Episode 19

‘…This is a problem.’

The resolve not to get swept up in Leonard’s pace had long since crumbled.

Russelin subtly clutched the hem of her dress with trembling hands.

Leonard noticed and lightly tapped her tightly clenched hand.
The unexpected touch made Russelin flinch involuntarily.

“While I admire the courage it took to call me here, I find it rather displeasing.”

“What… do you mean?”

As a shadow crossed Russelin’s face, Leonard stepped closer and handed her something.

It was the blue cloth she had boldly hung to lure him here.

The sight of the cloth fluttering faintly felt oddly mocking.

“In any deal, both parties must offer something of value, don’t you think?”

“…”

“But what could you, trapped here and calling for my aid, possibly offer me?”

Leonard prodded at Russelin’s vulnerabilities with a casual, yet piercing, tone.

His voice held a trace of amusement, clearly indicating he was testing her.

Yet, for some reason…

When Celia exploited her weaknesses, she felt nothing. But now…

“Well? Answer me.”

Why did it feel so unsettling this time?

Russelin bit her lip, feeling an inexplicable sting in her chest.

‘I… can’t back down.’

If she didn’t want to collapse like in her past life, she needed Leonard Estere’s help desperately.

She didn’t know his exact intentions or why he was trying to provoke her, but she couldn’t retreat so easily.

Russelin took a bold step toward Leonard, meeting his gaze with determination.

In his violet eyes, a dangerous heat flickered.

“…It’s too late to feign ignorance.”

“Ignorance?”

“You already know what I’ve given to you, don’t you?”

“…Oh?”

Leonard raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her bold statement.
In response, Russelin dared to place her hand on his chest, feeling the steady pulse beneath.

It was the heartbeat she had saved, and it would, in turn, save her.
When Leonard briefly held his breath, Russelin’s eyes gleamed.

“I need you, Leonard Estere.”

“And why is that?”

“…Because you’re the only one who doesn’t see my half-baked priestess status as a weakness.”

Russelin couldn’t bear to meet his gaze, lowering her eyes instead.
Facing the conclusion she’d tried to avoid was difficult.

Yes, even though she’d resolved to change, she still hadn’t truly changed.

She was, after all, a priestess of Ragnar in name only, unable to purify magic with divine power.

But still…

“You are the only one who embraces my weakness. For me, that’s more than enough.”

In front of Leonard, she could exist as Russelin Lavrenti, not just a half-baked priestess.

Whether or not her sincerity reached him, she couldn’t be sure with her head lowered.

“Isn’t it also because I’m the only one capable of standing against Aydin Bert?”

“…I won’t deny it. But you also said you needed my divine power.”

“I did. So, does this mean you can be of use to me?”

“As long as you meant what you said—that I’m not just a half-baked priestess.”

In other words, if he truly believed she was whole, then he should choose her.

With an ambiguous statement, Russelin pushed the choice back to Leonard.

But Leonard, annoyingly, kept his silence, leaving an odd tension in the air.

“Look at me.”

Instead of answering, Leonard spoke curtly.

Russelin, as if entranced, slowly raised her head to meet his gaze.

She was surprised to find herself unintentionally locking eyes with him.

“I liked your answer, Russelin.”

“…!”

“I may not appreciate the self-deprecation, but that can be corrected over time.”

Leonard was smiling, as if he’d finally found some solace for his weary heart.

Russelin, momentarily captivated by the strange atmosphere, began to relax.

“I wonder if you can handle me. I never let go of my prey once I’ve set my sights on it.”

Sensing the dangerous tone, Russelin tried to pull away, but it was too late.

Leonard gripped her waist firmly, leaning closer.

Feigning contemplation, he hummed softly before pressing his lips gently yet firmly against hers.

The deliberate touch sent a shiver through Russelin’s unguarded body.

“I’m curious to see what you’re willing to offer me.”

“…Whatever you desire.”

“Oh? That’s a risky promise.”

His voice, low and dangerous, seeped into her ears, alluring in its intimacy.

It was as if he were daring her not to let this chance slip away.

“Do you even know what it is I want?”

“…I’ll give you anything. As long as it’s mine to give.”

“Hah, truly… Where did you learn to say such reckless things?”

“That’s how desperate I am. So, please…”

It was unbelievable.

How could a man she’d only known for a few days feel so solid and dependable?

With a racing heart, Russelin grabbed Leonard’s collar, her gentle grip carrying her silent plea, which he unmistakably felt.

“Save me.”

“…Russelin.”

“If I stay here, I feel like I’ll suffocate. Please, take me out of this place…”

She had considered several convincing words.

But in front of Leonard, none of them seemed to matter.

Leonard, sensing the truth in her words, looked at her in silence.
And strangely, despite the weight of his silence, she didn’t feel anxious.

“Very well. We have an agreement.”

For her, it was a relief that the first hand extended was from Leonard Estere.

A man who seemed steadfast just by being near her.

“Tomorrow night, I’ll come for you.”

Leonard’s gaze shifted meaningfully downward.

His calloused fingers lightly brushed Russelin’s delicate wrist.

Fragile as if she’d break with a slight squeeze, he was overcome with an urge to sweep her away immediately.

But Leonard suppressed the inexplicable, dangerous impulse.

“You’ll need to prepare yourself to leave this place too.”

“Prepare…”

At Russelin’s hesitant response, Leonard spoke firmly.

“How long are you planning to let yourself be trampled on?”

“…”

“I have no intention of watching my partner fall prey to others. So…”

Leonard’s deep purple eyes briefly flashed with a dangerous glint.

“Don’t break. Hold on tight. And if it’s too much, you’re welcome to reach for me.”

I’ll be waiting whenever you need me.

* * *

The warm glow of twilight settled over the Bert estate.

As evening grew late and the servants began to withdraw, Russelin stared endlessly out the window from her confined room.

Standing by the window, she could witness the beautiful, fiery sunset, but she had no energy left to appreciate it.

‘The time I promised Leonard is almost here.’

It was also the time Leonard had set aside for her to make her preparations to leave the Bert family.

What she needed to cast off along with Bert… was…

‘Aydin Bert and Celia.’

Once Aydin came, she would have until sunset to break free from everything.

But despite her resolute decision, the mere thought of Celia’s name threw her mind into chaos.

‘How does it feel to be killed by your husband’s lover?’

The sensation of nearly dying at Celia’s hands was still painfully vivid.

Thinking that Celia’s schemes might have started much earlier than she realized made her shudder involuntarily.

“Hah, truly… how bothersome.”

Then, beyond the silence, a horribly familiar voice echoed.

One thing was certain: it wasn’t the voice she had been so desperately waiting to hear.

“…Aydin.”

“What’s with that look? Do you think you’ll get something out of acting all sly and deceitful? Is that why you’re doing this?”

Aydin had somehow made his way into her room and was glaring at her with icy disdain.

Facing his harsh stare, Russelin struggled to open her lips.

“It’s not me who’s changed, Aydin Bert. It’s you.”

For the first time, Russelin didn’t avert her gaze but met his head-on.

Her eyes, which rarely held such clarity, captured the look of surprise on Aydin’s face.

“I followed you here, trusting only in the hand that once saved me. And what did you give me in return?”

“…Russelin.”

“To the Bert family, I was merely a tool incapable of fulfilling its purpose. Whether as Bert’s fiancée or Ragnar’s priestess.”

Words she had kept bottled up poured out freely.

Yet, oddly enough, she didn’t feel any lingering regret or disappointment toward Aydin.

Disappointment was reserved for those you held feelings for, after all.

“Did you ever even once consider me as your partner?”

For the first time, Russelin took a step closer to Aydin.

In her hand was the marriage proposal he had forced on her.

“I don’t love you anymore, Aydin.”

“…!”

“I won’t serve as the lady of Bert or your half-baked priestess.”

Rip—

With a deliberate motion, Russelin tore the proposal in half.

It was as if she had broken the chains that had bound her all this time.

Aydin said nothing in response, only glaring at her with cold, unblinking eyes.

Russelin instinctively wanted to shrink away from his fierce gaze, but she forced herself to hold firm.

It was a slow but certain change.

Apparently displeased by this defiance, Aydin stomped on the torn proposal and stepped closer, his shadow looming over her.

“Do you think anyone will accept you with such a flaw?”

“I’m done relying on others. In the end, that only becomes another weakness to exploit.”

“…”

“If I choose to stay by someone’s side, it will be with someone who doesn’t see my flaws as a flaw.”

“…What?”

“And it won’t be in a master-servant relationship but an equal partnership.”

Russelin was looking directly at Aydin, yet her mind was clearly on someone else.

And Aydin, no doubt, was thinking of the same person.

His clenched fists shook with barely contained rage.

“Are you saying, right in front of me, that you’re going to him?”

“At least he doesn’t treat me like a tool for absorbing magic.”

“Hah… And so?”

“That man reminded me of what I had forgotten, trapped in your grip. And you…”

Russelin’s voice trembled, but before she could finish, she fell silent, overwhelmed by her own emotions.