...Between the Past and Present, Between Reality and Fantasy…...

...She gently stretched out on her stomach on the grassy ground, as if nature itself was embracing the softness of her body....

...Her feet swayed freely in the air, while the hem of her long dress slid down slowly, revealing her legs....

...She placed her arms under her chin, forming a pillow to rest upon....

...Before her lay an open booklet, its pages fluttering in the breeze. Her lips moved faintly, uttering a poetic verse she was writing:...

> Ti, l'amur che mes cor tschertga,

Avant che mes spiert chapeschi bain,

Ti es sco in misteri profund,

Nuschaiv'ais mes pass, ma cler mes bain.

You are the love my heart seeks,

Before my mind fully comprehends it.

You are like a deep mystery,

My steps are timid, but my intent is clear.

> Tgei stailas mussan tia via?

Tgei vents portan tia flad?

Jau sun pront per ils tschiels e las vals,

Mo di a mai nua ch'el te chatta.

What stars guide your way?

What winds carry your breath?

I am ready for skies and valleys,

Just tell me where to find you.

...The open air caressed her cheeks, while strands of her brown hair scattered softly down her back....

...She shifted her position, lying on her back instead of her stomach, placing the booklet on her chest....

...A serene smile stretched across her face, her delicate beauty radiating. She tucked a red flower behind her ear, gazing at the clouds in the sky, watching them morph into various shapes....

...Raising her hand, she playfully shaped figures in the sky with the clouds....

“That one looks like Medline... and this one resembles that filthy pig.”

...She meant the “filthy pig,” referring to the boy who constantly annoyed her and made her life difficult. She let out a soft laugh, imagining his face as that of a pig’s....

...A moment passed with her eyes closed as she took in the calm, quiet air....

...Suddenly, she felt the absence of the breezes that had been brushing against her face. She opened her eyes wide to find his sword pointed directly between them. Her dress had risen slightly, but she couldn’t move; any motion could cause the sword to strike....

“Damn it, Martin! You scared me!”

...He lowered his sword, laughing heartily. She exhaled a sigh of relief as he moved the blade away from her....

...“Will you ever stop these antics?!” she protested....

...He never ceased to frighten her whenever he got the chance. She recalled the first time she met him—his mere presence nearly caused her trousers to fall out of sheer terror....

...He sat beside her, claiming a spot on the grass....

...“You’re the one who gets scared of the air, Azmir…”...

...She furrowed her brows, objecting playfully, aiming a fist at his chest, though he didn’t react....

...Clearing her throat, she asked, “So, what are you doing here, oh mighty warrior?”...

...He turned his gaze toward her, speaking in a calm tone....

“The ruler entrusted me with a task.”

...Her lips formed a small “O” in curiosity....

...“And what is that task?”...

...Raising his eyebrows mockingly, he ruffled her hair....

...“The ruler’s affairs remain with the ruler... and with me.”...

...She pouted, giving him puppy eyes....

...“Even with me?”...

...He rolled his eyes in exasperation....

...Crossing her arms over her chest, she let out a frustrated sigh. Internally, she muttered, “Annoying.”...

...After a moment of silence, she exhaled deeply before speaking softly....

...“Tell me, Martin... Is it true that no one knows the ruler’s identity?”...

...He shook his head, and a flicker of curiosity appeared in his eyes, as if the matter intrigued him as well....

...“I don’t understand why he hides his identity. I’ve never seen him, but I feel he must be a frightening man. Yet I can’t help but wonder… could he be handsome?”...

...He smirked sarcastically, replying,...

...“I doubt you’d want to enter the ruler’s inferno just to satisfy your curiosity.”...

...She remained silent....

...Is he so terrifying as to be likened to hell itself?...

...She rose from the grassy ground, dusting off her dress from behind....

...“Where are you planning to go?” he asked....

...Turning to him with a smile, she replied,...

...“My mother asked me to buy some things from the market. I need to get them before heading home.”...

...He nodded, allowing her to take her leave. But as she walked away, she felt his hand on her shoulder....

...“You forgot this,” he said, holding out her booklet before her eyes. She nodded, taking it from him as she continued on her way....

...A small lie doesn’t hurt, does it?...

...A small wooden house by the edge of a lake near the forest....

...The handsome miner was chopping wood outside....

...Hiding behind the house, she watched him in secret. The sound of his axe striking the wood was rhythmic, beads of sweat trickling down his face. His muscles flexed with each movement, accentuating his features....

...“I know everything about him. Every small detail. Thirty years old, single, upright… not one for frivolities or drinking. Wait, there’s one thing I don’t know about him.”...

...Lost in thought, a colorful butterfly landed on her arm....

...“My goodness, it’s so beautiful and delicate! Is this my first time seeing such a gentle creature?”...

...The butterfly fluttered away, and her eyes followed it until it disappeared from view....

...Redirecting her gaze back to him, she realized he was no longer there. She searched for him with her eyes....

...“Did he finish and leave?” she muttered in disappointment....

...She turned to leave, only to collide with something solid—it was his chest. She pressed her palms against his chest to steady herself....

...Looking up to meet his hawk-like eyes, she found herself captivated. His sharp jawline, his damp hair clinging to his forehead......

...Her hand was still on his bare chest!...

...She quickly withdrew her hand, looking away in embarrassment....

...“So, you’re the little squirrel who’s been spying on me for more than six months,” he said with a teasing smirk....

...“I almost broke my head on your solid chest! And it’s five months and twenty-three days, actually,” she retorted nonchalantly....

...He chuckled, pushing her back slightly while steadying her with one hand behind her back to prevent her from falling against the wall of the house....

...“It’s fine if I felt watched for so long... as long as it’s a feisty little squirrel like you,” he said, his voice low, his gaze lingering on her....

...Unable to resist, she pushed him away, freeing herself from his proximity....

...He laughed, turning back toward his work. But her heart was still racing as she stood motionless, trying to process what had just happened...

...He walked ahead of me, heading back to where he was chopping wood, continuing what he had started. He glanced my way while I stood frozen in place, unable to process what had just happened. Had I been discovered?...

...I took hesitant steps toward him, unable to raise my eyes—not out of shyness, but sheer embarrassment. Clearing my throat, I attempted to find my voice....

..."Well, Mr. Miner, since I’ve already been found out… I have my reasons for watching you…"...

...He glanced at me again but remained silent. He gathered the firewood and walked toward me once more, but as he stood before me, he simply passed by, heading toward the cabin....

...Would I let it go? Of course not! I had to justify myself. I followed after him, my steps no match for his long strides....

..."Mr. Miner… may I ask you a question?"...

...He kept walking while I hurried to catch up. Raising an eyebrow, he replied,...

..."I think I’m the one who should be asking questions here, not you, little one, isn’t that right?"...

...Before entering the cabin, he turned his gaze toward me and the red flower tucked behind my ear....

..."So you’re the one stealing my red flowers too, huh?"...

...I cleared my throat as he stepped inside. Standing at the door, I watched as he placed the wood down, then turned and leaned against the doorway. He flicked my forehead with his thumb and middle finger....

..."Curiosity can be dangerous sometimes, little one."...

...At that moment, all I could focus on were his features and the way he carried himself....

..."Are you planning to come in?"...

...He gestured with his eyes, inviting me inside, but I shook my head, objecting....

..."Staying alone with an unmarried man isn’t proper, Mr. Miner."...

...His deep laughter echoed, and he mimicked my words with mock seriousness, even scrunching his nose as I had done....

..."What a joke! If I had married, I’d probably have a daughter your age by now, squirrel."...

...Raising an eyebrow, I found a seat on the cabin’s steps, and he joined me shortly after....

..."For your information, I’m educated, not ignorant. Your words make no sense. You’re thirty, and I’m seventeen; you couldn’t have had me at thirteen."...

...He sat, spreading his legs wide and taking up all the space....

..."So you know my age already."...

...I pushed at his leg slightly, prompting him to pull them in. Clearing my throat, I tried to hide my embarrassment....

..."Let’s just say I know everything about you, Mr. Miner—except one thing..."...

...Before I could finish, he interrupted,...

..."My name, isn’t that it?"...

...I looked at him in surprise....

..."How did you know?"...

...He stood with a smile and stepped back inside the cabin....

..."Isn’t it enough that I know you don’t know my name?"...

...Before I could respond, he shut the door. He closed the door in my face! Rising to my feet, I stomped the ground in frustration and then walked away, muttering complaints....

...The door opened behind me, and he stood leaning against the frame, watching my retreating figure. His eyes shifted to a small carved piece of wood he held in his hand....

...On my way home, I stopped by the market to buy a few necessities....

..."What’s all this, Mom? Why so many things?"...

...As I walked, I heard that infuriating voice again—it was Warrith!...

..."Have you changed your mind yet?" he asked with a wicked smile....

...Ignoring him, I continued walking, stopping at a vendor to buy some fruit. But I knew it wouldn’t be easy to get rid of Warrith. Every piece of fruit I picked up, he snatched from me. I tried to brush him off and move forward, but he blocked my way, yanked the ribbon that cinched my dress at the waist, and grabbed my money pouch....

...The top of my dress loosened slightly, exposing part of my chest. I scrambled to gather the fabric with my hands to cover myself. Tears welled up in my eyes. No one dared intervene because Warrith was the son of the market’s wealthiest merchant. I choked out words, my voice trembling....

..."Warrith... g-give me my things back!"...

...He held out the money pouch, but as I reached for it, he pulled it behind his back....

..."Nothing comes for free…"...

...Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I struggled to maintain my composure....

..."T-they’re mine…"...

...He stepped closer as I backed away, the crowd’s eyes on us, but no one intervened....

..."Your things… for a kiss," he said....

...My eyes widened in shock as I tried to grasp the situation I was in....

...---...

...Bern, Switzerland...

...Through the ages, a different time and place from where we were....

..."Miss Katherine, you and that red hen beside you—out!"...

...The speaker was the flamboyant university professor, Jeon Jungkook....

...The fool beside me burst into laughter as she gathered her belongings to leave. I glared at her, full of malice....

..."Did that sissy professor just call me a red hen?!"...

...I shoved her as we exited the lecture hall, muttering every curse I knew....

...Passing by the professor, I muttered under my breath,...

..."Thrown out by that ignorant professor…"...

...I swear it was a whisper, impossible to hear! Yet somehow, he did....

"Did you say something, Miss Mira?"

He spoke calmly, though his sharp gaze pierced through me, scanning me from head to toe.

...I forced a tight smile and pushed Katherine ahead of me...

...----------------...

...Outside the hall, Katherine leaned against my shoulder, laughing hysterically....

..."The red hen herself is speaking..."...

...Tears streamed down her cheeks from laughing so hard, while I felt steam rising from my ears....

...I leaned against the wall, frustration etched on my face....

..."What’s wrong? Don’t tell me his words got to you. Mira, the emotionless one, affected?"...

...Turning my gaze away, I exhaled heavily, not wanting her to see the tears brimming in my eyes....

...I tried to speak, but my voice came out thick with emotion....

..."Just because I’m reserved doesn’t mean I don’t feel!"...

...Before she could reply, I walked away, uncaring about the professor or his punishment....

...I headed to the university cafeteria, taking the first table I saw. Resting my arms on the table, I buried my face in them....

...But even my tears grew tired of being suppressed, flowing freely down my cheeks....

...Moments later, I felt someone sit beside me. It was Katherine, gently stroking my hair....

..."I’m sorry… You know I didn’t mean it, Mira."...

...I lifted my head, wiping away the remnants of tears...

.

..."You shouldn’t have followed me… That sissy’s punishment will only get worse."...

She smiled, directing her gaze to the staircase overlooking the cafeteria.

..."That sissy himself asked me to check on you… and he’s standing right there, watching us."...

...I followed her gaze and saw him, his eyes cold and his hands buried in his pockets....

...In another place, deep in the forest, stood the Governor’s mansion....

...A man shrouded in darkness, dressed in bear fur, stood tall. His face was masked, his features hidden. What set him apart were his mismatched eyes—one the color of the sun, the other the black of night....

...He stood before a magical orb, in the center of which appeared the face of a young girl crying....

...The silence was broken by the voice of a guard....

..."Sir, we’ve found her."...

...Without lifting his eyes, still fixated on the girl’s face in the orb, he traced the small mole beneath her lower lip with his finger through the glass....

..."Are you sure it’s her?"...

...Closing the orb, he walked to the balcony, turning his back to the guard....

...The guard answered his master’s question....

..."If it is her, what shall we do?"...

...The Governor’s voice was low, tinged with longing....

..."I’ll wait for the right moment. But it won’t be far off. Her heart will lead her to me regardless."...

...He gestured for the guard to leave. The guard bowed and exited....

...The Governor remained on the balcony, gazing into the horizon through the darkness....

...He murmured softly,...

..."Have you met him already?"...