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Chapter : 17
I thought the original story had ended, but
Hmm, so… let’s see. It was about six months after I married Asad when Leopold came to see me.
Well, actually, he had come by quite often, but that was the first time we actually met.
Leopold had started visiting me right after I got married, so this was after about half a year of being turned away at the door.
No matter how patient someone is, that’s enough to reach the limit of endurance.
And Leopold seemed to have passed that threshold long ago.
In the end, he gave up waiting for me to open the door and decided to open it himself.
“This is impossible, Your Highness! The lady said not to let anyone in!”
I, sitting by the window, opened my eyes at the commotion. At the same time, I heard someone slam open my door and enter. I had been staring blankly out the window, but now I turned my gaze toward the door.
“…?”
And there stood a man so beautiful he didn’t seem human. I stared at him in a daze, thinking:
Who is that? He’s unbelievably beautiful.
His pure, silver hair shimmered softly, as if it had captured the clearest light in the world, and his skin was flawless. His eyes were mysteriously golden, cleaner and more beautiful than any moon I had ever seen.
In short, he was a stunningly handsome man. Lucky… his parents must be proud even if they don’t eat.
But somehow, that face, which could satisfy anyone just by existing, was slowly coming closer to me. No—it was right in front of me.
“Tina Valentine!”
That breathtaking man had now come right up to me. He called my name sharply, as if trying to wake me up, and grabbed both of my arms.
“!”
Only then did I realize: ah, this is Leopold. The male lead.
Ever since the original novel ended, a strange lethargy had refused to let go of me. That’s why I had temporarily forgotten about Leopold.
Seeing Leopold’s handsome face after such a long time, I could tell he was full of anger. He seemed genuinely upset.
I casually lowered the hands Leopold had grabbed and asked nonchalantly:
“What’s the matter?”
“…You.”
Leopold examined me as if bewildered, seeing me for the first time in nearly half a year.
Since I had married Asad, almost like being sold for money, I probably looked far healthier than when I had lived at my father’s estate.
My husband was indifferent, and the servants treated me coldly. With no one on my side, I was slowly wasting away in this house.
It had been a long time since I had looked in a mirror, but I could guess my own condition without seeing it.
…Still, you don’t have to stare at someone with eyes that shocked, do you? Honestly.
I tried to change the topic casually.
“You sent a wedding invitation, but you didn’t come.”
“…Tina.”
“Even if I didn’t want to see it, weren’t you friends with Asad since childhood? Maybe more like rival friends… I know you’re busy, but you should come to a friend’s wedding. I endured and went to your wedding, didn’t I? Well, partly for Eveline too…”
“Tina!”
The harsh shout made me flinch as if I had snapped out of a deep thought. It felt like being pulled from a dream into reality.
Suddenly, my body shivered. Come to think of it, it was already winter, and I hadn’t prepared for the cold at all.
At that moment, I felt something warm holding my hand.
“Why… didn’t you come to the Founding Festival? Was there a problem?”
“….”
Leopold held my hand, leaned forward, and examined my expression with worry.
The Founding Festival was the empire’s largest event, held over three days with open city gates, attended even by minor nobles from the provinces. Any noble, no matter what, had to attend.
But I didn’t go. Actually, it would be more accurate to say I couldn’t go.
“…Problem? I’m too healthy, that’s the problem. Coming to the Duke’s family makes me forget all the old things. I wonder why I lived so miserably until now.”
In truth, I hadn’t gone because of the embarrassing rumors following me, but I said it as if confidently. I didn’t want to show weakness in front of him.
Since the original story ended, I had felt severe lethargy, emptiness, and depression, but I didn’t want Leopold to notice.
“Liar.”
“….”
Leopold looked at me, furrowed his brow, and spoke. As expected, it didn’t work.
He always caught lies quickly. Whether it was innate or not, lying in front of Leopold was taboo.
“….”
I just closed my mouth and looked at him, slightly annoyed.
Leopold’s large golden eyes flickered slightly. He seemed to be deep in thought.
“….”
Then he suddenly shut his eyes, bit his lip firmly, and, as if making a decision, opened them again.
Those golden eyes met mine steadily, unwavering.
Leopold spoke in a slightly trembling voice:
“…Tina, tell me to help you. We can start again.”
“….”
It was a pleasant voice. Both then and now, Leopold’s voice had a magical quality that clung to the ear… though it was a shame he rarely spoke.
But despite the pleasant tone, the content made no sense.
Start again?
That’s something only someone brilliant like Eveline or Leopold could say. It didn’t suit me.
…Start again. That only works because you don’t know this world is from a novel and has already reached its ending.
…I wondered what expression Leopold would make if I told him that. Actually, would I end up locked in a mental ward first?
Since that couldn’t happen, I spoke while pretending to be calm.
“What are you talking about? You just married Eveline not long ago.”
“….”
The moment I mentioned Eveline, a flash of intense emotion—anger, almost—passed through Leopold’s eyes. But it disappeared immediately.
I thought I had imagined it. The Leopold I knew was calm, meticulous, and seemed far removed from anger.
“…Hah.”
“….”
Leopold took a breath as if controlling his emotions and then spoke:
“Tina, we… I and Eveline… have no relationship. So, from the beginning, there was no love at all. If anything… we hated each other with all our being.”
“….”
Leopold was more the type to solve problems with a sword than words, so he wasn’t much of a talker. But today he seemed unusually flustered.
I couldn’t understand most of what he said. It seemed like he was saying he and Eveline weren’t on good terms… maybe a couple’s quarrel.
So what now? The original story had already ended. I was exhausted.
“I… I—!”
Suddenly, Leopold raised his voice slightly as if about to say something. His golden eyes looked at me, full of longing.
“Goodbye, take care, Leo.”
But I cut him off, issuing a kind of banishment.
“….”
Leopold bit his lip in frustration, swallowing the words he was about to say.
Soon after, the warmth of his touch slipped away.
He turned his back to me with a vexed expression. Before closing the door, he said in a low voice, as if declaring war:
“…Don’t think I’ll give up just like this.”
“….”
…What is he talking about?
And then he disappeared, leaving only that cryptic message.
…That’s how it went.
I don’t remember all the details clearly; it was such a difficult time. But that day was probably the last time Leopold came to see me.
When we met again later, he was the Mini-Leopold I had seen before I returned to the past.
“I… I’m sorry…”
Embarrassed by the memories, I blushed and lowered my head, avoiding his gaze.
Even after all that, here we were, calmly drinking tea together. If Leopold hadn’t returned me to when I was thirteen, this would have been impossible.
“It’s fine.”
“….”
“…Now there’s no one to interfere.”
Leopold’s low murmur carried a weight to it.
…Interfere? Was there something interfering?
Was he referring to the maids who tried to stop him when he came to me? That hardly seems like interference for someone like Leopold.
“Interfere?”
I asked in puzzlement, not letting the word pass.
“…Listen before it cools.”
Leopold, noticing my hesitation, hurriedly changed the subject.
…Before it cools?
We were eating strawberry sherbet made of ice.
Despite his impassive exterior, Leopold seemed genuinely flustered.
