Chapter 52
Leonhardt returned to the mansion on the eighth day after he had left. Since the horse had gone lame, he had to travel on foot, which took longer than expected.
Even their last bits of food and water had run out, so they had to hurry.
“I really… feel like I’m going to die.”
It had been a long time since he’d felt this way. Not since the time his mother died—when he’d gone mad hunting monsters day and night.
Back then, he was alone. He’d even lost his way and wandered for about a week.
“Kali. Kali…”
He had barely slept twelve hours in the past eight days. No wonder he wanted nothing more than to collapse and sleep.
He felt like his mind might break at any moment—but he held on. A man like Leonhardt could not afford to fall apart now.
“Ah…! The mansion! I can see it!”
At last, they’d arrived. Peter’s voice was full of joy.
Gerald scolded him to calm down, but Leonhardt stopped him. Everyone was exhausted; Peter deserved that moment of relief.
Leonhardt wanted nothing more than to go straight to Kali. But his body was covered in blood, and that wasn’t how he wanted to appear before her.
“What time is it?”
“About two in the morning.”
“I see.”
Leonhardt bathed alone the moment he got back, then slipped on a robe. The mansion had once been a place where it didn’t matter when he came or went.
Now, though—he had a reason to return quickly.
Kali was here.
He headed toward the bedroom where she would be sleeping. Most likely her own chamber.
“Kali. My little squirrel.”
Just thinking of seeing her again made the corners of his mouth lift—and stay lifted. His heart was pounding in a way it never had before.
He quietly grasped the doorknob and eased it open, careful not to make a sound. He didn’t want to wake her.
“…?”
But the bed where she should have been was empty. He touched the sheets—they were cold.
“Then… could it be…”
Maybe she was in their shared chamber instead?
He’d assumed she would sleep alone, but perhaps he was wrong.
If she’s in our bedroom instead… that would be a pleasant surprise.
Leonhardt let out a low chuckle, his eyes gleaming darkly. You said you didn’t like sharing a bed—yet here you are, can’t sleep without me?
He clenched and unclenched his fists, eager to hold her.
“Haa… Kali.”
His hand turned the doorknob. If he opened it and she was inside—
What should I do? If she’s asleep, I’ll just want to wake her up.
He turned the knob. The door opened without a sound. His eyes went straight to the bed.
“…”
In the darkness, Leonhardt’s golden eyes glowed. The blanket was raised slightly—someone was there.
Satisfied, the predator finally smiled. He moved silently to the bedside and stopped.
So you were here after all.
Leonhardt climbed into bed. Kali didn’t stir; she was sleeping deeply enough not to notice the mattress shift.
He slipped an arm around her from behind. She murmured softly in her sleep and turned toward him, nestling into his chest.
Her familiar warmth in his arms made him finally relax.
I can’t live without you anymore.
He brushed a kiss across her forehead, breathing in her scent.
And just like that, Leonhardt’s eyes fluttered shut. His blood, once burning, finally calmed. He was so tired that sleep took him instantly.
“Kali…”
Without you, I don’t even know how I managed to survive.
For the first time in a long while, Leonhardt slept peacefully.
“Hey, Kali.”
Someone called to her. Kali slowly opened her eyes.
A woman with short, crimson hair was speaking to her. Kali blinked, dazed.
The woman was strikingly beautiful, with sharp features and calm, black eyes that glimmered faintly.
“Where’s Mikaela?”
“I don’t know. She’s been busy lately. Doesn’t even answer when I talk to her.”
A young Kali muttered sulkily. The real Kali stood behind them, watching.
Ah, this is a dream. I should remember this one.
She crept closer and sat down before them. They didn’t seem to notice her presence.
“Still not getting along with your master?”
Rita’s voice was full of concern. The little girl looked down, fidgeting with her hands, her face gloomy. The sight made the watching Kali’s heart sink.
“Mm… I don’t know what to do. Master doesn’t seem well lately either.”
“Kali, don’t worry too much.”
Rita reached out and stroked little Kali’s hair. The child’s expression softened slightly.
“I’ll talk to Mikaela for you.”
“Okay… And, Rita—when you see Mika, tell me. I want to talk to her.”
“Did you see something again? You really do see more than the rest of us.”
“Mm… Mika is…”
Little Kali began to speak—but suddenly, all sound vanished. Kali tapped her ears.
No use. She couldn’t hear a thing.
Am I not supposed to hear this part?
She swallowed hard and stood behind them, straining to catch anything—but it was useless.
Rita’s expression grew increasingly grave. Whatever was being said, it wasn’t good.
When little Kali finished speaking, her body began to rise. She was drifting away from them.
No—wait! Just a little longer!
She tried desperately to resist, but dreams never obeyed.
Her body felt heavy again. The scene blurred.
“…!”
Her eyes snapped open. She was back in reality.
She’d come to sleep in the shared chamber because she’d felt lonely without Leonhardt. The familiar ceiling greeted her.
But… why is it so heavy?
She looked down slowly—and saw a man’s arm draped over her chest.
“Eek…!”
Wh–who—? An intruder?!
She froze mid-motion. A head of familiar black hair came into view, along with a muscular chest peeking through a robe.
“L–Leon…?”
Was this a dream—or reality?
She pinched her cheek. It hurt. Definitely real.
Carefully, she placed a finger under his nose. He was breathing.
When did he get here? And… how is he still asleep?
Leonhardt was usually so sensitive that even when she’d been a squirrel, the slightest movement beside him would wake him.
But now he was dead asleep—he must be completely exhausted.
Morning light filled the room. Time to wake up.
Kali looked at Leonhardt’s face and hesitated. Should she stay beside him a bit longer—or get ready and wait until he woke up?
Maybe… I’ll just watch him a little while longer.
She rolled onto her stomach, resting her chin on her arms, and gazed at him.
He must have been through so much. Even now, he doesn’t wake.
Having such a handsome face right before her eyes felt almost luxurious.
Smiling faintly, Kali reached out and ran her fingers through his silky black hair. It was so soft she couldn’t stop touching it.
Black hair, golden eyes… He really does look like someone noble.
After studying his face for a long moment, she finally stood up, careful not to disturb the bed.
She washed and dressed with Jane’s help, choosing a pale green dress for the day.
On her way back toward the bedroom, she ran into Gerald.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, my lady.”
She recalled who he was and gave a polite smile, ready to pass—but he stopped her.
“My lady. May I have a moment of your time?”
“Ah—me? Of course.”
“Has my lord’s curse truly been lifted?”
“Leon’s curse? Well… I thought so.”
She blinked, tilting her head slightly, wondering why he would ask such a thing.
Gerald hesitated, then swallowed a sigh.
“The truth is… I don’t think it has.”
“What…?”
“His blood went berserk, just as it used to. It took some time to suppress it, which is why our return was delayed.”
“His curse…”
She hadn’t known. She shouldn’t have complained about how long he took.
Kali bit her lip, her face growing serious, then nodded.
“That… is a problem.”
“My lord said that since your curse had been broken, his must have been as well.”
“I thought the same thing.”
“Then… you don’t know for sure either.”
“No… I’m sorry. But I’ll find out.”
She smiled reassuringly. Leave it to me.
Gerald bowed and left down the corridor. Kali watched him go, then quietly returned to the bedroom.
Leonhardt was still asleep. She climbed onto the bed and sat beside him.
His curse hasn’t been lifted? But if mine was, shouldn’t his have been too?
That had been both her and Leonhardt’s belief.
Even the original story had said so. She had assumed it was true. But Gerald’s words told a different story.
Kali reached out and gently brushed Leonhardt’s black hair.
Could it be that the curse on me and the curse on the Spencer family are different things?
Arthur Spencer’s memoir flashed through her mind.
Yes. That’s it. There must be something about it in that memoir.
She would read it with Leon once he woke up.
And if his curse truly wasn’t gone, she couldn’t afford to be away from him.
Just then, Leonhardt stirred, his hand finding her wrist.
“Kali…”
His voice was thick with sleep. Slowly, his eyelids lifted, revealing golden eyes beneath.
“Leon, did you sleep well?”
She met his weary gaze with a soft, loving smile.
