The Male Lead Knelt Before Me

“Is there really something going on? Maybe there’s something going on with her family.”

“I questioned her anyhow, and she said it wasn’t an issue. From what I could see, it definitely looked like something was going on.”

When Veloka mentioned that, I became quite worried.

But my worries were brief.

This was due to Veloka changing the subject and expressing her excitement for the performance at the Imperial Palace.

Naturally, we talked about the stage we were about to perform on in the Imperial Palace, and my worries about Lina went away.

After a while, the theater owner stated she was going to review the conversations we had today, and I went to Veloka’s room.

After that, I told you what I had been putting off talking about earlier. We had a long conversation at the time.

Knock knock- 

“Veloka eonni, are you inside?”

Lina’s voice was heard.

Veloka asked if I could let Lina into the room, and I nodded.

There isn’t any reason not to.

Lina, meantime, knocked on the door once more.

“Eonni? Are you there?”

“Ah yes, I am here! Come in.”

“Then I’ll go in…… huh?”

Lina came in and halted when she saw me.

“Iena eonni? What brings you here?”

“I stopped by because I had something to do with the theater’s owner, and I chatted with Veloka.”

“But why did you find me, Lina?”

“Ah…… I was wondering if you had any digestive medication.”

“Did you have an upset stomach?”

“Yes. I guess I’m having trouble digesting what I ate earlier in the day. I went to take the medicine I had in my room, but all I found was an empty bottle.”

Veloka hurried through the drawer, insisting she’d find it shortly and telling Lina to wait.

Veloka promptly found the medicine and presented it to Lina, as she had stated.

“Do you feel sick?”

“I’ll be fine shortly after taking the medication. I apologize for causing you to worry.”

“There’s no need to be sorry, Lina.”

“That’s right, Lina. Return to your room and rest.”

“But I haven’t seen Iena eonni in ages. I don’t know when I’ll see her again……”

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll be seeing each other a lot in the near future.”

“We can see each other often? How?”

Lina stared at me, her eyes wide open.

“We’re performing in the Imperial Palace this time! Thanks to Iena!”

“We… in the Imperial Palace……?”

“Yes! And I’ve heard that Iena will be back for this performance. So you take your medication and rest.”

Veloka pushed Lina’s back as he finished summarizing in an instant.

“H-hold on! I have a question to ask to Iena oenni.”

To me?

The rather frantic tone made my head tilt instinctively.

“What is it?”

“That’s……”

Lina couldn’t say anything willingly and gazed at Veloka’s countenance.

“What? Is it hard to speak in my presence?”

“No! It’s not because you’re here…… it’s just……”

The blurring of her words was a sight that was hard to say.

Furthermore, because Lina was holding a bag of powdered medicine, a rustling sound could be heard whenever she moved her hand.

“Okay. I’ll be gone for a bit, so feel free to speak with her.”

“You can stay, eonni!”

“Enough of that. I’ll listen to you later when you want to talk.”

Veloka went outside, leaving Lina behind who was dissuading her.

Lina appeared to hesitate even when there were just two of us left.

‘Why is she this way?’

I heard that Lina seemed to have any worries recently. Is it connected to me?

‘But how? Is there anything that relates her to me?’

No matter how hard I thought about it, there was no such thing.

It was a time when I looked at Lina with a lot of doubts.

“I apologize for interrupting you two……”

“I never thought so. What are you going to ask me?”

“Oh, it’s just not a big deal in some ways…… I’m wondering because I’ve been concerned about you, eonni.”

“Yes.”

“By the way, about the knight who came to your engagement ceremony……”

A knight?

“He is about this tall and has black hair and green eyes.”

If the knight is that tall and has black hair……

“Lord Vessel?”

“What?”

“Aren’t you talking about Lord Vessel?”

“I’m not sure what his name was, but he was the one who rescued me when I was in trouble. The man who touched his butt.”

I believe it is Lord Vessel.

“Yes, it’s Lord Vessel. But what about Lord Vessel?”

“I’m just wondering if he’s doing well. He doesn’t happen to have a bad thing or a problem, does he?”

For a split second, I blinked.

Why on earth would Lina ask about Lord Vessel?

Lina averted her look as I locked on her. A little flush rose on her face at first glimpse.

I had a strong sense of deja vu. I’m sure something similar has happened before.

“There’s no special reason. I’m just wondering how she’s doing since that incident.”

It didn’t take long to figure out what was causing the deja vu.

Lina’s expression and words brought me to remember Lord Vessel.

‘Is this a parallel world?’

The current circumstance was incredibly awkward for me, who thought Lord Vessel had an unrequited crush on Lina.

“Huh? E-eonni?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was only thinking for a moment. He did have something happen.”

“Really? Is it serious?”

Lina inquired, her face solemn, as if she had never been shy before.

‘Well, it is a serious problem, yet……’

He must have been distraught because someone he knew as his sister had been deported to a foreign country for attempted murder.

Furthermore, the guilt he feels toward me must have played a role.

“You don’t need to be concerned. It worked out well.”

“Really?”

“Yes. he needs some time, but…… But he’ll be fine in no time.

Unlike when we first met, when he couldn’t even look me in the eyes, he saw me well when we parted ways.

He still seemed awkward and apologetic to me, but as I said, it was something time would solve.

“You don’t have to worry too much. Anyway, it worked out well.”

“That’s a big relief.”

Lina was greatly relieved.

Her face, sighing and wiping aside her chest, appeared more at ease than before.

‘Is this the reason she’s been so down lately?’

I’m casting doubt, but I’m already convinced on the inside.

That must be correct.

“Well, then I’ll get going! I apologize for keeping you so long! See you later, eonni!”

Lina rushed out of the room, followed by Veloka with a puzzled expression.

“What? What did you say that made Lina smile?”

“Did Lina smile?”

“Yeah. Her mouth corners expanded so much. She seemed to think I couldn’t notice it since she was lowering her head.”

Veloka imitated Lina by raising the corners of her mouth with both hands.

Veloka changed her expression and patted my arm as I chuckled.

“So what did you talk about? What is it, huh?”

“It wasn’t that big of a deal. But I don’t think I can tell you because it’s a personal matter.”

“Uh, since you said that, I’ve become even more curious.”

“But it’s a secret. Just ask Lina later.”

I said it playfully, just like I did to Lord Vessel.

The difference is that Veloka pouted her mouth to the fullest instead of making a silly face.

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

After that, I chatted with Veloka a little more and set off before evening.

This was because I had been moving all morning, then exhaustion set in, and I couldn’t stop yawning.

Veloka was disappointed that I was leaving so soon, but she quickly accepted, saying that we’d see each other again soon.

I was sleepy even in the carriage, but when I arrived at the Duke’s house, I was even more eager to get into bed.

I considered asking the maid to wake me up when Caleb arrived, but I decided not to.

It felt like if I fell asleep like this, I wouldn’t be able to wake up again, even if someone woke me up.

‘Let’s go get some fresh air.’

It’ll be a nice way to get up and renew myself on this chilly day.

So I went outside to the backyard.

It was a place I had walked to several times before, but it felt different when I noticed sprouts on the branches and some of the green parts.

‘There were just dry branches the last time I strolled with Caleb.’

What struck me the most was when I sat in a chair in the backyard.

I sat there thinking it was fine at first, but I became bored as I sat there doing nothing.

I ended up yawning and was going to stand up, thinking I should walk again.

“Elena.”

“Gasp!”

A hand appeared above my shoulder.

Surprised by the unexpected contact, the muscles of my body stiffened.

When I turned my head, I saw Caleb. Somehow he looked as surprised as I did.

“I apologize. I thought I was giving enough presence, but I guess not. Were you very surprised?”

“Not a lot, but just a little……?”

I was truly surprised but I feared that if I did, Caleb would continue to be sorry, so I added a lie.

“What are you doing out here? It’s not quite warmed up yet.”

His gaze was drawn to my outfit. Meanwhile, his hand was clearly moving toward his cape, and he wanted to take it off right away.

“It’s not really that cold.”

I held back Caleb’s favor by gently waving my hand.

“And I was only planning on staying until you arrived, Caleb. I’ve been busy since the morning and am exhausted. I was out because I wanted to stay awake.”

“Now that I think about it, did His Majesty give you some good news? Lord Vessel mentioned that you seemed delighted today.”

No, he went straight to Caleb and told him that!?

“…… Ah, or I misunderstanding it.”

“No, you’re right. I have some good news. Would you like to have a seat for a moment?”

I winked at the seat next to me.

“I think it’s going to be a long story.”

“I will.”

When I was sitting alone, I thought the bench was spacious, but once Caleb sat down, it was so full that it felt cozy.

Khm khm-

I cleared my throat after adjusting my posture slightly.

This is because the excitement that had abated while conversing with Veloka resurfaced when I tried to tell Caleb.

The corners of my mouth twitched with delight.

But, with my face tightened, I opened my mouth, pretending to be as casual as possible.

“His Majesty has finally allowed play to perform at the Imperial Palace.”

“In the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes. He provided me with a certified document stating that the budget distribution was complete. So I went straight to the theater company.”

“That’s certainly good news.”

“Right?”

My mouth curved into a smile.

“I also have another news. I don’t know if it’s good or not.”

“Is the news also related to His Majesty the Emperor?”

I agreed and added softly.

“But first, I’d like to ask you a question.”

“If I can give you an answer, I’ll tell you anything.”

Even though I knew the answer, I couldn’t bring myself to open my mouth.

I kept hesitating because I was embarrassed to say it.

Unintentionally, the stillness lingered.

Caleb waited patiently for my response, despite the fact that the silent must have been uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, I was able to wrap up my psychological preparation.

Finally, I decided and opened my mouth.

“What do you think about having a child?”