YWDBH 02

Chapter 2 — It’s a Misunderstanding

“W-What… is this right now…?”

Leonis froze stiff.

Then, as he realized Elodie’s gaze was fixed on his chest, he quickly adjusted his shirt and stepped back.

“I cannot believe a proper lady would act like this.”

His ears turned slightly red as he turned away, but Elodie didn’t care. She stepped closer again, staring at the part of his chest barely visible through his unbuttoned shirt.

“Yes… that’s right. It’s definitely you.”

She had returned from death.

Not once—but twice.

She didn’t even know why.

At first, she thought it was a chance given by God.

But no matter how hard she tried, nothing changed.

Her life was still miserable, and no matter what she did, she couldn’t escape it.

But what she had just seen—

Leonis’s actions, and the faint scar on his chest—

It felt like the answer she had been searching for.

“Why did you do something like that? For what reason?”

Elodie spoke with tears in her eyes, full of resentment.

“To you, I’m nothing. So why did you shorten your own life to save me? I never wanted that.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Save you? Me?”

Leonis quickly buttoned his shirt and stepped even farther away.

“You’re saying it wasn’t you? Then why did you tell me just now—‘you will surely be happy’?”

And with such a serious expression too.

It must be a hint about my regression.

Elodie was certain.

But—

“That’s simply the meaning of the lily of the valley I gave you.”

Leonis shrugged, answering as if it meant nothing.

“Then why give me lily of the valley in the first place…?”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t really have any special meaning. Were you expecting a better gift?”

He looked at her calmly.

“I don’t think we’re close enough for that.”

“No… that’s not what I meant…”

Elodie turned her head slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed, and quietly wiped her tears.

Was I mistaken?

It’s true… someone from the Rihart family would never do something like that for me.

That’s why, when she searched for the reason behind her return, she never once considered him.

Elodie’s father, Duke Gont Castiel, was the second son of the Castiel family.

In the empire, only the eldest son inherited the title and wealth. Without a will, other children could not inherit anything.

“Father! How could you die so suddenly?!”

When the former Duke died from sudden heart failure, Gont grabbed his cold body and cried out in anger.

He could not forgive his father for dying before leaving him a proper will.

At that moment, he remembered the legend of the Rihart family.

“The heart of Rihart can bring the dead back to life.”

Even if only for a short time—

Just enough for his father to sign the will he had prepared—

He was willing to do anything.

Gont offered Karl Rihart any reward if he would revive his father.

But—

“That is only a legend. I do not have such an ability.”

“Do you think this is a request? How dare you refuse me?”

Enraged, Gont grabbed Karl’s hand and forced him to stab his own heart.

Karl, once a powerful warrior of the northern borders, was now old and weak. He could not resist.

Whether the legend was false—or because it was forced—

Karl Rihart died instantly.

And the former Duke Castiel did not come back to life.

Even after committing such a terrible crime—

Gont received no punishment.

Because the Castiel family held power equal to the emperor.

A few months later, Gont inherited the title of Duke.

His older brother, who should have inherited it, was announced to have died from an unknown illness.

But no one believed that.

That’s right… I am the daughter of that Duke.

There’s no way he would stab his own heart to save me.

If anything… he would stab me for revenge.

Thinking of the deep hatred between their families, Elodie gave a bitter smile.

Then she noticed Leonis looking at her strangely and quickly pulled her shawl closer.

Underneath it were bruises from abuse—and scars from harming herself.

Marks she never wanted anyone to see.

He didn’t notice… right?

“The greatest virtue of a lady is to be innocent and foolish. No man wants a wife smarter than himself. And no one wants a gloomy woman either. Do you understand, Elodie? Become the kind of woman you must be—if you want your mother to live.”

Duke Castiel wasted money on gambling and women, yet his wealth only grew.

Because countless people brought expensive gifts, hoping to marry Elodie.

He was, in truth, selling his daughter through marriage.

To control her, he held her mother’s life in his hands.

If Elodie displeased him, he beat and abused her without hesitation.

“Why are the gifts so poor this time? Did you behave properly at the last ball? Why talk about books in front of men? Do you want your mother to suffer?”

“Father, I’m sorry! I was wrong! Please don’t hit me! Please… save Mother…!”

Her days were filled with misery.

But Elodie had to act like a bright, innocent lady.

She had to sell her smile to keep her mother alive.

And so, under Duke Castiel’s control, she became a perfect lady—

Pure, cheerful, and unaware of the world.

The ideal bride every man dreamed of.

Gifts of jewels, gold, and even land documents filled the Castiel household.

Everyone in the empire praised her.

Everyone except one—

Leonis Rihart.

To him, the Castiel family was his greatest enemy.

So the idea that he saved her—

Was clearly a misunderstanding.

“I must have been mistaken. But your actions just now gave me reason to misunderstand. Why did you suddenly aim your sword at your own heart?”

Elodie spoke, trying to change the topic—and also because she truly wanted to know.

“That was…”

Leonis blinked and looked away.

His throat moved slightly, and then he looked at her with a darker gaze.

“It was… practice.”

“Practice…?”

“Yes. Practice before piercing the heart of an enemy in one strike.”

“That makes no sense. Why would you practice something like that… in our mansion?”

Elodie tilted her head.

He was one of the greatest swordsmen in the empire. He wouldn’t need such basic practice.

This is suspicious…

Just as her doubts began to rise again—

“Why not? I think there is no better place for practice than this.”

His red eyes deepened into a darker shade.

A chill ran down Elodie’s spine.

Because she suddenly understood—

Who he meant by “enemy.”

“Lady Elodie Castiel.”

Leonis spoke coldly.

“Have we ever met privately before? I don’t believe so. So how could you think that I saved your life? And the legend of my family is not true, so please stop this ridiculous misunderstanding.”

His expression showed clear annoyance.

Elodie bit her lip.

Then suddenly, she seemed to remember something and tilted her head.

“Wait… haven’t we met before?”

For a brief moment—

Leonis’s cold eyes trembled.