WARDV 09

CHAPTER 09

A little while later.

I walked out of the café with a fluttering, signed employment contract in hand.

And beside me stood my reliable new secretary.

Just having Wig by my side was enough to make people part before us like the Red Sea.

Hiring someone with sheer physical presence was definitely the right choice.

While the crowd quietly moved out of our way, one shadow stepped in to block our path.

“Surely you didn’t abandon me just after a few days apart?”

My eyes widened at the unexpected face.

“Leticia.”

Why is he here!?

“Your Highness? What brings you here…?”

“I was passing by when I noticed some gorilla-looking guy drawing attention. And then I saw a familiar face beside him.”

Unlike others who froze just by meeting Wig’s eyes, Idris easily overpowered Wig’s presence with his own.

“G-Gorilla…”

The word seemed to genuinely shock Wig, and he muttered it under his breath. But he was too intimidated by Idris to protest.

Can’t blame him. No one would have the guts to say that to someone’s face—especially not a ‘gorilla.’

I gently patted Wig’s back, and Idris gestured at him with his chin.

“So? Who’s this?”

His gaze toward Wig was strangely cold.

Wow. He really knows how to act intense.

It honestly looked like he was a boyfriend catching his lover cheating.

Admiring Idris’s performance skills, I noticed Wig’s trembling hand and answered.

“He’s my secretary. He just finished his final interview. Introduce yourself, Wig. This is His Grace, the Grand Duke of Del Lua.”

“W-Wig Sebastian, sir. It’s an honor to meet Your Grace.”

“Ah, your secretary.”

Idris’s expression softened a bit.

“Please take good care of Leticia. She’s far too remarkable for someone like you to serve.”

“Y-Yes, of course!”

With introductions over, I began hearing murmurs around us.

“Isn’t that the Grand Duke of Del Lua? My gosh, what’s he doing here?!”

“And who’s the woman beside him? A secret lover?”

A person who attracted attention just by existing.

It really hit me—again—what kind of man I’d proposed a contract relationship to.

“Wait a minute. Isn’t that the Duchess of Farnese?”

Suddenly, every eye turned toward me.

I slightly lifted my sunglasses, but it was too late—they’d already recognized me.

I got plenty of public gossip in my past life too, but I’d at least like a little mental prep next time.

I didn’t expect the secretary candidates to be such loose-lipped fools…

And on top of that, this dazzling man just had to show up.

It was clear this would be front-page news tomorrow.

But since it had come to this—there was no point running anymore.

Nor did I want to run.

This is a story I chose.

A script I wrote, heading toward the life I want.

It was time to step onto the stage.

I walked toward Idris, who was staring straight at me.

“Are you done with today’s schedule?”

As if waiting for that cue, Idris took my outstretched hand and kissed it lightly.

“Yes.”

His gentle eyes curved, lips lifting into a smile.

To any onlooker, we looked like the perfect, affectionate couple.

I could feel everyone’s eyes on us, but like a seasoned actress on stage, I naturally linked arms with him.

“Then let’s go together.”

“Where to?”

“On a date.”

I smiled sweetly, and Idris burst out laughing.

Not an act—he genuinely seemed entertained.

Without answering, he escorted me forward.

And so, at last—

The curtain rose on my revenge drama.

After telling Wig to start work tomorrow, I closed the curtains of the carriage.

Soon after, the carriage began to move.

Having been seated beside Idris for appearance’s sake, I now shifted to the opposite seat.

Idris commented on that move.

“You should get used to sitting beside me.”

“I just prefer facing the person I’m talking to.”

It was my polite way of saying I still wasn’t entirely comfortable with him.

Idris stared at me for a moment, then chuckled softly and changed the subject.

“I hadn’t heard from you since that day, so I was wondering when I should reach out.”

“You saw the news and made your move, didn’t you?”

“Seemed like the right time to appear.”

“I should’ve contacted you first, sorry. I had a lot to prepare. Still, thanks to my perceptive partner, you saved me the trouble.”

Since Wig hadn’t leaked anything to the press, it should’ve been up to me to reveal the relationship with Idris—but his timely appearance did the job for me.

“Anyway, I’m glad we met like this. I was just thinking about when we should draw up a contract.”

“Contract?”

“Yes, our contract. It’s better to have things written down clearly, don’t you think?”

“No need for that, if you ask me.”

“What if I scam you or something?”

“Possible. I’ve had a few people actually try to scam me.”

Oh? There were people gutsy enough to scam a Grand Duke?

I was momentarily impressed by their recklessness—then froze.

Wait. If someone dared scam the Grand Duke and it never even made the news…

I could pretty much guess what happened to them.

As if reading my thoughts, Idris gave a lazy, eerie smile.

“But someone as clever and sharp as you wouldn’t be foolish enough to try that.”

That smile was oddly chilling.

It suddenly reminded me of something I’d forgotten.

Right… this man… He was the original villain.

Sure, in this life I’d decided to side with him, but there had to be some truth behind the countless rumors about his cruelty.

He’s definitely not someone to take lightly.

Just from that disturbing smile in response to a careless remark, I was jolted back to full alertness.

I vowed to never show weakness in front of this man—ever.

Then Idris smoothly changed the subject.

“Anyway, how about we do something about what you call me?”

“What I call you?”

“Calling your boyfriend ‘Your Grace’ is way too stiff.”

“True… Then what should I call you?”

Smiling as if he’d been waiting for the question, Idris answered brightly:

“Just something normal, like… babe?”

Ugh.

It sounded natural coming from him, maybe because he wasn’t saying it to me. But the thought of me saying that out loud?

Instant goosebumps.

Idris wasn’t done.

“Or something cuter—‘honey’ or ‘darling,’ maybe?”

…This guy’s definitely enjoying my reactions.

I didn’t need a mirror to know my face must look ridiculous.

But I wasn’t about to give in to him.

Not a chance.

I couldn’t even say those words with a straight face!

After a moment of thought, I offered a compromise.

“Idris.”

As soon as I spoke his name, Idris—who’d been all grins—froze.

…Was that too bold of me?

He was royalty, and this was just a scripted relationship, after all.

“Sorry. That was presumptu—”

“Say it again.”

“…Pardon?”

“Say it again.”

I studied his face, worried I’d offended him, but instead of anger…

It almost looked like longing.

Surely that couldn’t be right, but still—

After hesitating, I repeated softly,

“…Idris?”

His golden eyes wavered ever so slightly.

What was that look?

More than that—

His eyes… Why do they look so familiar?

Just as that thought passed through my mind—

He quickly masked his expression and gave a relaxed smile.

“Yeah. I like that.”

Before I could question him further, the carriage came to a stop.

I didn’t even ask where we were going…

Realizing that a beat too late, I turned to Idris.

“So, where are we?”

“You’re my lover now, aren’t you?”

He stepped down from the carriage first and extended his hand.

“Shouldn’t a decent man shower his partner with gifts?”

We had arrived at a well-known boutique—even I had been here before.