FMTA 09

Chapter 09

On Tuesday, all classes were scheduled in the morning, leaving the afternoon free for other appointments.

“Milady, it’s about time to go.”

Beila spoke gently to Yuse, who was sprawled out, exhausted, after finishing her lessons.

“Hmm… now?”

Yuse slowly opened her eyes and rose from her seat.

“Today” was finally the day to go see her engagement dress.

Originally, Yuse had wanted to go with Killian, but since his schedule was always packed—and he had repeatedly said he was tired—she didn’t want to burden him.

So she had arranged to go with Beila and Sir Alec, a bodyguard assigned by Killian.

And now, she was about to set out.

—knock, knock, knock.

The door was tapped.

Beila instinctively reached for the sword beside her, preparing to defend Yuse, but Yuse reacted first.

“It’s fine. I don’t sense any danger.”

Her voice was calm.

Beila looked at her, surprised. Yuse was not one to act first in such situations.

Yet since arriving here, she seemed to have changed somehow.

Even detecting the threat first—this was a side of Yuse that had never appeared, even during her training in the Grand Duchy.

“Lady Krantz!”

The voice that followed made Yuse react even faster than Beila.

“Milady!”

Yuse almost leapt from the bed, reaching the door before Beila could call after her.

“Flo!”

Her green eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Without hesitation, she flung the door open and was about to say,

“Long time no see!”

After their last encounter, she hadn’t been able to meet Floheta because of Killian’s watchful eyes.

So this sudden visit was all the more delightful.

Yet, aware of the many eyes in the duke’s residence, she stopped herself.

Recalling Floheta’s past behavior, she calmed herself before taking a deep breath and opening the door.

“Oh my, Lord Floheta? It’s been ages.”

Beneath the polite tone, Floheta glimpsed the playful, mischievous side of Yuse he remembered.

He realized he, too, was recalling the same youthful expression.

“Lord Floheta!”

Floheta was about to respond, but Frederick and Sir Alec followed behind him.

“Weren’t you just stopping by the Duke’s office to pick up a book?”

Sir Alec’s voice rang loudly.

‘The office?’

Yuse realized this meant Floheta had permission to visit Killian’s office—unlike her.

Her face darkened as the meaning sank in.

“Oh, that… plans changed suddenly. Actually, I made a small mistake during my first meeting with you, milady, and I wanted to make it right.”

Beila, standing behind Yuse, tilted her head and inhaled softly.

Having grown up with Yuse, she probably remembered the incident.

Floheta winked quickly at Beila and raised his head.

Catching his breath, he looked at Frederick and Sir Alec, who had reached behind him.

“You were supposed to go see your engagement dress alone, right? That’s not going to happen. You know what rumors might spread.”

Frederick’s face had already paled.

Not only because he had hurried over at his old age, but also because he could guess what Floheta intended to say next.

“No…! Absolutely not! That’s impossible!”

“Exactly, Frederick. I’ll accompany her so she won’t be bored,” Floheta said, ignoring Frederick’s protests and continuing with his own plan.

“You can’t! What if rumors spread? She hasn’t even gone into the city with Duke Killian yet!”

This time, Sir Alec reprimanded him.

Yet the one affected wasn’t Floheta, but Yuse.

Everything he said was true. She hadn’t yet left the estate with Killian in the two weeks since her arrival.

Though she had wanted to speak first, she had restrained herself.

“Sir Alec… quiet, if you would.”

Floheta noticed Yuse’s emotions and narrowed his eyes sharply.

The playful smirk he’d had moments ago vanished instantly.

“You see, the master here is too busy, so I’m stepping in. And you know my skills. Naturally, my skill is far better than Sir Alec’s. Isn’t that right?”

Yuse might not have known, but everyone in the Duke’s residence would have agreed.

Though notorious as a troublemaker, Floheta’s swordsmanship was indisputable.

“Sir Alec, rest today. There might be other intruders, so be on guard. I’ll personally follow Lady Krantz and protect her.”

Floheta’s lowered voice left no room for argument.

“Showing favor to her is the only way to atone for my earlier rudeness.”

As the tension lingered at his resolute tone, he quickly returned to his usual mischievous smile, shifting the mood.

“Today, I, Lord Floheta, your daily escort, pay my respects to Lady Yuse Lil Krantz.”

Floheta’s unexpected visit and quiet persistence succeeded.

In the end, Yuse went out with him instead of Killian or Sir Alec.

“Lord Floheta, to see you here… it’s a pleasure,” Beila said quietly, smiling warmly. She rarely showed such a smile in front of Killian.

“Yes, Beila… right? It’s been so long I almost forgot your name. But it’s good to see you.”

Floheta shrugged and smiled, accepting her greeting before turning his attention back to Yuse.

He snatched the robe from a reluctant Alec and, grinning, said,

“Milady, I know a boutique you’ll love. Shall we go?”

“Really? That sounds perfect.”

Floheta and Yuse clicked immediately.

Grasping his hand, they naturally walked toward the carriage.

‘Wasn’t this supposed to be our second meeting?’

Watching them depart, those left behind could only grow more perplexed.

Meanwhile, in Killian’s office at the palace, someone knocked repeatedly.

“Who is it?”

“Jeremy, Your Grace.”

“Ah, come in.”

Killian returned to his seat, resting his arm on the desk and removing his glasses.

The day’s work was finished.

Invitations for the engagement had been sent, and preparations—from ceremony plans to design details—were complete.

‘There shouldn’t be any more tasks.’

He narrowed his eyes at Jeremy, who entered with no documents in hand.

Clearly, this visit wasn’t work-related.

“Uh…”

Jeremy, unusually hesitant, broke the silence.

“I have two pieces of news.”

“I’m listening.”

Killian remained patient.

Jeremy cleared his throat twice before speaking.

“The first is that Lady Krantz went out into the city with Lord Floheta.”

—Bang!

The chair toppled with a loud noise.

Killian jumped to his feet without realizing it.

‘Why?’ he wondered, before awkwardly setting the chair upright and sitting again.

He braced himself for the second piece of news.

“The second is that Lady Celitias is waiting below.”

“Celitias? Now?”

“Yes, the appointment you made a month ago.”

Jeremy’s flat tone only added to Killian’s unease.

No wonder he’d been feeling off all day.

Below, Celitias awaited, while Yuse was out in the city with Floheta.

Ha…

Exhaling deeply, Killian rose slowly, turning over possibilities in his mind.

Floheta might be a notorious troublemaker, but he wouldn’t cause scandal with a fiancée.

This was just his usual mischief.

Yuse, despite warnings, had been persuaded by Floheta’s words to go along.

Where they were headed was obvious without needing to see.

Though Floheta didn’t mind rumors, he wouldn’t take her somewhere too conspicuous.

“Tell Celitias I’ll be there soon, and prepare the carriage.”

“Where shall we go?” Jeremy asked.

Killian hesitated, then answered,

“Lloydal Street.”

He still hadn’t sorted out his feelings about Yuse.

It wasn’t the same as before—he was certain of that.

Back then, she had been a comfort in his small world, but she left when he needed her most.

Now that she had returned, he needed to clarify his emotions—whatever they were.

Moreover, it was suspicious how well she got along with Floheta. He needed to confirm it.

“Killian!”

Far off, Lady Celitias ran toward him.

But Killian barely registered her shape, his mind focused only on Yuse and Floheta.

Soon, he would realize his prediction had been correct