Please Kill Me - Chapter 74
Aside from his temperament, Leonid was always somewhat indifferent and relaxed. Indeed, if he had been the type to act solely according to his nature, he might not have firmly established himself as the leader of Rostislav.
Leonid was generally magnanimous and easygoing, at least during the time Yuri had known him.
Of course, there were exceptions.
Like Yuri’s own Arlan war.
‘Leonid has been very supportive of my affairs.’
But that was mostly due to their close friendship and because the consequences of losing in war were clear.
Even then, Leonid’s approach was more rational and calculated than emotional.
Even when discussing Yekaterina Offenbach with Yuri, Leonid’s demeanor hadn’t changed much.
‘He did look like he was going to die of annoyance, though.’
Clearly, his focus was more on the benefits and actions required through her than on any personal interest in Yekaterina herself.
However, today’s Leonid was different.
His complete focus on Yekaterina was evident even to Yuri, who wasn’t well-versed in their relationship. To Yuri, it seemed that calculating potential benefits was no longer on Leonid’s mind.
Yet the person in question.
“Really, nothing happened.”
…was still repeating the same old line.
‘Can’t the others see it?’
Vasily was rather obtuse, and Olga seemed oblivious to Leonid’s deeper feelings. But if anyone, Stepan, who Yuri knew well, would have noticed something like this.
Then there’s only one answer.
‘Probably.’
After pondering, Yuri finally spoke.
“Alright, Leonid. Just one question.”
“What is it?”
“About Stepan. Has he mentioned anything about your state lately?”
“Not sure. He did say I seemed tired. Probably from lack of sleep.”
“And why the lack of sleep?”
“I’ve been up watching, worried about what kind of trouble Yekaterina Offenbach might cause.”
“…”
“That’s about it… Oh, he also said I’ve been looking out the window more often.”
“Why would you be looking out the window?”
“If Yekaterina Offenbach is wandering around the garden like that, shouldn’t I keep an eye on her? She might get up to some mischief.”
At this point, Yuri’s suspicions turned into conviction. Instead of asking further, he simply smiled knowingly.
‘No wonder Stepan hasn’t said anything.’
He knew it would fall on deaf ears if he spoke now.
If one speaks up, they expect it to be heard, but if they ask what the problem is it would be pointless.
If Stepan, who had been living in the same mansion, has given up, how could Yuri, who was living afar, hope to intervene?
But a warning was necessary.
“If nothing happened, that’s good. I thought maybe you two had become close because you came back holding hands.”
“Close? I just held on to prevent her from running away.”
“Alright. I trust you, Leonid. She’s just a pawn in our game, the enemy’s daughter. Once this is all over, we’ll have to send her back to Offenbach. There’s no use in building any relationship.”
“….Right.”
“You know that it’s best for everyone if we keep things strictly professional and part ways without getting close.”
However, this time there was no answer.
Leonid was silent, seemingly deep in thought, then suddenly asked,
“Yuri, what if Yekaterina Offenbach has nowhere to go—”
But his question was abruptly cut off.
“Excuse me, Your Highness!”
The door burst open so abruptly that an exclamation of rudeness almost slipped out, and a servant rushed in, causing a stir.
“What’s all this commotion?”
“Um, that is…”
The servant hesitated, unable to muster the courage to speak, then finally managed to speak words that felt so distant that Leonid couldn’t continue.
“Her Majesty the Queen has disappeared.”
* * *
“Rest here, miss. I’ll go get some clothes. I asked for some to be prepared before we came, so there should be something to lend you.”
“Okay.”
“Absolutely do not go outside, absolutely!”
“Okay.”
Yekaterina responded lightly, and Olga nodded before hurrying out.
After the door closed and the footsteps fade away completely, Yekaterina blew out the candle.
The wick between her thumb and forefinger was snuffed out with a flick, and the creeping darkness quickly engulfed the room. It didn’t take long for the darkness to spread like a wildfire, swallowing the entire room.
It was already too dark outside to walk around without lanterns, and that candle had been the only source of light in the room.
Only then did Yekaterina let out a breath she had been holding.
It was a habit born of feeling at ease only in the concealable darkness.
Thus, a silence so profound that even the sound of breathing could seem loud enveloped Yekaterina.
Not long after her bath, with her hair still not fully dried, drops of water trickled down.
The room Yekaterina was in was a lounge connected to the bathroom.
It was a space where distinguished guests were pampered by servants after their baths.
