The Secretary of the Northern Grand Duchess Has Run Away

Chapter 22:  The Lion and the Wolf (2)

At Echina’s sudden interrogation, a cold silence settled over the office.

Within that stillness, I answered calmly from within the shadow of her figure cast over my face.

"Well, isn’t it because my father was a knight?"

The Grand Duke’s daughter surely knew that my father had been a fairly renowned knight.

However, her gaze remained as cold as ever.

"Just because someone’s parent is a knight doesn’t mean their child is talented. That was clearly a trained move."

It was the moment I had instinctively grabbed her wrist when she lunged at me.

I had only tried to gently lower her to the side, worried she might get hurt.

But instead, the Grand Duke’s daughter pressed her weight down more playfully, her warm breath falling on me.

"With talent like this, does it really make sense to stick to menial work as a secretary?"

She could gauge my skill just by observing my reaction speed.

As expected of the Grand Duke’s daughter—sharp in many ways.

"I’ve had more than a few spies try to cozy up to me, all to get close to my father."

I understood her suspicion toward me.

As the daughter of the Grand Duke, Echina had faced countless spies and sycophants since she was young.

Still, I had no reason to show consideration now, when I had no intention of returning to the position of Chief Secretary.

The kindness I had shown her in my previous life would end here.

"I understand your suspicion. After all, you’ve likely been plagued by many who only sought to use you."

I calmly pushed Echina’s arm away with measured strength.

Then, I gently lowered her beside the sofa.

“Huh...?”

Her red lips parted as I moved her so effortlessly.

Like a wild beast turned housecat, she blinked her eyes at me.

"But not everyone is trying to use you, my lady."

Echina was clearly surprised by how easily her body had been lifted.

As I looked at her, I continued in a calm voice.

"There was a time when my dream was to become a great knight like my father. So, in my childhood, I attended the Academy."

I apologized for daring to lay hands on the Grand Duke’s daughter.

At the same time, I respectfully pulled the cardigan that had slipped from her smooth shoulder back up.

"I received training as a knight cadet until my family collapsed and I had to drop out."

"You were a knight cadet...?"

At her words, I gave a small smile, like an old soul.

"Yes, I was the top cadet for three years at the Imperial Academy."

"What..."

Echina gently touched her soft chin, as if she had never imagined I was from such a prestigious academy.

In her golden eyes—usually so guarded—flickered a trace of liveliness.

"After I dropped out, I entered the Grand Duke’s household as a candidate thanks to one of my father’s acquaintances."

As I stood, I brushed off the trousers that had gotten crumpled while she had been sitting on me.

Our sweat had lightly caused our skin to stick together during the scuffle.

“If you’d like, I can arrange a meeting so you can contact that person directly.”

“No… there’s no need to go that far.”

Echina gently bit her red lower lip, seemingly feeling a bit guilty.

She looked embarrassed that she, who always prided herself on perfectly analyzing every situation, had made a mistake.

“Sorry for the misunderstanding. You’re just so exceptional, it threw me off…”

“Not at all. It’s my fault for doing something that made me seem suspicious. I’ll be more careful next time.”

As I turned around and straightened my collar, Echina—perhaps ashamed of her earlier behavior—pressed her fist into the sofa.

Completely unaware that the hand mirror on the desk reflected her every move.

“Here’s a tissue. It seems you’ve worked up a sweat.”

“Thank you.”

The Grand Duke’s daughter turned her head away as she wiped her nape with deliberate grace.

I silently watched her and let out a quiet chuckle inwardly.

“Anyway… it must’ve been hard. Having to quit the Academy because of your family circumstances.”

Having composed herself, she tried to shift the conversation.

As her secretary, I decided to go along with her rhythm.

“At first, I was a little sad. But once I immersed myself in secretarial work, I’ve almost forgotten about it.”

“As if. Your body’s reactions are still intact.”

Echina crossed her arms with a sulky expression.

As expected from someone who had been a top prospect even back then—her eye for talent was sharp.

“I now feel a deep sense of responsibility serving the Grand Duke like this.”

“…”

The Grand Duke’s daughter let out a quiet sigh upon hearing my words.

Then, she raised a finger and pointed toward the desk.

“Since you’re here, take that with you too.”

Following the direction of her hand, I rose on tiptoe.

There, I spotted a luxuriously wrapped gift box.

“What is this…?”

“You dress so poorly, it was starting to feel like you were protesting against me.”

Echina said nonchalantly, arms still folded.

“No matter how good you are at handling guests, you should still maintain the dignity befitting the Grand Duke’s household.”

I carefully slit the wrapping with a letter opener.

Inside was a single necktie made of luxurious fabric.

“You always go around looking shabby. That’s why weird things keep latching onto you.”

Weird things…?

Ah, she must mean Grand Duke’s daughter Helena.

“It didn’t cost much, so don’t feel burdened by it.”

I slowly unfolded the necktie.

Right in the center of the black fabric was an elegant tiepin made of black onyx.

Even at a glance, it clearly wasn’t a cheap item.

“How could I possibly accept something like this…?”

To think she prepared this out of nowhere within a day.

Could she really be conscious of Helena because of me?

“Regardless of whether you were just doing your job, the fact remains—I received help from you.”

Echina covered her lips with her fist and let out a small cough.

“It’s just proper compensation. Accept it without fuss.”

She took off her crooked glasses and placed them on the desk.

Then, perhaps finding the coffee quite good, she swallowed deeply, savoring the lingering taste.

“Understood. Then, I’ll keep it with gratitude.”

I bowed slightly in thanks and put the necktie back into the wrapping.

Just as I was about to place it back on the desk—

Echina glanced up and casually asked,

“You’re not going to try it on right away?”

‘…?’

At her unexpected question, I blinked my dull eyes.

Then, understanding what she meant, I responded as I had in my days as Chief Secretary—calm and composed.

“Yes. Since it’s something bestowed by you, my lady, I planned to wear it with a clean outfit and a reverent heart.”

At my reply, Echina pressed her lips together in silence.

It wasn’t a wrong answer by any means, but for some reason, she now seemed like a child next to an adult.

“…”

She smoothed down the hem of her dress that had ridden up while sitting.

Then, approaching me, she looked up with a slightly sullen gaze.

‘Did I… say something wrong?’

I considered apologizing, thinking she might’ve taken my words as a backhanded compliment.

But just then—

“…!”

Echina took the necktie case from my hands.

She unwrapped it herself and took out the gift she had given me.

“No.”

As she drew closer, her signature sweet fig scent seemed to intensify.

Then, rising slightly on her toes in her slippers—

“Put it on here.”

Her graceful hands reached up and wrapped around my neck.

Her warm breath gently tickled the back of my neck.

Then, the luxurious necktie was softly tightened around my throat like a leash.

“Even a candidate is still one of my people.”

The Grand Duke’s daughter spoke plainly as she looked at the tie and my shirt.

Then, glancing up at me—

“I’ve acknowledged you. So from now on, you can carry yourself with more confidence.”

A soft smile played on Echina’s red lips.

With eyes so sultry and mature, it was hard to believe she was only twenty-one.

“I’m generous with competent people.”

I stared down at her in silence, without the slightest change in expression.

Then replied with eyes devoid of life.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Until now, I had always wriggled my way through situations with the slyness of an old soul, but just this once, I responded with sincere formality.

Because in this life…

I had no intention of becoming her Chief Secretary.

What I intended to take from this place were only the title of having passed the Chief Secretary exam, and the connections that came with it.

“With this much, no one should be able to say you were treated like an object.”

After tying the necktie, Echina slowly stepped back.

Then, with the cold composure befitting the second daughter of the Grand Duke’s house, she looked me over once more.

‘She must’ve been really conscious of Helena.’

I let out a quiet laugh inwardly, while maintaining a composed expression on the surface.

At the same time, I gave the newly tied, luxurious necktie a light tug to show my appreciation.

“I’ll treat your gift with care.”

But that was all.

After all, she was a woman full of ambition—just like the Grand Duke of the North.

She might have said she considered me family, but that was merely a future possibility.

The kindness she showed me now wasn’t familial affection—it was the possessiveness of someone eyeing a capable asset.

‘I mustn’t grow fond of that beautiful face.’

Thinking so, I clasped my hands behind my back once more and stood silently in her office.

Echina, watching me stand there quietly, casually spoke.

“There won’t be any afternoon appointments today because of the special training. So take the afternoon off.”

So she canceled the training out of gratitude for the help I gave her yesterday, did she?

I never imagined Echina would even consider something like that.

“Thank you, my lady. Then I’ll take my leave now so as not to intrude on your rest.”

I bowed my head in gratitude and smiled faintly.

Then, just as I reached for the doorknob to leave quietly—

“What are you planning to do with your free time?”

At her indifferent question, I glanced back at her.

What’s this about?

She usually didn’t press her subordinates like this.

Was she still suspicious I might be a spy?

Maybe she was giving me free time on purpose to observe what I’d do.

‘Truly, she’s just as meticulous as her father.’

“I plan to visit the cathedral.”

I had to make sure my father properly returned the gift he received from the Grand Duke’s daughter.

Then at the cathedral, I’d make my presence known and build the credit score needed to purchase land or buildings later.

As I was thinking this through—

Echina tilted her head slightly and rested her chin on her fist.

“You don’t seem like the praying type.”

‘Why does everyone keep saying that?’

Apparently, the image of me from the past wasn’t very favorable.

Back at the academy, people had seen me in a fairly good light.

“So then… where did you think I’d go?”

“Judging by your appearance, I figured you’d be off to meet a lady.”

The Grand Duke’s daughter tapped the corner of her eye with an indifferent expression.

It seemed my sharp features and air gave off the impression of someone who liked to play around.

“I am still the son of a knight’s family. Prayers have always been a part of my life.”

Of course, that was in my childhood.

“Is that so? I didn’t expect that side of you.”

Echina nodded matter-of-factly, as if she understood.

Perhaps feeling a bit guilty for having doubted me just moments ago, she granted permission without resistance.

However—

Before I could even feel relieved, she threw out another unexpected line.

“Then I’ll come with you.”

Echina set the glasses she had been wearing down on the desk.

Then, tucking her black bangs neatly behind her ear, she spoke with grace.

“I’ve been meaning to get some fresh air anyway.”

“I’m sorry, but… the cathedral might not really suit you, Lady Echina—”

At that, the Grand Duke’s daughter blinked her sharp golden eyes with an edge to them.

Then she calmly approached me.

“What exactly do you mean by that, Roger? Are you saying I look worldly?”

Echina looked up at me with the gaze of a lioness who had locked onto her prey.

Her elegant curves came into view, but I handled the moment with complete composure.

“Not at all. I simply meant that you seem like someone who relies more on your own abilities than on faith.”

At my answer, the Grand Duke’s daughter quietly turned and walked forward, opening the office door.

Then, she brought her palms together in a prayer-like gesture and smiled benevolently like a saint.

“Don’t worry. I’ll only accompany you as far as the gate.”

But the expression between her joined hands was anything but saintly.

The unmistakable aura of the Grand Duke’s house and a fierce possessiveness flared from her.

Her fingers fidgeted slightly, as if something displeased her.

And then, the moment they stilled—

“……!!”

Echina suddenly sprang forward and rushed at me.

She was so close that her chest nearly brushed against the tip of my nose.

“What the hell are you, really?”

She straddled me with those full, firm thighs.

The sweet scent of figs rose from her black hair as it brushed against my face.

“What kind of ordinary person reacts this well to a surprise attack from a trained knight?”

In an instant, I had become prey pinned beneath a lioness.