Chapter 18
“Y-Yes? U-Understood, Your Grace!”
Karin, her usually bold demeanor nowhere to be seen, squeaked out a reply with a cracking voice and hurried outside in a fluster. As soon as she stepped into the street, countless eyes turned toward her. Whispering could be heard from all directions. People stood at a distance, staring at Sia and Nox.
As she was being led by the knights, Sia made eye contact with the produce shop lady she frequented. The woman flinched as if she’d seen something terrible and quickly looked away, leaving Sia a little hurt.
She had been the one hiding it in the first place, but she still didn’t understand why black hair was feared so much.
Nox, quietly following behind Karin, turned his head slightly to glance at Sia and remarked in an incredulous tone,
“When did I say to drag her off like a criminal?”
At his words, the two knights holding Sia’s arms instantly let go, almost as if they were relieved. With expressions like they’d touched something filthy, they brushed their arms furiously where they had made contact with her.
And just like that, Sia was left standing alone in the middle of the street. Just moments ago, she’d been terrified, but now, she simply felt awful.
What, are they treating me like some kind of disease?
Maybe people get braver when their stress hits the limit. She even considered walking over and grabbing one of the knights’ hands herself.
“Hurry up. We don’t have time.”
Though he’d already finished his duties for the day, the sun was about to set. At Nox’s urging, Sia quickly followed behind him. Karin, having reached her house, pulled out the key and unlocked the door.
Sia trailed behind her, watching Nox carefully. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like he planned to come inside. She stayed close to Karin as they entered.
“I’m sorry, Karin.”
“…No, it’s okay. I tried to be careful, but maybe a customer misunderstood after seeing your eyes and reported it.”
At her words, Sia quietly nodded. She had tried to hide it halfheartedly, and maybe that was why it had been so easily exposed.
Back in her room, she shoved her clothes into her bag and slung it over her shoulder. Before leaving, she pulled out the mint candy tin she’d kept in her pocket and emptied all the catnip inside.
“This is all I can give you right now. I’m sorry, Karin.”
“Sia…”
Sia piled the catnip into Karin’s hands and gave her a deep hug.
“Thanks to you, I was able to adjust here. Thank you.”
At Sia’s farewell, Karin’s eyes grew red. But knowing she couldn’t hold her for long, she gave a short reply.
“If you ever need a place to return to, come back here anytime. Got it?”
“Thank you, really.”
Sia felt a bit of the tightness in her chest ease at Karin’s words. She walked over to where Nox stood at the door. He was so tall that the top half of his face was obscured by the doorframe.
And yet he still looked handsome. His entire face must’ve been perfectly shaped.
Outside again, Sia didn’t shrink back like before. Instead, she lifted her chin proudly and looked around.
All this fear… over just hair?
She’d felt a little bitter about being treated like a disease, but now that she was sure no one would dare approach her first, the fear had faded.
Except for the man in front of her.
He was standing right there, looking down at her quietly. Their eyes met, and she tried to glare back, but lost her nerve and looked away.
Gold and blue. Same odd eyes, yet so completely different. She missed the black cat with those eyes terribly.
“Let’s go back.”
At Nox’s words, the knights moved like clockwork. One of them brought over a horse and quickly stepped away.
Despite the servant’s disrespectful attitude, Nox didn’t seem to care—it was clearly something he was used to. Sia found it strange, glancing around in search of her own transportation. He had said they were taking her with them, so she assumed there’d be a separate horse for her.
“What are you waiting for?”
At Nox’s question, Sia looked back up at him. He stared at her, puzzled, then held out his hand.
“…Huh?”
She understood immediately what he meant, but was too stunned to believe it. As she stood there dumbfounded, Nox sighed, brushed her bangs out of her eyes, and said,
“You’ve got black hair and you still thought you’d ride with a different knight’s horse?”
“Uh… um, yeah?”
“Hah.”
Irritated, Nox dismounted without another word, then wrapped an arm around her waist. With a swift motion, he leapt back onto the horse, taking her up with him.
“We’re returning to the manor!”
“Yes, sir!”
Sitting in front of him, Sia pulled her bag tightly against her chest. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst out of her chest.
Was it because a man had suddenly grabbed her waist?
Yes!
Or because it was her first time riding a horse?
Yes!
Or because the horse was taller than she expected?
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
With a fear of heights, Sia found horseback riding—more dynamic than any roller coaster—absolutely terrifying. She nearly passed out from the experience.
So much so, she didn’t even realize when they had arrived at the ducal manor.
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