This Time, To The Believed Path
New Step

As promised, Leana and Forde prepared themselves to fight in the training area. 

Almost all the residents of Alphiella gathered to watch the match between the two.

Forde with his axe and Leana with his dagger.

In this fight, Leana uses pants to facilitate her movement. Forde who saw this several times averted his eyes in order to hide his embarrassment.

Adde was in the middle of them being the referee. He watched the two who were already preparing in their respective positions.

"In that case, I as the referee will judge this fight. Marquis Forde Grandall and Marchioness Leana Grandall. Please be prepared."

Forde took out both of his axes as well as Leana with her dagger. Two weapons that have the same complexion and color that make both look like a matching pair.

But due to the serious aura that the two exuded, the romantic nuances could not the audience imagine fully.

Adde raised his hand high.

"alright. Please Ready. GET STARTED!"

Along with the descent of Adde and her retreating self from the arena, Leana moved quickly towards Forde giving the first strike to him using both of her long daggers.

LACQUER

Forde easily resisted Leana's attack using both of her axes and pushed Leana back.

As Leana's feet hit the ground, she drove back to Forde, giving him attack after attack.

Forde skillfully evaded and repelled Leana's attack. Wait until the right time to give a good reply.

This time Forde stepped forward to deliver the attack. As the axe swung from above, Leana managed to hold it with both of her daggers.

From the side of his eyes, he could see another axe coming at him.

Leana then pulled her body first before removing her restraint from Forde's axe and successfully dodging another attack.

He took a breath and moved back towards Forde. Using the shadow step, he quickly disappeared from the front of Forde and attacked him from behind.

Forde quickly dispelled Leana's dagger with his axe without turning over. Once again, Leana pulled back herself.

Those who watched were stunned by the match. Although not as great as imagined, the intensity created between the two is enough to make their hair stand up. Their eyes could not escape the fight.

Especially when they began to realize how Forde did not step forward to give attacks to their contractors, adding to the impression of him getting higher.

Their contractors who were also leaders and teachers for their chairmen had a type of fighting style that was "heavy" compared to speed.

Each attack did not promise immediate success but could gradually weaken his enemy.

This means that the fight that Leana did was a fight in maintaining stamina. Only those who survive will win. 

But in addition to this, there are other things in his fighting style. Adde himself who saw the match up close has not seen the "variation" of Leana.

Leana turned her body quickly and swung her dagger rapidly towards Forde. The attack was once again successfully repelled by his axe with a loud noise.

Distance was created between them. Leana started to feel her breathing a little heavy but Forde still looked fine with just a little sweat.

Leana started to become annoyed because her attacks were always successfully repelled and Forde who was unwilling to take a step forward attacked her.

He straightened his position and took a deep breath while looking at the ceiling.

The alphiella training area is a closed building, unlike the Grandall which has an open roof.

Until the moment Leana returned her focus to Forde, her husband still did not attack her which opened many large gaps.

He begins to suspect that Forde is underestimating his abilities.

Leana sharpened her gaze and Forde slightly gasped at it.

He came back forward but this time he attacked from above.

The dagger slid rapidly from top to bottom until it almost touched the ground. As before, Forde installed a defensive position using both axes.

Before her dagger was able to touch the ground, Leana reversed the position of her grip and lashed out an attack from below and aimed it at the side between the two axes.

SRAANGS

Wrenching friction formed from both weapons. Leana's last attack managed to push Forde back even if only slightly.

While both were still in the air in a body position that was pulled backwards by gravity, Forde quickly picked up one of his axes that had come loose and gave an attack from Leana's front.

Leana who sensed the danger pushed the ground and managed to dodge the massive attack.

When he confirmed his position and checked his location earlier, an axe had been stuck to the ground with a large crack around it. The dust of the ground scattered which only displayed the silhouette of a bowed Forde watching his hand.

Leana took a step forward to deliver a new attack but without her knowing it, Forde was already standing in front of her and made Leana surprised.

Gebragh

A voice rang out from behind Forde and then Leana realized that her body, more precisely her right hand, was unable to move.

He looked back to find that Forde's left hand had caught his hand.

In a moment, the ground ashes disappeared and there was only the figure of the two who were silent in the training arena.

Leana looked at the astonished Forde who did not open her mouth and continued to look down.

After a while, Forde finally raised his face.

"Leana, let's stop it here. I can't hurt you no matter what."

Leana blinked her eyes a few times as Forde put on a parched expression. His heart was shaken but his mind could not escape from his hand which was still locked by Forde.

'I don't think you could have been hurt by my attack…"

Leana they reworked the fight quickly and frowned at Forde with slight annoyance.

He finally breathed.

"All right, let's stop getting here. Anyway I'm not strong enough to give you a scratch." Leana said in an annoyed tone.

In the middle of her words Leana pointed towards her hand, gesturing for Forde to let go.

Seeing the annoyance of his wife, Forde slowly let go of his hand and he brought his face closer to Leana's ear then whispered.

"You are very strong. If I don't exert my entire focus, I could be seriously injured by your attack." 

Forde glanced at her slightly shaking right hand, but Leana was unaware of it.

Leana quickly covered her ears and pulled back her body but Forde's hand immediately grabbed her and lifted her in a sling like a princess.

Leana started to panic.

"Down me! Ford!"

Ignoring his words, Forde tightened his grip on Leana's body and walked out of the arena with his bright face that was secretly hiding something.

"Looks like we need to talk deeper, huh Leana?"

Leana instantly froze and turned pale. He also remembered the party invitation he got and tried to change their topic.

"Fo, Forde! There's a party invitation from Grand Duke Volfelance…"

Forde's face darkened as the topic was brought up and Leana was instantly unable to continue her words.

With a small smile on his face, Forde replied.

"Let's talk about that."

Leana tightly closed her mouth and eyes, accepting her fate while holding back her tears.

The Alphiella dwellers left in the training area can only close their eyes and I return to their respective positions to continue their work.

***

A few weeks later, Forde and Leana came to a party held by Grand Duke Volfelance at his residence.

Both of them use paired clothes that have a blend of blue, purple and black. 

As usual, Forde wears a coat on her right side while Leana uses a shawl of the same color encircling her shoulders.

Due to getting an exclusive invitation from the Grand Duke, they could enter the party hall without the need to queue up.

Their arrival was also announced to the invited guests.

"Have attended, Marquis Forde Grandall and Marchioness Leana Grandall!"

The figure of the two who entered the hall gracefully made the invited guests look at them with stunned and astonished looks.

Leana tightened her grip on Forde's hand to hold back the nervousness from the sight that came from various directions to her.

Forde stroked the embracing hand on his arm to appease his wife.

Feeling this, Leana smiled happily at her husband's attitude and slowly began to be able to calmly enjoy the party.

Leana looked around. He was looking for an Eclipse that he could not find. They should have come to the party before the appointed time so it was not strange if the Grand Duke had not yet shown himself.

"Good night, Marquis Grandall and Lady Leana."

From beside them, Countess Sylvie Vivaldi came to greet the two. He looked at Leana and Forde alternately before finally beaming at them.

Leana who felt something immediately returned her greeting.

"Right now my husband is having a big job that is not removable so he cannot attend. Instead I am currently present with my eldest son."

"Is that so? We just got here so haven't looked around."

"If you don't mind, how about we talk about 'that'?"

Sylvie blinked one eye at Leana who blinked a few times. 

Sylvie is always excited every time she meets Leana because they can talk about topics that make her curious and interested.

"What do you mean?"

This time Forde who opened his voice made Leana instantly panic. He immediately cut off their conversation.

"Sorry Miss Sylvie, but we have some business with someone so I can't accompany you today."

That's not a lie. They came here because they wanted to discuss with the Grand Duke.

"Oh, that? Very dear once. I'd love to talk to you about all sorts of things." Sylvie.

For some reason, Leana immediately felt something cold behind her, but it must be just her feelings.

Sylvie who seemed interested in Forde's expression also widened her smile and quickly resigned.

"Then I will be in the girls area, if you want to join please just come. Enjoy this party, Marquis, Leana."

"You too, Miss Sylvie."

Sylvie left both. 

"Leana, is there anything you haven't told me?"

The topic of conversation with Sylvie was not secret, but she could not help feeling panicked as if a child was caught doing something.

He didn't know where to start but they had to move places first to discuss it.

"Forde, how about we–"

"Duke Leon Gwertivare and young Miss Diana Wordlock are here!"

Leana flinched and involuntarily tightened her hand grip on Forde. 

His gaze was involuntarily drawn towards the door of the hall and caught the figure of Duke Leon who was with Diana.

The two walked confidently into the hall and spread their charm to the people around.

Sure oes. How could Leana forget the fact that Duke Leon was one of the high nobles in the Solfilyan empire.

So it shouldn't be strange if he was invited to a party held by the Grand Duke. 

Although Leana can read the movements of Eclipse which was deliberately invited Duke Leon as a form of camouflage in order to avoid the radar. 

Leana put on an irritated eye considering that the person who had this party had not shown her figure.

His eyes then fell on Diana. 

As usual, her appearance was extremely luxurious and caught the attention of anyone who saw her. Just look at it he also knew that his appearance was a form intended to show his wealth and beauty.

Leana immediately remembered the life in her past.

He remembers that Duke Leon had a lover even though he was married to Leana. 

Although Leana was hurt because of this, at that time she felt unable to lose Duke Leon in her life.

Recalling her, Leana became annoyed at herself and bit her lips to hold back her emotions.

"Leana, stop. Your lips could hurt."

Forde's fingers touched Leana's lips and stroked her. Behind his worried expression, an emotion lit up within his jade eyes.

Forde brought his face closer and whispered beside his ear.

"Leana, wife. The one beside you right now is me. So forget about that jerk and focus on me, okay?"

Leana widened her eyes and Forde smiled at her. The smile gave him goosebumps but he nodded and leaned his head against Forde because he was tired. 

"Good night, Marquis Grandall and also the Marchioness Grandall."

Leana frowned at the annoying sound. He sighed heavily and then looked over with a smile on his face.

He noticed Duke Leon's friendly face and Diana looked down upon him.

What a matching couple.

Leana returned their greeting with a smile.

"Good night too, Duke Gwertivare and Miss Diana."

"Wouldn't the last time we met was in the palace garden?"

"Ah, yes…"

'What is this guy really talking about…'

In her heart, Leana glared resentfully at Duke Leon.

"Have you met, Leana?"

Diana opened her fan and covered half of her face. Leana could see how Diana grinned at Forde's reaction. 

"Oh my goodness? Leana, did you meet the Duke in the palace garden? Are you guys talking about something? I was curious about what you guys were talking about there." Diana said, entering into the conversation.

"really. I met Duke Gwertivare in the palace garden while I was conversing with the Grand Duke."

This situation is very annoying but Leana does not want to create unnecessary misunderstandings for the future.

A slight wrinkle formed on Diana's forehead, yet she continued on.

"You're meeting the Grand Duke?" Diana asked in a fishing tone.

"When I was waiting for Forde. Right."." Right." Reply Leana flatly.

Diana still did not stop provoking something from their conversation.

"What do you think, Marquis?"

Forde who had been silent just now calmly replied.

"I met the two when I wanted to go back. Besides, there's nothing strange. What's up?"

Forde looked at the annoyed Diana who continued to launch word for word as if trying to humiliate Leana.

Diana flinched with Forde's reply and then fell silent.

Duke Leon who was beside him put on a face not interested in him.

She took Diana's grip off her and extended her hand to Leana.

"It may still be too early, but what if I get the honor of dancing with you later?"

Leana widened her eyes, as did Diana. His expression was shocked and he became a little pale.

'What does this jerk think?'

As a high nobleman, it might not be strange if Duke Leon asked for his first dance and Leana would be considered disrespectful if he refused. 

But now Duke Leon brings his own partner and Leana is with her husband.

Leana thought her gaze before Duke Leon could not be any worse, but in reality she could still descend deeper into the unknown.

The increasingly uneasy Leana glanced at Forde and was shocked when she saw his extremely dark expression as if it was going to kill someone.

He pulled a bit of Forde's arm to give the code to him and immediately ended their conversation.

"Sorry Duke Leon, but it seems like I'm a little claustrophobic of being in the party crowd for too long. So we'll excuse you first."

Duke Leon's smile throbbed slightly and he slowly withdrew his hand.

"Is that so? Very dear once. Then we'll go to enjoy the party tonight."

Duke Leon and Diana went to blend in with the crowd. Meanwhile Leana and Forde go to the balcony to breathe fresh air.

By the time they were on the balcony, Leana was walking a little faster than Forde and was planning to stretch her body. But Forde's hand did not escape from him and Leana was astonished to look at him. Forde opened his mouth.

"Leana, are you okay?"

Forde approached her and her fingers gently stroked Leana's cheeks. 

Leana put her cheeks close to the fingers like a child. Forde was a little surprised to see this.

"I'm doing fine. But I really need a break after the meeting. That's something I can't estimate." Her speech.

'Especially to heal my mental back.' Leana breathed a tired sigh.

"Then get some rest. We've come because of the Grand Duke's business, so you don't have to worry about this party."

Leana smiled and replied.

"Yes, thank you. I'll do it."