After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 31

Ayla stumbled as Rodrigo’s grip tightened around her arm without warning.

She tried to steady herself, but it was impossible to resist the strength of a man who had even received a knighthood.

“My goodness! What do you think you’re doing?”

Vivian quickly reached out and grabbed Ayla’s arm to stop her from being dragged away.

Thanks to her, Ayla avoided the worst-case scenario. She let out a quiet sigh and spoke calmly.

“This is completely out of line. Let go of me.”

“I can’t do that. You and I have things to talk about.”

“If you want to talk, you should ask politely. As the heir of a noble house, I’m sure you’re not unfamiliar with how a lady should be treated. Or do you still believe I’m your fiancée?”

Ayla’s composed tone only made Rodrigo angrier.

“You say that like it’s not true. You are my fiancée. Everyone here knows it. And now you turn your back on me and promise to marry someone else? Are you out of your mind?”

“I’m not sure who you think betrayed whom. I’ve told you multiple times that I intended to break off the engagement. Just because one side refuses to accept it doesn’t mean it remains valid.”

“You expect me to accept a breakup you declared without even getting your father’s approval?”

“That’s unfortunate. You seem to be misunderstanding something quite serious.”

Ayla pulled her arm free from his grasp and replied coldly.

“I was the one engaged to you. Not my father.”

“What?”

“And naturally, I’m the one ending the engagement. Not my father either.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“If you do know, then why do you keep acting like you don’t understand? Do you want me to list the reasons I’m ending it, right here and now?”

Rodrigo froze for a moment when Ayla pointed toward his lower body with a pointed glance.

Among the onlookers, those who already knew about Rodrigo’s indecent affairs let out faint murmurs and amused laughter.

His face turned red with embarrassment.

Ayla turned away, convinced she had made herself clear. She gently took Vivian’s arm.

“There’s no reason to waste any more words. I’m leaving now. Vivian, shall we go somewhere else?”

“Yes, Ayla.”

A slight pain lingered in the arm Rodrigo had grabbed. It would probably bruise.

As she took a few steps forward, she heard a low curse muttered behind her.

“You don’t even know your place, you worthless girl…”

Ayla turned her head instinctively, just in time to see Rodrigo’s hand flying toward her face.

Her eyes widened in shock.

But before his hand could reach her, another hand shot out and caught Rodrigo’s wrist midair.

Rodrigo let out a strange noise as he stumbled backward in a clumsy mess.

Ayla, still tense from the moment, saw the broad back of the man who had once again stepped in to protect her.

From behind him, Leo’s calm but cold voice reached her ears.

“What do you think you’re doing to my woman?”

Those words shattered what little pride Rodrigo had left after being humiliated in front of the crowd.

“My woman? Ayla is my fiancée! I don’t care if you’re a prince. I won’t just give up the woman promised to me. Marriage? Is this how people in the North get married? Nothing like this has ever happened in the Empire.”

“Is that so… Are you insulting the North right to my face now?”

A sharp, dangerous energy began to radiate from Leo.

Rodrigo instinctively flinched. Realizing how far he had gone, he bit his lower lip in frustration and snapped back.

“I’ll say it again. Ayla is my fiancée!”

“I heard the engagement was already broken.”

“She and I are getting married next month!”

“Is that so?”

Leo tilted his head slightly, as if this were new information. Rodrigo raised his voice, clearly agitated.

“I’ve heard most of the preparations are already complete. If you do not believe me, feel free to check for yourself.”

“There is no need to check. That wedding should proceed as planned.”

At Leo’s flat response, Ayla’s shoulders tensed.

Was it going to fall apart again?

Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles stood out. But then Leo continued, and in the next moment, all her strength left her body.

“There is no reason to cancel something so well prepared. This actually works out well for me.”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

“Is it hard to understand? I am telling you to step aside. I will be the groom at that wedding.”

The room erupted. Shock and confusion spread quickly through the crowd.

Even Ayla inhaled sharply. Rodrigo’s reaction was predictable.

“Stop saying such nonsense. Do you think I will just back down?”

“Good. It seems we understand each other.”

Leo’s tone was calm but full of confidence. Not only Rodrigo, but everyone watching wore puzzled expressions.

That confusion quickly turned into disbelief.

Leo began to pull off his leather gloves, removing each finger one at a time.

The crowd held its breath, all eyes fixed on him.

Then, with a swift motion, Leo threw the gloves directly at Rodrigo’s chest.

“This is a duel.”

Rodrigo froze.

“Let us settle this quickly.”

Before the challenge could escalate, the emperor stepped in and stopped it just in time.

Using the excuse that he had previously told Leo he could marry any young lady he wished, the emperor publicly announced the marriage between Leo and Ayla. To calm Rodrigo, he promised a generous compensation for the broken engagement.

Rodrigo could not object in front of the emperor and remained silent.

Marcus, on the other hand, expressed his disapproval, but Friedrich simply laughed and said, “What can I do if the young people are in love?” using that as justification.

Although the situation appeared settled, several important matters still needed to be addressed.

One of the most urgent was where Ayla would stay until the wedding.

“You are planning to return?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Why?”

“It is customary in the capital for noble couples to prepare for the wedding from their respective homes.”

Now that the emperor had acknowledged their engagement, Ayla knew she had no choice but to go back.

“So until the wedding, it would be proper for me to stay at the Everett estate.”

Of course, the truth was that she did not want to return.

She tried her best to keep her expression neutral, but Leo’s red eyes focused sharply on her.

“Do not tell me what is proper. Tell me what you want.”

“What?”

“I will ask you again, Lady Ayla. Do you want to return to the Everett estate?”

“No.”

“Then why are you saying you will go?”

“Because…”

“I am sure I already told you something.”

Leo narrowed his eyes and spoke in a quiet, firm voice that sounded almost like a reminder.

“As long as it does not go against your responsibilities, you are free to do as you wish.”

Ayla remained silent.

“And I told you. If needed, you may use me.”

“So, tell me again. If you still want to go, I will not stop you.”

Ayla stood in silence, her face clouded with confusion.

She had not expected to feel the weight of this marriage agreement with Leo so soon. Until now, it had seemed distant, abstract. But now she was living it.

Was this really alright?

It felt like a far greater deal than she had imagined. That was what made her uneasy.

“What will it be, Lady Ayla?”

Leo’s voice urged her to answer.

He did not say it outright, but his tone made it clear he would not wait long. Under that unspoken pressure, Ayla clasped her hands together tightly and spoke without much thought.

“Then… please allow yourself to be used.”

“That was bold.”

“You said you would help me. And that I could use you if I needed to.”

Her voice had steadied, as if she had made up her mind. Leo gave her a lazy smile, though he was clearly trying to hide his amusement.

“Explain it to me. I will listen and then decide.”

The next morning.

Marcus was just about to take his usual morning tea, something he drank daily for his health, when he paused and looked up in disbelief.

“Who did you say is here?”

“His Highness, the First Prince, has arrived,” the servant answered.

Marcus let out a sharp breath.

“The person who should come doesn’t, and now look who shows up.”

He was stunned.

Just a few days ago, Ayla had promised to speak with him at home. Yet she had made no effort to return.

He had been so frustrated by what felt like betrayal that he had barely slept.

And now, this prince dares to show up at my house, this early in the morning?

“Is he in the drawing room?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Fine, I heard you. Leave me alone. I will read the paper first and think about what to do.”

Marcus waved the servant away and drank his tea.

He grimaced. The tea tasted more bitter than usual lately.

Still, the servant stood there, hesitant, clearly struggling to say something.

“Well? What is it now?”

“Master, it’s just that…”

The servant hesitated again.

“What?”

“His Highness said… he would only wait ten minutes.”

“What?”

“He said if you do not come within ten minutes, he will leave. And if that happens, the next time you see him will be at the wedding next month.”

Marcus’s face twisted into a scowl as he took in the words the servant had nervously passed along.

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