IS, IDMMYLM 02

Chapter 2:

A Small Box of Chocolate and a Big Mess

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“W-What do you mean you grabbed it first?”

Eliana finally opened her mouth, a beat too late, after staring at the man’s face for a while.

Anyone could see that she had reached for the box first, and then the man did.

His fingers resting atop her hand were undeniable proof.

But the man simply tilted his head with an air of innocence and spoke.

“Obviously, I did.”

Eliana was dumbfounded by the man so brazenly pointing at himself.

“You must be mistaken, sir—no, my lord. I clearly reached first. Look, your fingers are on top of mine.”

She quickly scanned his attire, adjusted her tone, and offered a polite smile.

Though dressed simply in uniform, every visible accessory looked expensive.

There was a refinement beyond mere wealth, and while his tone was arrogant, his demeanor had grace and poise.

Eliana had lived her entire life under the scrutiny of high society.

Reading someone from a glance or a gesture was second nature to her.

He was undoubtedly a nobleman—one with a title of significant rank.

But who is he? I’ve never seen him before.

Curly black hair, amber eyes, a face too handsome to be unknown in social circles.

Yet she had never seen nor heard of him.

Eliana studied his face closely.

There was something oddly familiar about it.

“Do I have something on my face? Why are you staring like that?”

“My apologies, it was rude of me. In any case, I reached first, so I’d appreciate it if you let go.”

Eliana tugged the box toward herself.

But the man didn’t budge.

“By the way, young lady, did you know this is made for children? It barely looks like a mouthful for you.”

His teasing remark struck a nerve.

Seeing her expression falter, he grinned slyly.

Look who’s talking. One bite from you and it’d probably disappear into your teeth.

Eliana forced a smile, quelling the irritation bubbling up inside.

“Then it must be far too little for you, my lord. Perhaps you’d prefer to come back tomorrow and purchase something in proper proportion.”

“Why would I eat it? It’s a gift, of course.”

“…I’m also giving it as a gift.”

“You’re a terrible liar, you know that?”

He let out a chuckle.

Eliana’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Still, she refused to let go.

It had already been a humiliating day. She was hungry, angry, and holding this was her only victory.

“Whether you believe me or not, I—”

“Haven’t we met somewhere before? You seem familiar.”

Before she could finish, the man suddenly leaned closer.

He peered at her, scrutinizing her face.

Who the hell does he think he’s confusing me with?

Frowning at his invasive behavior, Eliana’s brows furrowed.

“What are you—”

“Young lady?”

Just as she was about to snap at him, a voice called out.

“Milla?”

It was none other than her personal maid, Milla.

Next to her stood a shop employee.

Startled by the unexpected encounter, Eliana’s grip on the box loosened for a split second.

“Thanks for the generous surrender, young lady.”

Oh no.

In that instant, the man seized the box like he had been waiting for that exact moment.

Eliana quickly reached for the ribbon tied around it.

But it slipped through her fingers like water.

“Shopkeeper! I’ll take this!”

The man cheerfully shouted and tossed two gold coins to the clerk beside Milla.

With a clink, they landed perfectly in his hands.

“Hey!”

“I’ve already paid. It’s mine now, young lady.”

He waved the box at her tauntingly.

The smug grin on his face made her itch to smack him.

With one last glance, the man swiftly turned and exited the store.

“Don’t mourn what’s already been stolen, young lady.”

He threw in a final insult before leaving.

Unbidden, Albert’s face flashed through her mind.

Stolen? Who’s been stolen, you bastard.

Overcome with sudden emotion, Eliana rushed after him.

Only to trip over her skirt and stumble.

Ugh, seriously!

She yanked up her skirt in frustration and ran outside.

But when she reached the street, the man was already gone.

How can someone that big move so fast?

Sniffing at the faint trace of his scent lingering in the air, Eliana looked around.

Could today get any worse?

Her fiancé had broken off their engagement for a pale-faced girl.

And now a total scoundrel had stolen her last chocolate.

“I hope your mansion burns down and you end up on the streets,” she muttered darkly.

“It’s just a chocolate box. No need to get so worked up,” Milla said gently as she approached.

“I thought you were going to the palace. What happened there? You seem unusually emotional today.”

The calmness in Milla’s voice made Eliana go quiet.

“Nothing happened. I just haven’t eaten all day and I’m irritable.”

“Oh dear, the future Crown Princess can’t even handle a little hunger? That won’t do.”

Milla’s eyes curved playfully.

She placed a small candy in Eliana’s hand, like comforting a child.

“I’ll have the chef prepare some soup when we get back to the estate.”

“Can you not treat me like a child?” Eliana pouted.

Having been with Eliana since she was ten, Milla often acted more like a big sister than a maid.

“Why are you even here?”

“I had to pick up your dress from the tailor and remembered that a friend of mine recently started working here.”

“So you were slacking off.”

Milla just smiled brightly instead of answering.

“Should I report you to the head maid?”

She clasped her hands together, batting her eyes innocently.

Eliana sighed and looked down at the candy.

Was this a bribe?

“…No.”

“You’re too generous.”

Eliana popped the candy into her mouth.

Its sweet taste slowly melted away her bitterness.

---

The man, now safely out of the shopping district, stood before a large fountain in the central square.

He fanned himself as he watched the water flow gracefully from the stone statue.

“It’s hot.”

It was still early spring, with cold snaps lingering.

Despite wearing a thin shirt, he was sweating.

“Master!”

Just as he undid a few shirt buttons, a red-haired man came running.

“You’re here, Gerard. I was waiting for you.”

The man smiled, eyes curving easily.

Gerard wiped the sweat from his brow and pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his coat.

“What is this? Do you know how startled I was?”

Written in bold red letters was: I’ll be waiting in front of the fountain.

“What? What’s the problem? It’s clear and got the job done.”

Looking genuinely confused, the man tilted his head.

Gerard sighed deeply.

“Please, next time give me a proper heads-up. Or at least leave a normal message.”

“What’s wrong with this?”

“It looks like a duel challenge or a death threat!”

Gerard shoved the note in his face.

“I paid the bill, turned around, and you were gone. There was just this red-scrawled note stabbed into the table! Of course I panicked!”

“…Okay, yeah, that does sound bad.”

The man burst out laughing.

Gerard sagged in defeat, staring at his master with helpless disbelief.

“You thought I’d been kidnapped?”

“No, my lord being kidnapped? Impossible. The Wolf of the North doesn’t get kidnapped.”

The man grinned.

The Wolf of the North.

It was an honorable title given to the noble who ruled the Empire’s northern border—constantly under siege by foreign tribes and unyielding in defense.

And the man behind that name was none other than Richard Norbert.

Loyal vassal to the Emperor and sovereign of the northern realm.

“So, what did you go out for?”

“To buy this.”

Richard held out the box of chocolates.

“For the princess?”

“Yes.”

His expression softened as he thought of the young princess.

“But the box is a little dented.”

“There was… a bit of an incident.”

Richard paused and looked between the box and Gerard.

In Gerard’s curly red hair and olive eyes, he suddenly saw her again—Eliana.

“That’s where I’ve seen her… I completely forgot, it’s been so long.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Let’s go.”

He waved a hand and started walking.

A silly smile played at his lips.

 

Gerard trailed behind, puzzled by his master’s strange mood.