Chapter 9
Anyone else would have been scared and obeyed the duke’s cold warning.
But Kyria wasn’t like “anyone else.”
She had seen this before—when her little brother Lian got sick with Medusa’s disease.
Back then, Lian also said cruel, spiky words… but deep inside, what he really wanted was help.
And right now, the duke was the same.
His words said: “Leave me alone.”
But what she really heard was: “Please… help me.”
Kyria’s violet eyes stopped shaking. They turned calm.
“It’s your arm, isn’t it? That’s why you’ve been receiving holy power. But… it doesn’t seem to work well.”
“If you tell anyone outside, I’ll kill you.”
“Then I won’t leave.”
“…What?”
“I came here to apply for the apothecary job.”
She showed him the job notice. The duke didn’t even look at the paper. Instead, he stared at her.
Kyria quickly placed the paper on the floor between them and stepped back nervously.
“I came here from the south with debt. I need money, and the only skill I have is making medicine.”
“There are other places that need apothecaries.”
“Yes, but if I stay here, my family won’t find me easily. It’s safer.”
“…Your past doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care what kind of debt or trouble you have.”
“Thank you. But I can help you.”
“How?”
“That’s what I’ll show you.”
She took a deep breath.
“I’m coming closer now.”
Step by step, she walked toward him.
The duke frowned but didn’t stop her. That was enough.
She sat beside him. He turned his head away, avoiding her eyes—just like her little brother used to do.
She almost patted his hair out of habit, but stopped herself.
“Give me your hand, Duke.”
He stretched out his left hand.
“The other one.”
“…I refuse.”
“If you give me your right hand, I can ease your pain.”
“You’re an apothecary. Don’t you use medicine?”
“I will when needed. But first, I need to examine you properly.”
“….”
“Please.”
The duke sighed and finally gave her just one finger from his black, scaled right hand. It looked like a sharp claw.
Kyria gently took it and rolled up his sleeve. The scales were cold and hard.
This arm had threatened her only moments ago. But now? The way he tried to hide it like a shy snail in its shell made her feel less afraid.
So she boldly interlocked her fingers with his.
The duke’s eyes widened.
“What are you—”
“I’m diagnosing your mana. Don’t move.”
She closed her eyes. She could feel three kinds of energy inside him:
– human mana,
– holy power,
– and demonic magic.
They were constantly colliding, tearing him apart from the inside.
Anyone but a swordmaster would have died already.
Sweat formed on her forehead as she tried to calm the raging demonic energy.
His illness can’t be solved in one day. I’ll need more time—more tests, more blood samples…
But she was determined.
Finally, she opened her eyes and released his hand.
“It’s done. Duke—?”
Her hand wouldn’t move.
The duke had fallen asleep against her shoulder.
“…Seriously?”
The same man who had been growling in pain was now resting peacefully, like a child.
His dark circles showed he hadn’t slept in ages.
“How could you fall asleep on someone you don’t trust…?”
His head kept nodding forward, brushing her nose with his hair.
She caught a faint, refreshing scent—like pine trees and the sea.
“…Smells nice.”
She quickly shook herself. I’m not a dog. Don’t sniff him like that!
“Duke. Wake up.”
He stirred, blinked, then pulled away in shock.
“…Did I… fall asleep?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t use a sleeping drug, did you?”
“Nope.”
The duke hid his black arm back in his sleeve, looking embarrassed.
When Kyria asked, “How’s the pain now?” his eyes flashed in surprise.
“…Much better.”
“Hehe! Then you’ll hire me, right?”
“No.”
“…What?”
“I admit you helped me. But that alone isn’t enough to hire you. You’re… too troublesome.”
“…Excuse me?!”
He calmly explained:
“First, you’re an outsider. Second, you carry debts and trouble. Third—and most important—you’ll run away eventually.”
“What? No, I won’t!”
“This castle has more monsters than people. They’ll try to drive you out—especially Gaul.”
“That arrogant guy with the horns?”
“Yes. He’s a mid-level demon, and all the monsters here follow him. If you can’t handle him, you’ll never last.”
“Then just tell them not to harm me! Problem solved!”
“Why would I go through such trouble for you?”
“…I’m your guest?”
“You’re an intruder.”
“I was kidnapped!!”
“I said I’d return you safely, didn’t I?”
Kyria bit her lip. He was too logical. She had no argument.
“And even if you stay, you’ll need protection—from me.”
“….”
She remembered his arm—the dragon-like black arm. He was right. He couldn’t always control it.
“Now, let’s go outside.”
He stood tall again, pain hidden, and led the way.
What a scam! He used me to feel better and now he’s throwing me out?
Kyria followed, fuming.
When they stepped outside, a wyvern was waiting. The duke held out his hand for her to climb.
But the wyvern avoided her eyes nervously, even hiding one leg. Kyria noticed an old wound on its toes.
Her eyes sparkled.
Wait. Is this the wyvern from earlier today…?
She pulled out the same poisonous herb from her bag.
“You… poop machine!”
“Kiieek!!”
The giant wyvern flapped in panic, stepping back from her tiny herb.
“Want more?!”
She swung the plant like a sword, making the beast retreat again and again.
Finally, the wyvern shrieked and flew off into the sky.
The duke stared, shocked.
A giant wyvern, terrified of a little plant?
Kyria grinned proudly and showed him her fists.
“See? An apothecary doesn’t need swords or magic!”
“…Since when do apothecaries swing weeds like weapons?”
“Since today. You’re lucky enough to witness history.”
“….”
He looked at her like she was some strange new creature. But unlike before, there was a hint of softness in his eyes.
“You’re… really strange.”
His gaze lightened just a little.
And for the first time, Kyria saw it—
a dangerous, yet beautiful mix of holiness and ruin in his smile.
Wow.
