“I never expected to see you here...”
Kael trailed off, disbelief flickering across his face as his brows drew together slightly.
He was not someone who easily showed emotion, but seeing a noble lady disguised as a man at an underground fighting arena, approaching a mercenary, was enough to break even his composure.
Adeline was just as shocked.
Her already large eyes widened even further as she stared at Kael.
An underground fighting arena was not a place high-ranking nobles like Kael or Adeline normally visited.
No one here should have recognized Adeline's face. That was precisely why she had been able to come here for years without anyone discovering her identity.
Yet Kael had appeared.
And of all things, they had run into each other while both were approaching the same overlooked mercenary.
How could this happen?
Even as it was happening, it felt impossible to believe.
Calm down, Adeline Thien. This might actually be an opportunity.
She quickly organized her thoughts.
A noble lady who disguised herself as a man and frequented underground fighting arenas?
She was hardly ideal marriage material.
Perhaps this absurd encounter would finally make the Grand Duke abandon his nonsense about marriage contracts—and lose interest in her altogether.
"I didn't know this was your hobby."
"Are you referring to my clothes, or the fact that I'm here?"
"Both."
Adeline forced herself to remain calm.
"I come here often."
"Often?"
"Yes."
Kael frowned slightly.
To Adeline, that was an excellent sign.
Good. It's working.
Her hands clenched with anticipation.
Now that she saw an opening, it was time to press harder.
"So you regularly come here to recruit mercenaries?"
"Yes. It's been my hobby for years. Which is why I spoke to this mercenary first. I'd appreciate it if you respected the order."
"I wasn't aware mercenary auctions worked on a first-come, first-served basis."
"Unfortunately, I'm not participating in the auction. I simply wished to speak with him. I'd appreciate it if you showed a little courtesy."
Kael's expression darkened once more.
Seeing that, Adeline was about to continue attacking when Kael spoke first.
"So... a conversation. Then before you speak with him, I'd like to speak with you."
"...Pardon?"
"Other than me, no one has shown any interest in him. Why did you choose that mercenary?"
"Because the ability to accurately read an opponent's movements can't be taught through training."
She answered immediately, without a second's hesitation.
"And he has that talent."
...
"Most people only see his lack of strength and technique."
"They're right. He did lose."
"But he made up for those weaknesses with his eyes."
"After crossing blades only two or three times, he had already figured out his opponent's habits and weak points."
"He even predicted his opponent's next movements."
"Strength and technique can be improved through time and effort."
"But eyes like his..."
"...are not a gift everyone is born with."
After finishing, Adeline paused to catch her breath.
She had honestly explained exactly what she had observed.
She was convinced this would finally put Kael off.
"Lady Adeline, never forget this. No man can tolerate a woman who constantly boasts about herself or acts like she knows everything. If you want a better husband, simply smile beautifully and say nothing."
It was advice she'd heard from countless noblewomen at tea parties and social gatherings.
She had never agreed with it.
But today, it seemed surprisingly useful.
...What? His eyes are sparkling again.
Contrary to her expectations, Kael did not look irritated.
Instead, just like when she'd lashed out at him in the palace garden after the masquerade, genuine interest shone in his eyes.
That's... not a good sign.
Fine. I'll use every card I have.
She couldn't allow him to become even more interested.
Taking a subtle deep breath, she continued.
"You said you'd pay five times whatever I offered."
"But even then, you won't be able to hire this mercenary."
Her gaze shifted from Kael to the mercenary.
"You're a Holy Knight candidate, aren't you?"
"...How did you know?"
The mercenary looked startled before revealing the necklace hidden beneath his clothes.
The pendant bearing the symbol of Light gleamed beneath the lanterns.
It identified him as someone currently training to join the Holy Knights.
"As you know, candidates training for the Holy Knights can't be employed by anyone until their training is complete."
"..."
"So even if you offered five thousand times more, you still couldn't hire him."
Walking over to the mercenary, Adeline handed him a small wooden token engraved with a golden lion.
"How much longer is your training?"
"One year."
"If your goals change after you've completed your training..."
"...come to the Fidel Knights."
Having delivered the recommendation, her business was finished.
She walked past the mercenary before stopping briefly in front of Kael.
"I'm done here."
Holding the brim of her hat, she gave him a slight bow.
It was the perfect finishing blow.
Smiling inwardly, Adeline was certain her plan had succeeded.
Unfortunately...
She was completely wrong.
Kael watched her walk away with twice as much interest as before.
There was even a faint smile on his face—
something almost never seen.
His pride must have taken quite a hit. Even if nothing else, he'll be too annoyed to keep bothering me now. Coming here today was definitely the right choice.
Feeling rather pleased with herself, Adeline walked toward the exit.
"Adeline."
A voice suddenly stopped her.
She spun around in surprise.
Adeline?
He had dropped every title.
It was the kind of familiar way only close acquaintances addressed one another.
"My apologies. Calling you 'my lady' while you're dressed like that would only attract unwanted attention—for both of us."
"...Ah."
Only then did Adeline glance down at herself.
She wore a black men's coat.
Her long hair was tucked beneath a hat.
Addressing her formally as a noble lady in this disguise would certainly seem strange.
"I have one question."
"Yes?"
"How did you know that mercenary was a Holy Knight candidate? His necklace was hidden."
"His gloves."
"They bear the candidates' insignia."
"It's only used internally, so people outside the Holy Temple usually don't recognize it."
"But you're an outsider..."
"...Ah."
"The priest."
Remembering Simeon, Kael nodded in understanding.
"I see now."
"Then I'll be going."
After leaving those words behind, Adeline walked away briskly.
Kael watched her disappear into the distance.
To identify him that accurately...
The more he thought about her assessment of the mercenary, the more astonishing it seemed.
It had been unbelievably precise.
Adeline had been certain today's encounter would make Kael lose interest in her.
The exact opposite had happened.
He'd already found her unusual after she openly expressed her displeasure during the masquerade.
Now...
The more he learned about her, the more fascinating she became.
No one spoke to Kael as confidently as Adeline did.
No woman had ever openly criticized him.
None had tried to avoid charming him.
None had met his icy blue-gray eyes without flinching.
She was the first.
...Hoofbeats.
While Kael remained lost in thought, hurried hoofbeats echoed through the streets.
The sound grew closer.
The rider would soon pass the main road connected to the alley where Kael and Adeline stood.
Adeline, however, continued walking toward the intersection.
If she didn't stop, a collision was inevitable.
Judging by the speed of the horse, there would be no chance for it to stop in time.
Kael immediately ran after her.
He had to stop her before it was too late.
"Adel—"
Just as he reached out to grab her—
Adeline suddenly stretched out an arm, stopping him instead.
As though she were trying to keep him from stepping into the horse's path.
"Stop."
"A horse is coming."
"I don't know who would ride this recklessly at this hour."
"They're unbelievably thoughtless."
She spoke with complete seriousness.
Moments later, the galloping horse thundered past directly in front of them.
"It's safe now."
Kael simply stared at her.
Then...
He chuckled.
"...Your Grace?"
Adeline's eyes widened yet again.
She had never imagined she'd see Kael smiling beneath the moonlight.
The faint smile remained as he met her gaze.
The woman standing before him barely reached his shoulder.
Yet only moments ago...
She had instinctively spread out her arm to protect him.
She never considered that Kael had already heard the horse.
She never realized he'd rushed over to save her.
Instead...
She had stopped first.
And then tried to protect him.
It had been a very, very long time since Kael had encountered something so unexpectedly amusing.
"Oh, I almost forgot."
"I have one favor to ask."
"A favor?"
While Kael watched her with growing curiosity, Adeline lowered her gaze briefly before looking back at him with complete seriousness.
"Please keep it a secret that I came to the fighting arena dressed like this."
"And what do I receive in return for keeping your secret?"
"Secrets have a price."
"I just saved your life."
"Think of this as your repayment."
Adeline declared it boldly.
The surprise she'd shown at his smile had already vanished.
In truth, Kael had also heard the approaching horse.
The reason he'd hurried toward her had been to save her, not himself.
But he said nothing.
This misunderstanding...
Was far more entertaining.
"Are you returning to your estate alone?"
"Yes."
"It's dangerous this late at night."
"Not at all."
"It's hardly my first time walking around at this hour."
"And as you can see..."
"...I'm currently a gentleman."
She deliberately emphasized her disguise, cutting off whatever Kael had intended to say.
"Perhaps Your Grace sees me as some delicate flower raised inside a greenhouse."
"..."
"But not every flower grown in a greenhouse is weak."
"And stepping outside doesn't mean it'll immediately die."
Having said everything she wanted, Adeline left the alley without another glance.
Watching her disappear, Kael chuckled once more.
Even until the very end...
She never forgot to fire one last shot at him.
He couldn't help smiling.
"Vero."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Having finally suppressed his smile, Kael summoned the shadow hidden nearby.
"Escort the young lady until she safely reaches her estate."
"...The young lady?"
"The one in the black coat."
Though briefly startled, Vero immediately composed himself and silently followed after Adeline.
"Your Grace! Why are you over here? The auction ended ages ago! You never came out—I was worried sick..."
"Shion."
At just the right moment, Kael's strategist and right-hand man arrived.
He was breathing heavily from running, his face pale with worry.
Kael paid him no attention.
"Find out whether Adeline Thien has a fiancé."
"And if she does..."
"I want to know who."
"Also investigate every one of her suitors."
"...Every single suitor?"
"Every."
"Last one."
As Shion stood there in stunned disbelief, Kael slowly smiled.
Unfortunately for Adeline...
Her plan had failed spectacularly.
Kael hadn't lost interest in her.
If anything..
