Chapter 11
Well, it wasn’t entirely a lie.
She had grabbed Zerden’s hand first and started running.
Thinking of that, Rubelia’s expression became even more confident.
“What strength could a delicate young lady possibly have to kidnap His Grace, the Grand Duke?”
“So… by being carried like this?”
“How….”
Hasedian looked shocked.
If anyone else heard it, they might have thought it was ridiculous, but to Hasedian, it seemed believable.
From his point of view, if she allowed herself to be carried like that, not only could she be kidnapped, but even worse things might happen.
Meanwhile, Rubelia, half-doubting that he would believe her, couldn’t hide her disbelief when she saw Hasedian actually believing her.
What kind of mindset allows someone to believe that?
Seizing the opportunity, Rubelia quickly spoke:
“Then I’m very busy right now… in the middle of kidnapping Zerden, so I’ll take my leave….”
With that, she tugged at Zerden’s coat, signaling him to move. Zerden, understanding her signal, quietly followed without a word.
“Not allowed!”
For a moment, Hasedian blocked their path and shouted.
“Daring to block my way now?”
Zerden looked at Hasedian coldly.
“But, milady….”
“Didn’t she just say? I’m not kidnapping her; she’s kidnapping me. I should follow her will and be ‘kidnapped.’ Step aside. If you continue to block my way without good reason, consider it a challenge to me.”
No matter how much of a duke Hasedian was, he was not above the Grand Duke.
By position alone, Zerden’s attitude could already be considered a problem if someone wanted to complain.
Hasedian had no choice but to step aside.
How could he stop her when she claimed she was kidnapping him?
Turning the Grand Duke’s household against himself would be foolish, and if Rubelia disliked him because of it, it would be disastrous.
Hasedian watched Rubelia walk past him, his eyes filled with longing, like Romeo who had just lost Juliet.
“Wow.”
Rubelia cheered inwardly at how easily they had escaped the situation.
The Grand Duke was truly the best.
With him, nothing seemed scary. Even that annoying duke could be brushed aside.
Rubelia smiled brightly, as if she had found a rare and precious treasure, looking at Zerden.
Seeing her smile, Zerden froze for a moment.
For some reason, it felt like light was shining from Rubelia.
“The dessert….”
“Right! Dessert!”
Rubelia covered her mouth with her hands, realizing she almost forgot something important because of Hasedian.
Zerden couldn’t bring himself to say they would have dessert later.
“If it’s alright, I could have dessert served at the Grand Duke’s residence.”
“Is it tasty?”
“At least, it won’t be bad.”
“Then let’s go!”
Rubelia shouted confidently.
When Zerden returned to the Grand Duke’s house with Rubelia, the household was in an uproar.
They had already suspected something between Zerden and Rubelia after her previous visit, but now there was no doubt.
‘Finally, Master…’
The longtime butler shed a quiet tear inside. He had worried Zerden would live alone, uninterested in women.
Although Rubelia was a young lady of a marquis house with a bad reputation, the butler trusted Zerden’s judgment.
“Prepare the dessert immediately,” Zerden said outwardly to the butler, who looked serious but calm.
“…Dessert, you say?”
“Yes. Make it the best.”
“Understood.”
It was hard to believe Zerden was talking about dessert, but the butler kept a calm face. Surely, it was for the lovely future Grand Duchess.
Rubelia was already becoming the Grand Duchess in the butler’s eyes.
Soon after Zerden and Rubelia arrived in the parlor, a maid brought the dessert.
“Wow.”
The steaming desserts looked delicious just by appearance. Rubelia stared at them as if she might drool.
“…Is it that good?”
“Sweet things are always the best! Sweet, salty, sweet, sweet, sweet!”
Rubelia said, her eyes sparkling.
Zerden looked confused. He hated sweet things, so her excitement seemed strange.
Still, seeing her so happy didn’t feel bad. It actually felt good.
“I hope it suits your taste.”
“Of course.”
Rubelia nodded confidently, then proudly dug a fork into a piece of dessert.
“Hmm?”
Zerden was momentarily surprised when the dessert came toward him instead of her mouth.
“As a sign of gratitude?”
Rubelia smiled with a playful eye smile.
Zerden hesitated. Normally, he would have refused sweets immediately. But because Rubelia offered it with that sparkling gaze, he couldn’t refuse.
Eventually, he accepted the dessert and ate it.
Rubelia was truly a fascinating woman.
Even in front of him, she remained composed and boldly offered him dessert.
For some reason, Zerden felt he could never act the same way toward anyone else.
If she wanted something, he felt he had to give it to her.
“Now me too!”
Rubelia smiled brightly and took a piece of dessert herself. As she ate, her expression relaxed.
‘Wow, this dessert is amazing.’
Had they gone to a regular city dessert shop, she would have regretted it.
This dessert was the best she had ever eaten.
‘I want to eat this every day.’
While the marquis house’s chefs made good desserts, the Grand Duke’s desserts were… indescribably better.
Rubelia could even consider staying at the Grand Duke’s house just for the dessert.
She remembered the events before coming here. Zerden was incredible, strong, and skilled—enough to handle even a duke like Hasedian.
That meant neither Hasedian nor Aria could easily find her while she stayed here.
She didn’t need to hide or wander the city to avoid them.
‘This is perfect.’
It was truly two benefits in one. Being here often would also help her become closer friends with Zerden.
Rubelia made a decision.
“Can I live here?”
Zerden said nothing.
“I mean… can I come visit the Grand Duke’s house every day? If that’s too much, every two days, or twice a week… or even just stand at the front entrance?”
She didn’t want to bother him but wanted to be around.
“Even if not every day, coming every two days should be fine.”
“I’ll be like a piece of furniture, quietly here like a wall.”
“No need to go that far.”
She promised not to bother him, and Zerden said she could ask the butler or maid if she needed anything.
After getting Zerden’s permission, Rubelia really visited every two days as promised.
She chatted with him, took walks, or spent time alone reading.
The Grand Duke’s house had many books not found in the marquis library, and the desserts were even better every visit.
‘This place feels more comfortable than home.’
No need to worry about Hasedian or Aria visiting, and the staff were extremely kind.
Rubelia reflected:
‘Such attention to detail… This is paradise.’
She even considered staying here permanently.
‘I have to do something eventually…’
So far, she had only become Zerden’s friend and hadn’t figured out why he might rebel.
‘It’s probably not just because he wants to be emperor.’
Rubelia’s instincts told her Zerden was not a bad person, which meant there must be some unavoidable reason for him to rebel.
She fell into deep thought.
“I really can’t ask to live here forever…”
