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Chapter 6
“I greet His Grace, Duke Caspian Felix.”
The woman offered a graceful, elegant bow, her gaze settling on Caspian. Just meeting his eyes was enough to make her cheeks flush a delicate pink.
Leah looked up at the smiling beauty, her own face hardening with disgust.
Delailou…
She ground her teeth together, unable to hide the hostility burning inside her.
Yet despite that hatred, her slender hands trembled beneath the table as she clasped them together, wiping away the cold sweat that had begun to form.
Her body still remembered the abuse Delailou had inflicted upon her. The fear was instinctive.
“Julius, did I tell you to receive guests?”
“No, Your Grace. My apologies.”
Julius lowered his head respectfully.
“Please don’t be too hard on him. Since he’s also a member of the Gwyn family, he can’t exactly refuse me. Forgive me for arriving without notice.”
At the mention of the Gwyn family, Leah’s eyes widened as she looked at Julius.
He’s from the Gwyn family too?
When Caspian had introduced him, Julius had simply said he was the duke’s adjutant and the vice commander of the Aldeno Knights.
He gave off an exceptionally calm and composed impression.
He reminded her of a sea lion.
His large eyes and dark brown irises made the resemblance uncanny.
But unlike the gentle, innocent eyes of a sea lion, Julius’s gaze carried an overwhelming sadness—so deep it made one’s heart ache just by looking into it.
“If you know you’re being rude, then please leave. Send a letter later, and we’ll arrange a proper meeting.”
“Why are you being so cold? We’ve been engaged for years…”
Her lowered eyes and slight sway of her body dripped with practiced seduction.
“Since I’m already here, wouldn’t it be nice if we took a stroll through the garden and caught up?”
Caspian’s gaze toward Delailou, who shamelessly pressed on, remained icy.
“You must have already heard the news this morning…”
Of course she had. That was why she’d rushed over so quickly.
“Your Grace, I’m not sure what’s gotten into you all of a sudden… but are you certain this is wise?”
Her blue eyes narrowed, the corners of her lips lifting ever so slightly.
Hidden beneath her sweet tone was a sharp warning.
If he insisted on breaking off their engagement, then the thirst that had tormented him—his greatest weakness—would never be cured.
Half threat.
Half warning.
But Delailou didn’t realize that tactic no longer worked on Caspian.
“I am perfectly fine.”
Apparently that wasn’t the answer she had expected.
Delailou frowned deeply.
It was completely different from the ideal response she had imagined.
Why?
Caspian Felix shouldn’t be acting like this…
She couldn’t understand it.
“May I ask why?”
Why…
His violet eyes swept across the table.
The head of House Gwyn demanded a proper justification.
Delailou herself demanded a reason.
Since things had come this far, it seemed better to give them one unmistakable answer and sever his tiresome connection with the Gwyn family once and for all.
He had wanted to cut ties for a long time.
This was the perfect opportunity.
“I hadn’t intended to do this…”
He paused.
“I apologize to you, but I’ve fallen in love with someone else.”
“W-What?”
Delailou’s face twisted into an expression of utter disbelief.
“I… I don’t believe you! Who is she?”
Her shrill voice rang through the room.
Caspian quietly turned his gaze toward Leah, who sat across from him.
Clack.
He rose from his seat.
As the sound of his footsteps circled the table, Leah’s heart pounded in time with them.
Thump. Thump.
A terrible feeling settled over her.
Please… don’t come over here.
She silently begged him with her eyes.
He ignored her completely.
Stopping beside her chair, he stood close enough that she could feel his presence.
“Allow me to introduce her.”
He smiled faintly.
“The little bird who flew into my heart.”
“Miss Leah Dahlia.”
Y-You…!
“Little bird?”
I asked you to protect me from the Gwyn family… and instead you’re using me as a human shield?!
And Dahlia?
Why had he changed her surname without asking?
Still…
Given the situation, she had no choice but to play along.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Leah Dahlia.”
She forced herself to stand and bow politely.
But the moment she met Delailou’s eyes—
Eyes filled with murderous hatred from head to toe—
Her lips clamped shut.
…I’m doomed.
She had planned to quietly hide behind Duke Caspian Felix until she adapted to human society.
Once she had enough money, she intended to disappear without looking back.
She would settle in some tiny fishing village on a distant coast, hiding herself before the Gwyn family could ever discover her existence or her abilities.
That dream had just shattered.
…Sigh.
Trusting this man was my mistake.
Who else was there to blame?
***
Standing by the window, Leah watched Delailou walk toward her carriage.
The hem of the brilliant crimson dress rippled violently with every angry step.
“…Sigh.”
The atmosphere moments ago had been so tense it felt difficult to breathe.
She had seen Delailou’s rage rising to the very edge of exploding.
Yet somehow she’d forced herself to smile.
That smile had been terrifying.
Leah knew better than anyone that Delailou was not the kind of woman who swallowed her anger.
Which made it all the more chilling.
Lowering her head, she let out a long, weary sigh.
When she looked up again—
Delailou’s maid, Emily, was already waiting to escort her.
“Hm… Have they planted that many spies in House Felix?”
Then what about Julius?
He openly admitted to being part of the Gwyn bloodline, yet he served as Duke Caspian’s adjutant.
Did Caspian also know Emily belonged to House Gwyn?
Or…
Since he and Delailou had been engaged, perhaps it was normal for servants to come and go between the two households?
She knew almost nothing about the human world.
The only things she truly understood were the fatal weaknesses of House Felix and House Gwyn.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The heavy knock pulled her attention away from the window.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
Caspian Felix.
Her irritation flared instantly.
“Come in.”
Even she could hear the sharp edge in her voice.
Click.
He slowly opened the door and strode toward her, his long legs carrying him directly to the window.
Until now, his imposing physique and those piercing violet eyes had always frightened her.
But at this moment…
Standing face-to-face with him…
She wasn’t afraid at all.
Because Leah Eleanor was absolutely furious.
“What exactly were you thinking?”
Her voice rose.
“Here.”
Without a word, he handed her a sheet of paper.
“What is this?”
She accepted it.
The moment she read the bold words at the top, her eyes went wide.
Fortunately, the language and writing system used by the merfolk was identical to that of the Akargen Empire, so she could read it without difficulty.
“An… engagement contract?”
Her voice climbed an octave.
“No… What is all this?!”
“Sit down first.”
“We’ll talk.”
He settled comfortably onto the sofa.
Leah reluctantly sat opposite him.
As if waiting for that exact moment—
Knock.
A gentle knock sounded, and a line of maids entered.
Each carried exquisitely made desserts so beautiful they were almost works of art.
One by one, they filled the table.
Leah’s eyes darted from plate to plate.
What is he trying to do now?
Once the table overflowed with sweets, the maids quietly withdrew.
The room fell silent.
Only the two of them remained.
“Well?”
“Do you like them?”
“Try one.”
The colorful desserts and their sweet aroma tempted both her eyes and her nose.
After a moment’s hesitation, she finally picked up a fork.
She had never seen desserts this elaborate before.
Yet instead of hesitation, her mouth watered.
She carefully cut off a bite of strawberry shortcake topped with fluffy whipped cream.
The moment it melted on her tongue—
Oh… my goodness.
Is this what food from heaven tastes like?
She unconsciously closed her eyes, savoring every flavor.
“About a year.”
His deep voice suddenly interrupted her bliss.
She opened her eyes.
“I think living together as husband and wife for about a year should be enough.”
He spoke as calmly as if discussing the weather.
“I believe marriage is the best solution for both of us.”
Instantly, Leah snapped.
“The best solution… only for you, isn’t it?”
Her cheeks flushed bright red with anger.
“I was perfectly happy living quietly!”
“I was going to adapt to the human world, save enough money, and then leave for somewhere no one could ever find me!”
“The human world?”
