âItâs scary- Oh,â
She jumped up to Leone and covered his mouth trying to say he wasnât afraid.
âOoh, why is our Leone like this?! Haha. Itâs true that you came to me because you were scared, right?â
âHer. Haha. Tri- No, Bella.â
Adler burst into laughter.
âYou look very friendly. Am I right?â
A chill went down his spine at Adlerâs question. In the meantime, Leone removed her hand with a disgruntled look. What was this puppy really like?
âWhy-â
âHaha. Bella⦠this canât work. Whether itâs Sir Leoneâs feelings, your feelings, or whether you trample on Sir Leoneâs innocence!â
âInnocence! Isnât Leone worthy of knowing innocence and love?!â
In a fit of rage, she accepted Adlerâs words. No, what kind of innocence was there for a kid who just started talking like a human! Of course, animals also experience love, but Leone was a big kid who was deceived. What kind of love developed a child who hadnât grown up yet?
âWhat?! Are you ignoring Sir Leone because he doesnât know!? Leone is a genius. He know everything! Itâs just that he canât express himself. Even on a human basis!â
âNo. Iâm Leoneâs guardian, so will Leone feel love enough to devote his virginity to me? And in my eyes, heâs still a child?!â
âEven children know love!â
She was speechless for a moment. Indeed it was. Even young children used to exchange cheap toy rings as boyfriends and girlfriends. Just because they were young didnât mean they didnât know innocence or love.
Then⦠Leone, did he know love?
Unknowingly, she looked at Leone. A well-groomed side face, a firm jawline, and clear, dazed eyes. Would Leone one day be able to put love in those eyes? Was it possible even right now, not in the distant future? Was it just that he didnât know? Even though he hadnât grown up yet, heâs warm, friendly, beautiful, and wonderful. The person he fell in love with would have no choice but to love him in the end. Because it makes no sense not to love Leone.
So in the end⦠with someone.
âSomehow⦠I donât like it.â
âBella. Are you listening?!â
She came to her senses. She just lost herself in a great realization and forgot about reality. Wasnât there something more important to her right now?
âYes. Mr Adler. Sorry. I was dazed for a whileâ¦â
âAlthough I donât know exactly between the two of you.â
âItâs nothing, really.â
âThis doesnât work, Bella. Leave from Sir Leoneâs side.â
ââ¦yes?â
Was she fired?! Suddenly?! She needed to pay 30,000 gold, what should she do?! And now she had to stick with Adler and Leone?! If she failed, was she dead?!
âIâve helped you so far, so Iâll take care of your severance pay so you wonât be disappointed.â
No. She couldnât get cut here! So far, she had been thinking about running away. So she was not sure how to hang it. But she was desperate.
âI donât want to dieâ¦!â
âAt night. I was afraid- I went.â
And the voice of salvation penetrated between them.
âHere, the first time.â
Leone spoke clearly.
âLook, Mr. Adler! Itâs true that he came here because he was scared!â
âSir Leoneâ¦?â
Adlerâs voice, which had a determined face just before, fluttered like a deflated balloon.
âHuh. I was scared. Uh.â
âLeone. Are you covering up mistakes or lying?â
âNo. Here. It was unfamiliar.â
âBut obviously not earlier-â
âNo. Adler.â
Adler? He called him âAdlerâ, not a damn knight. She was too shocked to say a word and looked at Leone, so what about Adler? The ripple effect of that name was considerable.
âHuhâ¦!â
She heard Adler swallowing tears or emotions. It was clear that he was holding on somehow and enduring that person who was about to collapse. She watched Adlerâs leg closely. Even through his armor, a slight tremor seemed to be visible. It may be an illusion.
âYou have to⦠In theâ¦â
âYes, Mr. Adler.â
âPlease put another bed in Bellaâs room.â
âYes.â
After his name was called, Adlerâs change of attitude was seriously quick.
âBring herbs and herbs that are good for calming down. You also need a blanket that is not too thick. It would be nice to have a lot of cushions. He often sleeps curled up on his stomach.â
Adlerâs orderly conduct continued, and the servants were busy scattering.
âThe bathroom is also broken. fine under. Please clean up and dispose of all the ornaments you used today.â
âYes. That, but Mr Adler. I found that hard-â
âThere is nothing to talk about in this mansion.â
It was a sharp voice like a blade.
âLeone.â
â⦠ha.â
Having finished his command, Adler approached Leone with the face of his benevolent father. Leone let out a small breath. Since when had Leone learned to sigh?
âYou were scared last night. Iâm really worried. Donât you need a sedative? Are you okay with Bella by your side?â
âHuh.â
Leone answered in a dull voice. Judging by his expression or voice, he still seemed not to like Adler. Then why did he call Adler by his name? Was it a sign that he didnât hate him that much now? Could it be that he was not thinking of the effect of calling Adlerâs name? Leone couldnât have been that clever.
âI⦠Leone. Hey, maybe⦠How are you by the side of this damn knight, Adler?â
As if he mustered up courage, his voice trembled. Even though he referred to himself as a damn knight with his own mouth, he didnât look sad at all. It was insane.
â-no.â
However, his sonâs push and pull was considerable.
He just called his name yet, and it seemed to draw a line that he wasnât close to him.
âOh, sorry. I almost made a big mistake by failing to read your mind.â
âHuh. You are okay.â
âThank you!â
What kind of sight was this? She decided to give up the idea. First of all, she was grateful that Adlerâs misunderstanding was roughly resolved. Fatigue set in. She just wanted to rest.
âBella, Iâm sorry. I pushed too hard.â
âNo. Because Sir Adler loves Sir Leone very much. Itâs fine.â
âMore than that⦠hmm. There are circumstances in this hypersensitivity reaction. I will tell you later, so please understand.â
âYes.â
She didnât know what he was trying to say, but a Count bowing his head and apologizing to a commoner, albeit slightly. He was such a great person.
âOkay then. Tod, look at the two of you sleeping. I must wash.â
âYes, Mr. Adler.â
âLeone. Good night, sir. Sleep well, Bella.â
âOkay.â
âYes, yes. Adler, have a good rest!â
A great storm has passed. It felt like her legs were losing strength. As soon as she got to her room, she lay down and went to sleep.
âWorkers are moving the bed, they should be here soon. Iâll come when itâs sorted out, so please wait here for a moment. It wonât take long.â
Todd showed her to a small parlor right next to her room. Todd lit candles and lanterns all over the room and went outside.
âUghâ¦â
She stretched out on the sofa. There was no quiet day. It was so hard.
âCrack⦠Bell-.â
Leone, who was going to call her Trixie, hurriedly changed her name.
Laughter broke out.
âHuh. Leone. What?â
It was more peaceful. Warm lights that were not too bright, and the silence that came with the darkness. Leone, who protected her as she lay down on the sofa.
âItâs not scary, itâs not-â
âHuh? Ah. You said so earlier⦠It seems you really donât like that excuse. Sorry.â
Did he still have that in mind? This cute puppy now knew how to build his ego.
âItâs not scary.â
âYep. Thatâs right. You didnât come to me because you were afraid.â
Actually, she was not sure what the difference between being scared and separation anxiety was, but it probably wasnât the same because Leone wasnât scared.
âI know, I know⦠haam.â
âSleep?â
âAh no. Iâm not sleeping.â
Perhaps it was because of the sudden peacefulness, drowsiness came and the voice became weak and the pronunciation gradually muffled.
âLeone is- Gnyaang⦠Were you anxious without me? Your heart was racing, and you were afraid Iâll leave again⦠You came all the way here⦠Iâm sorry⦠I would be like the one and only family to Leone⦠I was badâ¦â
The eyes were also closed. My eyelids were so heavy. It felt like a ton.
âFamily?â
âYes, family⦠So, youâre here to find meâ¦â
âNo.â
âNo? You must be right⦠Our puppyâ¦â
Her body was losing strength, and she was becoming one with the sofa. She felt Leone got up from the sofa. Where was he going?
âDonât go far- Leone. Outside⦠I⦠canât keepâ¦â
Even in her clouded mind, she was worried about Leone. She was afraid that if he went out alone, he would be punished. Leone didnât have an answer. She strained her eyes hard. She was sleepy, but she didnât want something big to happen to her child. She had to watch.
âLeoâ¦?â
The moment her vision became clearer, she fell asleep. Surprised, her heart skipped a beat. Leoneâs big hand was approaching her. His hand ran through her hair and gently ran it through her curls. It was a kind touch, like soothing, but it didnât feel affectionate or grateful to her like he usually did. Itâs just a beating heart. The prince sat down on the floor, facing her. The large figure covered the lantern lying on the table. Even the red glow behind him made her feel strange. Leone put his arm on the sofa she was lying on and lay down on it, resting his chin on it. Could it be 3 cm between each other? Purple eyes, cool lips with red lines, neatly extended eyebrows. It was a street where you could see each detail.
âTrixie.â
ââ¦â
Leone laughed. A natural smile that was unreal.
âI missed you.â
It was a precise sentence, as if it had been practiced.