ISFU 04

Chapter 4

The maid Sophia entered, carrying a towel. It seemed she had won the earlier argument.

Without even glancing at Shuri, she placed the towel on a small wooden stool by the bath. Yet her eyes kept drifting toward Assad’s bare body.

A drop of water fell from Assad’s black hair onto his face. When he lazily brushed his hair back with his long fingers, his hand became wet as well. Even the droplets on his skin seemed to glow.

As if thirsty, Assad suddenly ran his tongue across his lips.

Sophia’s gaze slowly traveled down his sharp jawline. His neck looked dangerously alluring—enough to make someone want to press their lips against it. His broad shoulders and strong arms, like tree branches, drew her eyes in.

Surely, more than one noble lady fell asleep imagining herself sitting on his lap, wrapped in those arms.

A few jasmine petals clung to his chest and stomach. His well-defined abs were proof of constant training.

And below that… beneath the hot water… his narrow waist—

Just then, steam rose suddenly as Assad shifted his body.

The only things covering him were the steam and a few petals.

Sophia’s face flushed red, as if she had been drinking.

To Shuri, it almost seemed like the maids were deliberately using fewer petals each day.

Damn that Grand Duke… why does he have to enjoy baths every evening?

For a moment, Shuri forgot his duty.

As Sophia turned to leave, Assad spoke without opening his eyes.

“Hey.”

“Y-Yes, Your Grace.”

Her heart raced as she looked at his wet body.

“I’m thirsty.”

“Yes, I’ll bring your usual wine.”

With an excited voice, Sophia left to fetch it.

Only then did Shuri begin his report.

“Your Grace, Mia Lisitsa has been locked in the eastern tower.”

“The eastern tower…”

“Yes, where ‘that prisoner’ is.”

“Good. After a few days there, she’ll be scared enough. Interrogation can come later.”

Assad replied lazily, resting his arm over his eyes.

After reporting, Shuri suddenly felt it was a waste.

Such youth and beauty—and yet his master spent every night alone.

That was almost a crime.

“How about keeping her in your bedroom instead of the tower? She’s quite pretty.”

Assad glanced at him from beneath his arm, then covered his eyes again and spoke with slight annoyance.

“Shuri, have you been in the capital too long? You’re starting to sound like the Crown Prince.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added—

“She’s not even my type.”

“Just joking, just joking. Haha.”

Sophia returned with a tray holding a wine bottle and glass. Even as she poured and handed it to him, she kept stealing glances at him.

Shuri clicked his tongue.

Everyone here was a fool.

His master, Sophia… and even himself for watching all this.

It had already been three days since Mia was locked in the tower.

Twice a day—once at sunrise, once at sunset—a guard would come, leave two wooden bowls with thin soup and water, and leave.

That morning, as always, footsteps echoed on the stairs.

“Damn it… climbing this tower twice a day just to feed these useless prisoners.”

The guard’s worn leather boots stopped in front of Mia’s cell.

Mia grabbed the iron bars and studied him.

His clothes were rough, his boots worn out.

Maybe… I can bribe him.

She looked at the simple silver ring on her finger.

It wasn’t fancy—but it was still valuable.

“Excuse me, mister guard.”

The guard frowned.

Did he not like being called ‘mister’?

Her scalp tingled—but she pushed forward.

“Don’t you want this?”

She waved her ring in front of him. His eyes followed it.

“If you just… forget to lock this door once, I could give it to you.”

His lips twitched, as if about to agree.

Got him!

Mia was sure she succeeded.

“Damn it.”

But instead, he spat on the ground.

Some of it splashed onto her face.

“Don’t try tricks, you filthy prisoner. No one in this mansion would betray our Grand Duke for something like that.”

Though his answer was firm, he seemed shaken—he left more quickly than usual.

Mia slowly lowered her hand.

Loyal to that cruel man…? Why?

She couldn’t understand it.

Then the prisoner next door spoke.

“Forgive me, but… could you share again today?”

He pushed his empty bowl toward her.

Mia poured half of her portion into it.

The man devoured the thin soup greedily.

And yet, he was always hungry.

“Seems that wicked Grand Duke ordered my rations reduced.”

Mia was hungry too.

But something else frightened her more—

Not knowing when she would be taken to the interrogation room.

Whenever she heard footsteps outside feeding time, her heart raced wildly.

She would unconsciously grab her ankles.

Suddenly losing her appetite, Mia threw her spoon down.

Clang.

The sound echoed.

She buried her face in her hands.

“It’s so unfair…”

Her emotions surged like the soup she had swallowed had turned into tears.

“Mister… it was really an accident when I pushed the Grand Duke.”

The man replied weakly.

“I believe you. But the problem is, he won’t. Since you sent a threat letter, it looks like you acted on it.”

The threat letter.

That was the problem.

Mia had no idea why the original Mia had done that.

Why threaten him to leave the capital? If I could just clear that…

She held her head.

Then—

Footsteps echoed up the stairs.

Her heart pounded.

A head of brown curly hair appeared over the railing.

It was a young boy—about ten years old.

Mia finally let out the breath she had been holding.

Thank goodness… not someone here to drag me away.

But the boy looked tense when he saw her.

He glanced around, clearly searching for something.

Then Mia had an idea.

“Looking for this?”

She tapped the wooden bucket near the bars.

The guard must have forgotten it earlier.

The boy hesitated, then stepped closer.

As he reached for it, Mia spoke.

“The guard must have forgotten this. You’re running errands? That’s nice of you.”

“He’s not a guard, he’s my grandfather! And don’t talk to me, you ugly old witch!”

Despite his angelic curls, his words were sharp.

Mia almost twisted his nose—but held back.

Instead, she firmly grabbed the bucket.

The boy’s face showed panic.

“One thing right, one thing wrong.”

Mia said softly.

“I’m not ugly…”

She leaned closer and whispered—

“But I am a witch.”

“Stop lying! My grandfather said you’re ugly and don’t suit our Grand Duke at all. Even if you chase after him, you don’t stand a chance!”

What kind of nonsense is that old man telling a kid…

Mia frowned.

“Give it back! I have to go sell flowers in the plaza.”

“Sell flowers?”

Mia felt a sting in her chest.

He was just a child.

“Yeah. Don’t expect one for free.”

This brat…

But she held back her anger.

“Why are you selling flowers?”

“My mom’s birthday is in three days. I’m going to buy her a pretty ring.”

Mia looked at his worn clothes and shoes.

There was no way he could afford a ring easily.

And according to the story—

Now wasn’t a good time to sell flowers.

“When was the spring festival?”

“Are you stupid?”

He laughed.

Mia forced herself to stay calm.

“I’ve been locked in here. I lost track of time.”

“…Five days ago.”

Mia calculated quietly.

Then she spoke gently.

“Kid… selling flowers won’t work.”

“Why?”

“Because starting this afternoon, it’s going to rain heavily… for three days straight.”