Samsara's POV
A cold wind blew against my face. I opened my eyes and rose from where I was lying.
The room was unfamiliar, yet it held a strangely familiar feeling. I looked out the window—it was dawn.
"No," I mumbled, standing up. For the second time, fear crawled through my body.
I'm back. The same feeling lingers. They'll break in and try again.
Without hesitation, I ran from the room. Without looking back, I kept running, desperate to escape. I didn't recognize this place, but I knew—I was trapped in the loop again.
"Why did I fall asleep?!" I muttered as I kept running.
I had fought to stay awake. I tried to survive. But I failed. And now, it's all starting over.
I stopped to catch my breath. Looking around, I found myself in an open area.
Not far ahead stood a man, a sword in his hand. I needed help before they found me.
"Help me!" I screamed. The man turned, his expression frozen in shock.
A familiar face.
"Mister... Rikuya?" I whispered. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and my legs began to tremble.
Before I could collapse, he caught me in his arms.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly. His voice made me cry even harder.
"H-help... me," I mumbled between sobs.
I clenched his shirt with trembling fists, and he held me in return.
Please... help me. They're coming.
"What happened?" he asked again. He gently pushed me back, but I clung tightly to his waist.
"No! Please don't leave me—they're coming!" I cried.
He wrapped me in a tight embrace that made me feel safe. I buried my face in his chest. I didn't know why… and I didn't care.
All I knew was that I felt safe.
*~*~*~*~*
Third Person's POV
"Are you okay now?" Aizen asked softly. He received no answer.
"Miss Samsara," he said again, but still she didn't respond.
He gently pulled her from his embrace and lifted her chin.
'She fell asleep while crying,' he thought.
"I wonder what made you tremble with fear," he whispered, wiping away her tears before carrying her back to the manor.
"My goodness! What happened to her, my lord?" Martha—the old lady, asked.
"Call the physician," he ordered, heading straight to his room.
He gently laid her down and covered her. As he looked more closely, her silver hair framed her features perfectly.
"Samsara!"
He stepped back at the sound of Anastasius' voice.
"What happened to her, Mister Rikuya?" he asked.
"I found her running toward me in the training ground. She was crying and trembling with fear," Aizen explained.
"Do you know what happened to her?" Aizen asked, his eyes fixed on Samsara.
Anastasius was silent for a moment.
"She was harassed by other mercenaries before I met her," he replied, his voice laced with anger. "She said that if she sleeps, the loop starts again."
Aizen glanced at Anastasius, his expression is mixed with concern and fury.
But Anastasius' statement piqued his interest.
"My lord, the physician is here," Nari announced.
The physician from Miravell walked straight to Samsara and began examining her. She adjusted her lens, and a magic circle appeared before her eyes.
"How long has the lady been asleep?" she asked.
"She was unconscious for two days, then woke up in a panic," Aizen replied.
The physician placed a glowing hand on Samsara's forehead.
"A magician?" Anastasius whispered.
Aizen watched her closely. Samsara's expression had softened—no longer as tense as before.
"She's suffering from insomnia and trauma," the physician said.
Aizen felt something stir within him. His jaw tightened as he continued listening.
"She needs more rest. Her body is weak—she hasn't had proper sleep. I'll prescribe nutrients to help her recover," the physician explained, rising to her feet.
"I've also cast a calming spell to prevent panic attacks when she wakes again," she added.
"Nari, prepare a room for the physician," Aizen ordered.
"Well, of course. As if you'd actually let me go home," the physician muttered as she left the room.
Silence filled the room.
"What's your latest intel on the bandits?" Aizen asked, breaking the stillness.
Anastasius glanced at him. "We left the southern village en route to the capital. I think that's where they're headed," he replied.
"Why do you ask?" he added.
Aizen didn't answer right away.
"What were you and Samsara planning to do in the capital?" he asked, shifting the subject.
"Well… we intended to take on a commission once we arrived," Anastasius replied. A flicker of curiosity—and suspicion—began to stir in his mind.
Anastasius was about to speak when a knock came at the door.
"My lord," a butler said as he entered.
Aizen looked at the butler, then glanced at Samsara once more.
"You should stay here until she wakes. She might panic again," Aizen said, then turned and left.
*~*~*~*~*
Samsara's POV
"Lady Samara, I came to help you wash and get changed."
I slowly opened my eyes at the sound of a soft voice.
"Miss Samsara, you're awake!" A familiar face beamed with joy—it was the girl we saved.
"Anton, tell his lordship that Miss Samsara is awake!" she called. A little boy darted out of the room.
I stared at her for a moment.
Wait.
I'm not in the loop?
"How long was I asleep?" I asked as I rose.
She looked away, thinking, then turned back to me. "You arrived five days ago. You slept for two days, then woke up in a panic and ran to his lordship. After that… you slept for another three days."
"What?"
"Samsara!" The door burst open as Anastasius ran toward me.
Before I could react, he hugged me tightly.
"What are you doing?" I asked, frowning.
He said nothing.
"Get away from me, scarecrow," I snapped, yanking his hair.
"Ow! I was just worried—why are you pulling my hair?" he complained, sulking in the corner.
I gave him a disgusted look.
"I'm not dead," I muttered.
"How are you feeling, Miss Samsara? Did you get enough sleep?" the girl asked as she walked toward me.
She has an insignia of Miravell on her collar. Behind her is Mister Rikuya, watching silently.
I hadn't realized he was here.
"I'm fine now," I answered.
"Hmm. Let me take a look." She sat at the edge of the bed and began examining me.
Her lens flashed a glowing circle in front of my eyes. She must be a mage who chose to practice medicine.
"Alrighty! Your insomnia is gone. But you need to eat plenty—you haven't had anything in five days!" she said, shaking her head.
Is she… nagging me?
"You could've been malnourished if I hadn't cast a spell on you," she added.
Yes. She's nagging me.
"She's right, Samsara. You don't look like a pig anymore," Anastasius said.
I smiled at him. "Once I regain my strength, you'll be the first person I find—and I'll cut out your tongue, Anastasius," I said in a warning tone.
"W-well then! I've got work to do!" he exclaimed and bolted from the room.
"Nari, help her get dressed. I'll wait in the dining room," Mister Rikuya ordered before leaving.
I heard the physician chuckle, and I looked at her, confused.
"Well then, I'll be going. Lord Aizen practically made me a prisoner here," she said, mock-crying as she exited the room.
Seriously? What's gotten into these people? Did I miss something?
"Don't mind them, Miss Samsara. They're just concerned about you," Nari said as she helped me stand and guided me to the washroom.
"Oh, by the way. I'm Nari. I'm a scholar from Miravell and was deployed here at Rikuya Estate." She introduced. I gave her a smile because I didn't know what to respond.
"Can I happened to the past five days?" I asked. Changing the topic.
I let out a small sigh as I lowered myself into the water. My joints immediately relaxed.
"Hmmm... Do you know how worried everyone in this house has been about you?" she said as she began scrubbing my hair.
"Did I cause that much of a commotion?"
"Well…" she paused and giggled. "After his lordship caught you running at the training ground, rumors began to spread." She said while giggling.
"What?!"
Suddenly, a random image flashed through my mind. My jaw dropped.
What did I just do...?
"Don't worry—his lordship isn't mad. In fact, it's quite the opposite," Nari said as she rinsed the shampoo from my hair.
"He's worried about you. Especially your friend," she added. "I don't know what happened between them, but they seem angry."
I bit my lip. Anastasius probably told Mr. Rikuya what happened to me before I met him.
That scarecrow. I'm going to beat him to death.
After I bathed, Nari helped me get dressed. While she was fixing my clothes, I couldn't help but think.
How did I not fall into the loop again? I mean—I'm grateful that didn't happen, but... how?
Back in the southern village, every time I fell asleep, I would return to that nightmare.
I don't know who I could even ask about it. They might think I've gone insane.
"There!" I snapped back at the sound of Nari's voice. "You're so pretty, Samsara!" she squealed.
My eyes widened as I caught sight of myself in the mirror. "I—I—I can't wear this?!" I gasped. I hadn't realized she dressed me in a dress that nobles wear.
"Aww. You can't wear the dress his lordship bought for you?" she teased.
What...?
"Now let's go eat!" she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the dining room.
When Nari said "let's go eat," she meant just me and Mister Rikuya.
He sat at the center of the table, and I was seated to his right.
I couldn't bring myself to swallow my food—awkwardness swirled thick in the air around us.
"The dress suits you."
I coughed when I heard him speak. Did I hear him correctly?
"Are you okay?" he asked, handing me a glass of water. I nodded and took a sip.
"T-thank you," I replied.
Why are you stuttering, Samsara?!
I took a deep breath to calm myself.
"You and Anastasius are welcome to stay at the estate whenever you wish," he said plainly.
"But I doubt your friend will leave," he added with a smirk.
"Did he cause you any trouble?" I asked, my tone serious.
He smiled and clasped his hands, resting his chin on them.
"He asked me for a job here—as repayment for saving my pupil."
That scarecrow.
"What job?"
"Technically, it's not a job. I gave him a duty," he said, looking at me intently. "He's become my knight now."
My brows twitched. "He what?"
Mister Rikuya's gaze didn't waver. "He insisted. Said it was the least he could do after what happened. I had my doubts, but…"
He leaned back in his chair, his smirk softening. "There's potential. Rough around the edges, but loyal."
Anastasius just went straight ahead to the den of werewolves. Does he not know that this person is a Harbinger?!
I scoffed. "That scarecrow's idea of loyalty includes pouting in corners and nearly sobbing over pulled hair."
"I noticed," he said with a chuckle. "But he asked me when you were in despair."
I looked down at my plate, appetite vanishing again. The food was warm, but my thoughts were colder.
He continued, quieter this time. "He told me about the loop. About what you've been through."
My fingers tightened around the fork. I didn't know what to say.
"He said it's like you're waking into a nightmare each time you sleep," he went on, his tone neither pitying nor dismissive. Just... steady.
I dared a glance at him. "And you believed him?"
He didn't smile this time. "I believe you."
The room was silent, save for the faint clink of cutlery somewhere down the hall.
I can't tell him about the loop, even if he already knows. Because I, myself, still don't understand how I ended up in it.
"What are your plans once you recover your health? Will you continue to the capital?" he asked.
I met his gaze again—his ocean-colored eyes watching me, as if waiting for something more than just an answer.
"I don't have any plans yet," I said.
"Very well."
He smiled, resting his chin on his hands. His eyes disappeared beneath that easy expression, and yet—something inside me stirred. I quickly looked away.
"Uhm..."
"Hmm?"
"May I visit the sparring ground?" I asked. I just wanted to beat Anastasius into pulp.