IWBCAS 05

Episode 5

[Why is that man in our house?]

‘Why is that man in our house…?’

Startled, Reina quickly sat up. Her hand accidentally hit the teacup, sending it crashing to the floor.

Clang!

The porcelain cup shattered into pieces on the stone floor.

“Oh no…! Are you okay, Reina?”

Grace looked at her with worry. Reina looked confused and panicked. While they were both flustered, the man—Kahlail—was already standing right in front of her.

Recognizing him, Nicolai quickly bowed with a tense expression.

“Duke Kahlail, Your Grace! What brings you to our home without any notice…?”

His tone was polite, but there was hidden disapproval. No matter how high his status, showing up uninvited to a noble family’s house was rude—especially today, when the family had taken the day off to spend time together.

Of course, Kahlail would know this.

“Sorry for the sudden visit, Count Nicolai Filon,” Kahlail said calmly, giving a small nod. He looked straight at Reina.

“I was passing by and had a small matter to discuss with Lady Reina.”

‘A matter with me…? Why?’

His intense gaze made Reina freeze. She forgot to even breathe.

Grace and Nicolai were also shocked.

“You have business with our Reina…?”

Nicolai looked confused. Grace nudged him in the side.

He gave her a puzzled look, and Grace quickly sent him a look that said:

‘What business could a Duke have with our daughter? It’s obvious!’

Still, Nicolai didn’t get it.

Grace sighed, then whispered into his ear, “He’s a young man at the right age for marriage. Reina is also of marriage age. What other reason would he have to speak to her?”

“Ohhh.”

Nicolai finally understood. He looked back and forth between Reina and Kahlail, and a happy smile appeared on his face.

Kahlail was one of the most desired bachelors in the empire. He had royal blood, status, looks, personality—everything. Plus, he came from the north, where rare magic stones were found. If Reina could marry him, it would help Nicolai’s new shipping business a lot.

‘My daughter… as the Duke’s wife?’

He swallowed hard, already imagining their wedding.

“May the two of you speak privately for a moment?” Kahlail asked. It sounded more like a demand than a request. His eyes toward Reina weren’t warm—they were cold and calculating.

Only Reina noticed the sharpness in his gaze. Nicolai and Grace were too busy imagining wedding bells.

Grace quickly linked her arm with Nicolai’s and answered cheerfully, “Of course, Your Grace.”

“Let’s leave them alone, dear.”

With kind smiles, they stepped away. Reina looked at them with pleading eyes.

“F-Father…?”

She grabbed Nicolai’s sleeve, her green eyes begging him not to leave her alone.

But the couple didn’t notice her fear. They just wanted this “important moment” to happen.

“We’ll come back later, Reina. Have a good talk with the Duke.”

“M-Mother…?”

‘Seriously? You’re really going to leave me alone with this scary man?!’

She asked silently with her eyes, but Grace was already walking away.

“Take your time, Your Grace. We’ll leave now.”

Like polite café workers, the couple left the room.

‘Please don’t leave me alone with him!!’

Reina screamed in her head, but it was too late. They were gone.

Now alone, she heard that cold voice from behind.

“Now, Lady Reina. Shall we have a serious talk?”

When she slowly turned her head, Kahlail stood there with a cold smile. His lips curved nicely, but his eyes were sharp like ice.

Reina clenched her fists without realizing, trying not to tremble.

The maids, following Grace’s orders, quickly cleaned up the broken cup. Reina wanted to cling to them, but they finished fast and left, leaving only a fresh cup of tea for Kahlail.

Now, the two sat alone at the table. Kahlail silently stared at her.

Reina kept her head low, wondering why he was here.

‘Did he find out something?’

She couldn’t think of any clue he might have. Last night’s stealing had been done very carefully.

‘Maybe it’s just a coincidence?’

Maybe he always looked scary like that?

She glanced up at him—he was staring—and quickly looked back down.

Just one glance made her imagine a freezing wind blowing behind him.

‘No. That look in his eyes… he knows something.’

I shouldn’t have saved him. I shouldn’t have healed him!!

If I had known this would happen, I would’ve just run away. Now I’m about to get caught.

Her throat felt dry. She gulped down the tea and forced herself to stay calm.

‘I have to stay sharp. Or this Siberian tiger will tear me apart!’

She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and looked up.

If he was sure she was the thief, he would’ve brought soldiers—not come alone.

She clung to that small hope and asked with a firm voice, “You said you had business with me, Your Grace?”

She wanted him to get to the point. But instead, Kahlail said something else.

“…There’s no pepper on the Filon family’s table, I see.”

“P-Pepper…?”

He pointed at the table with his chin.

“Lately, it’s trendy among nobles to sprinkle pepper on everything.”

‘That stupid pepper again!!’

Reina’s eyebrow twitched.

‘First Mom and Dad, now you, Duke Kahlail?!’

She couldn’t believe this rare, expensive pepper had come back to haunt her like this.

In Korea, pepper was everywhere! She only sprinkled a little to spice things up—but now, things were getting too spicy.

Trying hard to keep a straight face, Reina replied, “I’m allergic to pepper, Your Grace.”

“Oh, really?”

Kahlail casually responded, clearly not believing her.

‘People can have pepper allergies!’

She tried to stay confident, but her body was tense.

Then Kahlail leaned back and finally spoke.

“The reason I came here…”

Clink.

The sound of his teacup hitting the table felt ominous.

“…Last night, I had a rather unique experience. I thought it might be related to you.”

“A unique… experience?”

Oh no. Was he talking about when I hit him in the head?

Trying to stay calm, Reina smiled and asked, “What do you mean by that, Your Grace?”

Her lips trembled slightly.

Kahlail kept staring at her and spoke slowly.

“There was a thief in the royal palace last night. Do you know anything about that?”

Reina’s heart dropped, but her face stayed calm.

“Oh? That’s terrible. I haven’t heard anything about it yet.”

Kahlail smiled like he expected that answer.

“I caught sight of the thief and tried to stop them. But they hit me on the head and knocked me out.”

“Oh my goodness…!”

She widened her eyes and covered her mouth like she was truly shocked. Even she thought her acting was decent.

“That must’ve been terrible, Your Grace.”

She wanted to ask, ‘Then why aren’t you resting at home?’ but kept it inside.

Kahlail stared at her for a moment, then pulled something from his sleeve and tossed it on the table.

It was just a plain white handkerchief.

“…What’s this?”

He nodded, signaling her to open it.

Reina slowly reached out and unfolded the handkerchief. With every fold, she felt a chill spreading through her chest.

Finally, something long and thin was revealed.

“…This is…?!”

Reina’s eyes widened. Her fingers trembled.

The calm expression she had tried to maintain was completely gone.

“It looks just like yours, doesn’t it, Lady Reina…?”

“……!!”

She stared at what was on the handkerchief.

A long, wavy, pink hair strand—exactly like hers.

As Reina shook with fear, Kahlail gave a slow, quiet smile.

“Now then, Lady Reina. Shall we start over from the beginning?”

Kahlail leaned back in his chair, looking completely relaxed, while Reina sat frozen, pale and shaking.

They looked like a scared rabbit cornered by a Siberian tiger—who was just watching his prey quietly, enjoying the hunt.