The Duke and the Girl from Nowhere

The invitation arrived on ivory parchment, sealed with the royal insignia of the Crown Prince — elegant, precise, and far too official to dismiss.Yuna held it in her hands like it might bite.

"A ball?" she blinked at the Soo-Min who had delivered it.

"Marriage Season begins tonight, my lady. His Grace will be attending." Soo-Min gave a pointed look. "And so will every unmarried noblewoman in the kingdom."

Marriage Season?

Apparently, in this world, it was a month-long circus of matchmaking hosted in the grand estates of high-ranking families. Lavish gowns, endless dances, fake laughter, and more desperation in the air than perfume. Yuna groaned.

"Do I have to go?"

"If you don't," Soo-Min said with a shrug, "the others will have him all to themselves."

That shut her up.

———-

The day of the ball arrived.

Yuna stood in her chamber, staring at her reflection in stunned silence.

Soo-Min had outdone herself.

The gown was deep midnight blue, cinched at the waist, with delicate gold embroidery along the sleeves. Her hair had been twisted into soft waves, pinned with tiny sapphire studs. No corset this time — Yuna had threatened to burn it.

"You look like a dream," Soo-Min whispered.

Yuna swallowed hard. "I feel like a fraud."

"You're not," the maid replied gently. "You're just... different."

By the time night fell, the entire palace of the Crown prince had transformed. Servants rushed like ants, musicians tuned harps and violins, and the ballroom sparkled under a forest of chandeliers. Yuna descended the grand staircase, the heels of her borrowed shoes clicking softly, her hands brushing the velvet railing.

But none of that mattered.

Because at the bottom of the stairs… he was waiting.

Duke Ji-Hwan. In black and silver. Regal. Dangerous. And devastatingly still.

For a moment, he said nothing. Just looked at her.

Then—"You're late."

Yuna raised her brow. "You said it started at sunset. I didn't realize there was a penalty for dramatic timing."

He looked her up and down, slowly. "Apparently, the reward is mine."

She opened her mouth to respond, but—

"Oh, Your Grace!"

"Duke Ji-Hwan, might I have the first dance?"

"My father would be delighted to see us paired—"

Three noblewomen materialized out of nowhere, their painted smiles wide, their eyes cutting. One even touched his arm, lightly, as if branding her claim.

But Ji-Hwan didn't budge.

Instead, he turned his head. "All of you," he said coolly, "step aside."

He extended his hand to Yuna.

"She's the only one I'll be dancing with tonight."

The gasps were loud enough to echo.

Yuna blinked. "Seriously?"

He didn't answer. Just waited. That quiet, deadly kind of waiting that made it clear: no one else mattered.

She took his hand.

He led her to the center of the ballroom. Whispers flared like sparks—Who is she? Where did she come from? Why her? But Yuna barely heard them. Her skin burned from his touch. Her legs trembled under the weight of his gaze.

"You're enjoying this," she muttered.

"I'm enjoying you," he replied, voice low.

Her heart stuttered. "You really need to stop saying things like that."

"Why? You might start believing me?"

The orchestra swelled. He pulled her in.

And the world disappeared.

His hand found her waist with a familiarity that made no sense, like he'd done this a thousand times before. Their bodies moved in perfect sync, her every step a mirror to his, the pull between them stronger than gravity. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think—only feel.

"You've never danced like this before," he said.

"I've never lived like this before," she whispered.

His brows lifted slightly. But then something softened in his gaze—something rare. "You're not just a mystery," he said. "You're a danger."

"To you?"

"To everything I've built."

The music dipped.

So did he—just enough to bring her closer. His breath touched her neck. Her lips parted.

Then—

"My Duke."

Lady Hwa-Ryeong's voice was honeyed poison as she glided toward them, her icy-blue gown trailing like a curse. "You seem… occupied."

Ji-Hwan's hand didn't move. "I am."

Her smile twitched. "They say a single dance reveals everything. Let's hope not too much was revealed."

Yuna said nothing. She didn't need to. Ji-Hwan turned to her.

"I'll find you later," he murmured.

And then he was gone—leaving Hwa-Ryeong in his shadow and Yuna in the center of the ballroom with her pulse in chaos.

She exhaled sharply, whispering to herself, "What exactly have I gotten myself into?"

End of Chapter 7

© 2025 AKByeol. All rights reserved.

This story is a work of fiction by the author. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, reposted, translated, or distributed in any form without the author's express permission.

Unauthorized use or duplication is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.

Original story published on Webnovel by AKByeol.