From the moment the sun began to rise, dark clouds rolled in, bringing a drizzle. The driver set up the canopy and pulled out the raincoat he had brought along. Naturally, our pace slowed a bit.

Still, we continued our journey steadily, and by late afternoon, we reached the Bluein docks. The sky was thick with clouds, and the rain had become heavier.

“Young Lady, please wait here for a moment.”

Mio stepped out of the carriage, retrieving a raincoat from the storage compartment under the floor. We had stopped at the edge of a quiet dock. Boats were clustered together, crashing against the choppy waves with loud creaks and bangs.

The weather was worsening by the minute. Looking out the window, I saw Mio talking to a man who seemed too naive to be a broker. He wore a blue raincoat and looked confused, gesturing towards the sea as he tried to explain something.

This was the first obstacle we encountered after an otherwise smooth journey. Mio soon returned to the carriage, bringing with her the salty scent of the sea mixed with the smell of rain.

“They said we won’t be able to set sail until the rain stops this evening.”

“Isn’t it alright to wait until evening?”

I asked, trying to stay optimistic.

“It might even be delayed until tomorrow morning.” Mio replied, a hint of worry in her voice.

“Then let’s find an inn for now,” I suggested. “You and the driver need some rest, even if it’s just for a few hours.”

Following my suggestion, we secured a room at an inn near the docks. The driver and horses were given time to dry off from the rain and enjoy a meal. After we washed up and changed into dry clothes, we gathered in the dining area on the first floor to share some vodka and hot chicken dishes.

The food was spicy, likely influenced by the coastal flavors, and the alcohol was strong. My body, which had felt a bit chilled, soon warmed up.

“Here’s the remaining money, Young lady”.  

She carefully handed me the bills wrapped in a silk pouch. I held it briefly before giving it back to her.

“This is for you, Mio.”

“No, I can’t accept this.”

“I wish I could give you more. I promise I will repay this debt—I’ll be in your service for life. You’re a benefactor to both Theo and me.”

“I don’t think Master would see it that way…”

“We must keep your help a secret. When Theo comes to his senses, I’m sure he’ll be grateful to you.”

I laughed heartily as I poured myself another drink. The strong alcohol burned down my throat, igniting a warm sensation that spread through my body.

We took a short nap in the room filled with the salty scent of the sea. Despite the rain, which created a damp atmosphere, the warmth of the fire made the air cozy.

***

I was awakened by Mio’s gentle touch on my arm.

“Young lady, the rain has stopped.”

I quickly shook off the remnants of sleep, my mind racing as the reality of the situation set in. I had escaped the Goldrain mansion, I was on the run, and I was now on the brink of leaving the country.

We moved swiftly, discarding the clothes we had worn from the Goldrain mansion and changing into the simple clothes we had bought in the small town before arriving in Bluein.

When we stepped outside, the sun peeked through the clouds, revealing patches of blue sky. It had been just a passing shower rather than a prolonged downpour. Since the inn was close to the docks, we decided to walk.

The driver was probably still asleep at the inn. Mio would have to take the carriage back to Pylon on her own. As we walked along the path by the docks, there was an unspoken heaviness between us. Our parting was near.

The sea, now clear of rain, was dazzlingly beautiful. Endless blue waves stretched out before us, and a few boats drifted gracefully on the clear horizon.

“I’m meeting the broker at the end of that dock.”

“How did you find the broker?”

“Remember the count’s daughter I mentioned before? She met him when she crossed over to the Northern Continent. It took me a while to find a reliable person back then.”

“To the Northern Continent?”

“Yes, he was from there. He was a journalist who came to Seyon for an assignment but got caught by the guards and detained. That’s when he met the count’s daughter.”

“It sounds like a story from a novel”.

Seyon had strict limits on what could be reported. Stepping out of line could lead to imprisonment or even execution, whether the person was a local or a foreigner.

We still had a long way to go. As we reached the end of the dock, I noticed a man in the distance. The man who had been wearing the blue raincoat was now taking it off. The boats that had gathered on the calm sea were now further apart than when I had last seen them – many people must have set sail as soon as the rain had stopped.

We were nearing our destination.

The man was quite tall, his physique more robust and elongated than it had appeared from the carriage. He stood with his back to the path, looking out to sea. The sight of his broad shoulders made me feel uneasy; there was something strangely familiar about him.

I stumbled backward, realizing I had been discovered. I had failed.

The distance between us was less than 30 meters. Could I escape if I ran at full speed?

I felt paralyzed, rooted to the spot.

As I prepared to leave Seyon behind for good, a wave of anxiety washed over me. I pushed my fears aside and quickened my pace.

Suddenly Mio, who had been following close behind, stopped.

Confused, I turned around.

“What’s wrong, Mio?”

Her face had gone pale, a look of fear washing over her. My heart sank at the sight. Something was wrong. I quickly glanced back at the man.

He had turned to face us, his chiseled features illuminated by the sunlight reflecting off the sea. His well-defined lips were pressed tightly together and his deep-set eyes were fixed on me, unwavering.

It was Theo.

“Young lady!”

Just then Mio screamed and grabbed my wrist, pulling me with her. She ran and before I knew it, I was following her, my breath coming in rapid gasps. Panic filled my mind, making me feel as if I could suffocate with fear.

I couldn’t muster the courage to look back; it felt like the man was right on my heels.

In that desperate moment, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me and caught the familiar scent of Theo’s cologne.

“Ah!”

Mio was suddenly pulled backward. Theo’s big hand grabbed her hair and pulled her backward with a brutal grip on her neatly tied ponytail.

But he didn’t stop there – he raised his other hand and slapped her hard across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed loudly and Mio’s small frame crumpled to the ground, collapsing onto the road.

“Mio!!”

I yelled, rushing towards her, but my wrist was caught in a tight grip, stopping me. Theo’s cold eyes stared down at me, unflinching. This wasn’t Cane – this was definitely Theo. It was hard to believe he could resort to violence.

The pressure on my wrist felt like it could break my bones. He showed no restraint whatsoever.

“Theo, please, listen to me -!”

I grabbed his hand, trying to reason with him, but his grip was terrifyingly strong.

“Don’t say a word. I can barely resist the urge to tear the maid apart and throw her into the sea.”

Theo’s words dripped with contempt and I swore I had never heard him speak like that before. Fear seeped into every corner of my being.

I suddenly realized that tears were streaming down my face.

Despite my cries, Theo showed no sign of concern. He continued to drag me along the path we had come from, his expression unyielding. I looked back at Mio – she looked as if she had lost consciousness. Her once pale cheeks were now swollen and red, her hair a mess. My heart ached. The only thing Mio had done wrong was to help me.

“Theo! Let me go! You bastard! I’m not your puppet!”

Only then did I begin to resist. I slapped at the arm holding me and refused to be dragged away. But Theo was undeterred and continued to pull me. Desperate, I bit down hard on his arm, hoping to make him let go.

Fueled by anger and grief, my bite must have hurt, but Theo didn’t flinch. He didn’t slow down either. My teeth left a deep red mark and blood began to seep from the wound.

A wave of guilt washed over me for the violence I had just inflicted.

He led me past the docks and out onto the road. It was then that I finally saw the large, dark brown carriage waiting there, surrounded by men in suits.

“Bring the maid.”

A wave of panic ran through me.

“Theo, Theo…”

“Theo, Theo…”

I clung to his arm and cried.

“Mio hasn’t done anything wrong. I threatened her. I told her she’d be kicked out of the mansion if she didn’t take me to the dock. She had no choice…”

“Shut up!”

He snapped as he climbed into the carriage, his tone cold. It was the first time Theo had treated me so aggressively. The kidnapping itself had been an act of violence, but during my time at the mansion he had at least tried to be considerate.

Now, however, it felt as if he might explode at any moment if I made the slightest misstep. I swallowed my tears and sat up straight in my seat. Tears streamed silently down my cheeks and Theo’s grip on my wrist remained unyielding, cutting off the circulation until it felt numb.