kscans

Chapter 128 - A Night for Two, and the Approaching Shadow

Leonhard had just been talking with Mireille about Adrian's proposal.

As always, Mireille was straightforward. She just wanted to make alchemy tools for people in need, that was all she desired.

But, she said that if her master and Darius-san could be together, she wanted to go along with Adrian-san's proposal. She would even study noble society so as not to cause them any trouble.

She was dazzlingly, straightforwardly honest.

Now, she was asleep in his bed. Even though the caretaker had kindly prepared the room next door, the wall between them was now an obstacle for the two of them.

Like an extension of their days spent in the tower, their proximity felt natural, not awkward at all. The sheets were slightly rumpled, and her soft breathing reached his ears.

That time in the tower had certainly changed the distance between them. His heart grew warm with the realization that their hearts and bodies had grown closer.

A sense of urgency tightened his chest. He could no longer control himself. She was so close… yet he could still feel the unrequited love of Darius and Ariel on his skin.

When he gently touched her, her hand nestled against his. Only the afterglow remained quietly. The warmth of her skin, the heat that passed between them, their ragged breathing, a feeling as if they were still intertwined. Her defenseless, somewhat childlike sleeping face made him smile.

It was then that a summons from Adrian arrived.

"Come tomorrow, without telling Mireille."

Without telling her? Had something happened? And it was a conversation she wasn't meant to hear.

So it's not a given that she'll be by my side yet. Leonhard suppressed the turmoil in his chest with a sigh.


Leonhard headed to Adrian's townhouse.

He had anticipated the worst. But the reality that awaited him far surpassed it.

The previous night, Ariel had awakened. He was breathless at the news of the terrible thing her brother Albert had done to her immediately following that good news.

He still had no direct contact with Albert. But from what Darius had said during the coup, he had guessed that Albert was a man of even greater power than himself.

If Ariel and Darius were to be together, would a man like that become Mireille’s uncle-in-law? Could I protect her… He swallowed hard.

Adrian said.

"In Mireille’s place, I want you to see the abuse Ariel suffered from the former king, the queen, and Rainer."

The video played. He was taken aback by its brutality. The contents matched Ariel's diary. It wasn't just one video; the process leading up to the final day unfolded before his eyes.

"The queen must have had sadistic tendencies. There are many videos like this," Adrian’s voice was somewhat pained.

"The words the former king is saying…" Sweat trickled down his forehead.

"That’s right. They are almost the same as the words Albert said. The words that tormented Ariel the most."

Adrian also nodded.

"Looking at Ariel’s condition, her confusion regarding Darius as a noble is severe. She only knew the Darius who was active in the unit and spoke kind words to her, so the words that she would be a hindrance if she existed were all the more impactful."

"This is in poor taste… All it shows is him talking to women and dancing closely with them."

From Leonhard’s perspective, Darius’s behavior was that of a perfect nobleman. But precisely because he knew Darius, he could tell at a glance that his heart wasn't in it.

His true heart was with Ariel, yet if Ariel, who knew nothing of that world, were shown this while being pushed to her physical and mental limits…

He felt sick. He had been exposed to the malice of nobles many times. He knew it. But this was more than that.

I have to tell Mireille that I am devoted only to her.

Adrian said.

"I want to discuss our future plans with you once more."

"I also discussed it with Mireille yesterday."

They both confirmed that they would act for the happiness of Ariel and Mireille. The anger of the two men was directed at the royal family.