Under a dark, cloud-covered sky, Aster lay drenched in blood…
It was the same dream he had every single night.
But this time—
Something was different.
'That dream again. He's about to kill me.'
And just like always—
The dagger pierced his chest.
But it didn't end there.
'What? Why isn't this ending?'
Suddenly, Aster's head turned involuntarily to the side.
Not far from him—
Another figure lay on the ground.
A woman.
'Who is she?'
A sack covered her head.
Her body was bruised, bloodied, and covered in wounds.
It was obvious. She had suffered greatly before she died.
'I've never seen her before.'
Aster reached his hand toward her—
And the dream ended.
Morning arrived.
Aster slowly lifted his head from the pillow and looked out the window.
The street outside was blanketed in snow.
Despite the cold, the sky was perfectly clear.
The sun shone brightly, its light reaching into the room.
He sat upright, lost in thought.
His mind was entirely focused on the woman from his dream.
'I've never seen her in my dreams before. Who could she be?'
He pressed a finger to his temple and narrowed his eyes.
Possibilities filled his mind.
Was she his mother from his past life?
'No… she looked too young.'
Perhaps his daughter? His younger sister?
'Too old for that.'
The moment that thought formed—
His cheeks flushed slightly.
He felt awkward.
Could she have been…
Could she have been… the woman he loved in his previous life?
'Calm down. It's just speculation.'
Overwhelmed by these thoughts, he forced himself to relax.
There was no point rushing to conclusions.
He turned his head and looked at the other bed.
His master's belongings remained exactly as they had been the night before—untouched.
'What were they doing all night?'
He stood up.
Curiosity flickered within him—
But a faint sadness crossed his face.
He assumed his master hadn't returned because of what he had done yesterday.
Still—
He tried to think positively.
'Are the girls awake?'
He stepped toward the door.
Then—
He realized something was missing.
He raised his hand to his face.
'I forgot to cover my eyes.'
He returned to his place, tore a strip of cloth, and tied it over his eyes.
Only then did he step outside.
As Aster exited his room, another door nearby opened.
Anna and Suna stepped out as well.
"Suna, is everything alright?"
The servant girl gently closed her door.
"This is the hundredth time you've asked. I told you—it's fine."
'From what I can see, she's right,' Aster thought quietly.
Then Suna's gaze landed on him.
"What are you thinking about?"
She paused.
"Don't tell me…"
She covered her mouth dramatically, as if shocked.
'Nothing irritates me more than her teasing.'
Anna looked at him.
"How's your hand?"
"It's fine. Thanks for the ointment yesterday."
He closed his door behind him.
They went downstairs together and had breakfast.
Before long, Valorant entered from outside.
"Good morning," Aster said, slightly hesitant.
Valorant responded as if nothing had happened.
"Morning."
Suna asked first.
"Where were you?"
"I walked around the city," Valorant replied. "Looking for someone to transport us."
Anna leaned forward slightly.
"Did you find someone?"
The old man nodded faintly.
"After breakfast, we leave."
Once they finished eating, everyone returned to their rooms to gather their belongings.
Sensing an opportunity, Aster turned to his master.
"Master."
Valorant looked at him.
"I'm sorry. About what happened yesterday—"
"You don't need to apologize," Valorant interrupted, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"What matters is that you corrected your mistake."
Aster nodded slightly.
"When our task is finished," Valorant continued, "I'll help you uncover who you are."
With that, he picked up his things and headed downstairs.
Aster remained standing there, surprised.
'What happens now?'
Yes, he wanted to learn about his family and origins.
But not as desperately as before.
After leaving the inn, they found a man waiting for them.
He was tall and middle-aged.
Seeing their gazes, he introduced himself.
"Hello. My name is Kan."
He waved casually.
"Get on the carriage."
Valorant climbed aboard first.
The others followed.
The journey from Obilvor to Kan's home turned out to be long.
They had to stop occasionally along the way.
During that time, Aster learned quite a bit about Kan.
He was far more cheerful and friendly than his appearance suggested.
'He doesn't seem dangerous.'
After a long and tiring ride, they finally arrived at Kan's village.
At first glance, it looked no different from any other village.
But as they entered—
Aster felt the atmosphere.
People seemed warm. Friendly.
Kind.
As that thought formed, he immediately corrected himself.
'You know what people are really like. You can't trust everyone.'
His vigilance returned.
Kan's carriage stopped in front of a house.
He jumped down and shouted toward it—
"I'm home! Your father's back!"
The door burst open.
Two small children ran out.
"Dad!"
'That must be his older daughter and younger son.'
They threw themselves into his arms.
"Did you miss me?" he asked, kissing their foreheads.
"Yes!"
Their faces radiated pure happiness.
Then—
A woman stepped out of the house.
His wife.
From the carriage, the others watched quietly.
Valorant remained seated.
Suna, Anna, and Aster leaned forward slightly to observe the reunion.
As Aster watched the family—
Something stirred painfully in his chest.
He placed a hand over his heart.
'Yes… they're happy.'
Suddenly, Suna covered Anna's eyes playfully.
"Young girls shouldn't see this."
Anna tilted her head slightly.
"And you?"
"I'm already grown."
Suna turned toward Aster as if to say the same to him—
But he had already lowered his head inside the carriage.
Seeing her glance, Aster muttered,
"I get it."
Kan turned back toward them.
"We have guests today."
One by one—
They stepped down from the carriage.