'S-so c-cold...'

Vera pulled her clothes even closer. The unforgiving cold numbed her to her bones. Her teeth chattered while she tried to generate more heat to warm herself up.

'Where am I? Why is it so cold?'

Opening her eyes took more energy than what she anticipated. An endless blanket of white dominated her vision. She let out a foggy breath as she realized what was happening.

'It's snowing, and I'm stuck outside.'

She focused on moving her hands and feet to push against the gravel beneath her, yet no matter how she tried, her muscles wouldn't budge. She was freezing, and was losing heat fast.

'Am I dying again? I haven't even spent an hour here...'

The coldness suddenly disappeared and was replaced by warmth.

'What is this sudden change in temperature?'

Her eyes fluttered open once more, yet she only saw the blizzard becoming stronger.

'Ah, is my end coming now?'

Black spots appeared one by one. Before they completely clouded her vision, she saw a figure running towards her, dropping her groceries. The stranger was talking, yet she couldn't hear as she finally fainted.

---

Everything still felt cold, yet it was much, much warmer than earlier.

She raised her right hand towards her face, who were luckily responsive and not numb anymore. As she tried to regain the lost blood flow, she heard footsteps approaching her location.

"Good Lord," said a warm voice. "You're awake now." Whoever that was, they placed their hands all over her neck. After several (uncomfortable) touches, the stranger sighed. "Thank the heavens you're alright now. I thought you've died then."

'Huh? What's happening?' Vera struggled to lift up her eyelids. She only saw a back of a lady. Based on the soft clinks she heard, the woman was preparing a drink. She turned once more, and on her hands were a warm cup of something, judging from the steam coming off above it.

"Here, drink this." The woman then offered the warm drink she was holding. The woman's warm blue eyes widened as she realized that her guest was in the right shape to do so. She hurriedly placed the cup on the table beside the bed and assisted Vera in sitting.

"I'm sorry, I forgot you were out for some time." She gently placed her soft hands at Vera's back and lifted her. After making sure that she was comfortable, the woman placed the mouth of the cup on Vera's lips and tilted it slowly, making sure that she won't burn herself.

'The tea... and her hands... they're so warm...' thought Vera as the warm drink seeped through her bones. She let out a content sigh.

"Ginseng tea...?" croaked Vera in a raspy voice.

"Yes." The woman's eyes glossed with worry. "I can change it if you want."

"No... This is... alright..."

Her shoulders sagged in relief. "Thank goodness." The woman observed her as she drank. "Are you fine now? Perhaps it's still too cold?" The woman's hands were poised to grab her.

"No... This is fine..." The woman's hands dropped. The woman calmly stood up. "Then I'll take my leave now. Don't stress yourself and keep resting. If you need something, don't hesitate to ring the bell on the desk." She tapped the desk beside the bed. "There's also some warm soup here."

Vera just nodded.

"I won't keep you occupied anymore." Vera then heard footsteps which she assumed were the woman's. Moments later, she felt her eyes droop. No matter how she struggled to stay awake, she eventually fell to dreamland once more.

---

'Ugh, I feel groggy.'

Sitting up on the bed, she stretched all of her joints. A few of them groaned and creaked in response. Despite this, she still felt like everything was heavier than usual. She tried standing up, but ended losing her balance. She tried again and again, until she managed standing up without stumbling. On the desk, her eyes caught a note. She picked it up and read.

If you're finally awake, go downstairs and ask for Clarissa. If you are still feeling tired, just rest and ring the bell. Don't force yourself.

~ Clarissa

'Just who is this Clarissa?'

---

"Glad to see you're already up."

Vera's head slowly turned towards the lady, who was softly humming while peeling potatoes. The woman sent a smile that sent chills towards her spine. She weakly waved her hands.

"H-hello."

The smile turned into a grin. "Just where are you going, huh? You're not going out, right?"

"Y-yeah." She was sweating bullets now at the obvious lie. 'Why am I feeling uncomfortable here?'

The woman's smile became cheery. An invisible weight was lifted from Vera's chest. "Great!" The woman pointed her knife towards the wooden chairs nearby. "Be a dear and wait for me to finish this, okay?"

Vera just nodded hurriedly and scampered towards the chair.

---

"What were you doing, sneaking out like that? I've left a note telling you to ask for 'Clarissa', didn't I?" asked the woman. She moved from the counter towards the table, holding a teapot and two cups. "Here," she handed her one. "Drink this."

Vera cluelessly reached for the cup. "Thanks...?" She picked up the teapot and poured its contents on the cup. The woman sat in front of her and did the same. "I... didn't notice it. I'm sorry."

"Is that so?" said the woman in a curious tone. She sighed. "I guess what's done is done."

Vera sighed in relief. 'Thank goodness she bought that lie.'

"However," the woman stared at her with a gleam on her eyes. "What were you doing, trying to sneak out, huh? You were knocked out for a week. A week!"

"A week...?"

"Yes! Honestly, I don't know what you were thinking! You still needed some time to recuperate, you know? You almost died!"

"Died...?"

"You almost died from hypothermia! If it weren't for my timely arrival, you would've been frozen solid by then. What---" the woman then noticed Vera's confused look. A realization dawned over her. Her hands covered her mouth as she gasped. "You don't remember anything?"

Vera just nodded.

---

"To sum it up, I was outside during a blizzard, for reasons I don't even know. You saw me almost dead from hypothermia." Vera had troubles understanding the situation. "And I've been asleep for a week. Are those right?"

The woman just nodded. Vera wanted to scream. 'Just what is happening here!?' Vera took some deep breaths and calmed herself down. 'Panicking or raging won't get you anywhere, Vera. Calm down.'

"I guess a token of gratitude is necessary... Cla...rissa?"

"Yes, I'm Clarissa. And you're welcome... Wait... I haven't got your name, mind telling me?"

Vera hesitated. She did not have any idea what the host's body's identity was. She decided to just use her name. "It's Vera."

"What a lovely name!"

"Thanks... Can I ask something?"

"Sure!"

"Just where are we?"

"Oh, you really no idea what happened, huh? We are at my house the outskirts of Yunan."

'Wow, big help, really.' Seeing that Clarissa was staring at her expectantly, she cleared her throat. "Thanks, although I still have no clue..."

"Is that so?" Clarissa's eyes glossed with pity and sadness. "You can stay here with us, if you'd like." As if she remembered something, her eyes lightened up. "You can be my guest for a while!"

"Why?"

Her smile became wistful. "You just reminded me of someone..."

Clarissa's eyes became misty as she reminisced about something. Clarissa just picked up her cup of tea, still hot and steaming, and sipped its contents.

Vera tilted her head in confusion. 'What happened? Her demeanor changed suddenly...' She just downed the tea in front of her in one gulp.

---

"Vera! Come down, food is ready~!"

She came up with an excuse, but she felt her stomach growl in hunger. 'I guess a meal won't be bad, right?'

"I'll be there in a moment!"

"Okay, take your time!"

Vera jogged downstairs and saw Clarissa prepare three bowls of what she assumed was corn soup. Clarissa motioned for her to sit down.

'Huh, why are there three bowls? Aren't we the only ones here?'

"Clarissa, I have a question..." She couldn't help but notice that Clarissa repeatedly glanced at the door, as if she was waiting for someone. However, as a spoonful of the soup entered her mouth, she couldn't help but forget about it and gasp in delight.

"This is so delicious!"

Clarissa was pulled out of her daze. "Huh? Ah! I know right? This was---"

The front door opened with a bang. A panicking woman darted around the house, until they saw Clarissa.

"Leonor!" Clarissa's eyes widened in shock, confusion evident in her eyes. "What are you doing---"

"Clarissa! Theo... hospital... he's---"

Clarissa's spoon was left forgotten as she abruptly stood up and slammed her hands on the table.

"What about Theo!?" Clarissa's eyes lost their gracefulness and calmness. All that was left was panic. "What happened to him!?"

"Hurry! Follow me!"

Clarissa ran and followed the woman she assumed to be Leonor. Vera just stood there, dumbfounded, and decided to follow the two after closing the doors.