New Embers (13)
If she could just move her body, she would have hit her head a few times. The suspicious approach through Tanya. Urielâs sudden absence. It was a fairly carefully calculated trap.
How the hell did they know about her?
The kidnapper must have analyzed her for a long time. Count Aiterâs letter of introduction was certainly forged, and their information about her, which she assumed couldnât have been known except for the Countâs introduction, must be the information that the kidnapper had carefully collected. She didnât know his identity but he was no ordinary person. Only a few people knewââAdrian and Uriel and Mayaââthat she liked Albrate Garden, especially the lilies there.
It was all she mentioned to the Count in passing. She remembered now. Was it because she heard the name of such a beautiful place after a long time and the nostalgia it evoked? Or maybe her memories were all distorted? She couldnât make the right decision.
âBut then, who and why?â
Apolloniaâs questions held no answer. Her eyesight felt better but they were still a bit blurry. When the cabin door opened and someone came in, the breeze leaked through the gap. It looked like it was going to rain soon.
âHave you come to your senses?â The man asked. He was the one who kidnapped her. His voice was strangely familiar even if it was their first time meeting.
âWellââââ Apollonia tried to speak as her strength gradually returned but it didnât go as she wanted.
âSo you can hear the sound now. Soon youâll be able to see, talk and move normally. Itâs time for the medicine to run out.â
After giving her a friendly explanation, the kidnapper strode up and extended his arm toward Apollonia. She thought about resisting but she decided to give up. It was impossible to escape without anyoneâs help. Upon seeing her nervous countenance, the man spoke in a calmer tone. âIâm trying to help you get up. Iâm not trashy enough to force myself on a bound woman.â
Apollonia realized that she was tied up. The man helped Apollonia sit up, as he had said. She was half-lying in bed with her hands tied in front of her. The cabin became a little more visible. The place was small but solid as if it had been built by an aristocrat who loved hunting a long time ago.
âDrink.â
The man put a glass of cold water in her mouth. He stood on the side where Apollonia couldnât see but his piercing gaze could be felt.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âWho are you?â Apollonia asked softly, her voice finally returning. The man seemed hesitant to answer. He wasnât wearing a robe when she saw him enter a while ago. Maybe she could see his face if she just turned around.
âHey.â
The man called Apollonia once again as if he had guessed her thoughts. but he didnât touch her or stop her. Apollonia slowly turned her head to look at his face. Her vision was still blurry but she had no problem distinguishing shapes. The moment the manâs face came into full view, her whole body froze. The familiar jawline. The nose. The gray hair she loved. His strong gaze, sometimes cool, was always filled with warmth every time they look at her.
Apolloniaâs heart beat violently, her tears welling up at the incredible sight. How? How the hell? He obviously died before her eyes. She saw the blade of the assassinâs sword straight through his heart.
*SIGH*
She couldnât speak well because she was all choked up. The man tilted his head as if embarrassed by Apolloniaâs reaction. Nevertheless, his face was still there. The image that she missed in her dreams. Apollonia opened her mouth once more and uttered his name with difficulty.
âSid?â
As Apollonia blinked her tears a few times, the man looked at her without saying anything.
âLook again.â The man repeated, bringing his blurry face closer. His mouth and furrowed dark brows were similar to Sidâs butââââ
âCan you see me now?â
Apollonia closed her eyes once again and opened them.
Her vision cleared a little as if the manâs words had made the drug lose its effects. At that moment, Apolloniaâs face turned to disappointment.
He wasnât Sid. They had the same gray hair, the same facial features, and a strangely similar tone in speech However, this man appeared to be about the same age as Apollonia. Suddenly, a figure popped up in Apolloniaâs mind. It was a person she had never met but, whom she had never forgotten, existed.