DSFL | Chapter 95

~Chapter 95~ 

Leon’s hand, which had been touching mine, finally pulled away. He looked much more at ease, and I couldn’t hide my confusion as I looked at his relaxed face.

“Weren’t you about to say something else?”

“I forgot.”

So, I guess it wasn’t that important.

Leon smiled brightly and tilted his chin slightly, as if to say I should go inside now.

That’s strange. I thought he saw something earlier.

I turned my head toward where Leon had been looking just moments ago.

But that place was strangely empty.

***

‘…Bianca.’

Ricardo leaned against the wall, unable to compose his expression.

Thump, thump.

He had felt excited on the way to Roygin. But the moment he saw those two together, the excitement turned into a pounding fear, like a giant drum echoing in his chest.

The growing sound became a massive wave that swallowed him whole.

Bianca had turned away from him again—not because she was going far away, but because she was smiling happily beside another man.

All this time, he had desperately wished for her smile—the one she showed so freely to others—to be directed at him.

The smile he had worked so hard to earn came easily to that man.

They didn’t even need to try to hold a conversation.

They whispered to each other like sweethearts.

Ricardo’s heart kept breaking.

‘…What did they talk about?’

Did they say they loved each other?

Or were they already talking about marriage?

Bianca, aren’t you rushing things without even being engaged yet?

He couldn’t think straight. His mind went blank, and cold sweat began to form.

Bianca’s words from the past echoed in his head over and over again.

“Oops, sorry. You’re not my first love.”

He had thought she was lying.

No—he had to believe it was a lie.

He had convinced himself that she said those things just to push him away and break the engagement.

So even though he didn’t like it, he chose to believe the lie.

He kept bringing it up, hoping she would finally confess it wasn’t true.

But every time, she answered without hesitation, like it wasn’t a lie at all.

He hated how obvious the lie was—but still, he waited.

Because if she truly loved Leon, they would’ve been a couple by now.

And Ricardo was her first love.

“First love is special, right?”

That’s what she had said.

So even though things didn’t work out in the past, he believed she would value him again.

‘…But what if it wasn’t a lie?’

Bianca had changed a lot since then.

What if he didn’t notice the truth because of that change?

His pale hands began to tremble.

He wanted to run to her right away.

But the way she calmly spoke to Leon, not even avoiding his touch—it was beautiful.

They looked like a perfect couple to anyone.

Ricardo couldn’t shake the feeling that he didn’t belong there.

‘…No way.’

It wasn’t Bianca who changed—it was that man who came between them.

She had always loved Ricardo. She was just confused now.

He wanted her to be happy.

But if that meant being with another man, he couldn’t accept it.

If that was the case, he’d rather have her be unhappy with him.

A cold glint appeared in Ricardo’s eyes.

So what if she loved someone else or had another first love?

She was his.

That was a truth that would never change.

If she tried to leave him—he’d follow her even into hell.

‘But not to another man’s side.’

His clouded mind began to clear.

Only then did Ricardo manage to show a smooth smile.

***

After seeing Leon off, I headed in the opposite direction from the mansion.

‘If the headmaster greeted Leon warmly, I guess he didn’t cheat his way into Owen House.’

I also doubted the headmaster would’ve called him a hardworking student.

Still, I had considered the possibility that his family might have done something shady behind his back.

I felt a bit guilty thinking that, though.

I sighed, feeling overwhelmed.

“What are you doing?”

I flinched at Ricardo’s voice behind me.

Turning around, I saw him with a strangely stiff expression.

Did something happen?

More importantly, when did he even get here?

Just then, I remembered the look in Leon’s eyes earlier—he had definitely seen something.

Could it have been Ricardo?

Suddenly, Leon’s strange whisper made sense.

He hated Ricardo as much as Cedric did.

“…What are you thinking so hard about?”

While I was lost in thought, Ricardo had stepped closer.

Startled, I took a step back.

That seemed to annoy him—his eyebrows twitched.

“Huh.”

Then, he took a big step forward again.

“I-It’s nothing. Just thinking about something silly.”

I couldn’t tell him the truth, so I kept it vague.

But he clearly wasn’t satisfied with the answer.

…And he seemed kind of angry.

I took another step back, but it was pointless—he just kept coming closer.

“Ugh, would you back off a little?”

I finally couldn’t take it and shouted.

Ricardo suddenly stopped.

“Weren’t you the one who allowed this distance?”

“When did I say that?”

Ricardo tilted his head to the side.

“Well, I saw you letting some guy touch your cheek earlier.”

“That wasn’t just some guy—he’s family.”

“Oh? Are you related by blood?”

“That’s not what I meant!”

For some reason, I felt like I was making excuses, and that annoyed me.

“Anyway, what are you doing here?”

“I was just passing by.”

“With that furious look on your face?”

Ricardo flinched. Maybe he hadn’t realized he looked so angry. He awkwardly rubbed his mouth.

“Off to fight some monsters or something?”

“…Kind of.”

“What?”

Are there monsters near my house?!

“Then we should evacuate right now!”

Startled, I looked around quickly.

But Ricardo grabbed my shoulders and tried to explain calmly.

“I-It’s just a figure of speech.”

‘…Wait. Are you calling Leon a monster?’

That thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t say it aloud.

There was no way Ricardo would call Leon something like that.

I stared at him without thinking, and he ran a hand down his face in frustration.

“What are you doing tomorrow?”

“I’m going out. I already made plans.”

“Is it an important plan?”

“Of course.”

“……”

“I hope you don’t think I’m the type of person who breaks promises.”

He didn’t answer.

What, seriously? Do you think that lowly of me?

But his face was filled with other thoughts. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“…With Count Owen?”

Just then, a noisy crowd interrupted him, and I couldn’t hear what he said.

Once things quieted down, I asked again.

“What did you just say?”

Our eyes met—and his gaze felt empty and distant.

His face had gone pale, like he was sick.

“Ricardo, are you…”

But then, like nothing happened, he returned to his usual self.

And with his normal tone, he said,

“I suppose I can’t help it if you already have plans.”

I felt an ominous chill.

Still, I nodded. And then, Ricardo shamelessly asked,

“Can I follow you?”

…What?

I blinked, confused.

“Are you seriously planning to spy on me?”

“Please don’t twist my innocent intentions with such a crude word.”

…Twist it?

No, I am not twisting it in any way. That’s exactly what you’re doing.