“I won’t believe you, even if you deny it now.”
“What?”
Spen scowled and stared at Hayden from inside the carriage, clearly frustrated.
Skilled, loyal, and good-looking, Spen was the commander of the elite Valoran Knights. Still, speaking so freely to his master was not something easily done. But to Hayden, Spen was more than just a knight.
The Valoran family, with werewolf blood flowing through their veins and lives far longer than average, had been loyally served by one household for generations.
In the Aether Empire, where beasts were looked down upon, there was only one family that recognized the true power of werewolves and the strength that came from pledging loyalty to them. That family was the Amots.
Because of this deep history of service, it was only natural that Spen held a special place in Hayden’s life. It also helped that Hayden’s personality was rather indifferent by nature.
“You were marked by Lady Troid, weren’t you?”
“I was not.”
“Then why are you going to House Troid?”
Hayden turned away from Spen’s persistent gaze and looked out the window. He didn’t have a particular reason. Her voice, filled with concern, had come to mind late at night, and it left him feeling unsettled.
It wasn’t love. He believed it was curiosity, something he had never truly experienced before.
The Valoran family, carrying the blood of wolves, imprinted only once in a lifetime. After witnessing his parents die tragic deaths because of love, Hayden had vowed never to imprint on anyone.
Spen had a reason for his endless nagging.
“I’m going for business. Just to check in.”
“Since when did you start caring about business?”
“Why are you getting more and more disrespectful?”
Spen quickly cleared his throat and, seeing the Duke’s sharp expression, returned to a loyal and composed look as if nothing had happened.
Their usual bickering led them to the destination: House Troid, where Serna lived.
If only someone could erase this awkward atmosphere.
As I entered the drawing room, I saw Duke Valoran, who wore a subtle smile despite his usual cold eyes. Standing next to him was a red-haired man with a sulky expression that made it clear he was not happy to be here.
I forced a smile and approached them calmly before sitting down. How many days had it been since I finalized the deal with him? Not many, I think.
The Duke seemed slightly excited. Was I imagining it? He appeared curious about the progress of my project. Though he looked relaxed, sitting back with one leg crossed, there was a strange light in his eyes.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting. You arrived without any notice.”
For someone who rarely left his estate, the Duke must have been very curious to come all the way here. Still, I had just finished dealing with Daisy at the market and was completely drained. If he was planning to come, he could have at least sent a letter first.
My words had a hint of sarcasm, but the Duke responded with his usual calm smile. I couldn’t tell if he was being oblivious or pretending not to notice. The man beside him, however, let out a heavy breath as if trying to stay calm.
“May I ask the reason for your visit?”
“I came to check on something. I have been curious abou—”
“He’s very interested in Lady Serna’s business. He would like to see the project plans, the designs, and anything else available.”
Wait. It felt like the Duke was about to say something else, but Spen interrupted him. Unlike the composed Duke, Spen was now drenched in cold sweat. What is going on with him?
“Ah, I should have sent a letter beforehand. Please wait a moment while I fetch the plans. Anna, could you bring the project documents from my room?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Anna had entered with tea at the perfect time. After I gave her the request, she left the room. The drawing room fell into silence again, broken only by the sound of clinking teacups. The atmosphere was uncomfortable. I didn’t have much to say, and I knew little about the Duke. It was honestly unbearable.
“So, um, the Valoran estate is quite far from here, isn’t it? The journey must have been tiring.”
“It is not far, but it felt like a long trip.”
Not far, but felt long? Just like the first time we met, he was impossible to read.
Every time the Duke opened his mouth, the man beside him looked nervous, fidgeting like someone sitting next to a time bomb. Who was he, exactly?
“And may I ask who you are?”
“Ah, I am Spen Amot, Commander of the Valoran Knights and His Grace’s personal aide.”
“Nice to meet you. As you may know, I am Serna Shube Troid. You can call me Serna.”
“No.”
Although I was speaking to Spen, the response came from Duke Valoran.
The moment I smiled and finished introducing myself, his face twisted with displeasure.
What does he mean, no? He frowned openly, as if something deeply bothered him. Spen quickly glanced at the Duke, then gave me an awkward smile.
“Haha. His Grace is only worried I might speak too casually. Please feel free to call me whatever is most comfortable, my lady. I prefer it this way.”
“Alright. Whatever suits you best.”
I gave a polite smile. Honestly, both the Duke and his aide were strange. They looked perfectly fine, but there was something unpredictable about them.
A Duke who turns into a wolf and a subordinate who acts like a scared puppy. Somehow, they did seem like a fitting pair.
Watching the Duke sip tea so elegantly again today, I almost got lost staring at his handsome face. How could silver hair look so beautiful?
The shirt he wore carelessly looked perfect on him. When he ran his long fingers through his hair, I found myself staring with my mouth slightly open.
Then, our eyes met.
The Duke smiled softly.
In that moment, I had the foolish thought that I wouldn’t mind being betrayed hundreds of times by someone with a face like his. I had sworn never to trust love again and to only believe in money, but now I was thinking I would accept betrayal if it came from him.
Thankfully, Anna returned with the plans, and I managed to shake myself out of the daze. I had never been more grateful to her.
“Please have a look. Most of what’s written in the plans is already finished. Once the designs are finalized and the enchanter arrives, we will be ready to open.”
Duke Valoran held the papers with one hand and read them with great focus. At one point, his eyes paused for a while on a certain section.
“This enchanter, Orbi. Is he a man?”
His question came in a serious tone, and I had not expected it at all.
“Yes. He’s a male mage. I helped him when he was younger, and now he wants to repay the favor.”
I answered with a smile, and the Duke’s brows immediately furrowed. He looked handsome even while frowning. That was truly unfair.
“Normal enchanters work slowly, and I can’t afford to hire a full team just yet. So, I asked Orbi first. If the business grows, I plan to hire more later.”
“I see.”
It felt like I was presenting a project to a CEO. I tried to calm my racing heart while watching for his reaction. If the Duke lost interest, the entire business could collapse. I had no choice but to keep him satisfied. That was the reality of capitalism.
Once he finished reading the plans thoroughly, the Duke placed the papers gently on the table. I looked at his lips nervously, waiting for him to speak.
“I would like to visit the shop sometime, my lady.”
“I chose the furniture today. In a few days, the interior work will be finished. Would you like to come see it then?”
“That sounds good. Then, until that day—”
“I will send a letter, Lady Troid. It’s getting late. I think we should head back now, Your Grace.”
Spen interrupted Hayden again, clearly putting extra emphasis on his words. As I looked at both of them with a confused expression, Spen gave an awkward smile.
“I’ll send a letter once everything is ready. Thank you again for coming today.”
“Don’t mention it. Then, until next time.”
As I watched them start to leave the drawing room, the image of the Duke’s injury suddenly came to mind. On instinct, I reached out and grabbed the edge of his shirt. Not knowing what was going on, Spen stepped out first, leaving just the Duke and me in the room.
Oh no. I probably shouldn’t have grabbed him.
“Is something wrong?”
“Is your injury alright? From last time, right here, the wound.”
I pointed to his side. He just shrugged like it was nothing important.
“It was no big deal.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Please take care on your way back, Your Grace.”
“Are you worried about me again?”
I let go of his shirt and stepped back. His eyes briefly dropped to where I had held onto him, then slowly looked back at me.
There it was again. That unreadable expression. His eyes filled with curiosity, as if he really wanted to understand something.
“It was just being polite. A proper farewell, not worry.”
I smiled as I answered. Only then did Hayden finally turn around to leave. His eyes were cold as ever, but I still couldn’t understand why they always lingered like that.
Spen, who had gone out ahead, must have noticed the Duke hadn’t followed. He quickly returned and stood close to him again. He gave me a polite nod before leaving, firmly following behind the Duke.
The moment they were gone, Anna rushed into the room and started chattering excitedly.
“My lady, I was right, wasn’t I?”
“About what? My hands are shaking from all the nerves. What should I do?”
Seeing how thrilled she looked, I pretended to be overwhelmed just to change the topic. Honestly, I had been extremely nervous, so it wasn’t even a lie.
Even as she massaged my hands gently, she kept talking.
“Did you see the Duke’s eyes? He looked at you like he was pouring honey all over you.”
“Not honey. Maybe dreams. He probably just liked the business plan. He saw my potential, that’s all.”
I was sure of it. The way he came here with that sharp look in his eyes, how he nodded as he read through the proposal. That had to mean he believed in the project’s success.
When I answered with confidence, Anna gave me a look that said she didn’t buy it at all.
“My lady, you really don’t know how to read people.”
“What do you mean? I’m usually very precise.”
“I mean when it comes to men.”
She let out a long sigh like she was seriously worried and mumbled to herself as she left the room.
“You should wash up and get ready for bed.”
She threw me a quick side glance before disappearing.
Why is she acting like this toward me? Honestly, someone like the Duke, who doesn’t even understand the basics of kindness and manners, could never look at someone with sweet eyes. Right, Anna?
It felt like I had dreamed something soft and fluffy. Like floating on top of white clouds, completely free from any worries.
I was sleeping soundly when I opened my eyes and saw a man smiling by the window. I nearly passed out again. I didn’t even have the time to scream.
Still half-asleep, I blinked at him. His face looked familiar. Wait, could it be?
“Orbi?!”
“You’re awake?”
His platinum blond hair fluttered in the breeze coming through the window. His skin was smooth, and his relaxed clothes told me it really was him.
He smelled more like a grown man now, very different from the boy I remembered, but I could still recognize him. He was still just as handsome.
“You can’t just come into my room like this.”
“Lady Serna, you’ve gotten more relaxed since I last saw you.”
“There it is again. You’re still speaking informally.”
Orbi smiled playfully and shrugged like it didn’t matter. Right. I’m just a shallow modern person obsessed with good looks.
Mages were known for being arrogant, and they rarely bowed easily to nobles. But if a noble ever decided to hold a formal trial, most of those mages would face punishment. It wasn’t harsh, but enough to bring them down a notch. That was why trials sometimes happened when a mage crossed the line.
Still, with a face like his, I could overlook that attitude. Honestly.
“You’re still as beautiful as ever.”
“I’ve always been pretty, even as a kid. When did you get here?”
“Getting bold now, are we? I just got here a few hours ago. Maybe three?”
“You should’ve woken me up. You showed up late, and now I’ve got a mountain of work to do.”
“How could I wake you while you were asleep?”
Even that smooth smile looked good on him. Seeing his face first thing in the morning definitely lifted my mood. Orbi walked over and gently placed his hand on my forehead.
“What kind of dream did you have?”
“I don’t know. I don’t remember it, but I felt good.”
“That’s strange. You were groaning in your sleep.”
“Really? I thought I was feeling great.”
“No fever.”
With his hand still on my forehead, he closed his eyes for a moment and focused. A cool, refreshing sensation spread through my body.
“Is that magic?”
“Yes. I’d call it a health cleansing spell.”
“I’m not sick. I feel fine.”
Still, I was worried. Orbi smiled gently as he spoke. Looking at his face, I quietly took back all the times I complained about being reborn as Serna.
A handsome mage and an even more handsome duke. With men like this around me, I had no idea why I ever gave my heart to someone like Kellen in the first place.
“Let’s save the reunion talk for later and start working.”
No matter how good he looked, I wasn’t here to fall in love. My goal in this life was to become rich.
When I said it was time to work, Orbi frowned slightly like he didn’t want to, but I just smiled and pulled out the contract I had prepared.
“Let’s start with your signature. Here’s your employment agreement.”
