Maya quietly surveyed the room, then gave a small nod.
The maid's shoulders relaxed with visible relief, "I'm glad you like it."
After a brief pause, Maya spoke,
"Thank you for showing me here."
The maid stepped back toward the doorway and bowed her head respectfully.
"If you need anything at all, Miss Maya... please don't hesitate to call for me."
Maya gave a small, courteous nod.
"It is my pleasure, Miss." With one final bow, the maid quietly stepped outside.
The door closed behind her with a soft click.
The sound faded into silence.
Beyond the room, the maid's footsteps gradually disappeared along the marble corridor.
The room smelled faintly of polished wood and fresh flowers, an odd contrast to her
own lingering scent of river and earth.
She placed her bag on the bed and crossed the room with unhurried steps.
Stopping before the window, she rested one gloved hand lightly against the frame.
Beyond the glass, the Sunayana estate stretched into the distance—
lush gardens, stone pathways, ancient trees.
She watched the scene in silence.
Her expression remained calm behind her thin-framed glasses, revealing nothing of the thoughts.
She stood there for a long time, looking out but seeing nothing of the garden itself—
only the currents of thought and memory flowing through her mind.
For her, this house was not home.
It was a place full of people who claimed to know her, a past she had never truly lived, and a future that felt strangely imposed.
Within her, a calm certainty prevailed.
She wanted to learn the rules of this new world in ways that no one could predict.
She pulled her diary from beneath her arm and opened it.
Outside, the night deepened, stars scattered like faint sparks across the sky.
The river flowed on, carrying the day away, just as she carried her memories, her secrets, and her solitude.
[ 07 :10 AM ]
The light of morning settled quietly over the Sunayana estate, bathing the expansive grounds in a soft golden glow.
A thin veil of mist lingered above the gardens, drifting gently between ancient trees and neatly trimmed hedges.
Dew clung to each blade of grass, glistening like scattered crystals beneath the rising sun.
Within Maya's room, the heavy velvet curtains only partly drawn, allowing narrow streams of golden sunlight to slip inside.
The light settled gently across the floor, touching polished wood, white walls, and finally the figure standing before the mirror.
Maya stood in silence.
Her glasses rested neatly upon the dressing table beside a simple wooden comb.
With practiced movements, she drew the comb through her hair.
Long strands of midnight-black silk spilled over her shoulders and flowed to her waist
like a tranquil river beneath the night sky.
Each stroke sent a soft ripple through the dark cascade, where threads of morning
light shimmered like silver woven into satin.
She had always kept her hair tied.
Now, set free, it transformed her.
The restrained girl the family had met the previous evening seemed to fade into the background.
Her features were exquisitely delicate, framed by the curtain of dark hair that softened every line of her face.
Her pale skin glowed with a quiet radiance, while her deep black eyes remained as calm and unreadable as still water.
There was nothing extravagant about her.
Only simplicity.
Yet that very simplicity made her beauty feel breathtaking — so effortless that it seemed beyond belief.
——
Just outside, Faha wandered down the corridor, lazily rubbing one eye as he stifled
a yawn.
"...Morning already..."
Still half-asleep, he walked past the row of bedrooms until something caught his attention.
Maya's door was slightly open.
He slowed to a stop, "She left it open...? "
Thinking she had simply forgotten to close it, he smiled to himself, "I should close it."
He stepped quietly toward the doorway, careful not to make a sound.
His fingers brushed the edge of the door.
Then...His eyes drifted into the room.
His body froze.
Standing before the mirror was Maya.
Her long black hair flowed freely down her back, gleaming beneath the scattered rays
of morning light.
For a moment, the world around him seemed to fall completely silent.
His hand remained suspended against the door. His lips parted without him realizing it.
The actor in him, who had spent years surrounded by cameras , found himself unable to compare any of them to the girl standing quietly before the mirror.
All he could do was stand there...Silently looking at the sister he had met only yesterday.
For several long moments, he stood there, staring in complete silence.
Then, as if suddenly jolted back to reality—
His gray eyes widened, "...No way."
He took one careful step backward.
Then another and without making the slightest sound, he quietly retreated from
the doorway.
The instant he was out of sight—
He spun around and bolted down the corridor.
His footsteps echoed across the polished marble floor as he sprinted toward the room next to his own.
Bang!
The bedroom door flew open.
Inside, Fahish was still fast asleep, buried beneath the blanket, completely unaware of the chaos about to descend upon him.
Faha hurried to the bedside,
"Fahish! Wake up!"
No response.
He grabbed his twin's shoulder and shook him vigorously, "Fahish!"
"...Mmm..."
Still half-asleep, Fahish frowned and pulled the blanket over his head.
"...Five more minutes..."
"No!"
Faha yanked the blanket away in one swift motion, "Get up! Right now!"
Fahish blinked several times, his hair a complete mess as he stared at his overly excited twin.
"...Why are you acting like the mansion is on fire?"
Faha pointed dramatically toward the hallway.
"You have to come with me."
Fahish sighed, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"...It's morning."
"Exactly!"
"...Did someone die?"
"No!"
"...Then why are you yelling?"
Faha leaned closer, lowering his voice into an urgent whisper, "..... I just saw a fairy. "
Fahish stared at him.
"..."
"...That's your emergency?"
Faha nodded so quickly it was almost comical, "You don't understand."
His expression became strangely serious.
"...She's... unbelievably beautiful."
Fahish looked at his twin for a long, silent moment, "...I think you need breakfast."
Faha leaned even closer, lowering his voice to an urgent whisper, "...Brother..."
Fahish looked at him with sleepy eyes.
"Now ...What?"
Faha pointed toward the hallway.
"...The fairy from your sketchbook...She climbed out of the pages."
Fahish frowned, "...What are you talking about?"
Faha shook his head in disbelief,
"I'm serious!"
He placed both hands on Fahish's shoulders.
"Brother....She's standing in the room next door, combing her hair."
For a long moment, Fahish simply stared at him, "...You've officially lost your mind."
Faha looked utterly offended,
"I haven't! Come and see for yourself.
If you don't... you'll regret missing the most beautiful sight you'll ever see."
Fahish finally let out a long, defeated sigh.
"...Fine."
He swung his legs off the bed, ran a hand through his hopelessly messy hair, and stood.
"If this 'fairy' turns out to be one of the garden statues..."
Faha grabbed his wrist before he could finish.
"It isn't!"
Without waiting another second, he pulled his twin out of the room and hurried down the corridor.
"Slow down!" Fahish muttered. "I'm awake now."
"You'll thank me later."
The two stopped a short distance from Maya's slightly open door.
Faha immediately pressed a finger to his lips.
"Shh..."
Then he carefully pointed toward the narrow opening, "Look."
Fahish sighed once more and glanced into the room with little interest—
Only to fall completely silent.
Maya stood before the mirror.
The morning sunlight streamed through the half-drawn curtains, resting softly upon her long black hair as it flowed freely to her waist.
The quiet rhythm of the comb, the golden light, and the stillness of the room seemed
to merge into a single tranquil scene.
Fahish's expression gradually changed.
The skepticism disappeared from his face.
His eyes remained fixed on the girl standing before the mirror.
Faha folded his arms with a smug grin.
"I told you."
Fahish glanced sideways at his twin.
"...You called her a fairy."
"And?"
"...For once... your description wasn't dramatic enough."
Maya quietly set the comb down, she had sensed something outside the room.
Without a sound, she walked toward the door.
Click.
The door swung open.
Standing directly outside were Faha and Fahish.
For one frozen second...No one moved.
The twins stared at Maya.
Maya stared back at them with the same calm, unreadable expression.
"..."
"..."
Then Faha's eyes went wide.
He grabbed Fahish's sleeve and shouted at the top of his lungs,
"THE FAIRY SAW US!"
Fahish, equally startled by the sudden door opening, instinctively yelled,"RUN!"
The two brothers spun around at the exact same moment, "AAAAAH!"
They sprinted down the corridor in perfect sync, their frantic footsteps thundering across the polished floor.
Faha glanced back once, "She's behind us!"
"I don't know if she is! Just keep running!"
The twins raced toward the staircase and practically flew down it, still shouting,
"THE FAIRY'S HERE!"
"THERE'S A FAIRY IN THE MANSION!"
Their voices echoed throughout the Sunayana mansion.
Servants paused mid-step.
Maya remained standing in the doorway of her room . She blinked once,"...Strange."
Then—quietly closed the door again.
Click.
The thunder of frantic footsteps echoed through the grand hall.
Several maids exchanged bewildered glances.
The twins practically stumbled into the living room, both breathing as though they had just escaped a life-threatening disaster.
Faha bent over, hands on his knees, desperately trying to catch his breath.
Fahish stood beside him, equally winded,
one hand pressed against his chest.
The newspaper in Fahad's hands slowly lowered. His gray eyes moved from one
twin to the other, "...What happened?"
Faha immediately pointed toward the staircase with a trembling finger.
"Brother... we saw a fairy!"
The room fell silent.
"..."
"..."
"...A fairy?" Farhan repeated blankly.
Faha nodded so vigorously that his hair bounced, "Yes! An actual fairy!"
Fahim calmly looked up from the medical journal he had been reading.
"...I believe the two of you should visit my laboratory."
The twins looked at him.
"I think it's time I examined your brains."
Fahan burst into laughter. He leaned back comfortably on the sofa, shaking his head.
"Fahish...Did you actually lose your mind along with Faha?"
A few servants quickly lowered their heads, trying not to laugh.
Nahi covered his mouth, his shoulders already trembling.
Faha looked utterly offended.
"We're telling the truth!"
No one seemed convinced.
All eyes shifted toward Fahish. Unlike Faha, Fahish was usually calm, rational, and difficult to fool.
If anyone's testimony carried weight, it was his.
Fahad narrowed his eyes,
"...Fahish. Did you really see what your brother claims?"
For a brief moment, Fahish remained silent.
He slowly nodded,
"I'm serious. We really did see her."
Every pair of eyes remained fixed on the twins.
Then—
Naya blinked once,
"...So.....Did the fairy have wings?"
Faha frowned, "No!"
Ohi nodded thoughtfully,
"...Perhaps she folded them before entering the mansion."
A servant standing nearby immediately lowered his head to hide a smile.
"I can't believe this..."
Nahi wiped the corner of his eye.
"Before breakfast, both of my brothers have already started seeing fairies."
Faha folded his arms indignantly,
"We're not hallucinating!"
Fahim adjusted his glasses,
"Hallucinations often seem completely real to the person experiencing them."
"I think Brother Fahim should prepare two beds in his laboratory."
Fahim gave a small nod.
"I already have the equipment."
The twins exchanged helpless glances.
Fahish let out a defeated sigh,
"I knew no one would believe us."
Just then, Mahi entered the room.
"...What exactly is going on here?"
Fahad simply pointed at the twins.
"They've been chased by a fairy."
Mahi stared at them for a moment before sighing, "...Where's Maya?"
Click... click... click...
The sound of soft footsteps drifted down from the second floor.
Heads turned instinctively toward the grand staircase.
There— Maya appeared.
She descended the staircase at an unhurried pace as though she carried with her a stillness untouched by the bustle of the mansion.
The gentle sunlight settled over her figure.
Her long midnight-black hair, which had flowed freely earlier, was now gathered neatly behind her head and secured with a delicate silver hairpin.
Just polished silver, gleaming softly whenever it caught the light.
A few slender strands had escaped, framing her face with effortless grace.
It was an ordinary hairstyle.
Yet on her...It looked extraordinary.
Her pale complexion seemed to glow beneath the morning sun, like a silent lake untouched by wind.
She wore no expensive ornaments.
And somehow...That simplicity eclipsed everything else.
The room fell into complete silence.
Even the servants who had been arranging breakfast unconsciously paused in their work.
Faha slowly raised a trembling finger toward Maya,"...See?"
No one answered.
Farhan blinked twice,
"She's...She's even prettier than yesterday."
Naya's lips curved into a smile, her eyes lingering on Maya for a long moment.
There was admiration in her gaze, but no real surprise—only the quiet satisfaction of seeing something she had always expected.
She folded her arms lightly, letting out a soft, amused breath.
"I knew she would be, This family's bloodline has always blessed with strikingly handsome sons.
Generation after generation, people have admired their looks.
After a hundred years without a daughter, how could the first girl of the Sunayana family be anything less?
It feels as though all those generations saved their finest features for her."
Fahan immediately straightened his posture, brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his sleeve, and ran a hand through his hair as though preparing for a magazine cover.
A proud grin spread across his face as he looked at Naya.
"So... you're praising me too, right?"
He asked, pointing at himself with complete confidence.
"I mean, I am one of those unbelievably handsome sons of this family."
Naya slowly turned her head toward him. She looked him up and down in complete silence.
After a long pause, one corner of her lips lifted into a faint, teasing smile.
"On what grounds?"
The room fell silent for a heartbeat.
Someone nearly choked trying to hold laugh in, while another covered their mouth to hide a grin.
Fahan stood there with an exaggerated look of disbelief, clutching his chest as though Naya's single sentence had dealt him a fatal blow.
"...That was unnecessarily cruel," he muttered dramatically.
"Brother."
Fahaf managed between laughs,
"Your confidence is truly extraordinary. Unfortunately, reality doesn't seem to
share your opinion."
Faha patted Fahan's shoulder with fake sympathy.
"Stay strong. Not everyone is born to be complimented."
Fahan frowned,
"Says the man who spends half an hour styling his hair."
Faha coughed awkwardly.
"That... is completely unrelated."
Fahish smiled faintly.
"Brother, even your defense sounds guilty."
Ohi folded his arms.
"You asked for a compliment."
Nahi smirked.
"You received a reality check instead."
"Jokes aside..." Faha said softly,
"She really is beautiful."
Ohi rubbed his chin thoughtfully,
"...I suppose I owe the twins an apology."
Nahi looked from Maya to the twins before letting out a laugh,
"...You two weren't hallucinating after all."
Fahan let out a low whistle,
"...Brother Faha actually described someone accurately."
Fahim calmly adjusted his glasses.
"That statement has no scientific evidence."
Maya looked quietly at everyone,
"...Is something wrong?"
The family exchanged awkward glances.
No one wanted to admit they had spent the last ten minutes arguing about whether she was a fairy.
At that moment—
A faint smile touched Mahi's face.
"Everyone."
His single word drew every eye toward him.
"The food is getting cold."
She looked around the room before his gaze settled on Maya.
"Come. It's time for breakfast."
Maya inclined her head politely,
"...Understood."
As she passed, the twins leaned closer to one another.
Faha whispered, "...Brother..."
Fahish didn't look away from Maya.
"...Hmm?"
Faha swallowed,"...Even with her hair tied...The fairy became even stronger."
Fahish closed his eyes for a moment.
"...Please.....Don't let her hear you."
Faha scratched the back of his head.
"Right... I don't want the fairy to run away again."
—–
The rich aroma of freshly prepared food drifted through the dining hall as everyone made their way inside.
A long polished wooden table occupied the center of the room, surrounded by finely carved chairs.
One by one, the family members took their seats.
Servants moved around the table, placing steaming dishes before everyone with practiced precision.
Then— Maya entered.
She simply walked to the far end of the long dining table and took her seat. Her posture remained straight and composed.
A few moments later, the servants finished arranging breakfast.
The table was covered with an impressive variety of dishes.
The colorful dishes filled nearly every inch of the table, their aromas blending into a comforting fragrance that spread through
out the room.
Faha looked around with a grin.
"...Every morning feels like a banquet."
A servant politely asked,"May I begin serving?"
Mahi gave a small nod.
The servants began placing portions onto everyone's plates.
When one servant approached Maya, she paused respectfully.
"Miss Maya, what would you like?"
Maya looked over the table for a few seconds.
"A small serving of rice....And vegetables."
"Certainly."
She hesitated for a moment before asking gently,"Would you like some fish as well?"
Maya's expression remained unchanged.
"...No, thank you."
"As you wish, miss ."
Fahad quietly noticed her answer but said nothing.
Naya smiled warmly.
"If there's anything else you'd like, just tell us."
Maya inclined her head slightly.
"...Thank you."
Faha glanced toward Maya's modest plate and then at his own, which was piled high with food.
"...You're only eating that?"
Fahan laughed,
"Brother, don't compare everyone's appetite to yours."
Faha looked genuinely puzzled.
"...Can someone survive on that little?"
Fahish calmly buttered a slice of toast.
"Apparently."
Fahim took a sip of his tea before speaking.
"Eating until one is satisfied is healthier than overeating."
Faha looked at his mountain of food.
"...I suddenly feel personally attacked."
Laughter rippled around the table.
The sound of cutlery, quiet conversation filled the room.
Fahan, already halfway through his second serving, glanced toward Maya's plate.
"...That's all you're eating?"
Maya gave a small nod.
His eyes wandered over her plate once more before stopping,"Maya... you don't eat fish?"
She met his gaze for a brief moment.
"...No."
Fahim quietly set his teacup onto its saucer.
The soft clink drew everyone's attention.
"...That's odd.When she was very young, fish was her favorite."
Faha looked between the two of them.
"Really?"
Fahim nodded.
"I remember it clearly. Whenever she refused to eat anything else, fish would always convince her."
Naya smiled faintly.
"I remember Mother saying the same thing."
She turned toward Maya.
"So... what changed?"
Mahi's expression softened.She looked at Maya with quiet concern.
"Is something wrong, Maya?"
Fahad, who had remained silent until then, raised an eyebrow,"...Any particular reason?"
Maya's hand came to a stop.
"They used to mix poison in the fish."
" .... "
".... "