IAYA 03

Chapter 3

It felt as though I had dreamt a spectacular dream.

On a whim, I came to the academy, drank some strange experimental potion, met Theansis—the man I had only ever imagined—and was even attacked by a monster.

Too much had happened in too short a time to believe it all occurred within mere hours.

As I faintly regained consciousness, I could hear people conversing nearby.

“Why did the monster suddenly rampage?”

“Who knows…”

I wasn’t sure who was asking the questions, but the one answering was likely Theansis. His husky baritone was so captivating that I could recognize him by voice alone.

Theansis trailed off, displeased, but soon continued as if nothing was wrong.

“By the way, about that tree that suddenly fell—did you look into it?”

“Yes. It seems it wasn’t due to the battle, but simply collapsed on its own. Apparently, after the recent typhoon, some had already warned it was dangerous.”

“And yet they left it as is? What terrible management at the academy.”

“Exactly. The administrator claimed he was too distracted by preparations for the upcoming festival. But still… what on earth is the alchemy professor trying to experiment with using monsters?”

“Who knows what that sinister man is plotting. We’ll have to investigate.”

I couldn’t understand their entire discussion, but I could sense it was something serious.

I wanted to listen longer, but my eyelids grew heavy, and I slipped back into unconsciousness.

How much time passed, I didn’t know.

When I awoke again, I opened my eyes.

At first, the back of my head throbbed, and my body felt as heavy as if stricken with fever. But now, I felt as refreshed as if I had slept deeply.

The last thing I remembered was being struck on the back of the head by something—so I had no idea where I was lying now.

As I looked around in confusion, a maid nearby noticed me stirring and cried out.

“Oh my! You’ve awakened!”

“Where… is this?”

“This is the residence His Grace the Duke of Acruse uses at the academy. I’m Emily, a maid who works here.”

Residence? Here?

Even if Theansis was the youngest duke ruling the north, this was still supposed to be student lodging.

Yet nothing in this room resembled a student dormitory. Everywhere I looked, there were luxurious decorations fit for a noble’s mansion.

“The duke’s residence… I see.”

Kamar Academy, befitting its status as a school for high nobles, apparently had accommodations far from ordinary.

Gathering my dazed thoughts, I rose from the bed. Emily quickly supported me.

“You’ve only just woken up! You fainted and were unconscious for three days.”

“Three… days? Still, I’m awake now, so I should get up. Could you please convey my deepest thanks to His Grace for saving my life?”

I wished I could thank him personally, but it seemed rude to take up his time with such a trivial matter. Just being saved was gratitude enough—I had no right to trouble him further. My place was to admire him from afar.

But Emily waved her hands in alarm.

“No, no. You must tell him directly. In fact, he asked me to notify him the moment you woke up. Please wait here.”

“What?”

Her words left me blinking in shock.

He’s coming here? Himself?

I was the daughter of a baron—the lowest rank of nobility. Theansis was a duke, one of only a few in the entire empire. The difference between us was heaven and earth.

That such a man would come in person—I couldn’t believe it.

Before I could say another word, Emily hurried out, clearly to inform him.

What should I do?

I had admired him from afar for so long, collecting his photographs like a devoted fan. But meeting him like this, face to face, was another matter entirely.

Suddenly, memories of just before I fainted replayed in my mind—how he had called me “lady,” how his worried eyes asked if I was all right.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

And the memory of being in his arms before losing consciousness—just recalling it made me feel faint again.

Unbelievable. Such things only happened in dreams.

What am I supposed to do…

Facing him while clear-headed now made my heart pound wildly.

I hurriedly tried to neaten my messy, sleep-tousled hair. I wished I could dress up beautifully, but there was nothing I could do at the moment.

Unable to sit still, I paced restlessly.

Step, step.

Suddenly, steady footsteps sounded outside. My heart raced in time with them.

Creak—

The door opened, and Theansis entered, his sculpted face almost unreal.

To my eyes, each of his movements seemed slowed, like time itself had paused.

Everything before fainting had felt like a dream, but even now, seeing him before me—this felt dreamlike.

“You’ve regained consciousness, Lady.”

That sweet address, Lady, felt like a warm spring breeze across my heart.

I struggled to nod and open my mouth to speak—

But then I felt something trickle from my nose. I wiped it, only to find bright red blood.

Yes.

I had, shamefully, gotten a nosebleed just from seeing Theansis.

“Ah…”

While I froze in mortification, Theansis calmly pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to me.

But the fine, fragrant handkerchief seemed too precious to stain, and I just stared blankly at it.

He lowered his voice.

“Take it.”

“It looks so expensive… I feel guilty using it…”

It was pure white. Once stained with blood, it would never come clean again.

At that, Theansis glanced at the floor.

“If you think that way, the carpet is worth far more than the handkerchief.”

“Oh!”

Looking down, I saw my nosebleed had already spotted the carpet. Flustered, I hurriedly took the handkerchief and pressed it to my nose.

As I waited for the bleeding to stop, Theansis studied my complexion and asked,

“The physician said there was nothing wrong, but are you still unwell?”

“N-no, it’s not that…”

How could I tell him the truth—that I got a nosebleed from seeing him in person, because he shone too brightly, because this moment felt too much like a dream?

I couldn’t. So I changed the subject with the question that had puzzled me since waking.

“Why did I faint, exactly?”

I had seen the monster subdued before me, only to be suddenly struck from behind and knocked unconscious.

What had hit me? Another monster?

But Theansis gave a simple answer.

“You were knocked out by a flying piece of fruit.”

“Fruit?”

“When the tree fell, it must have shaken loose some of its fruit.”

“…Ah.”

So I was felled by… fruit.

The image of me collapsing from a mere fruit to the head filled me with unspeakable shame.

How ridiculous must I have looked?

I wanted to crawl into a hole.

But Theansis continued, unaffected.

“The physician said you only developed a bump, nothing serious. If you experience discomfort, bill the academy.”

“R-right…”

Touching the back of my head, I could indeed feel the lump.

Mortifying though it was, I was grateful for his concern. Despite being of such lofty status, he treated even a lowly baron’s daughter with courtesy.

Though rumored to be cold-hearted, Theansis clearly wasn’t the type to mistreat the weak.

I knew those bad rumors were wrong.

I felt vindicated for the faith I’d always kept in him.

He fixed his gaze on me and asked,

“Does your ankle hurt at all?”

“My ankle?”

I moved it experimentally, then shook my head.

“No, it feels fine.”

“The physician said the same. But truthfully, under those circumstances, your leg should have been broken.”

“What?”

“With the monster’s grip strength, it’s strange your bones weren’t shattered. Very strange indeed.”

A chill ran down my spine at the thought. I remembered the slimy feel when the monster had grabbed me, and shivered.

“That’s why… may I examine it myself, if you don’t mind?”

“W-what?”

His unexpected request stunned me.

Examine… my leg?

While I sat dumbstruck, Theansis stepped closer. His presence felt overwhelmingly attractive, and I snapped my mouth shut before I started drooling.

“You… want to see my leg right now?”

“Would that be a problem?”

His melancholy eyes made it even harder to refuse.

“N-no, it’s not that…”

“The physician already checked you, yes, but when it comes to monsters, the Acruse family are experts. It would be best if I confirmed it myself, in case of lingering effects.”

He wasn’t wrong. After all, Tarun Forest—the land of monsters—was a place where normal logic did not apply.

“I-it’s not that I dislike the idea… it just feels disrespectful to show such a thing to Your Grace…”

That was the truth. Showing my plain leg to his beautiful violet eyes felt almost sinful.

He tilted his head, puzzled, but dismissed it and gestured to the bed.

“Regardless, if you’re willing, please sit there.”

“The bed? But there’s a sofa…”

I didn’t think he meant anything improper—but still, sitting on a bed with him nearby embarrassed me.

“You’ve just woken from fainting. The bed will be more comfortable than the narrow sofa. But sit wherever you like.”

“T-then…”

I chose the sofa, heart pounding. Theansis knelt before me on one knee, like a knight making a vow—or as if proposing. My face flushed hot.

What a miracle this was.

With trembling hands, I lifted my dress hem slightly to reveal my calf. Theansis gazed intently at my leg, expression unreadable.

For so long that I wanted to joke he might burn a hole in it with his eyes—but I kept silent, listening to my thundering heartbeat.

Finally, he spoke.

“May I touch it?”

“Wh-what?”

The heat inside me nearly exploded. My face felt like it might burst into flames.

I knew it was for medical reasons. But the fact it was him made it entirely different.

I had dreamed of holding his hand someday—yet never imagined he’d first be touching my leg.

“I know it’s an imposition, but I truly wish to check it. I’ve never seen such a case.”

When I failed to answer, blushing furiously, he lifted his eyes slightly, repeating,

“…Would that be all right?”

I hadn’t intended to refuse—but faced with those soft, earnest eyes, I found myself nodding vigorously.

For a moment, I thought I saw a faint smile touch his lips. But when I blinked, his face was once more impassive.

Surely he wouldn’t feign kindness just to gain my consent…?

I shook the thought away.

Meanwhile, Theansis drew white gloves from his pocket and slipped them on.

Some might think it odd, or simply polite. But I knew better. Wherever he went, he always wore gloves.

Rumors once spread that he had obsessive cleanliness, but since he fought barehanded in training, the gossip died quickly. The true reason remained a mystery.

I, however, had no desire to pry. Everyone had their secrets.

Then—

I felt his gloved hand touch my ankle.

Shhhk—

Though I had agreed, the moment his hand made contact, I couldn’t help but flinch.

Chapter 3. May I Touch It?

It felt as though I had dreamt a spectacular dream.

On a whim, I came to the academy, drank some strange experimental potion, met Theansis—the man I had only ever imagined—and was even attacked by a monster.

Too much had happened in too short a time to believe it all occurred within mere hours.

As I faintly regained consciousness, I could hear people conversing nearby.

“Why did the monster suddenly rampage?”

“Who knows…”

I wasn’t sure who was asking the questions, but the one answering was likely Theansis. His husky baritone was so captivating that I could recognize him by voice alone.

Theansis trailed off, displeased, but soon continued as if nothing was wrong.

“By the way, about that tree that suddenly fell—did you look into it?”

“Yes. It seems it wasn’t due to the battle, but simply collapsed on its own. Apparently, after the recent typhoon, some had already warned it was dangerous.”

“And yet they left it as is? What terrible management at the academy.”

“Exactly. The administrator claimed he was too distracted by preparations for the upcoming festival. But still… what on earth is the alchemy professor trying to experiment with using monsters?”

“Who knows what that sinister man is plotting. We’ll have to investigate.”

I couldn’t understand their entire discussion, but I could sense it was something serious.

I wanted to listen longer, but my eyelids grew heavy, and I slipped back into unconsciousness.

How much time passed, I didn’t know.

When I awoke again, I opened my eyes.

At first, the back of my head throbbed, and my body felt as heavy as if stricken with fever. But now, I felt as refreshed as if I had slept deeply.

The last thing I remembered was being struck on the back of the head by something—so I had no idea where I was lying now.

As I looked around in confusion, a maid nearby noticed me stirring and cried out.

“Oh my! You’ve awakened!”

“Where… is this?”

“This is the residence His Grace the Duke of Acruse uses at the academy. I’m Emily, a maid who works here.”

Residence? Here?

Even if Theansis was the youngest duke ruling the north, this was still supposed to be student lodging.

Yet nothing in this room resembled a student dormitory. Everywhere I looked, there were luxurious decorations fit for a noble’s mansion.

“The duke’s residence… I see.”

Kamar Academy, befitting its status as a school for high nobles, apparently had accommodations far from ordinary.

Gathering my dazed thoughts, I rose from the bed. Emily quickly supported me.

“You’ve only just woken up! You fainted and were unconscious for three days.”

“Three… days? Still, I’m awake now, so I should get up. Could you please convey my deepest thanks to His Grace for saving my life?”

I wished I could thank him personally, but it seemed rude to take up his time with such a trivial matter. Just being saved was gratitude enough—I had no right to trouble him further. My place was to admire him from afar.

But Emily waved her hands in alarm.

“No, no. You must tell him directly. In fact, he asked me to notify him the moment you woke up. Please wait here.”

“What?”

Her words left me blinking in shock.

He’s coming here? Himself?

I was the daughter of a baron—the lowest rank of nobility. Theansis was a duke, one of only a few in the entire empire. The difference between us was heaven and earth.

That such a man would come in person—I couldn’t believe it.

Before I could say another word, Emily hurried out, clearly to inform him.

What should I do?

I had admired him from afar for so long, collecting his photographs like a devoted fan. But meeting him like this, face to face, was another matter entirely.

Suddenly, memories of just before I fainted replayed in my mind—how he had called me “lady,” how his worried eyes asked if I was all right.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

And the memory of being in his arms before losing consciousness—just recalling it made me feel faint again.

Unbelievable. Such things only happened in dreams.

What am I supposed to do…

Facing him while clear-headed now made my heart pound wildly.

I hurriedly tried to neaten my messy, sleep-tousled hair. I wished I could dress up beautifully, but there was nothing I could do at the moment.

Unable to sit still, I paced restlessly.

Step, step.

Suddenly, steady footsteps sounded outside. My heart raced in time with them.

Creak—

The door opened, and Theansis entered, his sculpted face almost unreal.

To my eyes, each of his movements seemed slowed, like time itself had paused.

Everything before fainting had felt like a dream, but even now, seeing him before me—this felt dreamlike.

“You’ve regained consciousness, Lady.”

That sweet address, Lady, felt like a warm spring breeze across my heart.

I struggled to nod and open my mouth to speak—

But then I felt something trickle from my nose. I wiped it, only to find bright red blood.

Yes.

I had, shamefully, gotten a nosebleed just from seeing Theansis.

“Ah…”

While I froze in mortification, Theansis calmly pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to me.

But the fine, fragrant handkerchief seemed too precious to stain, and I just stared blankly at it.

He lowered his voice.

“Take it.”

“It looks so expensive… I feel guilty using it…”

It was pure white. Once stained with blood, it would never come clean again.

At that, Theansis glanced at the floor.

“If you think that way, the carpet is worth far more than the handkerchief.”

“Oh!”

Looking down, I saw my nosebleed had already spotted the carpet. Flustered, I hurriedly took the handkerchief and pressed it to my nose.

As I waited for the bleeding to stop, Theansis studied my complexion and asked,

“The physician said there was nothing wrong, but are you still unwell?”

“N-no, it’s not that…”

How could I tell him the truth—that I got a nosebleed from seeing him in person, because he shone too brightly, because this moment felt too much like a dream?

I couldn’t. So I changed the subject with the question that had puzzled me since waking.

“Why did I faint, exactly?”

I had seen the monster subdued before me, only to be suddenly struck from behind and knocked unconscious.

What had hit me? Another monster?

But Theansis gave a simple answer.

“You were knocked out by a flying piece of fruit.”

“Fruit?”

“When the tree fell, it must have shaken loose some of its fruit.”

“…Ah.”

So I was felled by… fruit.

The image of me collapsing from a mere fruit to the head filled me with unspeakable shame.

How ridiculous must I have looked?

I wanted to crawl into a hole.

But Theansis continued, unaffected.

“The physician said you only developed a bump, nothing serious. If you experience discomfort, bill the academy.”

“R-right…”

Touching the back of my head, I could indeed feel the lump.

Mortifying though it was, I was grateful for his concern. Despite being of such lofty status, he treated even a lowly baron’s daughter with courtesy.

Though rumored to be cold-hearted, Theansis clearly wasn’t the type to mistreat the weak.

I knew those bad rumors were wrong.

I felt vindicated for the faith I’d always kept in him.

He fixed his gaze on me and asked,

“Does your ankle hurt at all?”

“My ankle?”

I moved it experimentally, then shook my head.

“No, it feels fine.”

“The physician said the same. But truthfully, under those circumstances, your leg should have been broken.”

“What?”

“With the monster’s grip strength, it’s strange your bones weren’t shattered. Very strange indeed.”

A chill ran down my spine at the thought. I remembered the slimy feel when the monster had grabbed me, and shivered.

“That’s why… may I examine it myself, if you don’t mind?”

“W-what?”

His unexpected request stunned me.

Examine… my leg?

While I sat dumbstruck, Theansis stepped closer. His presence felt overwhelmingly attractive, and I snapped my mouth shut before I started drooling.

“You… want to see my leg right now?”

“Would that be a problem?”

His melancholy eyes made it even harder to refuse.

“N-no, it’s not that…”

“The physician already checked you, yes, but when it comes to monsters, the Acruse family are experts. It would be best if I confirmed it myself, in case of lingering effects.”

He wasn’t wrong. After all, Tarun Forest—the land of monsters—was a place where normal logic did not apply.

“I-it’s not that I dislike the idea… it just feels disrespectful to show such a thing to Your Grace…”

That was the truth. Showing my plain leg to his beautiful violet eyes felt almost sinful.

He tilted his head, puzzled, but dismissed it and gestured to the bed.

“Regardless, if you’re willing, please sit there.”

“The bed? But there’s a sofa…”

I didn’t think he meant anything improper—but still, sitting on a bed with him nearby embarrassed me.

“You’ve just woken from fainting. The bed will be more comfortable than the narrow sofa. But sit wherever you like.”

“T-then…”

I chose the sofa, heart pounding. Theansis knelt before me on one knee, like a knight making a vow—or as if proposing. My face flushed hot.

What a miracle this was.

With trembling hands, I lifted my dress hem slightly to reveal my calf. Theansis gazed intently at my leg, expression unreadable.

For so long that I wanted to joke he might burn a hole in it with his eyes—but I kept silent, listening to my thundering heartbeat.

Finally, he spoke.

“May I touch it?”

“Wh-what?”

The heat inside me nearly exploded. My face felt like it might burst into flames.

I knew it was for medical reasons. But the fact it was him made it entirely different.

I had dreamed of holding his hand someday—yet never imagined he’d first be touching my leg.

“I know it’s an imposition, but I truly wish to check it. I’ve never seen such a case.”

When I failed to answer, blushing furiously, he lifted his eyes slightly, repeating,

“…Would that be all right?”

I hadn’t intended to refuse—but faced with those soft, earnest eyes, I found myself nodding vigorously.

For a moment, I thought I saw a faint smile touch his lips. But when I blinked, his face was once more impassive.

Surely he wouldn’t feign kindness just to gain my consent…?

I shook the thought away.

Meanwhile, Theansis drew white gloves from his pocket and slipped them on.

Some might think it odd, or simply polite. But I knew better. Wherever he went, he always wore gloves.

Rumors once spread that he had obsessive cleanliness, but since he fought barehanded in training, the gossip died quickly. The true reason remained a mystery.

I, however, had no desire to pry. Everyone had their secrets.

Then—

I felt his gloved hand touch my ankle.

Shhhk—

Though I had agreed, the moment his hand made contact, I couldn’t help but flinch.