I Was a Royal Palace Knight, But I Turned Out to Be an Omega, So I Had to Resign (BL) - Chapter 27

“The thought of you being touched by someone else, calling out another’s name, or carrying someone else’s child—it just burns my chest like fire.”

Prince Leon’s voice was low but filled with intense emotion. The weight of his words froze me in place.

“Don’t say you’ll marry someone else. I absolutely won’t allow it.”

At the same moment, his lips pressed against my neck. The way he was positioned, it felt like he might bite my nape any second. I felt a sudden, instinctive fear.

“You should be here. By my side—only mine.”

My heart was pounding wildly. Even though I knew his voice, I had never heard such a possessive tone before. I’d never seen this fierce side of Prince Leon. I listened silently, absorbing every word.

“That’s why I proposed the engagement to your family.”

Leon slowly loosened his grip and pulled his face away from my neck—but not completely. His hand slid from my shoulder down to my arm, finally locking our fingers together, as if to make sure I wouldn’t run away.

“I know it was reckless… but I don’t regret it.”

He looked into my eyes again. The fierce passion was gone, replaced by sadness and pleading.

“If it meant you would go to someone else, I would have locked you away just to keep you close. That’s how much I need you.”

Leon gave a small, bitter smile. His warm breath brushed my cheek.

“But I was afraid that if I honestly told you how I felt, you’d be confused and push me away. So I chose a ‘fake engagement.’ That way, you could stay at the palace and be near me. I know it was cowardly… but…”

His face slowly moved closer until our foreheads nearly touched. His eyes searched mine as if looking deep inside.

“If losing you was the alternative, I was ready to do whatever it took.”

He stopped speaking there.

I was speechless. My mind spun, not knowing what to say or how to take it. I’d thought the engagement was just for show, but it turned out Leon’s feelings were real.

Prince Leon… really feels this way about me? Seriously? From the start?

The depth and intensity of his emotions left me completely confused. That perfectionist Leon had such a passionate side?

“…Are you trying to run away?”

Leon’s question snapped me back. I realized I’d taken an unconscious step toward the door.

“N-no! That’s not it…”

I hurriedly denied it, but honestly, my mind was a mess. I only wanted a little space to sort out my feelings.

But Leon firmly grabbed my arm, not letting go.

“I don’t want to lose you again.”

His words and gaze made me unable to raise my head. If I faced him, I was afraid he’d see right through me.

“…Sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have said these things after all.”

Leon’s voice was like he was giving up. At that, I quickly looked up.

“No, that’s not it…”

“I want to know how you really feel.”

His voice trembled a little. It wasn’t the calm, collected tone I was used to, but a worried one. Seeing that made my chest tighten.

I took a deep breath. My feelings…

I’d thought about them before, but I never wanted to admit it. After all, I was just a knight, and he was a prince. It shouldn’t be possible to fall for someone so far above me in status.

But now, thinking carefully…

When I became an Omega and had to quit the knights, he kept me close as his personal guard—not just out of kindness. When I got chased by Valen at the eastern fort, he desperately searched for me. When I went into heat, he held me gently.

Just remembering that night makes my face flush. It wasn’t just physical desire. The way he wanted me so kindly yet passionately is still burned into my body.

And above all, the safety I feel when he’s by my side. The relief of always being seen by him. All those feelings overflow inside me with warmth.

This means…

I realized my feelings clearly.

Yes. I like Prince Leon. Not just as a knight serving his lord, but as a person—as a lover. This must be love. No doubt about it.

How blind I’ve been. I should have realized sooner.

But now, knowing this…

It’s so unfair. I just found out, and yet soon we might never see each other again.

“Damn it! I can’t accept how this is going!”

My voice grew loud before I could stop it.

“I finally understood! I know I love you! And now we might never meet again—that’s not fair!”

After shouting, I froze.

Wait… just now, I said “I love you.” Did I just confess without realizing?

My face flushed red. Leon stared at me, stunned.

Then—

“Hahaha! Hahaha!”

Suddenly, Leon burst out laughing. It was the first time I’d seen him laugh so freely, from the bottom of his heart.

“W-wait! Don’t laugh!”

I shouted, trying to hide my embarrassment, but looking at his smile, I didn’t feel angry anymore.

“Sorry, sorry.”

He tried to stop laughing.

“But that’s just like Cyril. You always surprise me.”

“That’s not fair to say!”

I wanted to hide my face with my hands from how embarrassed I was. But seeing Leon’s usual lively expression return made me feel relieved.

“…But seriously, can’t we do something about this situation? Everyone knows the eastern fort’s fall was Prince Kyle’s scheme…”

I calmed down and returned to the matter at hand. What we needed now was a way to fix this.

Leon’s face grew serious.

“If we had proof of a secret pact with the neighboring country, everything would change. But even if that proof exists, Prince Kyle must be hiding it well. It won’t be easy to find.”

I thought hard. How could we get that proof?

“Is there any way to make Prince Kyle bring the evidence himself…?”

When I muttered that, Leon’s eyes suddenly widened.

“I see, that might work.”

“Huh? Do you have a good idea?”

Leon smiled quietly, narrowing his eyes like he’d just come up with a clever plan.

“Yes… it’s a very risky move, but I thought of one good way.”