CHAPTER 3 MEETING WITH COUNT LINEA

When they returned to the count's mansion, a face familiar to Leila was waiting in front of the house.

Leila gulped as she remembered how strict her father was in terms of riding a carriage with a man of her age, or riding with man while unmarried in general.

She looked at Viktor for help, but then she remembered that she was Viktor right now. Or so at least that's how they appear to other people.

Seeing her visibly anxious, Viktor couldn't turn a blind eye and sighed.

Leila felt his hand on her back, as if telling her she could do it. It didn't completely relieve all her anxiety, though it somehow made her feel she wasn't alone.

"Don't worry. You're wearing my face, so you could say pretty much anything rude." Viktor said with an air of confidence, but to Leila it seemed more like arrogance.

Even so, she laughed. Was that supposed to comfort her? Well, it really did.

Leila opened the carriage door and got out of it first. Then, she extended her hand towards Viktor, who looked at it at first before realizing that's how it goes for when she is Lady Leila for now.

"Thank you," Viktor smiled, trying to gauge the count's reaction.

Leila caught on what Viktor was trying to do, so she quickly turned her back towards her father, who is Count Linea for now.

"Greetings ," she wasn't sure how Viktor normally greets someone, "I apologize for dropping by without notice."

"Well, you didn't just drop by. You even took my daughter to some place. Where is that place?" the count said laced with sarcasm and a little bit of threat.

Leila couldn't help but falter, as it was her natural reaction whenever her father gets mad at her.

As observant as he was, Viktor stepped in and take charge of the conversation. Even at the cost of his own dignity, he wrapped his arm around Leila's, feigned a tearful expression and said:

"I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark, but I've been in love with Viktor ever since. I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't so I let you notice our relationship instead. That way, you'll know that I have someone in my heart, and I couldn't marry someone other than him."

Inwardly, Viktor wanted to throw up and cringe at his words. He felt sorry for his dignity, but he has to do whatever it takes to keep this woman close to him.

Seeing him take care of their revelation about their "relationship", Leila felt shameful that she couldn't speak out in her father's presence. But then, upon looking at Viktor, who was in her body, Leila realized that she's making Viktor seem fearful of her father.

She had to speak up. With a slightly trembling hand, he wound his arm on Viktor's shoulder and smiled.

"I am honored, my dear. I share the same sentiments as well," she locked eyes with Viktor for the purpose of faking love. Looking away, she finally answered the count's question earlier.

"We went to the church earlier. Leila wanted me to come with her so we can enjoy some peace while we talk our hearts out to our dear God, who will surely guide us through. My mistake is that I didn't even ask her father for permission, nor introduce myself."

Leila deliberately mentioned God, as He's a Subject who greatly appeals to her father. Their family is a devote member of church, thus, Leila was sure her father would be more open to this conversation if she mentioned God.

"I am Viktor Vladino-"

"I know who you are," the count cut off.

'That's why I can't be fully angry with you,' the count thought. If anything, he should be glad that it was Viktor Vladinov who took away his daughter this morning.

However, as a father, he couldn't help but worry over his daughter. Sure, he has wealth, but does he have other important things as well? Like kindness and patience to his daughter?

This is Viktor Vladinov we're talking about. Rumors has it that he's not only insufferable, but he's also a womanizer.

It's somehow making him remember his past self before he met Leila's mother. He had also heaps of bad things about him, but because of his wife's love, he changed the person he was before.

The question is, will this man change himself for love too? Or Leila was just another woman to entertain himself with?

"... I accept your apology, and I'll agree to this marriage too."

"Thank you!" Leila's eyes lit up and she didn't realize that she was acting out of her supposed character after she clasped his hand. The count was also surprised by her reaction.

... But wait. Marriage? They weren't even implying that thing.

This time, Leila looked at Viktor for help, to which Viktor halfheartedly accepted.

Raising his hand, he let his ring show before making a lovely smile on his lips.

"We're on it already. The only thing left is to have an official ceremony."

As Viktor said that, he imagined his carefree bachelor life disappearing into thin air. He could have said they hadn't even planned that far yet, but this excuse might only make the count think he wasn't serious about her (which was actually true), and may try to separate them (which was going to be a problem for all sorts of reason.)

And so, he said a lie he couldn't take back.

Meanwhile, the count had a different reaction about what he said. He felt like his whole body was disintegrating into thin air. Who wouldn't, when your daughter revealed all these things at once?

Moreover, she's already married? Really, without him? If they've taken things this far, perhaps they've...?

"Are you with child?" the count couldn't help but ask.

Viktor in Leila's body was the one who got asked, yet it was Leila who got embarrassed. She quickly answered in Viktor's stead and said:

"No, she's not. So far, we only hold hands and hug... But we haven't done that thing. Not until marriage."

As she slightly trembled, sharp-eyed Viktor saw through her facade and secretly enjoyed her moment of embarrassment. It was just weird to see how he looked like while he's embarrassed. It was his first time seeing his face made that face.

Well, maybe he should get used to it from now on. This woman seems to get easily embarrassed by a handful of things.

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