The Dukes's Curiosity

The days passed in a blur of confusion and uncertainty for Y/N. She spent most of her time within the cold, stone walls of the Duke's castle, still struggling to come to terms with her bizarre situation. Every room she entered felt too large, too overwhelming, like she was constantly being swallowed by the world she had somehow fallen into.

Her quarters were modest—a simple room with a small bed, a desk, and a window that overlooked the castle courtyard. The view was beautiful, but it only reminded her of how small she felt in this foreign land. She longed for the comfort of her own world, the familiarity of her family, her old life. But that seemed impossible now.

How did I even get here? she wondered again, lying back on her bed one afternoon. What do I do now?

Despite the overwhelming sense of being lost, Y/N couldn’t deny the flicker of curiosity that had slowly begun to build inside her. The Duke—Jimin—wasn't the villain she had imagined. His cold demeanor and tragic backstory were far more complicated than the book had led her to believe.

But what am I supposed to do about it? she thought, staring up at the ceiling. Am I supposed to change his fate? If I even can?

The book had never given her any clear answers about how to alter the future. But in the silence of the castle, with nothing else to do but think, she had convinced herself that she had to try. She couldn’t let the tragic ending the story promised unfold. Not if she could do something about it.

A knock at her door broke her train of thought, and Y/N quickly sat up, wiping a hand over her face.

“Come in,” she called, bracing herself.

The door opened, and one of the soldiers from earlier stepped inside. “Lady Y/N,” he greeted her, his voice formal but not unkind. “The Duke requests your presence in the main hall.”

Y/N’s heart skipped a beat. Jimin? Why?

She stood quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to compose herself. “The Duke wishes to see me?”

The soldier nodded. “Indeed, my lady. Please, follow me.”

As she followed him through the winding corridors, her nerves started to tighten. The castle had a way of making her feel small, insignificant. The walls seemed to close in on her with every step she took toward the Duke. She had no idea what Jimin wanted, but she couldn’t deny the growing sense of tension in the air whenever they interacted.

Finally, they arrived at the main hall, the massive doors looming before her. The soldier knocked, and after a brief moment, Jimin's voice came from the other side.

“Enter.”

The doors creaked open, and Y/N stepped inside, immediately noticing Jimin standing near a grand fireplace, his hands clasped behind his back. His back was straight, posture perfect, but she could sense the subtle shift in his presence, the way he seemed to be waiting for her.

“Lady Y/N,” he greeted her without turning, his voice as smooth and rich as ever. “I trust you’ve been settling in.”

Y/N nodded, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. “Yes, my lord. It’s... it’s been a lot to take in, but I’m managing.”

Jimin turned to face her then, his gaze intense as it settled on her. He looked as commanding as ever, his dark cloak trailing around his shoulders like a shadow. But there was something different about his gaze today. It wasn’t the usual cold, detached look that she had grown accustomed to. No, today there was something else—something almost... curious.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said, his lips quirking up slightly in what almost seemed like an attempt at a smile. It was fleeting, barely noticeable, but it made her heart flutter nonetheless.

Y/N cleared her throat, trying to steady herself. “Why did you want to see me, my lord?”

Jimin’s eyes flickered as if considering his words. Then, he stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “I’ve been thinking.”

Y/N’s breath caught, and she quickly reminded herself to stay calm. Why would he be thinking about me?

“I’ve allowed you to stay here, but I’m curious,” Jimin continued, his voice low and filled with an edge of amusement. “You claim to be from another world, but I can’t help but wonder... why you came here.”

Y/N blinked, caught off guard by the question. Why did I come here? It wasn’t as if she had planned any of this. But she knew she couldn’t tell him the truth. Not yet.

“I told you already,” she said carefully, her voice steady despite the pounding in her chest. “I don’t know how I ended up here. I—I wasn’t planning to be here. I didn’t choose it.”

Jimin watched her, his eyes narrowing slightly as if searching for a hint of dishonesty. “Hmm. I see.” He seemed to consider her words for a moment before taking a few steps toward her. “Tell me, Lady Y/N... if you truly are from another world, what do you plan to do now?”

Y/N swallowed hard. What do I plan to do?

The truth was, she didn’t know. But she couldn’t just sit around and wait for things to play out. Not when she had the chance to change Jimin’s future.

“I... I don’t know,” she admitted quietly. “But I’m not here to cause trouble. I just want to understand what’s going on.”

Jimin’s gaze softened for a fraction of a second, his lips curling into a more genuine smile. It was rare for him, she could tell, but there was something in his eyes now that made her wonder if he wasn’t as detached as he let on.

“Understand?” he repeated, tilting his head slightly. “I’m afraid this kingdom isn’t one you can just understand, Lady Y/N.”

Y/N frowned, feeling the weight of his words. “I know. But I still want to try. I... I want to help.”

Jimin paused, studying her with a quiet intensity. He was clearly intrigued, but whether he believed her or was just playing along, Y/N couldn’t tell.

“You wish to help?” he asked slowly, his tone laced with something like amusement. “How exactly do you plan to help?”

Y/N felt her resolve strengthen. “I don’t know yet. But I’ll find a way. If I can change things, I will.”

For a long moment, Jimin said nothing, his eyes locked on hers as if weighing her every word. There was a strange, unreadable expression on his face, but for the first time since meeting him, Y/N didn’t feel like he was a mere stranger. She could feel the shift in their dynamic—a tension building between them that hadn’t been there before.

“I’ll be watching you closely, Lady Y/N,” he said softly, almost thoughtfully. “You’re far more interesting than I anticipated.”

The words sent a chill through her, but there was no denying the strange sense of anticipation building inside her. Jimin wasn’t the villain she had read about in the book. Not yet, at least. But the way he watched her now, there was something more.

Maybe he can change, too. If I can show him that there’s another way.

“Thank you, my lord,” Y/N said, bowing her head respectfully. “I won’t disappoint you.”

As she turned to leave, she felt his gaze follow her, the weight of his eyes almost tangible. She wasn’t sure what to make of the Duke anymore—his cold exterior, the flickers of something else hidden beneath. But one thing was certain: the journey she had found herself on had only just begun.

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