The Duke and the Girl from Nowhere

The estate of Duke Ryu Ji-Hwan was not welcoming.

At least, not to someone like Yuna.

She stood awkwardly just inside the main entrance, dripping rainwater onto a perfectly polished marble floor while servants glanced at her like she was a feral animal someone dragged in off the street.

"Do not stare," Ji-Hwan said coolly as he handed his coat to a servant, barely sparing the others a glance. "She is a guest."

A few maids exchanged very unsubtle glances.

Yuna crossed her arms, her hoodie sagging off one shoulder. "Could've fooled me."

Ji-Hwan turned to her. "You'll be shown to your room. I expect you not to wander."

Yuna raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize I was under house arrest."

"You're not," he replied calmly. "But you are... unpredictable."

She scoffed. "Says the man who threatened me with a sword."

He didn't respond — just held her gaze for a moment too long, then turned and walked away without another word.

Classic.

⸻

She was led upstairs by a quiet young maid with soft features and curious eyes.

"I'm Park Soo-Min," the girl said shyly, giving her a tiny smile. "I'll be assisting you... if that's alright, my lady."

Yuna blinked. "Oh no, I'm not a 'lady.' I'm a broke university student who fell through a cursed mirror and ended up in an episode of Downton Abbey."

Soo-Min stared.

"I mean... thank you," Yuna sighed, brushing wet hair from her face.

⸻

The guest room was beautiful in a haunting, Victorian ghost movie kind of way — heavy velvet curtains, a canopy bed, a fireplace already lit.

Clean. Quiet. Too quiet.

Yuna sat on the edge of the bed and exhaled. "What the hell am I doing here?"

⸻

Downstairs, Ji-Hwan poured himself a glass of dark wine in the drawing room, staring into the fire.

He had meant to question her more. To demand answers. But the girl's eyes — confused yet defiant — had disarmed him.

And her clothes... her language... Her presence felt like a crack in time itself.

He should have locked her up.

He should have sent her away.

But something inside him whispered: Not yet.

⸻

The next morning, Yuna awoke in a silk nightgown that definitely hadn't been on her when she fell asleep.

"Soo-Min," she groaned, "you changed me in my sleep, didn't you?"

"I did, my lady," came a voice from the corner, polite and calm. "You wouldn't wake, and I feared you might catch a cold. I swear I was respectful."

"Respectful doesn't change the fact that I now look like a Disney princess."

⸻

Breakfast was... an event.

Yuna sat at a long dining table that could seat twenty people. Only one other person was there — the Duke, dressed immaculately, sipping tea like he'd never heard of awkward silences.

She fumbled with her cutlery, stared at the three different spoons, then gave up and used her fingers to pop a grape into her mouth.

Ji-Hwan blinked. "They are not poisoned, you know."

"I wasn't checking for poison," she muttered. "I just don't know which fork is for what."

A beat.

Then — "Start with the outside and work your way in."

She glanced at him.

Was he... helping?

"Thanks, Zorro," she muttered under her breath.

Ji-Hwan's jaw twitched, and for the briefest second, Yuna thought he might've smiled.

⸻

Later that afternoon, Yuna was shown the garden — escorted, of course. Apparently, wandering freely was still frowned upon.

As she knelt to smell a flower, a new voice cut through the air.

"She doesn't even curtsy. How embarrassing."

Yuna looked up to see a woman standing a few feet away, her gown deep burgundy and clearly expensive. Her lips curled in a half-smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"I don't bow to people I haven't met," Yuna said flatly.

"I am Lady Hwa-Ryeong. The Duke's... longtime acquaintance."

"Cool," Yuna said. "I'm Yuna. The girl who fell out of the sky."

Lady Hwa-Ryeong's smile vanished.

"I don't know what tricks you've used to earn his attention, but don't mistake temporary curiosity for affection."

Yuna stood, crossing her arms. "You should really consider a new skincare routine. That bitterness is showing."

Lady Hwa-Ryeong's nostrils flared. "You'll regret—"

But then Ji-Hwan's voice rang out, low and calm:

"Lady Hwa-Ryeong. I trust my guest is not being troubled."

She turned, stiffening. "Of course not, Your Grace. We were simply... conversing."

His eyes never left Yuna. "That's good to hear."

And for a moment, the air felt electric again.

⸻

That night, Yuna sat by her bedroom window, wrapped in a thick blanket.

She watched the moonlight spill over the trees, her heart heavy with confusion.

She didn't belong here. She wasn't meant for ballgowns and breakfast etiquette.

But somehow... this place was starting to feel real.

And Ji-Hwan?

For a cold, mysterious, sword-wielding Duke... he was looking less like a villain and more like a dangerously attractive complication.

⸻

End of Chapter 3

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