Chapter 21
“Ugh…!”
“Lady Decan?”
Noxia bit her lip and pressed her temple with her hand, wincing at the sudden pain. Her vision blurred, filled with a strange light.
For an instant, she saw silver-white hair, pale as snowflakes, drifting in the air.
“Lady Decan, are you all right?”
Jade’s urgent voice broke through. The vision vanished at once. Noxia lowered her hand and forced herself to answer.
“Yes… I just had a sudden headache. It’s fine now.”
The pain had already passed. The shimmering silver-white was gone as well.
“…Do you often get headaches like this?”
Jade asked, his voice oddly tense. When Noxia looked up, she saw sharp fear in his deep blue eyes—not simple worry, but something closer to terror.
Why?
It was only a brief headache. And it wasn’t like they were close. Why would he look at her like that? She couldn’t understand.
“No, it almost never happens. I’ve been healthy my whole life. Thank you for asking, my lord.”
She answered honestly, watching his expression carefully. She had always been strong since childhood, rarely sick. Headaches were very rare for her.
“I see… That’s good. Health is the most important thing.”
His tone softened again, his face relaxing into gentle concern. Noxia began to wonder if she had imagined that flash of fear earlier.
Why do strange things keep happening whenever I’m with him?
Every time she was near Jade Lanon, her feelings got confused. One moment she thought his expression was strange, the next it looked normal again. One moment his smile seemed sorrowful, the next it vanished.
She was usually certain about her own thoughts and emotions. But around him, her mind felt scattered—like something was interfering.
As she tried to collect herself, Jade quietly sat across from her. Just then, the door opened. A server entered carrying a tray. It wasn’t the same person as before.
“Here are your drinks. Peach tea and mint tea.”
“Thank you,” Jade replied smoothly.
The young waitress flushed slightly at his voice. Noxia frowned.
What is this? Why do I feel so annoyed?
Jade’s velvety voice, polite manners, and flawless face were enough to make anyone flustered. The waitress’s blush was only natural.
Noxia knew that in her head. But in her heart, she hated it.
Why? What am I even thinking?
She didn’t want that stranger staring at Jade like that. And it was ridiculous—she wasn’t his lover or wife. Yet here she was, prickling with jealousy.
I don’t understand. Why does being with him always feel so strange…?
The first time they met, she had felt an odd joy, like reuniting with an old friend.
The second time, at the royal ball, she had felt fear—unreasonable, overwhelming fear.
And now, the third time, she felt possessive.
Possessive over a man whose hobbies, birthday, family, even favorite food she didn’t know.
At first, she couldn’t even recognize the feeling. But she realized—it was jealousy. It made no sense, yet there it was.
Why me? Why do I feel this way?
No answer came. The waitress left, and with her, the unpleasant tension also faded.
Noxia looked back at Jade as if nothing had happened. He was watching her with a strange expression. When their eyes met, she panicked, worried he had noticed her jealousy. But he said nothing.
“Do you like peaches, Lady Decan?”
“Yes, my lord. I do.”
His gentle question earned her simple, honest answer. But she frowned a little.
Shouldn’t you ask that before recommending peach tea?
Earlier, when she’d said water was enough, he had insisted on peach tea. Luckily, she liked peaches. But what if she hadn’t? What if she were allergic?
Did he not even think of that? Is he just a spoiled noble who doesn’t know how to consider others?
Disappointment welled up in her chest, followed by guilt.
What am I doing, expecting things of him, then getting disappointed?
Whether he was careless or not, it wasn’t her place to judge. They weren’t even close. She would just drink the tea, tend her wound, and that would be the end of it.
“I see. That’s good,” Jade said softly.
His eyes lingered on the pink tea before lifting to hers. He smiled—a smile so flawless it looked sculpted.
“Please, drink as much as you like. I hope the peaches here suit your taste.”
“…Thank you, my lord.”
Her cheeks warmed. That smile was unfair.
Carefully avoiding her scraped palm, she lifted the cup with her fingertips and took a sip. The flavor was deep and gentle. She liked it, though she found it wasn’t as fine as the tea she’d had yesterday with Prince Elenon.
Jade also raised his cup, the scent of mint filling the air. Noxia wondered if that was his usual preference.
I never liked mint—it’s too strong.
But she didn’t say it. They weren’t close enough for such blunt honesty.
He set down his cup, his winter-night eyes resting on her again.
“Lady Decan, do you like living in the capital?”
“…Sorry?”
“I heard you only recently moved here. It must feel unfamiliar. Are you adjusting well?”
“Ah, yes. I’m adjusting fine. Thank you for asking, my lord.”
She wasn’t surprised he knew about her. Of course, someone like him had wide connections in society. He could easily have heard things about her.
The orphan commoner, the country girl, the viscount’s daughter’s friend.
She only worried he might have heard mocking remarks. Her throat dry, she glanced at him.
But his blue eyes held nothing but gentleness.
She relaxed, then scolded herself for letting her heart flutter.
Don’t be foolish. Don’t overthink.
At eighteen, she was the perfect age to dream of romance with a handsome gentleman beyond her station. But Noxia was too practical for that.
Yes, we meet too often by coincidence. Yes, he’s helped me more than once. Yes, he’s unbelievably handsome and kind. But… coincidences are coincidences. Fairy tales are fairy tales. I can’t mistake them for reality.
So she decided not to ask why he kept helping her, or why he wasn’t worried about gossip from being alone with a commoner girl. If those answers mattered, he would tell her himself. If not, then so be it.
It was like when she had sat across from Prince Elenon in the teahouse two days ago. She simply accepted the situation as it was.
Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Jade didn’t press further. After asking about her life, he fell silent, quietly drinking his tea.
Before the silence grew too heavy, the door opened again. The first server returned with medicine and supplies: bottles, bandages, cotton, and scissors.
“Sir, here are the items you requested.”
“Thank you. Please leave them here.”
Jade set down his cup and answered smoothly. The server placed the items on the table and left.
Jade unwrapped the cotton, opened the bottle, and leaned forward toward her.
“Please, give me your hand. I’ll disinfect the wound first.”
“Thank you.”
