DSFL | Chapter 09

~Chapter 09~

“…Duke.”

When I added the title briefly, Leon blinked at me with a dazed expression.

“It’s been a long time.”

Ricardo’s eyes slowly narrowed.

“Hah.”

He let out a small laugh and nodded at Leon.

“So you’re Owen the young baron? I heard you’ve returned.”

“I’ve come back safe and sound.”

Leon shrugged lightly.

“Anyway, it’s really good to see you alive and well.”

“You’re still the same.”

Leon casually brushed off Ricardo’s remark and locked eyes with me.

In his eyes, which sparkled like stars, something deep inside me stirred.

…Leon really has come back.

“I’m going to take Bianca with me. If it seems rude, I hope you’ll understand. I’m sure the gracious Duke will let this slide.”

Leon gave a bright smile and pulled me along. As I was being dragged away, I glanced back.

Ricardo didn’t even show a trace of regret.

…If he was going to act like that, why did he grab me earlier?

He was truly an incomprehensible person.

---

I clearly remember what Ricardo said on the day of the engagement ceremony.

“I’d rather die than marry someone like you.”

He said that while pretending nothing had changed.

He hated me so much, he wished I were dead.

Having seen the original, I tried to understand Ricardo. Even if he resented me for things I didn’t do, I just accepted it.

…but how should I understand Ricardo now?

Is he just acting this way to show me the bare minimum of respect, as he said?

Did he think I was someone who didn’t even deserve basic manners? I tried to use that as a way to understand him.

But now, how should I understand you?

“Bianca.”

At that moment, Leon’s voice whispered in my ear.

“Oh, Oppa.”

“Have you been well?”

Leon gave a playful smile.

“Of course! I’ve even gained quite a bit of weight.”

I proudly showed off my arm.

“You’re still so skinny.”

That was really not true. I had gained weight.

Well, compared to Leon’s large frame, my body was insignificant, so I decided to just accept it.

“I even went to your return ceremony.”

“The return ceremony?”

Leon couldn’t hide his surprise.

“Of course, I went. You were returning, after all…”

As Leon’s face broke into a wide smile, I couldn’t help but feel a little awkward.

“Well, I didn’t expect this.”

What does Leon even think of me?

Does he think I’m that heartless?

As I shot him a side glance, Leon mischievously ruffled my hair.

“You’ve grown so much. You used to hate crowded places back then.”

That was true, but it was only when I had just possessed Bianca’s body.

I was on the brink of madness surrounded by strangers. I resented being thrown into a world I didn’t want to be in.

…Compared to then, I guess I’ve adapted well.

I smiled faintly and shifted the topic to what had happened to me during our time apart.

Even though it was probably a boring story, Leon laughed every now and then as he listened.

We continued chatting until the steaming tea had gone cold.

“…What about you, Oppa?”

“Me? I’ve been hunting monsters. Nothing exciting.”

Leon shook his head with a face full of distaste.

“By the way, I heard you’re engaged to Ricardo?”

“News travels fast.”

“It’s your news, so I should hear it, of course.”

“….”

“How’s Ricardo? That half good looking face of his is still annoying, I bet.”

How should I answer that?

It was a question that was both difficult and easy.

He’s kind of strange. He’s an incomprehensible person.

I was trying my best to explain what I had felt all this time in my mind, but Leon, who couldn’t read minds, would never understand.

“He’s not bad.”

I finally answered in a neutral tone.

“Really? That’s surprising.”

“…What’s surprising?”

Leon leaned back comfortably in his chair, crossing his arms.

“He’s the complete opposite of you, right? I thought for sure you’d dislike him.”

I do dislike him. I dislike him a lot.

“Heard he’s completely obsessed with some lady from the countryside, though.”

“That’s right.”

I answered without thinking. The playful look in Leon’s eyes immediately turned cold.

Wow, he’s been hunting monsters with eyes like that?

I was lucky that I wasn’t possessed by a monster.

Quickly, I tried to smooth things over.

“But that lady is really beautiful and kind.”

“Bianca.”

“Yes?”

“You’re like that too.”

At his words, I rolled my eyes. Realizing there was nothing to say in response, I just smiled brightly.

“I know.”

At that, Leon burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that his large body shook with every breath, and it seemed like he couldn’t stop. Eventually, he wiped away the tears that had formed at the corners of his eyes.

“Good enough.”

Leon pushed a cookie from the plate toward me.

“…Thank you.”

Just then, Leon glanced at me carefully before speaking.

“By the way, I didn’t interrupt anything earlier, did I?”

“Not at all. It was perfect timing.”

Thinking back to what had happened earlier, my mood dropped again.

“You were fighting, weren’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“You nobles sure know how to fight elegantly.”

“You’re a noble too, Oppa.”

“Well, if it were me, I would’ve thrown a punch first.”

Leon said, raising his massive fist.

I let out a small laugh. Still, a sense of discomfort lingered in the back of my mind.

Actually, there was something that bothered me about what happened earlier.

How he mentioned the past.

He couldn’t possibly think Bianca’s mistreatment of Ricardo was something to be brushed aside.

…Right. First, I’ll deal with the past.

Understanding Ricardo could come later.

I tapped my fingers on the table and then cautiously spoke.

“How do you apologize when you’ve done something wrong, Oppa?”

“Apologize?”

“Yes. Assuming the other person thinks my apology is a lie.”

“Why apologize? Just punch them. No, wait, that’s it.”

Leon bit his lip and then composed himself.

“I… I’ve never really apologized, so I’m not sure.”

“…”

“If you’re thinking you need to apologize, then it must be something serious.”

For once, Leon seemed to be struggling, deep in thought, as we both pondered the situation.

“Have you ever apologized?”

“Sort of…”

Have I? I couldn’t remember if I ever had, especially not with Ricardo. Whenever I was around him, I was so caught up that I don’t think I ever had a chance.

“If they didn’t accept it, then maybe they’re just not ready yet.”

“…”

“If it’s hard to say, then write a letter. When I throw a punch, I make sure to send an apology letter afterward.”

A letter…?

His blunt way of speaking was rough, but his advice was unexpectedly helpful.

Ricardo and I were always fighting, so things were worsening alot. A letter might just be a way to break that cycle.

It was an unexpected win.

---

Ugh, but what should I write?

I stared at the blank sheet of paper, groaning.

Not this, not that…

The crumpled pieces of paper piling up on the floor were proof of my frustration.

I needed something sincere, yet not forcing forgiveness, subtly mentioning the idea of breaking off the engagement, while still supporting Idette and Ricardo. But how to do that…?

…This is hard, really hard.

---

Ricardo Hessen, the head of the Hessen Duke family.

He had always lived a noble life. Since childhood, everyone bowed their heads to him, and it was natural.

It was his everyday life. Calm, peaceful, and quiet.

And then, a woman stepped into that life.

That woman was Bianca. That girl.

…Bianca Roygin.

The name I had rolled around in my mouth countless times, but it always felt foreign.

The little girl I used to know, who was simply pretty, had grown up into a lady. The woman I met again no longer resembled the past.

The round eyes that once entranced me now looked sharp, and she said things I couldn’t have imagined before.

Had it really been that long? The woman I saw again seemed as unfamiliar as her name.

…If you’re going to act like this, Bianca, why didn’t you just keep pretending like you did before?

“Please show at least a bit of respect to my younger sister.”

Wasn’t it Cedric? The man who always looked so neat and proper, yet I had never seen him this angry before.

“…Please.”

He said it like a request, but his gaze, sharp as a well-honed blade, made it feel like I would be torn apart if it were a sword.

His high-handed attitude was quite annoying, but he did have a point. It was something he could say as her family.

…But Cedric, your sister isn’t planning on showing me any respect either.