Chapter 3.2

Alehin, still struggling to gather his words, reached for the cup on the sofa table and drank from it in large gulps.  

‘Ah, that’s my cup…’  

Even though it was a trivial matter, Katia felt her cheeks flush. She wasn’t a teenage girl, and it was just a cup, but still…  

After draining the water in one go, Alehin finally seemed ready to speak.  

“Well, I feel like I owe you an apology.”  

“Pardon?”  

Katia’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. Alehin, looking somewhat embarrassed, kept running his hand through his golden hair as he spoke in a soft voice.  

“Marielle scolded me today. She said that constantly scheduling outdoor activities puts a lot of strain on the aides and guards. Especially you, Evlaine, she said it must be even harder for you.”  

Katia’s gray eyes wavered. A storm began to brew slowly in her heart.  

Unaware of what emotions were stirring within her, Alehin smiled awkwardly.  

“She pointed out that there’s only one person in the aides’ office who looks after her—you, Evlaine—and that it must be overburdening. I hadn’t thought about it. I got too carried away with my own excitement without considering others.”  

“…It’s nothing, Your Highness. This is simply my duty.”  

“No, Marielle’s right. I know how much work you have, Evlaine, and yet I’ve been dragging everyone outside too often. Now that I look at you, you seem quite worn out.”  

Alehin seemed genuinely remorseful. With a smile full of regret, he even slightly bowed his head. This made Katia feel even heavier.  

She didn’t want to receive an apology like this. Especially not one prompted by Alehin’s lover nudging him to do so. If only both of them could handle such matters naturally, befitting their positions, without burdening her, she wouldn’t feel so miserable.  

Each time, she was reminded of how distant she was from Alehin.  

With her head bowed, Katia shook her head.  

“Please don’t worry about me, Your Highness. I’m truly not struggling. If I ever feel I can’t endure it, I’ll be sure to let you know.”  

“I’ll try to limit such outings as much as possible from now on. Just this once, I ask for your understanding. I’m always reassured and grateful that you, Evlaine, take such good care of Marielle.”  

“…Yes.”  

Although Alehin continued with a few more words of encouragement, Katia barely registered them. A deep sense of defeat, one she had never felt before, crept up from beneath her feet.  

To remain in a position where she could only watch, unable to confess her feelings, and to receive concern from the lover of the man she admired…  

She felt so ashamed and foolish for not being able to let go of her affection for Alehin that she was on the verge of tears. Determined not to cry in front of him, she clenched her jaw tightly and held back.  

By the time Katia regained her composure, Alehin was gone. Only the empty glass remained as evidence of his visit.  

Katia slumped forward and buried her face in her hands. Deep sighs escaped through her clenched teeth.  

“Just a little longer…”  

She couldn’t finish her sentence. Fearing that her sobs would escape, she bit her lip hard.  

Meanwhile, after finishing his “conversation” with Katia, Alehin ran into Leonid in the hallway. Seeing Alehin raise his hand with a bright smile, Leonid bowed his head in response. Alehin, standing before him, lightly tapped his chest with a fist and said,  

“Do you have to act so stiff when no one’s around?”  

“This is the Crown Prince’s palace, Your Highness. There are always eyes watching.”  

“Ah, but I prefer being friends rather than just having a captain of the guard.”  

“Where are you coming from?”  

At Leonid’s question, Alehin shrugged lightly.  

“The lounge, just for a moment.”  

“…The lounge? Why?”  

“I heard Evlaine was there. I had something to say to her.”  

At the mention of Katia’s name, Leonid’s eyes narrowed. Noticing the unease on his friend’s face, Alehin quickly shook his head.  

“It wasn’t to scold her.”  

“Then what was it for?”  

Leonid’s tone had grown noticeably shorter. Alehin smirked meaningfully, crossing his arms and tilting his chin up.  

“Why, are you curious? About what I talked about with her?”  

“What did you say? You didn’t go and upset her, did you?”  

“Leonid Karev, you act as if I’ve done something terrible to Evlaine.”  

“Your Highness, your mere presence is enough to trouble her.”  

“Wow, that’s harsh.”  

Alehin clicked his tongue in mock exasperation. Leonid, unfazed, furrowed his brows and pressed him further.  

“What did you say to her?”  

“I went to apologize.”  

“Apologize?”  

“Marielle pointed something out to me today.”  

At the mention of Marielle’s name, Leonid’s expression hardened further. However, he remained silent, listening intently to Alehin’s words. Once Alehin finished, Leonid clicked his tongue audibly. It was a bold and disrespectful gesture toward the Crown Prince, but Alehin didn’t seem to mind.  

“I swear I didn’t do anything to trouble Evlaine, alright?”  

“Honestly, you should just stop talking.”  

Leonid shook his head. While Alehin may not have intended to hurt Katia, she was likely devastated by now. Alehin had even admitted that Marielle’s words had made him realize something. For someone like Katia, who admired him, receiving sympathy from his lover must have felt utterly humiliating.  

It was obvious she was still in the lounge. Leonid needed to check on her. He gave Alehin a brief bow and said,  

“I’ll be back shortly, so stay in your office and focus on your work, Your Highness.”  

“Alright, alright.”

In an instant, Alehin frowned in pity as he watched Leonid walk away. However, it was not something he should concern himself with. Alehin obediently headed to the office as his friend had instructed.

Just before opening the lounge door, Leonid glanced back briefly. The Crown Prince’s palace was quiet during working hours, with only the silhouettes of two people visible at the far end of the hallway. The time he could spend facing Katia would inevitably be short. After all, it was working hours for both him and Katia.

As Leonid reached for the handle, the door suddenly swung open from the inside. Startled, he stepped back slightly. Katia, who had been about to leave, froze upon seeing the unexpected figure before her.

Until she saw the person standing in front of her, Katia’s face had looked rather pitiful. Her eyes and nose were red, as if she had been crying, and her nose was slightly wrinkled. Her complexion didn’t look particularly lively either. However, the moment Katia recognized Leonid’s face, her gray eyes sparkled with a sudden intensity.

Her hand abruptly reached for Leonid’s neck. Before he could react, her hand grabbed his collar and pulled him inside. Like a dog being dragged by a leash, Leonid obediently followed Katia into the room.

Where did she get such strength? 

As soon as the door closed, Katia roughly pushed Leonid against it. He didn’t take his eyes off her face. Katia, glaring at him with fiery eyes, seemed to have a lot she wanted to say. Her eyes, clenched with determination, began to glisten with tears, causing Leonid’s eyebrows to droop slightly. Just as he was about to open his mouth, Katia, standing on her tiptoes, pressed her lips against his.

Leonid’s eyes widened at the forceful kiss. His hands instinctively wrapped around Katia’s back. She aggressively pried his lips open, her tongue seeking his with a ferocity that coiled around his like a snake. Leonid simply followed her lead, letting her take control. Meanwhile, his hands gently stroked her back, as if trying to soothe her anger.

Katia’s tongue brushed against the roof of Leonid’s mouth. The sensitive ridges of his palate felt every delicate movement of her soft flesh. A low groan escaped from his mouth. Katia pressed her thigh tightly against his, forcing herself between his legs. Leonid’s body trembled.

‘Ah, this is dangerous.’

Leonid realized that just from Katia’s kiss, his body was already reacting. He couldn’t help it. If it was Katia, even holding hands was enough to excite him. Let alone when she came at him like this. He tightened his arms around her. Her lips were fragrant and sweet. As he gently caressed the underside of her tongue, Katia shuddered.

As if determined to prevent him from being gentle, Katia deliberately bit down hard on his lower lip.

“Ouch.”

A small cry escaped from Leonid’s mouth. Katia pulled her lips away. She noticed a tiny bead of blood forming on his lip. For a moment, she felt a pang of guilt and was about to lift her head, but her anger quickly smothered it.

She knew it well. Right now, Katia was venting her frustration on Leonid. He wasn’t at fault at all. The truth was, there was no one she could truly be angry at. But without pouring out these simmering emotions onto someone, she couldn’t bear it.

Leonid, with a wry smile, ran his thumb over his lips. Seeing the blood on his finger, he muttered,

“That hurt, you know.”

“I hate you.”