Chapter 4.4

Leonid panted heavily, like a horse that had just finished a sprint. Still holding Katia, he slowly pulled back his hips, then pressed them close again. Though slightly softened after his release, his length still brushed against her spasming inner walls, causing her to tremble.

“Mmngh… stop…”

“I want to stay like this.”

“Ah, haaah…”

“Your insides feel so good, Kitty.”

“Don’t… call me Kitty…!”

Ignoring her protest, Leonid reached out and grabbed her soft br*ast. He enjoyed the sensation of her hardened n*pple rolling under his palm, a result of the lingering pleasure. Sensitive as she was, even such minor stimulation made Katia writhe in his arms. To Leonid, everything about her was endearing.

He whispered into her ear.

“But what should we do?”

“What… mmngh, what do you mean…?”

“The window… it’s open.”

At those words, Katia felt a chill run through her body. How could she have forgotten such an important detail and given herself over to pleasure so completely? She struggled, trying to free herself from Leonid’s arms.

“This is a disaster, a disaster! D*mn it, let me go!”

“Shh, shh… calm down.”

“How can I calm down? What should we do? Everyone must have heard!”

“Just tell them you slept with me.”

“Are you insane?!”

Katia shouted, glaring at Leonid. For a moment, a shadow seemed to cross his face, but he quickly smiled gently and kissed her forehead.

“Nothing will happen.”

“On what grounds…?”

“His Highness Alehin is currently in Lady Ivans’ room.”

Katia froze at his words.

Until now, no matter where they traveled, Alehin had never stayed in Marielle’s room late at night.

She quickly understood what that meant. Her body went limp. Like a soaked sponge, she collapsed, covering her eyes with the back of her hand. Leonid, aware that she felt both relief and disappointment, gave her a bitter smile. He turned her to face him and hugged her tightly. His large hand gently stroked her back.

“That’s why I came to ‘comfort’ you.”

“…”

“I promised to comfort you whenever His Highness made you feel heartbroken, didn’t I?”

Katia closed her eyes. Letting herself be soothed by his hand on her back, she remained still.

Surprisingly, Katia no longer felt heartbroken because of Alehin.

She was a fool. Without ever showing her feelings, she would get excited at the thought of receiving Alehin’s affection even once. Even knowing there was an insurmountable line, she couldn’t step back like a fool. Even after seeing him get a lover, she couldn’t quickly sort out her emotions.

Moreover, she was mean. Using the excuse of unrequited love and misunderstanding, she took advantage of Leonid, who had feelings for her. And even now, far from thinking of ending her relationship with this man, she felt like settling for the situation when he clung to her a little.

‘This man told me to do so.’

Katia pushed aside the guilt that was trying to raise its head and rationalized her decision. She reached out and lightly tapped Leonid’s back. Well-trained, Leonid promptly released her at her touch. With a calm expression, Katia spoke.

“Thank you for comforting me.”

“……”

“And I’m not really sad right now. Maybe it’s because I decided to sort out my feelings before coming here.”

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, she looked down at Leonid’s chest with an ambiguous expression. Not knowing what else to say, Katia kept her mouth shut.

Leonid gently stroked her hair and whispered.

“I’m glad to hear you’re not sad.”

“Well, yes… I guess.”

“But still, if your heart feels bad and you need comfort… will you come to me?”

“Captain.”

“It doesn’t matter how it ends.”

Even if you don’t necessarily give me your heart. At least for a while.

Although his words could hurt his pride, Leonid’s voice remained calm. Katia looked at him with a face that seemed to say she couldn’t believe it. She thought she should refuse, that she couldn’t allow it, but her body pretended not to hear her reason’s cries. After a brief pause, Katia nodded slightly.

That alone seemed to satisfy Leonid, whose face brightened a bit. He lightly kissed Katia’s forehead and whispered, 

“Thank you.”

“Is this something to be thankful for?”

Katia felt a bit taken aback but consoled herself that it must be okay since he said it was fine. Even knowing that anyone who found out would criticize her, Katia ultimately couldn’t let go of Leonid’s hand.

In the arms of the man who held her tenderly, Katia closed her eyes with mixed feelings.

The next day, during the free time Leonid and Broin had aimed for in Belynas, Katia went out arm in arm with someone else instead.

“It’s been ages since we’ve hung out together!”

“Indeed.”

The cheerful voice belonged to Jamil. With her tall stature and refreshing features, Jamil was dressed quite comfortably today. She wore loose slacks and a large white shirt, the complete opposite of her usual tight-fitting uniform. Standing beside her, Katia wore a blouse she had brought along and a gray skirt embroidered with flowers.

Jamil’s black hair was cut quite short, so from behind, they looked like a couple. Imagining how they might appear to others, Katia chuckled. Seeing her laugh, Jamil asked with curiosity.

“Why, why? What’s so funny?”

“I thought we might look like a couple on a date from behind.”

“Well, that’s possible. Not wrong, either! Let’s call it a date!”

Laughing heartily, Jamil and Katia walked energetically.

They browsed street stalls, ate snacks not easily found in the capital, and wandered through various parts of the bustling district. By the time they were done, they no longer looked as they did when they first set out. Wearing flower crowns made from flowers unique to Belynas and bracelets woven from transparent blue stones also found only there, they looked like perfect tourists.

“You look good, Jamil.”

“Really? Feels a bit awkward.”

“I feel the same.”

They exchanged glances and giggled. Jamil kept adjusting the flower crown on her head. Both Jamil, who guarded the Crown Prince, and Katia, who handled official duties, rarely had the chance to wear such cute and pretty things.

In high spirits, they entered a quiet shop by the beach. Perhaps because it was an ambiguous time between lunch and dinner, the place was nearly empty. A few patrons sipping colorful, low-alcohol drinks or refreshing fruit beverages glanced at them briefly before returning to their own affairs.

Sitting outside with a good view of the sea, the two ordered non-alcoholic drinks. Even though it was free time, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t be summoned unexpectedly.

Gazing at the sea with her chin in her hand, Jamil spoke in a sigh.

“It’s so nice… I’d love to live in a place like this.”

“Me too.”

“Should we quit our jobs and come live here? Huh?”

“What would we do for a living?”

“Well… you’re smart, Kitty, so you could teach kids. And I… hmm…”

After pondering for a while, Jamil grinned at Katia.

“Should I guard you?”

“I can’t afford such high-end security.”

“Oh, what a shame.”

They exchanged lighthearted banter while sipping their cool drinks. Soon, the conversation between them ceased. It wasn’t important to chatter excitedly. Even just letting time pass idly held meaning for them. Because come tomorrow, they would have to return to their jobs, alert and on edge.

As she sat idly, Katia’s thoughts drifted to Leonid. The sensation of being with him last night still lingered vividly. A slight ache, and her heart pounded in her lower abdomen as if it were lodged there.

His large hands gripping her chest tightly, his hot lips sucking on her nape. His arms wrapped firmly around her waist, wanting to delve deeper and deeper, unable to help himself, like a heated iron…

Her underwear grew damp. Katia was startled by her honest reaction. Just thinking about him made her body heat up. Her cheeks flushed, and she placed her palm against her face.

As she fanned herself lightly, Jamil, still looking at the sea, asked her.

“You know, Katia.”

“Yeah?”

“By any chance… are you dating Captain Karev?”

Katia was taken aback by the unexpected question. Especially since it came just as she was thinking about Leonid. Not knowing why she was asking, her eyes darted nervously. She hurriedly denied it.

“No, no, I’m not.”

“Really?”

Katia quickly sipped her drink, feeling as if her neck was heating up. Jamil, staring intently at her friend who avoided her gaze, gradually hardened her expression. She watched Katia for a long time, then asked again in a lower voice.

“Then why did I see Captain Karev leaving your room yesterday?”

Katia spat out her drink. Jamil clicked her tongue and handed her a napkin. Wiping her mouth and chin, Katia asked back a bit irritably.

“What are you talking about?”

“I saw the Captain leaving your room yesterday.”