Chapter 1.5

On days like this, her resentment inevitably turned toward Leonid. If he hadn’t introduced Marielle to Alehin… Even though Katia would never have taken Marielle’s place beside Alehin, it still stung.

“That damned guy.”

“Who? Oh, don’t tell me—the matchmaker?”

“…I really hate him.”

She could have hated Marielle. But Marielle was too good a person to hate. Although raised as a noble lady, she never acted superior to anyone. She was down-to-earth, kind, and lovable. Despite not attending the academy, she was well-educated by her tutors and was intelligent. No one could say she wasn’t a perfect match for the Crown Prince.

“Aide Evlaine, I’ll be counting on you. You’re the only female aide, so I think I’ll need your help often.”

The warmth of her soft hands as she clasped Katia’s was unforgettable. Katia couldn’t shake off those hands. Moreover, she might actually have to assist Marielle in the future. All Katia could do was nod.

In truth, her frustration had nowhere to go. She hated Leonid, but it wasn’t as if he knew about Katia’s feelings when he brought Marielle along.

Still, if he liked Marielle so much, why did he introduce her to the Crown Prince?

“Like a drenched dog…”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Forget it.”

Whenever Katia saw Marielle and Alehin together, Leonid’s face seemed heavy with frustration. It looked as though he had many things he wanted to say, and she’d seen him sigh discreetly when no one was looking. Though she couldn’t hear his voice, she’d seen him say something to Marielle that made her pout and turn away. Watching Leonid gaze forlornly at Marielle’s retreating figure…

It was infuriating. 

If he felt that way, he should hold onto her and never let go. Why on earth?

Forget it. 

Katia irritably emptied another glass. She felt her head spin. Judging by her tolerance, she’d already drunk more than half of her limit. She needed to stop if she wanted to return to the palace tomorrow, but she couldn’t manage it.

Her exhaled breath carried the strong scent of whiskey. Katia buried her face in her hands. Trisha watched her sympathetically. Then, hearing the sound of the door opening, she turned her gaze toward the entrance.

“Welcome!”

The newcomer was someone Trisha had never seen before. Yet his face seemed familiar. While Trisha pondered where she might have seen him, he approached the bar instead of looking for an empty table. Oddly enough, he chose to sit beside Katia despite the many vacant seats. Trisha’s eyes narrowed sharply. She despised men who tried to hit on women sitting alone.

Just as she was about to tell him to sit elsewhere, he ordered a glass of tonic water in a low voice. Before she could intervene, he spoke to Katia.

“Katia Evlaine.”

Oh. 

Trisha’s eyes lit up. 

It appeared this man knew Katia. 

However, Katia had never brought anyone—especially a man—to this bar before. Trisha’s eyes quickly scanned his appearance. His glossy black hair, eyes with a mysterious golden-blue hue, and a face so beautiful it could rival any woman’s.

Could this man be the one Katia had a crush on? 

Trisha’s cheeks heated at the thought. 

Perhaps they had mutual feelings for each other?

But then Katia raised her head to look at him. And Trisha saw it—the way her brows furrowed deeply.

“How did you find your way here?”

“Well, by chance?”

“What nonsense.”

“And you, Evlaine, claimed to be unwell.”

Leonid’s lips curved slightly. His gaze shifted to the full glass of whiskey in front of her.

“Were you lying?”

“Ugh, maybe I was.”

“Well, this is unexpected. I wouldn’t have thought it of you—to skip work and come drinking.”

“Then go ahead and report it, why don’t you? Tell them I faked being sick to leave early and come drink.”

Katia snapped back, her tone sharp. Leonid chuckled and shook his head. His eyes briefly flicked toward Trisha. Meeting his gaze, Trisha flinched and instinctively stepped away. His eyes clearly conveyed his message: leave them alone. Trisha hesitated, then retreated, wiping a glass while occasionally glancing at the pair.

‘That man… isn’t he the Crown Prince’s captain of the guard?’

Trisha quickly turned her head away. She felt as though she shouldn’t get involved.

Once the bar owner had distanced herself, Leonid spoke again. Resting his chin on one hand, he smiled charmingly as he looked at Katia.

“I know you were stressed from writing the announcement about His Highness’s romantic relationship.”

Katia’s eyes blinked slowly. Then, as if struck by shock, they widened. Her face paled. She hurriedly straightened her posture, her lips trembling as she stammered out a defense.

“N-no, it’s not that. Really, it’s not because of that!”

“You thought I wouldn’t notice?”

Leonid subtly moved closer to Katia. He brought his lips near her ear and whispered in a low voice, 

“Katia Evlaine, you should deceive others when necessary. You’ve liked the Crown Prince for a long time, haven’t you?”

Crash!

The chair fell with a loud noise. Katia jumped up, her face flushed red, and took a step back. Leonid’s gaze was terrifying.

‘How long has he known?’

The eyes of the people in the bar turned toward them. But Katia was too flustered to care about their gaze, and Leonid seemed indifferent. He looked at Katia’s frightened face with a slightly bitter smile, then stood up and picked up the fallen chair. Offering his hand, he encouraged her to sit.

“If you panic and cause a commotion, everyone will stare. It makes it look like I’ve done something wrong.”

“If you tell anyone about this….”

“Why don’t we sit down first? It’s uncomfortable to keep looking up, so let’s talk sitting down.”

In an instant, she’d been caught at her weakest point. Katia felt her fingertips trembling. She thought no one would know, but of all people, Leonid, the Crown Prince’s closest confidant whom she didn’t particularly like, had found out.

She hesitantly sat back down. From a distance, Trisha mouthed and gestured, asking if she needed help. Katia shook her head slightly and faced Leonid. He watched her, amused by how cute she seemed.

Leonid slid a glass filled to the brim toward Katia. Then he lifted his own glass of tonic water.

“Why don’t we have a drink first and then talk more?”

Trying to discern what he was thinking, Katia stared intently at Leonid. But there wasn’t much to read from his face. As the captain of the Crown Prince’s guard, he was skilled at hiding his thoughts. After all, it would be problematic if someone responsible for others’ safety were easily readable.

Facing the man’s seemingly calm face, a flame ignited in Katia’s heart.

Fine, what’s the point of knowing? Even if he tells the Crown Prince, what’s the worst that could happen? I’d lose my job, but I could always find another one! Besides, wasn’t Leonid himself in the same position, unsure of what to do while hovering around Marielle?

With that thought, Katia felt a sense of calm. Her gray eyes, which had been wavering, slowly regained stability. Leonid seemed slightly surprised by this change. 

Let him be surprised. 

Katia raised her glass challengingly toward him and emptied it in one go.

It felt like her head exploded. She bit her bitter lips for a moment, then quickly spoke.

“Fine, so what? Did you follow me here to lecture me after figuring it out?”

“It’s disappointing, Miss Evlaine. Do I seem like such a bad person?”

“Then why did you come looking for me?”

Well…. 

Leonid’s face took on a peculiar expression as he trailed off. But Katia’s alcohol-tinged brain refused to properly interpret his expression. Instead of answering directly, Leonid took a sip of tonic water.

“You seemed upset, so I thought I’d offer some comfort.”

Katia’s eyes narrowed sharply. 

Was he giving me the disease and the cure? 

She glared at Leonid and called out to Trisha.

“Trisha, give me one more drink!”

Though she seemed uneasy about Katia’s continuous drinking, Trisha refilled her glass. Gesturing toward Leonid sitting beside Katia, she asked.

“Is he a colleague?”

“Well, sort of…”

“Please make sure she doesn’t get too drunk.”

“Don’t worry.”

I plan to escort her home.

Leonid replied with a gentle smile. Trisha blushed involuntarily. The man was even more striking in person than in the newspapers. Suddenly, she realized that this man wasn’t the one Katia had a crush on. 

Considering her reaction when he entered, he couldn’t possibly be the one. But I’d heard the man Katia liked was quite handsome too….

Someone more handsome than Leonid Karev, the captain of the guard….

Trisha nearly screamed. But she managed to keep her mouth shut and her discovery to herself.

As the thoroughly flustered Trisha was about to leave, Leonid made a request.

“She might drink a bit more tonight, so could you leave a bottle?”

“Yes, yes. Here you go.”

A bottle of strong liquor was placed between them. Thinking how this man seemed to read her mind, Katia reached for the bottle. But Leonid smoothly took it from her and refilled her glass himself.

With a cute gurgling sound, the glass was filled again. This time, he also poured into his empty tonic glass.

“Let’s think about tomorrow’s problems tomorrow. Tonight, let’s just drink.”