Don’t Tame It [Novel]

1.

Irene looked around once more. Through the screen of fir trees, she spotted a building that resembled the main hall. Her expression darkened as she trudged toward it.

I will not be remembered as someone who is late for her appointments.

She shifted direction and picked up her pace. After wandering for quite some time, she finally broke through the tree line, and the building appeared before her.

“Finally.”

Irene exhaled in relief, then froze. The structure looked identical to the main building—the architectural style, the paint, the number of floors, even the shape of the windows.

And yet, something felt dissonant. It was only then that she noticed the color of the front door was slightly off.

In the encroaching darkness, she couldn’t be certain, but the hue seemed a shade deeper than the one at the main building. As she scrutinized the facade, other inconsistencies began to surface. The stairs were slightly lower; a few windows were missing; the surrounding shrubs were sparse.

“This isn’t it.”

A flicker of dismay crossed her blue eyes.

She couldn’t afford to stand there blankly. She was already late. Just as she hurried to turn back—

“I forgot to mention that all the buildings look the same. Newcomers often get lost.”

A familiar voice brushed against her ear. Irene turned slowly. Even in the gloom, Duke Diego Cassis’s smile was exceptionally clear.

His shadow was particularly dense. Suddenly, that shadow shifted a step to the side.

“!”

Only then did she realize it was Javier, who had been cloaked by the darkness. It seemed he had finally fulfilled his wish to serve as the Duke’s shadow today.

Diego watched the building for a moment before turning his gaze to Irene.

“This is a border region, adjacent to the Alvar Kingdom. Battles break out here several times a year. That’s why all the buildings were constructed to be identical—so that if an Alvar soldier were to invade, they wouldn’t know where the Grand Duke is staying. The paths between them are a complete labyrinth.”

The explanation made sense, yet one thing remained elusive.

“Then how did you know I was here? There are several annexes. I could have been anywhere.”

Diego replied with an indifferent lilt.

“Everyone who stays in the East Wing ends up here eventually. The view from the fork in the road is identical.”

Irene nodded. It was true. At the junction, she had chosen the left path without hesitation. Apparently, she should have chosen the right.

Life was a succession of choices, and Irene had never managed to pick the right one on her first try. Getting lost was a familiar state of being.

Because of this, she had learned to be diligent. She had to start earlier than others, anticipating the inevitable detours, only arriving at her destination after wandering through strange places for hours. She had no guide, no kind advisor. She was clumsy and slow, but she had always walked her own path in silence.

That was the way of Irene Rios.

“More importantly.”

Diego looked at her, his eyes curved. Awakened from her thoughts, Irene met his gaze with a neutral expression.

Diego continued, his voice as calm as the evening air.

“If I may offer a piece of advice: when you are lost, it is better to stop and wait for someone to come fetch you. If you keep moving, you’ll miss them, which is quite inefficient.”

Irene shook her head firmly.

“No. It is better to change direction and pursue the path I believe is right. There is no one coming to fetch me, anyway.”

How old was she then? The autumn of her first year at Therapia.

She had gone for a walk alone, hoping to travel a little further than usual. Perhaps she had harbored a childish wish that, far from the neighbors who kept a wary eye on Baron Rios, she might find someone who would speak to her.

An hour after leaving the house, she had been forced to admit she was lost. And then, the cold reality sank in: there was no one there to speak to her either.

She might as well have had a brand burned into her forehead: *Do not speak to this child.*

To make matters worse, it began to drizzle. The dress she had inherited from Leticia was old and tattered, offering no shelter against the chill. She stood there for a long time, but no one spared a second glance at young Irene.

She eventually retraced her steps, but the more she walked, the more foreign the scenery became. It took three more hours to reach home. By then, the sun had hidden behind the mountains, and deep darkness had settled over the streets. Laughter erupted from the living room—Leticia’s laughter—and the servants were closing up the house.

Dinner had passed. There was nothing left for her.

No one had looked for her. It seemed they didn’t even realize she had gone missing. It was only natural; Irene was a ghost in her own home.

“…….”

For a moment, Diego stared at her impassive face with a troubled expression. This happened occasionally when they conversed.

What kind of childhood had she endured?

If Diego disappeared for even a moment, the palace would be in an uproar, as if a beehive had been poked. His parents and servants would always track him down. Whether he was hiding in a cleaning closet or sleeping wedged between shrubs, they always found him.

That was why he preferred to stand still and wait.

But Irene said no. She insisted that if she stayed still, she would be forgotten in that spot forever. So she had to move.

Diego spoke impulsively.

“Didn’t I come to find you just now?”

Irene looked at him, her eyes like glass marbles—devoid of any emotion.

“From now on, if Miss Irene gets lost, I will come to find you. As you know, I am a generous person to my personal physician.”

The half-joking words hung in the air. Irene merely nodded.

“Ah.”

She realized his form of address had shifted. Ever since she arrived, he had called her Physician Rios. Now, he was calling her Miss Irene. She pondered whether to point it out, but decided against it. It didn’t matter; neither title was her true name.

“You will be angry before long.”

Diego arched an eyebrow.

“Me? Getting angry? Why would you say that?”

“I often got lost on campus, even as a third-year student.”

“…….”

Diego remained silent, his shoulders trembling slightly. As her confusion grew, he lifted his head and offered a gentle smile.

“It seems you haven’t heard the rumors about me.”

Irene remained silent, not knowing which rumors he meant. Diego continued.

“The rumors about the benevolent Grand Duke who has never raised his voice at a servant.”

“Hm.”

Irene searched her memory, then shook her head.

“No. I have never heard them.”

Diego swallowed a laugh and added, “Do not worry. I have confidence in my patience, if nothing else. I will never be angry with Miss Irene. I promise.”

“Yes.”

Irene exhaled in relief. It was her first job, and she knew that antagonizing an employer was a recipe for disaster. Besides, Baron Rios had given her strict orders to earn Diego’s trust. She had no desire to be fired and sent back to Therapia.

It was fortunate that Diego was a generous employer.

“Let’s go. Physician Flich is waiting. He’s probably craning his neck for us.”

“His neck?”

Diego started walking, and Irene followed a step behind.

“If so, it would be a good thing for Physician Flich.”

“Hm…?”

Diego looked puzzled for a moment, then began to shake with silent, choking laughter as he recalled the area that used to be Miguel’s neck, now buried under layers of fat.

Seeing him struggling to breathe, Irene asked, with the practiced concern of a physician, “Are you feeling unwell?”

“Ahem. No, I am fine.”

Diego waved a hand dismissively. He turned to look at her, smiling softly. Irene averted her gaze, and they resumed walking. She tilted her head slightly; she had been a step behind, but somehow, they were now walking in perfect alignment.