The Duke and the Girl from Nowhere

The scent of dew still clung to the garden grass as Yuna stepped outside, trying to clear her thoughts. Every word from Ji-Hwan lingered in her mind — his protectiveness, the intensity in his eyes, the way he looked at her like she was both his ruin and salvation.

And yet… she couldn't ignore the Crown Prince Lee Sun-Woo words either.

"I want to know you, Yuna. Not just who you are—but why you're here."

Even she didn't have an answer to that.

As she walked toward the courtyard, Soo-Min appeared at her side, silent as always.

"Soo-Min," Yuna said gently, "do you think… something's wrong? Around me, I mean?"

Soo-Min hesitated. Then she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small, folded handkerchief — deep red silk, frayed at the edge, embroidered with a strange, curling symbol.

"I wasn't going to tell you," she whispered, glancing around, "but I found this under your bed two nights ago."

Yuna's breath caught. "What is it?"

"I don't know. But it wasn't yours. And the way it was placed—deliberate, hidden like a curse token." Her voice dropped. "And that night… I saw someone outside your window."

Yuna froze. "What?"

"I thought it was just a patrolling guard. But now I'm not so sure." Her eyes narrowed. "Something's happening behind our backs, my lady. And I don't like it."

————

Meanwhile, in the royal city, a carriage passed through the palace gates.

Inside sat Lord Baek Seung-Min — tall, lean, and unreadable. He held a scroll in his hands, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

"A girl from another world…" he muttered. "How convenient."

The Duke had grown dangerous. The Crown Prince, distracted. But a mysterious girl entangling them both?

Opportunity.

He smiled faintly, folding the scroll.

"It's time I met her myself."

________

Back at the estate, Yuna stood in the rose garden when she heard footsteps approaching.

She turned—expecting Ji-Hwan.

But it was the Crown Prince Lee Sun-Woo.

"Twice in one day," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I wanted to see you again. And… I wanted to warn you."

She frowned. "About what?"

"There's unrest at court. Whispers about you. Questions of where you came from. You're becoming… dangerous to the wrong people."

Yuna looked away. "I never asked for any of this."

"I know," he said softly. "But maybe fate did."

He stepped closer.

"I meant what I said this morning. That I want to know who you really are."

Before she could respond, a voice cut through the garden like a blade.

"Isn't this a bit too public for a secret meeting?"

Ji-Hwan.

He stood at the garden arch, arms crossed, eyes locked on Yuna — but burning with quiet jealousy as they shifted to the Prince.

"I didn't realize I needed your permission to speak with her," the Crown Prince Lee Sun-Woo said calmly.

"You don't," Ji-Hwan replied. "But I don't take kindly to distractions."

He stepped forward, ignoring protocol.

"Yuna. Come with me."

"Ji-Hwan—"

"Now."

The Prince raised a brow. "She's not yours to command."

"No," Ji-Hwan said without blinking, "but she's mine to protect."

Without waiting for a reply, he took her hand — not forcefully, but firmly, as if reminding her of something she'd almost forgotten.

And just like that, he led her away, leaving Lee Sun-Woo standing alone in the garden.

————

Back in her chambers, Yuna didn't speak.

She sat on the edge of her bed, fingers curled around the handkerchief Soo-Min had given her.

Ji-Hwan stood near the window, tense.

"I'll find out who placed that thing under your bed," he said. "And when I do, I'll make sure they regret it."

She looked up at him. "Why do you care so much?"

He turned slowly. "Because I've never wanted anything the way I want to keep you safe."

Their eyes locked.

And just for a moment… the danger didn't matter.

Only them.

End of Chapter 12