IBWMD 77

~Chapter 77~

Now that I looked, it was dark outside. I mumbled as I guessed the time:

“Is this the dinner they said they’d send?”

As I approached carefully, I saw a note placed neatly on top of the dome dish.

It seemed like the head maid had left it.

**[You seemed to be asleep, so I left the food.]

I’ve arranged for your maid to eat with the staff so she can get used to the estate.]**

‘It must’ve been there a while and I just didn’t notice.’

I hadn’t been hungry before, but the moment I saw the food, my stomach growled.

‘Even Mount Geumgang looks better on a full stomach.’

Right. Food first—everything works better with a full belly.

I was just about to eat when—

Rustle.

Something slipped out from beneath the silver tray as I lifted it.

A second note.

“What’s this?”

I picked it up absentmindedly, but the moment I read it—

Thud.

I nearly dropped the tray.

**[I set the interrogation for tonight just in case your attention drifted somewhere else while I was gone.

While the others are at the banquet, I plan to proceed quietly.

Would you like to join me?]**

Elegant, yet slightly casual handwriting.

And the words instantly brought his voice to mind.

It was clearly from Karl.

‘What do you mean “my attention drifted”?!’

He’s the one who took up all my thoughts!

Even while narrowing my eyes, I couldn’t help but be impressed by how good his handwriting was.

Anyway—tonight?

‘Then I can see him.’

Not at the banquet, sneaking glances… but properly, just the two of us.

All the cold water I poured over myself earlier was now useless—my body was warm again.

Even my fingertips tingled from touching the note.

‘Old me would’ve denied it.’

I would’ve insisted this warmth wasn’t excitement or happiness about seeing Karl again.

But now?

No.

If I’m being honest…

I was excited. I missed him. I was happy.

Even though I felt guilty for feeling this way—being the Grand Duchess and all.

‘But this is the first time I’ve felt something like this.’

That’s right. He’s… my first love.

My ears flushed even hotter.

Being this shy didn’t suit me at all—and yet, maybe that was okay.

After all, it’s still me.

‘Pretending to live how I want… but still holding myself back…’

If that’s still the case, it’s kind of sad, isn’t it?

So just this once—

At least for this one moment, when I realized I had feelings for someone—

‘I want to love freely.’

Set the complicated stuff aside for now.

I wanted to be happy just seeing Karl.

Worry and fear could wait.

I barely ate a few spoonfuls of stew before I rushed to get dressed.

Tonight, more than food—I just wanted to see Karl.

* * *

“Is this it?”

I studied the map that was drawn on the note.

Karl’s directions led me to a narrow path behind the Grand Duke’s estate.

So narrow and dark, you wouldn’t even know it was there.

‘Is this really the right path?’

It was so dim, I almost doubted it.

‘But maybe it’ll open up to something romantic…’

Like the Dragon’s Tower or the secret villa from before.

‘I wonder what kind of place it is this time.’

Just as I was thinking that, and my eyes adjusted to the dark—

Flash!

“Ugh—”

Suddenly, everything lit up.

The moonlight hit my eyes so hard I squinted.

“Welcome, Grand Duchess.”

“…Clark?”

Unexpectedly, Clark was the one waiting there.

He wasn’t wearing his usual monster hunter clothes, but something more formal.

‘Did he just come back from the banquet?’

While I stared at him uncertainly, Clark gave a polite bow.

“As I said before, feel free to speak casually with me.”

“Uh… Sure, I’ll do that.”

“Welcome again to the Grand Duke’s estate.”

“Thank you… I mean, thanks.”

“Though the order was a bit odd—you did things before the ceremony—ahem.”

The old man mumbled and blushed furiously.

Just like when I first arrived at the estate, his behavior was oddly awkward.

‘What’s with him?’

I tilted my head slightly, and Clark quickly collected himself.

“Anyway, I’ll open the door to the interrogation chamber for you.”

His words sparked some excitement again.

I asked casually:

“Is that why you were waiting here?”

‘Just how secretive and romantic is this place, that Clark has to personally unlock it—’

“Yes. Only those recognized by the door can access the underground prison.”

…The underground prison?

That explained the gloomy walk here.

“Only the worst and most dangerous criminals are kept here, so I ask for your understanding.”

That bad?

Now that I thought about it, of course the interrogation would happen in a prison.

But I’d gotten my hopes up—thanks to the weirdly nice flower scents along the way and the “secret path” vibe.

I half-expected a cozy, secluded hideaway.

‘Though… an underground prison is secluded.’

Just… not the romantic kind.

As I had those thoughts, Clark led me down the path.

Soon, a steep cliff appeared, and at the base, a barred gate made of silver shimmered mysteriously.

“Please grab the door handle.”

I did as Clark asked.

“…!”

A sudden jolt shot through my fingers.

“Now you’ll be able to use this door freely.”

“Huh?”

“This door now belongs to you, Grand Duchess.”

…You’re giving me the key to a prison for criminals?

I kind of understood what just happened.

‘It’s like registering my fingerprint on a security lock, right?’

But still—should this really be handed over so easily?

‘What if I get mad and release all the prisoners and run away?’

Not that I actually plan to betray anyone and run off with Karl.

‘Though I wouldn’t mind smacking the Grand Duke if the negotiations go poorly.’

Literally—not metaphorically.

It would serve him right.

Leaving his bride alone for months and being all smug and uncooperative.

I could see why Beth wanted to rip his hair out.

‘I’ll rip the horns off his dragon head and turn him into a lizard.’

In my head, the Grand Duke had fully become the dragon-headed guy from my dream.

Anyway—getting access to the prison so easily? That was… unexpectedly generous.

‘Did I work too hard or something?’

Maybe I did.

‘What if the Grand Duke comes back and suddenly decides he wants to marry me?’

If he’s moved by my hard work and says he wants to take me as his bride now… Ugh.

I used to want that. Not anymore.

Clark, noticing the change in my expression, quickly opened the door.

“Please, go inside.”

“…”

“I’ll take my leave here.”

As I stepped through, a strange scent wafted in.

‘Doesn’t smell like a prison.’

It was more like the floral scent from before.

As I descended the long staircase, I kept catching whiffs of that same warm, gentle smell.

And then—I reached the bottom.

I stopped, stunned.

“…This is the underground prison?”

This?

From the bottom of the stairs, the space opened up massively.

Too huge to call a cave—it was more like…

“An underground village?”

Between glowing stalactite pillars, buildings were scattered everywhere.

Old buildings, built long ago.

The ground was covered in soft moss and cave plants that looked like tiny gardens.

There was even a clear blue pond in the corner.

Amazed, I looked around carefully.

‘It’s a ruin… but it feels nostalgic.’

Warm air lingered here—similar to the Dragon’s Tower with the shed dragon skin.

‘Could this place also be related to dragons?’

That thought made my heart race.

To use this as a prison? It felt far too luxurious.

Honestly, calling it a prison seemed more like an excuse.

‘This is definitely a special place.’

That feeling got even stronger when I saw the white flower field in the center of the “village.”

It wasn’t huge, but it wasn’t tiny either—just a cozy field filled with white blossoms.

The same kind that bloomed near the Grand Duke’s villa.

“…”

I reached out and touched one.

Soft and fluffy—like cotton.

A breeze stirred the flowers, spreading their fragrance, while the glowing stalactites lit everything around.

Without thinking, I murmured:

“This really is…”

Like a secret date spot.

And suddenly—I felt very forgiving.