chapter 7
If there weren’t any clothes that fit…
Then I’ll have to commission a designer.
It was a last resort, but also the cleanest solution. All I had to do was avoid letting Rishid be seen by the nobles.
Create an environment where he could rest comfortably for three months, and pretend to help lift the curse.
Then, the moment the curse was lifted, send him back to the Grand Duchy of Epenterion.
If necessary, I even planned to create a fake villain to take my place.
This was a plan I had carefully built ever since deciding to kidnap the male lead.
Alright. Kidnapping was a success—now I just need to take it step by step.
Feed him, give him water, and take good care of him.
Burning with determination, I scrubbed the uniform even harder.
But soon, my hands and arms began to ache.
Even though it was basically like washing doll clothes, it seemed Irel’s body couldn’t handle it since it was her first time doing such work.
Well, I did run earlier and sew too… no wonder.
I decided not to push myself further and stood up.
At least the fishy smell from the lake was gone—good enough.
Now I just need to dry it.
I twisted the uniform tightly, wrapped it in a towel to squeeze out the remaining water, then shook it out and spread it neatly.
This is the survival skill of a self-sufficient college student!
“Your Grace?”
Before stepping out of the bathroom, I cracked the door open slightly and looked around—just in case he wasn’t dressed.
“I’m coming out, okay?”
But even when I raised my voice, there was no response.
Feeling puzzled, I stepped out, opened the window, and carefully laid the uniform on the windowsill.
Still, Rishid was nowhere to be seen.
“Your Grace, where are you?”
Just in case, I approached the bed and lifted the blanket.
But the small bed and pillow I had made for him were gone.
At that moment, a cold breeze blew in from the open window.
Slowly turning my head, the worst possibility came to mind.
…No way!
Did he go out the window?
Did he go back to the temple?!
That can’t happen!
“Your Grace…!”
Holding back a scream, I frantically looked around.
But there was no trace of him—on the bed, the table, or the floor.
I rushed to the window.
Looking down, I saw a soft patch of shrubs below. It was a height someone could survive if they jumped deliberately.
Especially someone like Rishid.
No…!
Why did he leave? Was the flower-patterned pajamas really that unbearable?
Or… did I say something wrong?!
Shocked, I retraced my actions one by one.
I had gotten careless after successfully kidnapping the male lead, assuming he would naturally stay by my side.
If I had known, I would’ve immediately gone to a designer and brought proper clothes.
“Ah… I should’ve treated him better…”
I collapsed to the floor in despair.
All my plans had turned to dust. At this rate, it would only end in death.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
Just as I sniffled—
“You’re not actually crying, are you?”
“…Your Grace?!”
“I hate crying the most.”
A low, cold voice fell from somewhere.
I jumped to my feet and looked around, but Rishid was nowhere in sight.
“Your Grace, wh-where are you?”
Clutching my pounding chest, I followed the direction of the voice.
But there was nothing there except a wardrobe and a dresser.
“Look up.”
Up…?
I quickly raised my head.
There he was—sitting atop the tall wardrobe, looking down at me. Beside him was something that looked like a cushion.
“Oh my—Your Grace!”
What are you doing up there?!
And how did you even get up there?!
My eyes trembled like there was an earthquake.
As if reading my thoughts, he said,
“I climbed up using the drawers.”
Wow… Your Grace…
I looked at the slightly open drawers, my eyes filling with tears.
Even so, the fact that he thought to climb all the way up there with that tiny body…
He’s the one doing survival variety show-level stuff.
I silently admired him.
“Um… isn’t it dusty up there?”
I hesitated and reached out, but my hand couldn’t reach the top.
He smirked.
“It seems the duke’s maids are quite competent.”
Does that mean he’s satisfied?
Relieved, I lowered my hand.
“That’s a relief.”
Then he leaned back on one arm and asked lazily,
“More importantly, was it really that shocking that I disappeared?”
“O-of course! Where could you even go with that body? It’s dangerous. What if you got hurt…?”
“Even so, crying is excessive. Your reaction is too much—it makes me wonder why you’re helping me.”
His red eyes gleamed with suspicion.
I smiled shamelessly and looked up at him.
“I told you—I like you, Your Grace.”
“So you shed tears over something like that?”
“You might not know this, but love is like that. When you can’t see someone, you feel anxious, sad, depressed, and, um, drained of energy too…!”
“……”
“Have you ever loved someone, Your Grace?”
A brief silence followed.
He had been staring at me, but then suddenly turned away.
“Irel Blandice.”
“Yes?”
His voice was colder than ever.
“Stop talking nonsense and turn off the lights.”
“Mmm… my b-bibimbap…”
In the deep, dark night, Irel’s sleepy mumbling echoed in the room.
Standing at the edge of the bed, Rishid stared down at her for a long time as she smacked her lips in her sleep.
She’s definitely strange.
She had been chattering nonstop with wide eyes, yet fell asleep within three seconds of lying down.
How can she sleep at a time like this?
Clicking his tongue, he turned his gaze to the wall behind the bed.
Then, lowering his presence, he approached the curtain Irel had tried so hard to hide.
“No matter what happens, I will protect you before my own life.”
“If you ever see even the slightest sign that I might betray you, don’t hesitate to stab me with your sword.”
Her confident voice echoed in his mind with every step.
Though he had followed her this far, half willing to be deceived, there were still many things he didn’t understand.
How did she even find where he was?
And how did she recognize him instantly?
I can’t let my guard down.
Even if she was treating him well now, she was still part of the Blandice ducal family.
She might be acting under the Emperor’s orders to eliminate him.
This is the perfect body to die without a trace.
In this state, he couldn’t even fight.
Recalling how she had cried while looking out the window, Rishid drew his sword.
Then, at last, he lifted the curtain she had told him not to open.
His expression instantly hardened.
This is…
Swallowing, he slowly pulled it aside.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the wall—
Covered entirely with framed portraits.
“…Ha.”
A cold sigh escaped his lips.
So that’s why.
That’s why she told him not to open it…
The wall was filled with portraits of him.
Rishid slowly scanned each one. His brows gradually furrowed.
He had doubted her feelings.
Irel Blandice was known for causing trouble in his name—bullying others, even setting fire to a temple.
Hearing such rumors, he couldn’t help but question whether her feelings were genuine or if she had ulterior motives.
But—
…This goes beyond love. It’s practically a sickness.
No—an obsession.
He glanced back at her sleeping face.
Hearing her soft snoring, he let out a weary sigh.
At that moment, his doubts about her feelings disappeared.
“Your Grace, did you sleep well?”
Early in the morning, I rubbed my eyes and looked up at the wardrobe.
Rishid was already awake, sitting upright. Even the bedding was neatly arranged.
As expected of the iron-blooded Grand Duke of the North.
When did he even get dressed?
I tilted my head in confusion as I saw him fully dressed in his neatly dried uniform.
After confirming the window was properly closed, I stretched and yawned.
“Yaaawn… it’s still early, you could’ve slept more…”
Because of you, I can’t even sleep in.
Swallowing my thoughts, I began stretching, but he sighed as if I were pathetic.
“From up here, I can clearly see the structure of your mouth.”
