FMTA 07

Chapter 07

A few hours before Floheta met Yuse, Killian suddenly entered Floheta’s room in the morning.

“Killian, you!”

“What?”

Floheta spoke first.

There were so many things he wanted to say whenever Killian acted like this—and even now, he had many—but he decided to hold back.

He was tired of always pointing things out to him.

Besides, Killian’s “secret actions” were known only to him, so there was no need to anger him unnecessarily.

Seeing that Floheta didn’t say anything, Killian asked again,

“Why did you come here all of a sudden?”

“I heard a guest had arrived. Don’t you think you should introduce them?”

“A guest? There’s a guest the Duke doesn’t know about?”

Killian pretended to be innocent, and Floheta snorted in response.

“I overheard your conversation with that guest yesterday. Who do you think it is?”

Floheta’s blunt question made Killian pause for a moment.

Then his voice lowered, and a strange light shone in his red eyes.

“Yeah, a guest did come.”

Floheta was surprised that he admitted it so quickly, but she quickly composed herself and nodded.

“She’s the daughter of Liam Lil Krantz. Don’t touch her carelessly. If possible, don’t even speak to her.”

Killian’s voice carried a serious threat.

“Hah.”

Killian rarely got serious.

He was usually playful and teasing in everything he did.

But sometimes, when something important was at stake—like now—he could be serious.

“And I will be engaged to her.”

“…What?”

“I’m going to be engaged to Yuse Lil Krantz.”

Killian’s sudden declaration left Floheta stunned.

“You… you?”

He had never thought Killian would have an engagement in his life.

And the person he was engaged to was also a big deal.

But before Floheta could respond, Killian left without waiting for an answer.

“So, be careful, my friend. I’m counting on you.”

Watching Killian leave, Floheta could only bite his lips.

And now.

Despite the morning conversation with Killian, by chance, Yuse had found Floheta.

So Floheta broke Killian’s request but could still keep the old promise with Yuse.

“What happened, Flo? I had no idea! You were a guest here!”

The sharp edge that had filled her body earlier was gone, replaced by a bright, smiling face.

‘I’ll get scolded by Killian, but finding her wasn’t intentional.’

Floheta smiled back at her.

He had only gone to the garden to read a book, as usual, hoping—quietly—that Yuse might be there.

But he had told himself not to expect anything, so he had restrained himself.

To his surprise, Yuse was actually there.

Floheta gently pulled Yuse from his arms and said,

“I thought you wouldn’t notice me.”

“Ah, I heard a sound, but I didn’t think it was you, Flo. And how could I ever forget you?”

“I’m glad you didn’t forget me. By the way, your skill is still the same, huh?”

Floheta’s small laugh calmed his trembling body from the slight tension he had felt.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Yuse shrugged lightly in agreement.

“By the way… are you still… keeping it hidden?”

“Flo.”

Not liking the topic, she quickly tried to change the subject.

“Let’s stop talking about that. Tell me first—why are you staying here?”

Floheta had guessed her intention and decided to follow along.

“I’m staying here as a guest for a few months. I don’t want to go home much. And my family doesn’t really like me either.”

“…Still?”

“Yeah, always has been.”

Floheta was rumored to be the second son of the Levermillion Marquis, a bit of a playboy.

But the truth was different.

Unknown to the public, he was the illegitimate child of the Marquis, taken in as a baby.

Since the Marquis’s first child was a daughter, there were problems with succession.

So Floheta had run away to Killian’s estate.

Meeting Yuse was one of the results of fleeing from home.

“Then, Flo, is this place comfortable for you?”

Yuse asked carefully, biting her lip.

“Yeah, it is. But, Yuse…”

Floheta enjoyed talking about ordinary things after a long time apart.

But he had something more urgent on his mind.

“Huh?”

Seeing Yuse’s innocent expression, he quickly added,

“Yuse, are you… engaged to Duke Killian?”

Floheta’s blue eyes blinked a few times.

Yuse remembered this was a habit of his when he got nervous.

Of course, she didn’t know why he was nervous asking the question.

A short silence passed.

Yuse didn’t want to prolong the awkwardness, so she nodded.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Yuse’s shy smile was warmer than the sun and more charming than any flower.

“……”

Floheta fell silent, lost in thought.

There was only one thought on his mind:

“Yuse… what I want to say…”

Just as he opened his mouth, a familiar cold voice reached them.

“Oh my.”

“I never imagined you two would meet while I was away.”

It was, of course, Killian.

Before witnessing Floheta and Yuse’s meeting, Killian had been working in his office at the palace as usual.

Even though he had finished early, he had no intention of returning to his estate yet.

He twirled his quill, reviewed some documents again, but time stood still.

Then his eyes landed on the last drawer under his desk.

After checking the surroundings, he opened the first drawer, lifted the false bottom, and took out a key.

He inserted it carefully into the only locked drawer at the very end and opened it.

Among the piled letters, he pulled out a thick stack.

The paper was old and worn, and the ink had faded.

[To Killian, who is always by my side today as well,]

The letter in front was neatly written and praised the recipient.

It was from Yuse.

Killian stared at it silently for a long time.

He took the top letter, opened it, and read. It was filled with detailed accounts of her daily life in the Krantz Duchy.

He couldn’t stop thinking of Yuse’s face.

When he first received such a letter, he had felt so excited.

Of course, it wasn’t that he felt nothing now—but he knew it wasn’t the same as before.

“Why, when I needed you most, weren’t you there… and why do you come back to me now?”

Killian muttered to himself with a wry smile.

• Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked at the door.

“Come in.”

Immediately, Jeremy, his aide, entered with a salute.

“A new letter from Lady Selitias, my lord.”

He spoke without emotion.

“Shall I deliver your reply?”

“Lady Selitias? Ah, the lady I met at the tea party.”

Killian recalled and picked up his pen, then put it down again.

For some reason, he felt it was better not to respond right now.

He trusted his instinct.

“I’ll reply later. Today, I’ll return to the estate.”

Killian got up, tossed Selitias’s letter onto the desk, and left.