I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 37

(I Won't Bother You Anymore)

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It has been almost half an hour since Leonus left the room. He still hasn't returned yet. I hope he didn't do anything to Anne. I am so worried.

I wonder if something has happened to him. I should go and check.

Isabella got down from the bed and organized her dress. After that, she got out of the room.

I started looking around. It's dark. Only some candles are lit up in the corners of the rooms. 

He is not in the library. Not in the parlour room. I went to the room that looked like a Study.

Leonus was sitting in the chair while keeping his head down on the table. 

Is he okay? I hurriedly went near him. 

His eyes are closed. Is he asleep? He looks so innocent when he is asleep. The table was next to a window. As the window was open, a cold breeze was getting into the room while gently fluttering his hair.

As if enchanted, Isabella forwarded her hand to touch his hair but then stopped. But suddenly Leonus opened his eyes and grabbed her hand.

Isabella flinched. 

"Y-Your Highness! You were awake?!"

"Princess…"

Leonus said in a pitiful voice. His eyes are blue now. Somehow he looks sad.

"Are you… afraid of me?"

My eyes widened. 

What? What is he talking about?

"Y-Your Highness, What are-"

"Is that why you don't call me by my name?"

What? What is he saying! I don't call him by his name because I am still a bit uncomfortable around him. And I barely know him!

"That-"

"I am sorry! I-"

His voice broke. 

Tut*

Leonus gritted his teeth.

"It was never my intention to force you to do something you didn't like."

"Your H-"

"I am sorry! I am sorry for forcing myself on you. I'm sorry for not being able to protect you! I am no different from him! You must think I am a monster too."

What? My heart aches for some reason. And HIM? Who is he even talking about? But whoever it is-

"No! That's not true!"

"Then tell me. Tell me that you were never afraid of me."

"That-"

It would be a lie if I say I never was. Sometimes I still am afraid of him, his Piercing gaze…

"I see. I am sorry! This is the last time I will be acting this way with you. I promise."

"..."

"Forgive me. This is the last time."

Saying that Leonus got up from the chair and pulled me towards him. Then he put his lips on my lips and started sucking them. 

But this time the kiss wasn't as intense as the other kisses. A gentle kiss that felt like it would melt my entire existence. 

I closed my eyes. For some reason, I didn't feel like resisting him this time. 

After a while, he stopped.

Huff* Huff*

"Princess…"

Leonus said while gently brushing my hair out of my face. I looked into his eyes. 

"I won't bother you from now on. And your maid is safe too. So don't worry."

Saying that Leonus kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes.

And Snap*

He disappeared. Leaving me alone in the cold room.

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I was restless all night. I couldn't sleep at all.

I wondered what happened to him. Why did he suddenly look so sad? 

Anne must've said something. I can't find any other reason.

I have to ask her. What in the world did she say to him?

"Good morning, My Lady. Oh, You are already awake."

Ella greeted me with a warm smile.

"Ella, Good morning. "

"I brought warm water for you to fresh up."

"Ah, Yes."

After that, Isabella got up from bed and washed up. Then Ella helped her to change dress. 

"Ella."

"Yes, My Lady?"

"Can you call Anne for me?"

"Ah- Yes."

Ella bowed then got out of my room.

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Ella was walking in the hallway. 

'I wonder why My Lady asked for that b*tch!'

Sigh~

"Where is that b*tch anyway?"

Hah*

Ella scoffed. 

'I am so stupid. That lazy sh*t can only be in one place.'

After that, Ella went to the Maid's quarter.

Bam*

She kicked open the door of Anne's room.

"Hey!"

What the?! Look at her! B*tch is still sleeping.

"Hey, you! Get up!"

Ella said while kicking Anne.

Thud*

Because of the kick, Anne fell from her bed with a loud noise.

Ouch*

"I am sorry, Princess Rubena! I was just-"

"What the heck are you talking about?"

Ella said angrily.

"Huh?"

Anne rubbed her eyes and looked at Ella.

"It's you! You b*tch! How dare you kick me!"

"Shut your mouth and get up! My Lady is looking for you."

"Tch!"

Anne clicked her tongue.

"Hurry up!"

"Okay. Okay. Wait outside for a minute."

"Tch* You better hurry up. And don't you dare do anything rude to My Lady! Remember, I will be watching you."

Saying that Ella got out of the room.

'Sh*t! Why is she calling me? Is she going to ask me about yesterday? Da*n it! I guess I have to do what that Psycho told me to do.'

Then Anne slapped herself hard. 

Ouch*

'Sh*t! It hurts. B*tch Isabella. Because of you, I have to do this.'

Slap* Slap*

'Da*n it!'

Anne kept doing that until her face was swollen.

Bam* Bam*

"Hey! Are you dead or what?"

Ella shouted while punching the door.

"Shut up! I am coming!"

After that, she combed her hair and wore her uniform. Then got out of the room.

"Took you long enough!"

Pfft*

"Ahahaha! What's wrong with your face! You look like an ugly gorilla!"

"What did you just say?! How dare you call me ugly!"

"Don't tell me! You think you are pretty! Pfft* Hahaha!"

"What-"

"You are the ugliest person I have ever seen. Now shut up and start walking."

Ella suddenly stopped laughing and said in a serious tone.

"Y-You-"

"Oh and! I hope you didn't forget my warning! If you make the Princess sad, I will kill you!"

Ella warned in a low yet bloody tone.

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After a while, Ella entered the room with Anne.

"My Lady. I brought her."

"I see. Ella, leave us alone for a while."

"As you wish, My Lady."

"Why did you call me?"

As soon as Ella left the room, Anne said with an annoyed expression.

"Anne. What did you say to him last night?"

"What?"

Anne frowned at the question.

"Don't let me repeat my question."

"Are you interrogating me?"

"That's not it."

"Then why are you asking me such a question?"

"Anne. I'm tired. So please. Don't say anything else and answer the question."

"I can't believe this! Sob* Are you doubting me? I came all the way here to Fellmirr because of you! And now-"

Anne sobbed.

"So you are not going to tell me?"

Isabella asked while sighing.

"I didn't say anything!"

"Then why did you come to my room last night?"

"I just wanted to check up on you. Yesterday was your first night in Fellmirr. I was afraid you would be lonely."

"What?"

"But then I heard a man's voice. So I thought it was an assassin! But then I saw it was His Highness! He was really angry to see me. I even told him that I was just worried about you! But still… He slapped me then beat me up!"

I flinched hearing that. 

"What? Leonus?"

No way! He can never do that! Not him…

"Yes. As you can see I have beating marks on my body and face!"

Now that I see, Anne's face was bruised and swollen. 

"I-I see. Anne… You can return to your room and rest for the day."

Anne left as soon as Isabella finished saying.

Thud*

Isabella collapsed on the floor.

Huff* Huff*

I can't breathe!

No way! Leonus can never do that! Not him! 

Is Anne lying?

But why would she lie to me? 

Huff* Huff*

Then did Leonus… No. 

Who should I trust? The person I have known for years. Or the person whom I have known for only a month… who showered me with kindness…

Huff* Huff*

I don't know… I…

Huff* Huff*

Isabella was breathing loudly.

Lie… I hate lies. But what if she really lied?

Aghh~!

Suddenly Isabella's eyes were glowing purple light.

How dare she! Why did she lie!

Isabella got up and started walking towards the door! She was enraged. 

Chiiing-

Suddenly her pendant started glowing! And again a bluish barrier started circling her.

And Isabella froze. Her eyes were still glowing. 

And as time passed by her eyes turned normal. And the barrier vanished. Her pendant also stopped glowing.

Ahh-

Why am I standing here? What… What was I going to do? I don't remember… I can't remember. 

And thud*

Isabella again collapsed on the floor.

What's going on? I can't see clearly. I am losing my consciousness. 

"My Lady!"

Ella? Why does she look so terrified? Is she worried? But I am okay. So don't worry.

But I didn't have the strength to say that.. And in a moment, I lost my consciousness.