Chapter 62. A Fox-like Man (2)
We entered the private room under Max’s guidance.
The restaurant was full of people, but the private room area reserved for VIPs was relatively quiet.
There, we saw the problematic party—Leonard and his companion.
They were seated about two tables away from us.
Fortunately, our table was in a secluded corner, so there was little risk of Leonard noticing us.
Countess Chloe and Marie whispered to each other with their faces hidden behind the menu.
“What do you think they’re talking about?”
“Unfortunately, we can’t hear clearly from here.”
Was it just my imagination?
They seemed to be enjoying this little espionage game.
Anyway, unlike the two of them who were busy hiding their faces, I calmly observed the pair.
We had taken care to disguise ourselves thoroughly, so there was no way we’d be caught.
I glanced at Leonard.
He was smiling as he conversed.
I couldn’t see the woman’s face clearly since she had her back to us.
But judging from her attire and demeanor, she appeared to be quite noble.
The distance made it hard to hear their conversation.
All we could see was Leonard smiling warmly in an overall harmonious atmosphere.
Just what are they talking about to make him smile like that?
＊ ＊ ＊
The warm glow of the sunset faded, and before we knew it, night had fallen.
Max’s Kitchen. The food here was as excellent as its reputation claimed.
‘Well, it’s a familiar taste to me, though.’
That was only natural—after all, the head chef here was the son of a royal chef.
Some dishes were uniquely creative, but the core flavors and aromas were similar to what I was used to from the palace.
There had been no particular change in Leonard.
He was still enjoying the course meal and chatting with the woman.
Of course, Countess Chloe and Marie seemed to interpret things differently.
“The way they’re treating each other is so natural.”
“Isn’t it a bit too friendly? It doesn’t feel like they just met.”
They glanced at me to read my reaction.
“Hmm, I see.”
I nodded calmly.
While the maids were consumed with keeping tabs on Leonard, I leisurely enjoyed my meal and even finished dessert.
As the evening deepened, more guests opted for wine over dinner.
“Your Majesty, are you really okay?”
Marie asked during the lull.
“About what?”
“Sir Leonard. He’s spending time so intimately with a stranger…”
“Well, it’s not like he’s doing anything wrong. I think it’s perfectly reasonable.”
“No, it’s not reasonable.”
The maids seemed to feel more betrayed than I did.
But truly, I wasn’t bothered.
Even if he was seeing another woman, I had no reason to interfere.
Besides, he was the hidden villain.
Perhaps all that talk about being my lover was just a scheme to get my attention.
Of course, I had been momentarily swayed by his consistent behavior until now.
But this whole incident helped me regain my clarity.
Even while I was lost in thought, the maids didn’t miss a beat in their running commentary.
“Sir Leonard is stepping away for a bit.”
“Huh? But one of the guests is picking a fight with the server. Looks like he’s very drunk.”
“Oh no! The lady who was with Sir Leonard just said something, and now the drunkard is getting worked up!”
“What?”
I lifted my head at the serious tone.
Just as they said, a drunk customer was grabbing the woman’s arm and yelling.
“You work here or something? Who do you think you are, huh? I’m complaining about the awful service, and you think it’s your business? Look at your face, huh? I’ll—!”
The sight made me frown.
It was no longer a situation I could ignore.
I walked up to them without realizing it and grabbed the drunk’s arm.
“That’s enough.”
“Huh? And who the hell are you?”
Ugh, the stench of alcohol was strong from his breath.
“If you’re drunk, why not head home quietly? Don’t cause trouble for others.”
“Oh, I see. You think I’m a joke too?!”
The man swung his fist at me roughly.
I just calmly watched him.
Maybe because I’d been through so many dangerous situations, drunks like him didn’t scare me anymore.
Did I trust Countess Chloe and Marie, who were running toward me with a wine bottle and flowerpot?
No. While they were reliable too, that wasn’t why I did it.
It’s just that… in a situation like this, it’s only natural that…
Thwack.
“And who’s this now?”
The drunk scowled.
He glared at the tall man who had grabbed his fist.
It was Leonard.
Right. I couldn’t explain why, but I had a feeling he would show up.
All I had done was stall for time until he arrived.
And the drunken man—
“What’s with all these pests today? You’re dead meat—augh!”
—was no match for Leonard.
“M-My arm… P-Please! Forgive me! I’m sorry!”
The drunk belatedly begged for mercy, but Leonard didn’t release his grip.
His expression was so cold, it was frightening.
‘…So he can make a face like that too.’
Anyway, now that he had shown up, my part was over.
I was about to return to my seat when—
“Um…”
Leonard carefully tugged on my sleeve.
Had I been found out?
I froze instinctively.
“…Thank you for your help.”
Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t recognized me.
I simply nodded in response instead of speaking.
When I returned to my seat, Countess Chloe and Marie made a huge fuss.
“Are you all right?”
“Were you hurt at all?”
“I’m fine. It wasn’t a big deal.”
I reassured the maids.
Yes. It was no big deal.
And it looked like Leonard hadn’t noticed who I was.
What a relief.
＊ ＊ ＊
“You almost got into real trouble while I was away.”
“Come on. It was just a drunk causing a scene…”
“Still the same personality as ever.”
“People don’t change. Still, that was an unexpected bit of help.”
“You mean that person from earlier?”
“Yes. So bold and dignified… It reminded me of my younger self.”
“Is that so?”
“What, you have a problem with that?”
“Not at all.”
“Send a bottle of wine to that table as a thank-you. And before we go, I’ll need to thank them in person.”
“I’ll do it on your behalf.”
“You will?”
The woman sitting across from Leonard raised a brow.
“That’s surprising. You, volunteering for something so troublesome. And come to think of it, you’ve been smiling a lot today…”
Her gaze sharpened with suspicion.
“Did something amusing happen? That smile hasn’t left your face all evening.”
“Well, you know…”
Leonard didn’t deny it.
He picked up his wine glass and glanced sideways.
“I was wondering why you’re acting so unlike yourself… Just act normal, will you? You’re making me cringe.”
She shook her hands as if she had goosebumps.
“For some reason, I feel like I should be especially nice to you today.”
That’s right.
The woman sitting with Leonard was his aunt.
She was the one who helped Leonard adjust when he was living at the Hilbert Marquessate.
She had been abroad for some time and had only recently returned to the Empire.
With her youthful appearance, no one would have guessed she was married with a child.
“Today of all days, huh. You’re not the type to act like this without a reason.”
“You know me too well, Aunt.”
Leonard said, then turned his gaze to the side again.
He was following the figure that had been trailing him like a rabbit.
Did she really think he wouldn’t notice?
She must’ve been watching him with eyes full of curiosity.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
“So, I hear there’s been quite the commotion in the Imperial Palace lately.”
“You’re well-informed. You’ve only just returned to the Empire.”
“No surprise there. That was the first thing I heard when I arrived.”
It had caused quite a stir.
The fact that Leonard had declared himself someone’s lover.
It was a juicy topic every journalist in the Empire loved.
For a while, the Empire’s newspapers were abuzz with his story.
“I don’t care what you do, but don’t be foolish.”
“You know I wouldn’t.”
“From what I hear, you’re even acting as her escort. Sounds like you’re being overly protective.”
“I just made a necessary judgment.”
“Does even thinking about it make you happy? Control your face—you look like an idiot.”
At her words, Leonard’s smile widened.
Seeing his expression, the woman shook her head.
“That person… how unfortunate to have gotten involved with someone like you.”
She clicked her tongue.
“Does she even know? What kind of person you really are?”
“…I’m not sure.”
“So, she doesn’t.”
“……”
“What are you going to do if you keep hiding it like this? She might run away once she finds out.”
“She won’t.”
Leonard’s eyes curved into a sly smile.
“Because I won’t let her.”
“Hah…”
The woman gave a dry laugh.
“If that’s how it is, maybe you should go to her now—make sure she can’t run away.”
“I would, but… sometimes moments like this are important, too.”
“What?”
“I read it in a book once.”
Leonard stroked his chin with a straight finger as he spoke.
“If you want to win someone’s heart, push and pull is essential.”
“Ha…”
The woman let out another incredulous laugh.
She thought once more.
How on earth did that person end up with a guy like this?
—
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