Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 131: A Traveling Nobleman

Chapter 131: A Traveling Nobleman

Startled, Melania nearly jumped away from the stranger and frantically started fixing her dress and coat, ensuring that the hood was still perfectly shielding her face from the unwanted and curious glances of strangers and passersby.

Then, she finally turned around, prepared to extend her gratitude, but was instantly rendered speechless the moment her eyes fell on her savior’s face.

’Goodness... He is gorgeous...’

As the princess stood motionless and utterly stunned by the man’s attractive appearance, she couldn’t help but wonder how she never knew there were such attractive noblemen living in the Capital. Yuraon, on the other hand, fixed his blue eyes on Melania’s beautiful tanned face, which still managed to escape the sheltering cover of her coat’s hood, and wondered what exactly made her blush with such an intense peachy shade covering her cheekbones.

"My Lady? Is everything alright?"

At last, unable to bear the silence any longer, the young man decided to speak first, jolting the princess back from her astonished state, but still not helping her to regain her ability to speak with flawless precision.

"Uhm.. Y-yes! Yes, I’m alright... Thank you! You saved me from falling down."

Yuraon’s lips stretched into a playful smile, and he nodded.

"My pleasure. I barely get a chance to catch pretty ladies mid-fall. Well, actually... Congratulations, you were my first!"

Melania found his answer cheeky but still amusing, releasing an uncontrollable giggle that made the young King’s smile even wider.

The short moment of bliss was interrupted by Loraline, who rushed towards her lady, scolding her loudly as she stood before her, desperately trying to catch her breath,

"My Lady! How many times do I have to tell you not to run? It is dangerous and not ladylike at all! Shame on you!"

Yuraon cleared his throat, attracting the attendant’s attention, and noted, a wide smile still not leaving his handsome face,

"Pardon me, My Lady, but you have just scolded her for doing something that you were doing yourself just a moment ago. The only difference was that... Well, you were lucky enough not to fall."

The lady-in-waiting shot the young man a somewhat angry and warning glare, which the latter successfully ignored, then turned back to Melania and shrugged her shoulders. The man’s playful audacity made the princess giggle again, and the tension between them disappeared once more.

Although still quite offended by the young man’s behavior, Loraline could not help but notice Yuraon’s handsomeness as well. Her eyes ran all over his tall and strong frame, admiring both his stunning looks and impeccable attire, attributing it to his noble and respectful background.

However, one thing still bothered her a lot –– no matter how he looked, he was definitely not from Geraldion. Or at least not from the Capital.

As if having read her attendant’s mind, Melania finally gathered back her courage, so easily shattered by the strong sense of embarrassment, and asked,

"Excuse me, My Lord, would you mind giving me your name? After all, you saved me from quite an unfortunate incident, I would like to properly extend my gratitude."

Yuraon hesitated. Although unknowingly, he, just like the princess, wanted to remain incognito until forced to finally reveal his identity, and he still hoped that the time for that event would only be during the wedding ball.

Thus, the King made a decision to resort to a little lie.

"Well, I am just a traveling nobleman, My Lady. You see, my family is very strict and never allows me to do anything, so I snapped and ran away. Now, I just move from capital to capital, looking for some peace of mind."

’He is a traveler who ran away from home... How intriguing.’

Melania was truly fascinated by Yuraon’s response. She never thought about running away from the Royal Palace of Lafad where she was loved and respected by many; she never even once thought about traveling to a foreign land as she found her life in Lafad to be satisfactory enough. However, ever since she came to Geraldion, she could not help but feel that she wanted to be anywhere but here. For the first time ever.

"So what are you doing here, in Geraldion?" She asked somewhat awkwardly but the King’s response carried even less confidence from the very first word,

"Well... I have come here to visit a very important noble lady. She is about to have... a celebration so I am looking for a gift suitable for this occasion."

"Oh..."

Somehow, the young man’s response invited a dark shadow of regret to the princess’s face.

’So he came here to see an important noble lady... Fiancée, perhaps? A celebration... Her birthday, maybe? Or will he propose?’

Suddenly, Melania widened her eyes, realizing how inappropriate her way of thinking was.

’So what if he has someone? I am about to get married too! He is a foreigner, just a traveler, why am I getting so upset? Goodness, Melania, what is the matter with you?!’

Noticing the young lady’s silent struggle with her internal distress, Yuraon allowed himself a subtle smile and rushed to clarify,

"Although the lady I’m visiting is indeed someone of great importance, I must admit our personal connection is not that strong. She holds a high status in society so, if I am allowed to put it this way, she is important to everyone. The gift is just a formality––a part of decorum––after all, I cannot attend the celebration with empty hands, right?"

The young man’s explanation had a positive effect on the princess. Spreading her peachy lips into a wide smile, she nodded but before she could continue their conversation, Loraline took her hand in hers, and made a rather urgent remark,

"My Lady, we must keep moving. If we keep standing outside like this, we might freeze to death."

Yuraon agreed with the lady-in-waiting’s words completely.

"Yes, the lady is right; the weather is far from convenient for chatting like this. Since you were so eager to get to the bakery, perhaps you should come inside for a while and enjoy some warmth."

With a polite bow offered to both ladies, Yuraon turned around and was prepared to leave when Melania’s urgent voice struck him like a lightning bolt,

"Excuse me, My Lord! Would you like to have a cup of tea with us?"