When did he start following me?
Or… had Lloyd known from the beginning that I was staying here?
His stern expression made me freeze on the spot. I quickly regained my composure and avoided his gaze.
"Please don't get involved."
I turned to enter the inn, but his voice stopped me.
"They've sent people from Valdormer."
I froze at his words.
People from Valdormer? That couldn't be right. Kallion wasn't the kind of man to dispatch his agents just because I disappeared.
…Unless he was worried I might leak secrets again. That could explain it.
"If you stay here, they'll find you soon."
"…"
I couldn't answer. While I hesitated, he gently grabbed my hand and smiled softly.
"Let's go to my villa for now."
"Villa…?"
If it were the main Silverstel estate, Valdormer's people might find me. But if it was a secluded villa, even they would have a hard time.
And I had a hunch where he meant.
A beautiful ice mansion nestled in the mountains nearby—
Saintpol Villa, named after a flower that bloomed on winter cliffs.
It was also where Lloyd and I had spent our honeymoon in a previous life.
Of course, Lloyd couldn't have known that. But I remembered too clearly… and I couldn't accept his offer easily.
"I don't want to be in your debt."
At my cold reply, Lloyd tilted his head slightly and murmured softly.
"They're already here."
"What…?"
Shocked, I glanced around. Lloyd nodded toward the window, and I looked inside the inn.
Two men in black robes were speaking to the innkeeper.
My shoulders tensed. I couldn't move forward or back.
Lloyd took my hand again.
"Let's head to my carriage."
"But my things…"
I looked back at the inn awkwardly, but he smiled.
"If it's that small bag of yours, I already had it moved to the carriage."
"What…?"
When had he…?
But more than that—he took my belongings without permission? That wasn't like the Lloyd I knew.
While I stood there in disbelief, he smiled brightly and gently tugged my hand.
"Let's go."
And just like that, I was led into the Silverstel carriage.
Inside, just as he said, was my modest travel bag neatly placed.
While I was still trying to process everything, the carriage suddenly began to move.
***
Saintpol.
The beautiful "Ice Villa" was just as I remembered.
As a private retreat, only minimal staff were kept there, making it quiet—almost empty.
Despite its size, it felt peaceful, perhaps because there were so few people.
Lost in memories, I stared at the house. Lloyd smiled and stepped forward.
"You'll catch a cold. Let's go inside."
Pushing the memories aside, I followed him in.
"I asked Marsha to prepare your room in advance."
Everything was already prepared, as if he had expected me to come.
He led me to what he said was my room.
It was the biggest and most beautiful room in the villa.
"You'll be staying here for now, Yuliana."
It was the very same room where Lloyd and I had spent our honeymoon.
I froze in place.
Just in case, I turned to look at him—but he only smiled kindly.
Seeing my tense expression, he misunderstood and asked gently,
"Is the room not to your liking? If that's the case, I'll ask Marsha to prepare a different one."
"No, it's fine."
This place didn't have many staff. I didn't want to burden anyone just because of my memories.
Besides, it felt silly to make a fuss over something only I remembered.
Satisfied with my answer, Lloyd smiled softly.
"Get some rest for today."
"…Thank you."
I meant it.
He had always been so kind to me—then and now.
No matter what, I was always his priority. I was grateful for that… and also sorry.
Sorry, I couldn't open my heart to someone so kind.
Sorry, I had shown my cold, cruel side to him.
Sorry, I had once made those kind eyes shed tears of blood.
As I quietly watched him, he looked at me for a moment before smiling awkwardly and stepping back.
"I'll leave you now, Yuliana. Sweet dreams."
"You too, Lloyd."
With a gentle smile, he walked out of the room.
I sat there, stunned, staring around.
Everything looked exactly like the room from our honeymoon.
***
When I opened my eyes, my vision was blurry.
Lloyd's face was between my thighs.
Shocked, I tried to scream—but no sound came out.
Why was Lloyd…?
The man I knew would never act so rudely.
Even if he had desires, he would've asked for my consent first.
He would never force himself into my bed like this…
He looked up at me from between my legs.
His blue eyes were cloudy and intense.
Then, still locking eyes with me, he began licking the inside of my thigh.
The sensation shot up my spine like lightning.
At the same time, my rational mind screamed that this wasn't right.
I tried to push him away, but strangely, my body wouldn't move. My voice wouldn't come out.
It felt like I wasn't in control—like it wasn't even my body.
A strange feeling of déjà vu ran through me.
"Yuliana…"
He whispered gently as he kissed my thigh.
"My Yuliana…"
The closer his warm breath got to my center, the more my whole body tensed.
And then, hearing him call me by that name, I realized:
This was a memory from our honeymoon.
More precisely, it was a dream.
But it felt so real, so vivid—I clenched my eyes shut.
"It's just a dream. It's just a dream. Wake up…"
Then something hot and unfamiliar touched my most sensitive spot.
The shock made me arch my back and grip the pillow tightly.
My mind went hazy—I couldn't think clearly.
Yes… he had always been like this during our nights together.
It was as if he didn't want me to think at all.
So persistent.
So intense that sometimes it was frightening.
He didn't care about himself—he only focused on me.
As if I was the only thing that mattered.
As if holding on to me was the only thing that mattered to him.
***
When I opened my eyes again, it was morning.
Still dazed, I looked around the bed and let out a laugh.
The sheets were untouched, like I had just laid down.
I was still in my nightgown from last night, my skin fresh and clean from my evening bath.
It really was a dream.
Maybe it was because I slept in the honeymoon room…
This whole villa was filled with memories of our three years together.
Every corner held a trace of us walking hand in hand.
Maybe dreaming about those days was only natural.
Even if they were memories, I never wanted the current Lloyd to find out about them.
Pulling myself together, I looked around for my suitcase so I could change out of my nightgown.
But no matter how much I searched, I couldn't find it.
Now that I thought about it… I didn't remember bringing it into the room.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Madam, may I come in?"
It was Marsha, the head maid of the villa.
Recognizing her familiar voice, I cleared my throat and replied.
"Yes, come in."
A warm-looking middle-aged woman stepped inside, holding a crisp white dress in her arms.