YWDBH 03

Chapter 3 — A Heated Secret Meeting

1 year ago

“Leonis, you really have no interest in women. You didn’t even propose to Lady Castiel.”

“Well, his family has a deep grudge against the Castiel house, so that makes sense. Still, isn’t Lady Elodie charming?”

“That’s right. I’ve never seen such a beautiful and innocent woman. If she weren’t the daughter of your enemy, you would have proposed to her too, right? Be honest with us.”

At the victory celebration hosted by the imperial family, Leonis made a rare appearance—and Elodie’s admirers playfully questioned him.

After all, Elodie was the rose of the empire, praised by everyone, almost like a goddess.

They thought—even Leonis would admit her charm.

But the words that came from his mouth were cold.

“Well… I dislike women who are childish and overly innocent. I even wonder if that kind of behavior is real. I would rather choose a woman who is deep and serious, not someone so superficial.”

“Ah… no, that’s a bit too harsh. Even if she’s not here, there’s no need to say it like that…”

Crash!

The sound of a glass shattering echoed.

And there, by the doorway—

stood Elodie, trembling slightly.

“Lady Castiel! W-When did you arrive…?”
“You should apologize immediately!”

Tears had formed in Elodie’s eyes.

The others became more anxious than Leonis himself.

But Leonis only said calmly—

“I was merely stating my personal opinion. There is no need for you to try to become an attractive bride to me. Please, enjoy the party.”

Without apologizing—

He bowed slightly and left.

That incident became the biggest topic in high society.

To call a marriageable lady “not an attractive bride” was one of the worst insults—and something no one would dare to say.

And yet, the one who heard it was none other than Elodie Castiel.

Soon, people began questioning her—

Is Lady Elodie actually fake?

Every action of hers was criticized.

The stream of suitors visiting the Castiel house suddenly stopped.

Enraged, Duke Castiel whipped Elodie mercilessly.

Because of that, she couldn’t even walk properly for weeks.

At the next ball, following her father’s orders, she had to wear a deeply revealing dress and smile brighter than ever.

Only after that did the suitors slowly return.

At the time, it was so painful… but it’s all in the past now.

Though it was only a year ago—

To Elodie, who had lived through multiple lives, it felt like a distant memory.

As she recalled the past, she let out a small sigh.

Leonis, who met her eyes, slightly faltered.

Unlike his usual confident self, he avoided her gaze.

Elodie realized—

He was remembering it too.

“If you mean that incident, I already apologized, didn’t I?”

Leonis cleared his throat and spoke stiffly.

“No. You never apologized to me.”

Elodie tilted her head.

She even wondered for a moment if her memory was wrong—but she had never met him again after that day.

“That night, I—”

“That night?”

“…Ah.”

Leonis suddenly stopped, looking flustered.

Elodie narrowed her eyes, as if she understood something.

So this is how he approaches women? Insult them first, then apologize later? He must have done it so many times he can’t even remember properly.

Of course… he didn’t even apologize to me. So those words must have been his true feelings.

Hiding her thoughts, she spoke politely.

“It seems you mistook me for another woman.”

“No, that’s not—”

Seeing him unusually troubled, Elodie felt like teasing him.

“A secret meeting in the middle of the night… It must have been very passionate.”

She winked playfully.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret.”

Leonis looked at her with a strange expression.

“Why? Do you not trust me?”

“No… that’s not it…”

After hesitating, he spoke again.

“Were you always like this?”

“Ah…”

This time, Elodie was the one surprised.

She had never spoken like this before.

She always had to act like the perfect, innocent bride—only saying what others wanted to hear.

“Well… but you speak as if you’ve known me for a long time.”

She turned her head slightly, replying with a hint of annoyance.

“That’s not true. It’s just that you’re different from what I’ve heard.”

His calm response made her bite her lip.

It sounded like he was saying again—

She wasn’t an attractive bride.

“…Are you trying to insult me again?”

Elodie lifted her head.

In the past, she would have cried.

But now—

She wasn’t that weak anymore.

Still, she couldn’t just let it go.

“No. I wasn’t insulting you. I was just… a little surprised.”

“Apologize. Including what you said before.”

She looked straight at him.

In her previous life, he never apologized.

Not even once.

“An apology…”

Leonis paused.

Elodie’s eyes followed the movement of his throat as he swallowed.

Then she froze slightly.

His eyes—

looked sad.

It must be my imagination…

Tick… tick…

The silence between them stretched.

Then Leonis raised his head again—

his gaze firm and cold once more.

“I see no reason to apologize. My judgment of you has not changed—then or now.”

“What did you say?”

Just then—

“Elodie! Where are you?!”

Duke Castiel’s angry voice echoed through the hallway.

“I should take my leave.”

Leonis quickly grabbed his torn shirt and headed toward the window.

If an unmarried woman was found alone with a man in a closed room—

It would ruin her reputation completely.

Especially in this situation.

“No. I can’t let you go until you properly apologize.”

Elodie grabbed his arm.

“If you won’t ask for forgiveness after insulting a lady, then I’ll make you apologize in my own way. Let’s call this even.”

“…What?”

Leonis looked confused, glancing between her hand and the door as footsteps approached.

“Actually… delaying time like this might work. I’ve never done it before… but it’s worth trying.”

Elodie muttered softly.

Leonis became even more uneasy.

“I don’t understand what you mean. More importantly… you should let go of me.”

“I’ll show you what I’m about to do.”

Elodie smiled brightly—

putting on her usual innocent expression.

In that instant, her face completely changed.

Before Leonis could react—

She grabbed his torn shirt and pulled him toward the sofa.

“L-Lady!”

His eyes widened.

As he stumbled, trying not to fall onto her, he placed his hand beside her on the sofa—

Bang—

The door opened.

At that exact moment—

Elodie pressed her lips against his.

“Mm— Leonis…”

Before he could even think to push her away—

Her soft and intense warmth overwhelmed him.

She deepened the kiss and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer.

“Elodie! What are you doing?!”

Duke Castiel and the nobles behind him froze in shock.

On the sofa—

their clothes disheveled—

Leonis and Elodie looked exactly like lovers

sharing a heated, secret moment.