Dawn light slipped thinly into a tributary of the Serena River. The water's surface shimmered and swayed. Morning dew had fallen on the grass along the riverbank, and each time the cold air touched her skin, she felt a chill seeping down to her very core. Arnoir Sophia woke to the sound of birds. She opened her eyes groggily. The sky hung suspended between orange and blue. The clothes she'd worn since last night clung to her body, still slightly damp. The memory of diving into the river made her shudder. She pushed herself upright and looked around. Cross Rain was there. Sitting in front of the small fire, his back to her. He'd been there since last night. His body wasn't moving, yet not completely still either——she understood at once that he hadn't slept. Sophia paused for a moment. (He hasn't slept at all.) When was the last time someone had done that for her? Back at court, the handmaidens had been there out of duty. Her fiancé had never once stayed with her until dawn. Her father never left his study. This man——the man who'd become an executioner by designation——had kept watch over Sophia the entire night while she slept. "[serious]……May I ask your name?" Rain turned slowly. Red eyes met hers. Morning light caught the diagonal scar on his right cheek. "[cold]Cross Rain." That was all he said. Then he turned back to face the fire. Sophia repeated the name in her mind. Cross Rain. Last night he'd refused to tell her, saying they needed to hurry. Now it came out as easily as anything. "[serious]You're an executioner, aren't you." There was a pause. "[cold]That's right. There are only three in the kingdom." Only three. Sophia understood what that meant. The Knight of the Scaffold——the official executioner——was a socially despised existence. Even at court, the nobility wouldn't speak their names. She'd once seen a noble change seats rather than share a building with one. Marriage and land ownership were restricted. She'd heard they received three times the salary of ordinary knights, but in exchange, they lived in solitary, designated quarters. Never approached by anyone. Never able to approach anyone. Sophia found herself at a loss for words. Noticing her reaction, Rain glanced at her for just a moment. Then, without saying anything, he looked away and placed her wet jacket near the fire. Silently. As if it were the most natural thing in the world. He was accustomed to this silence, she realized. (Ah.) Something deep in Sophia's chest began to ache. She understood——he'd been treated this way countless times before. Say your name, receive silence, and that's the end of it. He'd long since grown used to that cycle. "[serious]……I'm sorry." Rain turned his head slightly. "[serious]For going silent. I thought it was rude of me." There was a long pause. "[cold]Don't worry about it." His tone was curt. But there was no anger in it. Sophia was quiet for a moment, then pulled her warming jacket closer. ────── The main highway to Horne's waystation couldn't be used. Rain said that wanted notices had already been distributed to the checkpoints and waystations along all the kingdom's major roads. So the two of them chose the beast path along the river instead, heading west. Grass wet with morning dew clung to their feet, and the inside of her leather shoes grew damp. The hem of her dress had caught on things repeatedly since yesterday——there were already three frayed spots. Sophia didn't complain. There was no point, and she was in no position to. About an hour into their walk, Rain stopped. Through gaps in the trees, the highway was visible. "[serious]Look at that." Sophia's eyes followed his gaze. A piece of paper was pasted to the outer wall of the checkpoint guardhouse. Even from a distance, she could tell. A wanted poster. Her face was drawn there. Sophia stared at the paper for several seconds. It swayed in the wind. A small scrap of paper, swaying. "[serious]……Three hundred dinars for Sophia. Five hundred for me." "[surprised]Yours is higher." "[cold]A knight who defied orders. The priority for pursuit is higher." Those words sank slowly into Sophia's chest. Defied orders. Which meant this man had given up everything as a knight to help her. The kingdom's backing. His position. Everything he'd built up until now——all of it. The number five hundred dinars was the weight of that price. Sophia couldn't say anything. "[serious]We can't use the bridge. We'll find a shallow ford where we can cross the tributary." Rain said only that, then started walking again. After a beat, Sophia followed. ────── Near midday, the two of them sat down by the riverbank. It was meant to be a short rest. Rain pulled dried meat and hard bread from his leather bag and placed them silently in front of Sophia. Nothing more. He said nothing. "[serious]What about your share?" "[cold]I'll eat later. You first." Sophia frowned. "[serious]I don't like that." "[cold]……?" "[serious]I don't like eating alone while someone else waits. Here, take half. We'll eat together." Rain was quiet for a moment. His expression said: what is this woman talking about? But when Sophia broke the dried meat in half and forcefully placed it in his hand, after a pause he said "Fine" and accepted it. The two of them sat side by side, chewing hard bread. There was no conversation. Only the sound of the river flowing and birds singing. The sky was clear, and the water's surface glimmered with light. Sophia realized, with some surprise, that this silence didn't feel painful. Back at court, every meal had come with someone's gaze, someone's intentions, forced smiles. She'd been constantly thinking——what could she say without being rude? How should she present herself? Now she didn't have to think about any of it. She could just eat this hard, flavorless bread. (How strange. In a situation like this.) When Sophia glanced sideways, Rain was looking at the water's surface. The expression that had been taut since morning had relaxed, just slightly. His profile was more peaceful than she'd expected—— Sophia quickly turned her gaze forward. Her cheeks felt warm, but she decided it was just the sunlight. ────── They made camp that night in the brush along the river. A small fire was lit, and the two of them sat before it. The sound of burning wood continued quietly. Sophia asked something she'd wanted to know for a while. "[serious]Why did you become an executioner?" Rain didn't move, his eyes on the flames. "[serious]You didn't choose it yourself. I can tell by your face." There was a long pause. The flames swayed gently. "[cold]It wasn't voluntary. I was designated." "[cold]I had no right to refuse." That was all. He didn't explain why. But in those brief words, something was contained——something she could feel. Something moved in the depths of Sophia's chest. She'd been placed in a position she didn't choose. She'd thought only she was suffering something unreasonable. For two months, she'd believed that. Tried for a crime with no evidence, cast aside by her father, betrayed by friends. No one had understood how alone she was. But this man had also been chosen by someone, and because of that choice, he'd been hated by people. For a long time. She didn't know how many years, but one thing was clear——he was "accustomed" to it. "[gentle]Thank you." Rain turned to face her. "[gentle]For helping me. And for……being with me." After saying it, she felt a little embarrassed. But she had no desire to take it back. Rain said nothing. The flames swayed. In that light, the corners of Rain's eyes seemed to soften, just slightly——or so it appeared to Sophia. ────── It was the next morning. As they made their way along a path that veered away from the main road to avoid Horne's checkpoint, two figures appeared through the trees. Two people. Black armor. No horses, but the swords at their hips and the emblems on their chests made it clear. The Iron Crown Brigade——the pursuit unit under the direct command of the Crown Prince. They noticed the two of them at the same time. One of them pulled out a wanted poster and compared it. The moment recognition flashed across his face, he shouted. "[angry]There! The villainess!" Rain moved. He stepped in front of Sophia and drew two short swords from his belt simultaneously. One against two. But there was no hesitation in Rain's movements. The first knight brought his sword down——Rain deflected it. As the blade cut through empty air, he stepped in and struck the inside of the knight's wrist with the hilt of his short sword. A sharp crack, and the sword fell to the ground. The second knight came from the side. Rain dropped low in a forward roll, slid beneath him, and swept his legs. The knight fell to his knees. Less than ten seconds had passed. Both were incapacitated. Not killed. But unable to move. Sophia had forgotten to breathe. (Is this what he is?) Rain retrieved his swords and said "Let's go." Sophia nodded and ran. ────── The problem came after. Along the detour route, there was a small farmhouse. Laundry hung outside. An elderly couple was working in the field. An ordinary morning scene. As they tried to pass by, a child burst from the farmhouse door. A girl, perhaps five or six years old. The girl saw Sophia. Her mother came out quickly behind her, holding something. The girl looked up at her mother and said loudly. "[surprised]Mom, isn't this lady the villainess from the wanted poster?" Silence. The elderly couple turned. The mother's expression froze. Her eyes met Sophia's. "[serious]Run." The two of them ran. The villagers' gazes burned into their backs. ────── They finally stopped when they reached the forest. Sophia breathed heavily, her shoulders heaving. Beside her, Rain's breathing was also slightly elevated. "[serious]You need a disguise. Your golden hair is too conspicuous." Sophia touched her own hair. It fell to her waist. She'd been told since childhood that the women of House Arnoir had always had this color. At court, she'd been praised endlessly for its beauty. "[serious]You mean cut it?" "[cold]Your decision." Sophia was silent for a moment. (Surely not……that can't be right.) Half of her wanted to think that. But she remembered the wanted poster's precision. That sketch had been drawn by a court artist. The combination of golden hair and golden eyes was rare even in the kingdom. A child had recognized her immediately. Adults would be even more certain. "[serious]I understand. Cut it." Rain offered his sword. Sophia took it. She gathered her long hair in her hand, grasped it at about shoulder height. She placed the blade against it—— And cut. A bundle of gold fell to the ground. She wanted to cry. She didn't. She bit her lip slightly and looked up. Rain glanced at Sophia's hair for a moment. Then, turning away, he said quietly. "[cold]……It suits you better short." Something in the very center of Sophia's chest contracted sharply. (What?) What was that? What—— She felt her face grow hot. She didn't know if she was angry or embarrassed. But one thing was clear——this feeling wasn't gratitude. "[serious]……Y-yes. I'm glad then." Her voice pitched slightly higher. Rain either didn't notice or was already looking ahead. ────── By evening, they still hadn't found a way to cross the next checkpoint. Rain said: to bypass Horne, they needed to cross the tributary. He was searching for a shallow ford, but hadn't found one yet. And worse——a carrier pigeon flew across the distant highway. The Iron Crown Brigade was sending information. The net was slowly tightening. The haircut provided some disguise. But the wanted poster was precise. A change in appearance alone wouldn't be enough to fully protect her. The two of them began preparing for another night's camp by the tributary. Sophia gathered firewood while stealing glances at Rain