---
When that door opened, I saw him.
Tall, handsome, dressed like he walked straight out of a royal magazine. He wore sleek glasses and carried himself like he owned the whole damn world. Standing next to him, I probably only reached his shoulder.
My boss rushed over to greet him with the energy of a panicked squirrel.
"Quick, Airi, greet the guest properly!" he hissed at me.
Judging by the guy's look and the way my boss practically bowed to him, I figured—yup, definitely a noble. Rich. Untouchable. Dangerous type.
I gave a polite little nod and stepped back while they chatted, but I couldn't shake the feeling… like someone was staring at me.
Yeah, turns out I wasn't imagining it.
That noble guy kept glancing my way—sharp, intense looks.
I tried to act cool, avoiding his gaze. Until—
"Who's this sweet little lady who's been so cold to a noble like me?" he asked, voice low, almost mocking.
I whipped my head up, face burning with a mix of shock and irritation.
"I'm not a girl. I'm a guy, okay?!"
My voice cracked, trembling with embarrassment and frustration.
He stepped closer. Like, way too close.
I could feel his breath on my skin. My knees went weak, and my face turned beet red.
"W-what... what are you doing?" I stammered.
He just smirked, clearly enjoying my reaction.
"What's your name?" he asked again, that glint of curiosity never leaving his eyes.
"A...Airi," I mumbled, still avoiding eye contact.
"Airi, huh? I've never seen a face like yours in this city before. You new around here?"
"Y-Yeah... I guess so. And you are?" I asked cautiously.
"I'm Grand Duke Nicholas," he said casually, like I should've already known.
"Oh... okay then, Grand Duke. So, um, what brings you here?"
His expression shifted—cold but less harsh this time.
"I'm here to buy flowers. For someone... important."
My eyes lit up. "Oh! Is it for your girlfriend or something?" I blurted out, curious.
Bad move.
His face dropped. His sharp eyes narrowed like daggers.
I immediately panicked.
"S-sorry! I didn't mean to pry—"
Before I could even finish, he grabbed my face roughly.
"People like you—commoners—should know better than to stick your nose where it doesn't belong."
His voice was low but venomous.
"I-I'm sorry, sir…" I whispered. He finally let go, wiping his hand on a handkerchief like I was dirty or something.
That moment hit me hard.
That invisible line between us—noble and nobody—was drawn in blood-red ink.
I stood there, face burning with shame, unable to move or speak.
"Wrap these flowers nicely. I want them delivered to the palace. Immediately," he said to my boss without sparing me another look.
"Of course, sir! Right away!" my boss replied, bowing like his life depended on it.
"I'm leaving now," the Duke said, turning for the exit.
But just before he walked out the door, he looked back at me—those eyes piercing right through me.
That smug, condescending smirk… I hated it.
I glared at him, and that only made his smirk grow wider.
God, what an arrogant bastard.
As soon as he was gone, my boss stomped over to me.
"Listen here, if you ever talk to a noble like that again, you're OUT. Do you hear me?! This is your FINAL warning. Don't you DARE ruin this store's reputation again!"
"Yeah, yeah... I got it. He's just too damn sensitive anyway," I muttered.
My boss sighed and walked away, grumbling something about "low-class people needing to stay in line."
He then started picking the best flowers—vibrant, fragrant, and perfect—for delivery to the royal palace.
---
Later that evening…
He finally let me off for the day.
As I stepped out of the shop, it hit me—I had nowhere to go. No home. No idea what to do.
"Great. It's already dark. Where the hell am I supposed to sleep? On the damn sidewalk?"
I dug through the small bag I had somehow woken up with in this world.
A few coins. Some random stuff. Just enough for a cheap place to crash.
I walked around and eventually found a small inn that shared a building with a bar.
As soon as I walked in, I felt it—stares.
Men at the bar were checking me out like I was dessert. It was gross.
Yeah, yeah, I know. I look like a girl. I get it. But still—ew.
I rushed to the counter, got a room key, and made my way upstairs.
Just as I reached my door, key in hand—
"Hey there, sweetheart. You alone tonight?"
A voice whispered behind me.
I turned—and found myself trapped between the wall and some drunk creep.
"Get the hell away from me, asshole!" I shoved at him, but he didn't budge.
His hand slid around my waist. His grip tightened.
"No one's gonna hear you, baby. Everyone's too busy drinking downstairs. You can scream all you want..."
His hand started moving lower—fast.
Panic surged through me. I slapped him hard.
Big mistake.
He just laughed, then grabbed me and threw me to the ground.
I hit the floor hard, breath knocked out of me. He loomed above me, eyes filled with twisted desire.
"P-please, no... I'm a guy! I'm not a girl!" I cried, tears spilling down my cheeks.
"Even better," he sneered. "Pretty little thing like you... I can still ride you, sweetie."
"Don't—don't come any closer! HELP!! PLEASE!! YOU FREAK!!"
He started unzipping his pants.
I squeezed my eyes shut, arms wrapped around my body, shaking.
"SOMEONE—STOP—!!"
.
.
.
BAM!!!
A loud crash echoed through the hallway.
I peeked open one eye—and saw the drunk creep lying on the floor, completely out cold.
Standing over him was another man.
Tall. Strong. Holding a wooden bat.
He looked at me—serious, calm... and honestly kinda badass.
"T-thank you..." I whispered, voice trembling.