UDBL~23

Chapter 23

Knock, knock, knock, knock!

This time, the knocking was louder.

Riana’s eyelids slowly lifted. She was still half-asleep, barely aware of what was happening.

“Excuse me, is anyone inside?”

“Ugh… What is it, so early in the morning…”

“I’m the person staying downstairs.”

Riana’s eyes snapped open. She quickly sat up.

‘Downstairs…? That’s the right-side room on the 3rd floor!’

That’s where Duke Veloci was staying!

Riana jumped out of bed in a panic, biting her lip so she wouldn’t make any sound.

She glanced at the mirror. Pink hair. White nightgown. No doubt—it was Riana Effindor, damn it!

She grabbed her hair in frustration.

“I’d like to talk about the noise between floors. And… something else.”

Crap!

‘So the soundproofing in this castle is terrible?!’

There was no way she could let Duke Veloci see her like this…

As Riana stood there trembling, another voice joined the conversation from outside.

“Oh my, what’s going on, Duke Veloci?”

It was Sophia, the other maid on this floor.

“If you’re looking for the person in this room, she’s definitely inside. I wonder why she’s not answering. Maybe she’s still sleeping?”

“I don’t mean to disturb someone who’s sleeping. I can come back later…”

“No, no! I’ll call her for you.”

Riana was sure Sophia would come barging in any second. There was no time to waste.

“Urghh…”

Riana made up her mind and climbed out the window.

‘Who knew all these decorative bricks would come in handy?’

She found enough footholds on the outer wall of the fancy building.

Now hanging outside her window, Riana prayed that Duke Veloci would just check the room and leave.

But it was harder than she thought.

“Ugh…”

She had climbed halfway between the 4th and 5th floors. If she jumped, she wouldn’t die—but she’d definitely hurt herself.

‘Damn it!’

Her hands were starting to sweat. She squeezed her eyes shut.

Should she just let go? Maybe a passing wizard would heal her broken leg…

Then—

“What are you doing?”

A voice came from above like a rope from the heavens. Riana looked up in a panic.

It was Grey, sticking his head out the attic window with an incredulous look on his face.

“Huh? Uh!”

Riana couldn’t even form proper words. Just helpless babbling.

But Grey… was even worse than she expected.

He started laughing.

“You somehow knew I was bored, huh?”

That jerk!

Riana cursed him silently but forced a desperate smile.

“Pl-please help me…”

“What? Can’t hear you!”

“Ugh, I said help me, you damn—”

She wanted to say “damn piece of—” something, but barely stopped herself in time…

“You angel!”

Yes. She sacrificed her dignity to save her life.

“Why are you even out there? Wow, this is ridiculous.”

Though he was chuckling, at least he had some humanity left. Grey leaned out the window.

Riana grabbed his hand like it was her lifeline. In one pull, she felt her body lift, defying gravity.

“Ahh!”

Her eyes squeezed shut from the dizzy rush.

Soon her feet touched the window ledge. Hungry for safety, she clung to the first thing she could.

“…What are you doing?”

It turned out she was hugging Grey’s head—with her eyes closed.

“…Huh?”

Riana opened her eyes, saw the situation, and instinctively shoved him away.

Of course, that almost led to a second fall.

“Ah—!”

“You crazy—!”

Grey managed to catch Riana’s wrist just in time.

He pulled her toward him, and her weight caused both of them to fall backward.

Thud—

He hit his head hard on the floor because he forgot to break the fall.

“Damn—”

Even with the headache, he looked down to check on her, only to find her soft face buried in his chest.

Something inside him suddenly… ignited.

Panicked, Grey pushed Riana off him.

“Ow!!”

She landed on the wooden floor, groaning and holding her back.

‘Ugh, falling from the 5th floor might’ve hurt less, you jerk!’

Was he giving pain and medicine?

“Now, explain yourself.”

Grey stood up, brushing off his clothes, clearly annoyed.

“Explain…”

Riana mumbled, then shot up and shouted.

“You explain! You jerk!”

Yep, she had completely forgotten the whole “thanks for saving me” part.

“Thanks to what you did yesterday, I’ve been frustrated to death until now!”

She had gone a little crazy earlier this morning because of him. That’s how upset she’d been.

“So you explain. What was that yesterday?”

Seeing her glare, Grey snorted.

“Oh, that?”

“Yeah! What the hell was that?”

“I meant exactly what I said yesterday.”

Riana’s face twisted in anger.

“You seriously want to steal my island?”

“It’s not your island yet. They’re sold through auctions. Anything can happen.”

Grey smirked like he was enjoying this.

“And especially when someone else has more money, it’s dangerous to get your hopes up.”

He looked like a child playing with fire. Riana grabbed her neck in frustration.

“Unbelievable…! Just give it up already. I’ve saved up a ton of money!”

Grey leaned on the wall and mocked her.

“Oh yeah? Then why are you still working as someone’s maid?”

“This maid job pays top dollar in this town, okay?! And you only got 1,000 gold for this job. I’ve been saving for this island way before you came along. I’m way ahead of you!”

It was a pathetic bragging match—but neither of them felt embarrassed. They growled at each other.

“If I really try, I can make that much in a day. One mercenary job and boom—rich.”

“Ha! As if you even know where or when the auction is.”

“Oh, actually—”

Grey uncrossed his arms and stepped closer.

Riana shrank back a little but still kept glaring.

“There’s probably a flyer or some kind of notice about the auction.”

“You think I’d just hand that over?”

“You think I’m being nice because I can’t steal it?”

His red eyes got dangerously close. Riana flinched and guarded her neck.

He may look playful, but he was a male lead. If given the chance, he could take her life.

“You lunatic… Stay back!”

Wham!
Riana kicked him—right in the stomach.

Pure survival instinct. It was a clean hit.

Grey fell backward. Sure, he let her land the hit, but he still looked annoyed.

“Hah—”

His sharp eyes made Riana cover her mouth.

‘Crap. Why did Mom make me learn taekwondo…?’

She was embarrassed, but this was no time to freeze.

…Maybe the window again?

“Stop right there.”

Yep. When a human weapon says stop, you stop.

Riana gave up and raised both hands in surrender.

She wasn’t a magician, but she knew one powerful spell:

“I’m sorry.”

Apologies work half the time. Even if someone spits at a smile, they won’t punch it.

Grey, still annoyed, scoffed.

“You think I’m going to kill you? No need to be that scared.”

You clearly didn’t see your webtoon version beheading villainesses!

“I told you. You’re my savior. I can’t kill you. I actually have some morals, unlike others.”

Yeah, right. Riana rolled her eyes.

But she calmed herself down and gently spoke.

“…You don’t have to act like I’m your savior. I figured it out. You came here thinking I was a noblewoman, didn’t you?”

She sighed.

‘That was my big mistake.’

Last night, while blaming Grey, she realized something.

This insane situation—three male leads living under one roof—all started because she messed up.

‘I forgot that Grey’s story hadn’t started yet.’

Like most male leads, Grey was strong. If he wanted something, he got it. But unless something really mattered to him, he didn’t care.

So Riana thought he’d easily forget about someone like her, just a random prison escape partner.

If he were the Grey from the original story, he would have forgotten her.

But right now, Grey was still young—about Riana’s age or a little older. He hadn’t yet reclaimed his dukedom or appeared in the original story.