31 NO ORDINARY LADY~

Leticia was about to go out of her room when she heard a knock. She thought it would be Hazel again.

"Come in Haz-..." She said, but before she could finish a tap on the door was heard again accompanied by a baritone voice.

"It's me…"

She looked back and saw Hugh was already leaning at the door. "Oh… I was just about to get out.", she immediately walked to him as she didn't want him to wait.

As she stands in front of him she can't help but stare. She was still looking at his hair color and eyes. 'I still can't get used to this…' she thought.

Meanwhile, he was looking around the guest room that Leticia was occupying. Seeing that it has a good view and enough sunlight was pouring into the room with a large space and luxury, he was satisfied with the arrangement that Hans made.

Hugh became aware of someone's stare and looked down to meet Leticia's golden eyes. "What is it? Is there something on my face, Leticia?", Hugh asked.

Hearing her name awakens her from her thoughts. "Oh! It's just that I still can't get used to your hair color." she said as she smiled.

But actually, Leticia was just missing seeing raven hair and eyes that were normal back in her world. It just fascinates her that in this world it's being called as rare and associated with royalty.

"Ah! Of course..." he replied in dryness.

"Shall we? I prepared breakfast in the greenhouse." he added, changing the topic.

Leticia grabbed his arm as he escorted her out of the room. Then, she felt that Hugh was avoiding the subject about his connection to the royalty.

As they walked side by side, Leticia couldn't help but look up. She saw his side profile and thought 'Did I say something wrong? Or is it because of what I said? I guess it's a taboo to him…'

Leticia decided not to touch the topic anymore. She also changed the topic "Did you just say that you prepared breakfast?"

Hugh then looked at her, "Yes, I know Leticia's taste. So, it's better if I do it myself." he smirked remembering how she always finishes the food prepared by him.

Leticia was moved by his considerations but she thought otherwise, "You didn't have to do it. You're a Duke."

She was afraid that she would become a nuisance to him as she knows how busy a Duke can be. Especially since he just returned from the South. 'And Hazel said that he had an early schedule to go to the palace to report to the King', she thought. Leticia didn't want to impose too much on Hugh and now knowing that he prepared the breakfast made her feel guilty, 'He didn't need to do that. He had a chef who could do that. He must be busy…' she added.

But Hugh didn't know what she was thinking so he frowned when he heard what she said.

"Even if I'm a Duke or not, I would still do what I want."

"..."

The sharpness in his tone was evident that Leticia was late to reply.

"I see…"

After that, both of them remained silent as they walked towards the greenhouse.

***

"I didn't get to tell him that I want to leave and get the reward…"

Leticia sighed as she recalled how the meal became uncomfortable as the silence creeps in.

"I didn't even know if I tasted the food…!" She leaned her head back at the sofa chair as she was frustrated at what happened at the breakfast table.

"Ugh! When would I get to leave?!'

She's been stuck at Hugh's estate and she was itching to get out of the palace and wander at the Capital.

"Do you want to leave, my lady?" Hazel suddenly asked.

"Wait… since when are you there?" Leticia asked as she didn't even notice her coming.

"I've been here since earlier, my lady. I knocked a few times and waited but you didn't answer so I just came in. You were mumbling alone, so I just cleaned the room, my lady."

Then, Leticia saw that the room was sparkling again. "Wow…"

"But, my lady, do you want to go out? I can ask the head butler for permission and get a carriage for you."

"Really? You could do that?"

Leticia's golden eyes sparkled as she learned that she could go out to have fun and also looked for possible jobs as well as a house that she could purchase when she left here.

Meanwhile, Hazel, who saw how excited Leticia was, became more determined to get that permission.

"Don't worry, my lady! I will definitely make it happen!" Hazel raised her fist in determination.

***

Hazel was looking out the carriage window, delighted that she got the permission that she asked Hans who was always strict.

But Leticia was different. She silently peeked at the carriage window as well as the man sitting across her.

'I thought I was going by myself…'

But alas, Leticia thought wrong.

The moment that she got permission to get out and was on the way to the carriage, she saw the man sitting across from her waiting at the front.

She knew him from the little encounter at the garden but what she didn't understand was why she needed an escort and why must it be Austin?

'He said he's the vice-leader of the Black Stallion Knights, right? So, what is an important person escorting me?'

Leticia couldn't help but to ask. "Sir Austin, aren't you supposed to be with the Duke? I mean, I heard that His Grace will be going to the Palace. You're the vice-leader of the Black Stallion Knights so I was just wondering…"

"Do you not like me, my lady?"

Leticia was flustered at how he playfully answered her question. She shakes her hand, "No! That's not it! I mean it's important that you're beside His Grace especially on important occasions. And besides, it's not like I'm a noble so I really don't need to be escorted."

Austin suddenly laughed. "Hahaha!"

"What? What's funny?"

Leticia and Hazel stared at him as he held his stomach as he laughed too much. The two were confused as to why he suddenly laughed.

"If His Grace heard you, he'd definitely be upset. Besides, my lady, even if you're not a noble as a knight it's still my duty to escort a lady."

Leticia frowned at the reason why Hugh would be upset but she also agreed to what Austin said about the chivalry of the knights to escort a lady.

"Then, why not Mike?"

This time, it was Austin who frowned.

"Tell me honestly, my lady. You don't really like me, no?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, it's like you don't want me to escort you. And look, you're asking for someone who isn't here. Am I not enough?"

'What the hell is this man saying? If people heard him they could misunderstand because of how he word things…' she said to herself.

Austin smiled when he saw how she became speechless. He then explained the reason why it needed to be him.

"The Duke already appointed me as your escort during your stay at the estate. His Grace asked me to protect you as there might be assassins that saw your face during the incident at your house,"

Leticia just listened to him as he became serious. "...and even if I looked like a naive young master from the outside, I'm still the vice leader of the Black Stallion Knights. I have the qualifications to serve the lady, and the reason why the Duke appointed me was because he knew that you'll be more safe with me. You're His Grace savior and so, you will get the best treatment." Austin further explained. "Besides my lady, if Mike becomes your escort you will just gain attention because of that man's scary face!" he added.

When he finished talking, Austin then smiled like he was just not staring at Leticia with suspicions.

"I see… then thank you for escorting me today, Sir Austin." Leticia smiled like she was not intimidated at how Austin looked at her seconds ago. "I'm looking forward to how you will protect me..." she said, still smiling at him.

"Oho~" Austin was amazed that Leticia didn't even flinch like how people always reacted towards him. There's even instances that some ladies will cry when he shows them this side of him. He knew how he looked whenever he tried to intimidate someone with his eyes. Even his subordinates said that he looks like a mad hound whenever his face becomes serious, it was also his nickname during the war in the North. That's why he always tries to smile so as to not intimidate people.

'But she can ignore it and also make comebacks… she's interesting~'

However, looking at Leticia who was now looking outside the window with the look of excitement attached to her eyes like she was never even scared of him. Austin can't help but think that- 'She's no ordinary lady.' He smirked as he leaned his body at the carriage seat.