Please Kill Me - Chapter 140
“To summarize, you could say that. Although the family is known for its secrecy and many details remain unclear, it seems certain that Yekaterina Offenbach has started to appear more frequently in public.”
Yuri’s concise summary left Vasily somewhat confused, if not deeply bewildered. It was particularly so because he could not grasp Dmitry’s true intentions.
To drive away his own parents and then hold hands with an adopted sister? It was unsettling to have understood this, even though ignorance had been more comfortable.
Vasily looked at Yuri with a troubled gaze.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Is it so unusual for me to share this much?”
“It’s not that, but… weren’t you the one who instructed us to stay away from Yekaterina Offenbach’s affairs?”
“Do you mean to suggest that because I said to stay away, I shouldn’t interfere at all?”
“I’m just asking for your intention, Your Highness.”
Yuri’s eyes narrowed.
Was he contemplating punishing Vasily for daring to question his intentions? But then his expression softened into a friendly smile.
Yuri was well aware of how his cousin’s knight had a tendency to place Leonid above all else, and since their goals were ultimately the same, there was no need to get angry. In fact, he might even appreciate the consideration.
“It’s not like Leonid is in danger. There’s no need to be so cautious. Would I do anything to harm Leonid? It’s just… I want to express that I wasn’t entirely keen on what I said at the hunt.”
Despite having a hunch that Yekaterina would leave, he had asked Vasily to let it be when she departed. Yuri was determined to remove any threats to Leonid, as Yekaterina was a razor-sharp presence that could cut even just by being close.
However, Yuri’s feelings about Yekaterina were equally uncomfortable. He owed her a debt, after all.
But Yuri had priorities. Just as he had thrown himself into the Arlan War with his life on the line, and had a friend who had recklessly rushed to his side to protect him, he had to consider these above all else, especially around the time of the hunt.
“The situation has stabilized significantly. It’s different from back then. Now, everyone knows that Sergei Offenbach is dead, and Ruslan is afraid to raise his head in my presence. Strictly speaking, even if Leonid were to withdraw from the Arlan War, I can assure you that the situation wouldn’t change much.”
Even if Leonid withdrew from the Arlan War, it wouldn’t erase their relationship or dismantle the power Yuri has stabilized. Yuri was still working tirelessly to solidify his control over those who had attached themselves to Rostislav through Leonid.
“Most importantly, it’s crucial that Yekaterina Offenbach is doing very well within her own family. Unlike others.”
When Yekaterina had left Offenbach and stayed with Rostislav, there was a risk that her presence could cause problems for Leonid. Yekaterina was being pursued by Offenbach, and Leonid was in the position of hiding her.
But that’s no longer the case. Yekaterina now stands as a key figure in Offenbach, meaning Dmitry also cannot easily eliminate her.
“We can’t keep Leonid cooped up like this forever. If he’s pining for Yekaterina, then we should arrange a meeting for them.”
Given that he would be wearing a mask because of Vesna, it would be easy to meet discreetly.
At Yuri’s words, which sounded almost like a matchmaker’s advice, Vasily raised his eyebrows slightly.
“And if, after meeting…., His Excellency still can’t let go…?”
“Is it acceptable to leave things as they are now?”
Yuri’s face bore no trace of a smile as he asked back.
“Vasily, this is probably the first time you’ve seen Leonid like this, isn’t it? It’s the first time for me too. The problem is, he doesn’t even want to see my face.”
To communicate, one has to show their face, but Leonid acted as if all doors were closed to him.
“I must have misunderstood him or their relationship with Yekaterina Offenbach. Either way… we can’t leave him like this any longer.”
“…It could worsen the situation.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that. I’m fine with whatever happens. The only thing that matters is that Yekaterina Offenbach doesn’t end up harming Leonid.”
It seems like no matter how he handle it—whether they keep them close or push them away—there will be negative consequences. What a dire situation this is.
Yuri muttered a curse under his breath and fastened his undone button before continuing.
“Anyway, I’ve given you the information, so it’s up to you to decide whether to take Leonid to Vesna.”
The choice is yours, Vasily.
* * *
“Your Excellency, it will be Vesna soon.”
Leonid Rostislav, the supreme master of Rostislav, slowly lifted his gaze from the papers he had been engrossed in. His eyes, devoid of any emotion, were almost chilling in their intensity, as if they were asking why he was being bothered with such trivial matters.
