01 man on the river bank
The evening sky over the Elthorne territory always looked peaceful.
The sunlight reflected gently on the surface of the small river flowing behind the family mansion, while the summer breeze softly lifted the ends of Vivian’s white dress.
That place was the only place she truly liked.
No nobles. No parties. No pitying stares.
Only the sound of water and silence.
Vivian sat beneath a large tree near the riverbank, opening a book she had not actually been reading for a while now. Her mind was too full.
Three days ago, her mother had once again declined an invitation from the imperial family on her behalf.
And as always, the reason remained the same.
“Lady Vivian is still too weak to attend public events.”
Vivian let out a soft sigh.
Sometimes, she found the rumors about herself amusing.
Some people believed she suffered from a strange illness. Others even thought she was close to death.
When in reality, it was not nearly that dramatic.
Her family was simply too protective of her.
Or more precisely, too afraid of losing her to the palace.
Vivian slowly closed her book before standing and walking closer to the river. The current looked stronger than usual after last night’s rain.
But her steps suddenly stopped.
Something was caught between the rocks near the stream.
Vivian narrowed her eyes.
No.
Someone.
A man’s body.
Vivian’s heart immediately began pounding.
“Oh God…”
She lifted her dress slightly as she hurried down toward the river. The cold water instantly soaked her shoes, but Vivian did not care.
The man lay there half-conscious, dressed in black clothes stained with blood. His wet black hair covered part of his face.
And even in that condition…
he still looked intimidating.
Vivian swallowed nervously.
“C-can you hear me?”
No answer.
Her hands trembled slightly as she touched the man’s shoulder.
Warm.
Still alive.
Vivian quickly called for the servants and guards stationed not far from the back area of the mansion.
It took quite some time before the stranger was finally brought secretly into the mansion without anyone knowing except the Elthorne family.
And exactly one hour later, Duke Elthorne’s study had become unbearably tense.
“Father, we can’t just let him die.”
Vivian stood in front of her father’s desk with a serious expression for the first time that day.
Duke Elthorne gently massaged his temples.
“Vivian, we don’t know who that man is.”
“But he’s badly injured.”
“That’s exactly the problem.”
Her mother, who had been sitting on the sofa the entire time, looked worried.
“His body is covered in sword wounds,” the Duchess said quietly. “He’s not an ordinary person.”
Vivian fell silent.
She knew that.
Far too clearly.
The man’s palms were rough like someone who had held a sword for years, and there were old scars across parts of his body.
Yet somehow…
Vivian did not feel afraid.
“Father,” she said softly, “if he were truly dangerous, he wouldn’t be lying half-dead in the river behind our home.”
The room fell silent for several moments.
Duke Elthorne finally let out a long, defeated sigh.
“We’ll treat him until he wakes up. After that, he must leave.”
Vivian’s face immediately brightened a little.
“Thank you, Father.”
Her mother simply shook her head with a faint smile.
“You’re too soft-hearted, Vivian.”
That night, the rain fell once again.
And for the first time in years, Vivian could not sleep peacefully.
Her thoughts kept returning to the stranger.
Who was he really? Why was he injured? And why… even while half-dead, did he still look like someone used to giving orders rather than receiving them?
Vivian eventually gave up and quietly left her room.
The mansion’s hallways were silent as she walked toward the guest room where the man was being treated.
Dim lamplight illuminated the room as Vivian slowly opened the door.
The man was still unconscious.
Bandages wrapped around part of his chest, while the wound on his arm looked deep.
Vivian quietly sat on the chair beside the bed.
Without realizing it, her eyes carefully studied his face more clearly now.
Far too handsome to be ordinary.
Sharp features. Dark lashes. And a cold expression even while asleep.
Vivian gasped softly when the man suddenly moved.
His black eyes slowly opened.
Their gazes instantly met.
And for some reason, Vivian felt the atmosphere in the room suddenly grow tense.
The man stared at her for several seconds without speaking before finally opening his mouth, his voice low and hoarse.
“…Who are you?”
Vivian froze for a moment.
Then answered softly,
“Vivian Elthorne.”
The man fell silent.
But something in his gaze subtly changed.
As if he recognized that name.
