The Male Lead Knelt Before Me

I thought about it after hearing it, but the more I thought about it, the more perplexed I became.

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If the perpetrator was present at the Emperor’s birthday banquet, she was either an aristocratic woman or a low-ranking maid who did all the chores……

But I’d never met any of them or had a relationship with them, much less made it a point to become involved with them.

My social circle was rather small.
After working at the Imperial Palace, Natalie and Vivian were the only women I knew.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t believe any of the ladies I know hold a grudge against me.”

When I shook my head, the investigator looked disappointed.

“I see.”

But if there’s a witness, doesn’t that mean that the witness would know the description of the person who pushed me?

“Can you tell me what the description of the person who pushed me was like? I might think of someone if I listen.”

“I apologize, but we don’t have much information and I’m not sure if it will help you.”

“It’s fine, Sir.
So, kindly inform me.”

“As I previously stated, the perpetrator is a woman.
Also, the perpetrator’s hair color is either brown or blonde.”

“Ah……”

That is, certainly, a lack of information.
All we know is only the gender and hair color.

Even the hair color was unclear, with just a guess between ginger and blonde.
Perhaps because of the obvious disappointment on my face, the investigator added.

“There are a few witnesses, but the majority said they didn’t see the perpetrator very well.”

“Still, I thought you had more information than this.”

“Because there were so many people who heard you fall, Lady, the perpetrator vanished quickly.
Furthermore, everything occurred at night, making visibility difficult.”

“I suppose so.”

I understand the circumstances, but still, the information was too insufficient.

“Lady, you don’t have to be concerned.
I’m going to figure out who did it.”

“Yes, please.”

I stated that, but it didn’t make me feel any better.
I realized how hard it is to catch the person who pushed me with insufficient information.
And the investigator is more aware of this than I am.

“I’ll be on my way then.”

Even after sending the investigator, I felt uneasy at the thought that the perpetrator would not be caught.
I could still feel the force pushing on me, like if they were determined to drown me.

The banquet hall was also holding a present-giving ceremony at the time.

Outside, there were very few people, and there was virtually no one near the bridge I was standing on.

‘That person was trying to kill me.’

I couldn’t afford to look back yesterday, but what the investigator stated gave me shivers as I reflected on what had happened the day before.

‘Was it ordered by the Crown Prince? To kill me? But the Crown Prince has sworn to me…… No, it might have been different.
Just like Caleb who started to love me, instead of Vivian.’

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My body shivered as I thought about the possibility of what I was frightened of becoming a reality.

When I realized Caleb was right next to me, I attempted to calm down, but it was futile.
“Elena?” Caleb’s voice was full of curiosity as he called my name.

Caleb, who was seated next to me, carefully took my hand when I forced my head to turn and look at him.

My fingers were entangled in his knuckles.

Caleb opened his mouth as I stared at him after his simple touch.

“Do you tremble because you’re scared?”

“……I suppose.” Caleb’s thumb touched the back of my hand.
It was a small movement, but it conveyed a feeling of safety.
The fact that he is now by my side.

‘Should I tell him that the Crown Prince might attempt to kill me?’

But saying it takes a lot of courage.
More than confessing that I accepted the Crown Prince’s request.

Because I had to tell him my previous life and explained that this is the world in a book.

I was reluctant to admit this, no matter how trustworthy and caring Caleb was.

I don’t want to cause confusion in a relationship that I just started.

But if I didn’t say so……

Caleb opened his mouth as I bit my lips, unsure what to do.

“Elena, I’m sorry if this comes as a surprise, but I have a request for you to consider.”

“What type of request do you have……”

“I’d want you to take up residence at the Duke’s mansion.”

“Are you proposing that I reside at the Duke’s mansion?”

“In a nutshell, yes.
But I’m not referring to you just simply moving to Duke’s mansion.”

Then?

“I want to take you to Duke’s mansion as my fiance.”

I looked at Caleb with astonishment.

I was taken aback when he stated he wanted me to move into the Duke’s home, and even more so when he mentioned me as his fiancee.

Moreover, the legislation in the Empire stated that someone in an engaged relationship had to marry or break up after a year of engagement.

Although I didn’t think Caleb would talk about breaking the engagement.

“I understand that my request will confound you.
Furthermore, as you mentioned your dating preference before, I think you will be reluctant to engage.”

“No, that’s not the case.
I don’t feel reluctant, but…… ”

“When was the last time I told Caleb about my dating preferences?”

“I apologize, Duke, but when did I tell you about my dating preferences?”

“You said that when I previously proposed to you.
You want to get married after dating someone you like.”

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Did I say that?

As I was thinking about it, I realized I had actually said it.

“Did you still remember that, Duke?”

“Because I could never forget everything you said.”

His tone as he responded to me was calm, but it even made me more fluttering.

Because he seemed to pay close attention to everything I said.

“As much as I want to do what I want, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.
Furthermore, I don’t want to be scared of losing you.”

Caleb’s grip, which held my hand, was tight.

Even though it didn’t hurt, his grip was so firm that I could feel all the pressure on my hand bones.

“I felt irritated every time I saw you in danger.”

His voice was trembling.
I could feel the desperation in his voice.

“You have no idea how terrified I was when I thought I was going to lose you forever.”

His shaking could be felt in his gripped hand.
A lump formed in my throat.

As if I could feel how scared he was every time my life was in danger.

“I don’t want to be afraid of losing you in places I don’t know and beyond my reach.”

His black eyes, which peered right at me, were filled with despair.

“So please allow me to protect you.”

For a little period, I was deafeningly quiet.
Caleb’s suggestion was not something I despised.

I was rather happy, touched, and pleased.

That he was thinking of me like this.

He was doing it because he cared about me.

Caleb’s proposal was first turned down because I wanted him to marry someone he loved, not out of a feeling of responsibility.

And receiving such a proposition this time made me delighted.

He was obviously concerned about my safety.

‘However……’

I was hoping to hear another reasoning from him while I listened to his explanation.

“Is that the only reason you’re asking me to get engaged?” “I’m sorry, but I see how cowardly and inadequate my actions were in bringing you to the Duke’s estate under the guise of protection……”

“Yes? It’s not inadequate!”

I quickly shook my head.
What type of misunderstanding is he having this time!?

“Duke, what you just stated is enough.
I appreciate that, and I believe it is a wonderful thing to say.
And I feel happy to know your true feelings…”

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Ugh, what am I talking about?

I hastily returned to our previous topic since the more I attempted to say anything, the stranger the words came out.

“Anyway! I asked because I wanted to know if there were any other reasons besides what you stated.
I never considered it to be inadequate or cowardly.”

“If there is any other reason……”

“Well, you know what? It’s a popular phrase among lovers.”

“A popular phrase among lovers?”

Caleb still didn’t appear to understand what I was saying.

Because his face was filled with puzzled expressions.

Well, should I give him a little more clue?

“It all begins with ‘I.'”

“I……”

Caleb kept saying it again and over.

I was wondering whether he didn’t know those terms because of his frowning eyes and pinched brows.

I decided to stop talking about it when I spotted Caleb, who was clearly concerned.

After a quick deep breath, I said.

“I love you.”

Caleb’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at me.

I was aware of the shift, but I pretended not to notice.

“Duke, I wish you’d say so.
I’d like to hear that you’re proposing to me because you adore me.”

“……”

“Am I being greedy?”

Caleb was stunned into silence when I asked him a question.

However, the quiet was not bothersome.
I didn’t notice when he let go of my hand, but I could feel his hand gripping it strongly again.

“……No way.”

Caleb knelt down on the sofa and dropped his head as he responded, letting go of my hand.

My face itches from his short silver hair that floated down.

“As you wish.”

Caleb spoke to me in hushed tones, so near that I could hear his breathing.

“I can tell you that, as much as you want.”

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Obviously, he was whispering into my ears.

…… But why……

“Elena, I love you.”

Why did I feel like he was whispering it to my heart?

“I’m head over heels in love with you.”

I couldn’t say no to his sincere confession that I was raising my arm and tugging him toward me with all my might.

Caleb held my back and waist as his body tilted.

His body bumping mine felt tense.
I wasn’t sure if his body tensed because he was surprised when I suddenly pulled him or because it was already tense, but I didn’t care about that for the moment being.

I simply wanted to express my feelings.

I raised my head and said the same thing to Caleb.

“I love you, too.”

I finally said it, but I was still embarrassed.
And that’s a little awkward……

However, it’s true that I love Caleb.

“I really really love you, Duke.”

I felt awkward, but I told Caleb how I felt again.

That was the extent to which I couldn’t suppress my own feelings.

When I finished speaking, I was prepared to turn away in embarrassment.

“Elena.”

His voice was significantly lower than normal when I heard it.

Caleb said in a highly hushed voice, as if holding back something.

“I want to kiss you, Elena.”

It was exceptionally straightforward.

Does he express a desire to kiss me? Why all of a sudden?

I was thinking, but it wasn’t for long.
Because as soon as I lifted my head and met Caleb’s eyes, I couldn’t think of anything.

My vision was only filled with his dark eyes, which shone with a menacing light.

We were so close that we could feel one other’s breaths, and it didn’t feel real.

However, my breathing and the sensations I was experiencing were far too real.

And,

“May I have your permission?”

Even his request for my permission sounded too real.