I Held the Leash of a Blind Beast (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 7
“If making you my mistress could solve it, that would be easier.”
It wasn’t that simple; it was far more difficult. Even having spent a night with Rona didn’t make Illeon think she would love him as he desired.
Was caring for someone this hard and complicated? Sometimes, when Illeon thought of Rona, he felt a choking sensation even though she was right beside him.
Illeon gently covered Rona with a blanket. As if satisfied, Rona hugged the blanket and fell into a deep sleep.
“Why is even your presence so utterly lovely?”
Even knowing she’d stay by his side all day, chattering, he didn’t want to send her back to her room even while she slept.
“Sleep well, Rona.”
Illeon closed his eyes. Whether they were open or closed, having Rona beside him now made everything alright.
[This is the timeline separator]When naming the most elegant buildings in the palace, the first was undoubtedly the Sun Palace, where the emperor resided, and the second was the Crystal Palace, used by the crown prince.
The Sun Palace was adorned with white marble and gold accents, striking a delicate balance between restraint and splendor. In contrast, the Crystal Palace wasn’t built with crystal but with expensive glass, making the entire structure resemble a single crystal mass.
Even a palm-sized piece of glass would cost as much as a noble’s servant’s weekly wage, yet the Crystal Palace was entirely encased in large glass panels taller than a person, framed to envelop the exterior, making its extravagance unimaginable.
Late at night, a flickering candle glowed through the opaque layered glass of the Crystal Palace. It looked like a lone torch burning in the dimness.
Inside that refined building, Sabiel was tilting a wine glass. He had already downed several bottles of strong liquor and was deeply intoxicated.
“Where is Karina?”
When Sabiel asked, his aide bowed and answered.
“She has safely arrived at the count’s estate.”
“Well done.”
After the praise, Sabiel asked his aide again.
“Those who saw Elicia?”
“Yes, as ordered, we brought them.”
An elderly couple, blindfolded and in tattered clothing, was dragged in.
“Please spare us. Please spare us.”
“Be quiet.”
The aide roughly forced them to kneel before Sabiel.
“Release them.”
At Sabiel’s command, the aide removed the cloth covering their eyes. Dazzled by the sudden light, they stood dazed for a moment, then, seeing Sabiel seated before them, they gasped and bowed their heads to the floor.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Raise your heads.”
They were the forest keepers of the Kinef Forest, bordering Lake Laurel.
“Have you seen this woman?”
At Sabiel’s gesture, the aide presented a finely drawn portrait to them.
Glossy golden hair flowing like honey, amethyst-purple eyes. Her fair, beautiful face looked like an angel descended from heaven. It was completely different from the crude wanted posters printed at the temple.
“Y-Yes, that’s her.”
“I found her. She washed up by the lakeside, and at first, I thought she was dead.”
“Where did she go?”
The forest keeper’s wife answered.
“It was about half a year ago. She stayed in our cabin for a few days, then said she couldn’t impose further and asked to be taken to the city, so we left her at the lord’s castle in Kruger Territory.”
“And after that?”
“We haven’t seen her since.”
“If you lie, you’ll face severe consequences.”
The aide growled. They pleaded desperately, shouting again.
“It’s not a lie!”
“Would we dare lie to His Highness, the Crown Prince?”
“Fine. You may leave.”
As the forest keeper couple was dragged away, Sabiel muttered.
“She’s not dead, after all.”
“What should we do with them?”
Sabiel said with a cold expression.
“They can’t be left alive.”
If they saw Elicia fall into Lake Laurel, that is.
“As you command.”
As the aide left the room, Sabiel smiled.
“If she’s alive, I’ll find her no matter what, Elicia.”
His gleaming eyes carried the obsessive glint of a madman.
[This is the timeline separator]Illeon, unable to see, had no way of knowing how much time had passed.
He simply couldn’t sleep.
Perhaps it was because the butler had stirred his heart with stern words before leaving.
“Sigh. I’ve stayed up all night.”
Listening to Rona’s soft breathing, he wondered if dawn was approaching.
“Mm, Lord Illeon?”
Rona called him in a voice still heavy with sleep.
“I was definitely reading a book last night, so why am I sleeping here?”
Illeon was at a loss for words.
Rona had fallen asleep while reading to him many times—enough for the butler to say, “Again, my lord?”—but she had never questioned him so clearly before.
“W-Well…”
As Illeon stammered, unlike himself, Rona spoke in a teasing tone.
“Were you that reluctant to let me go?”
Her small hand signaled it might touch him. Her fingertips tapped his shoulder, gradually moving toward the buttons of his shirt at his chest. Illeon instinctively tensed, his throat bobbing.
“My lord is such an easy man.”
Easy, me? You’re the one who’s too difficult.
“How can you be so obvious?”
“Obvious?”
“Yes.”
Rona’s laughter rang out.
“You like me, don’t you?”
“You… know that?”
“How could I not? I said it’s obvious.”
A warm, gentle hand softly brushed through his hair. Illeon felt a shiver down his spine from her touch alone.
“What do you want from me?”
“I… want to keep you by my side for a long time.”
…Until I die.
He swallowed the last part, worried it might burden Rona.
Rona giggled loudly.
“Liar.”
“What?”
“What you want from me isn’t just that.”
Tap, tap.
The sensation of her nightgown’s buttons being undone was vivid.
“You want me to be your mistress, don’t you?”
The words from Rona’s lips carried a different weight.
“That’s what you’re hoping for, isn’t it?”
“No, I…”
Is it really not? Have I never wanted moments like this?
Illeon felt cold sweat forming.
“Really?”
Rona signaled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
The sensation of her delicate body pressing against him was clear.
It was different from catching Rona when she fainted in the park.
This time, Rona had initiated it.
Illeon cautiously embraced her back.
The sweet, fresh scent of cherry blossoms rose. Like a starving man, Illeon held her tightly, burying his face in her hair, greedily inhaling her scent.
It was the fragrance that fleetingly lingered when she leaned toward him to place something, brushing past. Only now, fully breathing in her scent, did he realize Rona was truly in his arms.
“Rona.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t have the slightest intention of controlling you.”
“Then?”
“Sigh.”
Illeon let out a long breath. The breath rising from deep in his chest felt hot as it passed his lips.
“…May I kiss you?”
He hadn’t even properly confessed yet.
Would it be alright to steal a kiss first?
Illeon felt disgusted with himself for not shedding his knightly habits even in this moment.
“Just once would be enough.”
For now, he was sincere.
“Lord Illeon.”
Instead of answering, Rona signaled, bringing her lips to his cheek, then the tip of his nose.
Unable to hold back any longer, Illeon laid her on the bed, his trembling hands seeking her lips.
Tracing the face he’d touched at Café Cardinal, he found the spot he wanted to press his lips against.
Kissing Rona was so sweet that he regretted saying “just once” the moment their lips met.
“Sigh. Lord Illeon, I like you too.”
At that moment, Illeon woke from the dream.
“…A dream.”
He was consumed with self-loathing.
[This is the timeline separator]Rona lingered, still groggy from sleep.
She had slept deeply. If not for the unfamiliar body pillow, that is. Warm yet firm, soft yet sturdy enough to support her legs comfortably—it was far from unpleasant.
“Gasp!”
Opening her eyes wide, Rona was startled. What she’d been clinging to was her noble lord’s body.
“How did I end up with Illeon…”
She vaguely recalled falling asleep while reading to him.
“Why didn’t I go back to my room?”
To sleep so deeply on someone else’s bed. She was terrified someone might see.
Rona tried to slip out of bed quietly.
But just as she had clung to him, Illeon’s arm was firmly around her waist. As she struggled to move his arm, sweating, she heard him.
“Are you letting go now?”
A slightly hoarse voice came from above her head.
Rona froze instantly.
“L-Lord Illeon.”
She was so startled her body trembled. She hadn’t even moved her leg, still resting on his thigh.
As if her state didn’t bother him, Illeon yawned and rubbed his eyes. Feeling his large hand patting her back as if to say, “It’s alright,” Rona’s eyes wavered.
“G-Good morning, my lord?”
Since Illeon seemed unfazed, Rona greeted him as usual.
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“What?”
“Your sleeping habits are quite bad.”
“Oh, hahaha.”
Rona tried to get out of Illeon’s bed quickly. But he didn’t let her go.
“Lord Illeon?”
“I’m curious about something.”
Turning slightly while holding her, Illeon’s face was so close his breath touched her forehead.
“What are you curious about?”
“What color is your face right now?”
“What?”
“Are your cheeks red or something?”
Not understanding his intent and blinking, a large hand gently touched her cheek. His calloused fingers carefully traced her face, as if trying to feel the warmth of her flushed cheeks.
“He’s curious about the oddest things.”
It was all because Illeon wanted to tease her. Puffing out her cheeks in annoyance, Rona said.
“It’s chocolate-colored.”
“Chocolate-colored?”
“I told you my skin’s on the darker side. Add red to that, and you get the picture. I’m terribly embarrassed right now. This maid will swiftly retreat.”
As Rona tried to pull her leg off his, she felt something.
“Hm?”
She noticed something she hadn’t before. Structurally speaking… Her eyes instinctively drifted to his lower body, hidden by the blanket.
“Gasp. W-Wait.”
Illeon suddenly took a sharp breath. Rona froze. As if he could see her staring, he clutched the blanket defensively.
“Ha. Ha. Ha.”
Rona laughed awkwardly, carefully pulling away from him. Not intruding on her lord’s personal matters was a key duty of a maid. But Rona had failed, having… seen her lord’s lower body. She sighed.
After a brief, awkward silence, Rona said in a sulky tone.
“You should’ve woken me.”
Then this embarrassing situation wouldn’t have happened.
“I tried, but you didn’t wake up.”
“Oh, right.”
It was possible. No matter how cushy the job, it was still physical work.
In her past life, she was a desk worker, and now she was in the field. Her hard-earned certifications, the memories of her second exam, flashed through her mind. Glancing at the clock, it was thankfully just before dawn. The grand duke’s estate was quiet, suggesting everyone was still asleep.
“Then I’ll head to my room…”
As Rona tried to get out of bed, avoiding Illeon, she gasped.
Slip.
Her nightgown, loosened by her rough sleeping habits, slid off, exposing her shoulder.
My Arch-enemy Sealed My Memory and Said That He is My Husband
This is an incredibly captivating story that you absolutely shouldn’t miss! I’ll give a brief introduction here, and below you’ll find a detailed synopsis of the plot.
The female lead is a fierce and powerful demon king. The male lead is a once-in-a-millennium celestial lord, admired by the entire cultivation world.
They are equally matched, legendary rivals who have battled for centuries.
In the final duel, the female lead is gravely injured. The male lead saves her, seals her memories, and hides her true identity. He tells her that he is her fiancé. His entire life has been flawless—except for the one thing he never expected, never controlled, and never wanted to control: falling for his greatest enemy. She is his inner demon, his obsession.
When the female lead regains her memories, she is furious at his deception.
She makes his life a living hell.
And somehow, the male lead—possibly a total masochist—doesn’t mind at all. In fact, he’s happy she’s paying attention to him.
Yep, we’re back to my favorite trope: male lead suffering. If you love this kind of story, jump into the pit with me now!!!
Intro
Dong Xia lost her memory.
Her handsome and extremely powerful fiancé Li Qing comforted her: “It’s okay if you can’t remember. I’ll always be with you.”
Everyone thought Dong Xia’s ancestors must have burned incense to get such a perfect fiancé. He was the number one person in the immortal realm, yet he remained chaste and only loved her.
…
The day before marrying her fiancé, Dong Xia finally remembered everything.
She wasn’t suffering from memory loss at all.
Her arch-enemy had made her fake her death, destroyed her cultivation, replaced her memories, and pretended to be her deeply in love fiancé.
No wonder he said, “It’s okay if you can’t remember”!
Dong Xia laughed coldly as she pulled out her long knife: Li Qing, prepare to die 🙂
*
Li Qing, as the supreme being of the immortal realm, was the people’s shining beacon.
The only unknown stain in his life was his affection for Dong Xia, the ruler of the demon realm.
In the final battle of the war between immortals and demons, the sky collapsed and the earth shattered. The ruler of the demon realm was finally slain under the sword of the supreme being of the immortal realm, and everyone in the immortal realm applauded.
The cultivation world lost a ruler of the demon realm.
And in the back mountain of Li Qing’s cave dwelling, he secretly hid away a fiancée.
Notes:
1. The female lead is white on the outside, black on the inside, and the queen of flattery; the male lead repeatedly tests the edge of darkness, a VIP guest at the crematorium.
2. Fantasy cultivation world setting.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Haha, just picturing this is so hilarious. Imagine Duke Illeon fan girling.
The real blind guy is here; calling someone else’s woman his 😂