“Please… hurry…” she begged.
“Wait!” Kael shouted, pushing through the crowd.
All eyes turned. Barbielle’s scoff cut through the silence. The receptionist hurried to Valencia as soon as possible. The moment Valencia grabbed her badge, she turned and—
GRAB.
“Found you!” Kael panted.
Valencia flushed as she looked at the ladies behind him. Then she returned her gaze to him. He smiled.
“Me?” she squeaked.
He pulled her closer.
“This… Yes, you’re quite hard to find, Miss Elyane.”
Valencia’s heart thudded. She averted her gaze lower, surprised. Is that… my heart beating? What is this weird feeling? I’ve never felt this before.
Kael chuckled as he gripped tightly.
“You feel it, too? That weird… calm feeling,” he wondered.
Her eyes widened, horrified that he knew what she was thinking. She looked at him.
“H-How?”
“Follow me… where it’s quiet,” he demanded, dragging her along.
Renai bit her lower lip and stopped in front of them.
“Lord Kael, I think you should know… but this lady is an F-rank Guide. Someone that doesn’t match—”
“Why would a fly bother me when I’m here to get what I need?” he muttered coldly. How dare she? I finally found what I needed.
Renai jolted, snapping her mouth shut.
“I—”
“Move. How dare a lowly noble like you block a Duke’s son’s path?”
Renai looked down and trembled out of his path. Kael then continued walking out of the office. William’s eyes widened as he awkwardly followed them. Kael carried Valencia onto his horse. She gasped sharply.
“Hm… wait—”
“Hold on tight…”
Valencia closed her eyes as Kael whipped the horse. The horse hurdled away to his residence. She clutched onto the strap in between Kael’s hands. Why? Why am I following him? Her heart raced rapidly.
Kael stole a glance at her, leaning his head beside her ear.
“We have a lot to talk about, Miss Elyane…” he whispered.
Valencia jumped, turning her gaze to him. He gave a roguish smile as they locked eyes.
She bit her lower lip. Why is he taking me with him? What does he want? Did he… find out who I am? Her muscles tensed up.
While they rode on their way, Barbielle glared at the sight of Kael taking Valencia with him. She crossed her arms and turned to Renai.
“Say… Lady Renai, you said that the lady who left with Lord Kael is a rank F guide?” Barbielle asked sternly.
Renai nodded hesitantly as she smiled.
“Yes, Your Highness… she is!”
Barbielle rolled her eyes as she stomped to her carriage. She slammed the door closed behind her. Her personal maid inside looked at her.
“Is everything okay, Your Highness?”
“That fucking bitch…” Barbielle cursed. The maid flinched. “Let my older brother know that Lord Kael has taken an interest in someone… so that my brother can take her away.”
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