The fact that we are giving IP addresses an hierarchy is stupid. If you don't want outsiders to connect to your device use a firewall.
On top of that, it lulls you into a false sense of security, so you confidently think it's protecting you even when it isn't. At least not having NAT makes the actual state of your network clearer.
Yeah that's called port forwarding. It is like complaining that light is coming into your house through windows. Fully intentional.
If no other aspect of your setup blocks the connection, it'll be successful. If you were deploying NAT because you thought it would function as a firewall then this part is probably not intentional.