TVOWW 62

Chapter 62

You Love Me, Don’t You

I nodded without even realizing it.

“Yeah!”

Ah, I hadn’t meant to shout so brightly. But I was too excited, too thrilled to contain myself.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been bottling things up with Leandro for too long?

Leandro’s expression twisted at my words.

“You dare treat a sacred duel like a joke—”

Smack!

Without a word, Johann flung his glove across my hand, striking Leandro across the face. It landed so perfectly that the sound rang louder than before.

Wow. Leandro tilted his head to dodge it, but it still hit him straight in the face.

It was as if Johann had even calculated that into the throw.

Leandro’s face flushed red where the glove had struck. The black glove slipped down slowly to the floor.

The air in the salon froze over. Leandro’s cold gaze fixed on me, as if he couldn’t believe he’d been struck not once, but twice.

“Direct hit.”

Johann’s playful voice echoed in the heavy silence.

“If I had another pair, I would’ve gladly thrown them too. A shame.”

“…Duke Blanchet. Do not mock a sacred knight’s duel.”

Grinding his teeth, Leandro bent down and picked up Johann’s fallen glove. It looked like he was clinging to the last of his pride by refusing to rise to Johann’s provocations.

“Duke Blanchet, I acknowledge the greatness of your abilities.”

Annoying as it was, Leandro did look every bit the noble knight out of a fairytale.

“But the sword of White Night is no trifling matter either.”

The Marquisate of Pelsis.

One of the top five noble families of the Empire.

If House Blanchet was the proudest noble line, House Pelsis was a family forged in the image of unwavering knights.

For generations, they had led the Imperial Guard, sworn protectors of the Imperial Palace.

Though, of course, they were always said to be second-best to House Blanchet…

After Blanchet’s downfall, however, they had been praised as the Empire’s sole pride.

And Leandro, more than anyone, had distinguished himself, earning the title of Knight of White Night.

His sharp blue eyes turned toward Johann.

“So beware—lest you be devoured by your arrogance.”

“If you can do that, I’ll welcome it.”

But Johann didn’t so much as blink at Leandro’s pressure.

“Why don’t you worry about taking care of that precious witness you were so insistent on?”

Leandro’s brow twitched as his gaze dropped to Miryu, who lay unconscious.

“What have you done to Lady Juti?”

“I simply treated her with the utmost care, as she is a person of importance.”

“A woman so carefully treated doesn’t simply faint. What a laughable excuse.”

“Well, maybe she suddenly felt like fainting?”

Johann smirked, jerking his chin toward Miryu.

“If you want more answers, don’t bother with my wife—take her instead and ask.”

At that moment, Raymond dropped Miryu from his arms. Leandro rushed forward, catching her before she hit the ground.

Leandro clenched his fists, glaring at Johann.

“Duke Blanchet, no matter how much you shield her, her crimes will not vanish.”

“Then state clearly what those crimes are.”

With a sour look, Princess Diana approached Miryu. “Sister-in-law, are you alright?” she asked, taking Miryu from Leandro.

I studied the unconscious Miryu closely.

That scar… there’s something about it.

In truth, I had only learned Miryu bore a scar on her neck through rumors in society. I had never been directly involved.

She probably just invented some strange tale.

I hadn’t spoken openly, but she’d dropped hints so everyone could assume it was me.

But why a scar, of all things?

I could understand wanting to pose as a victim. The worse my reputation, the better hers would seem.

But there were plenty of other ways besides scars.

Miryu had been lucky to marry into a family and husband willing to accept her scar. But most suitors would reject a bride with one.

Scar… scar…

My thoughts drifted to the scars on my own body.

So few had ever seen them—Duke and Duchess Libertan, the duchess’s head maid, Betty, and Dr. Henry.

And Miryu.

A flood of memories with Miryu rose up.

‘Friends shouldn’t keep secrets. Why won’t you tell me? It’s frustrating.’

Though she was unconscious now, in my mind’s eye, I saw her younger self frowning at me.

‘Ew, what is this disgusting thing? This… this can’t be…’

‘How did you suddenly get this?’

‘Really? I heard the Duke and Duchess of Libertan hate you. And scars don’t just appear out of nowhere. If you weren’t hiding something, why would they send you away that day—’

Miryu had fixated on the scar on my thigh.

‘Has anyone else seen this scar?’

‘…No.’

‘Exactly. How wicked must you be for God Himself to mark you with a scar? Hide it forever.’

Then, unlike before, she had gently pulled my dress back down.

‘Estelle. I’m the only one who listens when you lie about being abused by House Libertan. Anyone else wouldn’t believe you.’

Her voice had sounded kind again—like when I first met her.

‘And this revolting thing? You understand what people will say, don’t you?’

If she hadn’t slapped me before leaving—if she hadn’t accused me of tormenting her over nothing—

‘You think you’re special, don’t you?’

‘Wake up. You’re just lucky House Libertan took you in. It’s pathetic that I even bother with you.’

—then I might have believed her words for the rest of my life.

But now I know.

Miryu had never seen me as a friend. She had despised me and wanted to hurt me—no different from the Duke and Duchess of Libertan.

I couldn’t admit it before I realized the truth of this story.

Thankfully, now, even as I looked at Miryu’s sleeping face, I felt nothing.

Still, could her seeing my scars be connected to the lies she spread?

There wasn’t much of a link, but given all her past lies, I couldn’t ignore it.

Sensing my unease, Johann wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

“Estelle, let’s go home.”

As he escorted me away, Leandro’s sorrowful voice called out.

“—Lady Estelle.”

“Do not be swayed by the devil’s whispers.”

Johann moved to cover my ears, but I lowered his hand and smiled faintly.

“Wait a moment.”

Frowning, Johann stopped as I turned back to Leandro.

“No matter how much time passes, one cannot erase their sins. But people can always change. That begins with repentance—”

Meeting Leandro’s blue eyes again filled me with a strange exhilaration.

“Sir Pelsis, unfortunately, I have committed no sins. One cannot repent for crimes that never existed, can they?”

“If you do not see them, then I shall show you—guide you to the right path.”

As expected.

“No. Don’t teach me.”

I smiled sweetly.

“Do what the proud Knight of White Night always does.”

“…What do you mean?”

“If you truly think I am guilty, then proceed as Imperial law dictates. Investigate me, gather the charges, and take me to trial.”

Leandro, the male lead of the original story.

The knight of justice, who never wavered even when chivalry itself did.

The Empire’s sword with a noble heart.

In the original, he had been the only one who tried to save me from suffering. Truly, he had been a noble savior.

“Stop pretending to grant me a chance and cease your sanctimonious meddling.”

But he had been a savior for everyone, not for me.

Leandro didn’t care about me personally. Whoever stood in my place, he would act the same—demand repentance the same.

Which meant, perhaps, that my circumstances never mattered to him.

“But know this one thing.”

I looked past him, locking eyes with Diana. She held Miryu, staring blankly at me.

“Just because you don’t want to believe the truth doesn’t make lies real.”

Diana flinched. Her eyes wavered with confusion.

“Truth doesn’t exist simply as you wish it.”

“…”

“Ah, is that too difficult for someone who thinks even nonexistent sins must be repented for?”

Even as Johann and I climbed into the carriage, I couldn’t hide my elation.

I hadn’t done it on purpose, but I was giddy. Staring out the window with a silly grin, I heard Johann chuckle.

“Are you that happy?”

I fiddled awkwardly with my cheek, feeling it was too obvious.

“Did it show that much?”

“Only to me.”

He brushed my bangs aside and met my eyes.

“Guess I’ll have to keep challenging duels from now on.”

“Why?”

“So I can keep seeing that joyful face of yours. Anyone else you dislike?”

“If someone overheard, they’d think I hate everyone—”

But then a thought struck me.

Could Johann actually defeat Leandro in a duel?

Johann was incredibly clever. He wouldn’t have challenged him if he didn’t believe he could win.

But Leandro is the Empire’s strongest sword.

Last time, Johann had overwhelmed him using magic.

…But that protective magic is gone now.

My face must have shown my worry, because Johann tilted his head.

“What’s with that look?”

“Well… the protective magic’s gone, and your body’s not fully recovered…”

I hesitated.

“Will you be alright dueling Leandro?”

“You think I can’t handle him?”

“That’s not it. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

The carriage jolted forward. Sunlight streamed in through the window.

“Don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine.”

“Really? Still—”

My worry didn’t vanish.

Dueling forbade anything but the sword—no magic, no tricks.

“You can’t use magic in the duel.”

“Doesn’t matter. He still can’t beat me.”

Johann winked.

“I have plenty of weapons besides magic.”

Unlike me, who had been caught off guard by Diana and Miryu, Johann could handle anything calmly. His crimson eyes, so different from Leandro’s blue, locked on mine.

“Even if I win, people still won’t believe you.”

The curtain swayed in the breeze.

“They’ll say I used my power to erase poor Miryu’s scar. They might even say my name’s been tainted.”

Shadows played across Johann’s sculpted face in the angled light.

“No… my name was already tainted the moment I made you my wife. But it’s true—things wouldn’t be this troublesome otherwise.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“…Do you believe me, Johann?”

The words slipped out unbidden.

“Everyone thinks I hurt Miryu and even gave her that scar. And I’m already infamous—the Libertan orphan who doesn’t know her place.”

Johann sat there, legs crossed, arms folded, looking every inch the lofty noble.

“Do you think I did it too?”

“No.”

He answered instantly.

“I don’t believe you ever could.”

“…Why?”

My heart pounded wildly.

“You’ve seen Miryu’s scar yourself. A cut as if from a blade. And they say there are witnesses who saw me tormenting her.”

My head swirled with impossible hope.

This is too much…

“Even then, you believe me?”

“I do. Even if all that exists.”

“You didn’t see it yourself. Isn’t it reckless to just take my word for it?”

My words grew sharper.

“Or is it just because I’m Duchess Blanchet now, and so it has to be a false rumor?”

Suddenly, Johann reached out, resting his hand on my forehead. He uncrossed his legs and leaned closer.

“Don’t cry.”

Ridiculous—I wasn’t crying at all.

“I’m not crying.”

“To me, it looks like you are.”

His fingers brushed beneath my eyes. Unlike before, when tears so easily fell, now not a single drop came.

“With you like this, how could I ever think you’re lying?”

Johann’s voice was low and intimate.

“Even if they bring me evidence, witnesses—I won’t believe a thing. Only your words.”

“Why?”

Slowly, his lips curved.

“Because you love me.”

My heart dropped with a heavy thud.

The day of the duel arrived.

Before it began, Miryu’s fiancé, Crown Prince Hessen, sought out Leandro.

“Thank you, Sir Pelsis, for acting on behalf of my wife’s honor.”

“It is nothing. But… you two are not yet married, are you?”

“We’ll be wed soon. Calling her my wife is no different.”

The Crown Prince smiled warmly.

“Besides, if you hadn’t stepped in, my sister would also be in trouble. I owe you thanks again.”

“As I said, there’s no need. How is Princess Royam?”

Since the incident in the salon, Diana hadn’t left her chambers. Rumors swirled that she was in deep shock.

“She grew up sheltered in the palace, but she’s strong. She’ll recover on her own.”

Still, the prince’s face was troubled.

Brother, do you really think everything Sister-in-law said is true? Have you never doubted her?

Diana had lain in bed all day, lost in strange thoughts.

“In any case, if you don’t prevail in this duel, our kingdom of Royam will also share responsibility. It is, after all, my wife’s matter.”

“Has Queen Isabella granted her permission?”

“Yes. My mother has as well. Though strict as steel, she spares nothing for family.”

Just then, a knock came at the door.

Chancellor Orteca entered.

“Greetings, Sir Pelsis. By His Majesty’s order, I shall officiate this duel today.”

With graceful manners, he seated himself across from Leandro.

“Come to think of it, this is the second time I preside over a trial concerning Duchess Blanchet. A duel this time, rather than a hearing.”

Leandro’s eyes narrowed.

“You mean Count Hetel’s case?”

“Yes. I still feel guilty for the malicious rumors that spread about the duchess back then.”

“Malicious rumors…?”

“The ones that said she deliberately framed Count Hetel’s family. Have you not heard?”

Leandro had heard. Perhaps that was why he had been so hard on Estelle before.

That was a malicious rumor?