Early in the morning, Joanna woke up from her bed.
No matter how comfortable the room was, she couldn't sleep well whenever she came here. She sat on the edge of the bed, a look of displeasure on her face.
“Ah… how annoying.”
Although she couldn't show it in front of the Blackwood family, Joanna hated Somerset, who was always bragging in front of her.
He was talkative and greedy, and she hated that he was a man clinging to his mother's clothes.
“The entire engagement must have been arranged by his mother to ensure his status.”
What bothered her most was that Somerset acted as if they were already engaged, even though matters were not yet settled….. Many would have gone to great lengths to reach the duke's castles, but not Joanna. She was forced to come by her parents, but she wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
Since lunchtime yesterday, Somerset had been with her all the time, talking non-stop, which made her feel nervous and upset.
“All I want is to go home.”
After not finding a moment to rest, Joanna threw a shawl over her shoulders and opened the door.
The knight who was on duty outside naturally followed her, but her eyes narrowed at his gaze. “Is there somewhere safer than the Duke’s Castle? I want to be alone, so don’t follow me.”
Her harsh tone made the knight hesitate. If something happened to Joanna, he knew he would take the blame from her parents.
Feeling hesitant, Joanna added, "I won't tell my parents. I just need a moment alone."
Slowly, the knight nodded, knowing that Johanna's insistence would only increase her irritation if he refused.
Feeling a little freer, Joanna stepped outside to clear her mind and walked around the place. The calm air of the morning dawn, the light mist, and the light scent of flowers all helped lift her mood a little.
While she was walking without a specific goal, she heard the sound of light footsteps.
Click... click... click.
Her body froze. “Has anyone discovered my absence and come looking for me? Oh, it must be Somerset.”
Thinking of annoying Somerset, Joanna hid in a nearby bush. A little later, through the rising mist, I spotted a figure—a young man running, perhaps for his morning exercise.
"Who is this?"
Out of curiosity, Joanna moved forward a little to get a better view. The breeze blew the boy's hair back, clearly exposing his face.
His eyes are blue like the cold ocean, his nose is sharp, his features are delicate, and his lips gasp with warm breath.
“…”
Joanna found herself staring at the beautiful, sweat-soaked boy, enchanted.
“I've never seen him before… but such dark black hair is rare.”
As she watched the boy, a memory suddenly flashed before her mind. Her eyes sparkled.
“Could it be…!”
The boy ran close to the bush where Joanna was hiding, and without thinking, she got up.
“I can't let him escape.”
She felt a strong desire to pursue him. She thought she would regret it if she didn't act now. Joanna had always dreamed of love at first sight, and this boy seemed like her destiny.
“Daedric Blackwood!”
The boy looked exactly like the Duke whose face she had glimpsed from a distance earlier. Rumors described him as gloomy and weak, but the boy in front of her was completely different. He immediately captured Joanna's heart.
“If I have to get engaged, I'd rather it be him!”
“Wait, please!”
But her voice did not reach him. In desperation, Joanna ran after him but tripped and fell.
“Ah!”
She felt a slight tingling sensation in her knees, and her eyes filled with tears, but catching him was more important.
She quickly looked up to see if he was gone, and fortunately for her, the boy had stopped and was looking at her.
Joanna smiled faintly as he approached.
“Are you… talking to me?”
Even his voice was amazing. Joanna ignored her uncoordinated state and extended her hand towards him.
“Yes! Can you—”
Her words stopped when her eyes met Daedric's icy blue gaze.
“Help me up, Daedric.”
Joanna decided to use this opportunity to her advantage.
Of course, Daedric had already noticed her presence. His skills have improved to the point where he can easily spot anyone hiding near him.
He pretended not to notice her because he did not want to get involved with Somerset's favourite, and to avoid any unnecessary trouble.
Deederick was deeply aware of Somerset's feelings for Joanna, which made him even more wary.
He looked at her outstretched hand without taking it. If Somerset had seen him holding her hand, it would have been a big problem for him.
“Dedric?” Joanna called him hesitantly, noticing that he did not respond.
She thought he might not recognize her and was being reserved, so she quickly introduced herself.
“I'm Johanna of the Primrose family. I'm not a suspicious person.”
She smiled tenderly, but Daedric remained cold and calm.
“I'll call someone to help you.”
Joanna panicked and grabbed his sleeve.
“Why? You can help me yourself!”
“You are my brother’s engaged woman, aren’t you? I don’t want to cause any misunderstanding.”
"It's just helping me get up. Won't he praise you for that?"
“I doubt it. My brother and I are rivals for the position of heir. If he thinks I touched his future fiancée, he will be very angry. Besides, you should be aware of my position in this family.”
“…”
“Then, I will go on my way.”
Without hesitation, Daedric turned to leave. Joanna tried to stand on her own, wiping off her dress.
As she watched him leave, her smile widened.
"excellent!"
I was impressed by how he left no room for misunderstanding and how direct he was. Unlike the chatty Somerset, Diderick spoke concisely and got to the point.
For the first time, Joanna felt excited to stay in the duke's castle.
"Being an outcast suits him. I can help him."
Then he will open his heart to me. “Just like in that fairy tale!”
Joanna Primrose, fifteen years old. With her beautiful appearance, she was the envy of everyone because she was one of the most admired young women among noblewomen her age. This lady was completely immersed in romantic stories.
_________________________
She stared intently at Daedric, who had just emerged, freshly cleaned himself. His ears were red as he tried to avoid her gaze. It was so cute of him to shyly cover his face with his towel. Without realizing it, she continued to stare at him until her gaze became uncomfortable, and finally, Deidrick couldn't hold it in, so he stole a glance at her while blushing.
“Why…?”
“…”
“Are you angry with me?”
“I'm never mad at you, Didi.” ...Only from someone like Somerset.
Deidrick walked over to her, who was sitting on top of the wardrobe, gently pulled her hands, and asked cautiously: “Then why do you keep staring?”
“Where are you going so early in the morning?”
“Ah…”
When Deidrick seemed a little hesitant, I quickly added, “I wasn't going to ask, out of respect for your personal time, but I'm very curious.”
I want to know everything about you.
At her last comment, Deidrick scratched his reddened cheek. “I thought I lacked endurance, so I was running for exercise...”
Of course, there's no comparison between Somerset and Daedric if you have eyes, but remember, Daedric already has someone else!
“Should I run with you?”
“No, you sleep too much...”
“If you agree, I can join you.”
Even if I get called into the closet halfway through, at least we can start together.
But Deidrick politely refused. “I'll take that idea into consideration.”
Deidrick gently ruffled her hair and led her towards the office. Before Joanna left, Deidrick intended to use this quiet time to finish two books of children's stories.
Deidrick has been working with her on reading and writing. Although she once thought about burning her notes every day, Deidrick forbade her. “I'll keep it safe,” he said, hiding it somewhere she didn't know.
“Today’s book is ‘The Orphan and the Prince.’”
“Oh, I know that book!”