~Chapter 95~
Leah placed her empty wine glass on the terrace railing and looked up at the sky.
The full moon looked especially big tonight.
“…So pretty.”
A warm summer breeze gently brushed her hair.
Unlike the noisy ballroom, this place was quiet and peaceful.
“Dancing with him… and with the Crown Prince… it all feels like a dream.”
In her past life, these things were unimaginable.
Leah pinched her cheek hard with her fingers.
“Ow, that hurts.”
Back when she first came to the capital, she thought only Raphaella’s life would change.
She never imagined her own life would turn out like this.
“…I really didn’t see it coming.”
She looked at the shiny ring on her left ring finger.
“I wonder… will Hart remember everything sooner, too?”
If he gets his memory back, he’ll probably feel even more guilty.
He might even cry and apologize like he used to.
“Will I be able to treat him the same cold way I did before I turned back time?”
Dying all alone after being forgotten by someone you love was heartbreaking.
Even then, she wished she could see that cold face of his just one more time.
She hated herself for feeling that way.
So in the moment she died, she swore she’d never love him again.
Even if she hasn’t forgotten the pain, lately… being with him makes those feelings fade.
His eyes, his actions—they’re different now.
But the genuine care behind them makes her heart flutter again.
“Yeah… those moments only exist in my memory. He doesn’t remember them.”
So how long can she keep pretending his feelings aren’t real?
“Still… not yet.”
She couldn’t accept him right now.
Not when there were still threats—like the Empress and black magic—lurking around.
She couldn’t let herself get carried away by romance just yet.
“I won’t die meaninglessly this time like before.”
To avoid that fate, she had to focus on the Empress, not Hardt.
How could she get them to use black magic on her again like last time?
Maybe she needed to deliberately make herself a target.
“…Should I show up to more parties the Empress attends and make myself stand out?”
Judging by how Carmen had already acted, she was probably already marked.
Still, she needed to be prepared. She couldn’t be caught off guard again.
Would a magic potion help defend against dark magic?
“I’ll probably need purification magic to counter it.”
Should she take the risk and tell Dorothea again, even if she sounds crazy?
“…Maybe she’d believe me this time.”
Leah leaned her cheek against the cold marble.
The chilled stone felt nice against her wine-warmed skin.
“Dorothea’s a genius magician. Maybe… just maybe, she knows about time-reversal magic.”
That little hope gave her strength.
—
“Sorry for taking so long, Duke.”
“No, not at all. I’ll be heading back now.”
Johann wrapped up his longer-than-expected conversation and left the lounge.
Back in the ballroom, he quickly started looking for Leah.
Even though the hall was big, he couldn’t spot even a strand of her hair, and it made him more anxious.
‘All those guys who were staring at Leah like creeps are still here…’
Johann’s red eyes glinted threateningly as he glared at each of them.
They all flinched and quickly looked away.
“Johann, anyone would think you lost a holy relic in here,”
Matthias walked up and stopped him just as Johann was about to head somewhere else.
“Your Highness, I can’t find Leah.”
Johann spoke while scanning the room.
“…Haha. I’ve never seen you look so worried before.”
Matthias laughed heartily at Johann’s stiff face.
“This really isn’t something to laugh about.”
“Why not?”
Matthias wiped fake tears from his eyes and patted Johann’s shoulder.
“Your Highness, I’m not in the mood to joke.”
“Miss Leah danced with me earlier. She’s resting on the terrace now.”
“What? Really?”
“Yes. Have I ever lied to you?”
“…Thank you, Your Highness.”
Johann realized what had happened and relaxed a little as he bowed.
“Now you’re smiling again. You think I could resist laughing after seeing that face?”
“…I don’t understand what’s so funny about my expression.”
“Why? It’s because you—who always keeps a straight face, even with me—are finally showing emotion because of Leah.”
“And that’s funny to you?”
Johann looked genuinely confused.
“Of course! It means someone has finally appeared who’s so important to you, you can’t hide your feelings.”
“…”
“Don’t tell me you’re too touched to say anything.”
“…I’m grateful you care for me like a younger brother.”
Johann awkwardly looked away and cleared his throat.
“Then you should start calling me ‘brother’ from now on.”
“I’ll have to decline, Your Highness.”
“Tch, not easy at all.”
Matthias pouted, clearly disappointed.
“Your Highness, may I head to the terrace now?”
“I’ve kept you too long. Go ahead, check on Miss Leah.”
Matthias patted him on the shoulder.
“Oh, Johann—about Leah…”
“Yes?”
Johann paused and looked back.
“…Hm, no. I’ll tell you later.”
“Is it something important?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
Matthias waved him off.
Johann quickly headed toward the terrace.
On the way, he grabbed two glasses of wine from a servant.
As he opened the terrace door, a warm summer breeze and Leah’s voice greeted him.
She was softly humming the lullaby he had taught her back at the cabin.
“…Leah.”
When he called her name, Leah turned to look at him.
With the full moon behind her, she looked almost unreal.
Why did she seem like she might disappear at any second, like a mirage?
“Did your conversation go well?”
Feeling impatient, he quickly walked over to her.
“It did.”
“That’s good.”
She smiled brightly at him—something she didn’t usually do.
“Hmm… You seem tipsy.”
Up close, he could see her cheeks were flushed red.
“Huh? I’m not drunk.”
She shook her head and reached for one of the wine glasses he was holding.
“One of those is for me, right?”
“You’re definitely drunk.”
He frowned and held the glass out of reach.
“I’m not drunk! I just feel really happy right now.”
Liar.
You’re smiling at me like that… there’s no way you’re sober.
“…You’re definitely drunk.”
“I’m really not!”
She pouted and reached up on her toes to grab the glass, but he lifted it higher.
“Drink any more and you’ll regret it with a hangover tomorrow.”
Johann looked at her with concern.
“Just one more, please! Just one more glass!”
She held up one finger and curled the rest in like she was pleading.
“I’m just in a really great mood today.”
Seeing her act this carefree—something she’d never normally do—softened Johann’s heart.
“Alright, but this is the last one.”
“…Yay, thank you.”
She took the glass and licked her lips slightly.
That small, unconscious action made Johann’s throat go dry.
‘…I’m going crazy.’
She was the type who got extra cute when she drank.
His fists clenched instinctively.
“…Hey.”
After finishing her wine, Leah looked up at Johann.
“…Hey, Johann von Blumhardt.”
“…”
“…No, wait. Hey—Hardt.”
She swayed slightly and stepped closer to him.
Then she grabbed his collar with both hands.
Her touch was light, but it was enough to freeze him in place.
Her face was now right in front of his.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were wet from the wine.
‘…I’m gonna lose it.’
Their breathing was so close.
Johann’s heart was pounding wildly.
His hands hovered uncertainly, not knowing what to do.
“…You jerk.”
But Leah’s next words crushed his heart.
“…”
He looked into her eyes and saw the deep pain inside.
“…Why did you forget everything? Why did you forget all the time we spent together?”
A single tear fell from Leah’s eyes, filled with sadness.
“You say you love me again now, but why are you messing with my heart like this?”
And with that, she collapsed into his arms, fast asleep.
“…”
Johann let out a deep sigh as he looked at her sleeping face.
The sorrow in her eyes stayed with him like a ghost he couldn’t shake.
