who was about to prostrate himself to serve as a footstool for him awkwardly straightened his bent knee.