PSD Chapter 9

A Captivating Presence

Everyone nodded in admiration at Milena’s appearance, which was so stunning that it drew gasps of approval.

The shopkeeper, seeing how pleased his customer seemed, clasped his hands together and flashed a capitalist’s smile.

“Well then, how would you like to pay? Should I charge it to the Grand Duke’s estate?”

“Oh.”

Right. I don’t have any money.

Caught up in the excitement of shopping after so long, I had completely forgotten the most important fact. Today was just supposed to be about browsing, getting some fresh air—I hadn’t planned on buying anything.

But saying outright that I wouldn’t be making a purchase was difficult with the expectant look in the shopkeeper’s eyes.

Still, I wasn’t shameless enough to charge it to the Grand Duke’s estate. It was hard enough just trying to get my hands on child support.

In the end, all of that money belonged to Ashdel. As his aunt, I couldn’t just squander it recklessly.

Milena glanced over at the knight who was silently watching her. Their eyes met, and for some reason, the air between them felt heated.

A lady and her knight.

It was the kind of dynamic straight out of a romance novel.

The employees and shopkeeper watched them with keen interest, as if witnessing an intense exchange of emotions between lovers.

But their thoughts were entirely different.

That man… he’s not a new recruit, is he? How much do knights even make?

“Sir.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Lend me some money.”

“……”

To become a knight, one had to be at least the third or fourth son of a baron’s family. That meant he should have money, right? It wasn’t an outrageous amount.

“I’ll pay you back soon.”

Was he really that dumbfounded? His expression, partially hidden behind his tousled hair, was hard to read.

“…When exactly?”

“Well… who knows?”

“……”

At her vague response, the knight subtly shielded his pocket, as if to protect it.

Come on now, anyone watching would think I was extorting him. Like a true villainess doing villainous things.

Even though I didn’t have money at the moment, I had a plan.

Once I left the Grand Duke’s estate and returned to my family home, I could sell my mother’s keepsakes to raise funds. Then, I could send the knight his money back.

Thinking about it, I’d also need travel expenses to leave this place. Hmm… I’d have to consider that later. First, I needed the dress.

“Trust me, I’ll pay you back.”

Would he really think I’d just run off with his money?

From beneath his disheveled gray hair, the knight’s reluctant gaze darted around.

Just trust me already.

With an exasperated sigh, he finally pulled out his money pouch.

---

“Please visit again! We’ll have your items delivered to the Grand Duke’s estate shortly!”

Leaving behind the cheerful voice of the shopkeeper, they stepped out onto the street. The sun was already setting.

In the end, she had purchased three dresses that suited her well. Three might not sound like much, but for a knight’s salary, it was probably a bit excessive.

Even though she felt guilty, the knight had paid without hesitation.

“So, Sir… What was your name again?”

The knight, now with an empty purse, glanced at it before chuckling at her question.

“You’re only curious about my name now?”

“Well, we never properly introduced ourselves. Thanks to someone barging into my room out of nowhere, I didn’t exactly have the chance to ask.”

“And now that you’ve borrowed money from me, you figured you might as well learn my name?”

Milena shrugged at the knight’s teasing remark.

“Well, yeah. Something like that.”

“……”

His gaze swept over her carefully.

From what he had heard, Milena Lastia didn’t seem to care about anyone except her nephew, Ashdel.

She hadn’t even spared a warm glance at the man she supposedly loved so much that she had betrayed her own sister for him.

How could a woman be so different from the rumors?

She was intriguing enough to pique his curiosity.

Was she, like that young master, just hiding her true nature behind an act? Or was there another reason?

They say love has an expiration date.

Had her love simply faded after five years?

That was what he wanted to know.

Just like how a man rumored to be a notorious playboy seemed completely unfamiliar with the concept of love…

Maybe this woman had a reason of her own.

His curiosity grew deeper.

“Shall we introduce ourselves again? I’m Milena Lastia. A count’s daughter for now, and you’ve probably heard the rumors. About me seducing my sister’s husband and almost marrying him.”

Her gaze was calm as she extended her hand for a handshake.

Seeing that, a mischievous thought crossed his mind.

He responded with a gesture that had become second nature to him.

He wondered how this woman would react.

“Lexion.”

His voice was smooth and deep.

Taking her hand, he lifted it and pressed a kiss to her skin.

Would she flinch in recognition, like that young master? Or blush like the noble ladies who admired knights?

“Sir.”

However, Lexion had overlooked two things.

First, his face was still hidden beneath his messy hair.

Second, Milena was far past the age of swooning over knights.

Smack.

His lips lingered on her translucent skin for a long moment. The kiss, executed with the grace and elegance befitting a knight, should have been enchanting.

But Milena simply tilted her head slightly.

“That’s a very long greeting.”

Without any visible reaction, she smoothly withdrew her hand.

A crack appeared in his confident expression.

“You don’t do this to just any woman, do you? Be careful—someone might report you to the authorities for being a flirt.”

He had expected some kind of reaction—if not recognition, then at least the usual flustered response from a noblewoman.

Instead, she was warning him about being misunderstood as a scoundrel.

He was tall and had a solid build. Even with his face partially hidden, shouldn’t his deep voice and imposing presence at least make her blush a little?

…Was her standard set by the Grand Duke, Calion?

That would be an insult to his pride.

Lexion had nothing to lose against the Grand Duke.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”

Already several steps ahead, Milena turned back and called out to him.

“Sir Lexion, not Hubert.”

“…Ah.”

For a moment, Lexion wondered—had he accidentally revealed his true face?

His features were currently concealed by magic, so to anyone else, he should have appeared as Hubert.

Then why did it feel like Milena was seeing him?

Her green eyes gleamed with an unreadable expression.

The setting sun cast a deep golden glow over her hair, making it seem like she could be swallowed by the light at any moment.

“I don’t know why you entered the Grand Duke’s estate, but don’t bother trying to seduce me.”

Lexion found himself unable to look away from the surreal image before him.

“No matter how handsome you are, I have no intention of falling for you. And I doubt I’d be much help to you anyway.”

“…Handsome?”

She can see my face?

Stunned, he strode forward, closing the distance between them.

Milena looked up at him and nonchalantly said, “Oh, was that supposed to be hidden?”

Through his disheveled hair, his startled expression was visible.

For some reason, his magic didn’t work on her.

Milena had seen his true face from the beginning—but she had simply chosen not to say anything.

Lexion let out a quiet chuckle.

She was… fascinating.

His red eyes locked onto hers.

“This is interesting.”

With a slow smirk, he lowered his voice.

“So, is my face to your liking?”

Milena swallowed dryly.

What was with this sudden shift?

As she instinctively tried to step back, his firm grip held her in place.

“I clearly heard you say it.”

His smile was slow, deliberate—seductive.

“No matter how handsome I am, you won’t fall for me?”