Chapter 120
“Why is that?”
He asked with genuine curiosity, and Anna answered confidently.
“I know all of the young lady’s preferences. Music, food, favorite bedding materials, fabrics, and even the snacks she enjoyed as a child… There are so many things I can’t even count them all.”
“That’s something I should enjoy discovering over time, so I won’t bother asking you.”
“On ordinary days, you might not need it, but when the young lady is angry, it might be a bit different. At that time, you will surely need my advice.”
Lucas let out a low sigh, finding her words reasonable.
“Is there anything else to find?”
Leila shook her head, as she only needed to take her diary.
“Then, shall we drop by the Countess’s room for a moment?”
Lucas murmured with a sly smile and didn’t forget to give Anna a knowing look. In fact, Anna had already been helping him sufficiently. While Anna temporarily took Leila elsewhere, he had hidden the evidence he had prepared in the Count’s room.
They went downstairs and saw the people of Count Este’s household still there. Leila quietly looked at her father, Sarah, Amelie, and Timo in turn before turning her back without a word.
When they abandoned her first, she had long since lost any lingering attachment. Despite Benjamin calling out to her desperately from behind, she felt no impact. They calmly left in their carriage.
Paradoxically, those left in the mansion felt as if they were the ones abandoned, seeing Leila leave without any resentment or words. That night was the last they could stay in the mansion.
***
Grim rumors spread through the Camorr Empire. There were whispers that others besides the Este Count’s family had dared to dream of rebellion. As an example, the household of Count Este received a severe punishment— its members were exiled to uninhabitable lands after losing their eyes and tongues.
In the midst of this, some people mentioned Leila, but the Emperor suppressed those rumors. Lucas, having already negotiated with the Emperor, planned to shake up the noble faction leader’s family, whom the Emperor considered a thorn in his side.
Unrelated to these rumors, the atmosphere at the Duke of Babenberg’s residence was cheerful. Especially since they recently replaced the staff, bringing more order to the household.
Lucas was enjoying the beautiful melodies of late autumn. Leila played the violin for him during their afternoon tea time.
What a luxurious and leisurely afternoon it was.
“Indeed, your performance has something that moves my heart.”
He clapped as soon as Leila finished her performance.
“Hmm, it might have been my attachment to life.”
“Why do you think that?”
Leila, putting her violin back in its case, ran to Lucas. Now quite accustomed to sitting on his lap, she wrapped her arms around his neck and answered.
“Back then, I felt like I had to let go of my attachments somewhere. And playing the violin was a great medium to take my feelings away.”
“Hmm, that’s not the feeling I got. The first time I heard it, I felt a compelling charm.”
Leila chuckled softly at his words and whispered.
“That’s why you liked it, right? Unlike me, you were bored with life. So, my performance, filled with my attachment to life, must have fascinated you. Why are you so obsessed with life? Is that what an artist’s life is?”
Mimicking Lucas’s teasing tone, Leila made him laugh softly as he hugged her. He lifted her left hand as if proposing anew and placed the engagement ring back on her finger.
Feeling her clear gaze on him, Lucas was grateful that she was not unhappy. He kissed the pink diamond ring briefly, then lifted his head to lightly bite and release her cute lips, whispering.
“Did I tell you that I love you?”
Hearing his words, Leila smiled softly and replied.
“Yes, this is your 77th confession today.”
“About 12393847577723 more times to go.”
“What?”
Leila’s laughter carried far on the late autumn breeze. They would genuinely care for each other’s happiness. Meeting as opposites and becoming the closest, the two spent the late afternoon sipping fragrant Darjeeling tea, sharing sincere stories about each other.
—Main Story, end
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