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Prolog
It was a day as peaceful as any other.
That is, until some man suddenly paid a visit to the Amelio Count’s estate.
“It’s been a while, Lorena.”
The man standing before me spoke with a smile in his pretty crimson eyes. At the sight of him, I couldn’t bring myself to reply—my mouth merely opened and closed soundlessly.
The moment I saw him, my thoughts came to a complete halt.
And it seemed the man noticed my state as well. I could tell from the soft chuckle that sounded as though he understood everything.
“Ah, right. I suppose I should properly introduce myself.”
“……”
“My name is Leonard Zen Derkian.”
It had been six years since I possessed the body of a nameless extra who didn’t even get a single line in the original story.
And now, I was facing a situation I had never once anticipated—someone I could never forget, no matter how hard I tried.
‘Why… why…?’
…Why is the male lead in our house?
I nearly screamed in shock, quickly clapping a hand over my mouth.
No, and “it’s been a while”? Isn’t this the first time we’ve ever met?
The moment that thought crossed my mind, Leonard bowed slightly toward me.
At the same time, all the questions floating around in my head vanished.
“I came to see you.”
We were close enough to feel each other’s breath. The wind blowing in through the open window tousled Leonard’s black hair.
Though the sun still shone brightly, filling the reception room with light, it felt as though the night sky itself had descended inside.
When our eyes met again, the sparkling red eyes slowly curved into a narrow smile.
Soon, a faint smile settled on his lips…
‘Huh?’
Have I seen that smile somewhere before?
“Lorena.”
Leonard called my name again, as if pulling me back from my wandering thoughts.
“You promised we’d meet again someday.”
“……”
“Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten?”
After finishing his question, Leonard tilted his head slightly and examined my face from side to side.
That strangely familiar gesture made a memory surface.
Four years ago, when the Amelio estate—usually quiet due to the lack of people—had been unusually lively.
And the face that had always been at the center of it all.
“…Zen?”
The name slipped out of my mouth. Only then did Leonard break into a wide smile and reach out toward me.
It was far brighter than the smile he’d been wearing just moments ago.
But unlike Leonard, I couldn’t smile back. Something felt off.
‘Zen only came up to my chest back then—he was just a kid.’
Yet now, Leonard was so tall I had to look up at him.
There was no way someone could change this much in just four years. And that mature air about him, too.
‘Leonard can’t be Zen.’
I was sure of it, but…
The warm touch on the top of my head cut my thoughts short. Without a word, Leonard gently stroked my hair.
His touch was delicate, as though he were handling a precious jewel. The hand that lingered on my head slowly moved down and came to rest against my right cheek.
When I lifted my head at the natural motion, our eyes met once again.
The red eyes I’d thought sparkled like gemstones now seemed to be blazing with fire.
“…You don’t know, do you?”
“……”
“How long I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
I didn’t know what to say. What was I supposed to say to a male lead who claimed he’d been waiting for me?
As I hesitated, Leonard slowly caressed my cheek.
“Lorena.”
He enunciated my name carefully, as though it were the only thing he knew in the world.
“I’ll do anything. So please, stay by my side.”
“……”
“Please.”
His low, subdued voice sounded like a plea directed straight at me.
‘What is this, seriously?’
It feels like he’s confessing to me or something.
I looked at Leonard, who was gazing at me with an unmistakably intense expression.
…Just what on earth did I do four years ago?
