Chapter 24
What are they talking about?
Right next to the terrace door, which wasn’t completely closed.
I pressed myself tightly against the wall, focusing every nerve on listening to their conversation like never before.
It might have looked a little ridiculous to anyone watching, but that didn’t matter right now.
“I want to be part of that conversation too!”
Leighton, who led the Devil family, and Elisha, the Paladin who wielded holy power.
I wanted to run up and say, “Let’s talk together!” immediately, but I was aware of the situation.
If I joined them, I probably wouldn’t get a kind look from either of them.
So, though it felt awkward, I chose to eavesdrop.
If I was careful, it shouldn’t cause a big problem, right?
The fragmented words that drifted to me revealed the closeness between the two.
Through the slightly open window, I could hear Elisha’s voice.
“I heard the news that our Marquis came to Roteria. After all my hard work, to just come to the comfortable imperial capital? That’s too much.”
Her voice was enchanting, like bittersweet chocolate. Soft, yet with a deep, attractive tone—not too high, not too low.
“Are you here to talk nonsense?”
Leighton snapped coldly. But Elisha, unconcerned, chuckled softly.
“Me? No way. I gave the Marquis’s aide a warning—surely he heard it?”
“…I’ll go myself.”
“Oh, unexpected choice. I thought you’d have the Devil do it.”
Devil?
Did he just say Devil?
The word “Devil” hit my ears, making me flinch and tremble.
I knew well that Leighton was cursed by the Devil.
That the curse allowed him to be influenced by a devil was also clear.
But just now… he said he could have a devil do it?
“Can Leighton command a devil?”
Even in the original story, Shinsu didn’t mention anything like that.
But my confusion lasted only a moment—I quickly returned my attention to their continuing conversation.
“Done here? Then leave.”
“Do you have to speak so harshly? I’m the only friend who knows the Marquis best.”
The words only friend struck me almost as sharply as Devil.
I even staggered a little.
“So Elisha really is Leighton’s only friend.”
That made sense. Leighton’s behavior had felt new, different from what I’d seen.
Rough but comfortable words, the kind he never showed me.
That was because Elisha was his closest friend.
I exhaled, a bit of a hollow pain in my chest.
A strange, inexplicable ache—almost like I couldn’t breathe properly.
Maybe it was just because the ballroom was poorly ventilated.
I couldn’t hear more about what issue in the northern lands required Leighton’s direct attention.
But my desire to listen further vanished.
I suddenly felt foolish for eavesdropping.
“He said I can be honest with him anytime, so if he trusts me, he’ll eventually tell me everything.”
That he could command a devil, that he was friends with Elisha…
He’d tell me someday.
“I can wait!”
Just as he was a safe haven for me, I wanted to be a small shelter for him, a place to rest when needed.
I liked Leighton’s smile—like the spring breeze carrying the scent of flowers.
Even a small smile, I wanted to draw it out, not see discomfort in his blue eyes.
“Ugh.”
I had pressed against the wall for so long that I lost my balance.
Dizzy, my vision spinning, I misstepped.
“Are you okay, Your Highness?”
A boy grabbed my hand just in time, smiling brightly.
“Uh… Prince Deon?”
When I spoke his name, a radiant smile appeared on his clear, youthful face.
The silver hair reflecting the chandelier light was neatly half-tied, looking even better than at the recent Richard performance.
‘Does he take care of himself?’
Still boyish, yet his presence drew the eyes of young ladies in the hall.
Truly handsome.
A promising young man with a bright future.
I smiled warmly at Deon, grateful to see him genuinely happy.
He stared at me blankly for a moment, as if something was on my face.
I tilted my head.
“Is something on my face?”
“…Ah, no.”
“Maybe some hair stuck to my cheek from the wall earlier?”
Checking, I addressed him again.
“Um, Prince Deon, could you let go of my hand for a moment?”
“Oh! I’m still holding your hand… My apologies!”
Startled, he let go abruptly, his face turning as red as a tomato.
He even lowered his head, clearly embarrassed.
“Did you… throw my hand?”
Flustered, Deon shot up and waved his hands frantically.
“No! How could I ever! Please, Grand Duchess… believe me.”
Seeing Deon’s drooping, puppy-like disappointment, I chuckled quietly.
Only then did he realize I was teasing him, and his bright green eyes trembled slightly.
‘This is fun.’
Though from the prestigious, wealthy Richard family, he was humble and pure.
The more I watched, the more I wanted to be friends with him.
It wasn’t bad to make a new friend.
I kept a mischievous smile, and he finally broke into a hearty, reluctant laugh.
Still shy, he offered his hand.
Just then, a waltz started playing—the perfect timing.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
I glanced at the terrace behind his shoulder. Leighton and Elisha were no longer in sight.
“Of course.”
It would be absurd if the debutante didn’t dance.
I placed my hand gently on his.
“The honor is mine.”
As we stepped into the central hall, countless eyes fell on us.
Selena Bennett, future head of the empire’s only grand ducal family, dancing with Deon Richard, the angel of the Richard house—a spectacle worth attention.
Just as we began our first steps, I had to release his hand.
Leighton…?
Leighton emerging onto the terrace looked strange.
Even with Elisha urgently supporting him, he swayed, unable to keep his balance.
“Wait, Prince. Sorry.”
I spoke quickly, clutching my dress and running toward him.
“Marquis! Marquis!”
The sudden commotion stopped the music.
Up close, Leighton was sweating profusely, barely breathing, his eyes unfocused.
Elisha, supporting him, snapped irritably.
“Step aside!”
Turning to her in surprise, I saw the full moon behind her, completely bright.
At the same time, Leighton looked straight at me.
I froze, meeting his piercing blue eyes filled with a deadly intent.
“No….”
I muttered, and Elisha shouted again, irritated.
“Stop interfering and get him out!”
We had to move him immediately. His weakness couldn’t be exposed in the crowded ballroom.
Without replying to Elisha, I slipped my arm under the side she wasn’t holding, supporting him.
Looking at the confused Elisha, I shouted urgently.
“Follow me!”
Only then did she notice my face and follow without hesitation.
Please, please hang on, Leighton.
If his most private weakness was revealed…
If his gentle eyes twisted into despair and self-loathing, I would have to watch helplessly.
It could still be managed.
The medicine made from Titiano flowers was in the office’s jewelry box.
Once outside the ballroom, the knights guarding the entrance saw us.
“Move the Marquis to his bedroom. Quickly!”
Hearing my anxious voice, they hurriedly supported him on either side.
After confirming he was moving safely to the bedroom, I ran full force toward the office.
The half-up hairstyle Daisy had carefully done was ruined; golden hair tangled.
I leapt up two stairs at a time and barely reached the second-floor office.
“Huff… huff…”
“Miss? Why suddenly…?”
No time to explain to a flustered Daisy.
Shaking hands, I rummaged through the jewelry box, grabbing the purple medicine bottle.
The bedroom I ran to was chaos.
The knights supporting him trembled in fear.
Seeing them on the floor, shaking, I quickly assessed the situation.
“Miss, you can’t come in here! It’s dangerous. The Marquis… he’s really a devil…”
“Sorry. Can you tell Hyle to finish the debutante ball? I need to go in first.”
Ignoring their panicked protests, I gripped the door handle firmly.
“And everything you see today must remain a secret.”
I pulled with all my strength.
What lay before me, as if waiting for me, was, unfortunately, a horrific nightmare.
