Chapter : 5
“Ah…”
Nayeun, feeling a bit relieved, pointed toward the promenade.
“The promenade is in that direction.”
“I see… I’m not sure if I can find it on my own…”
The man glanced toward the direction she indicated, then put on a smooth, sly smile and reached out his hand to her.
“Would you mind showing me the way there? It would be even better if we could walk together.”
Lost, really…?
Nayeun’s guard rose again at his blatantly intentional behavior.
“No, I have to go inside now. It’s not far, so you’ll find it easily.”
She quickly turned to avoid prolonging the conversation.
“Wait! Don’t go!”
The man rushed forward, grabbing her hand abruptly.
“W-what are you doing? Let go!”
Her hand trembled faintly as she tried to pull away, and the man continued with a mock sad expression.
“Promise me you won’t run away, and I’ll let go.”
Her breath quickened in shock.
Seeing her chest rise and fall, he widened his eyes and drew even closer.
“Don’t be afraid. It’s just that you’re… so beautiful…”
As his hand neared her cheek, Nayeun squeezed her eyes shut.
“Take your hand away.”
The low, cold tone caused the man to shiver involuntarily.
Ruban?
Through her blurred vision, Nayeun saw a man slowly approaching.
“Didn’t you hear me? I said take your hand away.”
The man, blinking in confusion, felt the goosebumps rising along his spine and withdrew his hand.
Ruban’s imposing figure and the weight of his presence forced the man into an instinctively submissive stance.
“If you like, I can make it so you only have one hand.”
The man’s momentary confusion turned into shock as he immediately released Nayeun’s hand.
Before she could even savor her regained freedom, Ruban’s hand closed around hers.
He gently drew her toward his back, shielding her as if hiding her from the world.
The man, who had lost his target in an instant, finally showed his displeasure, tightening his jaw.
“Do you know this woman?”
“And if not, do you intend to keep holding someone who clearly doesn’t want it?”
“I-I wasn’t holding her forcibly. You must be mistaken. We were just having a conversation.”
“One-sided talking isn’t a conversation.”
Flames of embarrassment rushed to the man’s face, and he turned bright red.
But he instinctively knew better than to escalate things further and clamped his mouth shut.
“I didn’t mean any disrespect, but if I’ve been rude, I apologize.”
Startled, Nayeun gave a small nod at his words.
Watching his retreating figure, she let out a shaky breath, then noticed a gaze from beside her and lifted her face.
“You cry every time we meet.”
“Huh?”
Blinking, Nayeun touched her wet face.
Tears had fallen without her realizing it.
“I’m not crying, I just got startled.”
“But you cried because you were startled.”
“I’m not crying, the tears just flowed.”
“Tears that flow are crying.”
The way he insisted made her slightly annoyed.
She felt both grateful and a little exasperated.
Wiping her tears with both hands, she shot Ruban a sideways glance, and their eyes met.
Quickly dropping her gaze, she saw him smirk.
Then he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and placed it in her hand.
So it was a joke.
Nayeun realized it was his playful way of calming her nerves, and pressed the handkerchief to her eyes.
“Thank you for helping me.”
“Do you like being alone?”
Taken aback by the question, she looked up at him.
“You’ve been here all the time, even though the promenade is just a short walk away.”
“Not exactly…”
Seeing her hesitate, Ruban raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue.
Nayeun tilted her head.
“How did you know I’ve been coming here all this time?”
Ruban silently watched her.
If he said he came every day to make sure she wasn’t crying again, how would she react?
Her laughter while feeding the birds, her small humming—he had seen it all.
Seeing his silent gaze, Nayeun whispered softly.
“Are you… watching me?”
“…What?”
Noticing the slight shift in Ruban, she nodded knowingly.
“You are, aren’t you? The knights must be watching over the village.”
“…”
“I thought it was strange that you happened to appear here.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I heard from the shopkeeper. That you and the knights were staying here to keep the village safe. Secretly watching, helping people when danger arises, right?”
Her imagination was vivid.
Ruban couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
“Answer me. If it’s not because you like being alone, then why are you here?”
Relentless, as expected.
After a brief hesitation, Nayeun finally spoke honestly, feeling she could trust Ruban.
“I’m afraid of running into people.”
“Why?”
“…Because they’re all strangers?”
Not wanting to mix lies with the truth, she explained honestly.
“I don’t know anyone here, and I don’t know the way either. This rock is actually quite comfortable.”
She gestured toward the rock with a smile.
“Are you sure you don’t know a single person?”
Ruban frowned mockingly, feigning disappointment.
“But I’m here.”
“Ah…”
The unexpected words stirred emotions inside her.
Yes. Ruban was here.
The first person she had met in this unfamiliar place, a warm person helping her without expecting anything in return.
She could only blink, unable to answer.
Afraid her voice might tremble, she pressed her lips together, but a large hand suddenly reached out.
“Come on, let’s take a walk.”
Sunlight poured down over his charming smile.
The crowded promenade fell silent as the two appeared.
Or rather, as Ruban appeared.
Those who recognized the Grand Duke stepped aside, bowing their heads respectfully.
Ruban walked confidently, gently pulling Nayeun’s hand as if escorting her.
Nayeun, initially nervous under the curious gazes directed at her, finally exhaled once they moved into a quieter section.
“You okay?”
Looking up at Ruban, she gasped in awe.
“Wow… it’s so beautiful here.”
In her clear black eyes, Ruban’s face and the surrounding scenery were reflected.
Tall trees with lush green leaves, colorful flowers, and small fruits.
Ruban’s lips curved into a faint smile.
Where she had been scared before, now she wandered around with shining eyes, utterly adorable.
After walking for a while, Nayeun and Ruban sat together on a bench. A slightly awkward silence fell, and Nayeun pressed her lips together.
“How’s your body?”
“Good. My headache is mostly gone, and the doctor says my wounds are healing well.”
“That’s a relief.”
As silence returned, Nayeun’s eyes widened.
A long scar ran across the back of Ruban’s hand resting on his knee.
“What happened to your hand?”
Following her gaze, Ruban looked down and replied casually.
“It’s nothing.”
But the wound looked fresh, slightly red and swollen.
“When did you get hurt?”
“Recently, a stray arrow scratched me a bit.”
A scratch from a flying arrow…? That means he was hit?
Seeing her surprised expression, Ruban felt slightly embarrassed.
He should have just said it was a scratch.
During this expedition, another country had lightly shot an arrow as a warning to stay away from the border. He had deflected it by hand.
Using the excuse of being harmed, he had taken the lead in negotiations.
Thanks to that, the conflict was resolved without bloodshed among soldiers.
Of course, his hand bled, and the neighboring country protested, but…
If a real conflict had broken out, the casualties would have been far worse.
Moreover, the negotiations led to mutually beneficial terms, and the neighboring king even saw Ruban and the expedition off with great respect.
Considering the outcome, the wound was insignificant.
Seeing her flinch at the sight, Ruban shoved his injured hand into his pocket.
“Did you get it treated?”
“For something this small? No.”
“The wound is big! It’s still red. If you let it worsen or scar, it will be painful for a long time.”
Was he… worried?
Watching her lips move nervously, Ruban couldn’t help but chuckle.
“There are countless soldiers roaming battlefields with worse injuries. I, who receive better treatment for leading them, would be ridiculous to seek treatment for such a small scratch.”
Nayeun’s pale face drained even further at his words.
Oh no… again.
Ruban frowned.
He had spent his life among rough men, never having to consider delicate conversation, so blunt words came out without thought.
Seeing her trembling shoulders, his own mouth fell silent.
What should he say? Tell her not to be afraid? After saying such awful things?
Ruban swallowed dryly, just as Nayeun’s gentle voice drifted on the fragrant breeze.
“Just because someone is in more pain doesn’t mean a small thorn in my hand doesn’t hurt.”
