Chapter 09
Her brown eyes, moist like summer tree trunks, shone naturally even among the green leaves. Slender silver threads of hair swayed in front of the duke, almost brushing him.
But the moment he raised his hand to grab them, she darted away with lightning speed—a movement clearly practiced.
So agile, so fast—he thought, even a knight might struggle to match her. The duke pinched his forehead in fatigue.
“I trust you.”
“That’s a joke.”
Even her insolent answer couldn’t rattle him; he didn’t have the energy to waste on such trivialities.
“If it’s because of Fernando, he’s there to protect you.”
“And to report everything I do and say to you. I hate that.”
Earlier, she had at least shown her face, but now her voice came only from among the leaves. The strange feeling of talking to a tree made the duke move closer to the Larancha tree where Su hid.
Her small frame was so tiny that, without the glimpse of blue fabric protruding from thick branches, he wouldn’t have even known where she was.
“I forbid any reporting.”
“Really? Swear it on Shantac’s honor.”
Shantac was the name he received as a knight.
Su was asking whether he would honor his promise to her, putting a knight’s honor on the line.
Regretting having revealed his full name, the duke gritted his teeth. He had never put the name Shantac on such a useless vow.
“Fine. I swear.”
“Hmm, very well.”
Su smiled in satisfaction. Her protruding face looked like a blossom on the Larancha tree.
Unlike Su’s smiling face, the duke’s expression remained harsh and unamused.
He had just returned from two sleepless nights shoring up the southern front.
Upon returning to the mansion, he was immediately told the young lady Marlene had gone missing. Alarmed by the frantic maids’ reports, he went to the garden—only to find this crazy girl acting up like this.
Yet he couldn’t help thinking: if she had the nerve to misbehave in front of him, she could probably pull off a scam in front of the king. Reliable, in a strange way.
“Come down now.”
Su smiled awkwardly at the duke’s frustrated, exasperated voice.
“Um, Duke…”
“Why?”
“Do you… hit women?”
“If you don’t come down soon, I might.”
“I want to come down too.”
Su’s odd remark made the duke lift his head again. She looked at him, a slightly awkward smile, then shyly turned her gaze elsewhere.
“…I can’t come down.”
“Hah.”
The duke unleashed his full irritation. Why climb a tree you can’t descend from?
The oldest, largest Larancha tree in the garden, no less!
It occurred to him: perhaps this was exactly what she intended.
“Just jump.”
“What if I get hurt?”
“I’ll catch you. Jump.”
“What if you make a mistake and I hit the ground? I’d at least break a leg.”
Su’s doubts exhausted his patience.
He kicked the massive old trunk with brute strength. Su, dangling from a branch, couldn’t withstand the shaking tree and fell, tumbling among the Laranchas to the ground below.
Damn brute!
Swearing nearly escaped her lips, but the approaching ground frightened her, so she squeezed her eyes shut.
I should’ve jumped when he said he’d catch me.
Still, a broken leg wouldn’t prevent her scams—he probably didn’t care.
Su regretted it. Physical pain was one of her biggest dislikes. She hugged her face with her arms for protection—but surprisingly, she didn’t feel any pain.
‘Huh?’
Opening her eyes, she first saw the duke’s long, pale neck. Despite years on the battlefield, his skin was smoother than hers.
Looking slightly higher, his lips were as red as a woman’s. Each feature was beautiful, yet distinctly “manly”—fascinating.
Even though he was twisted at heart, his face was so perfect Su couldn’t stop studying him, entranced.
Yes, the duke has the most beautiful eyes, she thought, tilting her head.
Soon, she met his deep navy eyes—slightly irritated. She could see it: she was a nuisance to him.
“Ah, sorry. Thank you.”
Su awkwardly patted his shoulder. Luckily, he had caught her.
The Laranchas fell around them, yet she alone had landed safely. Impressive.
“Duke, when you have free time later, will you do circus tricks with me?”
He dropped her without a word, as if her question wasn’t worth answering.
Plop.
She landed roughly, hand on her rear.
If you’re catching me, catch me properly!
“…You.”
“Yes?”
“Your etiquette lessons with Mrs. Keller are over, correct?”
“Yep! Hehe, I finished quite early this time.”
“I think you need more.”
Su’s jaw dropped.
What? Did he just say that? Terrible… like an insult.
“I’ll speak to Mrs. Keller myself.”
“Duke, I’m sorry!”
He strode away without a word.
Angry, Su picked up a fallen Larancha and hurled it at his retreating back.
Damn nobleman!
He, annoyingly, didn’t even turn and dodged it.
“Ahhh!”
Alone, she stomped among the innocent Laranchas to vent her frustration.
Step, step. Tap, tap. Step, step. Tap, tap.
The duke was now impressed—albeit begrudgingly—by how persistently Su followed him.
Despite her shorter stride, she ran without giving up.
The heat in her brown eyes looked like that of a soldier in battle.
He stopped at the sight of her flushed face, worried she might collapse.
Seizing the moment, Su grabbed his coat.
Huff.
Her heavy breathing was so strong she nearly toppled backward. He pulled free, but her small hand caught him again.
“Didn’t I say no?”
“We might not return from Baha!”
“You’re Marlene Su Sinclair. She has no little brother in the back alleys.”
“I’m only going to see my brother! No one else!”
Su tugged at his coat, frustrated. Trying to reason with him while he walked away was exhausting.
I’m brains, not brawn!
It had been ages since she ran like this. Sweat-soaked, exhausted, she watched the duke walk calmly beside her—infuriating.
“Why should I believe that?”
“When did I ever ask you to trust me? Only credit me, credit!”
The duke’s expression remained indifferent, like a dog hearing a bark. Su’s face twisted.
“Do you care so much about your brother?”
“Of course! He’s my brother!”
She was troubled about leaving for Baha without seeing Mel. Though she knew it was unreasonable to go see him while hiding her identity, she couldn’t leave without a proper explanation.
Thinking about leaving young Mel alone in the alleys made swallowing her bread difficult.
After explaining herself as passionately as possible, she still saw no change in his face. She released his coat, sulking.
“…Fine.”
The duke watched her slump like wet cotton.
Her lips moved faintly; her dark brown eyes, slightly misted, cleared again. No sparks this time, just a soft sigh.
Su turned and started walking away.
The duke ruffled his hair. That girl wore him out constantly. Annoying, indeed.
“…If you really want to go, then go.”
“Really?”
Her eyes lit up instantly.
“A man’s word is final!”
“Yes!”
“Oh yeah! That’s right, Duke! A man of your status must have ambition! Bravery! Fearless of danger!”
“Provided Fernando accompanies you.”
“Ah… damn it. Even your schemes don’t give me any privacy?”
“None.”
