“Hmm?”
“Leon. That’s my name.”
“Nice to meet you, Leon. My name is Lou. It’s just one syllable, so it’s easy, right?”
Although I didn’t dislike it, my name was indeed quite short for a high noble. It was as if they didn’t think a villain deserved a longer name.
“Lou…”
Leon murmured my name softly.
“It’s a pretty name.”
‘Oh, look at this guy?’
“So, Leon, what were you doing here?”
“I had a headache, so I was resting. What about you?”
“A headache?”
“Yes. But it’s fine now. It went away when you came.”
‘A headache?’
I recalled the intense pain I felt when I first touched Leon.
Although the headache had subsided to a manageable level during our conversation, the initial pain had been severe enough to render me immobile.
I assumed it was because I had been unwell for several days and had briefly encountered the Crown Prince…
The uneasy feeling I had when I saw the Crown Prince’s smooth fingers resurfaced at this moment.
“And you, Lou? What were you doing here?”
Leon pressed for an answer.
I stopped thinking and pointed towards the ballroom with my finger.
“My fiancé is in there. That’s why I came to the palace.”
“Fiancé?”
As soon as he spoke, a chilling coldness swept over me, causing goosebumps all over my body.
But before I could even register the strangeness, the coldness vanished as though it was a lie. Instead, a warm breeze passed between Leon and me.
‘What’s this? Am I still not fully recovered?’
“What’s wrong, Lou?”
Leon leaned towards me and asked.
“It’s nothing.”
I shook my head, brushing off his concern.
“Your fiancé is inside, so why are you out in the garden?”
‘He’s surprisingly perceptive.’
I couldn’t tell a stranger that I wasn’t on good terms with my fiancé, so I answered evasively, but Leon didn’t miss the gap.
“My fiancé is busy. No matter how close we are, he can’t entertain just one person all the time. So, let’s say I’ve temporarily given him to others.”
‘Though I’d like to give him away forever…’
“What do you mean? I don’t understand. How can you give away your fiancé?”
“I didn’t literally give him away, it’s just a manner of speaking.”
“Hmm, okay, if you say so. Then what kind of person is your fiancé?”
“He’s handsome, capable, rich, has a high status, and is every woman’s ideal.”
‘And he’s a complete bastard.’
I swallowed the last part.
“Do you like your fiancé?”
“…I fell for him when I was very young. He was the most perfect person I had ever seen.”
“And now? Do you still like him?”
Leon persistently questioned me.
Feeling uncomfortable, I answered somewhat coldly.
“It’s not polite to ask such questions when we’ve just met, Leon. It’s a political marriage anyway. If you’re a noble, you should know that marriage isn’t just a personal matter.”
“Well, I haven’t thought about marriage yet.”
“Must be nice to be so carefree.”
I chuckled.
Despite his large build, his tone and the content of his words made him seem like he’s no older than I was.
“But there’s one thing I’m sure of.”
“What?”
“If I were your fiancé, I would never leave you alone.”
“…You saying that while you’re covered in black cloth isn’t cool at all, Leon.”
It was a transparent and childish attempt.
But given that my self-esteem had hit rock bottom from struggling against the outstanding male leads, I couldn’t help but feel slightly flattered by Leon’s words.
In return, I offered him a compliment with a bit of advice.
“Still, I think it’s not a bad line. It’s bold and confident. But next time, try to set the mood a bit more. Take off that black mask and cloak. Who knows? You might end up marrying that girl.”
“Why the cloak?”
“To highlight your strengths if you want to win a woman’s favor.”
“Will taking off the cloak highlight my strengths?”
‘Oh, shoot.’
“Anyway, just take my word for it. Got it?”
“I’ll remember.”
Surprisingly, Leon seemed to have a docile and obedient personality.
While chatting with him, the long summer sun finally completely disappeared.
Lights were turned on everywhere, and couples began to come out into the garden, arm in arm.
It was time to return to the ballroom.
When I stood up, Leon also rose to his feet.
“Don’t go.”
“It’s not like I want to go either. Come on, let’s say goodbye.”
I extended my hand to Leon.
He looked at my hand and face alternately, as if he didn’t understand.
“Can I touch you now?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
At first, I thought he was just rude, but now it seemed he hadn’t learned any social etiquette at all.
Which family’s young master could be this ignorant?
“In the empire, when greeting a lady, it’s customary to kiss her hand as a sign of respect. Since you didn’t know, it’s fine this time, but remember it for next time.”
Just as I was about to give up on a proper farewell and turn away, Leon grabbed my hand. Then he brought my hand to his lips and pressed them firmly against it, as if stamping it.
He didn’t bow his body at all, and instead of kissing the back of my hand, he kissed my palm.
Feeling ticklish where his lips had touched, I quickly pulled my hand away.
“Like this?”
There were too many things to correct.
However, since he was so ignorant of etiquette, and since he’s someone I wouldn’t meet again, I decided to let it slide generously.
“…Well, you did well. If you refer to the etiquette manual, you’ll gradually get better.”
“I really like this way of greeting.”
I could sense that he was smiling proudly behind the mask.
Somehow, I felt like an older sister teaching her younger brother, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m glad you liked it. I had fun too. If fate allows, let’s meet again, Leon.”
***
The atmosphere inside the ballroom was in full swing. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves except for me.
I picked up a glass of wine to at least borrow the effects of alcohol.
But just as I was about to bring the glass to my lips, someone took it from my hand. It was the Crown Prince.
“You haven’t been up from your sickbed for long. It’s best to avoid alcohol for now.”
Instead, he handed me another drink.
It was my favorite lemonade.
I placed it back on the tray and responded formally.
“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”
‘Since when did you care so much about my health….’
The Crown Prince didn’t point out my rudeness. Instead, he stared into the air somewhere, his gaze shooting daggers. And he did so for quite a while.
“Is there something over there?”
“Nothing.”
He shrugged nonchalantly and turned his gaze back to me. Then he lightly held my empty hand and gently placed his lips on it.
Honestly, it was a relief that he was such a well-presented person. If he didn’t satisfy my aesthetic sense even a little, I might have punched him in front of everyone.
At the same time, I thought of Leon, who was clumsy and completely opposite to the Crown Prince’s perfect manners.
‘What if he approaches other women like that and gets slapped?’
It felt like I was leaving an innocent child by the water.
‘Who am I to worry about whom?’
A young man who was as dangerous and clumsy as an untamed wild animal. And he had an excellent physique. There was no need to see his face. Just with those conditions, he would be in solid demand.
On the other hand, I…
I then recalled the three male leads who criticized me in my dreams.
‘Let’s stop thinking about it….’
“Where have you been?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Were you looking for Gined?”
“…”
“What a shame, your grave robber holy knight is wandering around Mount Acheron. Didn’t he tell you in advance?”
“I know Sir Roengreen isn’t attending. I’m just grateful to the holy knights who are working hard even on a day like this.”
“How about me as your partner for today, Lou? Because you disappeared, I haven’t had my first dance yet.”
“You can dance with other women.”
The Crown Prince chuckled.
“Still, as your fiancé, I should remain faithful.”
“You’re doing something truly pointless.”
“I’ll do anything to win your heart.”
The fact that he could say such insincere things so calmly showed just how scary power and money were.
The Crown Prince led me to the center of the hall.
I couldn’t push him away in front of everyone, so I followed him, gritting my teeth.
The Crown Prince was the best dancer I knew.
With his upright posture, long limbs, and flexible, elegant body, he could be mistaken for a dancer.
Thanks to his natural lead, even someone as clumsy as me looked like a decent dancer.
While we were dancing, I felt someone’s intense gaze.
Whenever I was with the Crown Prince, I often received envious glances from ladies who had a crush on him, but today felt different.
Curious about who was giving me this intense look, I occasionally turned my head to scan the ballroom.
But there was no one particularly suspicious.
However, whenever I tried to focus back on the dance, I felt the gaze again.
Because of that, I lost concentration and stepped on the Crown Prince’s foot repeatedly.
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chocolattes
yep agreed. leon definitely felt like a younger brother who doesn’t know anything yet. he seems adorable tho (aside from the obvious sketchy vibes he’s exuding) 😅