YWDBH 05

Chapter 5 — Honor and Responsibility

“…Sir Rihart?”

Elodie looked surprised at the sudden appearance.

“H-How did you get in here?! Guards! Where are the knights?!”

“The defense of your knights was quite poor. Still, I didn’t kill them all, so you can relax.”

Leonis said calmly as Duke Castiel looked around in panic.

He wiped the blood on his cheek with his finger and added—

“There was a bit of bloodshed, though.”

Leonis pointed his sword at Gont.

Fresh blood still dripped from it.

He defeated all those knights alone…? Is he human—or a monster?

Gont’s body trembled as he stared at the sword aimed at his neck.

“If you ever lay a hand on my woman again, I will gladly send you to my father. I have been waiting for that moment.”

His red eyes shone coldly.

“Do you think I’m lying?”

Gont shook his head in fear.

No one could doubt his sincerity.

But while those terrifying words filled the room—

Elodie’s heart was pounding for another reason.

My woman…? What does that mean?

“Alright, alright. Just lower the sword.”

Gont forced a kind smile and stepped away from Elodie.

Leonis glanced at her, as if asking permission.

Still stunned, she nodded.

He lowered his sword.

“Ahem… so, did you come here to threaten me?”

Gont swallowed nervously as the sword returned to its sheath.

“No, I—”

“What are you doing?!”

Suddenly—

Leonis knelt before him.

“I have come to propose to Lady Elodie Castiel. Will you accept my proposal?”

His tone was polite—

but his sharp gaze made it clear he wouldn’t accept refusal.

“P-Propose? You want to marry Elodie?”

Gont’s eyes widened.

But Elodie was even more shocked.

“W-What?”

Marriage?

After repeating her life several times, she hated the very idea of marriage.

Yet in this world, a woman her age had no way to live without it.

She had always tried to choose carefully—

but every choice led to disaster for her and her mother.

And never—

not even once—

had she considered Leonis.

He hated her family.

And he himself had said he disliked women like her.

So why now?

Why are you doing this?

Elodie stared at him in confusion.

Their eyes met—

and Leonis’s ears turned slightly red.

Then he spoke firmly.

“It is because I have, unintentionally, damaged your purity and honor—”

Ah.

Because of that kiss?

He was taking responsibility?

Elodie’s cheeks flushed pink as she remembered what she had done.

He’s more of a gentleman than I thought…

What should I do now…? Should I accept this?

She hesitated—

But then—

“I intend to hold Lady Elodie Castiel responsible.”

Elodie’s head snapped up.

What?

“What do you mean? Elodie, you… first?!”

Gont glared at her in shock.

An unmarried lady making the first move—

It would become a terrible scandal.

“W-Well…”

Elodie looked away, embarrassed.

“I-I must have misspoken. I will take responsibility for Lady Elodie.”

Leonis corrected himself.

“Y-Yes… that’s right.”

Gont let out a sigh of relief.

Elodie glanced at Leonis with a complicated expression.

There’s no way that was a mistake.

He said it on purpose.

To put her in a difficult position.

His slightly narrowed eyes seemed to say—

Let’s call this even.

Silence filled the room.

Each of them was deep in thought.

Was his proposal just a joke to tease me?

Elodie avoided his gaze, trying to understand his intentions.

Leonis remained kneeling, his expression unreadable.

But the most anxious person was Duke Castiel.

I don’t want to allow this.

I’ve spent years preparing to profit from Elodie’s marriage… and now she’ll be taken by someone like him?

He clenched his fists.

But he couldn’t show it.

Leonis could draw his sword again at any moment.

And Elodie’s reputation had already fallen.

What he had carefully built for years had been ruined in a single day.

At least… if this man takes responsibility, it might save some face.

After weighing everything, Gont finally spoke.

“If I allow this marriage… how much can you offer in return? Do you know how precious Elodie is?”

He couldn’t let such a valuable asset go for nothing.

Surely, Leonis would offer something.

“…Precious, you say.”

Leonis slowly looked at Elodie.

At her cheek—

still marked with red handprints.

At her arms—

covered in bruises.

Elodie quickly tried to hide them—

but it was too late.

Leonis had already seen everything.

“Of course. Since she is so precious, I will offer something equally valuable as a marriage gift.”

Gont’s face brightened with greed.

Something valuable?

Does he have some hidden treasure?

Leonis stood up slowly.

Then, with a faint smile—

“I will spare your life today, Duke. That will be my gift.”

And with that—

“Then, I will take my leave.”