From a distance, a voice called out to me. Each time, I changed direction and continued to flee from the presence of others.
The Granado Castle was vast, and there were few servants. Hiding in the darkness of night was not difficult, but all the gates were sealed, and I could not get out.
I continued to run aimlessly, heading in the direction where there was no presence of others... running, hiding, and fleeing. When I found it difficult to run, I realized that one of my shoes had come off without me noticing. Holding the remaining shoe in my hand, I wandered again.
I was supposed to know the layout of the castle, but gradually I became lost. As night deepened, I grew exhausted and began to feel dazed.
Barefoot, I wandered aimlessly through the old castle.
...It felt as if I had died and become a ghost.
Still, the darkness was terrifying. I disliked the cold stone floor, shivered from the cold, and sought warmth and comfort.
...I wanted something warm. I wanted to rest. Where should I go? I didn’t know.
In the misty vision, I searched for something and headed somewhere.
――At that moment, a familiar scent filled the air. I was certain this was the place I had been looking for. I leaned against the wall and slumped down. I pulled my knees up and buried my face in my folded arms. Then I closed my eyes.
How much time had passed?
The sound of hard footsteps approached.
I remained with my head bowed, waking up. I thought I needed to run, but my body wouldn’t move.
――I just stayed there, waiting.
But the person never shook me awake.
When I looked up, he was right in front of me. He had crouched down, folding his large body to be at my level. His green eyes sparkled.
“...Cyrus-sama”
At the sound of my voice, he lowered his stern brows.
“Finally, I found you.”
From my limp hand, one of my shoes rolled away. Then he sighed deeply.
“I never thought... you would come here...”
Hearing that, I looked around. The lantern Cyrus-sama held illuminated the stone walls of the old castle, but I couldn’t tell where I was. I asked Cyrus-sama.
“Where are we?”
“My room.”
Looking in the direction he pointed, I saw a familiar black door right next to me. He sighed again.
“Since you disappeared, I searched the entire castle, even dredging the horse troughs... Mio told me to take a break for an hour, so I came here.”
“...I’m sorry...”
“What are you apologizing for?”
When asked, I couldn’t answer. This time, Cyrus-sama didn’t sigh. He let out a breath that sounded like a smile and gently grabbed my shoulder. He didn’t pull me into a hug, just touched my skin for a moment and frowned.
“You’re freezing. Let’s go into the room. I’ll make some hot tea, and you should go to bed after drinking it.”
He whispered gently, opened the door, and invited me in.
Even so, I didn’t move, and he waved his hand dismissively.
“Ah, don’t worry, I’ll sleep in the manor. I just want you to rest.”
“...No...”
“Everyone was worried, you know, because I made a big fuss. Thomas, who was off today, came running in his civilian clothes and said he would defend the gate. Mio... she’s amazing, climbing on the roof—turns out she can climb walls, I didn’t know that. Toppo brought out all the pots from the kitchen and started cooking. He said he would lure Marie with the delicious smell, hahaha, not to catch a wild boar or anything—”
“Cyrus-sama”
“Zeli was crying and hitting me, saying I did something bad, and Wolf—”
“Cyrus-sama, please listen, I won’t—”
Cyrus-sama grabbed my arm and pulled me forcefully. The strength was so intense that my whole body was dragged.
Before I could scream, I was thrown into the room. The door closed in front of me. I immediately rushed to the doorknob, but it wouldn’t budge, no matter how I pushed or pulled. It seemed Cyrus-sama was holding it from the other side.
“...Please open the door!”
I pounded on the door violently. He didn’t respond.
“Tunica said something about boiling water and went to the bath. I’ve always thought the bath attendant is a bit strange.”
His words were bright, as if he was making small talk.
“Cyrus-sama, open the door. Please!”
“Everyone needs to know. Marie has been found, no need to worry—”
“Cyrus-sama!”
“That’s my job. Marie, go to sleep. If you get sick, it will be a problem. The wedding is just around the corner...”
“Cyrus-sama...!”
“Warm up and rest—by tomorrow, you’ll feel better. Then everything will be fine. Everything will be okay—so, then—”
His voice rapidly became smaller and weaker. I stopped pounding on the door and listened intently.
Through the sturdy wooden door, I could hear Cyrus-sama’s whisper.
“You won’t leave this castle, will you, Marie...”
I wasn’t sure if it was a monologue or a question to me. But I answered.
“...Let me out. I’m going back to the Shadaran family.”
The door didn’t open. Instead, he asked.
“Why?”
Cyrus-sama seemed to be pressing his forehead against the door. His words came through the small gap.
“Marry me. I love you.”
I shouted, with more certainty than any of my previous words.
“I hate myself!”
As soon as I shouted, large tears began to fall.
Cyrus-sama must have sensed it. His confused voice came through the door.
“Do you think... making yourself unhappy will comfort Anastasia?”
I shook my head.
—No, that’s not it.
He didn’t seem to realize. He gently but firmly tried to reason with me.
“You were a kind sister, right? Anastasia must be praying for your happiness.”
Yes—That’s right. My sister was a kind person.
But I... I loved my sister—my only beloved sister—more than anyone else.
—I’m glad she’s dead.
“Ugh—!”
A sob and a wave of intense nausea hit me. It wasn’t guilt over causing my sister’s death. It was the opposite.
Every time I mourned her death and traced my fond memories, my love for her grew, and at the same time, a dark feeling emerged within me. Please don’t come back to life. Please stay dead. Please don’t take anything important from me—
“Ugh—u...!”
My sobs must have reached Cyrus-sama, but I couldn’t help but cry uncontrollably.
He was silent for a while.
Ah, he must be confused. If he were in my place, he would never rejoice at the death of a family member. Strong, large, and kind, loved by everyone in the castle—Cyrus-sama was just like my sister. He was a beautiful person, both in body and soul.
If he knew my true nature, he would despise me.
And he would hate me.
—I don’t want to be hated. That’s all I could think about.
I couldn’t stop shaking. I hugged myself... and lied to decorate myself.
“My sister also wanted to marry you. That’s why she pushed the men’s clothes on me. She planned to arrive in a carriage, dressed up.”
“You didn’t come forward for three months.”
“I heard about you from Smith Norman. My sister was originally anxious about the marriage.”
“...Marriage to me may not necessarily make Anastasia happy.”
“That’s not true.”
I could say this with confidence. Living with this person, I would surely be happy. Because I had experienced such happy days—
—Eventually, his voice reached me.
“...What can I do? ...What can I do to save you?”
Suppressing the spasms in my throat, I answered.
“Let me out.”
While he still loves me.
“Please break our engagement...”
A long, long silence—
Then a small click, and the door opened. Cyrus-sama crouched down next to me and wiped my water-soaked cheek with his finger once. Then he stood up again.