Chapter 18
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
“Woof! Woof!”
A sleek golden dog and another with glossy, deep reddish-brown fur charged straight at her.
“Ahh!”
Startled by the sudden rush, Elle stumbled backwards and fell to the ground.
—
Meanwhile, having sent Elle out into the garden, Kalen picked up the documents again, but his mind wouldn’t focus.
He tilted his head to loosen his stiff muscles and tried once more—but it was no use.
His eyes wandered to the table where Elle had been reading the letters.
He couldn’t shake the image of her lips, soft and pink, moving gently over the words.
Though he was supposed to be reading, his gaze kept drifting to her face, as if spellbound.
Snapping out of his daze, he muttered, “Focus on the letter… that’s all there is to it.”
Just then, a shriek pierced the air.
“Yikes!”
“Lady Moora!”
The two large dogs were tangled up, competing eagerly to lick Elle’s face.
Their big bodies pinned her down; she couldn’t get up, lying helplessly under a flood of slobbery affection.
“Oh, come on, calm down! Hey! Don’t pull on the clothes! Stop it, you two!”
Her worn clothes were dragged across the dirt-stained ground and torn in places by the powerful dogs, yet Elle was laughing uncontrollably, utterly delighted.
Kalen, who had rushed over worried she might be hurt, immediately relaxed—then scolded the dogs in frustration.
They could have seriously hurt her!
Charging at such a tiny woman with their massive bodies was reckless!
Just as he was about to raise his voice at them, a woman’s voice echoed nearby.
“Lornen! Baldur! Stop it!”
Kalen scanned the area.
The cheerful laughter and the sight of Adela playing with Lornen and Baldur—Odin and Shif’s parents—overlapped with the image of Elle.
Adela tossed her dark, wavy hair back, her honey-coloured eyes locking with Kalen’s.
“Adela?”
“Oh! Your Grace!”
Her warm, honey eyes quickly shifted to a surprised, bright blue—Elle’s voice replacing Adela’s.
“Your Grace…! Now, come on, stop it already.”
Elle tried to get up again, but Odin and Shif lunged at her once more, and she fell flat on her back again.
Snapping back to reality, Kalen’s stern voice cut through the chaos.
“Odin, Shif. Enough.”
The two dogs immediately stopped, as if on command, and trotted over to Kalen, wagging their tails happily as they circled him.
Freed from the dogs, Elle finally got to her feet.
She winced as she rubbed her sore backside—likely bruised from the fall—but couldn’t very well do that in front of Kalen, so she awkwardly patted her lower back instead.
At that moment, a man sprinted into the garden.
“Odin! Shif! Your Grace!”
A sturdy man in a crisp white military uniform, his long blonde hair tied back, bowed politely to Kalen.
Elle recognised him from before.
“What happened?”
“I apologise. Due to my carelessness, Odin and Shif ran off here.”
Elle clapped her hands excitedly.
“You’re the one who came to buy cabbage at our place last time, right?”
“Good to see you again, my lady.”
He was the same man who had reprimanded Devon, purchased cabbage, and delivered the contract.
Elle stepped closer.
“Are you Baron Barrett?”
At the sound of his name, the man visibly flinched—he hadn’t been formally introduced, so it surprised him that she knew immediately.
“I am Barrett Ross, Baron.”
“So you’re the Baron! Thank you again for your help last time. You saved us from a crisis.”
“No, I was just following orders.”
Blushing furiously, Barrett fumbled to respond to Elle’s thanks.
Not used to talking to women, he seemed unsure how to handle the simple gratitude.
“Still, gratitude is gratitude.”
“I was only…”
Barrett faltered, but Kalen approached and introduced him.
“He’s the last of the six who know our secret.”
“You helped me last time. I never properly thanked you since you bought cabbage and left so quickly, but it’s good to see you now.”
Elle’s bright smile sent Barrett’s face nearly aflame—so red it looked like he might have a fever.
Concerned, Elle frowned.
“Are you feeling unwell? You look flushed.”
“No, I’m fine.”
Seeing Barrett so flustered, Kalen spoke.
“Take Odin and Shif back home.”
“Yes, sir.”
Relieved, Barrett quickly leashed the dogs, though Odin and Shif whimpered, reluctant to leave Kalen’s side.
Kalen crouched down and gently petted them.
“I’ll play with you this afternoon. Behave now.”
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
The two dogs barked energetically, as if understanding his command.
Just when Elle thought it was time to leave, they turned their bright, pleading eyes on her and wagged their tails vigorously—as if saying, “Lady, please pet us, too.”
The sight was utterly endearing, but Elle hesitated.
These were Kalen’s beloved dogs, so was it really okay to touch them without asking?
She glanced at him for permission, even though the dogs themselves showed no hesitation, eagerly licking her face.
Noticing her glance, Kalen’s voice dropped low.
“You may say hello.”
“Okay. Odin? Shif? I’ll never forget our first meeting today. Next time, I’ll play with you even more. Goodbye!”
Elle gently stroked the heads of both dogs, then wrapped them in a warm embrace, rubbing their broad bodies.
With two large dogs in her arms, she almost fell backwards again, landing hard on her backside.
Kalen quickly pulled back the leashes, and Odin and Shif, panting, stepped back.
Kalen gave Barrett a subtle nod, and Barrett snapped to attention and bowed.
“I’ll take my leave now. Let’s go, Odin, Shif.”
With an awkward smile, Barrett bowed his head toward Elle, then led the dogs quickly out of the garden.
Watching their retreating backs, Elle sighed softly.
“They’re magnificent dogs.”
“They’re very dear to me.”
“Odin and Shif, right? What wonderful names.”
Elle’s comment was met with Kalen’s silent, unwavering gaze—so intense she briefly wondered if she’d done something wrong.
His gaze grew more intense as she continued to say that the names of the dogs sounded good.
What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?
As her smile faded, Kalen abruptly turned away, speaking softly.
“Let’s read the letter.”
“Yes.”
Elle tilted her head in confusion as Kalen strode ahead.
Is he angry? Or just flustered? Why the sudden change in mood?
She didn’t know why, but an uneasy feeling settled in her chest.
Could it be because she casually called out the names of his beloved dogs?
She decided to revise her opinion of the Duke: his humanity was a little better than she’d thought.
Just a little better.
Kalen entered the study with purposeful strides and sat down.
Elle, seated opposite him, stole a glance.
His face was back to its usual blank expression, but the tight press of his lips still hinted at discomfort.
She couldn’t guess what she’d done wrong.
Is he dizzy again? What else could it be?
After a moment’s thought, she shook her head.
It could be for reasons unrelated to her.
There was no real cause for blame anyway.
Feeling lighter, Elle picked up the letter.
“Well then, I’ll begin.” To the Duke Kalen, whom I deeply admire, I am Misha Saen, daughter of Baron Vuo Saen of the Cruel Lands. We met at the recent hunting competition. Do you remember me?”
Of course, the Duke wouldn’t remember.
How many noble ladies had greeted him there? Probably dozens…
But a hunting competition? He actually attends events like that?
Pushing aside such distractions, Elle read on.
“The magnificent stag you hunted at the competition still vividly lingers in my mind. Its body was as elegant as if shaped by divine hands. I’ve often been told my piano playing is graceful as well, and I long to perform for you someday.”
The abrupt shift from hunting to piano was strange, but Elle didn’t mind.
“I’ve been playing the piano for over ten years now.”
Sneaking a glance at Kalen, Elle noticed he hadn’t asked a single question, despite having read more than half the letter.
Has he understood everything? Though there’s nothing difficult in the letter…
Still, given his habit of asking questions, Elle was puzzled.
She continued.
“I eagerly await the chance to meet you again, and I’ll be praying with both hands clasped for your reply. Yours sincerely, Misha Saen.”
The letter ended.
Elle quietly lowered it and peeked at Kalen.
The pen in his hand hadn’t moved an inch during the entire reading; his fixed gaze hadn’t wavered either.
Is this some kind of difficult document?
Elle straightened her back to examine the papers but saw nothing.
She relaxed her posture and looked down at the letter again.
This was a first: reading a letter without a single question, without even noticing when she finished.
Especially from a Duke who noticed every little gesture and glance.
Unease crept over Elle again.
Did I really do something wrong?
