“Who are you?” The stranger behind the door echoed Park Noah’s question. 

Frowning in confusion, Park Noah peeked through the small window. Then, she caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a tall man, cloaked in a deep blue robe.

“I’m a passenger in room six, but….”

“Yes?” Surprised at the man’s words, she hurriedly took the ticket out of her pocket to confirm it. First-class room 6. The wrinkles on her forehead deepened. She was right where she was supposed to be.

Wasn’t it my own room? But usually, first classrooms are rented entirely…

“This is the room that my grandmother and I booked.”

In the end, Park Noah was left with no choice but to open the door. Outside were two passengers — one was the tall man she had talked to a while ago and the other was an old woman, whom he introduced as his grandmother. 

The old lady apologized, wearing a warm smile on her wrinkled face. “I’m sorry, young lady. I am also confused, but if we had a seat, we wouldn’t be there.” 

“Forgive us, there is no empty space except this room. It’s because this train runs even at dawn, so it’s hard to call the operator,” reasoned the other stranger, the words smoothly pouring from his lips.  

Despite her inner protests, Park Noah couldn’t refuse. Besides, even the first-class seats have seat numbers printed on them, and she was uncertain whether Kyle Leonard had reserved the entire room or only a single seat. 

Also, the unwelcome guests must have already seen the unoccupied seats in their compartment. It would be blatant insolence for a young, able woman to reject a grandmother her seat.

“Well, come on in. But it might be a little loud. My kid’s a little… He cries a lot.” Park Noah placed a hand behind her back, making a little gesture. Immediately, Muell understood the signal and quickly began to brim his eyes with tears. 

She was uncomfortable with her intention to force the two strangers out. However, it was only an expected response as she ought to be wary after fleeing from a train full of assassins barely hours ago. She had to make use of Muell’s talent to bawl in an instant.

“Thank you. You have a child.” The man entered the room without a slight hesitation and took his robe off. 

As soon as Park Noah saw his face, her vigilance disappeared and admiration numbed her senses. 

What’s that look? Handsome.

It was all she could think the moment their eyes met. His green orbs harmonized perfectly with his blond locks and a lovely smile appeared on his lips. Park Noah, who wasn’t fazed one bit by Kyle Leonard’s dashing appearance, almost gawked at the stranger across her. 

“The child is very cute.” The man beamed, crouching down to be face to face with Muell. “Hi, baby. What’s your name?”

The child’s cries soared. The stranger laughed and hugged Muell. At the sudden interaction, Muell’s mouth opened in surprise. His cries have stopped but drops of tears continued to trickle down his face. 

“Uh…?”

“You’re a good boy if you don’t cry. Isn’t that right?” The man cooed, attempting to appease the little boy; a smile never leaving his face. 

But Park Noah wasn’t staring at the stranger anymore. Her attention was focused on Muell whose face was strangely contorted. Then, she noticed his glance, which was a signal. 

“Hah…” 

When Muell began to cry sadly, Park Noah hastily took him from the man’s grasp. “Oh, dear.”

“I guess the lady’s child doesn’t like me very much.” The man shrugged, chuckling. 

Park Noah stared at him while she stroked Muell’s back, suspicion beginning to arise. Muell was not an ordinary child; he would not simply burst into tears when he is hugged by a stranger.

Then, noticing an unusual silence, she glanced at the door where the old lady had stood before, and saw an empty space. She had disappeared without a trace. Suddenly, the door snapped shut by itself.

“Shall we sit down, lady? No…” The man had taken a seat, his legs crossed. Park Noah noticed the train ticket he had presented earlier in his hand and witnessed the letters on the paper starting to vanish. The ticket then became a blank piece of paper.

Goosebumps erupted over her body as the paper flew from the man’s fingers. A forgery? Or, bewildering spell…?

“Eleonora.” He spoke, a smirk creeping on his face. 

“Why don’t you take off those funny glasses?”