Episode 7

‘Did I really do the right thing…?’

For the first time, she had acted differently from her past self. The image of Aydin, usually so steady, momentarily shaken in front of the Emperor, was vivid in her mind. If things continued this way… A faint glimmer of hope surfaced in Russelin’s eyes, though it soon faded, leaving only a faint, fleeting feeling behind.

“…Ha.”

Russelin finally exhaled the breath she had been holding back with difficulty. It was a vulnerable moment, one she couldn’t dare show anyone and one she shouldn’t have let slip.

‘…I’m truly so powerless.’

Her resolve to break free from Aydin was sincere, yet Russelin felt utterly incapable of achieving it. Even her attempt to seek an ally was born out of her own lack of strength to stand up against Aydin. Realizing this stripped away the fleeting hope she had felt. Despite knowing it was all part of Aydin’s dreadful scheme, Russelin couldn’t stop herself from sinking into heavy thoughts from time to time. All she could do now was…

‘I can save you.’

…Yes, reaching out to that man had been her only act of defiance. The vivid sensation of stepping out of Aydin’s shadow for the first time still lingered in her memory. But the man who had left her with a parting promise had since disappeared, leaving no trace.

‘Was it truly a dream when I met him…?’

The man who had been the start of change was constantly on her mind. Every day, she wished she could meet him just once more.

“…Ah.”

Lost in her thoughts, Russelin came to a halt. A faint gasp escaped her, fully revealing her surprise. In the garden, where she expected solitude, she found she was not alone. Another figure had arrived ahead of her in the night’s darkness, illuminated only by the pale moonlight. A man cloaked in black stood there, yet his attempt at concealment had failed, his presence seizing her attention with an inexplicable force. It was a feeling too intense to be mere apprehension toward a stranger.

“Why is there magic left here…?”

Furrowing her brow, Russelin took in the situation. Beneath the dark robe, a faint, red aura wafted up from the man, wrapping around him in an ominous grip, creeping from his head down to his feet. Despite the intensity of the volatile magic that seemed painful to bear, he remained still, unbothered by it. Something about his stance struck her as strangely familiar, making her shiver instinctively.

‘…I need to leave.’

Reason told her to retreat, but instinct urged her to approach him. She didn’t know why. One step, then another. Slowly, as if entranced by the sensation, Russelin found herself walking toward him, toward that ominous aura. Even as the dark energy flared as if it would engulf her, she couldn’t bring herself to stop.

“Why are you here…?”

Before she could finish, the man turned to face her. Hidden beneath the robe, the only thing visible was his intense gaze, sharp and cynical, as if filled with a desire for something. His eyes followed her, blazing with a fierce hunger.

“Le-Leonard Estere…!”

The situation was far more dangerous than she had anticipated. Facing an outburst of magic was already perilous, but for it to belong to none other than Leonard Estere… Russelin clenched her hands tightly, attempting to conceal her trembling fingers.

‘I have to face him. I need to speak to him…’

The oppressive aura surrounding him looked so threatening that she found herself hesitating, unable to move closer. While her expression stiffened with tension, Leonard’s gaze softened, as though he found her reaction intriguing.

“Surprising. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“…!”

Russelin couldn’t hide her shock, her eyes widening. Leonard turned fully toward her, his volatile magic shifting as if searching for its prey. It surged forward, wrapping around her, crawling up her body. Russelin flinched at the unfamiliar sensation, and Leonard chuckled, a low, mocking sound.

“You’re not one to be this easily startled.”

“What… what are you…!”

Instinctively, Russelin stepped back from him, but her retreat only seemed to provoke him further. Leonard swiftly grasped her delicate wrist.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“L-Let me go…!”

The predatory gleam in his eyes was unmistakable, as he, now with an unfocused gaze clouded by something primal, drew her closer.

“…Ah!”

Leonard’s rough grip wrapped around Russelin’s waist. It was a dangerous, almost predatory hold, as if she might be devoured by the man whose reason seemed on the verge of unraveling. Yet, that moment of peril didn’t last.

As Leonard’s intense presence consumed her, he muttered darkly.

“Why did you come back?”

“…!”

“I warned you, didn’t I?”

That you’d come to regret it.

Russelin’s eyes widened in shock, but she couldn’t respond. The wild surge of his power overwhelmed her, crashing over her like a relentless wave.

“Hah… ah!”

A fierce, red energy coursed through her, tearing her apart from within. Though the power wasn’t painful, it was so potent that her frail body struggled to withstand it. Her thoughts spun as wildly as her unsteady footing.

‘This can’t be… it doesn’t make sense…’

The sensation engulfing her was hauntingly familiar. This energy, which seized her as if she were prey…

‘Let me save you.’

Her dangerous assumption turned into certainty. Despite the overwhelming force of his magic, Russelin raised her head to meet Leonard’s gaze. He remained steady, unmoved by the struggle she endured, as though he’d anticipated this very moment. Instinctively, she knew.

“…It’s dangerous.”

Leonard seemed to share her thoughts, his low voice bearing a strange weight. But the intensity was short-lived, and Russelin finally faltered under the force of his magic swirling within her.

“Come closer.”

“Nngh…”

“Now.”

Without a hint of hesitation, Leonard reached out to her as if he had been waiting for this moment. His firm hands caught her as she stumbled, pulling her close. The storm of magic surrounding him closed in on her even further as she drew nearer.

“Breathe slowly.”

“Hah… ha…”

“Relax and lean on me.”

Like before. Leonard murmured quietly. The more his magic seeped into Russelin, the more his breathing steadied, though hers grew increasingly labored.

“It’s… too much…”

“Why? It’s not the first time, is it?”

Desperately, she grasped his chest for support and looked up. Leonard’s cool gaze held her completely, making the moment feel painfully real.

“…Was it you?”

Russelin’s face was painted with shock. The one who had stepped forward in her time of need had been none other than Leonard Estere.

“Answer me.”

Despite her labored breaths, Russelin’s voice was resolute as she spoke to him. Leonard gave her a faint, sympathetic smile, pressing a finger to her lips.

“You truly are…”

“Shh, that’s enough.”

Instead of responding, Leonard lifted her up, effortlessly bearing her weight. Startled, she instinctively pushed against his chest.

“Relax. Struggling will only make it… more stimulating.”

“Wh-what do you mean by that…?”

His blunt, uncaring tone, so different from Aydin’s, felt unfamiliar. Leonard seemed completely unperturbed by her fear, as if he’d expected it. As his quiet laughter drifted over her, he leaned in close and murmured against her ear.

“Knowing my true nature would only put us both in danger.”

“…!”

“Let’s find somewhere quieter, shall we?”

His dangerous growl, strangely enough, calmed her frayed nerves. Oddly, Russelin found herself relaxing under his soothing words, though her mind grew more alert.

‘I never imagined we’d meet like this…’

Russelin gazed up into Leonard’s cold, sarcastic eyes. Sensing her silent curiosity, he replied lightly.

“Whether we like it or not, we’re bound to be drawn to each other.”

* * *

Leonard, often cursed as the Blood Tyrant, was nothing like the obedient, decorous protector of the Empire that Aydin was. If Leonard had been merely a reckless tyrant who couldn’t control his impulses, Russelin would never have been drawn to him. But despite his fearsome reputation, his gaze remained piercingly clear, as if he took pride in his dual nature. Russelin knew, with unwavering certainty, that Leonard was the type of man who would achieve his goals by any means necessary. Yes, she had believed so—until now.

“For now, I brought you to an empty room. Does this work?”

“…Yes.”

“I don’t particularly enjoy the prying eyes that follow me around.”

Russelin cast aside any remnants of her naïveté. A beast that hid its claws was all the more terrifying.

‘I can’t tell what this man is thinking…’

The man before her was so far removed from the cruel rumors about him that the dissonance felt jarring. Whether he understood her thoughts or not, Leonard gently set her down on the bed. His hand, firm and controlled, withdrew as if he had no lingering attachment, yet Russelin couldn’t lower her guard.

“You’re tense.”
“…!”
“Why, do you think I intend to harm you?”

His gaze, cold to the point of cynicism, scanned her like a predator sizing up its prey. Under his intense scrutiny, she froze.

This was dangerous. Her instincts screamed it.

“Do you not realize that your fearful eyes only make you more enticing?”

“…!”

“Relax. If I meant you any harm, I wouldn’t have brought you here so gently.”

Leonard had read her perfectly, understanding her apprehension without the need for words.

“I just want to have a conversation with you.”

And in his gaze, there was a hint of genuine interest.