A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 95

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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95.
The evaluation continued, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Leonard was like a horse being auctioned off.
Midway through, I considered withdrawing him, but Leonard refused on his own and burned with competitive spirit instead.
He seemed curious about how high his score could go.
‘What on earth was this man doing in his past life?’
About twenty minutes later, the question-and-answer session finally ended.
Unlike Leonard’s refreshed expression, Aurora’s face was enigmatic.
Her brows were slightly furrowed, but she said nothing.
‘Barely passing the minimum standard, then.’
This felt like some kind of entrance exam.
“…Well, he does seem like a suitable groom.”
“Then may I retire to sleep with my wife now?”
“Aurora, Leonard. Shouldn’t we have a meeting?”
“No, Charlotte. I only intended to have a pleasant conversation on the first day.”
Aurora carefully handed her pen and paper to the Priestess Attendant and stood.
“The battle just ended, so His Highness must be exhausted.”
Then shouldn’t she have avoided asking questions that would inflict such psychological damage?
But I kept my mouth shut. After all, I could become the target of Aurora’s mental bombardment too.
“Then, Your Highness, Charlotte—have a good night.”
The moment we returned to the bedroom, Leonard collapsed onto the bed.
Startled by his demeanor, so different from his confident self moments before, I cried out.
“Leonard, I’m sorry!”
But what came from him was laughter, not reproach.
“No, that was the most difficult battle I’ve ever faced. It was quite enjoyable, thanks to you.”
“Enjoyable…?”
“I have no friends, so I’ve never experienced or even heard of anything like this before.”
His poignant words left me speechless.
As I froze, Leonard rose from the bed.
A soft smile graced his sculpted face as he extended his hand toward me.
“Don’t stand there—come here, my wife.”
“M-my wife?”
“What else should I call you? ‘You’? That seems too informal.”
“…”
As I walked slowly and took his hand, he swiftly turned and pushed me onto the bed.
‘I knew this would happen.’
If I’d come to a bed with a man without knowing what was about to unfold, that would make me an oblivious web novel heroine.
And I was not that kind of heroine.
As my face flushed and I averted my gaze, he leaned over me.
“It seems your friend’s verification is complete. How about you?”
The way he slowly unfastened his shirt buttons seemed improper and suggestive.
I tried not to look at the brown skin and defined muscles hidden beneath his shirt, murmuring quietly to myself.
“Well… it seems somewhat acceptable, I suppose. My standards are naturally quite high, after all.”
“So that’s why you wouldn’t even glance at the male lead of the Romance Fantasy Novel?”
“Can we please stop talking about Cedric—”
I couldn’t finish my sentence. Something soft descended onto my lips, and the ribbon tied at the front of my dress slowly came undone.
I found his clumsy hands undressing me rather endearing.
“Clothing in this world is truly irritating. Why must people wear so many layers?”
“Please don’t tear it, though.”
“….”
A reluctant smile crossed his dissatisfied face. But if he were to tear apart this expensive custom-made dress… well.
As embarrassment began to creep in, I asked a different question.
“What else annoys you?”
“The absence of smartphones. Food that doesn’t suit my palate. Strange speech patterns. Archaic etiquette.”
“Still, I’m grateful to have been born beautiful. And this handsome face, too.”
As I laughed and caressed his face, Leonard Blake’s eyes widened slightly.
Soon after, he withdrew his hand from my dress and gently stroked my cheek.
“…I’m fortunate this face appeals to you.”
His voice had dropped considerably, and I noticed. I quickly raised both hands to frame his face.
“Leonard Blake. I didn’t mean only your face is attractive.”
“I know. Neither did I.”
The palm against my cheek burned with heat.
“I would have fallen in love with you even if we’d met in South Korea.”
“…What?”
My heart plummeted in that instant.
In my previous life, I hadn’t even received love from my own family. I’d never dared hope to receive it from anyone else. Yet here, in this different world, I’d met someone who claimed to love me.
As I froze in this strange moment, he offered a faint smile.
“South Korea would have been better, actually. More than this place….”
His words trailed off, scattering into the air like faint mist.
Two flames flickering before me trembled slightly. It was clear that memories of his past were binding him once more.
How could I possibly free this man from his past?
…Oh, God.
I pulled him close, embracing his neck tightly.
Please forgive this man.
* * *
Moonlight seeping through the window flowed between the curtain gaps, leaving silver traces across the bedroom floor.
Charlotte lay sleeping on the bed, her breathing deep and even.
Her rhythmic breath filled the quiet room.
Beneath that breath, a memory from long ago stirred and lifted its head.
The moment James was dying.
-Please… take care of her.
At first, I thought I had gone mad and was hearing things.
But later, when I came to my senses and asked Lord Prance as if speaking to myself, he told me about Aria.
‘She’ was a Priestess Attendant who had entered Lethe Tower to eliminate the monsters within, and she had been like an older sister to James, who was trapped in the tower.
However, one day she disappeared without a trace, and James had always longed for her, he said.
That was all there was to it.
Lord Prance himself knew very little about Aria.
He had been searching for her separately for James’s sake, but who would have thought she’d be with Demian.
“….”
Being a corpse in Demian’s possession meant there was a high probability she had been killed by him.
That man again.
Demian.
Every time I heard that name, unbearable rage constricted my breath.
It was as if a shard of ice had pierced my heart, preventing air from reaching my lungs.
How much longer must I endure hearing his name in this endless inferno of rage? Why must I suffer like this?
Oh God, what have I done so wrong….
“Leonard Blake?”
My eyes snapped open at the drowsy voice.
Charlotte had half-risen from the bed, having just woken.
“What are you doing there?”
“….”
The moment I saw the darkness spreading thickly behind the woman’s serene smile, I understood.
Hands beckoning me from within the veil of night, their gestures pulling me forth. The bone-deep chill of the underworld seeping into my very core. The anguished screams and cries that battered my ears.
The severed corpses of the fallen and the countless bodies of my comrades buried in Berhem Gorge.
Demian’s voice echoing through it all.
-Do you truly believe the Punishment Unit will be granted a peaceful retirement and a gentle death?
‘…I see.’
There was no way I had done nothing wrong.
Though I began life unjustly, there had certainly been a chance to turn toward a different path along the way. However brief.
But I did not take that path. I adorned revenge and hatred with the guise of justice, and continued down the road of slaughter.
Can I beg for God’s mercy under the excuse that I killed out of necessity? Can I truly be forgiven for taking another’s life so that I might live?
That is why I have always been prepared for the death that will inevitably come.
I merely hoped it would be delayed, for now I have a purpose.
“It is nothing.”
Leonard Blake rose slowly from the chair.
God’s mercy would never touch me, not even by a single strand of hair.
That is the world’s justice, and it must be so.
Only then… can Demian also receive his fair reckoning.
* * *
One day before the Hunting Festival, I arrived at Redford Territory with Aurora, Cecilia, and Leonard Blake.
The moment we arrived at the Teleport Gate, Onos Castle immediately caught my eye—it was truly magnificent.
The sharply cut tower and silver roof gleamed in the sunlight, and the garden and fountain blended together so perfectly that it felt like stepping into a scene from a fairy tale.
Prince Chris took it upon himself to guide us personally.
He remained beautiful and elegant. Even Cecilia couldn’t help but glance at him, her cheeks flushing.
Aurora, completely smitten with Erdan, kept her eyes fixed ahead.
“The three of you may rest in the Guest Chamber and participate in the Hunting Festival tomorrow.”
“Today… won’t Your Highness be dining with us?”
Watching Cecilia subtly engage him in conversation, I found myself thinking that the two of them made quite a striking pair.
‘Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if Prince Chris became Cecilia’s husband.’
Then my second contract with Leonard Blake would be complete.
Lost in various thoughts, I suddenly saw the Emperor’s Chamberlain rushing toward us from a distance.
“My apologies for interrupting your conversation. Sixth Prince, His Majesty the Emperor summons you.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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