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CHAPTER 99………………………………………
– “Step by Step”
We walked slowly, heading toward the little forest inside the estate.
I pretended to enjoy the stroll as I slipped my arm around Leonhart’s waist.
When I leaned my cheek lightly against his broad shoulder, he froze for a moment.
“…Must we really walk like this?”
“It’s so the enemy thinks you’re too distracted by me to notice anything else.”
Also, my legs were trembling from the penalty. So, cooperation would be nice.
Leonhart raised an eyebrow.
“Clinging to me like this won’t dull my awareness. Are you sure about this?”
“Do I have to explain even that to you? Have you never dated anyone?”
“No.”
“…”
Ah, right. He’s head-over-heels for Adela Helsingten.
“Normal people,” I said, “only see the person they’re in love with, especially early on. You get that, right?”
“Did you experience that, Duke?”
How should I know? I’ve never dated anyone either.
When I was in school, I was too busy with assignments to even think about dating.
And just when I finally graduated, thinking maybe I could try it—bam.
I got dragged into a novel and told to kill the Demon King.
Ha… what a life.
A wave of frustration hit me, so I pinched Leonhart’s side.
What’s with this guy’s body? It’s like marble! I can’t even pinch him properly!
That only made me more annoyed, so my tone came out sharp.
“Just do as I say, please.”
“…”
“Standing there like a stiff tree is weird. Put your arm around my shoulders.”
He hesitated, then awkwardly draped his arm over me.
But if you looked closely, his hand hovered about half a centimeter above my shoulder.
“You’re not even touching me!”
“…”
Finally, his hand settled gently on my shoulder.
Shiver—
I-It’s just the forest breeze, right?
His hand was so warm it sent goosebumps across my skin.
I didn’t know why I was suddenly so aware of him.
We didn’t exchange a single word as we reached the lake.
Sunlight glittered over the water like diamonds.
I stepped away from Leonhart and leaned against a big tree.
Then I smiled at him—sweet and teasing—and raised my voice just enough
for anyone following us to hear.
“Your Highness, shall we rest here for a bit?”
Leonhart blinked.
“Are your legs sore?”
“Haah…”
Good grief. How can someone be this dense?
Whoever he ends up dating is in for a long struggle.
Grinding my teeth, I extended my hand sweetly.
“Come here, Your Highness. Now.”
He looked puzzled, but approached.
As soon as he was close enough, I grabbed his tie and yanked him down.
“—Urgh!”
“Are you seriously going to keep playing dumb? We need to look convincing!”
“Does this… count as convincing?”
“I smiled seductively! That’s a signal! Like, ‘We’re about to have a passionate moment, so if you’re going to attack, do it now!’ Get it?”
“It didn’t seem seductive at all. So you failed, didn’t you?”
“…”
He’s doing this on purpose, isn’t he?
I rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Your Highness, let me ask again.”
“What now?”
“Please. Just do as I say.”
Cold sweat trickled down my temple.
Since receiving that penalty, my body had been getting weaker by the minute.
Maybe even he noticed, because he finally relaxed and stopped arguing.
“What should I do?”
“Place your hand beside my face.”
Like a rusty automaton, Leonhart raised his arm stiffly.
“Like this?”
“Don’t just touch it with your fingertips—use your whole palm!
Bend your elbow a little, like you’re caging me between your arms!”
“Ah. Like this?”
The space between us disappeared in an instant. Our bodies were close enough to feel each other’s warmth.
I stared somewhere near his Adam’s apple.
“Now… look at me lovingly.”
“…”
“Is that so hard? Just pretend I’m Adela Helsingten.”
“How could I? You don’t resemble her in the slightest.”
“Fine, then think of me as Kkamang.”
“Mm. Understood.”
“…”
So it’s ridiculous to imagine me as Adela, but thinking of me as a crow is perfectly fine?
I was about to snap at him when his gaze changed.
His dark eyes—deep as the night sky—wrapped around me like vines.
And strangely, warmth flickered in them, as if he truly did think I was Kkamang.
Even though it was all an act, my heart started acting up.
Tension rippled through me, and my pulse began to race uncontrollably.
W-What’s wrong with me?
I coughed awkwardly and stole a glance at him.
“…!”
He was watching me intently—calm, patient—while I fumbled, blushing and nervous.
“What now?” he asked softly, his breath brushing my ear.
His low voice and clean, warm breath sent shivers down my spine.
My cheeks burned hot, and my heart pounded harder.
If he noticed, I was doomed.
Then, a message appeared before my eyes:
[Stage 3: Adrian kissed Leonhart.]
“…?”
The author must have finally decided to kill me.
Even if it’s “just acting” to fool assassins, unconsented physical contact is still assault!
And wasn’t this story supposed to be all ages?! A family-friendly fantasy, not a romance!
If it comes to that, I’ll just throw myself off a cliff instead! Better that than die at his hands!
[Stage 3: Adrian kissed Leonhart.]
The prompt reappeared, as if telling me to stop wasting time.
I’d already defied Stage 3 once. My vision swam darkly.
If I ignored it again, I’d faint for sure.
With an assassin possibly watching, fainting would only make me a burden to Leonhart.
I fidgeted with the hem of his suit and muttered under my breath.
“I’ll… handle the rest myself.”
I rose on my toes.
Still couldn’t reach.
So I looped my arms around his neck and pulled him down.
Thankfully, he didn’t resist, bending slightly toward me.
I whispered, just inches from his lips:
“Your Highness, promise me something.”
“What kind of promise?”
“That no matter what I do… you won’t get angry.”
“What are you planning—”
“Promise first.”
“…Fine. I promise. I won’t get ang—”
Smooch.
Eyes squeezed shut, I pressed my lips to the corner of his mouth.
Thankfully, no penalty came.
The prompt had only said kiss, not where.
Leonhart froze. The muscles along his arms and shoulders tensed like drawn steel.
I could feel every line of him go rigid beneath my touch.
Keeping my lips where they were, I murmured:
“I’ll apologize later. For now, stay focused. The assassin’s watching.”
“…Hah.”
He let out the breath he’d been holding, clearly rattled.
“How long do we… stay like this?”
“Until they make a move.”
“The whole time?”
“Of course!”
“I don’t think I can endure this for long…”
His muttered words sent a chill down my back.
If his patience snapped, what would happen to me?
“Your Highness, you promised. No getting angry.”
“So that’s why you forced that promise out of me? How cowardly…”
“Think of it as… an affectionate greeting! Doesn’t that make it less awkward?”
“What kind of lunatic uses a kiss as a greeting of affection?”
I gaped at him.
“A k-kiss?! It wasn’t on the lips—it was the corner! Doesn’t that count as a cheek?!”
“Lips, cheek, it doesn’t matter. You’ve taken my first—so you’ll pay for it dearly.”
The injustice nearly gave me heartburn.
I didn’t even want to do it! The damned author made me!
“If you’re counting that, it was my first too! So you owe me compensation!”
Just then, Undine’s telepathic voice rang in my head.
[Lian! Behind you!]
