IYSMF 06

~Chapter 6~

“I won’t believe you even if you say it’s not true anymore.”

“Not believe what?”

Spen huffed, glaring at Hayden from inside the carriage.

Spen, the commander of the Valoran Knights, was skilled, loyal, and a fine man in every way. But even he rarely spoke to his master so boldly. Yet he held a special place for Hayden.

A loyal family had served the Valoran Dukes for generations, who, with the blood of wolf-men running through their veins, lived longer than ordinary people.

In a world like the Ether Empire, where beasts were considered inferior, the Amott family understood how strong wolf-men were and what power loyalty to them could bring. They had faithfully served the Valorans for generations, which is why Spen held Hayden in particular regard. Hayden’s naturally indifferent personality didn’t hurt either.

“You’ve been imprinted by Lady Troid, haven’t you?”

“Nope.”

“Then why are you going to the Troid household now?”

Hayden avoided Spen’s persistent gaze and looked out the window. There wasn’t a particular reason—he just happened to think of her that night, and remembered the concern in her voice. It frustrated him.

It wasn’t love. What he felt was a rare curiosity, something he’d never experienced before.

In the Valoran family, those with wolf blood only imprint on one woman in their lifetime. Having watched his parents suffer a tragic death caused by love, Hayden had sworn never to imprint on anyone.

Spen had his reasons for nagging persistently.

“I’m going to check on a business matter.”

“Haha. Since when did that concern you?”

“Why are you getting so arrogant?”

Ahem. When Hayden showed a serious face, Spen immediately shifted back to a loyal expression, as if nothing had happened.

So the two of them headed to the Troid household, where Serna was.

I wish someone would just ease this awkwardness.

As I entered the sitting room, the Valoran Duke was there, still wearing his stern expression but now with a faint smile, and next to him stood a red-haired man, looking sullen, clearly unhappy with the situation.

I forced a smile and calmly approached, sitting in front of them. How long had it been since we finalized our deal? It didn’t feel like long.

Somehow, the Duke seemed slightly more excited than before. Perhaps he was curious about the progress of my business. Reclining elegantly on the sofa, legs crossed, he still had a look in his eyes that was hard to read.

“I apologize for coming without notice and making you wait. Please forgive the rudeness.”

If he was this curious about the business, it made sense that the Duke, who rarely left his residence, had come himself. But I was exhausted from my tense encounter with Daezia in the market. He could have at least sent a letter beforehand.

I said this with a touch of sarcasm, but the Duke merely responded with his usual gentle smile, indifferent as ever. The red-haired man next to him let out a rough breath, as if suppressing his own frustration.

“May I ask the reason for your visit?”

“I came to check. I’ve been curious….”

“He says he’s very curious about your business. He wants to see your plans, designs, and so on.”

Huh? Something seemed off. Unlike the composed Duke, the man next to him was sweating profusely. Why is he like this?

“Ah, I should have sent you a letter in advance. Please wait a moment; I’ll bring the plan. Anna, could you fetch the plans from my room?”

“Yes, Lady.”

I asked Anna, who had just appeared. Once she left, the sitting room was filled only with the clinking of teacups, and the awkward tension returned. I had nothing to say, and knew nothing about the Duke—this was pure torture.

“Um… it must be far from the Valoran residence to here, right? You must be tired from coming all this way.”

“It’s not far, but it felt long.”

Not far, yet felt long… typical of him. Like the first time, he was unpredictable.

Whenever the Duke spoke, the man next to him fidgeted, unsure what to do, like a person standing next to a ticking time bomb. Who exactly is this guy?

“And who is the person beside you…?”

“Oh, I’m Spen Amott, commander of the Valoran Knights and an aide to the Duke.”

“Nice to meet you. As you know, I’m Serna Shube Troid. You can call me Serna.”

“No.”

The answer didn’t come from Spen, but from the Duke. When I finished my introduction with a smile, the Duke’s face twisted.

What’s not allowed? He frowned openly, clearly displeased. Spen glanced at him and awkwardly smiled at me.

“Haha. The Duke is concerned I might make a mistake with you, Lady. Please call me as you like—it’s more comfortable that way.”

“Alright… I’ll do as you prefer.”

I gave a polite smile. The Valoran household, both master and subordinate, seemed strange. They looked ordinary, but were unpredictable.

A Duke who turns into a wolf, and a subordinate who shrinks into a timid, puppy-like figure—they actually seemed to complement each other.

Watching the Duke elegantly sip his tea today, I almost lost myself in his handsome face. His silver hair looked exquisite in the morning light, and his loosely draped shirt fit him perfectly. He ran his long fingers through his hair, and I couldn’t help but stare.

Then our eyes met.

The Duke smiled slightly.

With that face, I thought foolishly, “Even if I were betrayed hundreds of times, I wouldn’t mind.” I had decided to rely only on money, yet here I was thinking I could be betrayed again and it would be fine…

Luckily, Anna returned with the plans, helping me shake off the intoxicating feeling. I was grateful for her presence.

“Please take a look. Most of the work is finished, and once we have the designers and magicians, we’ll be ready to open.”

The Duke took the plans in one hand, reading carefully. At one point, his gaze lingered for quite a while.

“Orbi—is that magician a man?”

The question was unexpected, asked in a serious tone.

“Yes, he’s a male magician. I helped him as a child, and he kindly offered to repay the favor.”

I smiled as I answered, and the Duke’s brows furrowed slightly. Even with that expression, he remained undeniably handsome.

“Working with ordinary craftsmen is slow, and I don’t have the capacity to hire many yet. So I plan to start with Orbi, and hire more craftsmen as the business expands.”

“I see.”

It felt like presenting a project to the head of a company. I kept my racing heart in check, watching his reactions. If he changed his mind, the business would collapse—so I had to carefully maintain his favor. Capitalism at its finest.

After reading the plans carefully, the Duke set them down on the table. I watched his mouth nervously.

“I’d like to see the shop, Lady.”

“I’ll choose the furniture today, and the interior work will be finished in a few days. Will you come then?”

“Very well. Until that day….”

“I’ll send a letter, Lady Troid. It’s getting late, so we should leave now, Duke.”

Spen interrupted, emphasizing the Duke’s words. He glanced at both of them curiously, and smiled awkwardly.

“I’ll send the letter once I’m ready. Thank you for coming today.”

“You’re welcome. Then.”

As they prepared to leave, I suddenly remembered the Duke’s injury and grabbed the hem of his shirt. Spen, unaware, left the room first, leaving only the Duke and me.

Ah, I shouldn’t have done that.

“What is it?”

“Are you alright? Your injury… last time.”

I pointed at his waist. He shrugged, as if it was nothing.

“Glad to hear. Please take care, Duke.”

“You’re worried about that?”

As I stepped back, he glanced at the shirt I had touched, then back at me. That same expression—the one that said he didn’t understand. So curious.

“This is just a courtesy greeting. Not worry.”

I smiled and explained, and finally the Duke turned away. Spen, noticing the Duke hadn’t left, quickly returned to his side. He gave me a nod and guarded the Duke as they disappeared.

Once they were gone, Anna rushed in, chattering excitedly.

“Lady… I was right, wasn’t I?”

“About what? My hands are shaking from the tension, what do I do?”

Seeing Anna’s excited face, I pretended to exaggerate my reaction. Honestly, I was genuinely tense.

She massaged my hands while talking.

“Did you see the Duke’s eyes? He practically poured honey on you.”

“Not honey, dreams. He liked my business plans. He recognized the talent.”

It was clear: the Duke’s visit and his nods at the plan meant this would be a successful business.

I answered confidently, and Anna gave me a look like, “Seriously, why are you like this?”

“You really have no sense when it comes to men,” she said.

“What do you mean? I’m precise and confident.”

“Seeing men, I mean.”

Sigh. Anna muttered to herself, leaving the sitting room:

“You should wash up and get ready for bed.”

Why say that to me? Does she think someone as clueless as me would ever have a heart-melting gaze for men?

It felt like I had dreamed a soft, white dream. Floating carefree on clouds.

Waking up pleasantly, I almost fainted again when I saw a man leaning against the window, smiling. I couldn’t even scream.

Blinking with half-awake eyes, I saw a familiar face. Could it really be him…?

“Orbi?!”

“You’re awake?”

His platinum hair fluttered in the breeze. His smooth skin and casual attire confirmed it was Orbi.

Though quite different from the boy I remembered, he still smelled like a grown man—and remained handsome.

“Why did you come into the room like that?”

“Serna, you’re finally awake.”

“Speaking informally again.”

He shrugged, smiling cheekily. Fine, I was shallowly appearance-obsessed anyway.

Even haughty magicians usually wouldn’t bow to nobles. But if a noble wanted to hold a trial, magicians would be punished—usually lightly, but enough to humble them.

Still, with that face, I could forgive his attitude. Really.

“You’ve grown pretty even now.”

“You were cute as a child too, obviously. When did you arrive?”

“Became bold, maybe? Not long, like three hours ago.”

“Wake up! You’re late, and there’s so much to do!”

“How can I wake up while sleeping?”

Even that sly face was handsome. Seeing him in the morning raised my mood. Orbi stepped closer and placed his hand on my forehead.

“What kind of dream did you have?”

“Don’t know. I can’t remember, but it felt nice.”

“No, you were groaning.”

“Really? I felt really good.”

“You don’t have a fever.”