Chapter 29. The Strange Man (2)
“Sigh…”
Elluciana let out a deep breath, lightly hitting the half-finished flower basket.
“So you came to find me… because of this?”
Trisha’s request was simple.
“It’s at 1 p.m. Please make sure to deliver it exactly on time, and don’t forget the confirmation slip, my lady.”
“Me?”
“Yes. One of the contract conditions is that the finished product must be delivered directly by a staff member from Fragrant Garden. So it has to be you.”
“So, where do I need to deliver it?”
“To the Marquis of Klaus.”
If it were just making one more flower basket, she could’ve handled it. But a noble lady delivering flowers? That was a completely different matter.
What if someone recognized her?
‘I’d be completely shunned by high society.’
The bigger issue was Simon’s reputation. Already pushed to a minor post, this kind of rumor could be fatal.
Elluciana rubbed her aching forehead and sat down.
“This is really bad.”
Of all things, the client who ordered the flower basket was the Count of Eragost, so canceling the contract wasn’t an option.
Though not on the level of the Grand Duke of Sestane, the Count of Eragost held considerable power.
“If she’s asking me, then the main store must not have any staff to spare.”
It seemed like everyone was busy trying to meet the Grand Duke’s overwhelming demands.
Elluciana grabbed her hair in frustration and glared at the flower basket. But the answer was already clear in her mind.
She let out a low groan.
“Whatever the case, I should just finish the flower basket first.”
Trisha’s guilty face popped into her mind, and Elluciana muttered with forced nonchalance,
“…If I just pull my hood down tightly, it should be fine.”
Maybe it wasn’t as dangerous as she feared. The House of Wires was already a thing of the past.
This worry was probably just her imagination.
With a bitter smile, Elluciana picked up the half-trimmed purple flower.
It was then.
Suddenly, the shop door burst open and a man ran inside.
“…?”
The man caught his breath, shut the door behind him, and muttered softly.
“Phew… I was almost spotted.”
Holding the flower, Elluciana watched him, confused, before snapping out of it.
“Um… who are you?”
The man quickly looked behind him, then brought his index finger to his lips and whispered,
“My lady, just a moment.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Shh—can you just be quiet for a bit? I’m in a bit of a rush.”
With a friendly wink, he gave her a warm smile and carefully peeked outside.
As if hiding from someone.
Unable to stand it, Elluciana circled the worktable and approached him.
“Excuse me, sir?”
The man slowly turned around with a relaxed smile. Apparently, the danger outside had passed, and now he seemed at ease.
He stepped closer and said with a teasing grin,
“My lady, did you fall for me? You missed me after just a moment apart?”
Elluciana was momentarily stunned. Not only had he barged into someone else’s shop, but now he was spouting nonsense like this?
‘What the hell? Is this guy beautifully insane?’
The man looked seriously into her eyes.
His rare violet eyes gleamed with an alluring light, like precious gems. Entranced, Elluciana forgot to scold him and just stared.
“This is trouble. If you’re this out of it, I can’t even ask for a favor. I’d feel bad.”
His sweet, coaxing voice tickled her ears—charming and smooth enough to disarm anyone.
Just as the man’s smile deepened and he stepped closer—
“Stop right there!”
Elluciana thrust both hands forward to block him. She’d almost been seduced by that silky voice.
‘You cannot get involved with this guy. Focus, Luci!’
She thought she was used to good-looking men thanks to Astein, but this man was dangerous in a whole different way.
‘This isn’t his first time bewitching someone.’
Hiding her surprise, Elluciana spoke in a calm tone.
“Sorry, sir. Our store opens at 10 a.m.”
“Sir…? Ah, I guess that makes sense. Well, sure. Maybe I’ll buy something while I’m here. Do I pick flowers from over there?”
Ignoring her, the man nonchalantly moved toward the display of flowers.
Elluciana thought, ‘What kind of man is this?’ and quickly stepped in front of him.
“I’m afraid you can’t do that, sir.”
He stopped and looked confused.
“Can’t? Don’t tell me… you’re asking me to leave?”
“I’m sorry, sir. The exit is that way.”
Elluciana backed away naturally, revealing an open path—clearly meant for him.
For a brief moment, the man—Noel—showed a hint of surprise.
‘Wait… she’s serious about kicking me out?’
Even if he stepped out of this shop right now, there’d be plenty of women ready to cling to him.
So why was this woman so desperate to throw him out?
‘Interesting.’
Noel chuckled and ran his hand through his hair.
His violet eyes, glinting mischievously, locked onto Elluciana.
“Ahh, I’m sorry. I was genuinely surprised. I didn’t expect to be rejected. Hmm… how about I introduce myself? My name is Noel. People usually call me El. I’d like you to do the same. How about it?”
How about it? What do you mean, how about it?
Elluciana’s face twitched subtly.
Nicknames were something you allowed family, close friends—or lovers.
He could say whatever he wanted with that pretty mouth, but forcing a nickname on a stranger was completely out of line.
‘Does he think I’m some naive girl? I may like handsome faces, but I’m not that easily swayed.’
She smirked inwardly. In her past life as Han Sooyeon, she’d seen guys like him—parasites who leech off women. Best to avoid them altogether.
“I’ll pass. Now, goodbye, sir.”
With that, Elluciana briskly turned away and walked toward the door.
Noel’s calm demeanor vanished as his face went pale.
“My lady! Wait—are you really going to open that door?!”
He called out in a panic, his eyes darting toward the entrance.
‘So someone is out there looking for him.’
Or maybe someone was chasing him. Either way, that confirmed it.
No need to hesitate now. Whatever happened next was their problem.
‘You should’ve just left when I asked nicely—huh?’
As she swung the door open with force—nothing happened. The door didn’t budge.
She was using all her strength, but it wouldn’t move. Why?
Then a hot breath brushed over her head.
“Sigh… my lady. That’s just too much.”
A slightly annoyed voice came from above.
Elluciana slowly looked up—to find him exhaling over her.
‘When did he get this close?’
At least ten paces away, maybe six at minimum.
Yet in the blink of an eye, he now stood right in front of her.
Elluciana instinctively swallowed.
“This is new.”
Noel, frowning, pressed the door shut as he looked down at her.
Golden hair fell partly over his glowing violet eyes, shadowed and sharp.
“You blatantly ignored me. That’s a first. My face usually makes it hard for people to stay indifferent, you know?”
He winked, but his smile tightened.
“But this joke’s gone too far.”
“…Joke? What are you talking about?”
Looking frustrated, Noel leaned his forehead against the door, narrowing the distance between them.
“If you seriously don’t know, I might actually get mad.”
“I’m the one who’s confused, actually.”
“Tch! This girl, really!”
Noel leaned in even closer, voice rising.
“Look, my lady. Just because I smiled doesn’t mean you can act however you want. Why are you so eager to kick me out? What do you think I’m going to do?!”
His growl sent Elluciana’s face white.
She had completely forgotten.
This wasn’t the world she used to live in.
This was a world where commoners could be trampled at a noble’s whim, where rights were meaningless, where everything bent to aristocrats and emperors.
This man was clearly of noble birth. No matter what he did to her—unless she revealed her status—she had no grounds to object.
Elluciana clenched her trembling hands tightly.
“…I’m sorry if I offended you.”
“…Sigh.”
Noel frowned and let out a long sigh. He was starting to feel like a thug threatening a defenseless woman.
‘I just wanted a place to hide for a bit…’
Massaging his temple, Noel stepped back. She’d been talking back, but clearly, she was scared. He glanced at her still-trembling hands.
He reached out to pat her shoulder.
Or at least, he tried to.
Just before he could touch her, a terrifying murderous aura exploded, wrapping around his entire body.
Startled, Noel jerked back—right as the door burst open.
