Chapter 3.3

“Me?”

“I really… really hate you.”

In an instant, Katia’s chin crumpled like a walnut, and her upper lip quivered. Her voice trembled as it escaped her elongated nose. Katia felt her nose sting, and at the same time, tears welled up and spilled from her eyes.

She felt as though anger and sorrow, without a clear target, were crushing her. Sniffling, she rested her forehead against Leonid’s chest. Tears rolled down her cheeks and left stains on his clothes. In a voice that sounded as if it were crawling out, she muttered,

“Why, why did you do that to Marielle Ivans? If you liked her, you should’ve been the one to claim her…”

“…Katia.”

“I hate you, truly. Why did you let her meet His Highness…”

Since the first night of their “incident,” even after witnessing Alehin and Marielle’s affectionate moments, Katia had never said such things heaviness to Leonid. Even during the times they occasionally shared a drink and ended up in bed together, she never voiced such deep resentment.

Her fists pounded against Leonid’s chest. She hit him again and again, and he let her. Leonid’s lips moved as if he had something to say, but he let out a deep sigh instead.

“Katia Evlaine, look at me.”

Leonid’s voice was calm and steady. But Katia couldn’t lift her head. She knew how much of a mess her face must have been. Besides, she had just unleashed a nonsensical tirade on Leonid. While she was angry, she was also deeply embarrassed. Shaking her head, she quickly stepped back. She rubbed her face with her hands and hastily apologized.

“…I’m sorry. I said something ridiculous.”

“You really did say something ridiculous.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I have something to say too, so please look at me.”

Still bowing her head, Katia shook it again. Leonid, seemingly frustrated, tried to step closer, but she raised her hand to stop him.

“Not now, later.”

“You throw out whatever you want to say, and then…”

“I have to go back. I’ve already delayed too much.”

Katia quickly said her piece and hurried past Leonid, opening the lounge door and leaving. Left alone in the empty lounge, Leonid ran his hands through his hair with a twisted expression. “Damn it.” A curse escaped his lips.

What made him even angrier was his still-aroused body. No matter what Katia said to him, Leonid couldn’t help himself. Just her presence alone was enough to set him ablaze like this. Leaning against the door, he tried to catch his breath. He had plenty to say to her, but in his current state, he couldn’t possibly step outside.

It wasn’t until a considerable amount of time had passed that Leonid finally returned to the Crown Prince’s office. Looking toward the aides’ section, he saw Katia pretending to focus on her work with a composed face. She was infuriatingly calm and composed, making him chuckle bitterly.

She didn’t glance at him even once. Watching Katia, who was thoroughly ignoring him, Leonid entered the Crown Prince’s office.

From that day until the Crown Prince’s vacation, Katia went out of her way to avoid Leonid. Even though messages from him, saying “Wait” or “Let’s meet,” kept coming, she ignored them.

She had no choice—she was dying of embarrassment.

Even though they occasionally drank together and shared intimacy, she should never have said such outrageous things to Leonid. After all, Alehin and Marielle’s relationship wasn’t something Leonid had forced. And when Leonid gave up on Marielle, he must have had his reasons, just as Katia couldn’t bring herself to confess to Alehin. Besides, they had to face each other and work in the same space.

“Crazy, I’m completely crazy…”

The day before their vacation trip, Katia repeatedly smacked her head while packing her things.

Even if she had managed to avoid Leonid until today, starting tomorrow, she would have to spend four whole days with him. Although he was the Crown Prince’s guard and wouldn’t stick to her side, the small group meant they would inevitably see each other often.

As she folded a skirt with a pale gray background and delicate white floral patterns, Katia’s hands paused. Letting out a deep sigh, she muttered, 

“…I guess I’ll have to apologize.”

Katia knew she had been too rude. She absolutely had to apologize for accusing Leonid of something so unreasonable. She buried her face in her skirt as she bent over, then abruptly stood up. Her delicate lavender hair scattered in all directions. She puffed out her lower lip and blew at her face to brush away the strands stuck to it. Then, as if she had made up her mind, she clenched her fists tightly.

She decided to think that it was all for the better. Katia nodded to herself. The moment she saw him tomorrow, she would apologize and spend the next few days cleanly resolving things.

She neatly folded her skirt again. Unlike her usual routine, this time Katia’s bag contained a white lace blouse and a gray skirt she had been saving, along with black heels with a slightly higher heel. It was a stark contrast to the formal attire she always packed for official duties.

This was because Alehin had informed them in advance that the attendants would have free time during their stay on the island, which was their vacation destination. Upon hearing this, Darius had wailed in disappointment, exclaiming, “I should’ve gone instead!”

And for good reason. The island in the Belynas Island, where Alehin was headed, was renowned as a luxury retreat. Its breathtaking scenery was abundant, but the place was expensive enough to deter most people from visiting.

Katia resolved to enjoy delicious food, drink good wine, and take in the beautiful scenery. And this time, she vowed to completely let go of her feelings for Alehin. Clinging to those emotions would only continue to hurt her.

She also thought that once she let go of her unrequited love for the Crown Prince, her strange relationship with Leonid might naturally sort itself out.

‘But somehow, that feels a little disappointing…’

The thought startled Katia, and she shook her head vigorously before slapping her cheeks lightly. 

Unable to sleep until late at night, Katia headed to the Crown Prince’s palace the next day with a slightly haggard face. She wore her usual neat white blouse and dark navy skirt, looking nothing like someone heading to a vacation destination.

In front of the Crown Prince’s palace, there was one large carriage for Alehin and Marielle, another carriage for the aides and maids, and escort vehicles stationed in front and behind them.

It didn’t seem like she would have to face Leonid during the ride to the harbor, where they would board the ship to Belynas. Katia let out a small sigh. Although she had resolved to apologize, the thought of meeting his gaze and exchanging words made her heart pound.

Her steps toward the palace felt heavy. Carrying her small travel bag, Katia trudged along when someone called out her name from behind.

“Miss Evlaine!”

She immediately recognized the owner of the voice. When she turned around, Broin Glendale, who would be accompanying her as an attendant, was waving and running toward her. Katia frowned slightly and raised her voice.

“Don’t run in the palace!”

“Ah, yes, Ma’am!”

Despite his obedient reply, Broin beamed brightly like a cheerful puppy as he ran up to her. Sweeping back his tousled light brown curls, he grinned and snatched the bag from her hand. It happened so quickly that Katia couldn’t stop him.

“Give it back.”

“I’ll carry it for you!”

“It’s not even heavy.”

“Still!”

Katia stared at her junior’s innocent smile for a moment before turning her head away, as if resigning herself. It would be absurd to wrestle with him to reclaim the bag. Accepting his gesture of goodwill seemed like the simplest solution.

Broin chattered excitedly in a lively tone.

“Have you ever been to the Belynas Island, Ma’am? I heard it’s always summer there and incredibly beautiful.”

“Why would someone like me have been to a place like that?”

“Ah, right. Only His Highness, Lady Ivans, or maybe Captain Karev might have gone to such a place!”

“…Exactly.”

Katia hesitated slightly at the mention of Leonid’s name, which Broin had likely uttered without much thought. Just hearing his name made her feel unsettled.

Whether he noticed her discomfort or not, Broin continued to chatter enthusiastically.

“I’m so excited about the free time we’re getting on this trip! I even packed some nice clothes.”

“Ah, I see.”

“But what about you, Ma’am? What are you planning to do during your free time?”

“Well, I haven’t decided yet…”

“Then why don’t you spend it with me?”

Caught off guard by his unexpected suggestion, Katia stopped in her tracks. She looked up at Broin, who was walking beside her, with a bewildered expression. Her younger colleague, with a sunny smile, tilted his head slightly and pleaded again.

“Spend time with me, please.”

“Why would I?”

“Because it’d be lonely to be by yourself.”

“No, thank you…”

“And I want to be with you, Ma’am.”

Then, with a bright expression, he dropped a bombshell.

“Because I like you, Miss Evlaine.”