If I Disobey the Duke

Unknown Story (2)

Spring was in full swing and all the colors were an intermediary pale.
The sky seemed to have cleared, and a flower bed was filled with light greenery.
Even on the branches that were dry in winter, colored buds were clustered together.

The wind that brushed the tip of her nose was sweet and ticklish.
When she felt the sun, her mood was also clear.

Until she reached the front of the gray-white Knights building.

“…Didn’t I tell you to come to the garden?”

The deep spring sunlight cast a sharper shadow on Vlad’s distinct face.
Her spine shivered as if winter had come again.

“If you needed anything, you could have sent Lowell…”

She came down without a single aide.

He didn’t seem to want her to take a single step in.
He stood with his arms crossed, blocking the arched iron gate like a gatekeeper.
“The grounds are full of soldiers who have come because they are in shooting training.
Did you come for a walk, Lily?”

Because he was even looking down at her from the height difference, the feeling of intimidation was so severe.

She knew for sure that he was a guy who didn’t bother to show his feelings.
At this point, it was clear that he was deliberately exaggerating.

Lily shrugged and closed her large green eyes.

…She thought she might be a little welcome.

“Sorry to disturb you.
I just….”

I thought we got a little closer.
Was it also an illusion? No.
It couldn’t have been an illusion.
There was no way that such a desperate appeal could be false.

What she saw was an unhealed wound.
Desperate wounds as if that was the only thing he was hiding.
He had shown that aspect to only himself.

How easy is it to show your weak side?

Since he gave her such trust, she too showed her courage.
Lily, who had bit her lips as if hesitatingly, lowered her eyelashes.
“I wondered what you were doing… Therefore…”

All she knew now was what he had told her.

Wasn’t he the one who told me to do whatever I want? He told me as long as I want to do anything, I can.

“I know it was random…”

With that thought, she tried to be honest.
But the results were unavoidable.

“You’re right.
I’m sorry…”

A strange wind blew.
It was a wind that was sweeter than the smell of spring that she smelled as soon as she stepped out of the courtyard.

There was only silence for the rest of the time for the answer to come back.
There must have been some kind of reaction, but there was nothing but silence.

Lily, who carefully raised her eyelids as if examining her eyes, was startled.

“Ah…” His sparkling eyes were as red as roses.

She knew what those eyes meant better than anyone else.
It wasn’t just his eyes.
His earlobes were red.

It even made this strong, astute man look foolish.

What is that?

It was like a boy who suddenly made eye contact with a girl and had fallen in love.
Red flames slowly burned on her face as well.
Her heart beat faster.
Perhaps steam was even rising from her head like a vessel placed above a fire.

The two of them averted each other’s eyes at the same time, like cracks in the glass on the canvas.

There was only the sound of a pulse ringing in her ear.

“That…” After a while, his voice was hoarse.
“You did well yesterday for standing up for yourself.
Well…”

It was much better.
If it was sympathy, wouldn’t it be good to receive it for the rest of her life? It was fortunate that she had enough brains to swallow back words.

Lily lifted her head slightly.

Still averting her gaze, he stroked his chin with his large hand.
“Wait a minute, I will take you to the office.”

The courage that had been put off by the softer voice came up once more.
“I also want to see them practice shooting… Could you please let me see?”

On a day of shooting training, she had come to the Knights Templar.
It was a cold winter when her bones froze every day.
She came across the snow to find him.

He had resembled a master and appeared riding a huge black horse.
Even then, he looked like a ruthless monarch who had cut through the setting sun.

When did the fear for him disappear?

“You gave me a gun, so I also want to know how to use it properly…”

“…”

“I want to be there… With you.”

As soon as she said it, regret flooded in.

Was it a little too blatant…?

“Talin.
Tell the training knights to be polite and wait.”

“I’ll take your orders!”

Recalling that Talin had followed, Lily’s face reddened once again.

After Talin ran through the iron gates like lightning, Vlad naturally reached out his hand as if escorting her.
“My hand.
Take it, Lily.”

She clasped his large hand hesitantly.

Hard, calloused hands, unlike her own.
Their hands naturally twisted and interlocked.

Her heart throbbed as she felt the heat coming in between his fingers.