Chapter 15
It was Leonhardt.
Before Ebony could react, Leon had already reached her and pressed down on her shoulders. He was out of breath, staring at her with an intensity that made her heart skip.
“You suddenly leave for the north without explanation, and it was all to see Diego?”
“…”
“Do you have any idea how worried I was when you disappeared with just a note? And all of that was for this?”
His voice, tinged with frustration, stabbed at Ebony’s heart. She couldn’t muster a reply and only hung her head in silence.
“Forget it. Let’s go,” Leon said, his tone sharp as he pulled her along. His movements carried a hint of anger, a side of him she had never seen before. Startled, Ebony stole glances at his expression and hesitantly tried to speak.
“Brother, I…”
“Get in.”
Leon didn’t let her finish. He opened the carriage door roughly and motioned for her to step inside. Ebony hesitated, her lips trembling as though she had more to say, but eventually obeyed.
Before climbing into the carriage, she cast a small glance toward Cedric, who had helped her earlier.
“Home,” Leon instructed the coachman firmly, then sat opposite Ebony inside. Normally, he would have smiled warmly and peppered her with questions, but today he was silent, and the air was heavy.
The oppressive silence was unbearable, and Ebony stared at the floor as if it might provide some relief.
“Do you even realize how worried I was?”
Leon finally broke the silence, running a hand over his face in frustration.
She knew. That’s why she had no words. The fact that he’d arrived so quickly meant he must have left the moment he read her note.
“You know how dangerous the north is, and yet you still acted so recklessly! Do you have any idea how scared Helene and I were when we saw that note? If you did, you wouldn’t have planned something so absurd!”
Leon’s scolding continued, each word cutting deeper into her. She remained silent, her head bowed, until he paused to catch his breath, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.
“Why did you go to Diego?” he asked, his voice quieter now.
“…”
“Do you… care for him? Is that it? Did you do something this reckless just to see him before going back to Freenid?”
Ebony shook her head quickly. She couldn’t share the truth, so silence was her safest option.
“… Sigh.”
Leon let out a long, deep sigh, the conversation grinding to a halt. He leaned back and massaged his temples, his face troubled.
“When I think of you, I can’t help but feel regret,” he said suddenly.
Ebony’s heart sank. The word regret pierced her like a blade.
Memories of her past life surfaced—the letter Leon had written to cut ties with her.
What if that letter hadn’t been manipulated by Irene but truly reflected his feelings?
What if he hadn’t wanted anything to do with her?
Fear gripped her as she braced herself for the possibility of hearing those words again.
She clenched her eyes shut.
Instead of harsh words, a hand ruffled her golden hair.
“I regret not being able to protect you at the duke’s estate.
I regret not being there for you after you came to Evgenia because I was too busy with my own life.”
“…”
“I regret it all.”
“What…?”
Ebony’s empty gaze came alive as she looked at him, her eyes wide.
Leon’s expression was soft as he knelt in front of her, bringing their eyes level. He gently took her hands in his.
“When we were younger, I was too scared to defy Father. I knew how lonely you were, but I was afraid of falling out of his favor, so I didn’t stand by you like I should have.”
Pain flickered across Leon’s face as he recalled their past.
Their father, Edward, had been a strict man, especially after losing his wife.
His stern demeanor had made Leon hesitant to act, even when he knew Ebony was suffering.
“… Thank you, Brother.
You were the only one who ever celebrated my birthday…”
“… Brother, are you leaving? Are we saying goodbye forever?”
“Stay safe. And if you ever think of me, even for a moment, write to me, even if it’s just a short letter.”
When Leon left for Evgenia, Ebony didn’t cry.
He had told her it was okay to cry in front of him, but she held back, afraid of burdening him further.
Leon had told himself that Irene would take care of her, or that Ebony must have been busy, too.
He knew these were excuses, but he clung to them anyway.
“After moving to Evgenia, I was so caught up in my own life that I didn’t even notice the letters weren’t getting through. I’ve been a terrible brother, haven’t I?”
When they had reunited after so long, Ebony’s maturity struck him not as admirable but as heartbreaking.
“Whatever your reasons were for going north, I know I’m to blame for you not feeling like you could tell me. It’s not your fault, it’s mine.”
“…”
“I’m sorry for scolding you, my sister.”
Leon squeezed her small hands tightly.
“Ebony, I want to set things right between us. I want to show you what family truly means. Will you give me that chance?”
Even as the carriage bumped along the rough road, Leon remained steady, his gaze locked on hers.
“You can cry if you want to,” he said softly.
The words chipped away at the walls Ebony had built around her heart.
She tried to hold back, not wanting to seem like a spoiled little sister, but the emotions overwhelmed her.
“Yes, Brother.”
“Brother? No, call me ‘Oppa’ now.”
“…”
“Go on.”
Finally, Ebony gave in and wrapped her arms around him, finding warmth and comfort in his embrace. Tears she had held back for so long spilled freely.
“Yes, Oppa…”
She realized then—there was someone in this world who truly loved her.
She had just been too blind to see it before.
After the emotional reconciliation, Ebony dozed off in Leon’s arms. He told her to rest, knowing the journey ahead would be tiring.
But as her thoughts wandered, worries crept back in.
What if Diego refuses the deal?
She had thought revealing her abilities would solve everything, but unexpected hurdles had arisen. There was no alternative—Diego Magnus was the only option she considered worthy.
When the carriage arrived at the estate, Leon helped her down, his hand steadying her. As she stepped out, a strange weakness spread through her body.
Her legs gave way, and darkness consumed her.
