Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 23
Roel sealed her lips. Sparing her words as she was not used to lying.
Kyden’s brows furrowed. No matter how much she detested the idea of marriage, venturing aimlessly into the forest during the heart of winter seemed reckless. She didn’t seem that thoughtless.
“What was your plan after leaving the village? Did you have one?”
“I thought of going to another village.”
“In the middle of winter, with nothing but the clothes on your back?”
“Sometimes caravans pass through. And there are travelers… I thought to ask them for help…”
Roel herself realized how pathetic her lie sounded, her voice diminishing with her dwindling confidence.
“You were set on dying.”
“…”
“Caravans don’t travel in this weather.”
Roel knew this too but pretended otherwise.
“I didn’t know. I thought someone would come along if I waited.”
“You ventured too deep for someone just waiting.”
Despite his casual demeanor, his observation was sharp.
“I got lost… I thought if I kept walking, I’d find the road.”
Kyden furrowed at Roel’s trembling shoulders. He was uncertain of her lies but thought it was unimportant.
What mattered was that Roel had nowhere to go after leaving her home and had fortunately stumbled upon his cabin. He had no intention of letting her return home immediately.
After greeting her family first, he thought… he could figure out the rest later.
“So you have nowhere to go right now.”
“…Yes.”
“No need to rush clearing the snow, then.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“No need to struggle.”
“…”
“That’s fortunate.”
Kyden reassured himself. He was already planning to return to his hometown after the winter.
He hadn’t fled because of a major crime. The lord, nearing death, suddenly decided to enforce his droit du seigneur, ordering him to bring the bride-to-be to him.
Defying the lecherous old man’s command only attracted unwarranted anger. Forced to flee after the lord furiously demanded his execution, he planned to stay away only until the old man’s death, as he was on good terms with the lord’s son.
His former lord was in old age and sickly, likely close to death. However, the journey home would be arduous, especially if Roel was pregnant. The thought of traversing the difficult path in a full stomach seemed daunting, yet he wasn’t displeased at the prospect of altering his plans.
“Did you say goodbye to your relatives before leaving? It’s customary to bid farewell.”
“I won’t. I absolutely won’t.”
“Even so…”
“They wanted to sell me. I never want to see them again.”
Roel shook her head vigorously, her face turning pale at the thought.
Kyden scratched his chin at her vehement refusal. Could he just go and settle the bride price on his own? After all, if a couple is to live well, it’s important to leave no hard feelings with family.
Since Roel was now with him…
* * *
Time flowed like a river. Days in the cabin felt long, but a week passed swiftly.
During this time, Roel grew accustomed to a lazy routine, waking up at noon, having a meal that served as both breakfast and lunch, and then dinner as twilight approached.
She had her excuses for the languid lifestyle. With the cabin buried in snow, there were few chores to be done, and Kyden tormenting her at night made getting up early challenging.
‘How can he do this every day? Doesn’t he get bored?’
Roel grumbled, rubbing her weary eyes. While the nights initially filled her with dread, she found herself growing accustomed to them as a week passed.
Now, during their intercourse, Roel no longer passed out, and the initial pain she felt had diminished. Although she still woke up with burning soreness and muscle aches every morning, the tearing agony was no longer present.
The real challenge, however, was the subtle pleasure and the emotions she began to feel towards him.
Kyden now touched her without hesitation, and even in broad daylight, he would casually pull her close. His approach was nonchalant and stoic, which left Roel feeling conflicted, yet she lacked the courage to question his intentions.
Kyden was the most handsome man Roel had ever seen. She hadn’t seen many men, but she was certain none were as large or as masculine as Kyden. From his black hair and yellow eyes to his angular jaw and straight nose, down to the way his lips curved when he smirked, everything about him was incredibly attractive.
She would have never dared approach him if they had met in the village.
Of course, he hadn’t always looked so striking.
His clothes were once shabby, and his beard was unkempt. His unruly hair covered his eyes, making him resemble a wild animal. But after Roel tidied up his appearance—tailored his clothes, trimmed his beard and hair, and softening the fierce gaze—transformed his impression entirely.
That’s why Roel felt saddened.
He wasn’t originally this captivating; he seemed more like an outsider or a loner who didn’t fit in with others, much like herself. It left her with a sense of abandonment of being stuck alone in a pitiful place.
