Episode 62

Episode 62. A Foxlike Man (2)

We followed Max’s lead into the private dining room.

The restaurant was bustling with patrons, but the section reserved for distinguished guests was relatively quiet.

And there they were—Leonard and his party.

They were seated just two tables away from ours.

Fortunately, our table was tucked into a secluded corner, so there was no real danger of Leonard spotting us.

Countess Chloe and Mary kept their faces hidden behind the menu as they whispered to each other.

“What on earth do you think they’re talking about?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t hear that far from here.”

Maybe it was just my imagination, but they both seemed to be genuinely enjoying this little game of espionage.

In any case, while the two of them focused on keeping their faces hidden, I calmly observed the scene.

There was no way I’d be recognized—our disguises had been perfectly executed.

I glanced sidelong at Leonard.

He was smiling, deep in conversation.

The woman with him had her back turned, so I couldn’t make out her face, but judging by her attire and mannerisms, she seemed quite noble.

We were too far away to hear any of their conversation clearly.

All I could see was Leonard’s smiling expression and the warm, pleasant atmosphere around them.

What could they possibly be talking about that’s got him smiling like that…?

The warm glow of sunset faded, and before long, darkness had fallen.

Max’s Kitchen. Its cuisine was as exceptional as its reputation claimed.

Well, it’s a familiar taste to me.

That wasn’t surprising; the head chef was the son of the imperial palace chef. While some dishes had their own creative flair, the core flavors and aromas were reminiscent of what I’d tasted in the palace.

There had been no particular change in Leonard.

He was still enjoying the course meal, making conversation with the woman beside him.

Of course, Countess Chloe and Mary seemed to have different opinions about it.

“They look so natural with each other.”

“Don’t you think they’re being too familiar? It doesn’t feel like they just met yesterday or the day before…”

They glanced at me nervously.

“Hm, I see,” I replied calmly, nodding without any hesitation.

While the maids were practically losing their minds trying to keep an eye on Leonard, I enjoyed my meal at a leisurely pace and even finished dessert.

As night deepened, more people turned to alcohol rather than food.

“Your Majesty, are you truly unbothered by this?” Mary asked.

“By what?”

“Lord Leonard. He’s spending time so intimately with a stranger…”

“It’s not like he’s doing anything wrong. I think it’s perfectly within reason.”

“No, it’s not. It’s not reasonable,” she said with conviction.

It seemed the maids were more hurt than I was.

But truthfully, I didn’t feel anything at all.

I wasn’t in a position to interfere with who he met or what he did with other women.

Besides, he was the hidden villain in this story.

Maybe all that talk about having me as a mistress was just a ploy to get my attention.

Sure, I’d been a little confused by how consistent he’d been up until now—but this incident had snapped me out of it.

Even as I pondered this, the maids continued their play-by-play of Leonard’s movements.

“Lord Leonard just stepped away from the table.”

“Wait—there’s a guest picking a fight with one of the staff. He looks completely drunk.”

“Ah! The woman who was with Lord Leonard just spoke up, and now the drunkard is getting even more agitated!”

“What?”

The urgency in their voices made me look up.

As they’d said, a drunk man was grabbing the woman’s arm, shouting at the top of his lungs.

“You work here? Huh? Do you? I’m complaining ‘cause the service sucks, so who the hell are you to interrupt me? Look at that face. You little—!”

I frowned instinctively at the sight.

This wasn’t something I could just sit back and watch.

Without hesitation, I approached the group and grabbed the drunk’s arm.

“That’s enough.”

“Huh? Who the hell are you?”

Ugh, the stench of alcohol on his breath was overpowering.

“If you’re drunk, maybe it’s time to go home quietly. Don’t cause trouble for everyone else.”

“What, you think I’m some joke too?!”

The man swung a heavy fist toward me.

I didn’t flinch. After everything I’d experienced, some belligerent drunk wasn’t going to scare me.

Did I trust Countess Chloe and Mary to come charging in with a wine bottle and a flowerpot?

No. They were dependable, yes, but that’s not why I stood my ground.

It was simply because… in situations like this, it just felt expected that—

Smack.

“Who the hell are you now?”

The drunk scowled, his arm frozen mid-punch, caught by a tall man who’d appeared out of nowhere.

It was Leonard.

Right. I couldn’t explain why, but somehow, I’d known he’d show up.

All I’d really done was stall for time until he arrived.

And the drunk—

“Why are there so many people in my way tonight? You’re dead meat, you—ugh!”

—was no match for Leonard.

“M-My arm… P-Please! I’m sorry! Let me go, I beg you!”

The man pleaded, but Leonard didn’t release him.

His expression was terrifying—so much so, it sent chills down my spine.

…I didn’t know he could look that frightening.

Still, he’d arrived; my role was done.

I turned to head back to my seat—only to feel a gentle tug on my sleeve.

“Um…”

Leonard spoke softly.

Had I been recognized?

I froze for a moment.

“…Thank you for your help.”

Thankfully, it seemed he hadn’t recognized me.

I gave him a slight nod in response, saying nothing.

Once I returned to my seat, Countess Chloe and Mary practically burst into a frenzy.

“Are you all right?”

“You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

“I’m fine. It was nothing serious.”

I reassured them calmly.

Yes. It really was nothing serious.

Leonard didn’t seem to have noticed me.

Thank goodness.

“You were nearly in trouble while I was away for just a moment.”

“It was nothing. Just a drunken outburst.”

“You haven’t changed a bit.”

“As if I ever would. Still, that was an unexpected bit of help.”

“You mean the person from earlier?”

“Yes. Bold and confident—reminded me of my younger self.”

“Really?”

“Why? Do you disagree?”

“Of course not.”

“Send over a bottle of wine to that table as a thank-you. I’ll have to offer my thanks personally before we leave.”

“If it’s thanks you want to give, allow me to do it on your behalf.”

Leonard’s companion, seated across from him, raised an eyebrow.

“How unusual. You’re volunteering for a bothersome task? You’ve been smiling more than usual today too…”

Her gaze sharpened.

“Something amusing must’ve happened. Your lips won’t stop curling up.”

“Well, maybe…” Leonard didn’t deny it. He simply lifted his wine glass and cast a brief glance to the side.

“And here I was wondering why you were acting so out of character. Just act like you usually do. You’re making me cringe now.”

She shook her hands dramatically, as if trying to shake off a shiver.

“For some reason, I feel like I should be especially kind to you today, Aunt.”

Yes. The woman sitting with Leonard was his aunt.

Back when Leonard was staying with the Marquess Hilbert, she was the one who helped him adapt.

She’d been abroad for a long time and had only recently returned to the Empire.

With her youthful appearance, no one would have guessed she was a married woman with children.

“As if. You wouldn’t act like this for no reason.”

“Ah, you know me too well, Aunt.”

Leonard turned his gaze to the side again, following the figure who had been flitting around like a rabbit all evening.

Did she really think he wouldn’t notice her tailing him like that?

She probably had that same wide-eyed, curious look as always.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

“So I hear you’ve been making quite the scene at the palace lately.”

“You’re well-informed, especially for someone who just got back to the Empire.”

“Not surprising. The moment I arrived, that’s all anyone was talking about.”

It had been a spectacle. The fact that Leonard had declared himself someone’s lover—it was exactly the kind of salacious gossip the Empire’s journalists thrived on.

For a while, the newspapers were filled with nothing but stories about him.

“I don’t care what you do, but don’t do anything foolish.”

“You know I wouldn’t.”

“From what I hear, you’re even acting as a bodyguard. Sounds like overprotection to me.”

“I simply deemed it necessary.”

“Does just thinking about her make you that happy? Try controlling your expression; you look like an idiot.”

At her words, Leonard’s smile only deepened.

Seeing it, his aunt shook her head.

“That poor girl… ending up with someone like you.”

She clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

“Does she even know what kind of person you really are?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“So she doesn’t.”

“……”

“And what do you plan to do—just keep hiding it? What if she runs away once she finds out?”

“She won’t run.” Leonard’s eyes curved as he smiled. “Because I won’t let her.”

His aunt let out a short breath of disbelief.

“If that’s the case, shouldn’t you be with her right now? If you don’t want her running away?”

“I’d like to be. But sometimes… a little space is necessary.”

“What?”

“There was a book I read once,” Leonard said, brushing his chin with one long finger. “It said that to win over someone’s heart, a push-and-pull dynamic is essential.”

“Oh, please.”

She let out another exasperated laugh.

Once again, she thought to herself—That poor girl. How did she end up stuck with someone like him?