Please Kill Me - Chapter 120

“….Is that all?”

Leonid asked, watching as Yekaterina blinked slowly, as if wondering what more he could possibly need.

This only added to Leonid’s frustration.

‘She remembers everything, but she’s reacting as if nothing happened.’

He had been forthright about the magic influencing her, explaining how it had caused her to act out of character. Yet, she showed no sign of anger or embarrassment.

How could she be so indifferent?

‘Is this how Offenbach views intimacy?’

Is that why she rushed at him so recklessly?

He felt somewhat deflated. After all, last night had been a first for him too.

He had spent the entire night unable to sleep, replaying countless scenarios in his mind about how Yekaterina might react when she woke up.

Despite his embarrassment, he hadn’t expected such a dry response.

Even if his first kiss had been with a flirt, he wouldn’t feel this disappointed.

“As long as you enjoyed it, right?”

Yekaterina’s response was brief and detached.

Leonid felt like someone who had been used and discarded after a passionate night. He recalled a time when one of the knights from the Rostislav order had cried after being cruelly rejected by someone they had long admired.

—They said they’d develop feelings after trying it out, but then they just abandoned me! Abandoned me! Ugh!

At the time, Leonid had only recently come of age and had little experience with romantic feelings. Curious, he had asked Vasily what he thought.

— Vasily, is that really possible? Isn’t it right to take responsibility and continue the relationship after such an act?

— …. Sir, only someone as naive and rigid as you would think that way.

— So, what then?

— Well, there are various reasons for such things, but if the other person wasn’t being malicious, it just means they weren’t compatible.

— Not compatible?

— You know, there’s a difference between the affection you have for a friend and that for a lover. If they tried and didn’t develop romantic feelings, there’s nothing they can do about it. It just means they’re not a good match.

— I don’t really understand it. At least I know for sure that I’d never suggest or agree to something so irresponsible.

The once confident young Leonid now found himself wanting to strangle his past self. Or perhaps it felt like his past self was strangling him.

‘Why did I do this…?’

He was unsure whether the act itself was the problem or if it was the person involved. The biggest issue, however, was that they didn’t have the luxury of wasting time on such thoughts.

“Anyway, we need to head back. How are you feeling? Can you walk?”

“…Yes.”

His legs were the only part of him that felt fine. Yekaterina lightly nodded at Leonid’s response.

“Then let’s not delay any longer. I found a path we can use to get back up. It’s a bit steep, though…”

She glanced at Leonid and then turned away quickly.

“If it comes to it, I can carry you.”

“…I’ve been meaning to ask, how are you so strong for your size?”

“There are ways. Offenbach is a family that spares no effort in building strength, by any means necessary.”

“Ah.”

Leonid finally understood and nodded. Soon, the sounds of their presence faded from the cave.

* * *

“So, any progress, Vasily?”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. We’re still searching, but we can’t find any trace of them. Not even a scrap of clothing.”

Vasily’s words made the one who questioned him, Yuri, frown. His face showed open frustration and worry.

It was understandable. Leonid, who had gone out as one of the starter hunters, was missing and had not returned.

Yesterday’s hunting event had been a complete disaster.

The atmosphere wasn’t bad when the main group set out. Despite hunting events usually having their share of incidents, no one had expected anything so serious to occur.

— This hunting event seems oddly peaceful.

Someone had made that comment when suddenly, a horse came galloping from the hunting grounds.

It brought news of Sergei’s death.

— We found him on the slope before the cliff.

— An arrow pierced his heart. He must have died instantly.

— Have we identified which house the arrow belongs to?

The crowd quickly grew restless. Everyone there was aware of the infamous reputation of Sergei Offenbach.

Among the notorious Offenbach family, Sergei was the most ruthless. People said venom ran in his veins instead of blood.

And now he had been felled by a single arrow.

Everyone buzzed about how anticlimactic his death was. The ironic fairness that both the wicked and the righteous could be killed by a single arrow became a topic of conversation.

At the same time, they were all eager to know who had shot the fatal arrow.