'I have never been this humiliated before. Without my honor as a Lukewater at stake, I would not have come out to meet this annoying girl like this. But as a Lukewater, I cannot let her show me up.'

His frustration was mounting, and his internal conflict was becoming more pronounced.

Daidus Lukewater, the next duke of the Celceris kingdom, looked at the tired-looking girl before him.

He had asked around about her, but all he had gotten was a name - Layla. She did not even have a family name he could use to distinguish her.

In his eyes, she was a common girl with little to her name. She was the lowest of the low, someone he should not even look toward, or he could get tainted.

He was far above her in power and status. And yet, he had been bested during the last round.

If the round had not ended when it did, he was sure he would have dropped out, which excited him.

He was a half-elf and grew faster but aged slower than everyone else around him. This made him feel like a grown-up trapped in a kid's body.

All the other kids who had been with him for the past few years had grown up to become adults.

Time flowed differently for him compared to a human or another specie.

But for the first time, he felt like he found someone like him. It infuriated him as much as it intrigued him. He wanted to know more, but not at the same time. He had never felt this confused before.

'I am sure all these feelings will disappear once I compete against and beat her. Once I win, I can make my life return to normal.'

Daidus was sure about this, so he looked up with a bright look, and they shined with enthusiasm.

But the answer he got was far from what he expected.

"..."

Layla had said she was too tired to fight him at the moment…which made sense. It was late enough for most kids to fall asleep, and the day had been tiring sufficient for all.

Besides, just because the dorms in the noble section were cozy did not mean that the commoners were treated the same as him.

It was possible that Layla had not yet gotten a chance to get some well-deserved rest. And it won't be fair to fight her in such a condition.

'It's frustrating. But I need to be the bigger person here. Since she said she would compete tomorrow, I will wait for it. And if she is not there, I can just head out and compete with her once the competition ends.'

These thoughts made Daidus feel like a stone was sinking in his stomach. Something weird was going on here, and he could not tell what. But his instincts were telling him to run and call for help.

"Young Duke, you should leave for now. Ah, and if you see my maid, Mary, tell me that I was looking for her. It would be a big help."

Layla asked him for a favor, but Daidus's first instinct was to ignore it. But in the end, he decided to help Layla out this time by delivering her message to her maid.

"Fine! I will do that. But you better show up tomorrow."

The young duke finally left with an unhappy face, and Layla continued to smile his way.

It had been an incidental encounter for the young man, but he was not worried about it. After all, he would get what he wanted pretty soon.

...

Layla's heart skipped quite a few beats as she finished speaking, and the young duke turned to head out. She had successfully foiled his plan to follow her, and Layla could not be gladder.

"Tsk, you are a smart kid for your age. How did this excuse come up in your mind? Don't kid like you lose their rationality when they feel fear?"

The kidnapper asked, not even bothering to hide the fact that he wanted to harm Layla anymore.

He had also lost interest in the young dike when he was out of sight.

This was good news. Layla could finally relax as she watched the young Duke leave her sight.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I would rather not have other people interfere in my business if I can help it. Now, if you are done talking, can we leave?"

Layla asked, and the kidnapper looked amused at her words and actions.

The look of shock on Sally's face was also something that Layla ignored, along with the kidnapper's sick laughter.

"Fuck! You are hilarious, kid. I don't think I've seen anyone this excited or eager to get kidnapped and become a slave before. But you…are you a natural? You make me more and more intrigued."

The kidnapper spoke before he grabbed Layla by the back of her clothes and picked her up.

It did not hurt, but being carried around like that felt uncomfortable. The kidnapper did not consider her safety, but he quickly turned around when he thought that Sally was trying to sneak away from him.

"Hey, I wouldn't try to run away if I were you. Just because I am generous and listening to you now does not mean it will last forever. You better keep your eyes open and your ears peeled."

The kidnapper spoke calmly, but the threat made Sally shiver. She clutched her son's body even tighter as she followed after the kidnapper.

It did not take long before they reached the underground entrance. It was hidden in plain sight, and many people passed it daily.

Even Layla had passed here twice before and had hardly any time to go around.

"Be happy, kid! This is your last shred of freedom. From this point on, your life will change. But well, you are ready for it, right? I am sure a smart kid like you will adapt easily enough."