Chapter 20
“Please, speak to me more casually. I’m not someone worthy of such formal respect from you.”
Noxia begged, for the sake of her own peace of mind. If the duke’s son kept addressing her so politely, she thought she might suffocate from discomfort.
Jade looked at her with an unreadable expression. Then, like a perfect gentleman, he smiled warmly and answered in a gentler tone:
“Very well, Lady Decan. I’ll speak as you wish.”
At last, the conversation felt more natural, fitting for society’s norms. Noxia quietly sighed with relief.
“It’s fortunate, really. I had planned to take a different route home, but I changed my mind at the last moment. Now I see it must have been providence.”
Jade explained calmly, his deep blue eyes fixed on her. When Noxia looked up, she found herself caught by his gaze. His eyes burned with a strange heat.
“Truly, I’m glad. If I hadn’t chosen this way, there would have been no one here to catch you when you fell.”
Noxia frowned inwardly. Why do you look at me like that? Why does it feel as if this isn’t just our third meeting? As if this isn’t chance at all…
“I’m just grateful you’re safe, Lady Decan,” Jade said softly.
Noxia quickly averted her eyes from that intense look.
“Thank you for worrying, my lord. But really, it’s nothing. Anyone can stumble on the street once in a while.”
To her, his reaction was excessive. As far as he knew, the only thing that happened was her nearly tripping outside the alley. Yes, her palm was scraped and her clothes a little dirty, but nothing worth such concern.
She still felt sick remembering the men in the alley. But since she had escaped safely, her fear was already fading. So she chose to act as if it had all been nothing, hoping the memory itself would blur with time.
She also didn’t want Jade Lanon to keep fussing over her. She wished he would drop that heavy, sorrowful gaze.
But instead, her calm words only seemed to stir him further. His face twisted.
“But it wasn’t just a fall, was it? You…”
He stopped suddenly, clenching his fist as if realizing something. Noxia blinked at him in surprise.
“…Your palm is bleeding. You were already hurt, weren’t you?”
His voice softened, but his lake-blue eyes still burned with emotion she couldn’t understand.
“And yet you call this ‘nothing’?” he pressed through gritted teeth.
Noxia frowned.
“It’s only a scrape. You don’t need to worry so much.”
Annoyance was rising. This was supposed to be the peaceful end to her day, yet here she was, standing in the street arguing with a noble she barely knew.
On top of it, her hand stung and her legs ached from running. Jade’s intensity wasn’t helping.
But then he seemed to realize her irritation. His sternness faded, replaced with gentleness.
“Forgive me. I let myself get carried away and made you uncomfortable.”
“N-no, not at all,” Noxia stammered, flustered by his sudden apology. His unpredictable manner left her no chance to scold him properly.
“Allow me to make up for my rudeness. May I treat your wound?”
“…What?”
“There’s a teahouse nearby. Please wait there. I’ll buy medicine and bandages from the pharmacy.”
“Oh—you really don’t have to— …Fine. All right.”
She gave in with a sigh. What was the point of resisting? A highborn young master would do as he pleased regardless.
“Thank you, Lady Decan,” Jade said with a gentle smile.
But Noxia thought his smile seemed strangely sorrowful too—perhaps only a trick of the dim light.
“No, I should thank you, my lord. I appreciate the chance to treat this before I go home.”
Her polite reply only deepened that sadness in his expression, though she told herself again it was just the darkness playing tricks.
And so, just like two days ago, she found herself entering yet another fine teahouse with a nobleman she barely knew. She worried it was becoming a habit.
Though her ankle wasn’t hurt, her legs still trembled from fear and exhaustion. She walked carefully to keep from stumbling. Jade noticed and asked:
“Lady Decan, may I carry you?”
“…What?”
“You look unsteady. It would be quicker and easier if you let me.”
She hesitated, then—like before—sighed and nodded.
“Yes, my lord. Please.”
Better to accept than risk collapsing and causing more trouble.
Her face red, she stood stiffly as Jade calmly approached, arms open.
“Pardon me,” he murmured, then swept her up with ease, as if she were light as a feather.
Noxia gasped at the sudden lift. Her legs dangled helplessly, their bodies close.
“Are you all right, Lady Decan?”
His low voice rumbled right by her ear, his breath tickling her skin. She swallowed hard.
“Yes. I’m fine,” she lied.
In truth, she was anything but fine. Her heart pounded wildly, and she fretted over silly things—like whether she smelled unpleasant, or if he could hear her heartbeat.
He carried her easily down the street. Embarrassed, she hunched her shoulders.
An adult, carried like a child. Everyone must be staring…
“Are you worried about people watching?” Jade asked.
“Eh?”
“If you wish, you can turn your head inward.”
She obeyed automatically, only to regret it immediately. Now her face was pressed against his neck, breathing in his clean, warm scent. Her whole body went rigid with embarrassment.
“This way,” he said at last.
Thankfully, it didn’t last long. He set her down just outside the teahouse, clearly unwilling to carry her inside where everyone could see.
“Please, go in first.”
“…Yes.”
He held the door open. Avoiding his eyes, Noxia entered, her face still burning red.
The capital was nothing like her small hometown, where shops closed at sunset and streets went dark. Here, even at this hour, the streets bustled and businesses stayed open. Pharmacies and teahouses were easy to find.
A server led them to a private room for two. Noxia sank into the soft chair. Jade, before sitting, turned to the server and said smoothly:
“Would you fetch some medicine and bandages from the nearest pharmacy? Antiseptic, ointment, and clean cloth or cotton, please.”
“Of course, sir.”
Jade handed him money, and the man bowed before leaving. Turning back, Jade smiled at Noxia.
“While we wait, shall we have something to drink? What would you like, Lady Decan?”
“Just water is fine.”
“Are you sure? No need to force yourself. The peach tea here is excellent.”
It was a different teahouse than the one Elenon had brought her to, yet the word “peach tea” made her think of the prince.
“…Then, peach tea, please,” she said at last.
Pleased, Jade turned back to the server.
“Two teas—one peach, one mint.”
“Yes, sir. Please wait a moment.”
When the server left, Jade looked back at her. Their eyes met—
And suddenly, Noxia’s head throbbed with a sharp pain.
