Chapter 5
A few people stood right in front of Arken, their posture imposing.
One of them was still holding a drink, as if what he’d already had wasn’t enough. Another had his shirt half undone, like he’d just come from who-knows-where. All of them were completely drunk and disheveled.
As Karine frowned at the sight, one man stood out in particular.
“So, how does it feel to breathe the air up here?”
It was the man with the unsightly mustache. Judging by his voice, he was the same one who had been picking a fight with Arken earlier.
“Can’t you hear me?”
The mustached man sneered again. Arken, however, didn’t even spare him a glance. It seemed he had decided not to engage.
“I heard you took the court mage exam this time and failed miserably? Honestly, you don’t know your place. It’s obvious if you think about it—who would welcome a mage from commoner origins?”
“That’s enough.”
Arken replied quietly. It seemed the man had struck a nerve.
“Oh, talking back now? Maybe you need a trip to prison for insulting a noble before you come to your senses.”
All Arken had done was ask him to stop, yet the mustached man immediately brought up the charge of insulting a noble.
“Guards! Someone call the guards!”
“I wonder who the guards will take away. Are you familiar with the charge of public disturbance?”
Arken shot back sharply. His voice was calm, but his anger was clearly restrained beneath the surface.
The mustached man hadn’t expected that. His face flushed red like an overripe tomato.
As the tension escalated, one of the drunk men grabbed the mustached man’s collar to stop him. Others nearby joined in.
“Baron Plang, let’s go.”
“That’s enough.”
“No, I’m not leaving!”
Apparently, he still had some pride. Baron Plang slapped away the hands holding him back and raised his hand as if to strike Arken.
“You think you can get away with anything just because you’ve got the duke backing you? Someone like you needs to be taught a lesson!”
“You’re crossing the line.”
Arken didn’t just stand there. He grabbed the man’s arm, preventing him from moving.
“Take your hands off me!”
…This is ridiculous.
Karine had planned to stay out of it. It didn’t seem like her place to interfere, and she didn’t want to make things even more awkward with Arken.
But there was a limit to patience. She couldn’t just stand by and watch anymore.
Remembering that she was a duchess’s daughter, Karine made her decision and stepped forward.
The sharp click of her heels echoed against the marble floor.
What would the original Karine have done?
The thought made her uneasy, as if she were simply copying the original character.
Still, she couldn’t ignore Arken being mistreated. If this was abuse of power, then she’d make it the last time.
With her thoughts settled, Karine approached the mustached man slowly.
“I just wanted some fresh air, but it’s gotten rather noisy.”
The surroundings fell silent as if by magic.
Everyone except the mustached man instinctively stepped back, as if they had agreed to it beforehand.
Even he lowered his raised hand and tried to slip away into the crowd like nothing had happened.
Oh no you don’t.
“You there. Stop.”
Karine pointed directly at him.
So you’ve enjoyed throwing your weight around because of your status? Let’s see how you like it.
She lifted her chin slightly, recalling the demeanor of nobles she had seen in period dramas, and spoke firmly.
“Explain what’s going on.”
“W-well…”
The man lowered his head, mumbling.
Go on, try to make excuses.
As she waited with her arms crossed, her gaze kept drifting to Arken.
He was adjusting his tie. His cheeks were slightly flushed, perhaps from agitation, but his expression remained calm.
His blue eyes looked somewhat hollow—yet that was all. No anger, no resentment could be found.
Does he go through this often?
The thought unsettled her.
She had assumed life wouldn’t be easy for someone of common birth, but she hadn’t imagined he’d be dragged into trouble even when doing nothing.
Being harassed by someone like this… it made her chest burn with anger.
If you’re drunk, go home and sleep instead of picking fights with innocent people.
Today, she was going to thoroughly teach that man a lesson.
After a moment of thought, Karine lowered her chin and looked at him intently before speaking in a gentle, almost soothing tone.
“It’s okay. Go ahead and tell me.”
Thinking her anger had subsided, the mustached man cautiously raised his head.
“Well… actually, that lowly man insulted me, so I was about to discipline him. Imagine a commoner daring to talk back.”
His shameless excuse made her expression instantly turn cold.
“I find that strange. For someone to talk back, you must have spoken first.”
Her icy tone made him flinch.
“If you hadn’t picked a fight first, there would’ve been no need for a reply. And from what I heard, you were the only one shouting. Something about knowing one’s place. That’s not being insulted…”
Click. Click.
Karine stepped right up to him. He stumbled backward, nearly falling.
She bent slightly, extended a finger, and poked his greasy forehead.
“…that’s you doing the insulting, isn’t it?”
The man’s lips moved, but no words came out. His drunkenness had completely vanished.
Karine was not someone to cross. And with an upcoming joint investment deal involving Duke Tricia, angering her could ruin everything.
If she spoke ill of him to her father, it would all be over.
Better to bow now.
The man immediately lowered himself deeply.
“I-I’m very sorry. I won’t cause a disturbance again over something trivial.”
Karine finally withdrew her finger, wiping it off on his shoulder.
“If you understand, then get lost.”
She waved her hand dismissively. The man and the others bowed repeatedly before disappearing at lightning speed.
They looked like rats scurrying into a hole.
Serves you right.
Karine clenched her fist.
Before she knew it, only she and Arken remained on the landing.
Ugh… I knew this would happen. So awkward. Should I just leave?
They were already on uneasy terms.
But the hollow look in his eyes earlier kept her from walking away.
She wanted to ask if he was okay. To tell him he didn’t deserve such treatment. That people like that didn’t matter.
If they were closer, she would’ve dragged him somewhere for dessert. Sweets were the best cure for a bad mood.
“Huh?”
Arken suddenly stepped closer, catching her off guard.
She looked at him, heart racing, hoping for something kind.
But his gaze was as cold as before.
“I sincerely apologize for causing you concern.”
His tone was flat, but the emphasis on “sincerely” made it clear he didn’t mean it at all.
Karine froze, then realized something.
Right. I’m Karine.
From his perspective, this could be seen in two ways:
One, she had driven away someone causing trouble.
Or two, she had been annoyed by the noise and used the situation to vent her temper.
And given Karine’s reputation, he naturally assumed the latter.
“Then I hope you enjoy the rest of your peaceful walk.”
He emphasized “peaceful,” clearly holding a grudge.
Should I just give up…?
No matter what she said, it would be misunderstood.
Then something caught her eye.
A pair of earrings shimmered faintly in the moonlight beside his golden hair—teardrop-shaped, in a bluish-green hue.
He wears earrings?
…Perfect.
Men with earrings are the best.
Her resolve returned instantly.
No, it was too early to give up.
Even if she had ruined their first impression, even if the second meeting was full of misunderstandings—she couldn’t quit now.
For his sake, and for uncovering his secret, she had to keep going.
With determination, Karine quickly chose her words.
“Wait. I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
