When I met Iscallion after a few days, I was quite surprised.

“Leon, are you okay? You’ve lost so much weight.”

“Your face looks rough too, Sister.”

“It’s because the air is dry.”

The conversation awkwardly halted.

I barely managed to think of the next topic.

“Your birthday is really just a few days away.”

He still had the cufflinks I had bought him on his shirt sleeves.

It was rewarding as the gift-giver to see him wear them often, but they weren’t exactly fitting for a grand duke.

Iscallion, noticing where my gaze had landed, smiled broadly.

“You bought them for me. They’re my favorite.”

‘If I had known, I would have gotten something better from the start.’

I had picked out some rather valuable jewels to make up for it, but honestly, I didn’t have the time or the presence of mind to be sure they would meet his taste.

As I was pondering what more to give him, I suddenly felt a sharp gaze.

Iscallion was looking down at me with a strange expression.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that?”

Worried that he might kiss me again, I quickly stepped back. Embarrassingly, he didn’t seem to have that intention.

“You’re leaving soon, aren’t you?”

“Most likely, yes.”

Of course, I couldn’t stay in Pontos forever. The envoys were beginning to discuss their departure schedules in detail. According to the original flow of events, it was also almost time for the Emperor to abdicate to the Crown Prince.

But even if there were more time, I probably couldn’t give him the answer he wanted. Unless I suddenly found a reason to fall for him.

“It’s a shame. We just met, and now we have to part again.”

“I’ll visit often. Once exchanges become more active, I can come legally. You’ve made a big decision, Leon.”

Even so, it would only be about once or twice a year at most, but considering his original purpose for coming to the Empire was war, it was a remarkable development.

“Can’t you just stay here? I don’t want to part with you again.”

His voice sounded so lonely that my heart wavered a bit.

Iscallion wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me toward him.

“Hm?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I can.”

I answered softly, unable to look him in the eye.

It wasn’t just a response to his request to stay. It was also a rejection of his previous confession.

Logically, I knew it was best to evade the answer and buy time, but I didn’t want to respond to his sincerity with a lie.

Iscallion seemed to understand this. Though he lacked common sense, he was quick-witted.

Contrary to my expectations that he would get angry or upset, he remained calm.

Instead, he asked in an unusually composed tone.

“Why?”

It might have been better if he had gotten angry. If he had yelled and cursed, I would have listened quietly. Explaining the reason made it even harder.

Iscallion asked again.

“Why not? Is there someone else in your heart? Be honest.”

Why did that question make me think of last night’s kiss?

But strictly speaking, Shahar couldn’t be considered a person.

Shaking my head, I awkwardly dodged the question.

“It’s not that, but I don’t think I’m ready to like anyone yet.”

I lowered my gaze and aimlessly dug at the dirt with my toe.

“Lies.”

At that moment, Iscallion coldly spat out. If it hadn’t been so quiet around us, I might not have heard it, a very faint whisper. It was so faint that I wasn’t sure if I had heard it correctly.

“Hm?”

Startled, I looked up, but Iscallion’s face was as usual.

‘Did I hear wrong?’

He looked straight into my eyes and asked again.

It seemed I had indeed misheard.

“Then what should I do to win your heart? I’ll follow whatever you say. You know how well I listen, right?”

His words pricked my conscience.

I shook my head.

“I… don’t know.”

“Don’t make that face. It’s not your fault. I’m the one who liked you on my own. It’s my fault for making things difficult for you because I like you.”

Iscallion accepted my rejection more maturely than I expected.

“But I’ll keep liking you from now on.”

“…”

“That might make things even harder for you. If that happens… what will you do?”

“I’ll forgive you.”

“What if I commit an unforgivable mistake?”

“Why are you asking that?”

When I asked again, Iscallion urged me.

“Answer me.”

“Then I’ll judge based on the reason. If I understand, I’ll forgive you, and if not…”

“If not?”

“I’ll punish you very, very harshly. I’ll think about forgiveness later. But really, why are you asking such a question?”

‘Could he have done something wrong?’

I looked at Iscallion suspiciously. His tightly shut mouth seemed somewhat suspicious.

Feeling uneasy, I grabbed his wrist abruptly.

“You know I’m scary, right? You must never do anything bad. Okay? Now you answer quickly.”

Iscallion quietly looked down at his captured wrist.

When I hesitated and let go of his wrist, he grabbed mine instead.

I was a bit taken aback by his rather strong grip. Even as he watched my reaction, he didn’t loosen his grip.

Suddenly, I remembered the first time I met him. Back then, Iscallion also grabbed me with a force like this. Raw, untamed strength.

Why did I think of that now?

“Leon? It hurts.”

“Yes.”

Iscallion still showed no sign of letting me go.

‘Is he planning revenge because I rejected him?’

With my other hand, I hit his shoulder hard. His body was so solid that my hand hurt more.

“I said it hurts!”

Only then did he loosen his grip. But he still held onto my wrist.

Iscallion’s eyes darkened for a moment.

“What are you doing?”

“If I hurt you.”

Iscallion lifted my hand and kissed the wrist where his grip had left a mark. It felt as hot as a branding iron.

“Punish me very harshly. Never forgive me.”

His face looked somewhat sad as he said that, so I couldn’t get any angrier.

* * *

A day later, the bruise became even more pronounced.

Seeing the blue handprint on my arm made me feel uneasy.

While I had brought injuries from the male leads before, this was the first time a male lead had directly hurt me.

Moreover, the person who left the bruise was Iscallion, with whom I was closest.

I hid the bruise by pulling down the sleeve of my dress, trying to conceal my troubled feelings.

Even then, I wandered around in a daze all day, not realizing the Crown Prince was calling me.

It wasn’t until he called my name several times that I finally saw his handsome face.

“What are you daydreaming about?”

He scrutinized me closely with a frown. Then, with his characteristic sharp gaze, he spotted the bruise peeking out from my loose sleeve.

“What’s this?”

“Wh-what does it matter?”

“You carry all sorts of injuries that aren’t even yours, yet you can’t heal your own body…”

His eyes landed on the red mark on my lips.

His face turned red in an instant. Hastily, I twisted my wrist out of his grasp.

“Is this the work of that brat?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Ha, you still haven’t come to your senses. If I had known, I would have given him a good beating.”

“What? Who are you going to beat?”

The Crown Prince, who had been talking so boldly, suddenly fell silent. His reaction was quite suspicious.

“You didn’t do anything I’m thinking of, did you?”

“…Don’t give that boy any more leeway.”

“I know Leon better than Your Highness does.”

“You…”

The Crown Prince roughly ran his hand through his hair.

“Anyway, don’t go around alone. A priestess went missing yesterday. The exact reason is still unclear, but she was probably taken by monsters. Monsters frequently appear even inside the city of Pontos, so be careful.”

What was he talking about? I had been with them just the day before, and now one had gone missing overnight? I could still see their happy faces, glad to have come to Pontos.

I assumed the Crown Prince was just trying to scare me because he was upset about Iscallion.

‘I won’t fall for such a clumsy threat.’

To see with my own eyes that the Crown Prince’s words were nonsense, I went to find the priestesses.

When I knocked on the door of the shared bedroom of the priestesses, Margarita, who looked noticeably haggard, came out. Behind her, I saw Agnes with a swollen face. Lucia was nowhere to be seen.

The priestesses looked like they were about to burst into tears at any moment.

“Lady…”

I couldn’t bring myself to ask where Lucia was. There was no need. The Crown Prince’s words were true.

“Please come in.”

Margarita sighed and stepped aside. Agnes brewed tea, but no one touched their cups.

Listening to the whole story, I learned that Lucia had disappeared sometime between last night and early morning.

It was said that she disappeared in an instant as if she evaporated without a trace. And it seemed the Holy Kingdom delegation was trying to conclude Lucia’s disappearance as the work of monsters. Of course, the two priestesses did not believe that.