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Chapter : 16
“Mary, everything ready?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t forget anything?”
“Of course not.”
Seeing Mary answer so confidently made me feel proud as well.
The Amelio Count’s estate—buzzing with a party atmosphere for the first time in ages—looked perfect even to my own eyes.
Alright! Now all that’s left is for Enoch to arrive! He should be here in two days at the latest, right?
Feeling inexplicably excited, I bounced slightly on my feet. Mary, standing beside me, let out a small laugh.
“Are you that happy, miss?”
“Of course! Do you know how long it’s been since I last saw him?”
“Then you could’ve gone up to the capital at least once. I think His Highness the Crown Prince was hoping for that too.”
“Haha…”
Even though she said it jokingly, I could only laugh awkwardly instead of answering.
That’s not possible, Mary. I can’t exactly die on my way to see Enoch.
‘Man, my legs hurt a bit.’
Maybe because I’d been moving around so much lately, my body felt sore.
Well, I had been running all over the place these past few days, insisting on helping out.
Thinking about it, it’d be stranger if I didn’t hurt.
“Why don’t you rest for a bit? I’ll come get you when it’s time to eat.”
“Should I?”
“Yes. I’ll bring you your favorite tea and cake, so go upstairs and relax.”
“Bring two slices. You know it’s a secret from Gilbert, right?”
When I looked at her with sparkling eyes, Mary winked as if to say I could trust her.
I watched her head toward the kitchen, then turned away.
I worked hard today—so I’ll take it easy for the rest of it. With that decision made, I went to my room and flopped onto the bed.
It really was a perfect day.
Right up until the moment Mary came rushing back empty-handed.
“Um, miss, I think you should come out for a moment.”
“What is it?”
“There’s a guest…”
What? Did Enoch arrive already?
‘He almost missed the timing, didn’t he?’
I hastily fixed my messy hair from lying down and followed Mary down to the first floor.
As soon as I entered, I saw quite a few people gathered in the hall.
They were wearing knight uniforms embroidered with the dragon—the symbol of the Kailum Empire—so it wasn’t hard to tell they were imperial knights.
‘I had a feeling… and it really is Enoch.’
As I stood there dazed by the unreal sight, the knights turned toward me. I quickly started walking.
Searching for the owner of the shining silver hair who would surely smile brightly when he saw me.
‘Where is he?’
But no matter how much I looked around, I couldn’t find any silver hair. That was strange.
‘Someone with looks like that couldn’t possibly go unnoticed.’
That was when I should have realized something was wrong.
No—actually, I should’ve realized earlier. From the moment Mary didn’t say Enoch’s name properly. From the way she trailed off when she mentioned a guest.
“Loraina.”
A low voice sounded behind me. It carried an unmistakable warmth, and I turned without thinking.
A man stood there.
Black hair fluttered lightly in the breeze. That was the first time I realized black could shine like that.
Lowering my gaze, I saw ruby-red eyes that matched his hair perfectly.
If there were a god of handsomeness, wouldn’t it be this man? I stared at him blankly, thinking something so ridiculous.
When our eyes met, those beautiful red eyes curved gently. The sight of him smiling looked like a masterpiece painting.
“It’s been a long time, Loraina.”
He reached out his hand toward me.
Only when I felt someone pull me back did I realize I’d been about to fall over.
The man who steadied me asked with concern,
“Are you okay?”
…No. Not okay at all.
But I couldn’t bring myself to say that. Because I had a pretty good idea who this man was.
The appearance that screamed I’m the male lead!, the way the knights treated him—
And the timing, so perfect it was almost unreal.
Putting all that together, there was only one possible answer.
As if he’d read my thoughts, the man spoke.
All the while, my arm was still firmly held in his hand.
“This is our first time meeting like this, so I suppose I should introduce myself properly.”
“……”
“My name is Leonard Jen Derkian.”
The man—calling himself the male lead—bowed toward me.
“I came to see you, Loraina.”
My breath caught in my throat at the sudden situation. No matter how I thought about it, this made no sense.
Why was the male lead suddenly standing in front of me?!
I pinched my cheek, wondering if I was dreaming—but it hurt.
This wasn’t a dream.
The male lead was really in my house, smiling brightly at me.
‘And he said it’s our first time meeting like this?’
As if we’d met before in some other form.
That was impossible. I’d never met Leonard.
So why did it feel like this impossible thing made sense? Why did his face feel so strangely familiar?
Leonard, who had been quietly watching my flustered expression, spoke again.
“Loraina.”
He pronounced my name clearly and slowly stroked my head.
His touch was warmer than I expected. I stayed still, and his hand slid down past my ear to rest against my right cheek.
When I lifted my head at the natural motion, our eyes met again.
“You promised we’d meet again someday.”
“……”
“Did you forget already?”
At that moment, all my thoughts were wiped clean, replaced by memories from four years ago.
A promise to meet again someday. The warmth that was always there. Jewel-like, brilliantly shining crimson eyes.
Before my mind could catch up, my mouth moved first—almost instinctively.
“…Jen?”
At the familiar name I uttered, the unfamiliar man smiled, deeply moved.
The sight was so beautiful that I couldn’t look away.
“…You probably don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment.”
My head went blank. I couldn’t find any words. The emotions pouring out of him felt overwhelming, almost suffocating.
As I stood there, Leonard gently caressed my cheek, speaking in a low, aching voice.
“I’ll do anything. Just stay by my side.”
“……”
“Please.”
Jen is Leonard. Leonard is Jen.
So the man in front of me really is—
‘…Really Jen?’
As my body and mind failed to keep up with reality, Leonard spoke again.
“There’s something I need to talk about. Is it alright if we go to the sitting room?”
“…Ah, yes. Yes?”
Seeing me ramble, Leonard finally relaxed and smiled, then headed toward the sitting room first.
This was definitely my house—yet his movements were so natural, as if he’d lived here before.
…Is he really Jen?
“W-wait a moment!”
A sudden realization struck me, and I hurriedly stepped in front of him.
If I wasn’t sure, I could just confirm it myself.
“Where did we first meet?”
“At Baron Hentison’s estate. More precisely, at Diana’s cocktail party.”
That was a very quick answer for such a sudden question.
Oh. Got it right.
“Then what’s our butler’s name?”
“Gilbert.”
“What’s Gilbert best at cooking?”
“Apple pie.”
“What do I like the most?”
“Money.”
“…Hey! I told you to erase that!”
Books—books! How many times do I have to say it?!
Without thinking, I raised my hand to flick Leonard on the forehead.
It was a habit—something I used to do to Jen without realizing.
His answers were just too similar to Jen’s.
But my flick never landed.
As if he’d anticipated it, Leonard lightly blocked both my arms.
“I’m not done answering yet.”
Holding my arms, he guided me to the sofa and sat me down.
The warmth on my arm slid down and wrapped around my hand.
“There’s also this.”
“…What?”
“What you like.”
Next, Leonard brought my hand up to his eye.
“You said they’re pretty—and that it’s nice talking while looking at them.”
“……”
“Am I wrong?”
He rested his face against my hand and whispered softly.
Watching him as if enchanted, I finally had no choice but to admit it.
The person in front of me really was Jen.
Of course, that didn’t mean I could speak casually to him like before.
Oh my god. He’s really Jen? The kid I thought of as a little brother was actually the male lead?
My heart pounded violently. And judging by the heat rising to my face, this wasn’t just shock.
Get it together. No matter how handsome he is, what are you doing in a situation like this?
“…Just what is going on here?”
“I’ll explain everything later. For now, come with me.”
“…Where?”
Leonard smiled faintly and answered as if it were obvious.
“To the imperial palace.”
…What? The palace? Suddenly?
“I’ll go with you first. The knights will follow after. You might find my true form unfamiliar since it’s your first time seeing it, but you won’t fall—”
“W-wait a second!”
True form? Don’t tell me he’s saying I’m supposed to ride on a dragon’s back all the way to the palace?
…I’ve never even been on an airplane.
“I can’t go right now. This is too sudden. No—why are you doing this?”
Why the rush? I don’t even understand how you’re talking to me like this.
‘How do you remember everything about me?’
And how did you live in my house four years ago without issue? Weren’t you supposed to be suffering from a witch’s curse?
‘Weren’t you unable to see people’s faces or remember shared experiences?’
My thoughts were a tangled mess, but I couldn’t ask all of that.
If I did, he’d realize I knew about the curse.
That would look suspicious—far too suspicious.
“…You won’t come with me? Why?”
Leonard lifted his head, clearly not expecting my refusal.
Seriously, look at this guy.
“Why? You show up out of nowhere and tell me to go to the imperial palace—who would just nod along happily?”
At my scolding tone, Leonard slowly pulled back, his face still resting against my hand.
At the same time, the warmth left my fingers. Why did that feel strangely disappointing?
“…Alright. I understand why you won’t come with me.”
Good. At least now we’re talking like normal people.
When I nodded, Leonard let out a quiet sigh.
I could’ve sworn I heard teeth grinding.
“I get it. Showing up after four years without any contact—it must be overwhelming.”
“……”
“I’m not saying I don’t understand your feelings.”
…Then why are your fists clenched? Why does your gaze look so dangerous?
I watched Leonard, who claimed he understood me.
From the look of it, he wasn’t talking to me so much as talking to himself.
After rubbing his face briefly, Leonard dropped to one knee in front of me.
That put us perfectly eye to eye.
“…But this isn’t right, Loraina.”
His eyes were filled with resentment.
“You promised you’d tell me if there was anything I forgot.”
“……”
“Everything—even what I couldn’t see.”
I promised that to the male lead? That’s ridiculous. When did I ever—
…No. I did. I really did.
Without knowing the kid in front of me was the male lead.
Ugh. Having a good memory is a curse.
This is a canonical setting in the original story—I can’t even pretend I don’t remember.
“…Yes. I remember.”
With no other choice, I admitted my fault and nodded. But still, this feels unfair.
If I’d known Jen was Leonard, I’d never have said something like that so lightly.
“Really?”
“Yes. Very clearly—”
“Then why did you do that?”
…What? Do what?
No matter how hard I thought, nothing came to mind.
And the more I struggled, the harsher Leonard’s gaze became.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”
I have no idea what you’re talking about! Please, let me know too!
I didn’t know what I’d done wrong, but staying silent felt worse. I opened my mouth anyway.
“I’m sorry—”
At that moment, Leonard spoke at the same time.
What he said was more than enough to make my apology vanish instantly.
“Did you like that idiot who only knew how to grin that much?”
…Excuse me?
What idiot?
