~Chapter 07~
“Alright.”
For the first time, Louis’s eyes softened as he accepted the flower. His hand, gloved in white, drew me close, pulling me into an embrace.
“Miss Leonia, you never fail to surprise me.”
He chuckled softly, like someone amused, and then drew back slightly.
Before I knew it, he leaned forward, his face that of a man deeply in love, and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of my gloved hand.
“Good heavens… how can someone be like that…”
“…I’m not imagining things, am I?”
By now, the astonishment of everyone around had turned into sheer shock. Murmurs filled the hall, questioning when and how this had happened.
At this moment, no one was thinking of Diego or his fiancée.
It was a thoroughly satisfying scene.
“So, how do you feel about the public confession? Satisfied?”
Louis asked as we walked down the corridor, still wearing the tender expression of a devoted lover.
“Not bad, I suppose.”
“‘Not bad, you suppose,’” he echoed. His soft smile hinted at something deeper, though it wasn’t the kind of smile one would call joyful.
“Is that all?”
Had I really only used him this little? Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine.
I had suspected he was leading me somewhere secluded, but surely…
‘…He wouldn’t pretend to try to kill me, right?’
Coincidentally, today was the ball that marked the start of the original story. By the original plot, I should have been killed by Diego today, with Alice witnessing it. Fortunately, that was impossible for now.
The last expression I saw on Diego’s face had been grotesque and twisted. Never in all the years of his engagement to me had I seen him like that.
I had put him in his place, crushed his pride enough that he wouldn’t dare approach me today.
With my relationship with Louis officially revealed, even the Emperor’s arranged marriage could be overturned.
“I have something to ask,” Louis broke the silence.
I looked up at him.
“It’s about the poem I attached to my letter. These days, many people think it’s just an ordinary love poem.”
He was asking how I had understood the meaning of that ancient poem.
The truth was I had read the original novel, but I couldn’t admit that.
“Did Lian tell you? I heard you sometimes studied ancient languages together.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I nodded without taking a breath. It would be a lie not to—denying it now would seem absurd.
“I also want to ask something. Why did you go so far as to attach a poem as a hint?”
I hastily changed the topic.
“You expected someone with that kind of perception to be worth keeping by your side?”
“Even if you hadn’t noticed, it wouldn’t have changed anything. But yes, perhaps it would have been a little disappointing.”
“…I see.”
He may have spoken of first love, but his merciless nature toward the incompetent hadn’t changed.
After all, he was dealing with matters that involved challenging the Emperor and his heir. Prudence was necessary.
A few moments later, unfamiliar footsteps echoed down the quiet corridor.
“You’re here,” said the voice.
It belonged to an imperial servant, delivering word that the Emperor wished to see Louis. Likely, they intended to pressure him into abandoning the engagement.
But Louis didn’t seem fazed by the news.
“I’ll have to step out for a moment,” he said, pressing a kiss to the back of my gloved hand with a look of regret.
“I’ll be waiting on the third-floor terrace,” I replied, responding with a faint smile as if it were nothing unusual.
Once Louis disappeared down the corridor with the servant, I could finally breathe a little easier.
‘Not everyone can perform this kind of act,’ I thought. Even seeing his face and pretending to be overwhelmed by emotion wasn’t as easy as it seemed.
“Leonia Bellashy,” a familiar voice called as I made my way toward the first terrace on the third floor.
“The Marquis is here. What brings you here?”
“Is there any place I’m not allowed?” I replied coolly. “If I’ve disturbed your little moment with the Duke, I apologize, but you may leave now if you like.”
Diego’s face twisted at my calm words.
“You’re trying to dodge me, aren’t you? Pretending you don’t want to marry that old man?”
I ignored him and continued onto the terrace, confident that he would tire of trying to provoke me if I gave no response.
“Did you throw yourself at Duke Louis?” Diego asked, following me. I let out a small laugh.
“Unfortunately, the Duke is not so easily swayed.”
“His private life is… clean,” I added, deliberately making it clear that any attempt to manipulate him would fail.
“…Do you really love Louis Arban?”
“Well, I can’t say it’s love yet. But perhaps it might be someday.”
Diego’s expression stiffened instantly, though he soon forced a mocking smile.
“You’ve chased me for over ten years, and now you say that?”
His hand shook despite his words. I smiled silently at him, and he furrowed his brows, gripping my wrists tightly.
“You told me to jump from the tower before, didn’t you?”
I felt uneasy. Had he really kept that grudge?
“Why don’t you go first?” I said lightly.
“No, you didn’t make me do it, so why should I?”
This man was usually insane, but now his eyes were utterly unhinged.
“Answer me if you don’t want to fall,” he snarled.
“…I’ve changed my mind in a single day. People can, even after ten years together. Besides, it was never mutual between us.”
“…Hahaha.”
Diego’s laugh was hollow, turning into resignation. Then a flash of fury ignited in his eyes.
“Die! Just die!”
He lunged at me like a madman. Louis stepped in, restraining him and forcing him to kneel.
“Louis!” I ran forward and clung to him, letting him feel my fear.
Understanding my silent plea, he pulled me close without a word. After a brief embrace, we stepped apart, as if by agreement.
Seeing my hands trembling from the crowd, Louis took off his coat and draped it over me. Then he turned to the floor and coldly demanded:
“Marquis Rizen, what is the meaning of this behavior?”
“…You’re being deceived. You’re being deceived, I tell you.”
Diego trembled and muttered nonsense as he rose to his feet.
“Does he really like you? He’s as crazy as I am! No, crazier!”
Angrily, he lowered his voice, speaking just to us.
“…Even his parents found him disgusting and abandoned him.”
I glanced at Louis for a reaction. But he remained perfectly composed, staring unflinchingly at Diego.
“Is that all you have to say, Marquis?”
Diego’s astonishment came from Louis’s complete lack of reaction.
“Believe me, Leonia!”
“I have no intention of believing you,” I said firmly, drawing a clear line.
Regardless of whether Diego spoke the truth, I had no reason to take his side.
“Before making baseless accusations, Marquis Rizen, you owe me an apology.”
I showed the bruises on my wrists and the marks on my neck, stepping forward to make my point clear.
“This matter will be formally addressed later.”
At that moment, someone else arrived, fanning the flames of the scene.
“What’s all this about Diego?”
The Emperor appeared, stopping those who were about to return to the ballroom. Everyone watched intently.
Alice, who had been called away by the Emperor, appeared beside him.
“Are you alright? What on earth happened?”
She gave me a pointed glare, clearly scolding me for causing trouble despite her instructions to behave.
I sent her a look to reassure her I’d explain later and smiled faintly.
“Don’t worry, Alice. I’m fine. More importantly…”
I touched the coat Louis had draped over me and turned my attention back to Diego.
Alice followed my gaze, equally focused on him.
I wanted to strike Diego, but restrained myself.
“Your Majesty,” Louis said formally.
“We are betrothed,” he declared, looking straight at the Emperor.
Alice’s eyes widened in surprise; she hadn’t witnessed my public proposal.
Louis continued, “Marquis Rizen attempted to insult and even harm Leonia in my presence.”
“No! I… I just…” Diego stammered.
I stepped forward this time.
“Additionally, the Marquis spoke disrespectfully of the late Duke and Duchess, insulting Duke Louis. This is not something to be taken lightly.”
I deliberately smoothed Louis’s coat as I advanced, making sure the bruises on my hands were clearly visible to all.
