Pt.1

Kararoon— The cowbell let out a loud, high-pitched noise announcing the visitor.  

"Welcome. Have you brought it?"

Behind Harij, the sky had turned dark. At night, the forest was especially creepy. Even the roses that had already been growing since the first day she arrived seemed eerie.

"You may come in. Don't forget to bring it in also."

Roze didn't miss Harij's scowl as he received the lantern from her—

—It was only to be expected. After all, nobody should ever let their guard down, especially in the presence of a witch. 

Nevertheless, Roze maintained her calm. As a witch, she tried to appear neutral—hence, such was a common state for her.

Harij took off his cloak, then the straps on his waist, and proceeded to remove his sword.

After being handed the package, Roze secretly stole a glance at Harij's face.

It was a face she remembered well, yet still didn't fail to make her swoon.

Under the taut but graceful brows, almond-shaped eyes glinted. They were undeterred—both that and their color resembled the lake's surface on a snowy day. His well-shaped ears were slightly red from the cold. Platinum locks covered his ears as if to protect them.

His face, which was as beautiful as a statue carved by the best sculptor in the kingdom, made her knees weak.

However, as of now, frustration marred his beautiful features.

The cloak and the sword were hung on the pole hanger. The lantern was put beside the burning fireplace. They both entered the witch's hut as she firmly shut the door behind her.

This was the seldom-visited witch's hermitage, located on a small island in the middle of a lake. Roze, the 'Good Witch of the Lake', lived here.

She was hidden deep inside the forest, far from the capital. Her home was tranquil as it was built to escape human eyes.

The lake surrounding the forests was but a large body of water.

In spring, colorful flowers would bloom. In summer, the surrounding would be green. In autumn, red. And in winter, everything would be colored white by snow—even the surface of the water. There were more beasts than people here, but they rarely went beyond the lake.

The only thing that connected her island to the forest was a small boat. It was ancient as it had been used since her grandmother's generation. On the dock, the boat was tied to a picket by a strong cord.

There was no boatman, hence, anyone who wanted to visit the witch had to find their own means of traveling.

Small bushes grew all over the small island and there was also a field—all that could easily be maintained by a lone girl.