As Alea opened her eyes, she saw a masked man carrying her in a princess-carry style. The mask was featureless, with no visible eyes, but strangely, she felt a sense of familiarity about him. The man's scent, the build of his body, and even his hair seemed similar to the man she loved.
Unknowingly, she whispered his name, uncertain if it was really him, "Lord Cian?"
The man looked down at her, or at least it seemed like he did, even though there were no eyeholes in the mask to indicate his gaze. But just from that gesture, Alea was now certain that this was indeed Cian.
"You saved me, Lord Cian," Alea said with tears streaming down her face, as she clung onto his clothes and buried her head in his chest. "If you hadn't saved me, I... I can't even think about it." She couldn't bear to finish the thought.