The Obsession of a Fallen Paladin

8. The Mask of the Perfect Holy Knight (2)

At Katiana Ruschino.

Odette’s eyes widened in disbelief, doubting her own senses.

“…Yes.”

A beat late, Kasha responded to his question.

It felt as if time had stopped between the two of them. The people around them were enveloped in a feeling of being mere spectators.

Odette bit her lip until it bled, unable to comprehend the situation.

‘No wonder I felt uneasy the moment I first saw that girl.’

What irritated Odette the most was Kasha’s expression.

In a miraculous situation where Leon Aranias had asked her to dance, Kasha dared to maintain a calm demeanor.

As if she had expected this all along.

Odette started to tremble with rage.

How dare he, at her party, extend his hand to another woman—especially Katiana Ruschino, an utterly inferior creature.

“Then, would you like to dance with me?”

Ignoring Odette’s seething anger, Leon asked again in a low voice.

A calm, cold voice. Free of any personal motive.

Those who heard it realized something.

Leon was issuing a warning to everyone present.

To those who had discarded noble decency and oppressed the weak.

Some people, finally understanding the warning, blushed in shame.

But for Odette, it had the opposite effect.

She grew even angrier, realizing she had become the perpetrator in front of Leon.

Odette’s mask completely shattered. With a fierce and savage expression, she glared directly at Kasha.

“That’s,”

Just then, Kasha slowly opened her mouth again.

“I refuse.”

Everyone was left speechless by the unexpected answer.

That included Odette, who had been glaring spitefully, and Leon, who had been calm up until now.

“…Why?”

This time, Leon was a beat late in asking.

The surrounding people also listened in confusion. But her answer exceeded all their expectations.

“I don’t need pity.”

“……!”

Kasha took a breath.

Then, facing the pristine prince who had appeared before her with perfect timing, she spoke clearly.

“I am not so pitiful as to need to accept a dance out of pity. Sir Leon.”

‘I am no longer pitiful or helpless.’

Kasha swallowed her last words.

For a moment, a crack appeared on Leon’s icy expression.

He looked completely taken aback.

Seeing his face, Kasha almost laughed.

‘I’ve always seen you either indifferent or slightly crazy. This expression suits you quite well.’

Wanting to see more of that face, she added a few more words without realizing it.

“Do not pity anyone lightly, Sir Knight.”

“…….”

“Otherwise… it will cause serious trouble.”

With a slight smirk, Kasha finished her words.

Then she turned away without hesitation.

She had no intention of tediously repeating her reunion with Leon in front of these foolish nobles.

Their conversation should be private and intimate. What she wanted was to strip off the mask of the perfect knight and meet the raw Leon to form a true alliance.

‘So please, take my provocation, Leon.’

The surroundings were dead silent.

Looking at the faces of people who seemed like they had been bitten by a cat they had always casually kicked, Kasha slowly left the stage.

* * *

“Kasha. Here you are.”

Daryl found her as she sought a quiet balcony to clear her head.

“…What about Lady Margaret?”

“I had her checked by the duchy’s physician, and he said there was nothing serious. She has returned home in a carriage. I’ll visit Baron Yonder’s residence tomorrow.”

“…….”

“What kind of thoughtless and inconsiderate people do such things! Anyway, these days, noble children are all self-centered!”

Daryl fumed by himself.

He couldn’t imagine that Margaret had been bullied under someone’s direction.

He likely thought she had been accidentally pushed to the center of the ballroom during the crowd’s jostling.

Those who are born strong do not understand the circumstances of the weak.

And the weak desperately hide their circumstances. Because it’s a matter of their dignity.

Thus, they run parallel paths, misunderstanding each other for life.

As it was with the old Kasha and Daryl.

As it was with Kasha and Leon.

Kasha leaned against the balcony railing with a cold smile.

Seeing her expression, Daryl hesitated.

“…Why are you like this?”

“Don’t intervene, brother.”

“…What?”

“If you see such a situation again… don’t loudly ask if she’s alright… and don’t get angry asking who did it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Such actions… will only make her feel more miserable.”

“But I-”

“Lady Margaret is not a fool.”

“……?”

“But even a smart person… can become a fool if they are powerless. Under someone’s direction.”

Stunned by the unexpected words, Daryl looked up and was startled.

Kasha’s eyes were burning fiercely.

“So don’t interfere and pretend to be a knight.”

“Ka-Kasha.”

“If you really want to help… be her strength. So that she isn’t made a fool of, even when you’re not there.”

“But how…”

“Today, with your actions, everyone in the social circle will know how you feel about Lady Margaret.”

Though Kasha spoke calmly, Daryl’s face slowly turned red.

The look of innocence didn’t suit him, and Kasha’s expression softened a bit.

At that moment.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the balcony wall from outside.

As Daryl drew the curtains back, the person Kasha had been waiting for appeared.

“Sir Leon Aranias?”

Daryl murmured in surprise.

Simultaneously, the man in the white uniform stepped onto the balcony.

“Lord Ruschino. It’s been a while.”

“Yes. It has been a long time, Your Grace.”

“Please, call me Leon. It’s more comfortable to be addressed by my name.”

“Oh, yes. Sir Leon. But what brings you here?”

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I have a moment alone with your sister?”

Taken aback by the unexpected request, Daryl was at a loss.

Why would such a distinguished man suddenly seek out his sister?

The mere fact of a nobleman asking to be alone with her in such a setting was unprecedented, leaving Daryl momentarily flustered.

“That’s, uh, for what reason….”

“I feel I made a mistake earlier in the ballroom with Lady Katiana and wish to apologize.”

“A mistake? What kind of mistake….”

“Brother.”

Kasha interrupted his questioning.

“It will only take a moment. Right, Sir Leon?”

“…Of course.”

Though a bit awkward, Leon nodded quietly, acknowledging her clear explanation of the situation.

Daryl hesitated a little. But since he couldn’t think of a good reason to refuse, he reluctantly left.

“I’ll be waiting ‘right outside’ the balcony, Kasha.”

He added, looking directly at Leon.

“…….”

The balcony was now empty except for the two of them.

In the early summer breeze, Kasha’s hair fluttered softly.

As she looked deeply into Leon’s violet eyes, memories of their nights spent together in the ruins of the temple flooded back. Those harsh and lonely times had created a strange bond between them.

It felt like being abandoned at the end of the world, holding on to each other.

‘I haven’t forgotten a single story you told me back then, Leon.’

Kasha thought.

‘I remember clearly how unhappy your life was.’

Even though you may not remember any of it.

‘And that, in itself, might be a blessing for you.’

Kasha smiled bitterly.

The emotions in her eyes were something Leon could hardly comprehend.

His flickering gaze reflected his confusion.

Kasha raised the corner of her mouth slightly, as if to comfort him.

“You said you had something to say.”

He hesitated, then seemed to remember why he had come.

“Yes. Earlier, I seem to have caused you discomfort unintentionally. I feel I must apologize.”

“…….”

Leon fell silent as Kasha did not respond to his apology.

He looked like he wanted to ask something, but waited for her to speak first.

At that moment, the sound of lutes and flutes from the hall signaled the start of the next dance.

Kasha suddenly moved closer to Leon.

He seemed slightly startled but did not back away.

They stood so close that their chests almost touched.

If they listened carefully, they could hear each other’s breathing.

Kasha spoke.

“Will you… dance with me?”

After a moment, he understood that she was asking him to dance and narrowed his eyes.

“Here… now?”

“Yes.”

“You rejected my request earlier.”

“Because, at that time, it was out of pity.”

“…You mean to say it’s not now?”

“Of course not… How could I possibly pity you, Your Grace and Knight?”

Despite her awkward tone and pale face, she spoke as if teasing him, making Leon silently gaze down at her.

As he stood there, Kasha didn’t wait any longer and boldly reached out her hand.

Flinch.

When Kasha’s cold hand touched his gloved one, Leon flinched in surprise.

Kasha was also a bit nervous.

Touching Leon, who bore the curse of lust, was like touching a boiling kettle—an inherently dangerous act.

But knowing all this, she intended to provoke him even more than before her regression.

‘Only by provoking you can I see the real you behind the noble knight’s mask, and there’s something I must discuss with that real you.’

Ignoring his evident reluctance, Kasha firmly grasped his hand. She went further, wrapping her hand around his waist.

She felt him stiffen even more.

But Kasha was undeterred and took the first step.

The lute’s faint notes and the moonlight were beautiful as they filtered through the thick curtains.

Facing his solid, hot body, she felt like she was slipping back into her pre-regression memories.

The beautiful knight. Her blushing, mesmerized self.

And finally, Leon who had coldly rejected her and disappeared.

That memory, which had remained like a scab in her heart, she had finally overcome.

Now she understood the desperate effort Leon had made not to reveal his lust.

She even felt pity for his stubbornness, as he had held her hand and completed the dance despite his inner turmoil.

Meanwhile, Leon, looking down at Kasha’s contemplative expression, found himself moving naturally.

Matching her clumsy steps, embracing her when she stumbled.

Suppressing the twitching of his brow as he felt her warmth and smelled her scent.

Straining every nerve to hide his increasingly awkward posture.

Under the serene moonlight, they danced, each concealing different thoughts and desires.

And finally,

Thrum.

Cheers erupted as the music stopped.

Leon quickly stepped back from her as soon as the music ceased. It seemed as though he didn’t want to be in contact with her for a second longer.

But before he could retreat further, Kasha held onto his hand.