"Huh? It's like this—actually, I'd already met him twice before coming to Moore Manor," Mia said. Dick quickly shifted the topic, catching Mia off guard at first.
"Huh?" Dick tilted his head in confusion. "We've always been together—when did you meet him alone? How did I miss that? A man that handsome—you'd never forget him after seeing him once."
"The first time was when we reached the northern desert border, riding the carriage through the stone mountains. Remember when I told you I saw someone standing on a rock, watching our carriage? That was Arthur."
"Oh!" Dick nodded, understanding. "I remember that."
"And the second time?" Dick pressed.
"The second time…" Mia's expression softened, a wistful smile playing on her lips as she recalled that dreamy, hazy night. "It was late one night. I couldn't sleep and heard the most beautiful flute music. It was like a call, drawing me toward it. I couldn't help but follow the sound, and then… I saw him."
Dick watched Mia's entranced expression in silence. After a moment, he took her hand and asked, "Mia, have you fallen in love with him?"
Mia's unfocused gaze slowly settled on Dick, but she didn't answer.
Her look was enough for Dick to understand. He lowered his head in thought, and when he looked up, a smile tugged at his lips, his eyes filled with earnestness. "He's definitely the kind of person you can't help but fall for. And I can tell he really cares about you—otherwise, he wouldn't have been so angry that day. But Mia, he's so exceptional, the head of a powerful family. His status is so high that people like us can't even stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him. No matter how good he is to you now, one day, someone truly suited to him will come along and take your place. What will you do then?"
Hearing Dick's concerns, Mia gave him a reassuring smile but didn't respond directly. Instead, she pulled a few neatly folded papers from her waistband and handed them to Dick. "Take a look at these."
Dick unfolded the papers, and his eyes widened as he saw their contents. "These are…!"
"Your indenture contract, and some money," Mia finished for him, seeing his speechlessness.
"Mia, you…!" Dick stared at her, eyes wide with disbelief.
Mia smiled understandingly and explained why she was giving him these things. "I remember you saying you didn't want to keep serving others, being treated like a slave. So I asked Arthur for your contract and some money. Now you're not only free, but you also have enough to make a life for yourself out there and take care of yourself."
"Oh my God, Mia, I was just venting back then, complaining a little—that's all! And you took it to heart." Dick's emotions were indescribable—excitement, elation. In his hands was the freedom he'd always dreamed of!
But suddenly, a memory flooded Dick's mind, and his expression darkened with concern. "Mia, how did you get these? Did that leader do anything to you? And my contract is here, but what about yours? If you're telling me to leave alone, I'd rather not have this kind of freedom!"
"Dick!" Mia was touched by his care and kindness. Holding back tears that threatened to spill, she gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Arthur gave these to me sincerely—he didn't do anything to make things difficult for me. As for my contract, I burned it the moment I got it. The reason I'm not leaving with you… is because I don't want to leave him. Maybe one day I'll be replaced by someone more suited to him, and by then, I'll have given up on him completely. But if I leave now, I know I'll never forget him. I'd live the rest of my life with regrets."
"Mia…" Seeing the deep love in her eyes, Dick sighed. Once love takes hold, its mark stains the heart forever, never fading. Perhaps, as she said, where love lies, the heart dies. Even if you can't escape love's grip, at least you won't hold onto hope for it anymore.
"Dick, I'm doing this for myself too—to give myself a way out. Once you're free, go make a name for yourself out there. If the day comes when I'm truly kicked out of Moore Manor, at least I can turn to you. You won't turn your back on me, right?" Mia forced a smile, shifting to a lighter topic to ease the heavy mood.
"Ha, don't underestimate me! I'll make something big happen, earn tons of money—yes, piles of it! And if you don't come find me, I'll track you down and give you a good beating! I'll protect you and make sure you live out your days in comfort!" Unlike Mia's deeper thoughts, Dick was swept up by her change of topic, brimming with enthusiasm as he eagerly planned their shared future.
Mia listened with feigned interest, occasionally marveling at his grand ideas, but neither noticed the impenetrable darkness lurking in her eyes.
A few days later, the day of Dick's departure arrived. As Mia bid him farewell, all their unspoken words dissolved into tears of parting.
When Dick's carriage finally vanished from Mia's sight, she threw herself into Arthur's arms, sobbing until she nearly fainted.
No matter how Arthur tried, he couldn't soothe her grief. He could only hold her tightly, letting her tears soak his chest.
His heart twisted and ached, mirroring her sorrow.
For a long time afterward, Mia seemed downcast and listless. Despite Arthur's every effort to cheer her up, she could only muster a faint, forced smile before slipping back into her own thoughts, staring blankly all day. Arthur watched her with growing anxiety.
The weekend before Christmas, Mia finally emerged from her persistent gloom and suggested that Arthur take her into the city to explore. She mentioned that she had been in the northern desert for so long but had never visited the city, and she wanted him to go with her.
Arthur was overjoyed and eagerly agreed. Mia's low spirits had kept her from wanting to go out, no matter how much he tried to persuade her, and she had stayed cooped up in her room. Her sudden desire to visit the city must mean she was finally letting go of her sadness.
Arthur, who had been wearing a stern expression out of worry for Mia, finally broke into a rare smile. He quickly instructed Tina and Jenny to prepare clothes and essentials for the outing. Then, he and Mia set off together, leaving Moore Manor behind.
Standing in the heart of the northern desert's city for the first time, Mia was thrilled, darting around, shouting to check out this or that. She wove through the crowds, slipping about so quickly that Arthur had to hold her hand tightly to keep her from getting lost.
It was a weekend, and the city was bustling with holiday crowds and countless stalls selling all sorts of goods. Before long, Arthur's hands were full of things Mia wanted to buy or eat.
After wandering for most of the morning, Mia, still eager, pulled Arthur along to continue exploring. He was surprised by her energy—she was nothing like the listless, dispirited Mia of the past few days.
Eventually, Mia's excitement wore her out. Seeing her fatigue, Arthur quickly found a restaurant for them to rest.
As soon as she sat down, Mia rummaged through the snacks they'd bought during their stroll, eager to eat. But when she realized her favorite treat was already gone, her eyes dimmed with disappointment.
Seeing this, Arthur's heart ached. He told her he'd go buy more and asked her to wait at the restaurant, suggesting she eat something else to tide her over.
Mia nodded enthusiastically, her face lighting up.
As Arthur dashed off into the crowd, she watched him go, and the pain and despair in her eyes surged forth…
When Arthur returned to the restaurant with a large bag of snacks, he found it empty—Mia was gone.
"Mia—!"
He stood in the crowd, calling out her name in desperate sorrow, searching for someone he could no longer find.
But his heart-wrenching cries could not pierce the snowy mountains, echoing endlessly through the valleys…