Chapter 40: CH 40

“Pattern…”

No way. Leon already has a pattern?

I was confused.

“Leon.”

Leon’s head turned to me in my small voice.

With my eyes still on his wrist.

Only then did Leon hide his hand behind his back.

“……You are mistaken.”

“Lies”

My little resentful gaze reached him. Leon shuddered.

Leon’s hand, which was holding my hand, lost its strength.

“The two of you solve your problems.”

I heard Delther’s suppressed voice, who was looking at me and Leon.

“It’s very late. I’ll go in now.”

I greeted Delther and Janice lightly and walked toward the room.

I felt Leon walking fast behind me.

Widen the distance when he gets a little closer, and widen the distance when he gets closer again.

At Leon’s repeated steps, I turned my head with a whimper.

“I’m not angry.”

I sighed.

“……Lies.”

Leon returned the same thing I said.

He was lowering his head without even looking at me properly.

The appearance bothered me.

“I’m really not angry.”

I was just embarrassed by the situation that I didn’t notice.

Besides, isn’t it too fast?

When the pattern comes out, you’ll be gone soon.

It was also bothering me that the announcement was posted quickly, but when even the pattern appeared, I felt like something was really wrong.

‘Is he okay?’

Yes.

It bothered me like crazy.

When I saw Leon’s dead appearance, I couldn’t let it go.

“Follow me.”

I took Leon by the hand and headed somewhere else.

* * *

“Elle, what I couldn’t say.”

“I know.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t know why you couldn’t tell me.

He would have thought I was looking for an excuse to kick him out.

Leon was always anxious.

And this announcement was also pushed forward.

In such a state, how can you tell a pattern that was supposed to appear only when you become an adult?

“Really, I’m fine. But what I’m worried about is…….”

It was a war.

I don’t know how much you’ll get hurt by going there.

The thought of falling in love with Janice was terrifying to him.

It was terribly cruel when he was forced to go to war.

“Nothing.”

Yes, he’s fine with Janice. There will be no harm or danger to Leon.

I tried to comfort myself.

Still, I felt a little relieved because he met Janice in advance.

“Didn’t it hurt?”

I rolled up Leon’s sleeve and touch his wrist.

What does it feel like to have a pattern?

It was really dimly visible. I really didn’t expect it to show up.

We really have to be apart now.

Bitterness washed in.

“Yes, it didn’t hurt.”

Leon smiled at me.

I couldn’t say anything else because I could feel the bitter feelings around his mouth.

“It’s tomorrow, right?”

Leon nodded his head small.

“…I don’t want to go.”

“Yes?”

“No. Elle, can I see your face before you go?”

“Of course, of course.”

I smiled brightly and took Leon’s hand.

The thought of Leon’s departure made my mind a little more complicated.

Wouldn’t it be nice to exchange small gifts before he goes?

There was also Leon’s coming-of-age ceremony.

I don’t know if Edgar will allow it, but I still have a feeling I’ve been living with.

It’s going to be okay.

“Leon! Make sure to see me before you go tomorrow! I got you something.”

I came up with a good idea in a hurry.

I can give it to you after the exam, but somehow I wanted to give it to you quickly.

“Will you give me something?”

“Yes, so see me before you go.”

Leon nodded reluctantly. He might have wondered what it was, but he didn’t ask.

“But what do you think of Princess Janice?”

“…. You’re curious?”

“Well, no.”

I think it’s better not to listen, too. Whatever he said, I’ll know.

It’s okay if you two get close and open up.

But are they really close?

I don’t think that’s what he did to her earlier.

“Be close to the Princess. If I have any questions, please help me.”

“… … Do you really want that?”

“Well, it’s better than having a bad relationship with the royal family.”

It’s already gotten as bad as it gets, but it’s better than getting worse.

Besides, the Emperor cares about Janice terribly.

If you maintain a good relationship with her, the royal family may also lower its guard against the Velois family a little.

“Whatever it is you want.”

Leon’s words made me smile awkwardly.

Somehow I felt compelled to him.

“No, Leon, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to.”

I shook my head in a hurry. I’m making you do all sorts of things.

“Go on in and sleep. You have an exam tomorrow.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

Leon and I walked to the annex without saying a word.

* * *

Returning to the room, I wrote a letter.

“Well, let’s see. What am I supposed to say?”

I was worried because it’s been a long time since I wrote a letter.

I have to write it and give it to him before he goes tomorrow, but I didn’t think I could write a single line at this rate.

[To Leon.]

I don’t know how much I glared at this word. I can’t think of the last words.

In fact, I had a lot to say, but it was hard to write it down.

The memories I had with him came up one by one, and a smile spread around my mouth.

“That’s right, it was like this when I was young.”

You really did a great job.

You grew up with me like this. Is there anything that makes him excited?

Me too.

There was a time when Leon’s clothes were soaked with water when he was young.

In fact, I did it because I wanted to see his figure reflected through his white clothes.

There was no other tomboy.

Nevertheless, Leon smiled casually and wiped away a few drops of water that splattered on me

.

“A fool.”

You’re all wet.

Ever since he was a kid……. He has a charm that draws people strangely.

I shook my head.

I got confused while thinking about the memories.

I opened the drawer and took out the bracelet I had wrapped in a handkerchief.

The black string soaked in red was crossed and looked mysterious.

It was worthwhile to create it whenever I had time.

Diria taught me a lot, but it looked pretty plausible.

“You won’t wear it, will you?”

I glanced at the bracelet.

Leon didn’t wear any other accessories, so I wasn’t sure if he would wear them.

I think it looks a bit childish.

I don’t know.

I wrote it down with concentration.

After opening a sentence, I had a good feeling that it was written straight.

‘Lion will like this if he gets it.’

Just thinking about it made me feel happy.

I put the letter in an envelope and put it on the table, hoping that the next day would come soon.

“Well, then let’s go get permission.”

I didn’t like him, but if I don’t tell him in advance, I might have some problems.

It’s late, so I should come back if he’s sleeping.

I left the room carefully.

It felt strange to walk alone in the Count’s residence where night had fallen.

“Today was a very busy day.”

I trudged through the way, reflecting on the day.

“I hope Leon does well tomorrow.”

I hope he won’t get hurt? If there’s a pattern…… His powers must have awakened?

I suddenly stopped walking.

“Oh, my God, He won’t fall off.”

What were you worried about?

I shook my head.

When I reached Edgar’s room, I pondered for a moment.

‘You’re not going to sleep at this hour, are you?’

But no light escaped through the cracks in the door.

“Miss Elle.”

I turned to the familiar voice.

“Oh! Lord Hesse!”

Why isn’t he sleeping?

“Did you come to see the Count?”

It felt strange to see Hesse, the aide who was right next to Edgar, separately.

“Yes. I have something to say. Where did he go?”

“Well, it’s better not to know.”

“Why? Don’t tell me he went to make an accident……?”

No wonder it gave me the chills.

I think Lord Hessen is avoiding my gaze?

Hey, what’s going to happen again?

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Ha ha. No. I think he’ll be late today, so why don’t you talk about it tomorrow?”

“Then please tell him. I’m going to take Leon to the test with you tomorrow.”

“Together?”

Lord Hesse looked troubled at my words.

Yeah, Edgar wouldn’t allow it. But I had no intention of backing down.

Because I think of it as my last goodbye.

“There’s no way he’s going to fail the announcement, so I don’t have time to say goodbye.”

“……How are you so sure?”

“Well, it’s Leon.”

I smiled broadly and shrugged my shoulders.

Lord Hessen soon put his index finger to his mouth.

“Then let’s keep it a secret between the two of us.”

“Is Lord Hessen responsible for the rest?”

” Oh my, is that going to happen?”

Does that mean he’s responsible? I nodded vigorously.

“I’m still young. I did have an adult ceremony, but I’m at an age where I need to be protected.”

Fourteen years old. Still young for an adult.

It’s a little cheap, but it’s better this way.

“But you’re not really going to make a mistake, are you?”

“……Well, causality, to be exact.”

Causal retribution? That makes me even more nervous.

I got what I wanted, so I’ll go back to my room and sleep tight for tomorrow.

“Thank you! Still, it may be because of Lord Hessen that the Count does not go too wild.”

“……Lady.”

Lord Hesse looked quite moved.

“Well, that expression is a little…….”

Don’t cry. I don’t know how to soothe a man when he cries.

Leon, you’re handsome even when you cry, so I’ll appreciate it.

Lord Hessen was not so much as Leon.

“Then I’ll get going. Don’t cry. Even crying is comforting when a handsome person cries.”

I left in a hurry because I was embarrassed.