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Chapter 11
“I saw the lady boss take the money.”
A low voice came from behind as a man gently wrapped his hand around Fleur’s slender fingers that were clutching the gold.
She turned her head, surprised that someone would step forward from the crowd to defend her.
He was taller and more broad-shouldered than Dylan, with long hair the color of red wine cascading down to his shoulders. His violet eyes, like ripe grapes, shone vividly under his distinct double eyelids.
His tone was calm, yet carried a force that overwhelmed the atmosphere around them.
“W–what are you talking about? She just admitted that she stole it a moment ago.”
“If you bark at someone that loudly, anyone would panic and end up agreeing.”
“Are you saying I’m lying?!”
“Not lying—deceiving.”
The shopkeeper’s eyes wavered violently.
“Ugh, you’re really getting on my nerves! If you’re here to ruin my business, get lost already!”
The woman swung the towels lying nearby, brandishing them threateningly near Fleur’s face.
Fleur flinched at the sudden attack, but the stranger swiftly snatched the towel away in one clean motion.
He was so fast that the shopkeeper didn’t even realize it was gone until her hand came up empty.
Unbothered, he gripped the towel firmly and slammed it down on the stall.
“Kyahhh!”
The lady boss screamed as another person popped up from under the stall. The sudden appearance made the surrounding crowd step back in shock.
Fleur also trembled when the figure appeared so close to her. The stranger behind her gently placed a hand on her shoulder, patting softly.
The touch seemed to say, It’s all right now, and Fleur felt her nerves calm.
“You’re the one she paid, aren’t you?”
He asked kindly, finally showing his face clearly.
In her head, Fleur meant to say, Yes, that’s the one.
But what came out was—
“Gods… he’s so handsome… huh!”
Her instinct slipped out before her reason could stop it. His beauty was so striking that she practically blurted it unconsciously, before slapping her hand over her mouth in horror.
But he had already heard it. A grin spread across his face, dimples sinking deep into his cheeks.
“Darling, do I still surprise you, even though you see me every day?”
The way he so naturally changed his tone made Fleur almost believe for a second that she really was married to him.
“You paid this woman, didn’t you?”
He raised Fleur’s hand, still wrapped in his, and pointed toward the shopkeeper.
Realizing this was her chance to clear her name, Fleur quickly lowered her brows and put on her most pitiful expression, nodding.
“Y-yes. Darling! I definitely paid her.”
“My wife says so. Care to explain properly?”
The stranger’s languid gaze slid between the two clerks, carrying a dangerous chill.
It felt like if they said the wrong thing, a massive white serpent would open its jaws and swallow them whole.
Fleur, unaware of this, only thought her act was working and doubled down on looking sorrowful.
“D-did you really take her money?”
“Huh? Oh, um… yes. I did. I was sorting goods underneath for a while—did something happen?”
“Because of you, I got the wrong idea. Since she says she paid, that’s enough. Just leave now.”
The male clerk waved dismissively, gesturing for them to go.
“That’s it?” Fleur let out a disbelieving laugh.
“What more do you want?”
“An apology. You treated me like a thief.”
“People make mistakes when they’re busy.”
“You didn’t even believe me when I said I wasn’t!”
“At the time, I didn’t know what was happening. You have no idea how hard it is dealing with this all day. And you said yes, too—that made the misunderstanding worse.”
He dared to blame her, and Fleur’s blood boiled. She was just about to fire back when—
“Are you saying my wife is at fault?”
The stranger pulled her closer into his arms.
With Fleur’s face pressed into his chest, she couldn’t see the sharp glint in his eyes as he glared at the clerks.
His voice dropped lower, and suddenly the noisy surroundings fell into a tense silence.
Sensing the danger, the male clerk hastily shoved extra fruit into their hands with trembling fingers.
“I-I’m so sorry! I was stressed from work and lost my temper. Please forgive me, take these for free!”
Fleur was stunned that they only apologized once the stranger intervened.
She stood firm, refusing the goods, while the stranger softened his expression and turned back to her.
“Darling, are you still upset?”
“…No. I’m fine now.”
“You still seem troubled. Should I have them apologize in front of everyone else too?”
He suddenly pointed toward a group of young men in headscarves.
“Huh? Who?”
“The ones in the scarves. They work here too.”
Everyone turned to look.
“W-what are you saying?”
“Y-yeah, what did we even do?”
“I was watching. You were egging the crowd on, saying she stole.”
“What?! No, we only believed the boss! We’re just customers too!”
The men flushed red, protesting loudly. The stranger remained calm.
“Then why were you distracting women who came alone, every time they approached the stall?”
“W-we never—!”
“I saw you signal the boss, pick out a target, and force them to pay more.”
“Where’s your proof?!”
One of the men jabbed his finger at the stranger, stepping closer aggressively.
Just as he went to shove him, the stranger grabbed his wrist and bent it back effortlessly.
“Arghhh!”
Despite charging in confidently, he crumpled in pain, dropping to the ground.
“You dare touch my son! Let him go at once—!”
The lady boss shrieked, but the male boss rushed over to clamp a hand over her mouth.
But everyone had already heard her cry out my son.
“Hmm. Didn’t you just claim they were only customers?”
The stranger turned his violet gaze on the other scarfed man, who blanched in fear.
He released the first man, who collapsed groaning, and looked back at the shopkeepers coldly.
“Parents running scams, while their sons play decoys.”
“T-that’s not—”
“And selling fewer fruits than paid for, or slipping in rotten ones too.”
Hearing this, customers began checking their purchases. As he said, many had missing pieces or spoiled fruit mixed in.
“What’s this?! I paid for eight, but there are only seven!”
“Two of mine are rotten! Refund me!”
“Same here! Give my money back!”
The crowd surged forward angrily, overwhelming the fraudulent family.
Then, a voice whispered by Fleur’s ear.
“Excuse me.”
Before she realized, the stranger lifted her easily into his arms and carried her swiftly out of the crowd. He set her down gently in a quiet alley.
“Thank you for helping me. Thanks to you, I cleared my name.”
“I’m glad. Were you alone?”
“No, I was with others, but got separated.”
“Stick together next time. There are plenty who prey on young women traveling alone.”
His tone was gentle, his advice kind. His handsomeness paired with such warmth made Fleur’s heart race.
Yes, this is it. This is the perfect man I’ve been looking for.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. I hope you enjoy yourself safely.”
Just as he appeared suddenly, he turned to go. Fleur quickly caught his fingertips.
“May I at least know your name? You helped me so much—I’d like to buy you a meal.”
He glanced down at their joined hands, then smirked, interlacing his fingers with hers.
“Rather than my name, I’d like you to remember me as the man who was, for a brief moment, your husband.”
A gentle rejection.
“Then… may I at least tell you mine?”
She couldn’t bear to let him slip away.
Sensing her sincerity, his brows lifted playfully, as though inviting her to continue.
“My name is Fleur Valen. If you ever wish to receive thanks, please visit the Valen estate.”
“…So, you’re a noblewoman?”
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, then softened again.
“You will always be welcome.”
“If the day comes when I think of you, I’ll pay a visit.”
With that, he began to let go of her hand.
But before he did, Fleur called upon her status window.
State what you wish to use.
‘I’ll use perfume.’
