Chapter 11: Leonard’s Unfathomable Inner Thoughts

‘Now wasn’t the time to figure out what kind of person Latte was.’

Bliss shook off her wandering thoughts and glanced around. The champagne she held felt like a burden in her awkward state. Fortunately, there was a table within reach where she could set down her glass while pondering Latte’s words.

What had she said about Caelan?

“A reserved but caring man……”

Bliss smiled faintly as she murmured, reflecting on Latte’s description.

“That’s right. He treats me well. I like how gentle and caring he is.”

After expressing her feelings about Caelan, Bliss covered her eyes momentarily. While it might have appeared as shyness, the truth was different.

‘I hope that didn’t sound strange?’

She had covered her eyes out of fear they might betray her insincere words.

She had meant it when she called Caelan gentle. However, she couldn’t honestly say she liked him – not only was he impossible to read, but he was also the one who had killed Bliss in the original story.

Bliss lowered her hand and met Latte’s gaze, emphasizing once more.

“He really is someone who treats his wife well.”

Though Latte would discover this herself once she married Caelan, Bliss wanted to paint him in a positive light, even if just slightly.

‘Right now, Latte is at a point where she can’t approach Caelan despite her feelings. She’s probably trying to suppress them’

She would likely watch Caelan from afar after his marriage, never approaching him. While keeping distance from a married man was understandable, Bliss had her own situation to consider.

‘For them to meet, I need to change Latte’s mind first.’

In the original story, they had met by chance after her death and it became destiny, but Bliss didn’t want to die. That was why she was trying to orchestrate their meeting herself.

‘It’s not just about them meeting.’

Latte needed to blur the boundaries she had set regarding Caelan so her feelings could grow.

If those two could get closer…….

‘There won’t be anyone to hold me back when I leave.’

Count Bonita might pose a problem, but what could he do if Caelan wanted to love Latte? He wouldn’t be able to take away Latte’s place to give it to her again. Caelan wasn’t someone who would fall for the same trick twice.

If Latte naturally ended up with Caelan, everything would fall into place.

Bliss smiled genuinely as she imagined herself leaving the Marquis’s residence.

“You know him well.”

She had known Latte could see past Caelan’s hard exterior to his gentle nature within. When Bliss looked at her with pleased eyes, Latte’s lips twitched.

“That’s great. Congratulations.”

Latte’s smile grew awkward as she offered her congratulations again. She probably felt exposed, as if Bliss could see right through her.

‘Even if she tries to give up on Caelan, it won’t be easy.’

Though seeing Bliss must have been difficult for Latte right now, Bliss wanted to tell her this hardship wouldn’t last. After all, Latte would be the one to share her heart with Caelan in the end.

Despite knowing this, Bliss feigned ignorance and offered Latte a fresh glass of champagne.

“……Would you like to come if I invite you to the Marquis’s residence?”

“An invitation?”

“Yes. I was planning to invite you sometime anyway.”

“Just me?”

“Of course. I’ll let him know in advance, so the three of us can meet.”

“With Caelan… I mean, the Marquis?”

“Yes.”

Bliss planned to excuse herself once she had arranged the meeting. While Latte hesitated without giving an immediate answer, Bliss picked up her abandoned champagne. All that talking had made her thirsty.

“Don’t overthink it. We’re friends after all.”

Though she felt like a villain for taking her friend’s man, Bliss maintained a calm exterior as she waited for Latte’s response.

“Bliss?”

At that sudden interruption, Bliss turned her head. It was Viscount Leonard Jimilta.

“Viscount.”

“Thank you for accepting the invitation.”

As Leonard showed his courtesy, Bliss returned the greeting while trying to mask her disappointment. Though she had been searching for Leonard, her conversation with Latte took priority at the moment. She wondered if she could ask for Latte’s answer to her invitation again.

That’s when Latte smiled at Bliss.

“Go ahead and talk. I’ll see you next time, Bliss. I’ll be waiting.”

After bidding farewell to both Leonard and Bliss, Latte took her leave. In the brief silence that followed her departure, Bliss suppressed an emerging smile.

‘Latte accepted my invitation.’

She had indicated her acceptance by saying she would wait. Now all Bliss needed to do was find the right moment to invite her and arrange a meeting with Caelan. A sense of relief washed over her, as if she had cleared one hurdle on her path to freedom.

‘Coming here was the right choice.’

She had accepted Leonard’s invitation to protect herself and unexpectedly encountered Latte as well. Accomplishing two goals with a single action was quite satisfactory.

“You actually came.”

Once they were alone, Leonard’s voice dropped to a more intimate tone.

“Ah, since you’re here as Bliss today, I can treat you like I used to, right?”

“Yes. Leonard.”

Bliss gave a slight nod, accompanied by a faint smile. Leonard gazed at her eyes with evident pleasure. As she had no reason to avoid his gaze, she met it directly. In that moment, a memory surfaced in her mind.

‘If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be who I am today.’

Those were Leonard’s words when he had presented her with a flower. Though she felt she needed to delve deeper into her past to understand its full meaning, no other memories emerged.

Nevertheless, she had learned something significant. Leonard’s kindness stemmed from some help Bliss had given him in the past. That explained his friendly demeanor toward Bliss, who apparently had no close friends.

While she was lost in thought, Leonard spoke with an easy smile.

“I’m glad I invited you. It’s wonderful seeing you here. Remember? We always had such enjoyable times at these parties.”

“Did we?”

The unexpected mention of their shared past made Bliss tense slightly, her shoulders hunching. With her memories still incomplete, she couldn’t respond with certainty. She deflected the conversation, changing the subject.

“Though everyone seems to be watching me without approaching.”

She supposed this was the consequence of her past unkindness. Besides the kindhearted Latte and Leonard, the party’s host, she doubted anyone else would willingly engage with her.

“Hmm… That’s not something you should worry about.”

“Why not?”

“They’ll approach you on their own.”

Leonard’s casual response didn’t satisfy Bliss’s curiosity. Despite her expectant look, he merely offered a playful smile without further explanation.

“Are you being cryptic on purpose?”

“You noticed? It felt just like old times, and I couldn’t resist teasing you a bit.”

When Bliss shot him a bewildered look, Leonard cleared his throat awkwardly, attempting to gloss over his childish behavior.

“Actually, many people have been waiting to see you. Some even asked me multiple times if you would attend today.”

“Really? They could have met me at other social gatherings……”

“Perhaps they wanted a chance to speak with you more casually, like I can?”

Though Bliss understood Leonard’s reasoning, doubts lingered in her mind. After all, she hadn’t been known for her kindness. Without close friends, who would want to engage in casual conversation with her?

“Does that sound strange?”

“To be honest, it does.”

When Bliss gave him a questioning look, Leonard’s pretense crumbled and he let out a resigned laugh.

“At other events, they must address you as Marchioness and maintain proper etiquette. It’s not easy to approach you informally anymore.”

“Do I come across as intimidating?”

“Naturally. The Adrian family commands tremendous respect. There are even rumors of you becoming a Duchess soon, which makes you even more unapproachable. That’s all there is to it, so don’t misunderstand.”

Bliss remained silent, knowing full well that Caelan would indeed become a Duke.

“By the way……”

Noticing Leonard scanning the room, Bliss spoke up first, assuming she knew what he was thinking.

“Caelan isn’t here.”

“Hm? I wasn’t looking for the Marquis.”

“Oh……”

She had grown so accustomed to people inquiring about the Marquis’s absence that she automatically assumed Leonard was doing the same. Upon reflection, as the host, he could have been checking on other guests – she had jumped to conclusions too quickly.

“I apologize.”

“No need. More importantly, I believe all our expected guests have arrived.”

After signaling to someone, Leonard turned his attention back to Bliss.

“Would you like to walk around with me? It might encourage others to approach you more easily.”

“Together?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Bliss shook her head.

“I’d rather not.”

She realized the irony of declining Leonard’s offer right after complaining about people avoiding her. Seeing her awkward smile, Leonard asked, appearing puzzled.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“That’s not it… Though I’m here as Bliss, I’m still a married woman. I’m thinking of you, not myself. The young ladies would be disappointed to see you accompanied by a married woman.”

“Ah……”

Leonard nodded in understanding as Bliss gave him a warm smile and wave.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Until then.”

As he watched Bliss disappear into the crowd, Leonard’s smile faded. A flash of possessiveness crossed his features before vanishing – the expression of a man who could no longer walk freely beside her.

“This party is being held for you after so long. Feel free to do whatever you wish. I’ll handle everything.”

His gaze following Bliss held the gentle warmth of spring sunshine.