When The Moon Tilts West - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

On the heated night, her face frowned at his every gesture, and the olive-colored eyes gazing up at him wet with tears were lovely.

That gaze with a face full of pleasure, the inner walls that wraps his member vigorously, the sweet moan that bursts out like suppressed…

The collarbone that stood out every time she moved her head, the chest that swelled when she breathed and exhaled, the slender waist, and the plump thighs wrapped around his waist.

All of that drove the man crazy. Even now, after a long time since the affair.

Leon kept thinking about the love affair he had shared last night and her hot body. Blood quickly began to circulate through his body again. He changed his mind, trying to soothe his sore lower body.

He had more to think about than her body or their love affair.

The situation changed with the new Emperor’s accession, the suspicious movements of Duke Grande, the will of his father who died, the mansion that did not welcome their master even if he came.

Suddenly, the door opened and someone came in.

Leon got up, thinking it was the Emperor, before sitting back down again with a frown on his face.

Her black hair gleamed in the sunlight shining through the window. Her droopy eyes were rather bewitching, and her red lips had an alluring smile painted on it.

“What brings you here, not His Majesty?”

“His Majesty is coming soon.”

As she sat at the table, she rested her chin and lowered her torso. The dizzying chest bones were revealed, but he didn’t give a single glance to it.

Marchioness Philistines is the mistress of the new emperor.

Leon knew better what a great woman she was, that rose from a prostitute to that position.

It was not enough for her to win his heart without disturbing the sensitive and picky heart of the emperor, who was the third prince at the time. All the formulas belonged to the woman, Jane Philistine.

Leon, who was on the same battlefield as the third prince, saw the whole process. This woman knew her place well, even though the man she had captured was crowned emperor.

She liked the gift of fancy jewelry, though she didn’t ask for it. Because of her elevated status, she did not treat or disrespect her subordinates. Even after receiving the title, she was marginalized for being a prostitute, but she was not withdrawn, rather dignified. So, she was quite attractive in many people’s eyes.

“You seem to be thinking a lot.”

She asked with a smile. Leon glanced at her and then placed his gaze on the window.

“Is it because of your cousin who took over the mansion while you were on the battlefield? Or, is it because of your father?”

“….”

“Or…”

“Stop.”

When Leon interrupted Marchioness Philistines, she just grinned. It looked like she was impatient to tease him.

Leon, who knew her temper well, frowned.

“I think His Majesty is planning to hold an enthronement party now.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now. I guess you’ve been very busy lately. It looks like it took longer than I thought to get the smell of blood off from the Imperial Palace.”

Saying so, she smiled brightly. Marchioness Philistines twisted her hair with her fingers and continued her words.

“The people he’s going to invite are nobles from all over the palace.”

“….”

“He told everyone to attend. Especially, the Duke of Deorc’s family, of course.”

“…Are you telling me to bring Kevin back?”

“Did His Majesty really mean something like that?”

Marchioness Philistines’ lips drew a line.

“It’s the Lady in the house, I want to see her.”

Hearing those words, his eyes went cold. Meanwhile, she simply smiled brightly without being daunted by the rather horrendous aura.

“There must be nothing in the empire that I am ignorant of, that’s what His Majesty said.”

*** 

Olivia lifted her head helplessly at the person who had come to her room. Then, as she realized that it was Leon who had come in, she got up in amazement.

She thought it was a maid at the sound of the knock, so it was wrong for her to answer rudely. Lying on the bed, her face went red when she thought that he had seen this look unfiltered.

“I thought you were a maid. I didn’t think you would come to my room like this…”

Muttering her words, Olivia stroked her disheveled hair.

His gaze rested on her neck. The flower-shaped marks he left behind remained on her neck.

“I came here just yesterday.”

Leon spoke in a somewhat disapproving tone. Understanding the content, she widened her eyes. In the direct expression of yesterday’s love affair, her cheeks and ears were dyed red.

“That’s right, that’s right…”

Suddenly, Olivia was embarrassed to see this person in front of her eyes. Even more so, as she remembered that she had cried in his arms and spread her legs apart. How could he stand there casually?

“What’s the matter?”

Trying to ignore her thoughts, Olivia asked, bowing her head.

“Why don’t you look at the other person’s face when you have a conversation?”

His voice was cold.

She bowed her head in front of people, it was definitely rude. Knowing that, she tried to raise her head again. But, the moment she met his purple eyes, Olivia remembered last night again and unknowingly lowered her head back down.

Her heart was pounding rapidly.

“No, I made a mistake. You don’t even have to try to see my face. You can’t force yourself to see what you don’t want to see.”

“No, I don’t mean that I don’t want to see you, no—”

When she spoke in a mosquito-like voice, he asked.

“What do you mean no?”

“I just, I… I’m suddenly ashamed… because you’re talking about yesterday…”

Olivia shut her eyes tightly. She was a promiscuous woman and pretended to be shy. That man will think she’s flirting.

She didn’t know that he had a blank expression on his face and fixed his gaze on her red-tinted ears. When she had the courage to raise her head again, Leon coughed and opened his mouth. His cool energy subsided.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m okay. There’s nothing wrong.”

“I haven’t been able to look at your body myself.”

“….”

“Next time, I will be a little more considerate.”

Next time…?

She opened her eyes wide.

“Next time?”

“Yes, next time.”

Leon spoke firmly and he gazed at her face before asking.

“You don’t want it?”

“….”

When Olivia didn’t answer, he persisted, raising one corner of his mouth.

“Are you feeling guilty about brother, now?”

“…What do you mean guilty?”

“Still, I can’t help it. It won’t happen again between the two of you.”

“….”

“If you want to mix your body with someone, just do it with me.”

Hearing that, she stared at him in surprise at the rather provocative remark. His face was resolute as if he would not allow rejection, and she felt a subtle pressure. Perhaps because of the dark room, Leon’s purple eyes seemed to have sunk.

Goosebumps coursed through her.

“…Why?”

“….”

“Why are you doing this with me, Your Excellency?”

He answered the question.

“Didn’t you say that you couldn’t live without a man?”

“….”

“So, that’s why.”

“If you’re worried about me doing it with Kevin, you can send someone else. Why do you have to…”

“Looks like you didn’t like it.”

“It’s not like that…”

“Or, are you asking me to get someone to suit your taste?”

“I’m not saying that, Your Excellency, what I said yesterday was actually a lie…”

“His Majesty has invited you.”

He cut her off. Olivia’s eyes widened at the words that came out of Leon’s mouth, not even daring to speak.

“His Majesty—His Majesty… what do you mean…?”

“His Majesty the Emperor of Abbas, this country.”

“I know. Though why me… I’m from Roheim. Besides, how does he know me?”

“He has invited all members of the Deorc family. You must also participate.”

“I’m, the family…”

“His Majesty wants to see everyone in our family.”

She clouded her face with a worried expression.

“Your Excellency, I am half noble. If I go out, I will only be a nuisance to the family. Besides, I…I have never been involved in anything like that.”

“Did you not receive any education?”

“….”

“You also practiced dancing.”

Her face turned red at the words ‘dance practice.’ Olivia’s eyes, full of anticipation, turned to Leon, but his expression did not change.

Disappointed, she bowed her head again.

“There is no point in having confidence or not having confidence. The invitation has come, and Miss Claudel will not be able to turn down an imperial order.”

He didn’t seem to know why she lowered her head.

“I am going to call a seamstress tomorrow.”

“…Yes.”

Olivia gave up and replied weakly. She then asked Leon as if she had a sudden thought. “If it’s a member of the Deorc family, will brother Kevin also come?”

He said, raising the corners of his mouth.

“No.”

His eyes slowly moved to the box laid out on the table. The gap in the box was slightly opened to reveal the contents.

Seeing the garnet necklace, he said.

“It seems that Miss Claudel did not like the necklace.”

“….”

“I will be on my way.”

He went outside without looking back. His back looked very cold.

*** 

Preparing for the party was surprisingly simple. Because Leon spared no money for her. The seamstress made Olivia’s dress, promising that she would make Olivia a beauty that would catch eyes.

Matching accessories were delivered under the direction of the seamstress, and even maids to do makeup were placed. She did not refuse his consideration at this time because she thought she might be a disgrace to the Duchy of Deorc if she went there, looking shabby.

After all the preparations were done, her heart began to pound.

She had never had a debutante, so to speak, this was her debutante. Of course, she didn’t have any optimistic expectations.

Olivia got up and glanced in the mirror. Her face looked much better with the pretty makeup and earrings. Then, she got up and looked at the maids. The maids looked at her blankly, then erased their disdainful expressions on their faces before nodding their heads.

As she went down the stairs, Leon was waiting.

Olivia held her skirt and stepped quietly on her feet. He seemed to think the same as when she looked in the mirror. He held out his hand as he waited under the stairs.

Moments later, he uttered as she glanced at his hand.

“I will escort you.”

As she hesitated, she took his hand.

Olivia felt a firm hand wrapped around hers over the silk gloves. She felt strange at this moment. Still, she changed her position and began to walk with her hands on his arms. Contrary to her already shaky body, Leon didn’t seem to be nervous at all.

When she got into the carriage, he came along. She thought he would ride separately, so she was a little embarrassed.

She thought the Deorc family had no shortage of carriages. Besides, this carriage was the carriage used by the master of the house. The only woman who can ride here is his fiancée or the mistress of this house.

Realizing that, she said hurriedly.

“Your Excellency. I have to get off here…”

“It is inefficient to use a separate carriage. Don’t be uncomfortable.”

It was strange for Leon to give a separate carriage for her, though. Though Olivia was better off with this, it was quite uncomfortable to be with him together in a small space.

“Are you uncomfortable here?”

“No.”

When he asked as if he had read her thoughts, she immediately lied. The purple eyes gazed at her and changed his question.

“Are you nervous because it’s your first time?”

“…Yes.”

He chuckled at her quiet words.

Chuckled? Him…?

Olivia opened her eyes wide.

“To be honest, I don’t think Miss Claudel will do very well there. I’m sorry I couldn’t stop this part.”

“Oh, no.”

She had already made up her mind when she went to the imperial ball.

“But, there is no need to be discouraged.”

“….”

“You just have to be brave.”

“How can I…”

What does he want her to be brave of? As if answering her questioning expression, he opened his mouth.

“You belong to the House of Deorc, and you are under my protection. To insult you is to insult the Deorc. So, you can be brave.”

At that, Olivia thought she had heard something wrong.

Leon was saying that she belonged to the family and that he would protect her… She was already a member of the family of Leon. The position she thought was precarious seemed to be fixed on this one word of his.

Even that delight is not enough, he took a small breath and said.

“Besides, you are more beautiful than anyone today.”

At the last words, her face flushed red. She knew what Leon was talking about. So, she could be brave. What if her heart bursts like this?

Olivia lowered her head and spoke quietly.

“I know you said nice things to encourage me. Thank you so much, Your Excellency.”

Leon didn’t answer anything. Instead, he let out a small sigh of disappointment, which, too, could not be heard by Olivia’s ears due to the rattling of the carriage.