"It doesn't matter if you don't forgive me. There are many people who hate me in this world, and I don't care if there's one more. You can't do anything anyway," Leon said expressionlessly.
He had never considered Algard a rival; the difference between them was too great.
He would eventually become a king. In the future, many people in this world would hate and fear him. There would also be many who loved, respected, and liked him.
No matter which one it was, ultimately, Algard was just one of them, so there was no need to care.
"What did you say? Are you looking down on me!?"
"It's getting late. It's time to go back."
Leon ignored him and turned to leave in a carriage. However, the ignored blond prince felt as if his dignity had been challenged once again.
He roared and drew the flashy sword at his waist, ready to swing it at Leon.
"Leon!!!"
But he was blocked.
This time, the Black Prince did nothing.
"I won't let you hurt His Highness."
"Al-kun, you can't do this."
"Algard, how could you brandish a sword at your brother? This is outrageous."
Euphilia, Anis, and Sylphine—these three beautiful women—drew their swords in Leon's name and stood before the prince.
This was undoubtedly a critical blow.
Algard's eyes widened in disbelief, and he nearly spat blood.
"You... you really..."
His sister, mother, and ex-fiancée—people who should have been on his side—were now berating him and defending Leon.
Algard was crazed with jealousy and rage. He gritted his teeth, wearing a fierce expression, feeling deeply betrayed.
Was there any greater insult than this?
But then he noticed something: the three women in front of him loved Leon more than they loved him.
"Ahh~ That's why I told you not to be my enemy. Why are you so disobedient? Be thankful you're my brother."
Leon sighed, shook his head, and said with pity, "Euphie, Nee-san, Queen—there's no need to waste time here. Let's go back."
"Well, okay, Your Highness."
"Very well."
"If you say so, Leon-chan."
Under Algard's stunned gaze, the three girls obediently lowered their weapons. Their eyes looked at Leon, full of respect, love, and affection.
Completely different from how they looked at him.
Why? Why were they so harsh to him, yet so submissive to Leon!? That's not fair! Why was the gap between them so wide?
"Leini..."
Algard looked pleadingly at the black-haired girl. He truly liked her—he even broke off his engagement for her.
But Leini seemed afraid of him. She took a few steps back, pale, avoiding eye contact like she wanted to escape.
Under the desperate gaze of the blond prince, she also ran toward Leon.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
This was the cry of a defeated man. While pitiful, it didn't deserve sympathy.
Algard had thought too much. When he publicly framed Euphilia, Leini had already become afraid of him.
She wasn't a brave girl.
She was just a shy, ordinary girl.
After seeing Algard publicly slander and berate his ex-fiancée, "persecuting" her, Leini became afraid of falling for someone like him.
If the blond prince ever confessed his love...
Leini wouldn't even be able to say something as gentle as "you're a good person." All she could say was, "you're a bad person."
Back at the castle.
Leon looked blankly at Leini.
He still didn't understand why he had agreed to bring her with him.
Thinking it was pointless to keep her around, Leon had already decided she wasn't to blame—that it was all Algard's fault. He just wanted to let her go.
That's what he meant to say, but what actually came out was: "Come here. Get her a better room, closer to mine."
Leon immediately frowned and unconsciously touched his mouth, feeling something was off.
Leini was scared, like a frightened little lamb. She didn't know what to do.
In fact, she was a girl from an orphanage who became the daughter of a noble after being adopted.
So, she never quite fit into aristocratic life. Deep down, she felt lost in a world that didn't belong to her.
There were many things she couldn't get used to. For example, girls always wore high heels—but she could barely stay upright in them.
At that moment, the prince stood nervously in front of her. She was still wearing the heels she couldn't control—and she suddenly lost her balance.
She was about to fall.
Leon caught her.
"Your Highness."
"…"
This hug made Leon frown even more.
He felt like he really was the kind of guy who would catch a girl if she fell—but this time, he had moved too fast, like his body acted on its own.
Something's wrong. Something's very wrong.
On the other hand, Leini remembered the order given to her by the Ministry of Magic and her imprisoned father. The shy girl made a bold decision.
She raised her trembling hands and hugged Leon's neck, speaking in a shaky voice:
"Your Highness, please let me serve you."
Leon's eyes widened. He felt his heart pounding. What the hell was happening to him today!?
At that moment, Leini looked like an irresistible delicacy. Her pitiful expression awakened Leon's sadistic side. He suddenly had the instinct to make the girl cry—and devour her.
Their lips drew closer.
Their hearts beat faster and faster.
Finally, just as they were about to touch—
"I see. So you're charming me."
Leon's eyes regained clarity… No, rather, his purple pupils became cold, like bottomless abysses, devoid of emotion.
"Eh? Cough! Your Highness—"
Leini was seized by the neck and slammed against the wall.
She gasped for air, kicking instinctively—but her weak resistance meant nothing to Leon.
"You were enchanting me. What kind of skill is this, that even I could be seduced?"
"I'm sorry! I really don't know anything. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"
Leon narrowed his eyes, a deep sense of guilt rising in him. He felt increasingly unhappy about the situation. But at the same time, he knew something was wrong. The girl didn't seem to be lying.
In fact, she didn't even seem to know what was happening.
The fear and confusion in her eyes were clear to Leon.
He released her neck and covered his face with one hand.
Leini coughed, gasping for breath.
"Ahh… what should I do with you?"
(End of Chapter)
Give me some power stones there you go~😉