TOFP 08

The Mask of the Perfect Holy Knight 

At the unexpected answer, everyone was left speechless.

Even Odette, who had been glaring fiercely, and Leon, who had remained calm until now, were the same.

“…Why?”

This time, Leon asked a beat late.

The surrounding nobles also looked on in confusion and listened closely. But her answer went far beyond all their expectations.

“I don’t need pity.”

“…!”

Kasha took a small breath.

Then, once again, she spoke clearly and without a single flaw toward the pure-white prince standing before her.

“I am not… someone so pitiful that I must accept a dance request… out of pity, Sir Leon.”

I’m no longer weak or miserable.

Kasha swallowed the rest of her words.

For a moment, something like ice cracked across the face of the perfect holy knight, Leon.

He looked completely caught off guard.

Seeing that expression, Kasha almost laughed.

I usually only see him cold… or slightly twisted like that. This face suits him too.

Wanting to see it a little longer, she added a few more words without thinking.

“Please… don’t casually pity people, Sir Holy Knight.”

“……”

“You might… end up causing trouble.”

She finished speaking with a slight upward curve of her lips.

Then she turned away without hesitation.

She had no intention of endlessly repeating this reunion with Leon in front of these boring nobles.

Their conversation had to be private and hidden. What she wanted was to strip away the mask of the perfect holy knight and meet the raw, real Leon—to form a true alliance.

So please… accept my provocation, Leon.

The surroundings were dead silent.

Seeing the expressions of people who looked like a cat that had always been kicked had suddenly bitten a finger, Kasha calmly left the stage.

“Kasha. So you were here.”

While she was resting her head on a quiet balcony, Daryl found her.

“…What about Lady Margaret?”

“She was examined by the palace physician. There’s nothing serious, so she went home by carriage. I’ll visit House Yonder tomorrow.”

“……”

“Honestly, what kind of reckless, inconsiderate people do such things these days! Young nobles only care about themselves!”

Daryl kept grumbling on his own.

He did not realize that Margaret had been deliberately targeted, thinking instead that she had simply been pushed into the center of the ballroom by accident.

Someone born strong cannot understand the weak.

And the weak desperately hide their situation—it is a matter of dignity.

So they walk parallel paths and misunderstand each other forever.

Just like Kasha and Daryl in the past.

Just like Kasha and Leon.

Kasha leaned against the balcony railing with a cold smile.

Seeing her expression, Daryl flinched belatedly.

“…Why are you like that?”

“Please don’t interfere, brother.”

“…What?”

“If you see something like that again… don’t loudly ask if she’s okay… and don’t get angry asking who did it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That kind of behavior… only makes her feel more miserable.”

“But I—”

“Lady Margaret is not stupid.”

“……?”

“But even smart people… can become fools when they have no power. If someone… is pulling the strings.”

At those unexpected words, Daryl stiffened and looked up in surprise.

Kasha’s eyes were burning sharply.

“So don’t act like a knight and interfere recklessly.”

“Ka-Kasha.”

“If you really want to help her… become her strength. So that even when you are not around… she won’t become a fool.”

“How am I supposed to—”

“Today, because of your actions… your feelings for Lady Margaret will spread throughout high society.”

Kasha spoke calmly, but Daryl’s face slowly turned red.

Seeing him look awkwardly innocent made Kasha’s expression soften slightly.

Just then—

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the balcony door from outside.

When Daryl pulled back the curtain, the person Kasha had been waiting for finally appeared.

“Sir Leon Aranias?”

Daryl murmured in confusion.

At the same time, the man in white military uniform stepped onto the balcony.

“Viscount Ruschino. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, Your Highness the Grand Duke. It has been some time.”

“Please call me Leon. I prefer being called by my name.”

“Ah, yes. Sir Leon. What brings you here?”

“If it is not too much trouble, may I speak with your younger sister for a moment?”

At the unexpected request, Daryl froze.

Why would such an important man suddenly ask to meet his sister?

Even without that, it was already unusual for a noble man to request a private meeting with her in a situation like this.

“Th-that is… for what reason…?”

“I believe I may have caused Lady Katiana discomfort earlier in the ballroom. I would like to apologize.”

“Discomfort? What exactly did you do…?”

“Brother.”

Kasha cut off his questioning.

“It won’t take long. Right, Sir Leon?”

“…Of course.”

At her calm and precise handling of the situation, Leon nodded quietly.

Daryl hesitated, but finding no reason to refuse, he eventually stepped away.

“I’ll wait just outside the balcony, Kasha.”

Even as he said that while staring at Leon, his tone was firm.

“……”

Now only the two of them remained.

A summer breeze blew in from outside, gently moving Kasha’s hair.

Looking deeply into Leon’s violet eyes, a strange sense of nostalgia washed over her.

Standing with him under the moonlight reminded her of the nights they had spent in a ruined temple.

Those cruel, lonely times had created a strange bond between them.

Like two abandoned souls clinging to each other at the end of the world.

I remember everything you told me back then, Leon.

Kasha thought.

I clearly remember how unhappy your life was.

Even if you don’t remember any of it.

Maybe that’s a blessing for you.

She smiled bitterly.

The emotions in her eyes were ones Leon could not possibly understand.

Her gaze wavered slightly, reflecting his confusion.

Kasha gently lifted the corners of her lips as if to soothe him.

“You said you had something to say.”

He seemed to recall his purpose and hesitated.

“Yes. I believe I may have caused you discomfort earlier. I came to apologize.”

“……”

When Kasha did not respond, Leon fell silent for a moment.

He looked like he wanted to ask something, but waited for her to speak first.

At that moment, music from the hall began to play—lute and flute.

Another dance had begun.

Suddenly, Kasha stepped closer to Leon.

He was slightly startled but did not step back.

Their chests were almost touching.

Close enough to hear each other’s breath.

Kasha spoke.

“Will you… dance with me?”

Only after a moment did Leon understand she was asking for a dance.

“Here… now?”

“Yes.”

“You rejected my request earlier.”

“That was because… you were pitying me.”

“…And I am not?”

“Of course not… How could I possibly pity you, Your Highness the Grand Duke… and a holy knight like you?”

Her awkward tone and pale face contrasted with her teasing words.

Leon looked down at her silently.

As he stood still, Kasha did not wait and reached out boldly.

Flinch.

As her cold hand touched his gloved one, Leon jerked slightly in surprise.

Kasha was also tense.

Touching Leon, who bore the curse of lust, was like placing her hand on a boiling kettle.

But even knowing that, she intended to provoke him fully—more aggressively than in her previous life.

Only then can I see the real you behind that perfect holy knight mask.

Ignoring his reaction, she took his hand firmly and placed the other on his waist.

He stiffened even more.

But Kasha did not stop.

She stepped into the rhythm first.

Laughter, flute, and lute music drifted faintly through the curtains.

It felt like returning to the past.

The beautiful holy knight. Herself, flushed as she looked at him.

And Leon, who eventually pushed her away and disappeared.

That memory had always been a scar.

But now, she could finally overcome it.

Because now she understood him.

She even found him, who had endured everything and still finished the dance with her, somewhat pitiful.

Leon, meanwhile, began moving naturally despite his thoughts.

He matched her awkward steps, sometimes supporting her when she stumbled.

His brow twitched slightly as he fought to suppress certain reactions while feeling her warmth and scent.

The two of them, hiding completely different thoughts and desires, danced under the moonlight.

And finally—

The music ended.

Cheers erupted from the hall.

Leon immediately stepped back as if escaping her touch.

But before he could move further away, Kasha grabbed his hand again.