Chapter 230: Ianne, Leon (1)

Rea​d​ o​n KatReadingCafe

From childhood, she could obtain anything she desired.

Purple eyes. A descendant of the Saint, a lineage even kings of nations dared not disrespect.

With such noble birth, everything was decided the moment she opened her eyes.

Yet, even in such a life, there was one thing she could never possess.

Freedom.

Ianne was not the type to cling stubbornly to things.

It wasn’t because she matured early. She simply had no greed—because anything she asked for, she received. What she didn’t physically possess might as well have been hers already, so there was no need to covet it.

But within that life, she came to recognize something she could never grasp.

The problem lay in the education she received as she grew older.

Knowledge is poison, they say. Towering mountains, vast oceans, sandy deserts, jungles, cities with entirely different architectures—she realized that beyond the Holy City, people lived vibrant lives amidst breathtaking natural landscapes. It shattered the narrow worldview of a girl who had believed this white, sacred city was all there was.

In that moment, her eyes were opened.

I want it. I want it. I must have it.

I want to take in all of it with my own eyes.

A longing for the world beyond the Holy City.

There was a path where she could have accepted her circumstances and lived contentedly. After all, she could spend her entire life in this land of peace, lacking nothing—something others could never achieve no matter how hard they tried.

But to a child, freedom—the one thing she couldn’t possess—shone far too brightly.

That desire, left unchecked, grew alongside her body until, in the original world, it drove her into the worst possible relationship with her elder sister.

Fortunately, in this world, Ianne’s desires were suppressed by Sugar’s influence.

Thanks to Sugar, she reconciled with Ione and learned to restrain her cravings.

But was that all?

Sugar’s twisted mentality also played a significant role in changing her.

‘Who was that blond boy who came during the Festival of Descent? He was so handsome. Totally my type.’

It was around when Sugar was fourteen.

By chance, she had befriended some children from the residential district while hiding her identity.

This was what one of the girls had blurted out.

The next day, Ianne witnessed it.

How silently Sugar could approach someone from behind. How swiftly she could draw a knife.

‘I’ve been learning self-defense lately. Cool, right? Hehe…’

Brandishing a wooden knife under the guise of demonstrating self-defense, pretending it was just a game—was that really something a fourteen-year-old girl should be doing?

Watching the trembling girl amidst the chorus of “That’s awesome, teach me too!” and Sugar, unfazed as she “taught” them self-defense, Ianne made a decision.

I need to keep an eye on her.

I need to guide her so she doesn’t cross the line.

The sweet-scented white-haired girl had personally instilled in her a sense of morality and restraint—lessons on the importance of ethics and why humans must practice self-control. It was nothing short of a monumental achievement.

At any rate.

The conclusion was simple: Ianne was not a person without desires.

Her maturity was merely a natural result of the series of events she experienced as a child.

So then, what must the adult Ianne’s heart be like now, facing yet another thing she could not possess? What state was that deeply buried desire in, hidden beneath morality and restraint?

The fire had already been lit long ago.

All that remained was to act as her heart dictated.

Leon lay down on his bed after finishing today’s report.

Burying his gaunt face in the blanket, he let out a sigh, his entire body relaxing in pleasant relief.

Why was he so gaunt? Had it been the sleepless nights of work?

No, physically, it was exhausting, but mentally, there had never been a more exhilarating time.

The thought that he could recreate a legend with his own hands—how astonishing and magnificent was that? He was steadily approaching that achievement. Every attempt at crafting the Saint’s Water stimulated his mind, sending a ticklish thrill through him.

‘If… if I really succeed…’

Leon swallowed hard.

Today’s meeting had shown him the possibility.

The weakened Saintess.

Himself, in the midst of creating the Saint’s Water.

If he could complete it and present it to the Saintess…

If he could succeed in recreating the legend and achieve the feat of healing her body…

With an accomplishment like that, wouldn’t it be permissible to glance just once at the Saintess’s younger sister?

“…”

One part of him trembled with anticipation; another sighed, weighed down by guilt.

At first, this had been for his mother’s sake. With his friends’ help, he had come this far—yet the meaning had warped. Selfish calculations had tainted what began as an act of devotion to his family.

Was this alright?

What would the friends who helped him think?

How disappointed would she be—one of those very friends?

The thought of betraying the trust of the person who had once asked to share a room with him in the second semester made his chest ache.

How could he confess that this wasn’t just about healing his family? That it wasn’t just about healing her sister? That he was doing this because he wanted, even just a little, to reach for her, so far above him?

“You keep saying you’ll give up because of the difference in status, but what’s the truth? You still like her, don’t you!”

That was right.

He still liked her.

He had told himself over and over that he would let go—yet the moment today’s meeting revealed a glimmer of possibility, his heart blazed with longing. It was pathetic, infuriating, stupid.

Was this what love did to a person? Reduced them to such a simple, foolish state?

Then again, seeing how that white-haired woman acted around her man, he couldn’t help but nod in understanding.

No matter what.

It would be impossible to abandon these feelings now. That much was undeniable.

That radiant smile. Eyes brimming with mystery. A gentle and kind touch. An upright character with unshakable resolve—the more one looked, the more one fell under her spell.

Lately, she carried a somewhat shadowy aura, enough to send chills down the spine, but it was surely because her dear friend kept distancing himself. She must have been hurt.

Leon knew Ianne cherished him. How could he not, when she cared for him so attentively?

And yet, this very man harbored feelings for her. Hah. It was enough to drive him mad.

Guilt stabbed at his chest—guilt toward his family, his friends, his unrequited love. It tangled with anticipation until he could no longer tell which was which.

Exhaling sharply, Leon squeezed his eyes shut.

For now, I should sleep. Wake up with a clear mind and face the morning.

…

…

“I’ve been curious for a while, Leon. We got along just fine in the first semester. So why don’t you want to share a room with me anymore?”

‘…Can I really keep running forever?’

The voice echoed in his mind.

When morning came, he resolved to at least address Ianne’s secret. “Lady Ianne, you’re a woman. Men and women shouldn’t share a room.” That much was a moral issue, beyond the question of whether he could let go of his feelings.

Just as he steeled himself for that conversation—

Knock, knock.

A knock at the door.

At this hour?

A foreboding chill ran down his spine.

His awakened body sharpened his senses, and he detected a familiar magical presence.

“…Ian?”

As he sat up, a voice answered from beyond the door. “Yes. It’s me.”

“…What’s the matter?”

[Sorry for the late hour. But there’s something I need to say.]

Could it be about the dormitory? Had she come all this way just for that?

“It’s… quite late. Couldn’t this wait until morning?”

[I want to talk now.]

Her voice was thick with urgency. Leon’s chest ached. Had his constant avoidance frustrated her enough to seek him out in the dead of night?

…I should apologize. And maybe ask about her secret while I’m at it.

“Understood. Come in.”

Just as he thought his morning plan would unfold now instead—

[…]

Yet, despite his invitation, the door remained closed. Her presence lingered outside, unmoving.

“Ian?”

[Leon.]

“Yes… Please, come in.”

[What do you think of me?]

An abrupt question, delivered without entering.

Bewildered, Leon answered calmly.

“…I consider you a dear friend.”

[Is that all?]

“Yes.”

[Liar.]

An instant rebuttal, sharp as a blade.

[I heard everything. Your conversation.]

“Huh? What conversa—”

[You like me, don’t you?]

Leon’s eyes widened at the sudden—though not quite—confession. Before he could react, Ianne pressed on.

[But lately, you’ve been keeping your distance… refusing to share a room, avoiding me… So I’ll ask plainly: do you hate me now?]

“N-No! It’s because I like you that…!”

Leon’s words caught in his throat. Damn it. Everything was spiraling out of control. If he were to confess, it wouldn’t be like this.

[…I’ve been thinking. Why has he been avoiding me? Why does he seem so uneasy around me? Ah—could it be that he’s realized my secret? Is that why he’s pulling away?]

Even as she spoke, Ianne pressed forward relentlessly.

Her secret.

The truth of her gender.

“…What are you talking about?”

Playing dumb, Leon feigned ignorance—until the door creaked open.

The figure that stepped through left no room for doubt.

Platinum hair cascading down her back. A delicate face framed by the soft, full curves of her chest, their generous swell a stark contrast to her slender waist. A silhouette so precarious it bordered on unfair. It was a body he almost recognized.

Leon swallowed hard.

The truth, unveiled so abruptly, left him stunned. He had suspected—after seeing Sugar and Riley’s reactions, he’d half-concluded that Ianne was a woman.

But this…

This was downright violent.

“Why…?”

Tearing his gaze away from her chest, Leon looked up at her face. He wanted to ask—why reveal the secret now? Why did she look like she was on the verge of tears?

Before he could, Ianne spoke first.

“Why am I a woman? Because I was born one. How unfortunate… since you prefer men.”

What—?

“I know everything. You like men, don’t you? You’re that way.”

Leon’s jaw dropped. As he stared in shock, Ianne drove the final nail in.

Leon was utterly speechless. It felt like he’d been struck hard on the back of the head—his thoughts short-circuited, leaving him scrambling just to steady his breathing.

“Hah… haaah… No, Ian, there seems to be a major misunderstanding here. First, could you—could you at least put some clothes on—?”

“Why? Don’t like what you see? Disgusted?”

“That’s not it!”

Her figure was so overwhelmingly sensual that his brain shorted out, unsure where to even look. The swell of her breasts, barely restrained, the silhouette of her nipples pressing against nothing—had she come here wearing nothing underneath?!

“Right. Must be repulsive. What is this? Monstrously big and…”

Completely unaware of her own lethal charm, Ianne stepped closer, pressing her bare skin against him.

“But the texture should still feel nice. You are a man, after all. Instinctively, you’d—”

“Stop! Just stop!”

“…”

She had memories of being groped relentlessly when her identity was still hidden. Surely, she thought, instinct would override hesitation.

But instead, Leon recoiled sharply.

“…Why? Why not?”

Not that retreating did him any good—they were still on the bed. Effortlessly, Ianne climbed over him, pinning his wrists and pressing her body down. The mattress groaned under their combined weight.

“You hate a woman with such a vulgar body? Does it sicken you?”

“No, wait, just calm down first—!”

“Not to your taste? Yeah, of course not…”

“I said that’s not it!”

“But, Leon… even so…”

Her voice wavered, the confidence in her earlier assault crumbling. The raw vulnerability in her eyes made his chest tighten.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

He had imagined a thousand ways this conversation might unfold—awkward confessions, careful negotiations, maybe even cold rejection. But this? Her forcing the truth on him like some kind of test, as if her worth hinged on whether he could stomach her body?

“You’re not disgusting,” he growled, finally finding his voice. “You’re not some ‘monster.’ You’re just—God, you’re Ian. That’s all that matters.”

Her breath hitched.

“Then why…?”

“Because I respect you!” The words burst out of him, louder than he intended. “Because if I touch you now, like this, it won’t be because I want you—it’ll be because you forced me to prove something! And that’s not how this should work!”

Silence.

Ianne stared down at him, her lips parted slightly. Then, slowly, the weight on his wrists lessened.

“…Oh.”

A single syllable, soft and stunned.

Leon exhaled, his pulse still hammering. “I do like you. But not like this. Not when you’re hurting yourself to make a point.”

For a long moment, she didn’t move. Then, with a shuddering breath, she rolled off him, pulling the sheets around herself.

“…I’m sorry.”

The words were barely audible.

Leon sat up, running a hand through his hair. “Just… talk to me next time. Properly.”

A faint nod.

The tension didn’t vanish, but something between them had shifted.

And for now, that was enough.

“Then… won’t you love even someone like me…?”

Tears soon began to fall, drop by drop, from Ianne’s eyes.

“I know you like men. I know… but still… even if it’s just this body of mine…”

“Wait, this is a misunderstanding! The reason I kept my distance wasn’t because of your gender—”

“Sniff… No… It’s fine… It’s fine now…”

“Huh…?”

There was a sense of resignation in her voice, laced with a chilling finality.

When Leon looked up, wondering what absurd thing she’d say next, he saw Ianne wiping her tears with her sleeve before fixing him with a gaze.

“I was planning to do this from the beginning anyway…”

In her eyes flashed anger, love and hatred, sorrow and frustration—one after another.

And then, what settled there was nothing short of a predator’s ravenous hunger.

“Starting now… I’m going to make this an indisputable fact.”