- His Secret
“Why not just admit everything already?”
“Admit what?”
As soon as they returned to the estate, Spen, who had left earlier because of a matter with the knights, returned. The first place he went was, of course, Duke Hayden’s room.
Even now, thinking about how Hayden had acted toward Serna earlier that day made Spen grit his teeth. He claimed it wasn’t an imprint, yet everything he did screamed of a man falling deeply in love.
He might as well have stood up and said, “I’ve imprinted on you. Please marry me.” He denied it so strongly and yet acted so desperate for her affection. It drove Spen crazy.
“Please, stop giving me a reason to nag. You said it wasn’t an imprint. Then what exactly were you doing at House Troid today?”
“It was strictly business. Is that a problem?”
“That wasn’t business. That was extremely personal. And although our Duke doesn’t care much for the social scene, Lady Troid is known to be involved with Count Pyro. Whether your feelings for her are curiosity or something more, I think you need to take a step back.”
“Who?”
The moment the name “Kellen” came up, Hayden’s brow furrowed noticeably. He knew. He knew that Spen wasn’t wrong.
The blood of the Valoran family, inherited from wolves, allowed them to imprint only once in a lifetime. No one had ever gone against that imprint. It was fate, something impossible to resist.
But an imprint wasn’t something triggered just by looking at someone under a full moon. It wasn’t a magical switch. It was the moment love began to take shape, the heart stirred by emotion.
Hayden, while in his beast form, had been emotionally vulnerable, yearning for affection. And at that very moment, Serna had appeared with a clear and gentle smile.
He knew better than anyone what imprinting meant. That it was painful, cruel, and irreversible. That was why he had shut himself inside the estate, choosing a life of solitude.
And yet, the moment Serna stepped into the quiet halls of the Valoran estate, something long buried inside Hayden had begun to stir again. A feeling he had tried to forget.
“Everyone in the social circle knows Lady Troid is clinging to Count Pyro. People say the only reason she started this business is to help him somehow.”
Spen hesitated as Hayden’s expression darkened. If he said one word too many, the Duke might storm into the forest and tear through everything in sight.
“They’re in love. The two of them.”
“Well… it seems like it might be one-sided. This is just a rumor, but it’s said that the Troid family went broke because most of their wealth ended up in Count Pyro’s hands.”
“Then she’s trying to earn money to give it to him?”
“That part, I don’t know. But Count Pyro talks badly about her all the time. Recently, he even bragged that he asked her for a trading ship. He said soon everything that belongs to House Troid would be his.”
Hayden’s fingers, which had been tapping slowly and rhythmically on the table, came to a sudden stop.
Even those with wolf blood could become soft lambs in front of love. And even ordinary humans could lose their minds and give up everything for it.
“How ridiculous.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m asking you not to show your feelings so openly in front of her. You keep denying it’s an imprint, but that’s just temporary denial…”
“Spen.”
“Yes. Why are you looking at me like that? You’re making me nervous.”
“Find out everything about that bastard Kellen.”
“……”
“For every detail you miss, I’m docking your pay.”
Spen could only think to himself, Hayden really is a terrible person.
If you put it in modern terms, it would be around elementary school age. That’s how young Serna had been when she met Orbi.
Back then, he was a wounded child who had barely escaped something and collapsed at the edge of the marketplace. Even as a child, Serna must have found him pitiful.
“Don’t touch me.”
“I’m trying to help you.”
“I don’t need it.”
Even though he looked like he was about to die, his pride wouldn’t let him accept help. As he groaned and tried to get up by himself, Serna grabbed his arm and pulled it over her shoulder.
“You’re hurt. Why do you keep saying you’re fine?”
“Because I have to be fine.”
“There’s nothing wrong with accepting help.”
The Serna who had once been foolishly infatuated with Kellen had actually been a bold and confident child. Thanks to that girl, I’m benefiting now in the strangest way.
“Serna, what are you thinking about?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing. I was just remembering the first time we met. You were so little back then. You’ve grown a lot.”
“You’ve grown too, Serna.”
Orbi, slicing roasted chicken with a knife, quietly switched my plate with his. That smooth way of speaking, his handsome face, and now even his gentlemanly manners. He must have broken more than a few hearts since growing up.
“Anyway, enough with the past. Let’s talk business. I’ve drawn up a design. Can you create this exactly as it is?”
“Serna, you may not realize it, but I’m a very skilled mage. Let me take a look.”
I pulled out the drawings I had stayed up all night working on and handed them to him. I didn’t have time to come up with a completely new design, so I revised something I had originally drawn back when I was Kim Yoonmi, adjusting it to fit this world’s style.
Orbi smiled as he looked through the sketches.
“These are beautiful. It feels good just imagining making them. When did you get so good at drawing?”
“Huh? Oh, I picked it up as a hobby. Got better over time. How long does it take to finish one of these?”
Orbi was surprisingly sharp when it came to little things.
I handed him a small bag of cheap silver I had picked up at the market. Orbi examined the sketch again, then lightly brushed his fingertips across the design. A soft light followed his touch, spreading from the paper to the silver and wrapping around it. In the blink of an eye, the silver transformed into a necklace that matched the drawing exactly.
“Orbi! You really are a skilled mage. If I bring the gemstone, can you set it into this properly? This part here is meant to hold the stone. Just make sure it’s secure so it doesn’t fall out.”
The design was simple, a delicate chain with a teardrop-shaped pendant. But seeing it come together so quickly made me giddy. If I could get the gold and gems from Duke Valoran, everything would be ready.
I planned to switch the silver for gold and use a gemstone more beautiful than the sky. Maybe aquamarine. Or perhaps a deeper, stronger tone like turquoise. I already felt like the Empire’s money was in the palm of my hand.
As I stared at the magically created necklace, Orbi chuckled softly.
“You’re that happy?”
“Of course I am. I’m going to drain every last trang from the Empire. You may be a glorified servant for now, but just wait. I’ll show you how sweet money can be.”
“That sounds a little scary…”
Money is scary. The more you have, the sweeter life becomes. The less you have, the closer you are to death.
But don’t worry. I’m not the foolish Serna who threw everything away for love. I’m Kim Yoonmi, the one who’s living in her place now.
I said it with a sparkle in my eye, and Orbi looked startled. He glanced over at Anna as if asking for help. But Anna, already used to this side of me, simply answered with a calm smile.
“You’ll get used to her. I much prefer this version of the lady to the love-struck one.”
“We need to get the gemstones next. Making the pieces only takes a second. We’re practically ready to open the shop.”
“Then can we talk about something personal now?”
“No. I’m busy.”
“You’re cold too.”
“I’ll allow three questions. That’s it.”
“Do you have a lover?”
“Hmm… I do, but not for much longer.”
Orbi tilted his head, clearly puzzled by my answer. Technically, Kellen was still Serna’s official lover, but I had every intention of ending things soon.
“So, I’ll take that as a no. Didn’t you miss me?”
“What?”
This time I tilted my head. If I were truly the original Serna, Orbi would have been buried so deep in her past she would never think of him again. Even with her memories now a part of me, I don’t think he would have come to mind if not for business.
Still, there was a reason I couldn’t answer him honestly.
“You took a while to respond.”
- His Secret (continued)
“Of course I wanted to see you. I was really curious to see how much you’d grown, Orbi.”
“I know that’s a lie, but I’ll let it slide.”
Orbi responded with a playful grin. If I had known he would grow into a mage this handsome, I really might have missed him.
As we finished the meal, Orbi stood up before I did.
“I’m heading to Quilln today. I’ve got a few things to take care of.”
“It won’t take long, right? You signed a contract, remember.”
I spoke while stuffing a big piece of chicken into my mouth, and Orbi burst out laughing at the sight.
“Of course not. Don’t worry, Lady Serna.”
Just like that night when he had quietly appeared at my window, Orbi vanished before my eyes without a sound.
Since coming to the Aether Empire, the thing that amazed me most was magic. Well, watching Duke Valoran transform into a wolf was equally fascinating. I mean, these were things I had only ever read about in fantasy novels, and now I was witnessing them with my own eyes.
After finishing my meal, I took a sip of water. Right on cue, Anna’s eyes lit up again. Here we go. What was she going to say this time?
“I think I like Lord Orbi better.”
“You’re about to say something weird again, aren’t you.”
“How is that weird? I’m talking about choosing your future husband.”
“And who said I was picking a husband? I plan to live alone.”
“My lady!”
Anna smacked my back with a loud smack and practically shouted. Excuse me? I’m a noblewoman. Is this how you treat nobility? Like a daughter getting nagged by her mother to hurry up and get married?
“You’re the only heir to the family! You can’t say things like that. What would the Count say if he heard you?”
“Love is a waste of time.”
“I feel like either Lord Orbi or His Grace the Duke could teach you what real love means.”
“And do either of them actually love me?”
“Of course they do! My lady, you’re completely clueless. Did you not see how Lord Orbi looked at you? His eyes were practically dripping with honey.”
“Anna. Be honest with me.”
“About what?”
“You don’t actually know what ‘dripping with honey’ means, do you.”
That’s not true. You’re the one who doesn’t get it, my lady. I ignored Anna’s muttering and left the dining room. I knew if I stayed longer, she’d only come up with more nonsense.
There are men in this Empire with status, wealth, and better looks than me. Why would two amazing men fall for someone like me? There are plenty of women out there who are prettier, richer, and have better backgrounds.
Keep dreaming, Anna.
[To the Duke of Valoran,
I hope you have been well.
Below is the supply list I would like to request for delivery:
- Aquamarine: 50 ct
- Turquoise: 50 ct
- Tourmaline: 50 ct
- Blue Topaz: 30 ct
- Diamond: 100 ct
- Emerald: 50 ct
- Rose Quartz: 50 ct
- Gold: 100 ct
I look forward to your response. Thank you.
[Serna Shube Troid]
I sent the letter that morning to the Valoran estate, listing the gems I would need for our first official shop launch. But now, barely by evening, a line of carriages and wagons had arrived outside the front gate, all bearing the unmistakable crest of House Valoran.
Sharp eyes like a beast’s and a long sword wrapped with a snake between two piercing gazes. It was undeniably the Valoran emblem.
Red-haired Spen, whom I had seen before, stepped down from one of the carriages and smiled at me. Caught off guard, I smiled back politely, but inside, I was panicking. This couldn’t be right. The list I sent wasn’t even long enough to fill one crate.
And yet there were four entire wagons loaded with wooden boxes.
“Sir Spen, what is all this?”
“These are the gemstones you requested, my lady. His Grace instructed that they be delivered quickly.”
“Quick is right. I don’t think it’s even been a full day since I sent the letter. But this is far too much. The amount I requested couldn’t even fill one of these crates.”
“Ah, well…”
Spen didn’t answer right away and instead looked at me carefully, as if trying to read my mood.
As I watched the porters unloading crate after crate, a heavy thought crossed my mind. How was I going to repay all of this? If the shop failed, would I have to sell the jewels myself?
“The Valoran territory mines are… well…”
“Are what?”
“It’s just…”
“It’s just what?”
“His Grace said… he wanted to show you that the Valoran mines produce better gemstones than… anyone else’s.”
“Show me?”
“Yes. He said it was important to prove it.”
Why? Why would he go out of his way like that? For me?