Chapter 10
From somewhere, a small pouch flew through the air and hit the man squarely in the face. With a dull thud, he fell backward, bleeding and losing consciousness.
Only then did Zerden realize the presence of the man. On the ground lay the dagger the man had dropped.
It had almost been dangerous. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed the man coming so close.
Zerden furrowed his brow sharply.
‘Who… was that?’
Looking forward to identify his helper, Zerden saw Rubelia, panting heavily.
“……Rubelia?”
“Ah, this is tough.”
Rubelia let out a sigh, too out of breath to respond properly to Zerden.
When she had arrived following that unknown feeling, she had been startled.
But there was no time to just watch—seeing that Zerden was about to be stabbed, she had quickly thrown the pouch and struck the man.
She hadn’t planned to throw it, but there was nothing else she could use at the moment.
Against her worry, it hit the man perfectly, causing him to bleed from both nostrils.
‘So that’s why I suddenly felt such a bad feeling.’
It seemed that she had sensed Zerden’s danger.
After all, God had asked her to save Zerden and given her a special ability for that purpose, saying she would realize it when she met him.
Zerden waited until Rubelia caught her breath before speaking.
“What are you doing here?”
“Just… taking a walk?”
Rubelia couldn’t exactly say, “I felt something was wrong.”
“Here?”
In this desolate alley, the most secluded of places? Zerden narrowed his eyes.
“I’ve been into this game lately—finding paths that only I know.”
Rubelia said it proudly. Zerden looked even more confused but didn’t press further.
No matter how she ended up here, she had saved his life.
The dagger’s blackened blade suggested poison. Even a slight scratch would have been fatal.
The important thing was that she had saved him—twice now, including the incident in the city.
If it hadn’t been Rubelia, he would have suspected some rare coincidence or a trap, thinking someone had planned to approach him.
But it was clear she hadn’t done any of it intentionally. Since accepting her as a provisional friend, she had become his only trusted ally.
“First, let’s get out of here.”
The smell of blood inside the building was unpleasant, and it was not something she needed to see.
“Okay. Nobody’s hurt, right?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Rubelia smiled brightly in relief. Zerden looked at her with deep, dark eyes.
Once out of the alley, Zerden called the guard knights to arrest the criminals lying unconscious in the hideout.
“Do you have anything to do today?” Zerden asked Rubelia.
“Yes.”
Rubelia said confidently. Zerden looked slightly disappointed.
“I’m just going to be a caterpillar today, wiggling around.”
She smiled happily, clearly enjoying this simple plan.
“I see. I was thinking of stopping by the dessert shop for you.”
Since she had saved his life today, of course, Zerden didn’t intend to reward her with just dessert.
“Yes. I’ll head to the dessert shop now.”
Rubelia suddenly changed her mind and smiled brightly.
“Let’s go.”
Zerden smiled faintly at her openness and followed.
But then, Rubelia’s expression suddenly stiffened.
“W-what should I do……”
She had accidentally locked eyes with Hasedian.
‘I should have stayed home to rest.’
It had been a rare day without visits from Hasedian or Aria, and she had planned to relax at home.
Now, seeing Hasedian, she realized what he might do next. She had to run—escape his grasp!
“Zerden, run!”
Without hesitation, she grabbed Zerden’s hand and started running.
Zerden, caught off guard, had to run without understanding why.
Her expression was serious, urgent, and frowning. For now, it was best to follow her lead—especially since she had just saved him.
But Rubelia was running too slowly, even slower than a tired Zerden.
Without thinking, Zerden scooped her up in his arms.
“Huh?”
“I guess I’d be faster this way. If it’s uncomfortable, I can put you down.”
There was no reason to do this, but Zerden couldn’t ignore her urgency. To him, she looked like someone fleeing an assassin.
“Go, Zerden, go!”
Rubelia encouraged him without hesitation. She realized it was better for Zerden to carry her, especially after using up her energy getting to the alley where he had been attacked.
Encouraged by her, Zerden ran with renewed vigor. The fatigue he had felt moments ago vanished while carrying her.
But the relief was brief.
Zerden had to stop at a dead-end. Hasedian, who had been chasing them, stopped as well, scowling at Zerden and Rubelia in his arms.
“Miss Rubelia, don’t worry. I will save you.”
Hasedian spoke resolutely, as if facing a world-class rebel. Rubelia gave a look of disbelief.
‘What crazy cat is barking like that?’
They had been running to escape someone, yet Hasedian clearly misunderstood.
“You’re making a huge mistake,” Zerden thought, equally incredulous.
He had suspected someone was chasing her, but not that it would be Hasedian.
“Even if you love Miss Stein, you won’t win her heart by kidnapping her.”
Rubelia was delicate, and being kidnapped in a busy street must have been terrifying.
“I’ve never heard the Duke was crazy… but he’s bold.”
Zerden’s cold gaze silenced Hasedian.
“Release her immediately.”
“Why should I?”
Hasedian bristled at Zerden’s confident demand. How dare he interfere?
“Words won’t work, then.”
Hasedian moved as if to attack, and Zerden’s gaze hardened.
“You better be prepared. Even a duke will face serious consequences for trying to assassinate a Grand Duke.”
Hasedian flinched. Seeing Rubelia in Zerden’s arms, he only just realized who Zerden was.
“…Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”
Hasedian saluted stiffly. He had thought Zerden was a crazy kidnapper, but he was the Grand Duke.
Zerden smirked coldly.
“Turns out he wasn’t crazy—just completely lost his mind.”
Rubelia silently marveled. He had realized Hasedian was insane immediately.
“You didn’t expect me to care for Miss Rubelia, did you?”
Hasedian was temporarily flustered by Zerden’s identity, but quickly regained his aggression.
“I didn’t know you liked Rubelia.”
Zerden twisted his lips, amused.
“Of course! Anyone who meets Miss Rubelia would fall for her.”
Hasedian looked at him dismissively.
“So you were blind before, now you can see and like her?”
“Yes. Before, my eyes were clouded; now the darkness is gone.”
“I see. But your current behavior doesn’t exactly show affection.”
“What do you mean…!”
Hasedian was outraged, feeling insulted and shocked that Zerden’s affection wasn’t obvious.
“If you truly like someone, shouldn’t you show consideration?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Before, you hurt her to keep her away; now, you act selfishly because you like her.”
Rubelia nodded vigorously in agreement—she really trusted her provisional friend.
“I didn’t mean it like that! I was just so happy seeing her that my heart would burst!”
Hasedian, shocked, tried to explain, but Rubelia shook her head.
‘No. You really didn’t like me then. Now it’s just God messing with things.’
Zerden interjected firmly.
“Those are your concerns. Rubelia doesn’t have to care about your excuses.”
Rubelia nodded vigorously. His words were just, like a true adult.
Hasedian was speechless, unable to respond immediately.
“I agree with Your Grace, but shouldn’t you also show consideration for the person you like?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re kidnapping her right now.”
Hasedian glared at Zerden.
“I’m not kidnapping her. I’m just helping her escape.”
Rubelia realized she needed to speak. Otherwise, Hasedian would attack Zerden for “kidnapping” her.
“Actually… I’m the one kidnapping Zerden.”
Rubelia said it boldly, taking control of the situation.
