CHAPTER 19
Leonhart instinctively caught Adrian as she collapsed.
The moment he realized what he’d done, his graceful brows twisted in frustration.
He hadn’t meant to catch her. His reflexes were just too sharp for his own good.
“Damn it.”
Just as he was about to toss her away out of sheer disgust, a man over two meters tall whispered discreetly.
“Your Highness, there are many eyes on you.”
It was Esir, the second son of Count Beart and a fellow volunteer in the Demon King Expeditionary Force.
Skilled in swordsmanship and quick-witted, Esir served as Leonhart’s bodyguard and strategist.
“But…”
“Looking hostile toward the Duke is one thing, but throwing an unconscious woman to the ground could be seen as a matter of character. The Duke might seize the chance to use it against you later.”
People inside and outside the grand plaza were all watching Leonhart.
Whatever he did now, rumors would spread in an instant.
The plaza renovation was a key event of the Emperor’s birthday celebration.
Leonhart had been entrusted with such a critical task—there was no way the other princes would look kindly on that.
They were already nitpicking to cause construction delays. He couldn’t give them more ammunition.
Holding back his irritation, Leonhart asked, “So what do you suggest?”
“Use the Duke to your advantage. Appearing amicable wouldn’t hurt. Escort her back to her estate.”
“…Me? Personally?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Damn—”
“Enough swearing.”
“Ugh…”
Leonhart glared down at Adrian, unconscious in his arms.
‘Is she really passed out?’
He examined her closely—didn’t look like she was faking.
Still, it was ridiculous.
‘Why did she suddenly vomit blood and faint in the middle of talking?’
Was this revenge for when he choked her last time?
If so, it was flawless.
Instead of killing Adrian with his own hands, now he had to gently carry her back home.
Leonhart shut his eyes tightly, then opened them again.
“…To the Ibrante estate.”
“Stay at the Ibrante estate as long as possible. It would be best if you spent the night there.”
“…Ugh.”
Leonhart raked a hand through his hair and muttered a curse.
He was on the verge of storming out.
Without Esir’s advice, he would’ve already done so.
“This is absurd.”
Why was he watching over Adrian in her bedroom?
Still, since he’d come this far, he intended to stay until midnight.
‘That’s the timeline I need.’
He hoped the rumors would reach the First Prince’s ears.
That way, the First Prince—who believed Adrian supported Leonhart—would feel uneasy.
With his mind distracted, perhaps he’d stop interfering with the plaza construction.
Thinking that made this miserable situation somewhat tolerable.
Just a little longer to endure.
Leonhart stared out the window indifferently.
He didn’t care if Adrian groaned in pain right next to him.
He just waited for time to pass… until he heard a strange sound.
“…Le…on…”
“Unbelievable.”
Leonhart smirked through his nose, thinking the newly conscious Adrian was calling his name.
Just like back in the academy.
“Leo…na…”
“What?”
Leonhart’s eyes widened.
Leona? Did she just say Leona?
Impossible. That nickname was reserved for Adela alone.
No one else was allowed to call him that.
Sure, someone might say it in private, but—
Adrian didn’t know that Leonhart had ever been called Leona.
His spine straightened as he sat upright on the single-person sofa.
Leonhart focused his hearing.
Adrian made no further sound.
Drawn in as if under a spell, Leonhart rose from the sofa and slowly approached the bed.
“She’s not awake.”
Adrian wasn’t conscious.
Though she had more color in her face than when she collapsed, she was still out cold.
She was frowning, murmuring something, perhaps in the middle of a nightmare.
“Ugh…”
Leonhart leaned over her face.
Her hot breath brushed against his ear.
He frowned slightly at the strange sensation—when Adrian mumbled in a strained voice:
“…Why do you keep… Just stop it…”
Nonsense.
Leonhart’s eyes turned cold.
Just then, Adrian’s eyelids fluttered open. Still half-asleep, she gave a dreamy smile.
“Leona… Does it still hurt?”
Leonhart froze in place.
Just like when she grabbed his hand before. That same eerie déjà vu overwhelmed his mind.
Why does Adrian keep reminding him of Adela?
‘This is insane…’
Leonhart clenched his jaw.
“How do you know that name?”
“…Huh?”
Adrian blinked drowsily, then suddenly sat up in shock.
“Your Highness?!”
Leonhart’s long eyes narrowed ominously.
“Answer me. Who told you that name?”
“Sorry? What name?”
“Did you summon members of the expedition to investigate me? That’s beyond disturbing.”
“Why would I investigate you, Your Highness?”
Adrian tilted her head.
Her act was top-tier. Her innocent expression nearly fooled even Leonhart.
There was a time in their youth when he’d actually trusted her.
Of course, he’d never repeat that idiocy.
While Leonhart was caught in memory, Adrian looked around as she sat up in bed.
“More importantly, why are you in my bedroom?”
“You’re asking me that? You’re the one who collapsed in front of everyone.”
“Oh… right, I did faint…”
Adrian clutched her chest and murmured. Her face was pale—deathly pale.
Leonhart silently observed.
Didn’t seem like she fainted on purpose.
But that didn’t mean he’d fully let go of his suspicions.
Not long ago, she’d sent assassins to force him out of the Crown Prince competition.
Knowing full well that a Sword Master like Leonhart wouldn’t be easily killed.
And yet now, in a crowded place, she vomited blood and fainted?
It reeked of scheming.
She might even falsely accuse him—say he used dark magic to curse her.
That’s why he had no choice but to escort her home in plain view of the public.
To silence any rumors before they began.
Leonhart asked indifferently, “Are you ill?”
“…No, not anymore.”
“My suit was soaked in blood.”
Adrian’s eyes reddened with shame.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’ll have it cleaned—”
“I threw it away.”
“…”
Leonhart said nothing more.
Despite the pressure, Adrian calmly asked, “I had attendants with me. What happened to them?”
“You were drenched in blood, so they were sent ahead. We took a separate carriage.”
“…I see. Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness. I was unwell and caused a great disturbance earlier.”
“What were you doing at the plaza?”
“I saw you while passing by. I just approached to discuss the construction. There was no other reason.”
“…”
“I didn’t go there to see you, and I didn’t know you’d be there. It was pure coincidence. Please don’t misunderstand.”
“Coincidence… If that’s what the Duke says, then I suppose so.”
“Phew…”
Adrian seemed about to snap but composed herself. Her voice trembled slightly.
“Let me be quick. The longer this drags out, the worse it gets. Just cancel the statue project. In return, I won’t approach you again. I’ll even help ensure the project finishes well.”
“I have no intention of doing that.”
“I’ll support your bid for Crown Prince. I promise.”
“I already told you. I’ll handle my own affairs.”
“…You’ll regret making me your enemy, Your Highness.”
“When were you ever not?”
“…”
“It’s past midnight. I’ll be leaving now.”
Leonhart stood and adjusted his coat. As he turned to go, Adrian’s voice reached his ear.
“Would Adela Helsing truly have liked something like that?”
Leonhart stopped in his tracks.
“A golden statue modeled after herself? I would’ve hated it… Ah!”
Leonhart reached out and gripped the back of Adrian’s neck tightly. The distance between them vanished.
“What do you know about Adela?”
“…Do I have to know her personally to say that?”
“Pretending to know her based on gossip is dangerous.”
Adrian looked up at him steadily.
Even as he held her by a vulnerable spot, she remained composed and dignified.
“Don’t feel guilty about Adela Helsing’s death. It wasn’t your fault.”
Leonhart clenched his jaw. A thick vein bulged on his neck.
He wanted to shout, “What do you know? Stop pretending!” But the words wouldn’t come.
‘She doesn’t seem like herself…’
Her expression looked sincerely regretful—it made him question his own eyes.
Whether he felt guilt over Adela’s death or not, Adrian expressing remorse made no sense.
Leonhart released her neck roughly.
Or rather, he backed away from her.
Then Adrian’s face suddenly twisted as she stared blankly into the air.
‘What is she looking at?’
Leonhart glanced up over his head.
‘There’s nothing there.’
A sense of déjà vu struck him.
‘Didn’t I have a thought like this before?’
Then, as Adrian murmured silently and rubbed her forehead, Leonhart scoffed in disbelief.
‘Does she see me as some kind of headache?’
“All right, then I’ll prepare a perfect… proposal. Once you see it, you’ll change your mind.”
“You’ll prepare it yourself?”
“Yes, personally. So please be willing to compromise, Your Highness.”
Adrian had never negotiated like this.
With a royal father and a duchess mother, she’d inherited the dukedom the moment she came of age.
She had more power than anyone except the Emperor.
She didn’t need to compromise—she crushed those above her, stole what she wanted, and trampled anything that displeased her.
For her to act so rationally now… it was suspicious.
‘I mustn’t fall for this.’
He could ignore her.
But the problem was this creeping feeling.
That he had to keep her close and watch her.
After a moment of thought, Leonhart said,
“Very well.”
“…Huh?”
“Prepare the proposal, Duchess.”
“W-Wait, no, Your Highness, that’s not what I—”
“I’ll give you five days.”
Leaving the dumbfounded Adrian behind, Leonhart exited the room.
