PMLYP 19

Chapter 19 —

As expected, the ring Irenea prepared fit Leonard’s finger perfectly.

Leonard looked down at his left hand, amazed at how well it fit. Then Irenea gently placed the other ring into his hand.

“Now you should put mine on too.”

The hand she held out was incredibly confident.

Leonard let out a soft laugh and carefully took her hand, slipping the ring onto her left ring finger.

The ruby sparkled beautifully under the light, proving how expensive it was, but it still couldn’t shine as brightly as Irenea’s eyes.

“Sir Leonard, can I get a kiss to celebrate our engagement?”

“Huh?”

“You just said yes, didn’t you?”

Before he could ask if there was a question mark at the end of that, Irenea’s slender arms wrapped around his neck.

He could push her away — but how could he touch arms that looked so fragile?

Leonard closed his eyes tightly as Irenea’s face drew closer.

He felt soft lips press gently against his, with a sweet scent filling his senses.

Startled, Leonard almost hugged her back — the thought alone made him stiffen.

Irenea pulled away with a teasing smile, maybe thinking he was shy.

“There, I stole your first kiss properly this time.”

“…That was…?”

“Oh my, should I make it deeper?”

“N-no, that won’t be necessary. That was a slip of the tongue.”

His face was burning. Leonard bit his lip, unsure if it really happened because it was all so sudden.

He unknowingly took a deep breath, as if trying to remember the scent again.

“Here, take your sword too. Since we’re really engaged now, I’ll call you ‘Ray’ from now on. Okay?”

“Call me whatever you like.”

He didn’t say he preferred “Ray” over “darling” — he didn’t want to encourage her.

“Then you can call me ‘Lin’ from now on.”

“Lin?”

“It’s a nickname I use in private. I’m more used to it than ‘Irenea.’”

A soft sadness touched her smile again.

Leonard suddenly realized — that sadness might be for someone she would never see again.

‘Did someone she loved… already die?’

Maybe she chose him because he resembles that person.

“Ray? What are you thinking?”

“Nothing important.”

Instead of asking out loud, Leonard just shook his head.

“By the way, what happens if someone breaks the contract?”

“Oh dear, you didn’t read it properly, did you? It says right there: if either party breaks the contract, the other can lock them up, and the offender can’t object.”

“Wait— what? Lock them up?”

Leonard had expected something like returning the dowry — not this.

“Yes. If you act too friendly with another woman, you’ll be locked in the sunniest room in the house, with three meals a day, snacks, tea time, and only one hour of outside time.”

…That sounded kind of nice?

He briefly thought maybe meeting another woman now and then wouldn’t be so bad if that was the punishment.

While he was lost in that thought, Irenea brought out another copy of the contract.

“Here. Same as the one you signed. Let’s go over it together, properly this time.”

Sure enough, it clearly said the punished party must willingly be confined. No handcuffs or restraints. Even family visits were allowed.

‘Does she even know what “confinement” means?’

This sounded like a peaceful vacation — who wouldn’t want that?

Worried now, Leonard actually read through the whole thing.

And just as he feared — or hoped — there were no unfair clauses against him. He had signed without reading to show trust, but honestly, there wasn’t a single thing to complain about.

“Do I get an allowance too?”

“Of course! You’ll also have a separate budget for clothes and accessories. Just ask the butler — don’t go buying things on your own.”

It was like she wanted to spoil him.

In return, all he had to do was stay faithful.

“Is there anything else you want to add? Usually you can’t change a contract after signing, but if you ask, I’ll make an exception.”

“No, I’m fine.”

What more could she possibly give?

If she wasn’t a noble lady, Leonard might’ve warned her not to waste her fortune on a man like him.

“Are you sure? Last chance.”

“I’m sure. The contract says we’ll be together forever. And you’ll only have my child, right?”

“It’s ‘Lin.’”

Of course that’s what she corrects him on.

Leonard checked her face to see if she really meant it.

“Lin… You’ll only have my child, right?”

“Of course. There’ll be no other man in my life.”

‘No other man’ — as in, the other one is already gone?

“Then I’m satisfied.”

Leonard had made a vow long ago — to never have an illegitimate child like his father did. He wouldn’t treat his child like property, either.

That’s why he stayed pure. Rare for a mercenary, but true.

“So, when do we get married? I want to do it as soon as possible.”

“Anytime is fine.”

“How about one month from now?”

One month?

Leonard was about to nod when he paused.

“Isn’t that too soon?”

“Not at all! You just need to move in. I’ll handle the rest. Also…”

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Irenea frowned at the interruption.

—“Lady Irenea, a messenger from the Imperial Palace is here.”

“The palace?”

Her frown disappeared. It was a summons — from the emperor himself.

“Sigh… I’m being called in after all.”

An urgent same-day summons from the emperor meant it wasn’t a trivial matter.

At least she didn’t look worried.

Leonard asked quietly,

“Do you know why His Majesty called you?”

“Hmm… I have a good guess.”

She didn’t say it, but Leonard already knew.

“It’s because of me, isn’t it?”

“Well, it’s not your fault exactly. It’s the Second Prince’s fault for messing with you.”

She knew about the deal between him and the Second Prince.

Leonard wasn’t surprised anymore. Still, he said gently,

“Lin… please don’t get in trouble with His Majesty over me.”

“Aww, are you worried about me?”

“How could I not be, when you’re being called to the palace so early in the morning?”

“Don’t worry. Your fiancée is more favored by the Emperor than you think. Just wait. I’ll go and scold that brat properly.”

Morning or night, one couldn’t delay a royal summons.

As Irenea stood up to leave, Leonard offered his arm.

“Then let me escort you to the palace.”

“Really?”

She asked, but her hand was already on his arm.

He glanced at her hand — she pretended not to notice and just smiled brightly.

“When we live together, you’ll escort me like this all the time, right? I’m so happy.”

“Yes, well… in a month, I suppose.”

“What? A month?”

Irenea looked confused, and Leonard was confused too.

“Didn’t you say we’d marry in a month?”

“Hmm? Did you not read the whole contract?”

She opened to the second page and pointed:

---

Upon signing, Irenea Blair and Leonard Elpheus are immediately engaged.
Both must undergo groom and bride training to prepare for a happy married life.
This training will take place at the Blair estate, and Leonard must live there until the wedding.
If he cannot, he must notify Irenea in advance.

---

“…Groom training?”

“Your room is already ready. Just bring yourself.”

So the room was already prepared.

Leonard imagined what might have happened if he had refused to sign — and ended up chuckling.

No matter how he imagined it, he couldn’t have resisted this woman.

“What exactly do I learn in groom training?”

“Hmm… you’ll see. Just be patient — it starts tomorrow.”

Irenea’s cheerful laugh felt even scarier than his old swordmaster’s stern face.

Still… it wouldn’t be so bad if they did it together, right?

Leonard told himself that to stay calm.