🔊 TTS Settings
CHAPTER 14
“Ah, I-I’m fine.”
“You didn’t twist your ankle, did you?”
“I’m not sure… I can’t really tell.”
Etisha moved her lips hesitantly. She wanted to push Kayan away, but couldn’t bring herself to touch his bare skin—she couldn’t press her palm against his naked chest or his bare arm.
As she hesitated, Kayan’s gaze pierced into her.
His pitch-black eyes met Etisha’s blue ones.
“…”
“…”
For a brief moment, silence fell between them, as if something profound had passed between their eyes.
Etisha looked at Kayan, and he looked at her. In the dim light, their faces close together, everything felt dreamlike and surreal.
“Just in case, I should take a look at your ankle.”
Though he said he’d check her ankle, Kayan still hadn’t let go of her waist. And Etisha didn’t urge him to.
Time stretched, and after a moment, the two slowly stepped apart.
“Please, have a seat on the bed.”
“Yes…”
Etisha stepped into Kayan’s bedroom. Her gait was slightly unsteady—it seemed, as he suspected, she had indeed twisted her ankle.
She sat on the bed, and Kayan knelt on one knee in front of her, lowering himself to her level.
The Duke is kneeling before me…
Etisha felt like she was still dreaming. It was so unreal she wondered if she had already fallen asleep earlier and this was just a dream.
“Miss Etisha, please lift your skirt.”
Etisha jumped in surprise and repeated his words.
“L-Lift my skirt?”
“I need to see your ankle. I’d do it myself, but I thought that would be improper.”
He was right. Just imagining Kayan reaching out to lift her hem made her feel mortified. It was far better if she did it herself.
Nodding, Etisha carefully grasped the hem of her chemise and lifted it. The long fabric that had trailed to the floor rose gradually, revealing her pale foot and ankle.
It was just her ankle, but Etisha felt more embarrassed than she had at any other point in her life.
“I think my left ankle feels a little sore.”
“Left, got it. I’ll touch it for a moment.”
Kayan placed her foot in one palm and gently cupped her ankle with the other. With his experience on the battlefield, he immediately assessed her condition.
“It’s not a bad sprain. You should be fine after a day or two.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Our family physician is in the North, so if you need magical healing, I’ll have to summon a doctor. I’ll call one right away.”
“No, that’s okay. It’s late, and I don’t think I need magical healing for something minor like this.”
“But—”
“I’m really fine. I’ll rest, and if it still hurts tomorrow morning, I’ll get treated then.”
“…”
“Please, Duke Kayan. Don’t worry.”
Etisha lowered her skirt. As she did, Kayan’s hand and her foot disappeared beneath the fabric together.
Kayan was about to pull his hand away, but then paused.
Looking up at her, he softly traced her ankle with his fingertips.
“It might swell more by morning. And you’re still okay with that?”
The light, ticklish sensation made Etisha’s toes curl instinctively.
“Ah…”
“You might not be able to dance at tomorrow’s party. Are you alright with that?”
His fingers traveled up her ankle, brushing her slender calf, then stopping at her knee. He tapped her knee gently and murmured,
“If too much strain is put on the ankle, it could affect the entire leg with a dull ache.”
Just as he said that, a tingling sensation spread through Etisha’s body. Though it wasn’t from her ankle—but from Kayan himself.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll get treatment tomorrow…”
Etisha lowered her gaze, and the pendant around her neck swayed with a light jingle.
Kayan’s eyes caught on the lion-shaped pendant glimmering at her throat.
“That’s… the Emperor’s gift, isn’t it?”
Etisha was glad the topic had finally changed.
“Yes. It seemed important, so I wanted to keep it close.”
“Even when you sleep?”
“Pardon? Oh… yes.”
“…”
Kayan’s eyes lingered on the pendant for a long moment. His gaze felt so intense, it seemed like the pendant might melt under it.
“Then… Duke Kayan, I think my ankle’s alright now, so I’ll head back to my room.”
Etisha began to rise from the bed. Kayan supported her and walked her back to her room.
“If your ankle starts to hurt—even in the middle of the night—call for me.”
“Yes, I will. Please don’t worry and get some rest, Your Grace.”
“May you also have a restful night.”
The connecting door between their rooms closed, and the curtain was drawn.
Etisha lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time. Eventually, she drifted off.
The third day of the founding festival.
The final party was the grand finale and ended in great success. Everyone drank and danced, and laughter echoed into the night, far beyond the palace walls.
Etisha danced with Duke Kayan as well, and fortunately, her ankle had fully healed.
What a relief.
Her last memory in the capital would be a happy one.
I think I’ll be able to leave with a smile…
And so, Etisha boarded the carriage heading for the North.
Duke Kayan and her maid Marin were with her.
“Oh my, hello!”
And another person.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Judithe. Just call me Dite, please.”
A radiant young woman with golden hair greeted Etisha from across the carriage.
With long, flowing curls, she boarded Kayan’s carriage as if it were the most natural thing in the world and sat opposite Etisha—right beside Kayan.
Judithe…?
What a beautiful woman. Her bright, cheerful smile stood out the most. She seemed to be around the same age as Kayan.
Who is she?
Etisha didn’t even need to ask. She already had a good guess.
She didn’t introduce her surname. A noble would never do that. Which means… she’s a commoner.
But an ordinary commoner wouldn’t be casually riding in Duke Kayan’s personal carriage. A maid like Marin might—but she would never speak to Etisha first like that.
In that case…
Dite.
She must be Duke Kayan’s mistress.
Etisha raised the corners of her lips and smiled.
“Nice to meet you too, Dite. I’m Etisha El. Baron El.”
To meet the woman rumored to be his mistress—it was something Etisha had braced herself for, but it still felt strange.
So she’s the one the Duke truly loves…
It felt like waking from a very sweet dream.
Etisha studied Dite’s face carefully. In truth, as a noblewoman, it wasn’t even considered rude for her to appraise a commoner like this.
She’s so bright. She glows.
Perhaps it was her golden hair and eyes, but just by sitting there, she sparkled. Next to Duke Kayan’s jet-black hair, the two looked like light and shadow—perfectly matched.
She seems kind and open… No wonder the Duke loves her.
Etisha blinked. A strange heaviness settled in her chest, like a small stone had been placed on her heart.
“I’m sorry for not telling you in advance about our companion.”
Kayan offered a brief apology.
“I couldn’t reveal her identity yet. If people knew she came to the capital with me, it would have caused quite a stir.”
“Oh… no, Your Grace. I understand.”
Etisha shook her head calmly.
Of course, he had to keep her a secret. I shouldn’t be hurt by that. It’s not like we’ve known each other long… we’re not even at the point of sharing those kinds of things.
The stone on her chest grew a little heavier.
“I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
“Yes…”
“Now then, we should get going. We’ll pass through Raksen and take the Warp-tel to the North.”
At Kayan’s signal, the stationary carriage began to move with a jolt.
As Marin adjusted a soft cushion behind Etisha’s back to keep her comfortable, a soft laugh came from across the carriage.
“Hehe.”
Dite covered her mouth with one hand and laughed.
Etisha looked at her curiously. Dite removed her hand and mouthed her next words like a secret.
“Kayan’s hard to deal with, isn’t he?”
“…?”
“It’s hard to tell what he’s thinking, right?”
Dite met Etisha’s eyes. Her golden gaze sparkled playfully.
“It’s okay. Everyone feels that way.”
She looked like a mischievous fairy whispering a secret. As if she was generously sharing something only she knew.
“Kayan’s been like that since he was very young. No one’s ever been able to figure him out. So don’t be discouraged.”
“…”
“No one could ever truly have Kayan.”
By the time the sun began to set, the carriage arrived in the city. Raksen, a city near the capital, housed the Warp-tel that led to the North.
Warp-tels were teleportation devices powered by magic—like large magical teleportation circles.
Of course, they required immense magical power and multiple magic-users to activate, so they were extremely expensive. Even nobles rarely used them, and for commoners, riding one was often a lifelong dream.
“We’ve arrived. Please step out of the carriage.”
“…”
“Miss Etisha?”
Having exited first, Kayan reached his hand toward Etisha. It was a natural gesture of escort, but Etisha hesitated.
His hand…
No matter how many times she saw it, it always looked so big and elegant.
It might sound strange to call a hand handsome, but to Etisha, his hand was as beautifully sculpted as his face.
“Miss Etisha, is something wrong? Are you dizzy from the ride?”
“No… I’ll get down now.”
Etisha slowly took Kayan’s hand. It was, as always, so warm.
“Watch your step.”
In that moment, Kayan gripped her hand tightly—steadying her as she descended from the carriage.
“Ah.”
Etisha flinched. It was only a simple touch—just holding her hand—but to her, it felt overwhelmingly intimate.
