The Duke and the Girl from Nowhere

Sunlight spilled through the velvet curtains, golden and indifferent.

Yuna jolted upright in bed, her heart still racing. Her fingers flew to her lips—still tingling, still warm. The kiss hadn't been a dream. It happened. He was here, last night, in her room.

And he kissed her like he had every right.

She pressed her hands over her face and groaned. "What just happened…"

Before she could spiral further, a soft knock came at the door.

"Lady Yuna," Soo-Min called, "His Grace has summoned you for breakfast in the garden."

She almost laughed. Breakfast? After he practically ignited her room like a romance novel set on fire?

"Tell him I'm—no, wait…" She paused. Avoiding him would only give him more power. She needed answers.

————

The garden was unnervingly perfect. Trimmed hedges. Fresh blooms. Birds chirping like nothing scandalous had occurred the night before.

Ji-Hwan was already seated at the table under the arbor, one hand lazily stirring his tea like he hadn't just shattered a boundary between them. When he looked up, his expression was unreadable. But those eyes—they held the memory of last night like a secret only they shared.

"You're late," he said.

"You broke into my room and kissed me," she shot back. "Let's not pretend we're back to our usual banter."

Ji-Hwan's lips twitched. "So you're still thinking about it."

Her chair scraped as she sat down across from him. "Why did you come last night?"

A pause.

Then: "Because I couldn't sleep. Because you were all I could think about. Because I needed to know if I was the only one who felt it."

"And now that you know?"

"I'm worse off."

His confession was low, almost like a curse. "Because now I want something I can't have."

She blinked. "Why not?"

"Because you're not from here," he said, voice sharp. "Because you're tied to something I can't explain. Because every noble in the kingdom now has their eyes on you—including the Crown Prince."

Yuna's face flushed. "So this is about him?"

His eyes flashed. "Don't say his name."

"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Your Grace."

"Possessiveness isn't the same as jealousy," he snapped. "I warned you—I don't share."

Before Yuna could respond, a shadow fell across the table.

Lady Hwa-Ryeong.

"Good morning, Your Grace," she purred. "And… oh. Her. How unfortunate."

Yuna forced a smile. "Good to see you too, Lady Iceberg."

Hwa-Ryeong blinked. "I beg your—"

Ji-Hwan stood suddenly. "We were just leaving."

Yuna opened her mouth to protest, but he had already stepped behind her, his hand brushing her shoulder with dangerous familiarity.

"Come," he said quietly, "before I cause a scene."

________

Once inside the stone corridors of the estate, away from watching eyes and malicious whispers, Ji-Hwan slowed. But his hand still lingered at her lower back.

"I meant it, you know," he murmured.

She turned. "Meant what?"

"The kiss. The question. All of it."

He leaned in, just enough to tilt her world again.

"But this time, I won't steal it."

His fingers brushed her jaw—light as breath. "Tell me to stop, and I will."

Yuna swallowed hard. The walls of the estate faded. Her thoughts vanished. All that remained was the wild rhythm of her pulse and the man before her, waiting for permission.

And yet…

She stepped back.

"Ji-Hwan…" she said softly. "I need to think."

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face—but he nodded.

"For now," he said. "But don't think I'll wait forever."

He turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the silence—shaken, breathless, and impossibly torn.

End of Chapter 9

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