This Time, To The Believed Path
Sudden Approach

"Then I'll get you a drink. Stay here until I get back."

"Just calm down, I'll stay here."

Forde left the balcony. He did not forget to close the balcony door so that no one would enter there.

Leana looked up at the sky. The full moon he met at every party welcomed him back.

Today, the moon accompanied him.

In the moment he was alone like a dazed person and did not know the direction, like an unsuited outsider standing in that place.

He laughed softly.

'It's a pity because this time I'm not alone.'

Now Leana has Forde, Grandall, Alphiella and Volfelance by her side. He no longer mourned his fate as before.

This time he stood with both feet facing tomorrow with confidence.

But right now it's like forgetting something…

Glassy

Leana felt someone coming to the balcony where she was. As she turned her head and hoped that her husband would come, she was shocked.

The figure before him was none other than Duke Leon. He was alone, not with his foster sister who came with him.

Leana shuddered as she looked at the smile that emerged from behind the shadows. He clenched his hand.

"Good night, Marchioness Grandall. What a coincidence to meet you here."

'Ha! Just be right…'

Leana cursed in her heart.

There was no way Duke Leon had come without any hidden intent to him.

He noticed the situation and began to frown.

He felt a very strong dejavu. No, compared to dejavu, this incident has indeed been repeated several times.

Is it every time he goes to the balcony at a party and meets the full moon a sign Duke Leon is coming?

Is this a summoning ritual he doesn't know about?

Leana put on a smile and replied to Duke Leon.

"Good night, Duke Leon. Are you here to get some fresh air too?"

"really. I want to get some fresh air. Weren't you with the Marquis?"

'Really 'Yes! Why did you have to come when Forde was away?!' Inner Leana.

"True, my husband is getting me a drink…"

Leana glanced towards the door.

He had promised to wait for Forde here, but Duke Leon's appearance messed things up. He could not stand his existence despite being far apart from each other.

Leana had no other choice but to leave the place and go after her husband.

"Then how about we talk–"

"Duke Gwertivare, please enjoy this balcony as you please. I'll excuse myself for following my husband." Cut Leana off immediately.

He drove quickly towards the door but Duke Leon did not move from his position and blocked his exit.

Leana frowned in annoyance.

'What is he really thinking?!'

Duke Leon continued to smile at her as if pressuring her to spend some time together.

Leana can read Duke Leon's whole mind, she has to figure out how to get away from him.

"Don't do it, Miss Leana. Let's enjoy some time with this beautiful view. Wouldn't it be better than having this boring party?"

Leana looked at the annoyed duke Leon.

'Why could he call my name so familiarly???'

He took a breath and sighed slowly. He kept restraining himself from touching Duke Leon first.

"Mrs Leana, do you mind?"

'Yes?! Very!'

Leana exclaimed in her heart enthusiastically.

"Sorry, Duke. But I want to see my husband soon."

Duke Leon still put on his smile, making Leana even more unsettled.

"Aren't you planning to wait here until the Marquis comes?"

"Duke Leon's…"

Leana held back her words. Either way, his interlocutor was a Duke. He could not act so recklessly in front of her.

No. gabe. He's fed up enough. He wants to get out of there soon.

"Duke Leon, are you listening to our conversation?"

'Omong empty!'

There was no way the previous Duke Leon had gone in a different direction than they could in an instant.

"Duke, I really want to meet my husband so please let me go."

Duke Leon reached Leana's hand before he was able to react.

'This man... crazy man…!'

Leana began to curse in her heart.

"Mrs Leana, I'd like to talk to you. Please give me a minute."

Duke Leon gave a hopeful look but Leana felt nauseous when she saw it.

If he can't run, at least he wants Forde back to him.

Glassy

"It turns out you're here, Marchioness Grandall."

When the figure of Eclipse was seen from behind the door, Leana felt relieved while Duke Leon felt annoyed.

Leana pulled her hand.

 "Grand Duke's…"

Leana wanted to greet him but Eclipse immediately stopped her. Eclipse turned towards Duke Leon.

"I didn't see your figure when I came, it turns out you were here apparently, Duke Gwertivare."

"Good night, Grand Duke. I was just looking for some fresh air and accidentally met Miss Leana."

Eclipse glanced at Leana and was met with a cynical look at Duke Leon.

"Are you close enough to name each other?"

"True, we–"

"Me and Duke Leon have only met twice during the victory party and now only. Ah, maybe this is the third meeting if it adds to the meeting in the palace garden." Leana immediately cut out the words of Duke Leon.

Without even looking at it, Leana was already able to sense the aura of resentment from Duke Leon.

"Is that so? Then please be careful, Duke. Calling a woman's name, especially a married one, can be considered impolite."

Duke Leon tried to keep his composure but it seemed that he was unable to completely hide the resentment he felt.

"I'll remember that, Grand Duke."

Eclipse nodded and turned to Leana. As he wanted to open his mouth, a cold voice came from behind him.

"What's up here?"

They stared at the source of the sound and there stood Forde with a glass in both hands. His expression was very uncomfortable seeing other people around his wife.

Leana immediately approached Forde and took one of the glasses in her hand.

"It's okay. Looks like the Duke wants to use the balcony. I've had enough rest so let's go back inside."

He wrapped his hand around the Forde Arm and pulled it away from there. Eclipse also just smiled and walked away, leaving Duke Leon alone with a frustrated feeling on the balcony.

After drinking the drink Forde gave her, Leana sighed. To be honest he did not feel his fatigue was gone, there he was even more tired.

"Leana, are you okay?"

Leana did not hide her tired expression but she smiled at Forde.

"I'm doing fine. A lot of things happened tonight so I'm feeling a little tired."

"Don't force yourself. If you want, just rearrange your meeting with the Grand Duke and we'll just go home."

Leana slightly widened her eyes. Forde spoke as if Eclipse was just an ordinary noble. Did he really know that they were going to meet the Grand Duke who was the leader of the Black Cloak Pillar as well as the ears of the Emperor?

Then a servant came to the two and greeted them.

"Marquis Grandall, Marchioness Grandall. Grand Duke has been waiting for you in the living room."

Forde turned to Leana to re-assure her condition and Leana replied with a nod.

Forde turned back to the servant.

"Then deliver us."

"Please follow me."

The two walked away from the party hall leading to the second floor. Not far away, they stopped in a room with a blue night door.

'This room…'

The room that only the Grand Duke used to welcome important guests.

"Grand Duke, I have brought a guest of honor to you."

"Please let them in."

When the door opened, Eclipse was already sitting neatly on the sofa. He looked at the two with a smile like always.

Before the two of them could greet, Eclipse had already opened his voice in a friendly manner.

"Please sit down, Marquis Grandall, Marchioness Grandall. No need to hesitate and make yourself comfortable here."