I genuinely did think I was being kidnapped for a moment.

He took off into an alley, then turned a corner, and then another. Eventually we ended up on a street again, maneuvering and diving through the crowds. The thugs were cursing loudly, swearing after us as they tried to push through but were blocked by an oncoming wagon. Within minutes we were down the block, and the nobleman stopped running, instead slowing down to a walk, and approached a rather extravagant store- one that served only nobility.

Yup… we made it into that side of town. The one for extremely wealthy people.

I’m going to be in so much trouble if they see me- and they probably will, given we’ve made such a huge entrance as he kicked the door open and the store bell rang, signaling out entry if the loud slam of the door against the wasn’t attention attracting enough.

“My apologies.” The man said, his deep velvety voice surprising me. The world flashed by me as I abruptly found myself on my feet again, wheezing and standing completely still, feeling a bit like a rag doll that had been tossed around. My messenger bag was hanging halfway off my arm, my scarf completely disheveled. “Are you alright? There was no need for you to intervene; I had it handled. But… I appreciate the attempt.”

Blinking a few times, struggling to regulate my breathing, arms still dangling, I lifted my head, and gaped upon seeing the beauty of the man before me. His hood must have fallen off while we were running, because I could see his face clearly now, and he was gorgeous- more so than anyone else I’ve ever met. With caramel skin and long black hair that fell loosely around his shoulders and down his back, all I could do was stare, so taken in by his lifeless yet so very piercing blue eyes that I didn’t even notice the pointed tips of his ears at first. His lashes were long and dark, and fluttered as his eyes widened, a single beauty mark resting under his left eye.

The Viscount had a beauty mark like that, I remembered, but he wasn’t…

He wasn’t anywhere near this pretty. Was this man an elf?

“You…” The nobleman gazed back at me, looking quite surprised, and that snapped me out of my trance. “You’re…”

If he was surprised by me, then it was most likely my appearance. To a beautiful nobleman like him, I must’ve looked filthy.

I wasn’t dirty, per se, as I did clean up the best as I could by boiling water and washing myself with a cloth since the bath tub wasn’t really… usable, and I washed my hair in the abandoned kitchen’s sink with cold water and the soap I bought with the money I earned, but my clothes were worse for wear and I definitely had dark circles under my eyes. Dressed in such tattered attire with a ghostly white face and messy hair… well…

I don’t think any noble would be happy to have “touched” someone like me.

“S-Sorry.” I found myself choking out, realizing I was probably in an insane amount of trouble now. I took a small step back, holding my hands up apologetically, my legs shaking a little as the exhaustion from running so hard earlier mixed with my growing fear, the anxiety still coursing through my veins. “I-I just- I saw you, and I didn’t want to ignore you, but I… I panicked and-”

Before I could finish apologizing and explaining myself, the nobleman lunged, but instead of hitting me or throwing me onto the floor, his hands grabbed my face. I yelped, startled, and found myself leaning forward on my toes as he tugged me closer, our chests almost touching. Grasping his robe, my eyes went wide, and I inhaled sharply upon seeing the intensity of his stare.

His blue eyes, which had already been so breathtaking, seemed to glow an ultramarine shade. I could feel the warmth of his hands through his gloves, the heat almost burning against my skin. The man looked shaken for some reason, and I wasn’t sure why.

“I know you.” He breathed, and I found my eyes growing even wider. A light had blossomed in his gaze, and with it a deep, unsettled confusion. “I’ve seen you before. Where?”

“...Huh?”

It was a little alarming, and I could hear the women inside the store whispering to one another about the strange scene taking place. My heart was racing. I didn’t know what to do. I had no idea what he was doing. His eyes were searching my face, taking in every little detail, and the more we stood there, his hands on my face and holding me so close I could feel the warmth of his body beneath all the layers, I felt my cheeks start to grow red.

I only grew more flustered when his thumbs caressed my cheeks, brushing the dark circles under my eyes. “You aren’t… hmm.”

He released me. I yelped, stumbling as the flats of my feet hit the floor once more, and I watched as he stepped back, resting a hand on his hip and running the fingers of his other hand through his bangs. I blinked, seeing him look back at me. His pretty blue eyes narrowed, dark lashes fluttering, and my heart caught in my throat when he lowered his hand to curl his fingers around his lips. He was scrutinizing me. The light in his eyes seemed to have vanished.

“Forgive my rudeness. I seemed to have mistaken you for someone.”

“Ah… n-no, that’s… that’s okay!”

He stared at me for a minute more when I smiled at him, waving his apology off. Lowering his gaze, he seemed almost… cold. Empty, even. Tilting my head, I wondered what was wrong.

“Was… it a friend?”

The man paused at my question, having not expected it. “...No. I was tasked with finding someone, and you met the description almost perfectly, except… well,” A dry smile crossed his lips, his lashes fluttering as he closed his eyes, “you’re a stableboy. The person I was meant to find is a young lady. Although I must confess, that isn't who I mistook you for.”

“Oooooh…” Well, even though I’m not actually a stableboy, I know there’s no one in this world who would be looking for me, so there’s no point in revealing myself. I gave another small smile, trying to remain friendly. “Um, I hope you find her?”

“...Thank you.” He eyed me strangely when I said that. “Well, I must be going now. Don’t go picking anymore fights. You might not be able to escape again.”

“Aren’t you the one they were picking a fight with, though?”

He blinked. A bit of light returned to his eyes, his lips curling upwards in a mildly amused smile. “So they were. You have a bit of a smart tongue on you, don’t you?”

I thought about it, folding my arms over my chest, before letting out a small laugh. “I mean, I guess? I do my best!”

“...So it seems.” His dark blue eyes flashed that breathtaking ultramarine color again, his smile seeming a bit more dangerous than it was a moment ago. “Since we’ve come this far together, won’t you give me your name?”

Aha, I'm actually prepared for this question now. “Ellis!”

“Very well, then, Ellis.” The way he said it caused goosebumps to form, but it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. He was an alarmingly beautiful man with an equally attractive voice. I resisted the urge to swallow the heart that got caught in my throat, looking up at him with slightly red cheeks and big eyes as my fingers twitched against my arms. Something knowing flashed in his eyes, and it showed in his smile. “You may call me… Lysandre.”

I squinted at that. That one hundred percent was not his real name. “If we meet again, maybe.”

He actually pouted. “Leaving me so soon? We only just exchanged names.”

“Well, uh… I’m not supposed to be in here, so…” I gave a two-fingered wave. As much as I wanted a friend and someone to talk to, I valued my life just as much. “It was nice to meet you, mister! Enjoy the boutique!”

The boutique’s bells rang when I opened it to leave, and I yelped when the door suddenly slammed shut. Looking up, I saw that Lord Lysandre had shoved it closed with his hand, and I couldn’t help but make a befuddled face when I stared at him from over my shoulder. His eyes were wide, like he couldn’t even believe he himself had done what he had just did, and he stiffly pulled his arm back, movements beyond awkward. “Ah… my apologies. Again.”

He cleared his throat, resting a hand to his chest.

When he looked at me again, he flashed me a practised closed-eye smile. “Might you show me around town? I have not been to this side of the kingdom before. You could say that I am new to the area.”

I stared blankly at him.

Observing his hooded cape with the fur and the thick black turtleneck he was wearing beneath it, it was obvious that he either came from far up north or down from the southern kingdom. He was dressed for extreme cold, which meant he was from the Grand Dukedom’s territory and didn’t know to prepare for warmer weather, or from Ediryn, a tropical kingdom, and thus overdressed because he expected much colder weather.

Hmmm…

Looking back up at him, I contemplated for a moment, before shrugging. “Sure.”

There are worse ways to spend the day, and I wouldn’t mind getting to stare at his pretty face a little while longer.

“Truly?” Lord Lysandre smiled so brightly my heart almost skipped a beat, and I thought I was hallucinating because for a moment I thought I saw fangs poking out from behind his lips. Life seemed to return to his eyes, and it made the ultramarine of his irises absolutely sparkle. “You are much too kind!”

“Where do you wanna go?” I asked, shoving my hands in my pockets. “There’s a few bookstores, a couple tea shops, some antique stores, and- oh! I know this really nice cafe, if you’re hungry. I was actually about to head there when I saw you. It’s called-”

“Ahem.” From the side, a woman cleared her throat, and I jumped, earning a small chuckle from Lord Lysandre. We both turned to see someone, presumably the owner, frowning at us, the lady tapping a fan against the palm of her gloved hand. She was quite pretty, but was very irritated judging by her smile and narrowed eyes. “Pardon me, but are you here to shop or…”

She turned her glare towards me, and I carefully hid a flinch when her gaze darkened. I could sense the change in atmosphere immediately.

“Obstruct business?”

Frick. Nope, no, it’s fine.

This isn’t the first time I’ve upset someone by stepping into their store. I was quick to bow my head, ducking down with my hands laced together against my stomach. “F-Forgive me, m’lady. It was… not intended. I-I’ll leave.”

“Hmph. You think an mere apology is enough? You sullied my store with your filth and proceeded to scare customers away by standing in the doorway!”

My jaw tightened. My fingers dug into my gloves. “N-No, m’lady. I… simply did not wish to waste anymore of your precious time. Please, f-forgive this… unworthy peasant’s foolishness.”

“What pretty, pretty words.” She mocked. “Stand up and look at me.”

Inhaling sharply, I braced myself for the pain that was about to ensue and did as told. No sooner had I lifted my head to look at her did the back of her hand smack the side of my face. I could feel it stinging, a pain in my bottom lip as it busted. I remained silent. She then tugged her glove off, dropping it on the floor and stepping on it with her heel. 

With that one action, she showed her disgust. “Come in here again, and I shall have my husband remove your tongue. Understand?”

Recognizing the threat for what it was, I simply nodded, making sure to keep quiet. 

“Look at me.” Her fan touched the bottom of my chin and I flinched, lifting my head up. “Hmm. You do have a nice face… and such pretty eyes. Russet eyes like yours aren’t common. Without your tongue to speak such filth, a bath, and some proper clothes, you’d make a lovely pet. Yes… I think you’d do nicely. Come in here again, and I shall make you mine. I wouldn’t mind having you by my side, provided you’re unable to speak.” 

There was no stopping the chill that went down my spine at that. 

“But until then…” She retracted her fan and held it out, and one of her employees stepped forward to take it from her, clearly intending to throw it away. “Leave.” 

Nobility could be truly bonkers. 

“Enough.” Lord Lysandre spoke, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding when one of his arms wrapped around the front of my shoulder, pulling me back. His expression, which had been so soft and even a little awkward earlier, had turned completely stone cold, his beautiful and bright ultramarine eyes now a freezing ice blue. The black locks of hair framing his face only made them stand out more. “I’ve already made the decision to employ this stableboy. If you wish to take him, you will have to deal with my master.” 

“And who’s your master?” The lady asked, resting her singular gloved hand against her cheek. One of her brows were raised. “I sincerely doubt he’s higher rank than a Marquess-” 

She froze. Her eyes caught sight of the dragon brooch holding his cape shut. 

“You… You work for him?” 

“Indeed I do, Madam Haera.” The woman startled, having not expected him to know her name, and I blinked, craning my head back to stare up at him, having not expected it either. Lord Lysandre said he’s never been here, so how could he possibly know her? “Quite closely, in fact. I am certain you’re aware that His Grace does not appreciate having his people touched. Or are you as foolish as your husband, who is unaware the young men under your employ are actually your lovers?” 

Madam Haera was mortified. 

What the actual hell? That’s disgusting. She’s cheating on her husband? With men half her age?

I mean, I guess I can’t be surprised given what she said she’d do to me, but… 

Eugh, gross. She’s at least forty… 

Madam Haera forced out a laugh and a smile. “O-Oh, my! What remarkable things you’re saying! You truly have an imagination! I simply enjoy dressing up adorable men. I am a seamstress, after all! Ah, and as a seamstress I happen to be quite busy, so if you’ll pardon me…” 

She bowed out and hurried back to her customers, who were gaping and staring this way, whispering behind their fans. Looking back up at Lord Lysandre, I saw him still glaring in her direction, before his expression immediately softened as he looked back down at me. 

I wondered if I had somehow gotten involved with someone more dangerous than the lady or the thugs. “Uh…” 

“You mentioned a cafe?” He asked, tone of voice much softer than it was a moment ago. 

“...Y-Yeah! Yeah, it’s, um, The Little Flower Cafe. It’s super cute. Do you like flowers?” Wheedling out from his arm, I marched over to the door and opened it, holding it with my foot and moving my hands about as I began to ramble, heart still racing as my brain simultaneously tried to process and ignore what just happened. One of my hands rubbed at my neck, anxiety making itself known. “I like flowers. They change the inside flowers depending on the season, but they always have lilies outside. Except for winter. Flowers don’t like to grow in winter. They bring out fake flowers then. They had fake tiger lilies outside last year.” 

Lord Lysandre’s lips spread into a large smile, his eyes once again that piercing ultramarine blue. I felt my heart skip another beat as he folded his arms over his chest. “I suppose I might like flowers.”

“Suppose you might?” I echoed, baffled by that response.