Chapter 43
Contract Engagement
“Ack!”
My hand slipped out from under the cloak and slashed at the waist of the man holding me from behind with a kitchen knife.
It wasn’t much of a weapon—just a knife I had grabbed from home—but it did its job, blood dripping thickly from the wound.
He staggered, and I quickly pulled myself free.
Now free, I thrust the bloodied knife back and forth between him and the other man approaching me, trying to keep them at a distance.
“You really shouldn’t carry something so dangerous. Doesn’t suit a beautiful lady like you.”
“Spare me your etiquette—just step back.”
“Feisty, aren’t you? Some of our clients like that type, though. I don’t mind.”
“Well, I do.”
The man grimaced as he looked at the blood staining his hand.
Apparently, the wound wasn’t deep—it was just a kitchen knife—but it still stung. He could move, but he was clearly in pain.
“Looks like someone needs to be taught some manners. Personally.”
“Forget it. Damaging the merchandise is a problem.”
“Then we just don’t list her as for sale.”
“Tch. Fine. But nothing rough. She’s premium stock.”
The knife in my hand pointed at the man stepping forward to grab me.
But he was faster than my eyes could follow.
He seized my wrist, and before I could even scream, I was thrown hard against a wall.
My trembling body slid down the stone wall, pain blooming across my back where I had hit the cold stone.
“Ugh…”
But nothing more happened.
Instead, the sound of someone being beaten filled my ears—grunts, cries of pain.
I opened my eyes, just a sliver.
The men who had threatened me were writhing on the ground, moaning in pain.
“I warned you not to touch my guest.”
“Ugh…”
“You had to defile my territory anyway.”
“Gah—”
“You think putting on proper clothes means you’re not trash?”
It was Leon.
He stood casually, hands in his pockets, stomping on the hand of one of the men writhing on the ground.
“Leon…”
At that moment of danger, he appeared like a miracle. I was so relieved, I nearly cried.
The man with the black hair turned slowly to me, smiling.
“Hold on. Gotta take out the trash. Now that we’re here, might as well clean up everything.”
With a tone that made it all sound like a minor chore, Leon casually kicked the unconscious men aside.
But they didn’t move much—his kicks were too light for that.
Clicking his tongue, clearly displeased, he walked over to me.
“When will you start listening to me?”
Who knew his scolding would one day sound so comforting?
With a hand pressed to my pounding chest, I gave him a teary smile.
“I’ll accept any nagging. Humbly.”
“Don’t just listen. Put it into practice.”
“I figured you’d show up if things got bad. This is Atrox territory, after all.”
He gave a soft chuckle and reached out his hand. I quickly took it.
His large hand gripped my trembling one and pulled me up with strength.
“What brings you here?”
“I came to see you.”
“Why?”
“There’s something I need to ask.”
Leon tilted his head slightly, eyes fixed on mine.
He seemed to be asking why I came in person instead of just waiting for him to come find me—as he always eventually did.
“What is it?”
“Leon… who are you, really?”
“That’s random. You know who I am.”
“No, I don’t. I really don’t.”
Come to think of it, I knew nothing about him.
He never offered information, and I’d never asked. Even the basic in-game data about him was all question marks.
But now… I think I know why.
“Is your name really ‘Leon’?”
Instead of answering, he tilted his head again.
The mischievous smile was the same as always—but this time, he didn’t bother to hide the sharp gleam in his eyes.
He’d never looked at me that way before.
I had seen that look—when he crossed swords with Hyperion, when he took down the marquis’s men who tried to kill me—but never directed at me.
“Why this all of a sudden, Sienna?”
“…”
“You’re putting me in a tough spot.”
The pressure in his voice was subtle, a quiet warning not to cross a line.
Instinctively, I stepped back.
Without realizing, my back hit the cold stone wall again.
I bit my lip and held his gaze, refusing to look away from the sharp light in his eyes.
His hand came up and braced against the wall beside my face.
He bent his arm just slightly, but it brought him close—so close that I could feel my own nervous breath bounce off his skin.
Trapped in the shadows of the alley, surrounded by this black-clad man, it felt like there was no escape.
The only light in the darkness was the gleam of his eyes—deep, oceanic, and unreadable.
“I’m curious, too,” I said. “Why are you doing this?”
“…”
“The prince who supposedly lost all power and is living in seclusion… why is he out here pretending to be a notorious mercenary?”
His face lost all expression in an instant.
The atmosphere thickened, heavy and cold like ice.
Maybe this… this was his real face.
That teasing smile, the playful banter—it had all been a mask. A way to hide himself. Hide his intent.
“I thought you’d pretend not to know.”
“…”
“It would’ve been easier that way.”
His gaze stayed on me, but his words sounded like they were meant only for himself, whispered into the air.
“…How did you figure it out?”
“Just… a feeling.”
“A feeling?”
“We’ve spent some time together. That’s all.”
If not for the silver lock—the hallmark of the male lead—I might not have noticed.
Leon and Aiden felt completely different.
When I first saw that silver lock, I rubbed my eyes, doubting what I’d seen.
“You guessed based on that?”
“I’ve got good instincts.”
“Doubt it.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
His earlier sharpness had faded somewhat, and I found myself narrowing my eyes.
“Come on. How could I not recognize you?”
“…What?”
“I’ve been watching you all this time.”
“…”
Leon stepped back, hand dropping from the wall to his side.
He rubbed the back of his head, then glanced up at the sky as if trying to avoid my gaze.
We’d known each other for a while now, but this was the first time I’d ever seen him this flustered.
After a pause, his eyes returned to mine.
“Our relationship… I said I’d define it, right?”
“You did.”
“Let’s get married.”
“…Wh-what?”
Even to my own ears, my voice sounded ridiculously dumbfounded.
But anyone would react the same if someone just dropped a proposal like that out of nowhere.
“Not immediately. Let’s start with an engagement.”
“J-just like that?”
“It’s not sudden. The imperial family already made the marriage offer. All you have to do is accept.”
“B-but…”
“The moment you figured out who I am, whether you like it or not, we’re in the same boat now.”
He reached out, gently brushing my hair where it peeked out from my hood, then slowly entwined it in his fingers.
Long, soft strands of pink hair wound around his hand.
“Why do you think a prince with nothing is hiding his identity and wandering as a mercenary?”
“…”
“I assume you asked about my identity because you’ve already guessed some of it. You’re sharp like that.”
His long black lashes dipped low, and his deep blue-gray eyes locked on mine.
Somehow, my shoulders shrank in on themselves.
It felt like I was being pulled deeper and deeper into a sea I couldn’t measure—his sea.
Willingly or not.
And in that moment, I felt like I finally understood what he was doing, what he was aiming for.
“You’re preparing to become Emperor, aren’t you?”
Atrox wasn’t just a random group—it was Prince Aiden’s private army.
A battle-hardened force, seasoned from countless wars, far more effective than the complacent imperial troops.
“Do you really think it’s possible? Prince Withrow’s faction holds immense power.”
All or nothing.
If he succeeded, he’d gain everything. If he failed, he’d lose it all.
But Leon just smiled—slow, relaxed.
Knowing what I knew of him, I doubted that smile was baseless confidence.
He must’ve made preparations beyond just the army.
Finances. Allies.
“I don’t have a choice right now,” he said. “If she decided something, I have to go along with it—for now. Making noise won’t help.”
“…”
“This is for you, too. For some reason, she noticed you. She’ll try to use you, one way or another.”
