“Please, Your Grace. I’m begging you.”
The young man with red hair was named Spen. He was the captain of the Valoran Knights and also acted as Duke Hayden Valoran’s aide. At the moment, he was scolding the duke relentlessly.
Hayden, however, listened with one ear and let it out the other.
“You shouldn’t be out wandering around on a day like today.”
“It’s instinct.”
The duke replied calmly as he turned through a stack of papers. Wearing gold-rimmed round glasses and reading with an elegant posture, even a man would find him stunning to look at.
Spen, who had been absentmindedly watching the way his pale, long fingers flipped the pages, snapped back to his senses and resumed his complaints.
“It’s getting harder and harder to cover for you. Do you know how I felt when I heard Lady Serna of House Troid saw you today?”
“Hmm.”
Spen trailed off. The moment Serna’s name came up, Hayden removed his glasses and leaned back in his chair. Under the white moonlight, his skin glowed softly.
Spen didn’t miss the faint flush on his ears.
“Don’t tell me…”
“It’s not that.”
“Come on, Your Grace. Just be honest with yourself.”
“I said no.”
“I haven’t even said anything yet. Why are you denying it already?”
Spen’s voice wavered slightly. Today was the night of a full moon, and on such nights, the wolf’s energy within Hayden grew stronger than usual.
He had a secret that no one in the empire knew—except Spen.
When the full moon rose, the feeling of ‘love’ would stir uncontrollably inside him.
“You always said you hated women.”
“I never said I was marked.”
“Your ears turned red the moment I mentioned her name. If that’s not a sign, then what is?”
“It’s not that.”
“I told you to be careful during full moons, didn’t I? What did I do in a past life to end up serving someone this difficult?”
Hayden ignored Spen’s complaints and let his gaze fall on the contract lying at the edge of the table—drawn up by Serna, signed by him.
[Contract]
Hayden Valoran (Party A) and Serna Shube Troid (Party B) hereby agree to the following terms regarding gemstone supply:
- Party A will supply gemstones to Party B without any upfront payment.
- Payment for the supplied gemstones will begin once the store generates revenue.
- The value of the gemstones will follow standard market prices.
- Any secrets shared between Party A and Party B will not be disclosed under any circumstances.
Rereading the contract, Hayden gave a soft smile before turning to look out the window.
The birds chirping in the distance and the sight of the full moon rising in the sky brought to mind Serna, who had gently brushed his hair with such careful hands, as if handling something precious.
“This little one is softer and warmer than me.”
“Are you alright?”
“Hang in there.”
Her voice still lingered in his ears.
“You’re hurt. Of course I’m worried.”
“I should have killed her.”
Spen frowned and shook his head.
“Don’t say such terrifying things. House Troid might not have much left, but it’s still a count’s family. She’s the only daughter of Count Troid. Do you know how hard that would be to cover up? Besides, let’s be honest, you couldn’t kill her now even if you wanted to.”
“Spen.”
“What?”
Spen grumbled at the sound of his name.
“Are you worried about me too?”
“Of course I’m worried. Especially when you act like this, running around on your own.”
“You talk too much.”
“And you cause too much trouble.”
When I told Anna that I had secured an advance supply of gemstones from the Duke of Valoran, she looked at me like I had lost my mind.
You think it’s unbelievable, don’t you? I think so too. He was already difficult to meet, let alone strike a deal with. I can’t even explain how everything happened. So many things occurred.
“You really met the Duke of Valoran?”
Any joy I had over the successful deal quickly faded as Anna continued to pester me while I lay exhausted on the bed.
“I was so shocked! Honestly, I thought you’d fail, but I was wrong.”
“Wasn’t that basically a curse?”
“Oh no, my lady. It’s just that you’ve always been so focused on Count Pyro, you wouldn’t have known, but the Duke of Valoran is the last person anyone would expect to make a contract like this.”
“That might be true, but it worked out well, so let’s not talk about it anymore.”
“Why not? Come on, tell me more. You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”
At her words, my heart jumped as if caught red-handed. She might not seem like it, but Anna was surprisingly sharp.
While I stayed face down on the bed, she quietly sat at the edge and asked again.
“I’ve been thinking, my lady.”
“Do we really have to?”
“Yes. It’s important. About why the Duke agreed to the deal.”
“I guess… because I’m too pretty to refuse?”
I blinked at her as I spoke, only for Anna to respond with a surprisingly serious expression. Please don’t take jokes so seriously. It’s embarrassing.
“I think you’re right.”
She said it quietly, in a low voice. That’s not it. Not even close.
“You’ve always been the most beautiful woman in the empire. You lost some of that shine when you started wasting away, but lately, your beauty’s been returning.”
“Anna.”
“But really, maybe the Duke also has a weakness for beautiful women.”
She spoke with bright eyes, her cheeks turning pink as if she had just read the ending of a romance novel.
Seeing her like that, full of hope, made me feel guilty. This isn’t a sweet romantic story. It’s far from it.
I decided not to tell Anna about the Duke’s secret. Not even her. We signed a contract, after all. And I knew how this empire treated wolves.
Why does the Duke turn into a wolf?
I wasn’t born in this world, and even with Serna’s memories, there was nothing useful on that matter. Still, what I saw today was real.
A wolf and a duke. The questions kept piling up. And as I thought about that moment we kissed, the heat rushed to my face again. Despite the cool night air, I had to push off the blankets.
“Why on earth did I do that?”
Even kicking the blanket in embarrassment wouldn’t be enough. I’m going to have to face him again for business, but how am I supposed to look him in the eye?
I pushed the thoughts aside and let my heavy eyelids close.
“My lady! You need to wash before bed!”
Can’t I skip it just this once? I’m too tired today.
“Is it true you’re in a relationship with Count Pyro? How is he these days?”
I could see right through her.
Everyone in the empire’s noble society knew I was nothing more than a fool wrapped around Kellen’s finger. Unless someone was as socially clueless as the Duke of Valoran, they would know.
Clearly, Daisy wanted to mock the mess that was my reputation. There’s always someone like her. It’s practically a law of nature that every social circle has one.
“He sends me so many gifts, it’s honestly overwhelming.”
“…”
“Lady Troid, would you please ask him to stop?”
So he was using my money to send gifts to another woman? What a joke.
I couldn’t tell if Daisy was telling the truth, but the more she talked, the more I felt my patience wearing thin. Anna looked just as furious, her pale face shifting between red and white.
“I’ve tried refusing, but he just keeps sending them. I hope you don’t take it the wrong way. I’m only telling you this because I’m concerned for you.”
I could practically see her smug grin behind the fan. Like she thought she’d won something. I couldn’t hold back my laughter any longer. I let out a loud, clear laugh.
My laugh drew attention. Commoners at the market, strolling nobles, even bystanders all turned to look at us.
“Why are you so worried about me? Are we close or something?”
“What do you mean by that? I always thought I got along with everyone in society. I didn’t know you saw it differently, Lady Troid.”
“What are you even saying? Sounds like some random dog started barking.”
“Lady Troid! What did you just say?”
“Did you hear that? I was just thinking out loud.”
I smiled brightly as Daisy glared at me in disbelief.
The best way to handle someone acting crazy is to out-crazy them. Anyone who’s worked or studied in Korea knows that trick. If you stay quiet because they’re your boss or your senior, all you get is more grief. You become their favorite target.
“Please don’t worry about me. Just enjoy your gifts. I don’t usually hang out with certain kinds of people anyway. If you’re done, I’ll be going now.”
People really are the same everywhere. The empire’s no different.
The social hierarchy is heavy, but I’m Serna Shube Troid now. And someone with nothing left to lose has nothing to fear.
“Looks like Lady Troid got the better of her.”
“Wasn’t she the quiet one who never talks back?”
“Yeah, they say Count Pyro walks all over her and she never even protests.”
“She’s really not acting like the rumors today.”
The murmurs around us seemed to reach Daisy. Her face turned red as she glared at me, clearly fuming but unable to lash out publicly.
“I’m sure we’ll see each other again, Lady Troid.”
I’m really not looking forward to it.
“Of course.”
I lifted my skirt slightly and gave a polite curtsy. Daisy clenched her jaw and turned away in a huff. Once she left, the crowd slowly dispersed.
Maybe I went too far. Jewelry shops rely heavily on female customers, and now I might have made an enemy out of a powerful marquis’s daughter before my shop even opened. Still, what could I do?
I’m not Kim Yumi anymore. I’m Serna. That’s how I was able to deflect her words so easily. But if the real Serna had been standing here?
Just thinking about it made me angry all over again.
She might have collapsed in tears after hearing something like that. I know the pain of being betrayed by someone you love more than your own life. Poor girl.
“My lady, that was amazing! I feel so refreshed! I didn’t know you were that kind of person! Today was just… wow…”
“Anna.”
“I’ll sleep like a baby tonight, right?”
“Go sprinkle salt in front of the Clid estate.”
“Salt?”
“Yeah. Big, coarse ones. A lot.”
“What for…?”
“It’s bad energy.”
