Episode 13: A Cry of Rejection, Ice-Blue Eyes Shaken by Tears
That dawn, Milan did not visit her room. Nor the next day. Nor the one after that.
Bertina worried a little, but she told herself his wounds must still be healing. Because of that, she never asked Iris and Lotos how he was doing.
Meanwhile, Hanna had yet to wake. Nearly four days had passed, and Bertina’s heart grew heavier with each silent day.
Since that night, rain had not stopped. She had not gone to the garden once. With nothing to do, she filled her time with books, but even that felt empty.
Closing her favorite book on herbalism, she stared out at the curtain of night rain. A long, heavy sigh escaped her lips.
“Lady Bertina, you haven’t been yourself since then. Are you really alright? Iris is worried,” Iris said, setting a cup of herb tea on the table.
“Hanna will wake soon,” Lotos added, placing down a plate of biscuits. “She’ll be fine. Until then, we will both serve you faithfully.”
“…I’m fine. Thank you,” Bertina answered curtly, though her heart said otherwise. She sipped the tea—it was lemon balm with rosemary. The crisp scent was pleasant, but her mood did not lift. Another sigh slipped out.
That evening, just after finishing dinner and sipping tea, an urgent knock rattled the door.
Iris answered—and Rine stood there. Hanna had woken.
Without a word, Bertina followed her down to the servants’ quarters. But walking beside Rine tightened her chest.
Rine had done nothing wrong. She had saved her that night. Yet Bertina could not forget Milan’s words—how he had refused her care and chosen Rine instead. Because of that, she could not bring herself to speak.
When they arrived, Rine bowed. “She should be awake now. I’ll return later to check on you.” Then she left swiftly.
Bertina knocked hesitantly. A bright voice answered from within. Hanna.
For a moment, Bertina froze. She had failed Hanna when she cried for help. And because Hanna had followed her here, she had suffered. Surely, Hanna would reject her now.
But the door opened, and Hanna smiled warmly.
“Lady Bertina.”
Bertina gasped. Hanna’s hazel eyes had turned a shining gold, and beastlike ears now stood on her head, with a soft tail behind her.
“Please, come in,” Hanna said, closing the door gently after her.
The room was plain compared to Bertina’s, but still elegant in its own way. Hanna urged her to sit.
“How are you feeling…?” Bertina asked without meeting her gaze.
“Thanks to you, much better,” Hanna said brightly.
The kindness stunned Bertina. She had expected blame, rejection—but Hanna was unchanged.
“I… I’m sorry. When you called for help, I… I couldn’t do anything.”
But Hanna shook her head. “It was sudden. No one could have done anything.”
“But still—”
“Lady Bertina, if you’re this gloomy, it makes me uneasy. Please, be your usual proud self.”
Bertina looked up, startled. Hanna smiled.
“…Am I really so proud?”
“It’s just how you speak. Not truly, but it feels that way,” Hanna teased.
“…You’ve grown bold,” Bertina murmured, narrowing her eyes.
“See? That’s exactly what I mean,” Hanna laughed.
Her cheeks warmed.
“You’ve become much more expressive, Lady Bertina,” Hanna added softly.
Embarrassed, Bertina turned away. Yet she knew Hanna was right. She had changed.
After chatting a while longer, Bertina rose to leave. But outside the room, someone waited—not Rine, but Milan.
She drew in a sharp breath. It had been days since she had seen him. His wounds were closed but left angry red scars along his arms. Clearly, he had rested.
“Where’s Rine?” Bertina asked.
“She’ll come soon,” Milan replied casually.
And indeed, moments later, Rine arrived.
“Sorry—I kept you waiting.”
“You didn’t,” Bertina said simply. Rine looked relieved—then turned a sharp glare on Milan.
“…So, Milan, you slipped out just to chase Lady Bertina? I told you to stay resting.”
“I’m fine now. And I was bored. I heard voices and came to check.”
He shrugged and strode toward the lift. Rine narrowed her eyes but followed.
Inside the lift, Rine scolded Milan endlessly. It sounded almost like a quarrel between lovers. Bertina stood silently, her chest twisting.
I am supposed to be his fiancée… and yet…
Her earlier pain returned, pressing tears to her eyes.
I don’t belong here. Not even in this world. There is no place for me.
“Lady Bertina…?” Rine asked gently.
But Bertina could not answer.
Then Milan’s voice came closer.
“Bertina, what’s wrong? Are you unwell?”
She looked up—and his viridian eyes filled her vision. He leaned close, worry etched in his face.
“…Your eyes are red. Are you… crying?”
He reached to wipe her tears—
But Bertina slapped his hand away.
At that moment, the lift chimed, doors opening to the upper floor.
“Don’t—don’t concern yourself with me anymore!”
Her voice was sharp, cold. She flung the door open and fled down the corridor toward her room.
