The Duke and the Girl from Nowhere

The estate glowed under the late afternoon sun, casting warm golden light through the towering windows. Yuna stood by the open doors leading to the garden, trying to shake off the strange feeling of being both seen and watched.

She reached out to touch a vine of wisteria curling along the frame when she heard a soft voice behind her.

"You like flowers," Ji-Hwan said, stepping into the light.

His presence made the air feel heavier — or maybe it was just how his eyes kept finding her face, then drifting lower for half a second too long.

"They don't talk back," Yuna replied.

"Some do," he murmured, stepping closer. "You just have to listen properly."

She turned to him with a smirk. "You're not as cold as you pretend to be, are you?"

Ji-Hwan didn't answer. Instead, he reached out, brushing a stray curl from her cheek with the back of his fingers.

"You should stay away from Lady Hwa-Ryeong," he said suddenly, voice low.

Yuna blinked. "You think I went looking for her?"

"No," he said, "but she'll come looking for you."

A breeze stirred the wisteria. So did his fingers as they grazed her jawline before he drew his hand back — almost reluctantly.

"I can handle myself," she said.

"She doesn't fight fair."

"I don't either."

He smiled — not fully, but enough that it softened the sharp angles of his face. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Before she could respond, the sound of heels clacking against stone echoed from the corridor. The moment shattered.

Lady Hwa-Ryeong appeared, dressed in pale lavender, a lace fan in her hand and venom behind her smile.

"Oh, how quaint," she said. "A walk in the garden. How very… rustic."

Yuna folded her arms. "Some people enjoy sunlight."

"And some prefer to bask in more dignified company," Hwa-Ryeong said sweetly, her eyes locked on Ji-Hwan. "Shall we walk together, Your Grace?"

"I'm already walking with someone," Ji-Hwan replied without looking at her.

Lady Hwa-Ryeong's smile cracked. "A guest shouldn't confuse attention with affection."

"She's not confusing anything," Ji-Hwan said firmly. Then, to Yuna, he held out his hand. "Come."

Yuna hesitated. Not because she didn't want to — but because every part of her heart felt like it was on fire.

Still, she placed her hand in his.

They walked deeper into the garden, leaving Lady Hwa-Ryeong standing alone in her lavender spite.

When they reached the fountain, Ji-Hwan stopped.

"Let them talk," he said softly, his fingers tightening around hers. "Let them wonder. You're here now — and I don't intend to let you go."

Yuna stared at him, chest tightening.

"You're serious?"

"Too serious, maybe." He leaned in slightly. "But don't run from me, Yuna. Not unless you want me to chase you."

Her heart skipped.

She didn't pull away.

Not this time.

End of Chapter 6

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