Anasta Winterlet.
A woman sold today to a man she is meeting for the very first time.
Her buyer is the second son of the Ducal house, Ryan Saltier.
”I heard you were a noble as well. Do you truly have no pride? Do you not see that a woman sold for money is no different from a harlot?”
Ryan, whose body has been ravaged by illness and whose nerves are frayed, pushes her away with a cruel, frigid indifference.
But—
”The food you eat every day is nothing but tasteless herbs, isn’t it? Let us live together and eat only what is delicious.”
Anasta felt pity for him.
As time passed, Ryan began to trust her instinctively…
Then, one day, just as a glimmer of improvement appeared in his condition—
[I want to be a husband you aren’t ashamed to stand beside.]
Leaving behind only that single note…
He enlisted for military service.
And so, he left her alone to face a harsh, bitter winter.
* * *
Two years later. When he returned as a war hero…
”Have you heard? They say young Master Ryan broke his engagement with that woman who was with him two years ago, and now he’s searching for a new fiancée!”
Anasta no longer had a place by his side.
