MPO

CHAPTER LXVll-68

His straightforwardness left Leila speechless. She hadn't even considered the possibility, so she thought he was joking.

"...I don't know how to joke, Your Grace."

"Why would you think that?"

"If it's not a joke, then I understand even less."

Her firm words left Lucas taken aback this time. She had rejected him twice already, stirring an undeniable sense of competitiveness in him.

"I don't understand why you would say you don't know."

"You don't know? Even a passerby could easily explain it."

Her candid remark made Lucas suddenly consider the possibility that she might genuinely not like him. It seemed absurd, but why else would she sleep with him and exchange pheromones with him?

Although it was a sudden thought, it deeply shocked Lucas, making it hard for him to respond. He opened and closed his mouth in confusion, and Leila continued.

She felt somewhat displeased, found it miserable to have to say such things, and also felt remorseful towards him.

"I know that Your Grace sees me as pitiable. You speak brusquely, but you are more noble than anyone. I understand that you have been generous to me as someone of high status, but marriage cannot be based on pity alone."

"...Why would you say such a thing?"

"The position beside Your Grace is not just a simple one where I can live as your wife. As the Duchess, one must set an example for the vassals and even the nobles in the capital. How can a blind person like me sit in such a position? How shameless would I have to be to accept that?"

Her heartfelt words left Lucas not just bewildered, but slightly angry.

"Didn't I say it was fine? I can't understand why our marriage would be impossible because of others' opinions. Why do you care so much about what they think?"

To his question, Leila had a response that rose to her throat. She wanted to say that he could ignore others' opinions because he was loved.

But she couldn't bring herself to say it. Perhaps it was her last bit of pride, or maybe she just didn't want to hurt him unnecessarily.

Leila regretted accepting his kindness without thinking deeply. It would have been enough if he had just shown pity, but why did he have to decide to embrace someone like her?

She stared quietly at the beautiful light falling through the air, then tightly closed her eyes. If only darkness had enveloped her, she wouldn't have had any hope...

Lucas watched Leila quietly as she tried to steady her breath. He hadn't intended to propose so clumsily and regretted speaking so hastily.

However, he couldn't understand why she hadn't noticed his feelings despite his continuous expressions of them. Or, beyond all of this, why hadn't she thought of it while they were sharing a bed?

Could it be that it hadn't been her first time?

With misunderstandings brewing, all sorts of thoughts flooded his mind. Lucas didn't want to argue any longer in the place he had brought her to cheer her up, so he kept his mouth shut.

Yes, she might be startled by such suddenness. Given her temperament, she might have taken his affection as mere kindness. Moreover, because his initial attraction to her had an element of impurity, he couldn't push his feelings strongly.

Although they had entered the place in high spirits, they had no choice but to leave feeling low. Each harboring different thoughts, they quietly returned to the mansion.