Chapter 17
Seven of a Kind
“Seven of a kind,” I said.
The Grand Duke, who had been quietly listening to my passionate explanation, showed a faint smile.
“That was an interesting story,” he said, sounding satisfied as he released my hand.
“But I don’t think I need to hear any more.”
“Huh?”
“Do you know what kind of work is being done in the ducal estate these days?”
Work at the estate?
For a moment, I remembered something from the original story — the Grand Duke was supposed to go to war right after the wedding. He would lead troops to suppress a rebellion in the southern region.
Of course, in the story, Eve’s assassination ruined everything. The Grand Duke was accused of her murder, and the expedition was canceled.
“Are you preparing for war?” I asked.
“That’s right,” he replied. “I’m leaving for the battlefield right after the wedding, so I’ve been hurriedly organizing a new division. I just finished the paperwork before coming here.”
He gave a cold, sarcastic smile.
“I don’t usually enjoy gambling, but especially in times like these, I don’t have the leisure to play card games.”
His expression made it clear — why waste my time on nonsense?
“But you can’t be sure yet,” I said quickly.
Prophecies don’t happen instantly. Time would tell.
“Please wait just one day — or even a few hours. If what I saw really happens…”
I met his eyes.
“Then, please believe me.”
I wasn’t entirely confident — what if my foresight was wrong? — but I decided to take the gamble. Eve truly did have the power of foresight, after all.
Whether he believed my conviction or just wanted to end the conversation, the Grand Duke finally nodded.
“Very well. You have my word.”
That ended our conversation.
I turned to head back toward the Princess’s Palace. The halls were empty, which was fortunate — no one was around to see me.
But as I walked, I heard footsteps behind me.
When I turned around, the Grand Duke had stopped right where he was.
Why was he following me?
“Why are you coming this way?” I asked.
This direction led to the center of the royal palace — to the Princess’s quarters and other royal residences. The exit was the opposite way.
“I’ll escort you to your palace,” he said casually.
“If I cross just one more hallway, I’ll be there,” I replied.
A faint smile touched his lips — a beautiful, disarming smile even in the dark.
It was enough to make my heart skip a beat… until he added,
“It’s not proper to let a lady walk alone at night.”
“…”
Coming from the man who, earlier today, threatened to snap my neck, this talk about manners was absurd.
I gave a small, tired laugh.
“Are you following me because you think I’ll run off somewhere? Or meet someone?”
I’d already shown him all my cards — what more could he suspect?
“That’s not it,” he said calmly.
“I just want to make sure Your Highness returns safely. There are many dangerous people in this palace.”
“…,” I thought dryly.
Right now, he was the most dangerous one here.
But arguing was pointless, so I sighed. “Do as you please.”
I walked on, resigned — but I hadn’t gone more than three steps before he suddenly pulled me toward him.
Startled, I almost screamed, but he pressed a finger to my lips.
“Shh.”
I was about to ask what he was doing when faint footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.
The steps grew louder, clearer, heading straight toward us.
The Grand Duke wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me behind a pillar.
The narrow space barely fit one person — now I was pressed tightly against his chest.
But there was no time to react. The footsteps were close.
A moment later, the figure appeared — reflected in the window glass beside us.
A young man in a formal knight’s uniform.
The moment I saw his hair, I froze.
Silver, like moonlight. Pure, shining silver hair that gleamed even in the darkness.
I instantly knew who he was.
Mikhail Sheldon — vice-captain of the Imperial Knights, and the male lead of the novel.
‘Why is he here?’
I hadn’t expected to meet him like this.
Well, he was stationed in the palace, but still — what rotten luck.
Of all moments to meet the male lead, it had to be now.
‘I’ve been here five days and never ran into him once… until this.’
Please, just walk past, I prayed silently.
But Mikhail suddenly stopped and turned toward our direction.
“Who’s there?” he called.
When no answer came, he quickly drew his sword. The moonlight gleamed along its blue blade, casting a long shadow across the corridor.
The shadow crept closer.
What do we do?
There was nowhere else to hide.
Then, the Grand Duke drew me closer still. His low voice brushed against my ear.
“Your Highness, please close your eyes.”
At first, I didn’t understand — until I saw his hand reach toward his left sleeve.
My heart stopped.
I knew this scene — the Grand Duke always kept a dagger hidden in that sleeve.
“No!” I whispered urgently, grabbing his wrist.
Was he planning to kill Mikhail? That would ruin everything!
Even in the dark, I saw his brow furrow slightly.
Then — footsteps.
Mikhail had reached us.
“Your Grace, what are you—” he began, then stopped cold when he saw me.
“Your Highness!”
He immediately sheathed his sword and bowed deeply.
Before I could respond, the Grand Duke spoke coolly behind me.
“Sir Sheldon. If you interrupt a rendezvous, an apology should come first.”
A rendezvous?!
Mikhail’s green eyes flickered with surprise — and a faint flush spread across his face.
“My apologies, Your Highness,” he said awkwardly.
“It’s not—” I started, then stopped myself. Denying it would only raise more suspicion.
So I bit my tongue.
Before the Duke could add more nonsense, I stepped forward.
“Sir Sheldon,” I said firmly. “Please keep tonight’s encounter a secret.”
I met his eyes.
“If you do, I’ll keep the secret of the third brick.”
Mikhail froze, clearly shocked.
The third brick — in the north library’s stone wall, left side, middle row. It could be pulled out by hand.
That’s where Mikhail and Sorel secretly exchanged letters — not love letters yet, just notes about daily palace life.
When Sorel struggled to adapt to palace life, Mikhail would comfort her, telling stories of his own hardships as a new knight.
Through those secret letters, they slowly built a friendship.
And sometimes, when trouble arose in the palace, Mikhail passed her useful information that way.
Of course, that little secret was known only to Mikhail and Sorel.
