Chapter 9
“Am I Making You Uncomfortable?”
When I blinked in surprise, Ian’s throat bobbed up and down in response — his Adam’s apple moving sharply.
So, the warmth pressing against my forehead right now was…
Ian’s lips?
Wait— that actually happened?
“Uh, rookie? I think you can get off me now.”
“Yes.”
The breath that had tickled my forehead pulled away.
“Um… your carriage was coming up too close behind, so I pulled you back before it hit you. I guess I… used a bit too much strength. Didn’t think you’d…”
He swallowed the end of that sentence — that you’d fall into me like that.
“Anyway, sorry.”
That was when Ian’s faintly dazed face hardened.
“Why are you apologizing to me?”
“What?”
“You saved me.”
“Ah, right. I did.”
And then this unfortunate accident happened.
I glanced sideways at Ian again — but he didn’t seem to attach any meaning to the brief contact between his lips and my forehead. Thank goodness.
“So, what brings you to the plaza?”
I rubbed the spot on my forehead that still tingled.
“The commander sent me on an errand.”
“The commander asked you?”
Because our vice-captain’s position was vacant, Gabriel often sent errands through Rosbellia — not really errands, but subtle training. Yet if she was unavailable, he’d occasionally assign someone else.
But why Ian, of all people?
And surely, the commander knew he was a prince.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Are you asking me to explain his reasons?”
Ian lifted one eyebrow, looking faintly amused.
“Right, fair enough. Didn’t say anything else, then?”
“No.”
He had appeared in the plaza just like in the original novel, though without saving Daisy this time. My stomach tightened — what if they’d still run into each other?
“When did you get here?”
“Just now. The commander showed me a shortcut — came out and saw you, which startled me.”
I exhaled in relief. The shortcut Gabriel mentioned was one I knew well — it cut travel time in half, and it was on the opposite side of where Daisy had been.
“So what’d he have you do? I’ll handle it, hand it over.”
If the story was already diverging, better to keep things safe.
“No. The commander gave it to me.”
That stopped me cold. I’d only offered to help because I didn’t want him crossing paths with Daisy — and because errands were beneath his royal status.
“Right. Makes sense.”
“That’s not what I meant—”
“Anyway, do your best, rookie.”
When I tried to walk past him, Ian stepped in front of me.
“We can handle it together.”
“Two people doing one job is a waste of time.”
“Or you could think of it as a senior teaching his junior how things work.”
God, he never let up.
“I just prefer working alone.”
“Do I make you uncomfortable?”
Me? Uncomfortable with him?
“No, not at all.”
A small, effortless smile curved his lips — and for an instant, I couldn’t look away.
He really was too handsome for his own good.
Well, if I was being honest, yes, he did make me a little uncomfortable. After all, in the original story, Ian and Rosbellia killed each other.
“Good. I was worried you felt awkward after that time I asked to spar with you — thought you might’ve taken it as a confession.”
“Of course not.”
My lips twitched despite my best efforts.
Right. Fearing the future was pointless. The Ian in front of me was different from the cold hero I’d read about.
“Then please, help me. You did say I don’t make you uncomfortable.”
I sighed — I really couldn’t find a reason to say no.
“Fine.”
Building rapport with Ian wasn’t exactly a bad thing. I reached out a hand; he calmly set his own atop it.
“What are you doing?”
“You told me to put my hand up.”
Suppressing another sigh, I wiggled my fingers beneath his palm.
“Forget that. You have the commander’s note, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
He fished a crumpled paper from his pocket.
“Here.”
“Let’s see…”
Wait— this wasn’t official knight business. It was just a list of Gabriel’s personal errands.
Poor guy. Had he done something to annoy the commander?
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
I just patted his shoulder instead of answering.
“Bookstore’s nearby. Let’s start there.”
Before long, we found ourselves near the same restaurant from earlier.
Was Daisy still inside? Or had they already left?
I tried to ignore the strange pull in my chest as I looked up at the building. Ian noticed.
“Something wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
“If you’re hungry, I’ll buy you food.”
“You will? Why?”
“Because you agreed to spar with me.”
That made me laugh. He stared, almost studying my face. I coughed and waved a hand.
“Forget it. I’m not hungry—”
Before I could finish, the restaurant door opened. Kayden stepped out.
I immediately grabbed Ian’s cloak and pulled him into a nearby alley.
“Why are we hiding?”
“Just wait.”
“Who is that?”
“Do I really have to answer?”
He tilted his head, then nodded.
“Right, you don’t.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
I released his cloak once Kayden’s carriage rolled away — but even as it vanished, faint laughter lingered in the air. It echoed in my ears like a ghost.
“Back to headquarters, then?”
“Yeah.”
Just as he turned toward the main road, a loud clatter of hooves made me snatch his cloak again — a carriage rushed by, missing him by inches.
“Rookie, you have to stay alert here. Things jump out of nowhere. We don’t want another—”
And then I saw him.
Ian, somehow half in my arms, looking up at me from far too close.
Despite his size, something about the way he fit against me was almost adorably ridiculous. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You good now?”
“I’d say so.”
“Rookie, my arms are about to fall off.”
“Apologies.”
“No need. Just… be careful next time.”
“Thank you, senior. You saved me again.”
His faint smile returned — and for some reason, it felt like he was enjoying this.
“Let’s move.”
“Actually, there’s somewhere I’d like to stop first.”
“Where?”
He pointed to a small general store nearby — the same one we’d passed earlier.
A few minutes later, he returned holding something in his hand.
“Here.”
“What’s that?”
He opened his palm. Inside were a handful of candies, each wrapped in thin paper.
“Got them at the shop. Said they’re so sweet it makes your head spin.”
“And these are for…?”
“All yours.”
“Don’t you want any?”
“No. I don’t like sweets.”
“Then why buy them?”
“Do you really not know?”
He looked down at me as if I’d just said something absurd.
Ah. So they were for me.
“Wait, did you know I like sweets?”
“I did some research. Wanted to spar with you, so I learned a bit about you.”
“You could’ve bribed me with candy, then.”
“Already learned that wouldn’t work on you.”
I chuckled.
“You’re really serious about this sparring thing, huh?”
“I told you — that feeling was new to me. Sparring with you is the only joy I have left.”
I froze mid-motion, candy halfway to my pocket.
The only joy of his life?
“Anyway, thanks. I’ll enjoy them.”
“Then I’ll look forward to our next match.”
“When’s that again?”
“Two days.”
His answer came quick, almost eager.
“Guess it was a bribe after all.”
“Not at all. Consider it repayment — for saving me twice today.”
I laughed quietly and popped a candy into my mouth. The sweetness hit so hard it made my head buzz — so sweet it burned.
For a brief moment, everything else faded away.
“You’re really not having one?”
“No. Like I said, I don’t like sweets—”
Ian suddenly went silent, eyes narrowing toward the opposite street.
“What is it?”
I followed his gaze — and froze.
A man was walking straight toward us.
A face I knew all too well.
Wait… that face… I’ve seen him before.
