IAYA 32

chapter 32

“Then, Duke, how did you end up here…?”

I couldn’t finish my sentence. The memory of vomiting on him last night while drunk flashed in my mind.

My face instantly felt hot. Thankfully, it was dark around us—at least my flushed face was somewhat hidden.

“Are you asking because you don’t know why I’m here?”

Looking at Teansis, my eyes wandered to the luxurious formal suit he was wearing. Today, he looked even more stunning than usual.

In contrast, I was in such a pitiful state that I felt like hiding for no reason.

“Well… I, I don’t really….”

“I was looking for you. I was worried because I couldn’t find you for a while.”

“Me?”

“I promised I would protect you.”

Teansis spoke casually, but the meaning behind those words was significant. Judging from the last time he came to Zerr’s room, he truly intended to protect me wholeheartedly.

“I… I didn’t expect you’d be looking for me even on the festival day.”

Teansis’ gaze, which had been on me, suddenly froze somewhere.

A chill ran down my spine, and I followed his eyes. There it was—my knee, scraped and bleeding.

It must have been from when I was pushed by that man earlier. I hadn’t realized it hurt until now, being so flustered.

Teansis approached me with steady steps. When he reached right in front of me, he knelt on one knee and sat on the ground.

I startled and stepped back, but immediately he caught my ankle.

“D-Duke…”

“You’re hurt again.”

For some reason, there was emphasis on the word “again.”

Teansis took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the dirt from my wound, and carefully tied it to prevent infection.

I watched silently, unable to speak. I had lost count of how many of his handkerchiefs I had ruined over time.

Teansis, sitting on the floor, looked up at me. His violet eyes shimmered, looking somewhat dark.

“Your attendants said they briefly lost track of your location because of the festival. And in that short time, you got hurt again.”

“Yes… Today… the day just went rough.”

I laughed bitterly without realizing it. I had expected so much from the festival, yet everything seemed to go wrong.

Still, I was glad the day ended with seeing Teansis. As always, just looking at him lifted some of my gloom.

“I’m sorry about yesterday.”

Teansis paused mid-motion as he looked at me in surprise.

“Don’t do that again next time.”

“I didn’t know I’d vomit since I haven’t drunk much before. Was your suit damaged? I… I’ll do anything to fix it…”

“Wait a moment. What exactly are you apologizing for?”

His question caught me off guard. As far as I knew, there was only one thing I needed to apologize for.

“I dirtied your clothes when I vomited. Did I make any other mistakes?”

Teansis remained silent for a moment, seemingly unsure of how to respond.

“That… it’s fine.”

“What do you mean by ‘fine,’ Duke?”

He hesitated for a moment before answering in a low voice.

“I mean… drinking alone with Professor.”

“That’s…!”

I stopped myself from explaining it was an experiment. Teansis didn’t know I was working with Zerr.

Just then, my stomach made a loud, rumbling noise.

Teansis could not have failed to hear it.

I felt my face burning with embarrassment. It wasn’t the first time he had heard such a sound, but this time it was overwhelmingly loud.

Frozen in place, unable to explain, Teansis looked at me and gently asked:

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“…No.”

“Then let’s get some food first.”

“Ah, no!”

I shook my head firmly. I didn’t want to roam around in this pitiful state. Ending the festival with Teansis was enough.

“I’ll just go back to the lodging and rest.”

“About the meal?”

“It’s late, so I can eat tomorrow…”

“You’ll get sick that way.”

Teansis cut me off unusually decisively, staring at me with determination before speaking again.

“Come with me. I even have a mask prepared so you can be with me today.”

Ah…

That was when I noticed the golden mask he had been wearing.

I never expected he would wear it just to be with me.

To some, it might seem trivial, but I appreciated such consideration. My heart felt inexplicably warm.

“…Thank you.”

“I’ll accept your gratitude with a meal.”

Repeatedly insisting, Teansis left me no choice but to nod.

I was indeed hungry. And now that he was with me, no one would bother us.

I was just embarrassed being beside him in this state.

Teansis escorted me, speaking softly:

“Is there anything you want to eat?”

“No, nothing in particular.”

“Then I’ll choose the menu.”

He took off his outer coat and draped it over my shoulders. The ornate coat, decorated with patterns and jewels, partially concealed my shabby maid uniform.

But I hesitated to accept it. Considering his status, this coat must have been incredibly expensive.

“Oh, it’s fine. I can’t wear the Duke’s clothes…”

“I’m hot, that’s why.”

“But…”

“The night can get chilly, so wear it.”

After saying this, Teansis took a step ahead. I had no choice but to accept his coat.

Whether he genuinely felt hot or simply didn’t want me to feel burdened, I was grateful regardless.

It was strange. Alone, I felt as small as dust… but walking beside him, no dress could make me feel inferior.

Perhaps it was because Teansis, more beautiful than any ornament, drew every gaze.

Even with the mask on, Teansis still drew attention. Passersby glanced at him repeatedly.

I hung my head in self-consciousness. Compared to him, I felt so pitiful.

Then—

Bang. Teansis suddenly stopped walking, and I bumped my forehead into his back while looking at the ground.

“Du—”

Unconsciously, I tried to call him “Duke,” but he quickly placed a finger over his lips and said softly:

“Don’t call me that anymore.”

“Ah… then what should I call you?”

He thought for a moment before replying casually:

“Call me by my name. My parents used to call me Xian when I was young.”

“Y-Yes?”

I blurted out in surprise. Though he wasn’t royal, few in the empire could address him by name. To be allowed to do so carried great weight. I wasn’t even his lover—I couldn’t do it lightly.

“No matter what, I can’t… I just….”

Seeing my hesitation, Teansis looked slightly disappointed and said:

“Then call me ‘student,’ Teacher.”

“Huh?”

Why did it feel like teasing whenever Teansis called me “Teacher”? Seeing the mischievous look on his face, I realized I wasn’t imagining it.

“You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”

Teansis let out a quiet laugh. He rarely smiled, so seeing him do so was surprising.

“When I say ‘Teacher,’ you don’t know what to do.”

“Oh… I see…”

Reflecting on past events, I couldn’t help but think about them.

He led me to a nearby accessory shop. Various hair ornaments were on display—simple, festival-appropriate decorations.

Looking at the unique, cute items, I glanced at Teansis, puzzled.

“Pick one. I’ll buy it for you.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“If you don’t pick, I’ll choose one I like.”

“Really, you don’t need to buy it.”

Seeing me insist, Teansis eventually picked a large ribbon ornament and placed it on my head. He looked satisfied.

“It suits you.”

“Oh, then I’ll pay…”

Before I could finish, Teansis stepped forward and paid the shopkeeper.

“Keep the change. I liked this decoration.”

The owner’s face brightened as he received the money.

“Thank you! Enjoy the festival!”

As we walked away, the masked Teansis smiled faintly.

“Enjoy yourself.”

“Huh?”

“It’s the festival, after all.”

I looked up and finally noticed the surrounding sights I had missed while looking at the ground.

People in colorful, unique outfits, various festival attractions—it felt like magic. My heart fluttered. This was the festival I had dreamed of.

Noticing my excitement, Teansis escorted me again, asking softly:

“Do you like meat?”

“Yes.”

I preferred meat over vegetables. There wasn’t a single meat dish I disliked.

Teansis smiled faintly.

“Then let’s eat our fill today.”

The restaurant he led me to was somewhat unusual, but the food that arrived soon surpassed everything.

“Wow!”

I had eaten countless steaks in my life, but never had I seen one this big.

Teansis sliced a portion and placed it on my plate.

“Here, try it.”

“This is my first time seeing such a huge steak.”

“I was surprised too. I’ve been to the main branch in the North.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Take your time. This isn’t all we ordered.”

“What?”

More dishes arrived at our table. I was already worried about leaving leftovers of this steak alone, but now even more food appeared.

“I might not be able to finish all this.”

“Eat as much as you like. I was concerned because you usually eat very little.”

“That’s not true.”

Teansis, still masked, smiled faintly at my strong denial.

I silently cut the steak in front of me and took a bite. Honestly, it was the best steak I had ever tasted.

“It’s really delicious.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

Eating on an empty stomach made the food disappear quickly. Teansis handed me a glass of water.

“Drink water so you don’t get an upset stomach.”

“Thank you.”

I felt immensely happy, eating delicious food while Teansis was right there.

I no longer hung my head. I held it high and truly enjoyed the festival. I couldn’t stop smiling, even though I tried.

This was a reality better than any dream. And it was all thanks to Teansis.

“This… feels like a date.”

Hearing the word “date,” Teansis paused mid-motion with the knife.

I had blurted it out unconsciously. Perhaps he found it unpleasant?

“Ah, I mean…”

I tried to clarify, but he was faster.

“Shall we?”

“Huh? Do what?”

“Date.”

My mind froze. I couldn’t believe what I heard.

Teansis calmly wiped his mouth with a napkin and said:

“I’m asking if you’d like to go on a date with me today.”

I was speechless. My brain felt like it had stopped working.

“I won’t accept a refusal.”

I wondered if this was a dream. I had thought reality was already happier than any dream, but maybe… this was truly magical.