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CHAPTER 03
“…I am Lillian Floris.”
My voice came out calmer than I expected. But I knew my fingertips were trembling ever so slightly.
Because his gaze—those composed, icy gray-blue eyes—were piercing straight through me.
This man was a cold, ruthless noble even the imperial family handled with caution.
He walked toward me slowly. Then, he smiled lazily.
“You’ve had a long journey, Lady Floris.”
It was a polite and elegant greeting. Every word he spoke was refined, without excess, maintaining a careful distance.
I quietly bowed in return. My heart was pounding, but I forced myself to keep a composed expression.
He nodded gently and looked at me again. His gray-blue eyes still carried a soft smile.
But the next moment, his words changed the temperature of the air.
“And… above all, about the unexpected letter you sent.”
He had read my engagement letter himself.
“That brief correspondence left quite an impression. It didn’t reveal much emotion, but its intent was clear… and above all, concise.”
He smiled faintly.
“It almost made me wonder if you truly wrote it yourself. It’s rare to see a noble lady’s engagement letter read like a business transaction.”
My lips stiffened slightly.
A “business transaction.”
It was a clear critique. A sharp analysis. There was no room for rebuttal or excuse.
The Duke looked at me and spoke slowly.
“But… I am curious about something.”
His voice was calm and low, but beneath it lay a blade aimed precisely at the point.
“Why me, of all people?”
My breath caught.
He watched me silently, his gaze deep and unmoving, as if trying to see straight through me.
Why? Because in the original story, I needed to prevent the crown prince from falling into obsession and ruin.
But I couldn’t say that.
The moment I revealed that this world was a novel—and that I had possessed a character—I might lose my head here and now.
So I chose instead a more believable lie.
“…It was love at first sight.”
For a moment, the air seemed to stop.
At my words, Iris Hiver’s expression shifted ever so slightly. Something flickered within those gray-blue eyes.
“Love… at first sight?”
I nodded as naturally as I could.
“I didn’t have much time. So I had to convey my feelings quickly and clearly. If I dwell too much on emotion, I get afraid. So I stripped emotion away and left only sincerity.”
Even I thought it sounded strange.
Iris stared at me for a long moment. His gaze still mixed suspicion and curiosity.
Then he spoke again.
“…However.”
“I felt something unusual in your letter.”
My heart tightened.
Did he notice something?
“A saint’s magic was embedded in it. Very faintly, but clearly.”
My heartbeat quickened.
Of course—who could refuse a letter carrying the saint’s blessing?
“That made it even more intriguing. A letter trying not to express emotion, yet the magic contradicted it. It revealed how sincere your feelings were.”
He smiled softly.
“It was the first time I’ve received such a contradictory letter. So… I accepted it because I, too, was intrigued.”
Relief washed over me.
Thankfully, he only detected the saint’s magic. He didn’t realize I had deliberately infused it.
…Wait.
“You… were intrigued?”
“Yes. I found myself drawn to a letter filled with warm magic. Is there a problem?”
“No, none at all…”
I answered, but I still didn’t fully understand what he meant.
Warm magic?
To me, it was simply desperation—my desire to escape this situation.
But Iris said nothing further. He only continued watching me quietly.
His expression remained gentle, yet unreadable—calm, but not trusting.
And still, he said nothing.
Then he smiled again.
“You are… quite an interesting person.”
His gaze carried neither warmth nor coldness, but something deeper—unreadable.
Interesting…?
What exactly did that mean?
“You must not be used to the northern climate. Are you alright?”
His voice was soft, but unfamiliar. I couldn’t tell whether it was genuine kindness or noble curiosity.
“It’s not as cold as I expected.”
At my careful reply, he narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled.
“I’m glad. The North is not kind to unwanted guests.”
Is he testing me?
I took a quiet breath.
“I had my own resolve before coming to meet you.”
At that, he nodded slightly, never taking his eyes off me.
“I suppose I will hear what that resolve meant in time.”
He extended his hand.
“Welcome, Lady Floris. Or rather… my fiancée. I will remember this day—the first time you set foot in the North.”
My eyes blinked.
Fiancée.
The word slipped out so naturally that my heart skipped.
But I quickly composed myself and smiled.
“That’s quite the welcome, Your Grace. Then I will do my best to live up to that title.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly, smiling—neither warm nor cold.
This conversation… was not casual.
I knew that much.
The small reception room was filled with the soft aroma of tea.
Iris lifted his white teacup with precise, elegant movements. Everything about him was disciplined and restrained.
Between the two cups, an unusual tension lingered in the air.
Breaking the silence, he spoke.
“An engagement formed by a single letter… is unprecedented in Northern history. I didn’t expect to be part of such a historic moment.”
I quietly thought to myself.
Of course you didn’t. Neither did I.
“I didn’t expect Your Grace to accept so quickly either.”
He set down his cup and looked at me with playful eyes.
“Quickly… is that a compliment? Or something else?”
I tilted my head slightly.
“May I be honest?”
“Of course. We are engaged, after all.”
At that, I blinked.
“That makes it even more awkward…”
He chuckled softly.
“Then should I be more careful? Perhaps… ‘my somewhat suspicious fiancée’?”
“That’s worse!”
We both laughed lightly. The tension eased slightly.
After a sip of tea, I said honestly,
“But I’m fine with it. An engagement with someone I fell for at first sight—it’s quite nice.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You’re surprisingly composed. First proposal, first engagement, first visit to the North… even your first tea time.”
“Your Grace, please don’t list it like that—I’m getting nervous.”
“Then let’s continue. First kiss—”
“Wait a second!”
I nearly spat out my tea.
Iris chuckled.
Still gentle—but like a mischievous wolf.
He lifted his cup again.
“Relax. I’m quite skilled at teasing my fiancée.”
“That’s not something to be proud of.”
It sounded like a joke, but something warm settled quietly in my chest.
Iris Hiver.
In the original story, he barely existed. A shadow passing in the background.
Yet here he was, sitting across from me, drinking tea.
No script. No predetermined fate.
Just conversation. Laughter. Breath.
For the first time, I felt something loosen inside me.
Maybe… I could live in this world.
I quietly smiled.
Not just because of his joke—it was genuine.
For that brief moment, I felt free.
But then—
“You said you fell at first sight, didn’t you?”
He tilted his head slightly.
“I don’t recall being the kind of man who stands out.”
I almost dropped my spoon.
“That’s…”
He smiled faintly.
“The world doesn’t say much about me. The lonely Duke of the North. Cold. Stoic. That sort of thing.”
“…That actually worked in your favor.”
I muttered.
“Quiet, reserved… but steady. Like someone who just silently protects you? Kind of… like a large dog?”
Silence.
Then he raised an eyebrow.
And laughed softly.
“A large dog, is it? You are quite bold for someone calling her fiancé that.”
I pressed my lips together.
…Watch your mouth, idiot.
“Not bad.”
He added.
“Though I do bite sometimes.”
……
Did I really make the right choice?
My heart thumped uncomfortably.
Then it hit me.
This man wasn’t a large dog.
He was a wolf.
A wolf wearing the skin of a well-behaved dog of the North.
I quickly stood up.
“I should head back. I’m a little tired.”
“As you wish. Your maid Bella will guide you.”
I turned toward the hallway.
And then—
A arm rested casually against the wall, blocking my path. Too close.
And his voice, low and soft, right beside me.
“Good night, Lillian.”
My breath stopped.
Warmth behind me. His voice brushing my ear.
My heart trembled.
…That’s cheating.
I swallowed hard and hurried out.
My steps were too fast.
My face was burning.
This wasn’t right. I promised I wouldn’t be affected.
He was supposed to be insignificant in the original story.
And yet his simple farewell echoed in my ears.
My heart beat faster for reasons I couldn’t explain.
And for the first time—
The feeling of danger and excitement began to blur.
But that night…
It wasn’t excitement that stayed with me.
Just a dream.
