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Chapter 07
After some time had passed, I leaned against the terrace and watched the people around me. This place was no different. People worked busily, and on their days off, they enjoyed life freely.
As an actress, Yoon Seung-ah had always lived a life under the spotlight. Whenever I stood under the bright lights, several cameras captured me, and whenever I walked on the streets, the sound of hidden cameras following me never left.
Because of that, I couldn’t stroll the streets freely or enjoy hobbies to my heart’s content. On my days off, my simple hobbies were watching TV at home or exercising with the equipment in my room.
Looking back now, it had been a rather dull and lonely life. I didn’t live as myself; I could only be faithful to the emotions and life of the character in the script.
“Well, at least acting was fun.”
The gentle breeze made my orange hair flutter. Beside me, Vera appeared out of nowhere and fixed my flying hair with a pretty hairpin adorned with jewels.
“Thank you, Vera.”
Vera smiled through her puffy eyes at my words.
“When I first started working at the Zurn Marquis household, I was scared.”
I turned my head to focus on her words.
“When I accidentally hurt your head the other day, I thought, ‘She’s going bald now.’”
“R-Really?”
“Yes. But not anymore.”
Vera fiddled with her fingers.
“I’m happy to serve you, Miss.”
“Thank you.”
“Because you’re a wonderful person, Miss.”
Vera’s words naturally made me smile.
‘Yeah, so what if I’m bad at playing a villain? There are people who genuinely care for me.’
“Do we really have to do this today?”
“Since the Duke isn’t setting aside a separate time, it’s best to do it now, isn’t it?”
Trin, unusually serious, spoke firmly in front of Kardin, who looked irritated.
Kardin needed some private time to figure out why Harna was acting so strangely. That was why he seemed puzzled when the carriage stopped at the tailor’s shop instead of the Marquis’ residence, and he sighed the whole time while being forced to get off and change clothes because of Trin.
“Can’t we just pick something quickly?”
“You can only tell if clothes suit you by trying them on! You haven’t forgotten last year’s palace ball incident, have you? This time, you have to look impressive.”
Trin’s expression burned with competitive determination. Kardin frowned in displeasure, then sighed as if giving up.
Crown Prince Bairan Kurn Bayros and Duke Kardin Lertorno. They were the most perfect men in the Bayros Empire’s high society.
Kardin didn’t care much, but everyone around him constantly compared him to Bairan.
Bairan had the golden hair, beautiful features, and amiable personality passed down through the imperial lineage. In contrast, Kardin had dark blue-black hair, masculine features, and a blunt personality.
The two men, each with their own charm, stirred the hearts of unmarried young ladies. However, because Kardin rarely attended parties, the only time people could see them together was at official imperial events.
Around this time last year, Kardin had been extremely busy due to problems with a privately-run trading company. He stayed up three nights straight and realized late that he had to attend the ball.
Planning only to show his face, he wore a hastily chosen formal suit and, upon entering the carriage, immediately fell asleep. At the palace, he got out in a daze after hearing the palace attendant call his name.
Throughout the entrance to the ballroom, the murmuring voices of nobles reached him. Since he had heard similar comments praising his looks every time he appeared, he paid little attention.
Still half-asleep, Trin, who had arrived earlier due to work, ran frantically and grabbed Kardin’s arm.
“Are you coming like this, Duke?”
“Why?”
“Your hair is messy, there’s a white mark under your mouth—is that dried drool? And what’s with those shoes?”
Kardin glanced down at his shoes.
‘I forgot to change.’
The white leather shoes, not matching the dark-toned tuxedo, were the ones he usually wore when working. He had rushed out without waiting for a servant, and it showed.
Ignoring Trin’s nagging, Kardin roughly combed his hair with his hand, wiped his mouth, and, having no choice about his shoes, dusted them off and entered the ballroom.
“Duke!”
Trin’s desperate voice came from behind, but he paid no mind. He took a refreshing sip of wine to wake himself.
“Wow, the Crown Prince looks even more beautiful today.”
“Yeah, today everyone can see the Crown Prince is the better one.”
Young noble ladies whispered, comparing the charming Bairan entering with the Emperor and Empress to the tired-looking Kardin standing in the corner.
Kardin ignored their chatter, focusing only on his wine. Trin, upset that her master had lost in comparison, stomped her feet in frustration.
Recalling last year’s palace ball, Trin clenched her fists. This year had to be different. She couldn’t hear twice that her Duke had lost to the Crown Prince. She intended to make sure he was dressed as a man and appeared more impressive than the elegantly handsome Crown Prince.
After buying several formal suits, Kardin finally emerged, frowning. He boarded the carriage, listening half-heartedly to Trin’s nagging, when he noticed a familiar orange-haired woman.
“Harna Zurn?”
On the terrace not far off, Harna was smiling beautifully while talking to a maid. Kardin’s violet eyes fixed on her.
At that moment, he lost all rational thought. Ignoring Trin calling from behind, he hurried toward his goddess.
“Shall we go now?”
“Yes.”
Having quenched our thirst and rested a bit, we were about to prepare to return to the Marquis’ residence when a dark blue head suddenly appeared above the terrace.
“Ah!”
Startled, I stepped back. Vera immediately moved in front of me to protect me.
Regardless of our reactions, the uninvited guest stepped over the railing with long legs as if entering his own room.
“Duke?”
Flustered, I called out to Kardin.
‘Why are you here?’
Seeing him made time seem to stop.
‘Am I having a nightmare?’
I blinked rapidly, unsure if I was seeing things. But he did not disappear.
Behind him, a commotion arose as the door opened. A man—possibly with Kardin—was struggling with a servant blocking his way.
I gestured to Vera to send the servant away and asked Kardin,
“How did you get here?”
“Because my place is beside you, my love.”
Vera dropped the fork she was holding, and the man at the door gawked like a broken puppet.
Ignoring the shocked onlookers, he stepped forward and tucked the wind-tossed strands of my hair behind my ear. Startled by the warmth of his hand, I flinched, but he smiled as if it was endearing, shielding me from the wind.
“Do you know that I worry you might catch a chill in this wind, Harna?”
“Duke! Why are you—”
The reply came not from me but from the man standing stiffly beside me.
“Trin, step outside.”
“Eh?”
“Now.”
“Yes, sir.”
Confused, Trin backed away, leaving. I gestured to Vera, who closed the door with a worried look.
Silence fell for a moment.
“Finally, we can have some time alone.”
Kardin removed his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, kindly guiding me to my seat. Sitting close beside me, his face beamed with happiness.
I reluctantly sat, nervously fiddling with the almost-empty teacup.
“Don’t touch the teacup—hold my hand, Harna.”
His handsome face pleaded softly, making my cheeks flush.
‘This is crazy. Did I reveal too much of myself?’
Despite the childish words, I found myself drawn to him. I tried to steady my racing heart. In the original story, Harna was a woman abandoned without winning the male lead’s heart. I had no intention of repeating that.
‘I won’t be defeated by Kardin!’
I closed my eyes and reopened them, changing my expression for the act. A gentle smile formed, and my trembling eyes softened.
“Like this?”
I blinked lightly, intentionally meeting his eyes. Surprised by my sudden change, he widened his eyes, smiled, and placed both his large hands over mine.
‘An eye for an eye, love for love!’
I had the upper hand in this act. Let’s see who wins, Kardin.
“Harna.”
“Yes, Duke.”
I shyly smiled.
‘I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’ll do the same.’
Kardin, unaware of my thoughts, continued to meet my gaze.
Suddenly, he smiled brightly like a child and pulled me into an embrace. Startled, I almost screamed but held back.
“Finally, you understand my heart. I am happy enough to die right now.”
Refusing to be passive, I raised my hands and returned the hug. My stiff arms met his broad, strong back, and I heard a delighted sigh.
Yet, a cold sweat formed on my head.
‘Is this not right?’
As I pondered, a knock came at the door.
Whoever it was timed it perfectly—I almost wanted to give them a prize.
I hurriedly released my hands from Kardin and pushed him away. As our bodies separated, Kardin slumped like an abandoned puppy, meeting my gaze with drooping shoulders.
