4.7

Ellen and Leon stood together, surrounded only by an awkward silence. Or rather, it seemed that Ellen was the only one feeling awkward. Judging by the slight smirk on Leon’s lips, he appeared completely at ease.  

He had said he had something to say, so why wasn’t he saying anything?  

Since Leon claimed he wanted to speak with her, Ellen had sent Anna off to the ranch and brought him to a place where they wouldn’t attract attention.  

The village was so small that rumors spread quickly. Thus, she had chosen a spot where others wouldn’t overhear them. But now that Leon remained quiet, she felt frustrated.  

“You said you had something to say. Hurry up and say it.”  

“….”  

Eventually, Ellen broke the silence, glancing at him nervously.  

Leon continued to gaze at her silently, his eyes filled with an intensity that made her feel uneasy. His gaze was so sensual that it seemed as though he was trying to seduce her.  

Ridiculous. Why would he try to seduce me after rejecting me?  

Ellen dismissed the thought as her imagination and avoided his gaze.  

“In truth, I had a lot to say, but seeing your face made me forget it all.”  

At that moment, she heard something utterly absurd.  

What was that supposed to mean? Why ask for a conversation if that’s all he had to say? 

Ellen squinted at Leon, her expression skeptical.  

“I simply wanted to see your face after so long, so I asked to talk.” 

He explained, as if reading her thoughts.  

“Well, you’ve seen my face enough now, so I’ll be leaving….”  

“I wanted to apologize.”  

Ellen had no intention of playing along with his whims. She nodded briefly and turned to leave, but Leon interrupted her words.  

An apology…. Did he even know why I had left him without a word?  

Was it because, after rejecting me twice without a care, he suddenly felt guilty after the third rejection? Or was it because he now wanted to confess that he had wagered on me and apologize for it? 

Ellen doubted that Leon’s apology would change anything between them. Still, since he had expressed a desire to apologize, she decided to listen.  

“What exactly are you apologizing for?”  

“For my actions in the past.”  

It was too late. And too vague. Ellen couldn’t feel any sincerity in Leon’s apology.  

“If you’ve come to apologize out of guilt, there’s no need to burden yourself. I’m fine.”  

Though she wasn’t truly fine, Ellen pretended to be calm. As long as Leon didn’t shake her resolve, she would be fine eventually.  

“While I am apologizing for my actions, there’s something else I want to say….”  

“That’s all I’ll hear. I don’t want to listen any further.”  

Ellen cut him off. She was afraid of what he might say next.  

Was he going to tell me that sleeping together that night had been a mistake and ask me to keep it a secret? Or, though unlikely, was he going to suggest starting over? 

Either way, Ellen felt her position would become difficult.  

If it was the former, she would be hurt by Leon again. If it was the latter, her carefully guarded heart might waver.  

Even if she gave her heart to him again, she knew she would only end up hurt once more.  

So please. Just leave me alone.  

Ellen couldn’t bring herself to say those words aloud. Instead, she had no choice but to act coldly toward Leon, pretending she felt nothing for him.  

“….”  

Leon wanted to continue the conversation, but Ellen immediately shut it down.  

He still had much to say. He wanted to apologize first, then confess his feelings and propose to her.  

He had planned to express his feelings gradually, hoping she would believe his sincerity.  

But through their brief exchange, he realized something.  

Her heart has truly left me.  

The clear, shining gaze that had once been directed at him was gone.  

All that remained was a look of distrust and caution, as though she had armored herself to prevent further pain.  

Thus, Leon claimed he had forgotten what he wanted to say and only apologized for his past mistakes—for now.  

At this moment, no matter how much he expressed his true feelings, Ellen wouldn’t believe him. It was clear she had no intention of listening further.  

Though he had anticipated this, Leon realized that winning back Ellen’s heart wouldn’t be easy. It would take considerable time to bring her back to him.  

Leon didn’t want to lose Ellen’s love, but his delayed realization had caused her heart to drift away.  

“The tables have turned.”  

Leon watched Ellen’s retreating figure with a bitter smile.  

It seemed impossible to return to their previous relationship. If he wanted to reconnect with her, he would have to build a new relationship from scratch.  

Now was the time for him to seduce her instead.