PMBA | Chapter 10

‘Or something else entirely.’

At least, compared to the other noble families in the capital, this lady, called the “Mad Dog,” seemed quite useful. That alone was enough reason for Dominique to take an interest in her.

‘When scheming, it’s always best to have many options.’

So, ignoring the others loitering around the carriage, their curiosity piqued, Dominique proposed, 

“Get in, Lady.”

“…”

“I’ll take you to the Imperial Palace if that’s where you’re going.”

Kyrie was taken aback.

“Why should I?”

“Don’t you have a weakness I can exploit?”

He must have been referring to her sneaking into the Crown Prince’s Palace and lying in his bed. Kyrie tilted her head instead.

“A weakness?”

“A noble lady from a prestigious family found in a man’s bed in the middle of the night? That’s certainly a weakness.”

She almost burst out laughing. He’d boldly called her “Mad Dog” to her face, yet now he was treating her like a “proper lady from a noble family.”

“Please, by all means, tell everyone. Tell them you found me in His Highness’ bed.”

Kyrie enunciated each word slowly as if gnashing it out between her teeth.

“It would be even better if you spread the word that His Highness was in the same bed with me.”

That would actually be beneficial. Her plan had already been ruined, thanks to the Duke.

Instead of pointing that out, Kyrie turned her head and tried to walk away. But the Duke urged her again,

“I told you to get in.”

“Why should I…?”

“Because if you walk like this, you’ll just be parading down the main street with that ridiculous smile plastered on your face again.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

Kyrie retorted, refusing to back down, the corners of her lips turning upwards. Dominique, watching her intently, shrugged his shoulders.

“You’re finally becoming interesting. It would be a shame if you became no fun again.”

“Are you saying I’m boring when I smile and walk around?”

Kyrie suppressed the surge of anger at his condescending tone, which treated her like some amusement. She was used to such treatment, yet strangely, it infuriated her when this man spoke to her like that.

“I’ll have to decline the offer to join you.”

Kyrie replied, narrowing her eyes, choosing a response she knew would displease him.

“I’m sorry, but I detest being embroiled in rumors with men other than His Highness.”

“Rumors?”

As soon as he heard those words, Dominique, as expected, showed an expression of amusement, as if she had said something utterly ridiculous. A look of disbelief, as if he’d heard something so preposterous. It was an expression as if he couldn’t fathom the idea of being linked to her in any kind of rumor.

Of course, Kyrie hadn’t thought much differently.

Even if she got into his carriage, people would simply gossip about the mad dog causing trouble for the Duke after catching him in a compromising position. They wouldn’t dream of linking them romantically.

‘Regardless…’

Kyrie smiled brightly, this time with the intention of grasping her weapon firmly. And she replied brazenly,

“Unless you want to be known as the man who courted the mad dog, I suggest you stop here.”

The Duke’s eyes darkened.

“First rumors, now courting. Is that what it looks like?”

“If it’s not courting, I can’t imagine why else you would be doing this.”

“Ha.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Just as Kyrie said so and reached out to slam the carriage door shut—

Clank.

Something smoothly slipped into the gap of the closing door.  A firm, masculine hand.  The carriage door swung open again with a sharp creak.

“Then you don’t need this?”

Clink.

Something fell from the Duke’s hand. Kyrie immediately recognized the glittering object dangling from the gold chain caught between his fingers.

“…!”

It was the pendant necklace she had been trying to retrieve.

“It looks like it’s been well-loved.”

As the Duke spoke, he stroked the pendant, its surface smooth from her constant touch almost until her fingers were worn out.

Kyrie abruptly stepped into the carriage. Immediately after, the Duke naturally pulled his hand back, removing it from the door.

Thud.

The heavy door closed, and the carriage slowly started to move. Kyrie’s gaze remained fixed on the pendant.

“Sit down, Lady.”

“…”

The pendant necklace swung from the Duke’s hand, glittering enticingly. Kyrie shuddered at the sight of it,, as it looked strangely like bait in a trap.

“Give me that first.”

“I found it, so it’s mine now, isn’t it?”

It was nonsense. She didn’t need to hear any more. Instead of answering, Kyrie quickly reached out her hand.

“That’s not how it works, Lady.”

However, Dominique lifted the pendant exactly as she approached.

“Give it back.”

“Didn’t I tell you to sit down first?”

The Duke said so and put the pendant away, but Kyrie stubbornly followed his hand.

Whenever her fingertips almost reached it, the necklace was moved away, and whenever she thought she had grabbed it, the distance widened again.

Kyrie glared at Dominique, neither sitting nor standing. She unknowingly let out a panting breath.

“Unless you want to get hurt in a moving carriage…”

The Duke gestured towards the opposite seat with emphasis. Kyrie reached for the pendant one last time, thinking she might be able to grab it.

“Give…it…back…!”

Just as she gritted out the words…

Thud.

The carriage lurched violently, tilting sideways. Kyrie, momentarily losing her balance, fell towards the Duke, her hand outstretched.

“Ah!”

A short cry escaped her lips involuntarily. It was a sound that was neither a scream nor an exclamation. Kyrie’s body landed on top of the Duke, their bodies pressed tightly together in the confines of the carriage.

“…”

A suffocating silence weighed down the moving carriage. She could feel her soft breasts pressed against the Duke’s firm chest, clad in his uniform.

Thump, thump.

Even in this situation, the man’s heart beat steadily, the rhythm vibrating through her body. His rock-hard physique brushed against her slender legs.

Her attempts to get up from him were thwarted by the carriage, which continued to jolt.

Thump.

As the carriage tilted once more, Kyrie, still holding onto the Duke’s shoulders, sank deeper, as if sitting astride him.

Last night, which felt like a disturbing dream, came back to her mind. The night when she felt as if his large hand would reach out and grab her body at any moment.

Whether it was because his hand was large or because her waist was annoyingly thin, he held almost half of her waist with just one hand. Even though they were separated by clothes, she felt a distinct presence, like a hot iron searing her skin.

‘…Damn these paved roads.’

Kyrie inwardly cursed the poorly maintained roads of the capital.

Her curses extended to the lazy officials, and ultimately, to the Emperor, who fostered such a negligent environment. If the Emperor had focused on governing instead of controlling the nobles and asserting his authority, if the roads were properly maintained…

At least, she wouldn’t be pressed against the Duke like this, their bodies entangled in this uncomfortable embrace.

A strange sensation shot uncontrollably up her spine. A sensation she had never experienced before, and which she classified as unpleasant. Her heart was racing, her body felt out of control. She didn’t know what else to call it but unpleasant.

“Ha…”

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t reach the pendant necklace. Kyrie sighed deeply, feeling exhausted. The Duke looked down at her, tilted his head, and replied,

“I didn’t mean for you to sit there.”

“…Wherever I sit, is it not my choice?”

Kyrie gave a defiant answer, contrary to her desire to get off the Duke immediately.

“You seem to find the ride quite comfortable. You must have ridden in some truly awful carriages until now.”

Even as he spoke those words, the Duke still hadn’t returned her necklace. He was incredibly infuriating.

Kyrie, biting her lip, finally managed to get off the Duke’s lap. Only after she plopped down unceremoniously on the opposite seat did the Duke quietly extend his hand.

“How very gentlemanly of you.”

Kyrie snatched the pendant necklace from his hand, her voice dripping with sarcasm. The familiar weight, warmed by another person’s touch, settled in her palm.

Had he been holding her necklace the entire time?

The thought further fueled her displeasure, so she rubbed the pendant necklace roughly. Her usual smile that always bloomed brightly like a flower refused to appear.

She was annoyed, but now she doesn’t feel like smiling anymore. Noticing her agitated rubbing of the necklace, the Duke asked again,

“Wasn’t it precious?”

“It is.”

“Should you be treating it like that?”

Despite his polite tone, Kyrie felt mocked once more.

“If this is your way of insulting me…”

“Calm down, Lady.”

The Duke, using the same casual tone he used to address her when he called her a “Mad Dog,” casually took out a cigar and placed it between his lips.

The acrid smell of the match striking assaulted her senses. Kyrie coughed slightly, frowning at the pungent odor.

“I didn’t mean to insult you.”

A deep smile followed.