~Chapter 8~

“What brings you here…?”

The direction to return to the mansion was the opposite way from here.

In other words, Lucian had no reason to be here.

Yet, why was he standing right in front of me?

“I just happened to pass by. I definitely wasn’t following you, so please don’t misunderstand.”

It would’ve been better if he’d just pretended not to see me.

For some reason, whenever I ran into this man, I felt like he exposed every part of me I didn’t want anyone to see.

It was like that when I found out about Alex’s betrayal, and when I barely escaped the mansion with my life…

“Are you alright? You don’t look well.”

Lucian frowned and tilted his umbrella more toward me.

Now, his shoulder was completely exposed to the rain, getting drenched.

“This won’t do. Let’s get out of the rain and go to the main mansion first.”

“You don’t need to do that. I already owe you for saving my life. I don’t want to trouble you again.”

Lucian quietly looked at me, then slowly spoke.

“Do I make you that uncomfortable?”

His red eyes focused on me. That sharp gaze looked like it could pierce right through me.

Uncomfortable…

It was a bit different from that feeling…

After a brief hesitation, I stood up and faced him.

“It’s not that. It’s just… I don’t want to keep showing this side of me to you, Duke.”

So don’t come any closer. That’s what I really wanted to say.

I didn’t want anyone to know how I lived, how I endured being treated the way I was.

“You don’t have to worry. I’ll make sure to respond to your offer. So, you don’t have to concern yourself with me anymore.”

Relying on someone else—

This time had shown me clearly how terrifying the consequences could be.

I wasn’t going to make that mistake again. I needed to learn to stand on my own now. So…

I won’t accept help from others.

Especially not pity. I steeled myself and slightly bowed my head.

It was my way of showing gratitude for Lucian’s help up to this point.

“Then I’ll go now.”

Tap.

Just as I was about to pass him, a large hand gently grabbed my wrist.

Startled, I looked up wide-eyed, and Lucian turned to face me.

“You risked your life fighting an evil spirit and got seriously hurt.”

“You said earlier it wasn’t that serious…”

“And now you’re sitting by the lakeside in the cold rain in that condition.”

“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt that much.”

His Adam’s apple moved with a hard swallow, like he was forcing down something he didn’t like.

“You’re not fine. Not at all.”

“What?”

His unexpected words surprised me. I looked up at him with wide eyes, and Lucian’s gaze wavered for a moment.

He seemed a bit flustered himself.

After a brief silence, Lucian spoke again.

“I misspoke. Forget I said that. But I still don’t agree with you staying out here. You need to recover so we can talk about our contract.”

Still holding the umbrella over me, Lucian continued.

“So I can’t just overlook you pushing yourself like this. And since your head injury happened while handling matters at my mansion, I think it’s only right that I take responsibility.”

“……”

“This has nothing to do with the contract. It’s simply something I should do. So, I hope you don’t think of it as a burden.”

Just as I was about to say I was fine, a chill ran through my body and I coughed.

Even though it was a small sound, Lucian’s face hardened noticeably.

“See? You’re clearly not well. Just rest until the rain stops. Once I see you’re better, I won’t stop you anymore.”

As he said that, Lucian took off his cloak and draped it over my shoulders.

One side was wet from the rain, but it was still warm, maybe because his body heat lingered.

Someone sincerely worrying about and comforting me…

Maybe it felt awkward because I’d never experienced that before.

Or maybe it was because of his unyielding attitude that wouldn’t let me refuse.

“Let’s go.”

I should’ve refused, but I couldn’t say the words.

While I hesitated, Lucian handed me the umbrella and walked toward the carriage.

In the end, I had no choice but to follow him.

It happened suddenly.

Just as we were about to head back to the main mansion, the horse pulling the carriage stumbled on an obstacle in the road and stopped.

“It’s quite hurt. We’ll need to check its condition in the nearby village before continuing.”

“Do that.”

There wasn’t anything urgent. And for safety, it was the right decision.

As soon as Lucian gave his approval, the coachman started driving the carriage toward the village.

That was the direction Luna had walked earlier.

If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve asked again.

Luna’s face, the last expression I saw, flashed through his mind.

That empty look like she’d lost everything. The way she seemed to want to be alone.

It must’ve been a huge shock, enough to shatter everything she believed in.

And Lucian knew all too well how devastating that kind of despair could be.

That’s why—why he hadn’t stopped her when she said she had nowhere else to go.

—Thank you for your kindness, but I’m really fine.

She looked like she was about to collapse at any moment. What part of that was “fine”?

—Oppa, I’m okay. So go help the others!

At that moment, hearing that familiar voice in his head, Lucian roughly ran a hand through his hair.

He could tell when someone was lying about being okay. He’d heard it too many times before.

…If only he had realized it sooner, maybe he could’ve prevented her pain.

Lucian sighed deeply, haunted by the memory.

“Ha.”

He could’ve just ignored it.

All he had to do was get what he wanted and give compensation.

Even though he knew that, for some reason, he couldn’t treat this woman rationally.

Maybe it was because he had come to know too much about her.

He didn’t expect to get so deeply involved.

“Duke, we’ve arrived. Please wait here a moment.”

Even as the carriage stopped and the coachman stepped away, Lucian’s mind grew more tangled.

He lightly tapped the armrest and looked out the window.

“Looks like it’s going to rain soon.”

“Yes, we should pack up early.”

Merchants on the shopping street quickly started putting their goods away.

But Lucian’s eyes weren’t on the bustling crowd.

“What is she wandering around for with nowhere to go?”

His eyes had landed on none other than Luna, staggering as she walked.

She moved slowly through the rushing crowd, as if time around her was flowing differently.

Click.

Lucian opened the drawer under the seat and took out an umbrella.

The faint but distinct smell of rain in the air.

The merchants were right—the rain would fall soon.

Fine. I’ll just give her this. If her wounds get wet, it could be bad.

With that thought, Lucian slowly stepped out of the carriage.

“Duke?”

The coachman looked surprised to see Lucian come out.

But Lucian’s gaze was already fixed on the uphill path leading into the forest, where Luna was heading.

He knew better than anyone what was up there.

She liked the lake too.

“I’ll just go to the lake up there. Come after checking on the horse.”

“Yes, sir!”

As the coachman replied, Lucian quickly followed the trail where Luna had disappeared.

She must’ve gone quite far—he couldn’t see her anywhere.

Do I have to go all the way up?

A cheerful smile came to mind.

That kind, gentle child who always shone brightly.

Memories of her always brought pain to Lucian’s heart.

But he didn’t have the time or desire to stay trapped in that pain.

He hurried his steps toward the lake.

Where did she go?

Lucian quickened his pace.

What if she collapsed from being unwell? Or if something else happened…

Sniff.

Just then, a quiet sob came from the bushes.

Lucian stopped right there.

A faint silhouette of a woman.

It was definitely Luna Sterie—the one he’d been searching for.