𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖𝟕: 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐲𝐯𝐞𝐫 – 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐
It could be said that my encounter with her was shocking.
She was a dignified and beautiful woman with golden hair and blue eyes.
But there are many beauties like her coming and going in the royal palace.
What was more impressive than that was Lara’s “eyes.”
Introduced by the Marchioness’ granddaughter Rachael, she came from a foreign country to escape her husband’s violence. She was very strong, and she had an ominous air like a mother bear raising her cub.
It was so alert that you could say I was being glared at.
I had never seen a woman with such a strong gaze.
What kind of life must she have led for a young woman to look at others with such stern eyes?
The reason became clear soon.
Lara had a child. To protect that child――Ren, she had to be strong.
ㅤ
I was deeply impressed by Lara’s way of life.
From her behavior, it could be guessed that she grew up in a wealthy family. It would not be an exaggeration to say she was a caged bird.
And yet, without any backing, Lara came to Binemöer with her young son.
Living in an unknown environment is terrifying.
I myself never thought of fleeing the palace, even knowing my life was threatened.
Lara Dosa was incredibly brave, kind-hearted, and full of vitality.
She was living with everything I didn’t have, and she was incredibly dazzling.
ㅤ
One day, the moment I saw her loving smile towards Ren――though the surroundings were cold with a chilling wind, I felt a warmth as if spring had arrived.
It was the first time my heart had been moved like this.
I strongly wished that one day that smile would be directed at me, and how happy that would make me. It was only later that I realized that it was “love.”
ㅤ
From then on, I began to make modest approaches to Lara.
But like an impregnable fortress, Lara did not fall.
She has Ren, whom she values more than herself.
There’s probably no room for anyone else.
I knew that, so I showed my affection with a playful feeling, as if enjoying a little game.
That must not have been good.
Lara’s eyes were always cold when she looked at me.
ㅤ
I don’t know when her attitude began to soften like that.
I couldn’t quite grasp it, but I had noticed that Lara was starting to open up her heart.
I should be happy, but the more kind Lara was to me, the more anxious I became.
If something happened to Lara because she was with me, I felt like my heart would be torn apart.
ㅤ
While hesitating to get closer to her, I was summoned by the Marchioness. Apparently, she had noticed my affection for Lara, and she was angry, asking why I was holding back.
Marchioness knows everything.
She knows that I lived as Princess Marion, and that my life is currently threatened.
If I open my heart to Lara, won’t her existence become my weakness? And if Lara’s life is also targeted, I don’t know how to atone for it to Ren.
While whining like this, the Marchioness scolded me, saying I hadn’t learned anything from Lara’s way of living.
Lara became strong to protect Ren.
In the same way, all I have to do is become strong to protect Lara.
ㅤ
Those words resonated with me.
Why didn’t I notice something so simple?
ㅤ
I thanked the Marchioness and decided to woo Lara without any reservations.
Before that, I wanted to deal with the problems I had.
I also wanted to know more about Lara and Ren.
While thinking about this, I was ordered by Ghodrove to accompany him to Vulcano as a bodyguard on a diplomatic mission.
I had wanted to go to Vulcano for a while.
If I went there, I could investigate detailed information. And if it was in the course of work, I could do my research without being suspected.
ㅤ
In the country of Vulcano, I learned about Lara’s true identity.
She was born in the Duke Mendoza family, a bonafide princess.
Her real name was not Lara, but Graciela, which means elegant beauty.
It was a name that suited her perfectly.
ㅤ
It seems that Mrs. Dosa’s name was something she purchased.
Furthermore, Florenci was revealed not to be her son, but rather her younger brother who was years apart.
Apparently, their uncle was aiming for the Duke family’s position and wealth, and they came to Binemöer under false names and identities to escape his wicked grasp.
In the course of the investigation, unexpected information was obtained.
Their uncle had been involved in criminal activities, and not only that, he had connections with my uncle Ghodrove.
From there, I quickly became aware of Ghodrove’s wrongdoings――realizing the identity of those who had threatened my life.
ㅤ
There was also an incident where the queen’s necklace was stolen, but the culprit must be Ghodrove.
I’ll expose all his crimes.
I was thinking and acting in that way, but I got caught up in an unexpected incident.
A spy who had infiltrated the royal palace suddenly attacked me.
He was not targeting Ghodrove, but me.
The spy was a young man who had been a civil servant for many years and often went in and out of Ghodrove’s office.
He was hardworking and cheerful, but――with a single movement of handing over a document――he stabbed a knife into my abdomen.
ㅤ
The spy thoughtfully stabbed me with a knife that had saw-like jagged teeth. Thanks to that, when I pulled it out, it tore the flesh of my stomach, and I experienced pain that couldn’t be relieved by tranquilizers.
I lost a lot of blood and was on the verge of death.
Ghodrove visited me several times, showing signs of concern.
Perhaps because I was always closing my eyes to recover, he thought I was unconscious.
He carelessly spoke about his future plans.
Apparently, he had a suspect in mind, and he was going to announce it to the gathered nobles.
Even though that spy was probably Ghodrove’s subordinate, what was he talking about?
I could not allow any more wrongdoing.
If the plan was to be executed, it had to be tomorrow.
When I told the doctor that I wanted to attend tomorrow’s gathering, he threatened me with death.
Until now, I had not feared death.
I just thought it would be nice to die naturally, without pain.
Now, the desire to live was strong in my heart.
The plan could be executed at a later time. . . . . .just as I thought that, I heard Lara’s voice.
ㅤ
――Leon-sama, can you hear me?
ㅤ
Through the magical thread of the spider fairy, I heard Lara’s voice.
The moment I heard it, I almost cried.
It was a voice so kind and sorrowful, filled with concern for me.
ㅤ
I thought it was just one word, but she continued to speak.
ㅤ
――Leon-sama, I like you.
ㅤ
At that moment, feelings of anguish, warmth, and love welled up, and my chest tightened painfully.
I wanted to see Lara.
I wanted to hold her as soon as possible in a world without sorrow, without threats from anyone.
Immediately, I decided to execute the plan.
I asked for the cooperation of the Marchioness, the queen, the royal concubine, the doctor, and even my half brother Engelbert, and though dragging my heavy body, I spurred myself on to seize happiness.
ㅤ
As a result, I succeeded in exposing Ghodrove’s wrongdoing.
But, a life-threatening crisis came.
Perhaps this world is not made to get everything.
I wanted to be happy with Lara――I was giving up on that, but a miracle happened.
Lara sealed the wound that had become fatal using spiderwork.
Furthermore, it replenished the blood that had been lost with magic power.
I quickly regained vitality and became healthy.
In every sense, Lara had saved me.
ㅤ
Since then, I have acted with all my might as a pitiful man and have succeeded in attracting Lara’s sympathy.
She stayed in Binemöer and lives in the same house.
The wedding is a year later, but every day returning to the home where she waits was filled with happiness.
―𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕰𝖓𝖉 𝕱𝖔𝖗 𝕽𝖊𝖆𝖑―
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