Ch. 79 The Two Witches (59)
by Afuhfuihgs
Witch – Chapter 79 – The Two Witches (59)
Leo stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed, trying to calm his nerves as he faced the full-length mirror.
In one hour, the ball would begin.
He had thought he would never wear formal attire or a tuxedo again… but the reflection in the mirror showed a handsome man who could easily capture any woman’s attention.
The perfectly fitted tuxedo accentuated Leo’s features, giving him a classic, elegant look. Like a prince attending a banquet… for a moment, Leo forgot that he was, in fact, born a prince.
Though this wasn’t Leo’s first ball, he felt more nervous and tense than he had at his very first one.
His mind was filled with thoughts of Josie, imagining her slowly approaching him in a dress, smiling and offering her hand, regardless of his own will.
“She must be beautiful.”
He wanted to see Josie in her dress.
He wanted to dance with her and enjoy the ball together.
But would Estelle allow it…?
Thinking of Estelle, who didn’t seem to approve of him… perhaps it would be better to focus on his role as Josie’s knight, ensuring she could enjoy the ball safely.
Seeing Estelle’s concern and actions yesterday made him think it might be okay… but a witch’s whims were unpredictable, and he didn’t know when she might turn on him.
“Are you ready?”
Marquis Eric entered Leo’s room.
“Marquis Eric, you must be busy… Thank you for lending me the clothes.”
Leo expressed his gratitude to Marquis Eric, who had taken the time to visit his room despite being busy greeting the nobles attending the ball.
“You seem nervous.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“I was the same way back then. Haha. It brings back memories of my youth.”
Marquis Eric sat on a nearby chair, reminiscing with a bittersweet smile.
Forty years ago, before he approached his wife, who was serving drinks in a corner of the ballroom, he had been just as nervous and anxious.
“It’s the prime of your life. I regret what happened with Emily, but love is freedom, isn’t it?”
“…….”
Leo hesitated, wondering if he should tell Marquis Eric that Emily’s actions had been a facade to deceive him and Derrick. She had other goals, and love was merely an obstacle.
In the end, he remained silent and listened to Marquis Eric’s words. Talking to someone else was better than being nervous alone.
“Is your partner for the ball… Josie?”
“For now… yes.”
No matter the circumstances, Leo wanted to be Josie’s first dance partner. Even if it meant getting beaten to death by Estelle, he couldn’t bear to watch her dance with someone else.
If he could be a little more greedy, he wanted to be with Josie from the beginning to the end. If possible, he wanted to share every moment with her.
“But why are you so nervous? Did Lady Estelle object?”
“Haha… I’ve made some mistakes… so yes.”
Just as Estelle was an obstacle for Leo, Marquis Eric’s father, Derrick, had been an obstacle for him in love… but Leo couldn’t let himself appear weak in front of Josie.
Considering Josie’s actions after the Death Worm subjugation, where she proved that no parent could truly control their child, Estelle would eventually accept their relationship.
Though he would still face her disapproval… it was a problem that could be easily resolved once they had children, so Marquis Eric hoped Leo would act with more confidence.
“You should be more confident. Lady Estelle would want to entrust her daughter to a confident man.”
“I’ll try my best…”
“If possible, consider Lady Estelle nonexistent tonight. Focus solely on Josie.”
Leo struggled to respond to Marquis Eric’s advice, which made it all sound so simple. It wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t as easy as he made it seem.
Marquis Eric didn’t know. He didn’t know how painful Estelle’s punches or the curses she spat from her broom could be… Without the Holy Eye, Leo might have already been sent to hell.
Above all, considering the mistakes Leo had made… he couldn’t possibly take the lead with Josie. Estelle’s words weren’t wrong either.
As a mother, she couldn’t entrust her daughter to a man who had nearly killed her. Even if the roles were reversed, Leo would feel the same.
Still… the feelings he had confessed to the angel were genuine, and he was just nervous about how to proceed.
Bang!
As the saying goes, speak of the devil. Estelle burst through the door, looking more sharp-eyed than usual, and quickly approached Leo.
“Nonexistent, huh?”
“Th-that wasn’t me…”
Estelle’s sharp retort suggested she had overheard their conversation.
Leo glanced at Marquis Eric for help, but the man silently slipped out of the room, leaving Leo sweating.
Ah, I’m going to get hit again.
Leo closed his eyes, bracing for the impact.
“Open your eyes. Do you want people to think I’m always hitting you?”
“You’re not going to hit me…?”
“Sigh… What does she see in you…”
As Leo cautiously opened his eyes, Estelle placed a hand on her hip and sighed.
“Well, you don’t look bad.”
Estelle scanned Leo from head to toe and nodded slightly.
“Loosen the bow a bit.”
“Why the bow…?”
“Why are you being so informal? You need a little clumsiness for Josie to take care of you, don’t you?”
Estelle flicked her finger, and the neatly tied bow around Leo’s neck loosened.
“Don’t let your gaze linger on any other woman for more than three seconds. Focus only on Josie. When you talk, make proper eye contact. That’s the basics.”
“…Are you okay with this?”
“Huh? With what?”
“Me attending the ball with Josie…?”
The way she told him to loosen the bow, the advice she gave… it all felt like she was acknowledging and even supporting their relationship.
She had even come to his room to give him advice… It made him wonder if he was dreaming.
“Honestly, it’s annoying.”
“But why…”
“Me being annoyed and Josie caring about you… are two different things.”
After spending the night making Josie’s dress and sorting out her feelings, Estelle realized that no matter how much of a fool Leo seemed… Josie might see him differently.
She didn’t want to admit that Beryl’s persuasion had influenced her, but it had been a turning point.
A mother is just a mother.
Even though she knew she couldn’t control Josie’s entire life… she kept being greedy. She kept worrying. Because she was her mother.
It was a little scary and heavy to realize that it was time to let go of her daughter’s hand.
“Leo, can you stay by Josie’s side even if she falls to the depths of hell? Can you keep her hands clean for the rest of her life? Can you protect her from any threat? Even if… it means your own death, will you prioritize Josie’s life?”
So she wanted to confirm it once more.
Leo’s resolve.
“I swear. No matter what hardships or trials come, I will stay by Josie’s side. Even if death stands in my way… I will cut it down.”
Leo placed his clenched fist over his heart and swore. Estelle sighed as if resigning herself.
“It’s not a pass, but it’s not a fail either.”
“Is that… so?”
So what happens now? Is she giving her permission?
Overwhelmed by the flow of the conversation, Leo couldn’t bring himself to ask further questions or even make a light joke.
“Because of you, Josie is dressed up beautifully for the first time in her life. Like a princess. What are you going to say when you see her?”
“I’ll tell her she’s beautiful…”
“That’s right. By the way, I made the dress all night. Don’t forget to compliment how well the dress suits her.”
As if to emphasize how she had stayed up all night, Estelle looked slightly more tired than usual.
Leo hadn’t seen her since she checked the Holy Eye, so he wondered where she had been… Turns out, she was making a dress. It gave him a glimpse of how much Estelle cherished Josie.
“Aren’t you giving me too much guidance?”
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“I’d rather… say what I feel when I see her with my own eyes.”
“…….”
Leo didn’t dislike Estelle’s help,
but he wanted to express his feelings after seeing Josie directly.
Not following a script, but speaking from the heart.
He thought that was the proper way to treat Josie and the first step he should take. Even if it wasn’t much different from what Estelle had suggested…
“Full marks…”
“Huh?”
Leo didn’t catch Estelle’s muttered words, but she didn’t repeat herself, simply opening the door and leaving.
“Oh, right. You saved Josie twice, didn’t you? Thank you.”
Estelle peeked her head back through the door to express her gratitude.
“No, it was only natural…”
“You talk too much for a man. I’ve prepared a gift as thanks. Don’t mess up. You need to lead well, okay?”
With a slight wink, Estelle disappeared, leaving Leo unable to keep up with the situation.
A thank you, a wink… and a gift…?
Is the world ending tomorrow?
Maybe this really is a dream.
Pinching his cheek hard, Leo felt the pain and realized once again that this wasn’t a dream.
Lucent
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