Dana bit her lower lip until it bled and wiped it roughly with the back of her hand.
âI⊠Dana⊠It was Denise.â
When she encountered him, her consciousness had drifted away and she was suffocated at the moment.
Lost in the waves of memory that flooded her, Dana had managed not to show her condition in front of him. She didnât know why, but she thought she had to hide her memory instinctively.
It was before she wondered why Rian had to come to her there.
The sex with Leon was a way to forget the complicated feelings for a moment, but he could not easily fall for it as he had noticed something.
However, her pride was not as hurt as usual.
It didnât matter now. It became clearer when she was left alone in a quiet room.
âUghâŠâ
As too many memories swirled, she felt nauseous.
What happened that day came to mind vividly as if it were yesterday, and what happened after losing her memory felt blurry.
That day⊠I was being choked. Dear Rian.
Feeling sick, she gently rubbed her hands against the white, clean nape of her neck.
Now Dana wasnât worried about Leon. Only the years with Rian and the betrayal that day dominated her thoughts and heart.
âButâŠâ
Dana stood up holding the bedpost and trying to calm her head full of anger.
Letâs be calm. I have to think about what to do.
Her fingers trembled as she straightened her clothes, but she breathed in as deeply as she could and calmed down.
Dana slowly walked out the door with loud footsteps. She was dizzy with disorganized thoughts. But only one thing was clear.
First, I need to get the merchant group. To do that⊠I canât miss Leon.
As Dana left the room, she wore a mask again. Her blue eyes shone fiercely as she looked down from the railing on the second floor.
She could see Leon on the first floor at a glance.
He was also wearing a mask, and as he stared at her coming down and their eyes met.
At that moment, Dana felt a numb sensation in her toes and noticeably slowed down her movement.
Leon⊠You donât know yet, but Iâve regained my memories.
She definitely had, but just looking at him made her feel like time had stopped.
As Dana went down with a calm face, her heart pounded like a child hiding evil things. Only then did she feel the dampness flowing between her legs.
âOhâŠâ
Ironically, the sensation brought her back to reality. She slowly recognized the dark surroundings, and she realized her situation.
âWhat do I do?â
She wasnât even wearing underwear, and her juices flowed down to her ankles and tickled her.
No matter how unnoticeable it was, there was no way she could do anything about her embarrassment. Feeling embarrassed, she stopped halfway while coming down the stairs.
As a result, she stood out more, and the nobles below glanced at Dana. The gaze made her blush and she couldnât move.
Leon, who had been looking at Dana, strode up as she hesitated halfway down the stairs. Dana also fixed her eyes on him coming.
âArenât you going down?â
Dana turned her head to the voice behind her.
âLady.â
She couldnât control her facial expression this time. She was surprised, and when she saw him, Danaâs face distorted as anger rushed through her.
Rian smiled and came down the stairs calmly.
Dana unknowingly stepped back looking at him. And her heel touched the edge of the stairs and slipped, causing Danaâs body to tilt back.
âOh, dangerousâŠâ
At that moment, Rian quickly grabbed her hand, but Dana did not hesitate and shook off his hand.
She thought she would fall and break her head, but fortunately, Leon hugged her with good timing.
âGet it together.â
It was a blunt and short warning, but when she heard Leonâs voice, Danaâs nervous body relaxed.
Rian put his hand down awkwardly and casually talked to Leon.
âGood morning, Grand Duke Tertius.â
Rian said hello, but Leon didnât even look at him. He put Dana on the stairs, put his arm around her shoulder, and raised her hand so that she could hold on to the banister.
Rian looked at the two with strange eyes and continued to introduce himself.
âMy name is Rian Felice. The Duke of Hamilton will be my Father-in-law.â
Leon felt Danaâs shoulder stiffening slightly in his hand. He thought of something for a brief moment, looked at Rian and answered.
âRian, Rian Felice. I remember.â
And he took Dana down the stairs slowly. When he was completely down, he wrapped himself around her waist with a friendly touch and asked her little by the ear.
âDo you know each other?â
Unlike when he left the room earlier, he didnât seem to be very angry. Dana put her gaze on the floor and answered in a small voice.
âNo.â
âNot at all?â
âYes, I have no idea.â
ââŠI see.â
Leon accepted Danaâs response after a little silence. Dana glanced to the side at Leon.
She could see his sharp cut jawline and tightly closed lips. Feeling her gaze, Leon made eye contact.
âIf youâre having a hard time, you can go rest.â
Dana thought for a moment about what he meant, and soon heard new music playing and noticed.
âItâs okay. I can dance.â
âYou donât have to overdo it.â
âJust one songâŠâ
Danaâs eyes, as she answered, looked over at Rian for a brief moment. Realizing that he was looking at her with a smile, she spoke a little more clearly.
âI can dance, really.â
Seeing her like that, Leonâs eyes widened. He gracefully grabbed Danaâs hand and pulled her away.
âOkay. Letâs check if you practiced right.â
He led Dana to the middle of the ballroom. A few high-ranking nobles were also out with partners.
The lighting became dark, and a fairly fast melody flowed. Coincidentally, it was Danaâs least confident dance.