Chapter 3

Just when I burned the midnight oil learning, I met the injured Zed on a snowy night. At that time, I was reciting a poem about snow, and then I saw him lying on the ground outside the window.

I was terrified about his blood-covered body. But with the heavy snow outside the window, I knew if I left him out there, he would freeze to death.

So, seeing that nobody else was around, I dragged him inside and grabbed whatever medicine I could find to treat his wounds.

Back then, there was nothing romantic between us. I just couldn't let someone die right in front of me.

Nobody in the Page family really cared what I did. My maid always went off to bed early, so I could sneak him in and patch him up without anyone noticing.

I helped him drink the last of the hot water and piled the bedding I had over him, but he still looked lifeless.

I was terrified he would die right there, so I pulled the brazier closer to him to make him warmer.

"Who are you?" he said.

I was busy pushing the brazier closer when I suddenly heard his raspy voice.

I dropped to the floor in shock.

He struggled to stand up and stared down at me. The candlelight flickered across his face, making his features look even more striking.

I scrambled up awkwardly and brushed off my dress, trying to put on a well-bred girl's look.

"I'm Ella Page," I replied.

I looked at him and carefully told him my name. Jenny had named me Ella James, but after I joined the Page family, nobody ever brought up changing it. Still, I figured, since Charlie's last name was Page, mine should be too.

"Ella Page." He repeated my name. His voice was pleasant, deep, and gentle.

For some reason, I really wanted to hear him say it again.

But I held back. I thought once I learned all the proper rules and manners and returned to the Prime Minister's Residence, my parents would finally give me the name I deserved. Everyone would call me Ella Page then.

I could wait.

*****

Zed stayed behind.

He was injured, and it was clear he wasn't going to get better anytime soon. So, I kept him hidden in my room to recover.

"How do you get the medicine? You don't look like someone who needs these," he asked me, holding up the bottle.

"I made it myself. I used to get hurt when I worked, but seeing a doctor was too expensive. So, I learned to make folk remedies from the village doctor. They really worked.

"I scraped my knees while learning rules and manners these days. After using these, my knees were fine by morning," I gave an embarrassed smile and replied.

I was talking with great excitement. Since coming back to the Prime Minister's Residence, I didn't have much else to show for myself. This was the only thing I was actually good at.

But Zed went silent. I realized it and trailed off awkwardly, fiddling with the pages of my book, not sure what to do.

"You're the Prime Minister's daughter. How come you're here?" he asked.

He put it gently, but I didn't know what to say. I'd already repeated the story Jenny had told me to so many people. I wasn't about to go through it again with someone I barely knew.

So, I just mumbled, "I'm here to learn proper rules and manners."

He was sharp. He didn't push any further, letting me keep my dignity. He simply picked up my book and said, "From now on, I'll teach you to read."

He said it was to pay me back for saving him.

I tried asking about his background, but he never would say. I figured maybe it was something he couldn't talk about, so I didn't pry.

He stayed, teaching me those dusty, confusing texts and showing me how to behave. He said, "I'll turn you into a proper, well-bred young lady."

That was probably when I truly fell in love with him.

Those days at the country estate were the happiest time of my life. Then, one morning, he left without a word. All he left behind was a letter, telling me to wait, and he would come back to marry me.

At the time, I believed him.

I closed my eyes and couldn't keep thinking about this anymore.

The pendant had fetched 115 silver coins, and I wrapped them up carefully. These were all I had to get by on for the rest of my life.

My mind was still a mess even after I left the pawnshop. Old memories kept flooding in, dragging me deeper into restlessness. The frustration became unbearable, and I slammed my head against the wall.

Maybe my behavior was too crazy. The voices arguing in my head suddenly went quiet. After a long pause, one finally piped up timidly: [Is Ella losing her mind?]

I sneered in my heart, 'Yeah, I am crazy, but not now. I lost it a long, long time ago.'