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Chapter 20: "Let's Go Back and Continue"
On the rooftop, the bodyguard held Lucin's hands tightly. Lucin yelled, "All of this is her fault! She's the one who tried to frame Androsen!"
Pilea looked at Androsen, hoping he would see her innocence, not knowing he already knew the truth — that she wasn't the one behind anything. It was all Lucin's idea.
"When everything was exposed, she pushed the blame onto me!" Lucin cried.
Androsen shot him a cold glare. "Shut up."
His voice was enough to warn Lucin not to cross the line again.
Pilea's hands tightened. His hands were warm, surprisingly soft.
She stared at him, confused. Her green eyes shimmered under the night sky, her pretty face glowing. She didn't understand him at all.
"I won't allow you to slander my woman," Androsen said bluntly.
Pilea blinked. Her gaze stayed on him, and when he noticed, he glanced back at her.
Suddenly everything felt silent, the calm breeze brushing past them.
For a moment, it felt like only the two of them existed.
Lucin's cold laughter shattered everything.
"You're a vampire, yet you're protecting a human?" Lucin sneered.
Androsen's eyes grew colder than ever.
"You don't deserve to succeed as an elder!" Lucin barked.
Androsen smirked; his usual cold aura returned.
"Is it only people like you—who use filthy tricks to reach their goals—that are qualified?"
He took a step forward.
"And if I can't even protect my own blood servant, then what honor do I have left?"
Lucin trembled, feeling like his soul would fly out of his body.
"Less pretty talk! How can you call me despicable? Aren't you the same?!"
"Enough! All of you, quiet!" the elder commanded.
As he turned to leave, he paused but didn't look at Lucin.
"Will, you don't have to come to the elders anymore."
He looked at the bodyguard.
"Parker, show Will to the door. Let him return to the North. He is not to come back here again."
Lucin dropped to his knees.
"Lord Leonard, please! Give me another chance!"
But the elder walked away, as if Lucin no longer existed.
"I won't do it again!" Lucin screamed as they dragged him away.
"Androsen LOPEZT! Remember—having no vengeance isn't befitting a gentleman!"
His voice faded into the distance.
Pilea stood quietly, eyes lowered, hands clenched.
Androsen noticed and drew her closer.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently.
She flinched a little but nodded.
Compared to Lucin… what scares me more is that I stepped head-first into the world of the clan, she thought, looking into Androsen's eyes in disbelief.
And all of this… was for Androsen.
Just before leaving, Elder Leonard turned back.
"Don't be too happy, young master of the Lopezt family. As the next candidate, little tricks won't be enough. Take care of yourself."
Androsen, Pilea, and Kensley stood silently as Leonard walked away.
Kensley laughed lightly. "I have things to do, so I'll leave you two to your… romantic world."
Androsen glared. Pilea stood there quietly.
"See you later," Kensley said as he walked away.
"Looks like you kids are sensible," he muttered under his breath.
Androsen turned to Pilea. "Come with me."
She blinked in surprise but followed him.
He stopped at a glowing pool.
"This place is—" Pilea began.
"The castle is full of vampires," he said calmly.
Pilea stared at the huge pool, feeling small.
"You're uncomfortable, aren't you?"
Her eyes widened. She didn't realize she had said out loud, "He actually noticed…"
Androsen's throat tightened a little.
"A-Ahem… don't misunderstand. It's only because you helped me earlier. I'm just… rewarding you a little," he muttered, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Then he gently held her waist, pulling her closer. Pilea lifted her head to look at him.
He whispered, "Let's show the result of your training."
He placed her hands on his, taking the first step. She followed carefully, their movements flowing together.
There was no music, but the silence felt like a song just for them.
Every step, every turn was perfect and harmonious.
Pilea was lost in his gaze… but something still weighed on her mind.
"Androsen," she called softly.
"What is it?" he asked, eyes on her.
"Sen… Will planned to frame you to compete for the elder position?"
"Yes. But how did you know? Kensley told you?"
"Then… will more people try to frame you in the future?"
Androsen raised a brow. "Are you worrying for your master?"
Pilea's face flushed. "N-No! I just don't want to cause trouble like this again…"
As she tried to pull away, she tripped—but he caught her.
Before she could speak, he pressed a soft kiss against her lips.
Calm, slow.
Pilea wasn't sure when she leaned into it, her eyes drifting shut.
A young lady nearby watched them silently. Tears fell as she clutched the wall, her gaze sharp with jealousy.
She turned and disappeared.
Pilea sensed movement. Is someone there?
Quickly, she pulled away.
Androsen looked at her gently. "What's wrong?"
Her hands rested on his chest, but her eyes stayed on the ground.
"If someone sees us…"
He chuckled. "You're worried about that?"
He lifted her chin gently.
"The ball is almost over anyway."
He took her hand.
"Let's go back and continue."
Pilea's eyes widened. "Eh? B-But that's not what I meant—"
Meanwhile, Elder Leonard sat in a dim room with a man who looked like an older, more mature version of Androsen.
"Rare for us to meet," Leonard said. "Yet you're staring out the window."
"Sorry," the man replied.
"Androsen is leaving the castle. I must watch him go. He's my everything. Not protecting him well… won't do."
"You really cherish your little brother," Leonard said.
"Of course. I must protect him."
Leonard laughed. "I'm getting jealous."
"You're funny," the elder brother said.
Leonard leaned back, serious.
"If not for you asking, I wouldn't care about those kids fighting for the elder position."
"Androsen and Kensley know you and I are close," the brother added.
"So Androsen may come to you for help. And without an elder's testimony, their little scheme wouldn't work."
"You've thought this out well," Leonard said.
"I'm just going along with the flow."
Leonard narrowed his eyes.
"But doesn't Androsen think too highly of this new blood servant? If this continues, it might affect his evaluation."
The elder brother smirked.
"It won't last long anyway."
Leonard raised a brow, unsure what he meant.
"In any case," Leonard said, "I helped your brother get rid of a competitor. How will you thank me?"
The elder brother stepped closer, tilting Leonard's chin gently.
Their eyes met.
"Tell me," he whispered softly, "how should I repay you?"
Leonard smiled.
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