Chapter 13
“P-please! Spare me! I’ll do anything if you just let me live!”
Kellen, who had always ruled the social scene in dazzling splendor, was now locked in a dark underground prison at the cliff edge of the Valoran estate. In Serna’s words, he looked like a complete beggar.
“Please, I beg you! I’ll do whatever you say!”
Gone was his proud, haughty demeanor. Clinging to Hayden’s pants, tears and snot streaming down his face, Kellen’s appearance was pitiful.
His face was swollen, probably from the beating he had received, and his hair was a tangled mess from rolling on the damp floor.
“I never said I would kill you.”
Hayden, as always, exuded a languid, unhurried aura, like a predator before a small prey.
Even in the darkness of the prison, his silver hair caught the light, and his loosely worn shirt made him seem even more relaxed.
“Wh-why are you doing this, Your Grace? I’ll do whatever you ask!”
Kellen’s trembling form was almost heart-wrenching. Knowing his life rested in Hayden’s hands, he pressed his body flat against the floor and begged with utter desperation.
Hayden let out a soft chuckle as he regarded Kellen, who seemed no more significant than a mere fly.
“Spenn. Bring it.”
Spenn retrieved paper and a pen at Hayden’s command.
Hayden, with his unblemished hand, grabbed Kellen’s face and held a sheet of paper before his eyes. The bloodied, swollen skin smudged Hayden’s hand slightly.
“You only need to stamp your seal here.”
“Wh-what… is this?”
Kellen squinted at the paper with his puffy eyes and froze as he realized its content:
I, Kellen Pyro Count, hereby acknowledge that I forcibly took the Troid family’s trade ship without the consent of Serna Schube Troid, who was managing the estate on behalf of the ailing Count Calvert Troid. I sincerely apologize for my actions and pledge to accept the consequences of my past crimes, and I promise to return the Troid family’s trade ship.
It was a written confession of his crime regarding the Troid trade ship.
Kellen trembled as if even the act of admitting his guilt himself was humiliating.
Of course, none of the document’s contents were false. Everything listed was indeed Kellen’s own wrongdoing—but why was Valoran, not Serna, making him do this? He could not comprehend it.
Looking at Hayden’s smiling face in the shadows, Kellen could not help but wet himself. The man before him was breathtakingly handsome, yet his face held no mercy, no trace of pity.
Eventually, Kellen forced his finger into the ring seal and pressed it onto the document. Hayden’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
Just as Kellen tried to feel relief at that smile—
Thunk!
“Ugh!”
With a dull sound, Kellen collapsed onto the dirty floor.
Spenn, who had read the faint trace of ‘anger’ in Hayden’s otherwise indifferent face, silently offered a handkerchief.
Hayden wiped his hands clean with it and tossed the bloodied cloth onto Kellen’s face.
“Let this day remain a secret between the two of us.”
The memory of Hayden’s expression would forever haunt Kellen as a nightmare.
Later, Serna, Orbi, and Anna shared a small, humble meal.
The chaos caused by Kellen’s intrusion had cast a shadow over the celebratory mood. Orbi, usually gentle and calm, had a rare, cold expression of displeasure.
Still, this was a small celebration for Serenade’s grand opening, and Serna wanted to make the day special for Anna and Orbi, who had worked so hard.
“Shall we make a toast?”
I raised my glass of red wine, breaking the awkward silence. I really didn’t like this suffocating atmosphere.
“To Serenade.”
Orbi accepted the toast. His cold features softened into a smile as our glasses clinked.
The sweet, slightly sharp scent of the grapes trickled down my throat. Kellen was over, and Serenade had opened safely. This was the first step of my reborn life in this new world.
“Thanks for helping today. Eat plenty, everyone.”
“Miss Serna, were you pleased to see that nobleman earlier?”
Orbi downed his wine at once and asked, his gray eyes fixed on me, seemingly waiting for my answer.
“Probably, yes. Let’s not mention that guy again.”
“You have no eyes for anything but beauty, huh?”
“Don’t tease me. I’ll kick you out.”
I pouted, and he laughed. His eyes still carried a hint of anger, but I let it slide. After all, it was over between us, wasn’t it?
“Miss, you were amazing today. I’ve always worried about you. I wondered if you’d cry or be upset—but today, you didn’t.”
“You cried, Serna?”
Anna… must we really talk about that now? I tried to signal her to stop, but she continued jabbering.
“Now you eat properly, smile more, and stand up to Count Pyro! You were impressive and admirable today.”
“Anna? Looks like you’ve had a little wine. You’re tipsy already.”
“No! I’m fine~ I just want Serenade to succeed. So that no one can ever look down on Miss Serna again.”
“Haha… she’s something else. I think I need some fresh air.”
It was best to leave at this point. I awkwardly smiled and stood up. Orbi tried to follow.
“Come with me, Miss Serna.”
“No, I’ll go alone. Take care of Anna.”
He tried to protest, but I convinced him to stay seated while I left the dining area and opened the front door.
Though the garden wasn’t perfectly maintained, its little quirks—the uneven grass, missing flowers, oddly shaped trees—brought me peace.
Rustle—
Scratch that peaceful feeling.
Late at night, walking alone through the dark garden, my heart shrank at every small sound. Something moved in the bushes…
A tuft of familiar white fur poked out. I’d seen this before somewhere.
Gathering courage, I reached toward it. The soft fur brushed my hand, and the tuft twitched and jumped.
“Ah!!”
Startled, I screamed. The furred creature also seemed frightened, its blue eyes wide, holding a single rose in its mouth.
Could it be…?
“Duke Valoran?”
The big dog-like creature darted into the shadows of the garden.
No, it wasn’t just the animal. Soon, a human figure appeared in the darkness.
“Uh?”
It really was the Duke.
The perfect, cold-looking Duke now stood before me, awkwardly brushing a leaf from his hair, one hand behind his back.
“How did you get here?”
“I realized I hadn’t properly congratulated you earlier…”
Why not just come inside? And why was he acting like a puppy peeking around the bushes?
I shifted the topic.
“Where’s that flower? Are you going to give it to me?”
“Oh.”
He hesitated, then extended his hand, revealing the rose that the dog had carried earlier.
It wasn’t lavishly wrapped or especially beautiful—just a rough rose—but it warmed my heart.
“Thank you. Is this an opening gift?”
“I’ve never given a gift before, so I prepared this in a hurry.”
“So I’m the first person to ever receive a gift from you?”
I teased him, and he blushed, ears turning red. His shy expression was endearing.
Why did I find Duke Valoran so cute?
Then, the memory of the shop incident flashed through my mind. His large strides, imposing presence, cold but intoxicating scent…
I quickly averted my thoughts and reached for the leaf clinging to his hair.
“Wait a moment.”
I stepped closer, and the air between us felt tense. Removing the leaf, we were left in awkward silence.
Beautiful sea-blue eyes. What would it feel like if he looked at me with affection? I foolishly imagined.
Then I saw it. Something I shouldn’t have.
“Is this… from me?”
A mark, like a kiss, was visible on his shirt collar—the undeniable proof of what I had done that day.
Heat rushed to my face. I could practically feel my hair boiling.
Hayden slowly rubbed his own neck, noticed my reddened face, and smiled gently as if amused.
“Do you remember?”
“Ah, n-no? I don’t remember.”
“It seems too late to pretend not to know.”
“No, I really don’t remember.”
“Alright. Since we agreed to keep it a secret, I won’t ask further.”
I held the rose to my nose, trying to hide my blush, wishing I could leave before dying of embarrassment.
“I should go now.”
“Oh, have some food while you’re here. It’s a small opening party.”
Of course, that was just a polite lie. I had no intention of sitting and eating with him yet.
He laughed lightly. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for the congratulations.”
The Duke turned and walked deeper into the dark garden. Why did he go that way?
Ah, the answer was soon clear. A white wolf, leaping over the tall wall, watched me intently.
Because the only visitor yesterday was that scoundrel Kellen, and now the shop was empty.
“Miss, cheer up.”
Anna, dusting the display cases with soft brown feathers, sighed and offered a comforting word.
“It’s only the first day,” she said.
Yes, the first day is usually the busiest for a new shop. But I didn’t say that aloud, knowing she would worry even more.
Despite Serna’s poor social reputation, surely at least someone—middle-class with money—would visit out of curiosity.
Why was not a single person entering?
“Miss Serna! You’re the owner of Serenade! You can’t just sit there! People will be even less likely to come if they see you like this.”
“But no one passes by anyway.”
Ding.
Before I could finish, the door to Serenade opened.
A clean-faced young man peeked in, looking around shyly.
“Welcome!”
I sprang to greet him. Anna’s eyes lit up as well.
“I…”
“Yes, speak freely!”
“I, um…”
“Go on.”
“U-uh…”
“My… my…”
“Propose!”
“Yes! That’s right!”
The young man blushed pink and nodded vigorously. How sweet. He seemed much younger than me, yet he was about to propose.
In this world, most debutantes marry soon after their debut, so he was likely old enough.
Serna had almost been betrothed to Kellen, so this was not entirely surprising.
Seeing this shy young man brightened my mood. I guided him to the sofa inside the shop.
“For a proposal, a ring is essential. A diamond ring is perfect.”
“But I…”
Again, he faltered, unable to finish his sentence. How could someone so timid handle love?
“Speak freely. I’m ready to hear you.”
“I… actually don’t have much money.”
He looked like he might cry. His clothing was neat but modest, probably lower-class.
He fiddled with his fingers, glancing at me for reassurance.
“Diamond rings are expensive, right?”
“Mm.”
No diamonds are truly cheap, but looking at his anxious face, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.
“One doesn’t need a diamond to propose.”
And yet, I was the type to feel unnecessary sympathy. He looked startled.
“Every gem has a meaning. Diamonds symbolize eternity, which is why they’re used for proposals.”
“Other gems have meaning too?”
“Of course. Who is this person to you?”
He flushed like a ripe tomato at the thought of someone.
“I… I’m just a poor commoner… and she is a noble.”
Hm. I had a feeling I was about to hear something extraordinary. Somehow, I just knew I would want to help him after hearing this.
I’ve translated up to the point where the young man confesses he is poor and his love is a noblewoman, setting up the proposal scene. The chapter naturally continues from here with Serna preparing to craft a meaningful ring for him.
