“Leonard?” Chateau gasped in disbelief. It truly was Leonard Hugues standing before her—the man she had been observing from a distance, staggering unsteadily. Her decision to approach him proved correct, as the man who nearly collapsed was someone she knew well.“Chateau…” Leonard’s voice was low, tinged with surprise. He hadn’t expected to run into her here, especially not in his current disheveled state. Yet, as startled as he was, he assumed Chateau must be even more shocked—it was likely the first time she’d seen him so battered and covered in blood.“What happened to you?” Chateau asked, her face pale and her brow furrowed. Clearly uncomfortable at the sight of blood, she instinctively reached out to steady Leonard, preventing him from collapsing.Leonard brushed aside his exhaustion. His injuries didn’t seem important anymore—not when he could see Chateau standing before him, unharmed. Relief softened his features as he asked, “Are you alright?”His concern confused Chateau, who
Chateau sat in silence, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular. But as she turned her head, something caught her attention—the sleeping face of Leonard.It wasn’t the time to admire his striking features; his pale complexion evoked worry rather than awe at God’s craftsmanship. Chateau’s eyes betrayed her concern as she examined the cuts on his face, the bruises on his hands, and the gash on the back of his head.“What on earth happened to you, Leonard?” she murmured softly, her voice barely audible for fear of waking him.Her eyes remained locked on him as her thoughts wandered. She recalled how casually Leonard dismissed the injury on the back of his head, claiming it was something he was used to. It baffled her, though she chastised herself for being so naïve.Leonard Hugues wasn’t an ordinary man—he was part of a criminal syndicate. As a high-ranking member of the Lafleur mafia, his life was anything but safe. Each day was a battle for survival in a world where the strong devoured
That day, Chateau was remarkably reserved about her true intentions at the city park, offering only the excuse of enjoying a casual stroll and some solitude. It was a classic justification—one Leonard Hugues had no reason to doubt, as such activities were common. Yet, Chateau concealed the truth: her real purpose that morning was to meet Sophie Vignier.Chateau arrived alone at the city park, guided by the information provided by Beatrice. According to Beatrice, Sophie—an acquaintance of Leonard’s—resided nearby, running a modest coffee shop that attracted little attention. Clutching the address she had been given, Chateau located the unassuming establishment standing before her. Indeed, this was the place Beatrice had described: Sophie Vignier’s café. Without hesitation, Chateau stepped inside.A warm greeting immediately met her ears from a woman stationed behind the bar.“Welcome,” she said cheerfully, her voice bright and her smile kind.Chateau froze, her gaze locking onto the fi
“He said his mother screams at him every day. The gentle woman she once was is gone, and the affection he used to receive has vanished, like a night that never sees dawn. I think… perhaps that’s why Leonard grew up cold and detached."Chateau murmured, lowering her gaze. She empathized with Leonard’s suffering, feeling the weight of his childhood pain. “When he told you all of this… did Leonard cry?” she asked softly, avoiding Sophie’s steady, composed gaze.“No,” Sophie replied with a faint, bitter smile. “I was the one who cried. Leonard lost the ability to feel or shed tears the day his mother died. That’s what he told me.”Chateau lowered her head even further. Sensing this, Sophie leaned closer, trying to catch Chateau’s face. The girl with her blonde hair tied high struggled to hold back tears. Sophie, however, only smiled. She had reacted the same way when she first heard Leonard’s tragic story. To her, it was better to not know one’s parents than to witness the destruction of
After freshening up, Château felt uneasy. She had spent the entire day outside and hadn’t bathed since arriving at Léonard’s apartment. Unwilling to disturb Léonard’s rest, she moved quietly, ensuring no sound betrayed her presence—from eating to showering.She didn’t change clothes, opting to wear the same outfit as before. She couldn’t bring herself to trouble Léonard by asking for fresh attire. With her damp hair wrapped in a small towel, she returned to his bedroom to retrieve her cardigan, seeking warmth after her shower. However, upon seeing Léonard asleep, she paused.Instead of leaving after picking up the cardigan draped over a chair, Château approached the bed. The mattress, modest in height, brought her crouched figure level with Léonard’s face. He lay peacefully, clearly exhausted from his mission.Château reached out, her bare hand brushing his forehead. “No fever. I don’t need to cool him down,” she murmured, a faint smile of relief crossing her face. With nothing else t
“What?”Château felt her mind freeze instantly. She needed a moment to process Leonard’s words. Once she fully understood, her eyes widened. “Sleep together?” she repeated, her voice a mix of disbelief and accusation.“Yes.”“In the same bed?”“Yes,” Leonard replied, carefully observing Château’s expression. Was she really that opposed to the idea of sharing a bed with him? “We’re just sleeping. What are you imagining?”Château turned away, pressing her small hands over her mouth. Her heart was screaming, but instead of silencing it, she muffled her lips. No matter how loud her heart’s voice was, Leonard wouldn’t be able to hear it.“How can you say something like that so casually?” she asked, spinning back to face him.Leonard, his stormy gray eyes calm yet firm, sighed audibly. “Because that’s all it is, Château—just sleep,” he explained, hoping to curb her overreaction. “Besides, you must be tired after spending the entire day at the city park.”Leonard had a point. Château was exh
Leonard awoke to a bright morning. The sunlight streamed through the large glass wall separating his bedroom from the balcony, illuminating the space with a warm glow. Though his eyes remained closed, the brightness was impossible to ignore, gently pulling him from his slumber. He inhaled deeply, as if his lungs were tasting fresh air for the first time in ages. His body felt lighter than the night before, a sign that proper care had brought improvement.Turning his head to the other side of the bed, Leonard’s senses sharpened. The spot that had been occupied by the sweet presence of a young woman last night was now cold and empty. Without hesitation, he got out of bed, moving through the apartment with measured urgency. He searched everywhere—bathroom, living area, kitchen—but found no sign of her.As he returned to the living room, the sound of the apartment door opening caught his attention. Standing there was Chateau, carrying bags filled with groceries. She froze momentarily, sta
"Your fridge is stocked only with alcohol, yet your kitchen is fully equipped. Why is that?" Chateau asked, shifting the conversation. Leonard glanced at her, realizing for the first time how talkative she could be after spending more time together.It didn’t bother him, though. While Leonard generally disliked constant noise, Chateau’s voice was an exception. He found it oddly pleasant and always responded to her chatter, no matter the topic."Odette brought the cookware. She loves cooking, just like you," Leonard replied, causing Chateau to falter. Once again, Odette came up. She wasn’t sure if she was to blame for choosing the wrong topic or if Leonard intentionally mentioned Odette to provoke her. But knowing him, Chateau doubted it was deliberate."Seems like you’re very close to Odette," she said, focusing on stirring her pot, omitting the formal tone she usually used."I wouldn’t say we’re that close," Leonard replied evenly."Not close? Yet you made her your personal doctor."
"Your fridge is stocked only with alcohol, yet your kitchen is fully equipped. Why is that?" Chateau asked, shifting the conversation. Leonard glanced at her, realizing for the first time how talkative she could be after spending more time together.It didn’t bother him, though. While Leonard generally disliked constant noise, Chateau’s voice was an exception. He found it oddly pleasant and always responded to her chatter, no matter the topic."Odette brought the cookware. She loves cooking, just like you," Leonard replied, causing Chateau to falter. Once again, Odette came up. She wasn’t sure if she was to blame for choosing the wrong topic or if Leonard intentionally mentioned Odette to provoke her. But knowing him, Chateau doubted it was deliberate."Seems like you’re very close to Odette," she said, focusing on stirring her pot, omitting the formal tone she usually used."I wouldn’t say we’re that close," Leonard replied evenly."Not close? Yet you made her your personal doctor."
Leonard awoke to a bright morning. The sunlight streamed through the large glass wall separating his bedroom from the balcony, illuminating the space with a warm glow. Though his eyes remained closed, the brightness was impossible to ignore, gently pulling him from his slumber. He inhaled deeply, as if his lungs were tasting fresh air for the first time in ages. His body felt lighter than the night before, a sign that proper care had brought improvement.Turning his head to the other side of the bed, Leonard’s senses sharpened. The spot that had been occupied by the sweet presence of a young woman last night was now cold and empty. Without hesitation, he got out of bed, moving through the apartment with measured urgency. He searched everywhere—bathroom, living area, kitchen—but found no sign of her.As he returned to the living room, the sound of the apartment door opening caught his attention. Standing there was Chateau, carrying bags filled with groceries. She froze momentarily, sta
“What?”Château felt her mind freeze instantly. She needed a moment to process Leonard’s words. Once she fully understood, her eyes widened. “Sleep together?” she repeated, her voice a mix of disbelief and accusation.“Yes.”“In the same bed?”“Yes,” Leonard replied, carefully observing Château’s expression. Was she really that opposed to the idea of sharing a bed with him? “We’re just sleeping. What are you imagining?”Château turned away, pressing her small hands over her mouth. Her heart was screaming, but instead of silencing it, she muffled her lips. No matter how loud her heart’s voice was, Leonard wouldn’t be able to hear it.“How can you say something like that so casually?” she asked, spinning back to face him.Leonard, his stormy gray eyes calm yet firm, sighed audibly. “Because that’s all it is, Château—just sleep,” he explained, hoping to curb her overreaction. “Besides, you must be tired after spending the entire day at the city park.”Leonard had a point. Château was exh
After freshening up, Château felt uneasy. She had spent the entire day outside and hadn’t bathed since arriving at Léonard’s apartment. Unwilling to disturb Léonard’s rest, she moved quietly, ensuring no sound betrayed her presence—from eating to showering.She didn’t change clothes, opting to wear the same outfit as before. She couldn’t bring herself to trouble Léonard by asking for fresh attire. With her damp hair wrapped in a small towel, she returned to his bedroom to retrieve her cardigan, seeking warmth after her shower. However, upon seeing Léonard asleep, she paused.Instead of leaving after picking up the cardigan draped over a chair, Château approached the bed. The mattress, modest in height, brought her crouched figure level with Léonard’s face. He lay peacefully, clearly exhausted from his mission.Château reached out, her bare hand brushing his forehead. “No fever. I don’t need to cool him down,” she murmured, a faint smile of relief crossing her face. With nothing else t
“He said his mother screams at him every day. The gentle woman she once was is gone, and the affection he used to receive has vanished, like a night that never sees dawn. I think… perhaps that’s why Leonard grew up cold and detached."Chateau murmured, lowering her gaze. She empathized with Leonard’s suffering, feeling the weight of his childhood pain. “When he told you all of this… did Leonard cry?” she asked softly, avoiding Sophie’s steady, composed gaze.“No,” Sophie replied with a faint, bitter smile. “I was the one who cried. Leonard lost the ability to feel or shed tears the day his mother died. That’s what he told me.”Chateau lowered her head even further. Sensing this, Sophie leaned closer, trying to catch Chateau’s face. The girl with her blonde hair tied high struggled to hold back tears. Sophie, however, only smiled. She had reacted the same way when she first heard Leonard’s tragic story. To her, it was better to not know one’s parents than to witness the destruction of
That day, Chateau was remarkably reserved about her true intentions at the city park, offering only the excuse of enjoying a casual stroll and some solitude. It was a classic justification—one Leonard Hugues had no reason to doubt, as such activities were common. Yet, Chateau concealed the truth: her real purpose that morning was to meet Sophie Vignier.Chateau arrived alone at the city park, guided by the information provided by Beatrice. According to Beatrice, Sophie—an acquaintance of Leonard’s—resided nearby, running a modest coffee shop that attracted little attention. Clutching the address she had been given, Chateau located the unassuming establishment standing before her. Indeed, this was the place Beatrice had described: Sophie Vignier’s café. Without hesitation, Chateau stepped inside.A warm greeting immediately met her ears from a woman stationed behind the bar.“Welcome,” she said cheerfully, her voice bright and her smile kind.Chateau froze, her gaze locking onto the fi
Chateau sat in silence, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular. But as she turned her head, something caught her attention—the sleeping face of Leonard.It wasn’t the time to admire his striking features; his pale complexion evoked worry rather than awe at God’s craftsmanship. Chateau’s eyes betrayed her concern as she examined the cuts on his face, the bruises on his hands, and the gash on the back of his head.“What on earth happened to you, Leonard?” she murmured softly, her voice barely audible for fear of waking him.Her eyes remained locked on him as her thoughts wandered. She recalled how casually Leonard dismissed the injury on the back of his head, claiming it was something he was used to. It baffled her, though she chastised herself for being so naïve.Leonard Hugues wasn’t an ordinary man—he was part of a criminal syndicate. As a high-ranking member of the Lafleur mafia, his life was anything but safe. Each day was a battle for survival in a world where the strong devoured
“Leonard?” Chateau gasped in disbelief. It truly was Leonard Hugues standing before her—the man she had been observing from a distance, staggering unsteadily. Her decision to approach him proved correct, as the man who nearly collapsed was someone she knew well.“Chateau…” Leonard’s voice was low, tinged with surprise. He hadn’t expected to run into her here, especially not in his current disheveled state. Yet, as startled as he was, he assumed Chateau must be even more shocked—it was likely the first time she’d seen him so battered and covered in blood.“What happened to you?” Chateau asked, her face pale and her brow furrowed. Clearly uncomfortable at the sight of blood, she instinctively reached out to steady Leonard, preventing him from collapsing.Leonard brushed aside his exhaustion. His injuries didn’t seem important anymore—not when he could see Chateau standing before him, unharmed. Relief softened his features as he asked, “Are you alright?”His concern confused Chateau, who
As the bell tolled twice, the fight began.Spectators, who had been scattered throughout the venue, crowded around to witness the clash between Leonard and the fighter sent by La Ravenl. While the outcome seemed predictable, the crowd grew more excited when the challenger managed to push Leonard back with a well-placed kick."Ugh..." Leonard groaned softly, his brows furrowing as his sharp gaze remained locked on his opponent's movements. The challenger attacked again, but Leonard, though slightly disadvantaged by the difference in physical strength, remained composed.A skilled fighter, Leonard excelled at reading his opponent's moves, crafting strategies that allowed him to incapacitate them efficiently, often without expending too much energy. His versatility in combat-whether armed or unarmed-was unmatched, and very few were aware of his vulnerabilities. Those who had discovered them rarely lived to tell the tale.Leonard's only weakness was his frail body and rapidly draining sta