Episode 2
It was a hot afternoon. Eva and Pamela crouched low in a thicket of blackberry bushes, holding their breath. Their eyes were fixed on the shaded riverside across the stream—more precisely, on the men resting there.
“Eva, do you see those two men over there?”
“Yeah… I see them, Pam.”
Eva quietly replied, pulling down a berry branch. She had already noticed them even before Pamela pointed them out.
One was a blond man lying flat on his back with both hands behind his head, and the other was a brown-haired man propped up on one elbow, half-risen.
Tall trees along the embankment cast shade over them. It was said they rode around the castle once a day and stopped there to rest. Pamela had learned this after having Paul investigate for several days.
“They must be the Count of Holland and his friend. Aren’t they handsome?”
“They are…”
Pamela was convinced the brown-haired man was the count, and Eva thought so too. Appearance didn’t determine status, but he looked so impressive it almost felt that way.
Even from a distance, their features were striking. Broad shoulders, long legs, and easy smiles. Eva had prayed for a good master for Veil Castle, and at least in appearance, he met her expectations. She hoped his character was just as admirable.
“They’re staying at Veil Castle for the summer. Apparently, he usually spends it at Avalon Castle in the north, but who knows why he came here this time. He left this place abandoned for five years.”
“I see…”
Eva murmured faintly, her eyes fixed on the count as if entranced. Five years ago, he had bought Veil Castle after its previous owner died—and yet this was his first visit.
What kind of man was he? Why had he kept the former owner’s crest on the castle?
Her curiosity was different from Pamela’s—it was the lingering attachment of someone who had once lived there as the daughter of Count Macy’s.
“Anyway, this is great. Since the count is here, there might be balls or parties. Before, your father never hosted anything, so we never got to see any nobles.”
Pamela had always complained about Eva’s father, Count Macy’s, for neglecting his duties as a noble.
Unlike other regions, no nobles visited Veil Castle, so there were no balls or gatherings. For Pamela, a baronet’s daughter who longed for high society, it was frustrating.
“Let’s go back now, Pam. I have a lot to do.”
That was all in the past now. The Macy family had gone bankrupt, and Eva was living in Pamela’s father’s house. If she didn’t return soon, the baronet’s wife might find something else to complain about. She was also worried about the sick Cecil.
“Wait, Eva. Do you think I spent days gathering information about the count just to leave like this?”
“What do you mean?”
Eva looked at Pamela, puzzled. Pamela’s face was unusually serious.
“I’m going to seduce the Count of Holland.”
“What?”
“I’ll steal his heart and marry him. Then I’ll leave this awful Crox Field and go to the capital. I’ll debut in high society and live a glamorous life.”
“Pam, you—!”
Eva’s eyes widened in shock. She thought Pamela was just curious—but she never imagined such a plan.
Thinking about it, the count was exactly Pamela’s ideal type: a young noble heir, related to the emperor, with wealth, fame, and power.
“So that’s why you’ve been so happy lately…”
“Just wait, Eva. I’ll marry him and become a high noble. And when I do, I’ll take you with me.”
Pamela spoke boldly, as if she were already the lady of Veil Castle.
It sounded absurd, but not impossible. Pamela was the most beautiful woman in Crox Field and knew how to charm men.
“The problem is how to get their attention…”
Just then, the men stood up—and suddenly, they took off their shirts and jumped into the river.
“Oh my… look at that, Eva.”
Even Eva was stunned. She had never seen a man’s bare body before—and the brown-haired man exceeded all expectations.
His muscular chest, defined abs, and strong arms were striking. Even more captivating were the scars across his body—marks of battle.
What kind of life had he lived to have both such beauty and such roughness?
As they swam and laughed in the sunlight, Pamela suddenly grabbed Eva’s wrist.
“Eva, I need your help.”
“What?”
“You need to fall into the water so we can get their attention.”
“That’s ridiculous! You do it yourself—I can’t even swim!”
Eva refused firmly, shocked. The idea of risking her friend’s life for a plan was terrifying.
“Don’t worry. They’ll save you.”
“I said no, Pamela—!”
Before she could finish, Pamela dragged her out and pushed her into the river.
Splash!
“Help—!”
The water swallowed Eva instantly. Her clothes grew heavy, and she struggled to breathe. The current wasn’t strong, but it was deep—far beyond her height.
“Please! My friend fell in—help her!”
Even as she heard Pamela calling for help, Eva couldn’t feel anger—only fear.
Her legs cramped, her body sank, and memories flooded her mind.
Her fall from nobility. Her harsh life now. Pamela’s betrayals.
“So it was you…”
The truth struck her—Pamela had even ruined her dress before.
“Maybe… it’s better to die like this…”
As her consciousness faded, she thought of her parents.
But then—Cecil.
She couldn’t leave her behind.
With her last strength, she prayed:
“Please… let me live… let me return to Cecil…”
At that moment, a strong arm wrapped around her waist—and she was pulled upward.
