TAKS CH 05

Chapter 5

Noxia thought she was being ridiculous. She was already eighteen years old, and yet just because she had briefly touched a handsome man, her stomach had been fluttering for hours.

‘I’m acting like a little kid.’

She scolded herself quietly. It wasn’t like she had been living alone in a foreign place for years and had grown lonely—she had only just arrived today. And yet her heart already felt restless.

‘I probably won’t even see him again. But not only did I introduce myself for no reason, now I can’t stop thinking about him at night. How silly…’

She wasn’t naive enough to think she could meet Jade Lannon again by some miracle just because they had exchanged names once. The capital was far too big for that.

‘…Or maybe not? What if I really do see him again?’

The capital was vast, yes—but the high-class social circles were much smaller. Noxia was sure she had heard the name “Jade Lannon” before. If his name had appeared in the newspaper, then he must be a well-known figure.

If he was a noble—or even if not—someone that famous would surely appear often in the capital’s society gatherings. And Karnen, the marquis’s daughter, had promised to bring Noxia with her to those gatherings.

‘If he attends those events, then maybe… we really could meet again?’

Hope swelled in her chest—but quickly sank again, leaving her unsettled. She frowned in the dark.

‘But so what if I meet him again? We only bumped into each other once. It’s not like we’re even acquaintances.’

Noxia had always been curious and adventurous. But in matters like this, she was known for being coldly realistic.

‘Why am I acting like I fell in love at first sight?’

She didn’t believe in things like love at first sight or a love that conquers even death. Maybe it was because she had lived her whole life in a small village, but by eighteen she was certain:

‘That kind of thing doesn’t exist.’

Feeling drawn to someone just by looking at them wasn’t love—it was just being dazzled by appearances. That was her logical conclusion.

So the dizziness she felt when she remembered the blue-eyed gentleman wasn’t “love at first sight.” It was just her emotions misfiring for a moment.

‘I’m just tired. That’s why I’m overthinking. I should just sleep.’

She squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to rest. Soon drowsiness overtook her.

‘I’m sleepy…’

She drifted into deep sleep—and entered a strange dream.

In the dream, she was always with someone. She walked with him, ate with him, laughed with him under the sunlight, and whispered secrets with him beneath the moon.

Sometimes they kissed so sweetly that even in her sleep, Noxia’s face burned—because in real life she had never even experienced romance before.

At times, their kisses turned into far more intimate acts, making her want to scream in embarrassment. But in the dream, she couldn’t move as she wanted.

Then suddenly, the scene changed. That someone was crying bitterly—crying in such despair that it broke her heart just to watch.

She rushed to him instinctively. It wasn’t just kindness that drove her—it was an overwhelming feeling that she had to. She felt like she could even risk her life for him.

But just before her hand reached him, another hand grabbed her wrist from behind.

<Don’t go, Noxia. You have to run away.>

The urgent voice made her spin around. A woman stood there, staring at her desperately. Though Noxia had never seen her before, something about her felt strangely familiar.

<Run, Noxia. Before you break.>

Break? What does that mean? Noxia wanted to ask, but no sound came out of her mouth. She tried to pull her hand free, but the woman’s grip was unshakable.

<Run, Noxia Deccan.>

The woman whispered urgently. Noxia glared at her, frustrated. She just wanted to shake this obstacle off and run back to the crying man.

The woman had flowing silver hair, shining like snow, falling in waves to her waist. Her pale blue eyes and ghostly white skin looked fragile and otherworldly.

“Let me go!” Noxia shouted, trying to wrench her hand free. Finally, the woman released her.

<You mustn’t break.>

Those were the woman’s last words before the dream shattered.

Noxia’s eyes snapped open. Dawn light faintly filled the room. She was drenched in cold sweat.

‘…I’ll just sleep a little longer.’

Blinking heavily, she shut her eyes again and drifted back into dreamless sleep. By the time she woke up later, she had forgotten the dream completely—the crying man, the silver-haired woman, and her desperate warning were all gone.

The next day, Noxia finally set out for the most important event of all: meeting her dearest friend for the first time in four years.

Her boarding house was in a middle-class district. From there, a short walk brought her into the upper-class neighborhood, lined with grand mansions like something out of a novel.

Feeling a little intimidated, Noxia stopped in front of one particularly splendid gate. She nervously checked the address in Karnen’s letter.

‘This must be it…’

She took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell like a soldier preparing for battle.

A neatly dressed servant soon opened the door and bowed.

“Good day. Are you Miss Noxia Deccan?”

“Yes, that’s me. I was invited by Lady Karnen Holby.”

“We’ve been expecting you. Please, come in.”

His respectful tone made Noxia feel strangely honored, as if she herself were a noble lady.

Following the servant, she crossed the garden and reached the grand entrance. The door opened—and there stood a familiar face.

“Welcome, Nox!”

“…Lady Karnen.”

At the sight of her beloved friend, Noxia’s stiff expression melted into a smile. No matter how much time had passed or how grand the mansion was, Karnen was still the same girl she knew.

“Nox, it’s been so long! I missed you.”

“I missed you too, my lady. Have you been well?”

“Of course.”

Chattering like a songbird, Karnen hurried forward and hugged her tightly. Noxia laughed and embraced her back.

“How’s your health?”

“Much better. I guess I got stronger as I grew up.”

Indeed, Karnen looked healthier than before—her cheeks were rosy, no longer the pale girl who used to suffer from coughs and faint spells.

“Come in, Nox.”

Holding her friend’s hand, Karnen led her inside. Another neatly dressed maid came over.

“Give me your coat, Nox. I’ll keep it until you leave.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Noxia awkwardly handed over her coat. The maid bowed politely before leaving with it.

“This feels strange,” Noxia muttered.

“What does?”

“No one’s ever taken my coat so politely before.”

“Get used to it, Nox. When you’re with me, it’ll happen a lot. Even in fine restaurants, the staff take your coat for you.”

“You really were raised in luxury, my lady.”

“Haha, you only just noticed?”

“I always knew, but now I can really feel it.”

Noxia smiled—not with sarcasm or distance, but warmly.

“You’ll feel it even more later. But don’t let it make you nervous. You’re still my precious friend.”

“And you’re still mine. I’m glad we both feel the same.”

Karnen grinned and linked arms with her.

“Come on, Nox. I’ll show you around the mansion. Get ready to be amazed.”

“I’m ready.”

Smiling, Noxia followed her friend. Just like when they were children, the two walked closely side by side.

“This is the main living room. We usually use it in the morning, since it faces east and gets a lot of sunlight. In the afternoon, we use the sitting room for tea or reading.”

“Wow, so many rooms! And each one has its own purpose?”

“Of course. The kitchen’s over here, and that way is…”

And so, the tour continued for a long while.