The Male Lead Knelt Before Me

The dark eyes that conveyed my image did not deflect my gaze, as if genuine.

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I blinked.
I know Caleb is not the kind of man who says things he doesn’t mean.

Even yet, I couldn’t believe it.

I wouldn’t be shocked if he stated that it wasn’t strange.

But… beautiful?

It must have been weird that I came in sweaty, without even wiping it off or tying my hair up.

“Really, do you think so?”

“I apologize if I offended you by expressing my appreciation without your permission.”

“No, no, no.
I wasn’t offended………..”

How should I put this feeling?

I stuttered with embarrassment.

But I couldn’t say anything.

Surprisingly, I couldn’t recall any backbiting.

“Well, I expected you to be upset, but you said I’m beautiful, let alone angry.
Are you sure you’re all right?” “Are you sure you’re all right?”

 

I wanted to ask whether I was truly beautiful, but couldn’t bring myself to do so.

Because my face wasn’t thick enough to ask about my appearance.

Instead, that issue was posed after witnessing the compromise in its own way.

Is he really okay?

“Yes.”

Caleb was relaxed.

“Beautiful.”

He concluded his remarks with a firm tone.

“And… you were stunning.
I apologize.
I’m not very good at talking, therefore I’m at a loss for words.
But it’s all sincere.”

“I know, I know.”

I eagerly nodded.

I hesitated in the middle, but I felt he needed to express himself rather than makeup words that he didn’t have.

That’s why I didn’t suspect anything Caleb said wasn’t honest.

Unknowingly, my gaze dropped lower.

I couldn’t look at Caleb because my face was so hot that I could feel it without even touching my cheek.

 

‘What’s wrong with me all of a sudden?’

Just because I was praised for being beautiful?

But, in that sense, even before I stopped acting, my face should have been heated every day.….

It’s no surprise that the majority of the men who came to visit me sought to enchant me with sophisticated words.

Caleb, as predicted…… No.

I believe this is due to the fact that the thrill from the stage is still present.

It had to be.

“By the way, Lord………… I’m sorry.”

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“Lena!”

I turned around to hear Veloca’s voice from behind me.

When I looked back, I saw Veloca and Rael, as I had expected.

They both came up behind me and came to a halt.

They seemed to have found Caleb late since their focus was on the back of my shoulder.

And the two people that saw Caleb had troubled expressions.

They couldn’t get much closer.

“Do you know who they are?”

“They are, indeed, my friends…..’

My words were tangled as I glanced at Caleb.

Their reactions to Caleb are noticeable when I observe Rael and Veloca’s reactions.

They couldn’t see his face clearly because of his hat, and he was tall enough to tower over most adult males.

Aside from that, he’s a man clothed in black from head to toe.

It occurred to me that if Caleb and I hadn’t known each other, I might have responded similarly.

But I can’t tell Caleb that they won’t be able to approach them because of him, so let’s stop trying to create excuses.

“My acquaintances are shy.
That is why they are unable to approach us.”

“Then I’ll leave you alone.”

“No, no, no.
You are not obligated to do so.”

I feel guilty about having him wait and watch the performance silently alone, but he’s going to leave me alone so I could meet my friends?

How much guilt is he attempting to instil in me?”

I don’t mind, but wouldn’t your friends feel off? Don’t be worried about me.”

How come I am not bothered?

What am I supposed to do now?

I’m sure Rael and Veloca would be uncomfortable if I asked them to come this way……

I was in a lot of discomfort and agony at the moment.

“Lena.”

“Huh?”

Looking back, Rael and Veloca were nearby.
When did they get here?

I assumed they’d be standing there the entire time.

While I was looking at Rael and Veloca with unusual eyes, the two said “hello” to Caleb.

Veloca then yelled at me and whispered in my ear.

“Who is it?”

“Oh, this………….”

This is Lord Egon.

I was about to say his name as usual, but I stopped myself.

Because Caleb was a duke and a captain of the Royal Knights.

Rael and Veloca, on the other hand, are commoners.

They couldn’t even come readily just by glancing at Caleb’s looks from a distance.

If I told them who Caleb is, I’m sure they’d be astonished……

“Well, I mean, he’s……..”

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I  paused, unsure what to do, but Caleb opened his mouth.

“I am Lady Oreu’s companion.”

“Ah, companion.”

Veloca’s face, which recounted in a small way, was full of bewilderment.

As if she wants to ask ‘who doesn’t know that?’.

Instead, she fixed her gaze on me.

As if she wants me to explain.

But I couldn’t say anything.

I had no idea how to introduce Caleb.

Just smiling, Veloca delved into Caleb.

She couldn’t get near him a few moments ago.

Not long after looking at him like that, she shouted ‘Huh?’

“Maybe, a knight? The knight who helped you the day you went to buy perfume, right?”

“How did you know?”

I was surprised by Veloca’s insight into Caleb’s connection with the events of the time.

It was a long time ago.

Unlike me, who was surprised, Veloca didn’t mind.

“There’s a sword in the waist, so I took it with a hunch.
Didn’t you say that the knight who saved you was handsome? That’s why I thought so.”

I nodded until the first line.

It was a pretty reasonable guess.

But the words that followed had no choice but to amaze me.

‘How could you say that when the person is present!’

I had no choice but to look at Caleb reflexively.

Of course, being handsome was a compliment, but it could feel different depending on the listener.

Sneaking a look at Caleb, his expression wasn’t much different than usual.

That’s a relief.

“But how did you meet him? Last time I asked you, you said you didn’t even know his name.”

“I met him by chance.”

In fact, the relationship is quite intertwined, but I thought it would be appropriate to surround them like this for now.

It’s not even wrong in the first place.

We bumped into each other on the way to the theatre company.

“So you came with him?”

Veloca’s eyes narrowed as I nodded.

That face is the expression Veloca used to make when she heard funny stories…….

I was worried that Veloca might ask about Caleb and me in earnest, but Rael unexpectedly changed the topic.

“But what do you mean this guy helped Lena? What help?”

“Oh, you don’t know? I went to the market with Lena last time.
We were supposed to meet after we finished our business, but Lena met the bullies.”

“That’s what happened? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“It’s okay.
Lord… I mean, he helped me and I didn’t get hurt at all.”

“That’s a relief.”

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Rael breathed a sigh of relief at my words.
And said with a deeply disappointed face.

“I didn’t know you had a companion.
We thought you were here alone.
We thought we could talk more after the stage.
Are you leaving now?”

“Yes, I think…….”

I was sad too, but I couldn’t help it.
I was the one who allowed Caleb to accompany me.

Besides, I didn’t want to spend more of Caleb’s time because I’ve already done a lot of things I’m sorry for him.

There is nothing I can do.

“I will come back next time.”

“Really? You promised.”

“Sure.”

It was when I nodded and was about to say goodbye.

Veloca grabbed me by the arm.

“Wait, are you going to walk around the street like that? Wouldn’t it be better to fix your makeup?”

Gasp, she right!

I haven’t removed my makeup yet!

I was appalled to recall my condition belatedly.

If I go outside like this, it’ll draw attention.

Ugh, this really can’t be helped.

I have to ask Caleb for his understanding.

“I am sorry, but can I remove my makeup first?”

“Come back comfortably.
I’ll be waiting for you.”

“I will be back very soon this time.
Really.”

“Don’t worry too much, Lena.
I’ll take him to the parlour room for a while and serve him tea.”

Veloca pounded her chest, saying she would treat Caleb very well.

Now that I hear that, I’m more worried.…….

Anyway, I headed to the waiting room to fix my makeup.

I hurriedly fixed my makeup because I thought I couldn’t keep Caleb waiting long again this time.

When I got back to the parlour room, Veloca commented, ‘You’re back so soon, I thought it would take longer.

This was when I came out of the theatre with Caleb, who exchanged goodbyes.

“Are you sure you don’t mind breaking up with your friends like this?”

“Yes, I’m fine.
Originally, I was going to see her face for a while.”

I happened to be on stage, but that’s definitely not my original plan.

I really just want to see Rael and Veloca for a second.

When Rael said he was sorry that I went back early, I thought I wanted to be with them a little longer, but…….

‘Well, I’ve achieved my purpose today.’

I thought it would be good to wrap up today’s outing like this.

It’s not just today, but I can come back next time and have fun.

“Goodbye.”

I smiled brighter on purpose.

To show that I was okay from the bottom of my heart.

Fortunately, my intentions worked, Caleb followed me gently.

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It was when I was looking around to catch the carriage.

“Lena, wait!”

Looking back, I saw Rael running toward us.

“Rael, what’s going on?”

“Well, ha….
wait….
ha… let… me… ha…take a breath.”

Rael couldn’t breathe out evenly, perhaps because he was running quite quickly.

I waited for him like that.

But it’s pretty urgent, Rael grabbed me and said before his breath even changed.

“Ha, one thing, just one thing, I’m here because I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“Do you remember what I gave you before?”

“If what you’ve given it to me before…….
Do you mean the jasmine pot?”

“Right, you remember.”

“Of course, but why?”

I was genuinely wondering.

We’ve already said goodbye, but he was busy chasing me and asking me where the jasmine plant is?

“I just wanted to ask you if you were raising them well.
You said you’d come again next time, but I wanted to ask you before I forgot.”

It was a bit bland for him to call me here in a hurry, but it was a good reason.

“I think it’s growing up well.
I saw yesterday that there was a bud.”

“Did it get a bud? Then flowers will bloom soon.”

“Right?”

“I hope it blooms beautifully.”

Rael smiled at me.

And yet he kept looking at Caleb next to me.

What is it?

Is he uncomfortable with Caleb?

After all, they should talk and see each other a few more times before they get to know each other and become more comfortable.

I decided to step down quickly so that Rael would no longer feel uncomfortable.

Well, we can walk a little more before we catch the carriage.

“Then we’ll really get going.
See you next time, Rael.”

I snapped Caleb’s hand.

Then I dragged him and walked forward.

How long has it been?

‘Something’s wrong.’

I strangely tilted my head.

It was because of the right hand.
It was obviously an empty hand.

But why does it feel so full and my palms are rather warm?

It was when I casually put my hand down.

Gasp, I caught my breath.

What, what?

Why am I holding Caleb’s hand?