Chapter 19
[Your expression is pretty bright. Did you have fun?]
On the way back to the mansion after meeting Deon, I answered as I petted the flapping little bird beside me.
“Yes. It was enlightening. Honestly, I didn’t expect Prince Deon Richard to be so… elite.”
After watching the musical and then talking at the café, I realized that Deon was far more intelligent than I had imagined.
In the original story, he was barely mentioned in a single line, and I had never met him before, so I didn’t know.
Deon had been unusually interested in academics since childhood and had enrolled in the Crown Academy at an early age.
His grades matched his praised appearance, and he was even about to graduate early.
Aside from tasks related to the Bennett Grand Duchy, I had largely avoided scholarly pursuits, so Deon was distinctly different from me in that regard.
That’s why he was all the more interesting.
[When he talked about academics, I thought there were stars in his eyes.]
His sparkling green eyes had been truly striking.
Moreover, true to his nickname, “the angel,” Deon was gentle and soft-spoken.
Even though my barrage of questions about the Crown Academy might have grown tedious, he answered without showing the slightest irritation.
He even said that if I had further questions or needed help, I could always come to him.
On top of that, he offered to recommend Ailey to a professor he was friendly with. How could I possibly dislike that?
[Hmm, he really is an angel.]
If Ailey wished, going to the Academy might actually be easier than I expected.
It was a small victory in an otherwise hectic day.
[But that guy earlier… his gaze toward you was pretty intense.]
The little bird seemed curious about something else.
Its tiny beak chirped incessantly, full of curiosity.
“Intense? No, I think you’re mistaken. The tea at the café was hot, so maybe that’s why it seemed that way.”
[Why are you denying it? Don’t think I don’t know after all these years.]
“There was no sign of that today. Besides, you heard all the questions I asked earlier.”
Perhaps slightly offended by my firm tone, the little bird pecked gently at the back of my hand.
[Are you saying he doesn’t like me?]
“Yes, I asked directly, remember? I asked if he liked me.”
The little bird let out a derisive ‘ha,’ as if utterly incredulous.
[Who asks that directly? Did you see his face just now? It went completely red. He didn’t know what to do.]
I shot the little bird a side glance. Did it even realize how embarrassed I felt asking that?
But I couldn’t help it. I was still thinking about the confession at the banquet.
If Deon truly had fallen for me at first sight, then meeting him, enjoying leisure time together, and having conversations could appear to give him hope.
Thankfully, that worry was resolved.
It was me who ended up embarrassed by Deon’s frantic hand gestures denying it.
[I was just curious because I didn’t know. What happened at the banquet before I met you?]
“Nothing much.”
The little bird was quick to notice things, wasn’t it?
After all its years, it claimed to have a keen instinct, and it seemed its instincts were not entirely wrong.
I turned my head slightly, unsure.
Upon reflection, perhaps Deon’s “confession” at the banquet had been a misunderstanding.
Maybe his heart raced from surprise, and he confused it with excitement.
[…Although, who could really confuse that?]
Still, thinking about Deon’s pure-hearted nature and how he strongly denied liking me, it could make sense.
That day, I had been rather bold, completely opposite to the calm and gentle Deon.
I couldn’t help but smirk, recalling my thoughts of permanently snapping the shins of a mischievous noble trying to toy with me.
[Fine, laugh alone. I’m going to sleep!]
Perhaps offended that I wasn’t explaining more, the little bird shut its beak firmly.
Once the chirping ceased, the carriage fell quiet.
Thanks to the smooth ride, I didn’t feel motion sick, and my tired body relaxed almost immediately.
My mood wasn’t bad either.
I felt a little proud and lighthearted.
I opened the carriage window slightly to enjoy the evening air.
The cool scent of the evening breeze tickled my nose pleasantly.
Closing my eyes gently, I enjoyed the wind.
I must have been exhausted from moving around all day because the little bird beside me had also fallen asleep.
As I savored the calm atmosphere, the carriage soon arrived at the mansion.
The golden crescent moon emblem, reminiscent of the Bennett Grand Duchy, glowed at the main gate.
It was always beautiful, this emblem of the Bennett family.
It also reminded me of my father.
Squeak—the carriage stopped in front of the mansion doors.
“Shinsu, we’re here.”
Carefully placing the small, dozing bird on my palm, I felt its warm body.
As soon as we got out of the carriage, I saw the soft, flowing light brown hair of someone under the emerging moonlight.
“Marquis…?”
Leighton was lingering near the entrance, seemingly taking a walk in the night air.
“Oh, Selena. You’re back.”
He seemed to flinch slightly at my greeting—or was it my imagination?
I waved my left hand cheerfully.
“I just returned from going out. Were you taking a walk, Marquis?”
“Yes, something like that. I needed to clear my thoughts.”
Of course. He must have plenty on his mind. The tasks must be stacked high enough to be tedious.
Being both head of the Zains family and guardian of the Bennett Grand Duchy was no easy job.
[Even just watching me, he seems awkward and a little clumsy. Considering that, Leighton really is impressive.]
Even while suffering from his curse, he carried out his duties flawlessly.
I lifted my head slightly and looked at the moon clearly visible in the darkening sky.
Just a few days ago, it had been a crescent; now it had nearly become full.
The time of the curse was approaching. That must be why my mind feels so restless.
Leighton’s struggle with pain played vividly in my mind.
It had been almost unbearable to watch.
He had only been here a month.
Before realizing this was the world of the novel, I had never thought about Leighton’s life.
But now it was different. Seeing a life burdened with cruel suffering firsthand was far more shocking than reading about it.
Enough to feel intense sympathy for Leighton in such a short time.
Questions floated in my mind, but few were ones I could actually voice.
There weren’t many topics for conversation. Moreover, for some reason, Leighton’s expression seemed darker than usual.
“Then continue your walk and come in later. I’ll head in now.”
Leighton gave no reply. He simply looked at me with eyes like a calm, shimmering sea.
The eyes that usually held warmth and kindness now flashed strangely.
[…He’s acting really weird today.]
I cautiously stepped to the side and started climbing the stairs, still holding the dozing little bird.
I planned to return to my room to rest. I’d deal with questioning the follower who had trailed me tomorrow.
But then, a large hand grabbed my wrist, forcing me to stop.
“Selena.”
His low, deep voice had a magnetic pull. He gripped my thin wrist firmly and took a deep breath.
Leighton looked confused. Even after stopping me, he said nothing.
I chose not to ask and waited quietly.
Only the occasional soft snore of the little bird broke the silence.
Finally, Leighton spoke.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
I blinked like a dumbfounded person at the sudden, blunt question.
“Enjoy what?”
I hadn’t even given him a subject, so how could he understand?
Tilting my head, Leighton sighed lightly to the side, then quickly softened his expression, curling his lips into a gentle smile.
“I heard you met Prince Deon Richard.”
“How did you know? Did Hail tell you?”
I hadn’t mentioned it to him.
Maybe Daisy told him? But Daisy likely never spoke with Leighton…
Noticing my suspicious gaze, Leighton released my wrist.
“I heard you captured the follower today.”
“That’s true. How did you know that?”
“I am the one who hired that follower.”
“Oh, really? Leighton… Wait, what?”
He nodded as if what he said were obvious.
“I asked the red-haired follower to watch over you, Selena.”
What… was this?
Throughout our conversation, I hadn’t stopped smiling, but my expression slowly froze, as if tasting something bitter.
Is this person… admitting to following me?
I froze completely at his unexpected words.
