Please Don’t Let Go Of That Leash - CHAPTER 3 (Part 6)
CHAPTER 3 – First Date (Part 6)
Ria’s steps came to a halt as she walked. A sigh escaped her involuntarily.
I have nowhere to go in a situation like this.
Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, on unfamiliar streets, she was reminded once again that Astina Manor was the only place she could return to.
She couldn’t define the sudden surge of emotions with a single word. Loneliness, emptiness, fear—all these feelings mingled together, making her feel weak. It was only then that Ria realized she was a bit envious of Katrina.
While feeling bad about her rude behavior, the confidence Katrina exuded, having established her position, was enviable. On the other hand, she…
Somewhere along the line, I’ve just been accepting this lifestyle as it comes.
Without making an effort, under their protection, rationalizing to herself that it was the best she could do in a world she knew nothing about.
I’m the fool.
A sigh-like laugh escaped her. She hadn’t done anything despite saying she would use Kahin. In this world, her place was nothing more or less than a woman staying at the Duke of Astina’s residence. Nothing Katrina said was wrong.
“……No.”
Ria slapped her cheeks with both hands. Now that she knew, she had to do something. As long as she didn’t stop at just thinking, anything would do. She closed and opened her eyes slowly, determination showing in them.
“I can do this. It’s not too late yet.”
Repeating it like a mantra, Ria took a deep breath, exhaled loudly, and turned her body again. If she listened to their conversation, talked with them, and then started doing what she could do here…
As she walked, contemplating her next move, Ria suddenly stopped again. She caught her reflection in the window of a shop.
Immediately, her wide eyes glanced downward as if to confirm. Seeing her hair gradually returning to its original black color from the tips, she hurriedly turned into the nearest alley and flipped her robe inside out.
No one saw me, did they?
Pressing the hood deeper, she looked around. Fortunately, it seemed that no one had seen her. A sigh of relief flowed through her as she attempted to leave the alley, but someone grabbed her arm from behind.
“Young Lady, it’s not safe to come into alleys alone like this.”
“Is that because you want to show your pretty face?”
Roughly pushed against the wall, she was surrounded by two rugged-faced men. Ria found the suddenness of the situation disconcerting and off-putting.
“Let go of me.”
“Don’t be so hasty.”
Ha. An absurd laugh escaped her involuntarily. Frowning, Ria quickly assessed the situation. Luckily, the distance to a brighter area wasn’t too far. If she could create a brief opening, she might be able to escape.
Annoying.
The feeling that was so pleasant just moments ago when she fed cake to the three men at the dessert shop turned into the worst feeling in an instant.
“Seems like there are these kinds of people everywhere.”
“What?”
As the two men who couldn’t understand her muttered softly, Ria struck the center of one man’s chest hard and pushed his stumbling body forcefully into the other man.
“Oof!”
“Ugh!”
The two men, who had underestimated the slender woman and laughed, were caught off guard by the unexpected attack. As they fell to the ground and struggled, Ria dashed out of the alley.
“Argh!”
Just as she emerged into the bright light, she collided with someone and staggered. Although she didn’t fall because the person grabbed her waist, she couldn’t help but be startled by the contact, given the recent situation she had just experienced.
“Let go of me!”
Before she could even confirm who the person was, she struggled wildly, and a soft voice came from above her head.
“It’s okay, I’m not trying to hurt you, I’m sure you’ll fall if I let go, so I’ll let go when you calm down a bit.”
The person behind her didn’t make any moves until she stopped struggling on her own. Once she seemed to have calmed down somewhat, he gently loosened his grip on her arm, just as he had promised.
As Ria took slow, deep breaths to calm her ragged breathing, the person behind her glanced past her and silently communicated something to someone else. When Ria calmed down and looked up at him, he returned with a gentle smile.
In the sunlight, the vibrant red of his hair and the tender light of his golden eyes filled Ria’s vision. As if he recognized her from somewhere, he looked at her intently and noticed her hood slightly askew from the commotion, he carefully adjusted it back into place before speaking.
“We… we met eyes earlier, didn’t we?”
Ah. It was only then that Ria remembered the gust of wind. Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes that had been staring intently at him just moments ago.
Despite her attempts to appear composed, the mere sight of the person she had met fleetingly was enough to bring tears of relief, given the recent frightening situation. However, it was also embarrassing to cry in front of someone she had just met.
“Uh, uh…….”
As she panicked, the tears began to fall, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop them.
“Sniff…”
“Oh dear.”
Clearly flustered, Cherta hesitated for a moment before finally offering a brief apology and then holding her in his arms, comforting her.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.”
“S-Sniff…”
“Everything will be alright.”
Because I’ll kill them all in agony.
Despite his gentle words and comforting embrace, Cherta’s eyes, as he looked towards the alley, were colder than the winter wind.