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Chapter 16
Killian always seemed to follow his own rules for when he returned home.
If nothing unusual happened, he would come back early.
But every two weeks, there were a couple of days he would definitely return late at night.
Yuse knew that Killian didn’t like being asked too many questions, so she spoke carefully. Yet sometimes, when he came home late during meal time, she would quietly ask if he was tired. His answer was always the same:
“It’s fine. There’s a lot of work, but it’s my responsibility to handle it.”
Yuse wanted to know more, but Killian’s actions always drew a line, so she could only bite her lips in silence.
Sometimes, though, he would return even earlier than usual, surprising Yuse—a timing she could never predict.
“Miss! His Grace the Grand Duke has arrived!”
His early arrivals were always unexpected.
“What?”
That day, Killian had returned at 1 p.m.—right when Yuse was outside in the garden, basking in the gentle sun after lunch and enjoying tea time.
“What do you mean? Killian’s already here?!”
“Well—”
“No, this is not the time! Let’s get ready!”
Whenever this happened, Yuse’s reaction was always the same. Even though she was normally perfect, in front of Killian she always tried to hold herself to an even higher standard.
“Yuse.”
Before she could stand properly, Killian appeared as if by magic, making it seem as though she were already in his hand.
“Killian!”
Her reaction was almost automatic.
“Why are you here so early?”
“Do you dislike it?”
Even as she asked, Yuse’s face glowed with a clear, sparkling smile she could not hide.
Seeing her, Killian playfully pouted as if hurt, and Yuse shook her head vigorously.
“No! No! Not at all!”
Killian chuckled softly.
“Is that so? I came early because I wanted to see you.”
Hearing this, Yuse’s pale face turned bright red without resistance.
“By the way, what were you doing?”
Killian didn’t comment on that and instead changed the topic.
“I was just sitting in the garden for tea.”
Hearing this, Killian called a nearby maid and said,
“Could you prepare some for me as well?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
At his words, Yuse’s heart raced uncontrollably.
‘Killian… is going to have tea with me? With me?’
Though she couldn’t speak her excitement out loud, she couldn’t hide her smile.
Then, a voice interrupted.
“Wait!”
Neither had to turn to know who it was—Floheta.
“Can I join too?”
Floheta’s sudden appearance brought a mix of reactions. Killian’s face darkened, while Yuse’s brightened.
“Floheta…!”
Yuse hadn’t seen Floheta often, and he was still someone from her lost childhood, so she was always happy to see him.
“Why are you here?”
But Killian did not feel the same. To him, Floheta was just an interrupter. At least, that was how Floheta saw it.
“I just saw some familiar faces while passing by.”
Floheta brushed off Killian’s glare smoothly.
“But right now—”
Floheta tried to pass the topic, but Yuse interrupted first.
“Sure!”
Yuse wanted to spend time with both Killian and Floheta together. She also wanted Killian to know she had become friends with Floheta, even if just subtly.
“Yuse?”
Killian looked at her, curious. Once Yuse explained, he quickly composed his expression.
“I’ve become friends with Floheta while staying here.”
“Is that so, my future duchess?”
“Indeed.”
Floheta responded playfully, and Yuse couldn’t help but smile. Killian’s gaze was sharp, but since Yuse approved, he couldn’t do much.
“Prepare three cups of tea and desserts, then.”
And so, tea time for Yuse, Killian, and Floheta began. Yuse enjoyed it, but the other two did not share her same carefree mood. Of course, Yuse was oblivious to it.
“May I ask how you became friends?”
Killian broke the silence, looking at Yuse while speaking.
“I just kept running into him while walking around the estate!”
Yuse’s answer came naturally, as she had imagined this moment many times.
“So, that’s how you became close?”
Floheta, enjoying a cookie, received Killian’s sharp question. Killian didn’t like anyone touching what was his, and Floheta knew this, yet he crossed that line anyway.
“Just happened that way.”
Floheta shrugged, taking Killian’s scrutiny in stride.
“…I see.”
After the pause, Killian spoke again.
“Are you displeased…?”
Yuse watched carefully, seeing only pure concern in his eyes.
“No.”
Killian shook his head quickly.
“Not at all. I’m glad you’ve made a friend here. It must make your time less lonely.”
“I’m relieved!”
“Indeed.”
Each interpreted Killian’s words differently, but he didn’t bother pointing it out. From then on, he no longer asked direct questions about their friendship. It became a simple, ordinary conversation—exactly what Yuse wanted.
After tea, Floheta returned to his room in the annex, but he already sensed the footsteps following behind him.
“Floheta Seth Lebermillion.”
Killian never used Floheta’s full name, except for serious situations. This was one of those moments.
“I clearly warned you not to come.”
“What do you mean?”
Floheta noticed Killian’s voice was lower than usual.
“I told you not to come when I was with Yuse.”
Floheta chuckled.
“Just once, right?”
“I said, don’t touch what’s mine.”
Floheta’s smile vanished.
“What’s yours? You mean the lady is yours?”
“Of course. How else would I refer to my fiancée?”
Floheta’s cheeky reply met Killian’s cold stare with equal seriousness.
“Then just pick one lady to claim as yours.”
Floheta gave a dry laugh.
“What?”
Killian was surprised by his boldness.
“I saw you in the city with a blonde lady. You know each other, right? Be careful. What if rumors reach your fiancée?”
Killian’s expression darkened further.
“Watch your words.”
“Then you watch yourself. I’m just giving advice.”
Floheta didn’t back down.
“Then I warn you. If you keep interfering like this, leave my estate immediately.”
Finally, Killian ended the conversation.
