A Practical Guide to Ending a One-Sided Love - Chapter 23

The strange spectacle of one slender woman beating two sturdy knights lasted only briefly, and in the end Allen and Todd seemed to decide on a tactical retreat and stepped back.

In the midst of it, Todd, who had been blocking the parasol hitting his head and shoulders, failed to control his strength and shoved Leila hard.

“Miss Leila!”

Until then Bjorn had only blankly watched, but his body moved reflexively. Catching the staggering Leila with both arms, he unconsciously glared fiercely at Todd.

—This wasn’t part of the plan.

—I, I didn’t expect it to turn out like this either.

While such looks were exchanged, the atmosphere in the alley rapidly turned cold beyond control.

Bjorn did not even realize it was because of him.

“S-Seeing how confident she is, she really must be a noble lady?”

“That’s right, brother. I-It might become troublesome so should we retreat here?”

“Yeah, let’s do that, consider yourselves lucky, mister!”

Finishing the utterly ruined stage with cheap lines, the two fled like typical minor villains.

The woman he actually wished would run away still remained beside him, yet no laughter came.

“Sir, are you alright? You’re not badly hurt, are you?”

The moment she regained her senses, Leila checked on Bjorn first. Even seeing him covered in dust from rolling around, she showed not the slightest sign of dislike.

She removed the body half leaning on him and stood straight, watching the direction Allen and Todd disappeared as if wary.

“It’s fortunate that they withdrew at least, right?”

When Leila turned her face back toward Bjorn, the afternoon sunlight shone upon her face.

At that moment Bjorn couldn’t take his eyes off the amber eyes glittering beyond the glass lenses.

Though it was brief, many emotions were read in those eyes. Faint traces of fear, yet clear triumph.

And…

Affection and trust toward Bjorn that still had not faded.

Without warning, his throat tightened. Had there ever been someone in his life who embraced him this unconditionally?

An uncontrollable stirring felt as if it would pour over the wall he had built firmly in his heart. Even his breathing quickened.

Don’t misunderstand. That isn’t meant for you.

The moment he unconsciously reached toward the light that surrounded Leila like a halo, the chains that had long bound him clanked and restrained him once more.

He was born with a fate that couldn’t be loved. The Lord God had decided so. To covet more than the portion permitted was greed.

Bjorn gathered himself with familiar resignation. Yes, such things did not suit him. Unconditional, infinite, immutable affection. Something he must not wish for even in dreams.

The suffocating emotion he felt moments ago, yes, it must be frustration. In truth he felt frustration and anger toward Leila at the same time.

No matter how delicately she was raised, how could she be this ignorant of the world? Today’s events were fabricated, but if a real situation like this occurred and she acted like that, she could suffer greatly. She needed a sharp warning for recklessly acting while forgetting her own safety.

“Miss Leila, you were lucky today, but I hope you will never again do something this dangerous.”

The corners of the lips that had held a faint smile quickly fell.

Had she expected praise? Feeling pointless guilt, Bjorn deliberately hardened his expression.

“What did you think would happen barging in like that? I understand you intended to help me, but you were reckless. If those men had been truly vicious, it would not have ended with only this.”

Seeing disappointment and embarrassment rise on her face made his chest ache, yet Bjorn dismissed that as anger as well.

Seeing the hand that had likely never done rough work flushed red from swinging the parasol stirred his emotions once more.

All of it was the result of what he had done, so he did not even have the right to cover that hand.

“I will… definitely compensate you for the parasol.”

The broken parasol felt just like his miserable mood, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. That was all he could say to lessen his guilt even a little.

“…Then will we meet again, the two of us?”