I Transmigrated into the Nameverse, and My Name Came with a Time Limit - Chapter 17

The sudden appearance of Mina and Leonhardt drew countless gazes. Under the sharp looks that seemed to ask what this was supposed to mean, Mina felt as if the hairs on her head were standing on end.

While she struggled to avoid looking like she was being dragged along by force, Leonhardt’s deep, resonant voice rang out through the hall.

“Your Majesty the Emperor, I have a request.”

The Emperor held a glass of sparkling wine and looked puzzled.

“Go ahead and speak.”

“During the victory festival, I would like to take Lady Wilhelmina Wittgen as my partner. Please grant your permission.”

Mina was startled by the completely unexpected statement. And it seemed the others were just as surprised. Murmurs spread throughout the hall.

“What in the world is this about? A partner all of a sudden…?”

“Exactly… Ah! Weren’t those two childhood friends when they were young? Perhaps that’s why?”

“Oh my! Then isn’t this a perfect opportunity for that lady who’s practically no better than a kitchen maid? If she becomes the partner of Grand Duke the North…!”

The openly whispered conversation of the noblewomen, who made no effort to lower their voices, made Mina’s head spin. Yet Leonhardt still held her wrist firmly and showed no sign of moving.

“Hahaha! I see, meeting again after so long must have brought back old memories! Very well, then go ahead.”

The Emperor laughed heartily and granted his permission with a crooked smile.

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

Leonhardt gave a proper bow. Mina also bowed reflexively, then glanced at the expressions of the people around them.

Not only Duke Wittgen, but also the Duchess and even the Empress looked surprised. Rose wore a clearly mocking expression. And surprisingly, Leopold looked furious. With glaring eyes, he stared at his cousin. Leopold’s expression looked as if something that belonged to him had been taken away.

It was absurd. The scene of that bastard rudely groping her earlier flashed through Mina’s mind. At his shameless attitude, acting as if he still owned her, Mina clenched her teeth without realizing it.

“My partner seems tired, so we will take our leave now.”

Leonhardt wrapped an arm around Mina’s waist and said this to Karl. After that, everything moved swiftly. The two of them left the ballroom without anyone interfering. Mina, who had been dragged along in a daze as he led her, only fully regained her senses once they were inside the carriage.

Sitting in the carriage bearing the black bear emblem of the Tessen Grand Duchy, Mina blinked her eyes. She couldn’t follow what had just happened at all. Why did he make her his partner, and why did he check the Name?

‘I thought he hated Wilhelmina after she declared they were cutting ties…’

Mina fidgeted with the hands resting neatly on her lap and glanced sideways at the emblem engraved on the opposite wall of the carriage. Just like she thought when she first saw it, it really did resemble a massive black bear. How could even the family emblem suit him so perfectly?

She secretly stole a glance at the huge figure sitting across from her. But when Leonhardt suddenly lifted his head and met her eyes, Mina jumped in surprise.

“Um… but why did you make me your partner…”

Mina hesitantly managed to speak. She truly had no idea what his intention was. She had followed along absentmindedly earlier, but judging from the resentful accusations he had poured at her, there was no way he had done it for her sake.

“Why, you don’t like it? If you’d rather keep secretly getting molested by that bastard instead of becoming my partner and being protected safely, then I won’t do it.”

Leonhardt replied, his red eyes gleaming.

“N-No, that’s not what I meant…”

Startled, Mina stammered.

“Or do you want to cling to him using the Name as an excuse? Maybe you’re planning to take revenge on your former fiancé and your half-sister while you’re at it?”

At Leonhardt’s malicious speculation, Mina jumped up from her seat.

“Absolutely not!”

“Then you have even less reason to refuse.”

With nothing to argue back, Mina could only shut her mouth awkwardly.

“I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning, so be ready and wait.”

“What? Why?”

“Because there’s somewhere we need to go together.”

“Where…?”

Mina wanted to fire back, asking what exactly he was trying to do, where he was planning to drag her, and whether she really had to go there. But when she saw Leonhardt’s cold expression, she couldn’t finish speaking and quietly closed her mouth. There was nothing to gain from irritating him beforehand.

‘No way. Is he doing this because of the Name? Because he thinks it’s his name?’