Please Kill Me - Chapter 172
Yekaterina’s first departure from Offenbach and the deep relationship she formed with someone else made Dmitry feel nothing but regret. He wished for her to never again dare to step outside of Offenbach.
‘I thought that would be enough.’
It seemed the situation was not going as he had wished. Leonid was unharmed, while Yuri was injured, and Yekaterina had vanished without a trace.
It wasn’t hard to guess the circumstances.
Whatever the case, it was clear that the instigator was none other than Leonid Rostislav, who stood there, unscathed and weaving lies.
‘That person…’
Dmitry’s expression contorted slightly as he looked at Leonid. He had never liked him, but why did he feel like this man resembled himself?
Perhaps he could also understand why Leonid Rostislav was so infatuated with Yekaterina.
People tend to be drawn to those similar to themselves.
Those who know emptiness and futility cannot help but be captivated by Yekaterina.
Dmitry could certainly understand Leonid’s feelings.
However, he still couldn’t grasp why he couldn’t let go of Yekaterina.
He had created ample opportunities to despise her.
“…You say you’ve given me opportunities to hate Yekaterina?”
“Exactly. Even now, isn’t there enough reason for you to let her go? I just don’t understand why you’re still clinging to her. You’ve nearly died multiple times because of her.”
Leonid’s face twisted in anger at Dmitry’s words.
“It’s not because of Yekaterina; it’s because of you. Do you think I don’t know that you’re behind all of this?”
“If she hadn’t chosen you, I wouldn’t have had to intervene. So, the responsibility lies with her.”
“Don’t throw that insane logic at me. If it weren’t for you in the first place!”
“If it weren’t for me?”
Dmitry interrupted him sharply.
His blue eyes pierced Leonid like ice picks.
“Are you saying that if it weren’t for me, you would have lived happily with Sister? Or that if it weren’t for me, Yekaterina Offenbach would be flawless?”
A smirk rose on Dmitry’s face.
“Leonid Rostislav, Sister knows I impersonated her to harm you. And she doesn’t hold it against me. She knows exactly what the ways of Offenbach are.”
“…What?”
“To you, Offenbach seems like a gathering of lunatics, but unfortunately, the one leading them is Yekaterina Offenbach.”
Both Yekaterina and Sergei might believe that Dmitry embodies the essence of Offenbach, but in reality, it is Yekaterina who has come to represent Offenbach through Dmitry’s influence. At the very least, he knew how close the past Yekaterina was to being the true essence of Offenbach.
‘Of course, she has changed a lot since then.’
No longer could Yekaterina be called the embodiment of Offenbach; she had become too deeply entwined with Leonid.
However, this was a subtle change that only someone like Dmitry could discern. Yet it was a change significant enough to instill frustration.
“Sister cannot escape Offenbach. And after today, she won’t even consider it. So give up and hand her over.”
Leonid remained silent for a considerable time at Dmitry’s words. He was likely shaken by what Dmitry said.
Thus, Dmitry patiently waited for Leonid to speak again. If he uttered the answer Dmitry wanted—giving up on Yekaterina—he might even consider not clashing with him any longer.
Finally, Leonid’s lips parted.
“…I’ve thought about it, and today’s events are quite regrettable.”
“What do you mean?”
“I met Yekaterina today and gave her choices.”
Whether to kill him or to be quietly trapped in his grasp.
“Or, to take the confession potion and speak.”
And what Yekaterina chose was the last option. That was the source of Leonid’s regret. He should not have given her the confession potion.
It wasn’t merely because of the magic that had befallen Yekaterina. Rather, as the magic revealed itself, Leonid felt the weight of why Yekaterina had to remain silent. Her tear-streaked face as she attacked him seemed unusually urgent and desperate.
He might not know exactly how Yekaterina had become this way or what thoughts had crossed her mind, but one thing was certain:
He should not have pushed her into a corner to force her to speak the truth. At least not with her.
He should have instead bound her with high-level restraints for higher grade monsters. That way, all the responsibility would fall squarely on him. No one would think to hold Yekaterina accountable for the situation.
Back then, he did not realize that offering her the confession potion, under the guise of consideration, was merely poisoning her.
But now, Dmitry’s words made it all clear.
