1. Cover
2. Title Page
3. Copyright
4. The Tea Party
5. The Winged One
6. Childhood Friends
7. Sword in Hand
8. Invitation to the Palace of Defense
9. The Palace of Defense
10. Malice
11. Crime and Punishment
12. Lips Wet with Sin
13. Tears of Sweetness and Salt
14. The Meaning of the Word “Shield”
15. Like Ships in the Night
16. Beside Solitude
17. The Horse Auction
18. Footsteps of Fate
19. At the Training Grounds
20. The Dice Are Cast
21. The Price of Fate
22. The Shadow’s Secret Orders
23. The Soul in My Hands Once More
24. A Morning for Two
25. Don’t Spoil Me
26. Beyond the Slumber
27. Peaches
28. Pleasure Amplifier
29. Bonds
30. Who Decides What Happiness Looks Like?
31. Whom Does Love Kill and Whom Does It Keep Alive?
32. Beasts That Cry of Loneliness
33. The Price of Lying
34. Confession
35. Is This a Figment of Your Imagination?
36. Yen Newsletter

Leorino accompanied his mother and sister-in-law to the estate of the Count of Arhen in the countryside just outside of the royal capital.

The estate was famous for its gardens, located roughly a half-hour ride by carriage from the center of the capital. There, they were to attend a tea party hosted by the countess. They were joined by the maids of his mother and sister, as well as their respective guards, Josef among them.

The countess and all her guests could not contain their excitement at the arrival of the family from Brungwurt, which was the current center of attention in the royal capital. The Countess of Arhen in particular could not hide her elation at the rumored appearance of the fourth son of the Cassieux family, whose beauty had caught even the crown prince’s attention during the Vow of Adulthood.

They were led into a drawing room overlooking the count’s prized garden, where they were greeted by the count himself. The garden, illuminated by the spring sun, was indeed beautifully landscaped and deserving of its fame.

The Count and Countess of Arhen couldn’t wait to countenance Leorino’s famed beauty.

Leorino’s attire today was simple, consisting of a white shirt with a matching flax-colored jacket and trousers to complement the women’s lavish formal daywear. The only ornaments he wore were the silver buttons engraved with the family crest and a small purple iridescent gemstone clip fastened at the base of his throat. However, even in such simple garments, his sophisticated appearance was so striking that he easily stood out among the other guests.

Everyone was gazing at Leorino in rapt attention until Maia cleared her throat and brought them back to their senses, causing them to quickly avert their eyes. The experienced nobles immediately understood the meaning behind Maia’s warning.

From that point on, the guests treated them with reasonable indifference, even as the occasional glances continued. Feeling deliberately ignored, Leorino was finally able to relax.

The tea party was to take place in the garden. Several large canopies were pitched under the beaming sunlight, with tables and chairs set up beneath them.

Leorino quickly spotted Josef in the garden. The guards appeared to have all been deployed to different parts of the property.

Leorino’s eyes met Josef’s.

Instantly feeling reassured, Leorino smiled. Josef smiled back and nodded.

“…Why, Brother, I didn’t know you were attending!”

At the sound of Erina’s voice, Leorino turned around with a start. There were the smiling faces of Erina’s mother, the Duchess of Leben, and Erina’s brother, Julian Munster, whom he had grown accustomed to seeing over the past year.

“Erina, Madame, how do you do? And Leorino, what a joy to see you.”

“Lord Julian, Duchess of Leben, well met.”

Erina must have known her mother would be attending. However, she seemed genuinely surprised by her brother’s appearance.

Julian was likely not the sort of man to attend tea parties largely populated by the older generation. Leorino had heard he was sought out at all kinds of social gatherings. Even now, he was attracting the gazes of those around them in a different way from Leorino.

Leorino was blindsided by this reunion with Julian. He couldn’t help being self-conscious about what he had said to him when they parted at the soiree. Nevertheless, Julian was behaving like the noblest of noblemen that he was and treated Leorino with courtesy.

After exchanging greetings, the two families were led by the Count of Arhen—who looked nervous surrounded by leading nobles—to a seat with the best view.

Julian and Leorino walked side by side behind the laughing women.

At that moment, Julian quickly brought his lips to Leorino’s ear and whispered, “I’ve missed you.”

The whisper felt ticklish, and Leorino couldn’t help reacting. Julian offered him a mischievous smile.

“When I heard you were coming, I couldn’t contain myself. I simply had to come see you,” he whispered in Leorino’s ear again.

“Lord Julian, please…”

But Julian chuckled at Leorino’s flustered response. “Rest assured, I wouldn’t dare do anything that might embarrass you out in the open, Leorino.”

Leorino cast his gaze down. He was still unable to give a tactful reply to Julian’s suggestive statement. Leorino knew he must do his best, but he looked to Josef as if he could simply swoop in and save Leorino.

When he noticed Leorino’s anxious expression, Josef nodded slowly. Leorino didn’t know why he had nodded, but he couldn’t help being amused by how seriously Josef took his role as Leorino’s guard, and Leorino regained his composure.

Leorino looked up at Julian and quietly whispered back to him so that no one around them could hear. “I trust you, Lord Julian. I don’t want to cause any trouble for my mother and sister-in-law, so please, please don’t say anything that might get me in hot water.”

He found the courage to say what had been on his mind.

Julian looked at Leorino with narrowed eyes and raised his hands in surrender.

“Well, look at you… I don’t see you for a few days, and suddenly you’ve become something of a provocateur. I give up.”

Having offered a successful retort in conversation with another adult, Leorino grew confident.

At the table reserved for the guest of honor, the Duchess of Leben took the reins of the conversation and did not let go, mainly occupying the ladies. The duchess adored Maia and was anxious to please her throughout the conversation. Her cheeks flushed as she spoke.

Julian did not attempt to interact with Leorino, per his request. Despite his nerves, Leorino managed to flawlessly participate in the conversation, nodding along and making small talk whenever it was expected of him.

*   *   *

Having visited each table and greeted each guest, the countess returned with a petite woman.

Erina smiled when she saw her. It appeared that they knew each other.

“How good to see you, Antonia! It’s been too long!”

Leorino inclined his head at the sight of the woman. Then, with a start, he remembered. He knew that petite silhouette with reddish-gold hair. It was the same young lady who had stood next to him during the Vow of Adulthood ceremony.

“Lord Julian, Lady Erina, you’ve met my daughter. Madame Maia, Lord Leorino, may I introduce to you my daughter, Antonia.”

The daughter of the Countess of Arhen greeted the guests with a beautifully executed, ladylike curtsy.

“My name is Antonia Klaus. Margravine of Brungwurt, Lord Leorino. It is an honor to meet you.”

Leorino returned the greeting with an equally graceful gesture.

When Antonia’s eyes met Leorino’s, her round cheeks flushed red. “Um, I was standing next to you, Lord Leorino, during the ceremony of the Vow of Adulthood. Although I don’t expect you to remember me…”

Leorino smiled. “I remember you. I am sorry that I could not introduce myself properly, as I arrived late. My name is Leorino Cassieux.”

“So you did remember me! Oh, I’m so glad.”

Leorino’s grin made Antonia smile back pleasantly, her cheeks turning even redder.

“Ah, so you’ve met before. Lady Antonia, please have a seat.”

Maia urged her to sit, and Antonia nodded and sat down next to Erina. When her eyes met Erina’s, they grinned at each other. Antonia had a small round face that matched her petite frame, a pair of sparkling green eyes, and soft features that gave her a charming appearance.

“So you spoke with my son during the ceremony?”

“N-no, I didn’t have the opportunity…but, um, I would never forget Lord Leorino. Everyone in the hall was stunned, uncertain if we were all dreaming. After that, the room was astir with excitement as we wondered if he was really human, made of the same flesh as the rest of us.”

Leorino sipped his tea in silence. What could I possibly be made of if not flesh?

“…Oh, I apologize.”

Antonia had immediately noticed Leorino’s irritation.

Leorino replied with a smile that he didn’t mind. Erina came to her rescue with a laugh. “Antonia, the same thing happened to us. When we met Leorino for the first time, we all nearly keeled over.”

“Oh my. Your family as well?”

“…Sister, please. The Klaus family might take you seriously.”

“But she’s right, Leorino. We were stunned. And Mother was just about ready to faint.”

When Julian entered the conversation, Leorino scowled in irritation.

Antonia laughed melodiously. “I can relate. I was so glad that I was called forth before Lord Leorino during the ceremony. If I had been forced to go after him, I might have fallen straight out of my chair when they called my name.”

Everyone laughed at Antonia’s humorous turn of phrase as she recounted the story.

Leorino was growing quite fond of Antonia.

She was a wonderful young lady, far more open-minded and charming than him. More than anything, Leorino was pleased with how quickly she was able to relax in his presence.

What followed was a pleasant conversation about Antonia’s debut in high society and tales of her school days.

“Antonia has such a brilliant mind. She excelled at school, especially in history and mathematics. She was famous throughout our grade.”

“Oh, Lady Erina, you flatter me. But it makes me quite self-conscious. It’s as if I’m fishing for compliments.”

“Oh, but it’s true. You were known to argue with the math teacher. One day, the teacher gave her a textbook for the upper grades, telling her to solve the problems inside in hopes of buying themselves some time. But Antonia happily returned a few days later, having solved all the problems, and assaulted them with another barrage of questions. The teacher looked ready to beg the heavens for mercy.”

“Lady Erina! They don’t need to know that!”

The guests gathered under the canopy adored Erina’s anecdote.

When everyone calmed down, the Countess of Arhen said to her daughter, “If you don’t mind, Antonia, why don’t you show Lord Leorino our rose garden?”

“Mother?”

The Countess of Arhen ignored her daughter’s surprise and continued with a smile. “Lord Leorino, we’re the only family to grow certain rare species of roses in the royal capital. My daughter will show you around, so why don’t you go have a look?”

Leorino glanced at his mother. Seeing her quietly sipping tea with her eyes downcast, he decided this was not an offer he should refuse. Leorino nodded at the countess.

“I’d love to. Lady Antonia, would you show me the way?”

“Of course. Um, Lord Leorino, may I…?”

Leorino held out his hand, and Antonia, her cheeks tinted, timidly took it. The Countess of Arhen seemed pleased by the sight.

As Erina looked on anxiously, Julian smiled gracefully and offered to accompany them.

“We would love to see the countess’s famous rose garden as well. Erina, let us join Lady Antonia.”

Antonia led Leorino to the rose garden. A short distance away, the Munster siblings, Erina and Julian, followed, walking arm in arm.

Leorino began in a soft voice in hopes of soothing Antonia’s nerves.

“Is the rose garden beyond that hedge?” he asked upon seeing the veritable wall of greenery.

Antonia nodded. “Y-yes. The hedge is double layered. On the other side is the rose garden, and in between there are paths for strolling.”

“I see.”

Leorino was asking for a reason. He wanted to know how far he would be forced to walk.

Shouldn’t be an issue, but it would be polite to let her know.

“Lady Antonia, due to an accident I suffered six years ago, I cannot walk for long periods of time. I want you to know this, as it may negatively affect our stroll.”

“Is that so? I see no issue with your gait right now…”

“Yes, walking itself isn’t an issue. My legs only tire from long walks.”

Antonia instantly looked apologetic.

“I’m really sorry, my mother’s offer was very inconsiderate…”

“No, not at all. It was a lovely thing to suggest. I just wanted to inform you ahead of time that a longer walk may be impossible for me. I’m perfectly fine at the moment, so don’t let it bother you,” Leorino said with a kind smile, and Antonia seemed relieved.

When they glanced behind them, Erina and Julian waved, smiling. They waved back.

“Then let us go. Show me that fantastic rose garden of which everyone speaks so highly.”

“Of course.”

They slowly walked down the gently sloping hill. As they approached the hedge, they could no longer see the canopies set up behind them. The air was mild in the endlessly glorious spring sunlight.

Once the rose garden came into view, it became immediately apparent how it had become the pride and joy of the countess.

Roses were planted in a radial pattern, extending from the vine-covered gazebo in the center. Climbing roses of various colors were beginning to bloom on the arches along the path. Many buds were still visible, but some of the seasonal varieties were already in full bloom, threatening to spill over the path.

“It’s incredible… I’ve never seen such a beautiful rose garden.”

“Do you mean it? I think my mother would be sincerely pleased to hear you say so.”

“Of course. Brungwurt is so far north that only cold-hardy varieties get to bloom at all.”

“Oh, I see. Our territory is much farther south, so we see all sorts of other flowers, too.”

From there, they made a slow tour of the rose garden. The circular walkway allowed them to see Julian and Erina following them. Leorino noticed that Antonia had been glancing at the siblings behind them.

“Are you concerned about our pursuers?”

“…Huh?”

Antonia looked up at Leorino with unhidden surprise on her face. She smiled softly and blushed suddenly.

“It’s just… It was actually I who asked my mother to give me some time alone with you.”

“Is that so? And for what reason?”

“It’s, um…” Antonia’s face turned bright red as she stuttered. Then, suddenly, she pulled Leorino’s arm and urged him toward the gazebo. Leorino had no choice but to go wherever she pulled him.

Her petite body came to a sudden stop in front of the gazebo.

“…Lady Antonia?”

“Yes! I…actually have something I would like to ask you, Lord Leorino…”

“Yes, what is it?”

Antonia fidgeted, rubbing her hands in front of her chest. After a moment’s hesitation, she looked up at Leorino with a snap.

“Um… Lord Leorino, are you in a r-relationship with L-Lord Julian?”

“…Excuse me?”

Leorino’s jaw dropped at the abrupt question. Antonia’s adorable face turned as red as an apple.

“I saw you, at the soiree… I saw Lord Julian walking with you in such an…intimate manner.”

“Lady Antonia, I believe that’s, um…”

“For a year now, I have heard rumors that Lord Julian had fallen in love with someone. He’s very kind to everyone, you see, but…when I saw the look in his eyes as he watched you, I…”

With that, Antonia closed her eyes, wringing her dress as if she was waiting for his verdict.

Why was this near-complete stranger of a woman suddenly asking him about his relationship with Julian?

For the time being, he had to nip the rumor in the bud.

“There is nothing between me and Lord Julian. He is my sister-in-law’s brother, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes, that’s all there is to it.”

As soon as she heard Leorino’s answer, Antonia smiled with relief. Leorino knew little of romantic affairs, but that reaction made everything clear.

“You have feelings for Lord Julian, is that the way of it?”

“Ah… Oh, um… No.”

“Hm? So you do not have feelings for him?”

“No, I, um… Yes, I love him dearly.” Still reeling from Leorino’s blunt question, Antonia finally nodded in resignation.

“Are you not going to tell Lord Julian how you feel about him, then?”

“Ugh, Lord Leorino, please. You’re too forthright, I hardly know what to say.”

“Am I? Well, Lord Julian is a lucky man to be loved by such a wonderful woman as yourself. I hope he realizes it before long.”

Antonia sighed. “…Hearing that from an angel, I might just expect a miracle.”

At that moment, Leorino had an idea. This might just be a great opportunity to help her.

“Since they’re already following us, let us wait for them to catch up. We can switch so that you walk with Julian, and I will escort my sister-in-law. Then you can speak with him until we return to the party.”

“Huh…? N-no, I can’t… Should we…?”

There was something adorable about a woman in love.

Leorino quickly made up his mind to do whatever he could to support Antonia.

“Let’s do it. I hope you will tell Lord Julian how you feel about him.”

“Lord Leorino…I appreciate your support…but I cannot do that.”

“Hm? Why not?”

“…Lord Leorino, one cannot simply confess their feelings. You must wait until…you get to know each other better.”

Leorino reflected on this and agreed. It was one thing to have feelings for someone, but acting upon those feelings was something else entirely.

At that moment, the face of the man who had stolen his lips flashed through Leorino’s mind. He felt a sudden pang in his chest.

“I suppose you’re right. Then, as you say, you should enjoy a stroll together and get to know each other first.”

“…Lord Leorino, you look like an angel, and you really are not of this world, are you?”

“Hm? Do you think so? I was hoping to support you and your feelings for Julian, was that wrong of me?”

“…It wasn’t wrong of you… I-I’m glad to hear that. Thank you.”

As they waited near the gazebo, Erina and Julian joined them. Acknowledging their arrival, Leorino cracked a smile at the blushing woman by his side.

The tea party ended without issue. Leorino was exhausted from the carriage ride and the stroll through the gardens. Still, he was satisfied with the day’s outing. He felt a little more confident now that he had managed to complete a social event without causing a scene.

Seeing him off alongside her parents, Antonia wore a pleased smile on her face. Leorino was happy at the thought that he might just become good friends with her.

Following his mother and sister-in-law, Leorino was about to get into their carriage when he felt a sudden tug at his waist.

When he turned around in surprise, he saw that it was Julian.

“You’re coming with me.”

“…What?”

Before he could even protest, Julian lifted Leorino by the waist and carried him to his own carriage. Entering after Leorino, Julian pushed him deeper inside.

The carriage doors closed behind Julian.

Instantly, the interior of the carriage turned dark. The afternoon light only reached them through the small windows.

“…Lord Julian?”

Julian knocked on the wall of the carriage. With a loud thump, the carriage sprang into motion.

Leorino sat frozen in shock.

“Finally, we’re alone.”

“…Lord Julian, why…? Why are you doing this?”

Leorino was frightened. He did not understand why Julian wanted to be alone with him in the first place.

The carriage began to sway at a steady pace.

Leorino shrank back on the edge of his seat, trying to keep as much distance between himself and Julian as possible.

Seeing this, Julian chuckled.

“You may relax. The madame has given me permission to return with you to the capital. Besides, your guard is following us on horseback.”

“So we’re returning to the capital…?”

He looked at Julian, silently trying to confirm the veracity of his statement with his gaze, when Julian grinned at him.

“Yes. I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

Julian’s tone was perfectly calm. It was hard to believe that he was the same person who had carried Leorino into the carriage against his will.

The royal capital was some half an hour away.

I suppose I don’t mind talking for that long…

Leorino had been taken aback, but slowly began letting his guard down. Julian watched him with a somewhat amused look on his face.

“Right, then… I’m ready to hear your excuse.”

“Excuse…?”

He wasn’t sure what Julian meant. Julian smiled, watching Leorino tilt his head.

“Yes. You tried to play matchmaker with me and Lady Antonia in the rose garden today, didn’t you?”

Leorino let out a quiet gasp. He had offered to take over as Erina’s escort during their stroll through the rose garden. At that moment, Julian’s eyes widened slightly, but Leorino forced a smile and agreed.

What does he mean by “excuse”…?

Julian’s tone was as kind as always.

Because of this, Leorino had not noticed the man’s silent anger.

“Why did you do that?”

“I was just, um, trying to help…”

“Hmm. Trying to help. Trying to help whom, exactly?”

Help Antonia, of course.

He acted on behalf of Antonia, who looked so lovely with her cheeks stained by her feelings for Julian in the hope that her love would be requited.

He simply figured that giving her some time alone with Julian would make her happy and was therefore a good idea.

“Leorino, look at me.”

When he gave no reply, Julian placed his fingers on Leorino’s chin and lifted it himself. Leorino had no choice but to lock gazes with this man he was sharing this enclosed space with.

That was when Leorino noticed. Behind his mild expression, Julian’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. If anything, they hid an irritation that Leorino had never seen before in Julian, who had always been so elegant and kind.

Leorino watched Julian with fear in his eyes.

“Did that…upset you somehow?”

“Not quite. I had no issue keeping her company. She’s a sensible young lady. I enjoyed our time together.”

Leorino was confused. If his offer had not been the issue, what had?

“Then why do you seem so upset…?”

“Why? You can’t tell? Really?”

Leorino shook his head, his chin still in Julian’s fingers. If he had enjoyed speaking with Antonia, what could have bothered him so much?

“I’ve told you so many times, but it just doesn’t seem to stay in your head, does it? …Now, listen. I haven’t given up on you yet, remember? I’ve told you that, haven’t I?”

“…O-oh, um, of course.”

Leorino shuddered.

He did remember. They were his parting words after he had saved Leorino from his predicament at the soiree. But Leorino’s father should have already turned down Julian’s proposal.

Although Leorino had hinted it at the soiree, Julian had been cordial today, maintaining an appropriate distance from him the entire time. Leorino had been so reassured by this that he assumed Julian had accepted Leorino as part of his extended family.

“I see you remembered.”

“I—I didn’t have to remember. I hadn’t forgotten. But I thought that you…had come to terms with it by now.”

Julian laughed out loud, apparently finding this deeply amusing. “Is that what you thought? What a pity. Is that all my proposal meant to you?”

“No, of course not! But my father told me that he had already turned you down… I assumed that would be the last of it.”

“Did you think that just because your father said no, I would simply say ‘I see, thank you,’ and my love for you would disappear just like that?”

“Well, no, but…”

“Do you get to decide how I feel?”

Leorino instantly paled as Julian watched him with affection in his eyes even as he verbally drove Leorino into a corner.

“Really, I should pity that young lady. I don’t know what she told you, but you must have learned how she felt and innocently suggested that she act on those feelings, didn’t you?”

“I…”

“You’re the one I long for. Did you give any thought to how she will feel when she learns that she was spurred on by her rival?”

His words came as a shock to Leorino.

Julian was right.

He had simply wanted to support the love of a brave young woman.

But when Antonia learned that Julian still had feelings for Leorino, how much would his prior act hurt her self-esteem?

How…how utterly foolish of me…

Leorino’s heart ached with regret, and he clutched at his shirt. Julian was watching him closely.

“You are as innocent as an angel, but unforgivably cruel, too. To think you would not give my love for you the slightest consideration and try to sell me off to someone else. And you have no awareness of it whatsoever.”

“I…”

Julian slowly stroked Leorino’s trembling chin with his thumb.

“Oh, but you were ‘just trying to help.’ Ha-ha, best joke I’ve heard in a while. You’re so simple, and so insensitive.” Julian admonished Leorino’s thoughtless behavior matter-of-factly. Still, his tone was calm, and a kind smile graced his lips.

Leorino couldn’t bear it any longer and cast his eyes down.

“I’m sorry… Lord Julian, I was foolish… I’m really sorry.”

Julian had alluded to his feelings earlier that day, but hidden by his decorum, it almost felt like he had been teasing Leorino.

Leorino felt like crying.

He would not have imagined that Julian still held any serious feelings for him.

At that moment, the carriage shook violently.

They appeared to be passing over a rough road that had not seen regular upkeep. He felt the intense shaking particularly hard in his legs and back. Leorino gritted his teeth at the pain of being tossed about in his seat.

“Oh, I felt it on the way there, but this road’s quite terrible, isn’t it…? Come now.”

Noticing the agony Leorino desperately tried to hide, Julian grabbed him by the waist and lifted Leorino up onto his lap sideways.

“Ah…”

“Come now, aren’t you more comfortable like this?”

“Lord Julian…!” He immediately pressed his hands against the man’s chest and tried to escape. But despite Julian’s slender appearance, Leorino could not free himself from the man’s arms even as he twisted and turned.

“N-no, it’s all right, please let me go!”

“The shaking will hurt your legs. Just sit back and rest. Here, I’ll hold you like this.”

Julian was right. In the rocking carriage, he felt much better secured in place.

But he didn’t want to sit any closer to the man whose marriage proposal he had refused, the man who still had feelings for him.

As Leorino shrunk back in the man’s arms, Julian laughed again.

“Are you afraid of me? I would never do anything to you in a carriage, rest assured. We’ll be past this road soon, just sit tight for now.”

“Still… Lord Julian, I insist. Please let me go.”

“No. Learn to accept the kindness of others.”

Leorino bit his lip.

He felt sorry for himself for being unable to firmly refuse Julian. He had a feeling that Julian was not going to let him go, no matter how hard he protested.

Just as he had promised, Julian had not done anything inappropriate. He simply held Leorino’s body firmly in place.

After a while, Leorino muttered to himself, “…I thought you were upset with me.”

“Hmm? Yes, I am upset, of course.”

“Then why are you being so kind?”

“Because you’re you. How many times must I say it? I’m in love with you. And in any case, this is your punishment. You’re quite uncomfortable now, aren’t you?”

Leorino frowned in irritation.

No matter how kindly Julian treated him, Leorino could not accept Julian’s feelings.

Leorino bowed his head and apologized.

“…Lord Julian. I am truly sorry. I was foolish. I sincerely apologize. I will write a letter of apology to Lady Antonia as well.”

“Hmm, a letter? And what are you going to write? You’ll say your behavior was inappropriate because the man she’s in love with proposed to you? That would be counterproductive. Don’t bother.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Hearing it said so calmly made him more restless than he already was. He didn’t know how to apologize to Antonia.

“Oh, you really don’t understand the subtleties of the human heart, do you?”

“…I-I’m sorry.”

The pain in Leorino’s chest caused him to curl in on himself.

They remained silent for a while longer.

“…That reminds me, I heard that you want to become independent. Your brother told me you want to find a job.”

Leorino was puzzled by the sudden change of subject.

“Yes. That’s why… I’m sorry. I can’t marry you, Lord Julian.”

Julian smiled at his apologetic refusal.

“I couldn’t have known it at the time, but I’m sorry for what I said that day. I admire your determination to be independent. I will support you in your decision.”

“Oh… Thank you.” Leorino sighed in relief, assuming that Julian had finally given up on marrying him.

“But as it stands, you’ll cause heaps of trouble for the people around you.”

“…Huh?”

Julian smiled softly. “You may even hurt many people with your innocent insensitivity, just as you did today.”

Leorino was flustered. “That’s not… That was never my intention…”

“I do wonder. You might even scoff at people’s feelings without realizing it. You know…like what you did to me earlier.”

Julian’s tone was calm, but each word was dripping with venom.

For some reason, Lucas’s tormented expression flashed through Leorino’s mind.

“So, Leorino,” Julian whispered. “Did I hit the nail on the head?”

Leorino turned melancholy, casting his eyes down.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Hah. I’m sure you are. But it’s not your fault. You’re just ignorant of the ways of the world.”

“I know I am… But—”

“That’s all right. You’ll have plenty of chances to learn. Let me show you the outside world.”

What does that mean?

“Um, uh, but… You and I, we’re not…”

Julian suddenly stroked Leorino’s cheek. His touch was perfectly gentle, completely non-threatening.

“Don’t worry about the future. And don’t concern yourself with how I feel about you right now.”

“But, Lord Julian…”

“Hush now. No ifs, ands, or buts. Your mind is still so immature. You need someone to guide you.”

“I…”

“You do realize you might end up hurting people again with your thoughtless behavior, like you did today, yes?”

Leorino was oblivious.

Before he knew it, the carriage had left the bad road. Nevertheless, Julian’s elegant hand continued to leisurely caress Leorino’s slender back.

Leorino remained in his lap, ruminating on his words. Julian watched him with a smile.

“…I hope you’ll slowly grow accustomed to me.”

“…?”

Leorino hadn’t quite caught what Julian said and directed a raised eyebrow at Julian.

“Don’t worry about it.” The elegant man smiled.

While Leorino and his family were out in the countryside, Sasha, a military doctor from the Royal Army, visited the eldest son Auriano, the current acting head of the Cassieux family, at the Brungwurt residence in the royal capital.

“So His Royal Highness was serious about his offer from the other day…”

Sitting across from Auriano, Sasha nodded as he enjoyed a cup of fine, fragrant tea.

“It was originally my idea. I wanted to support Leorino’s independence, and His Excellency agreed to it. So how does the Cassieux family feel?”

“We greatly appreciate the offer…but I doubt the boy can perform work either you or His Highness would find satisfactory, Dr. Sasha.”

“That’s all right.” Sasha shook his head. “We don’t want to give him special treatment, but I’ll watch him closely and let him start with whatever he can do, so please rest assured. Of course, he won’t be a mere decoration; we want him to do real work.”

“…Nevertheless, there is also the matter of Leorino’s appearance. I hear the Royal Army is a gathering of ruffians, so to speak. No, excuse me…but Leorino is too helpless for a man. It would be like throwing a sheep into a pack of wolves.”

Sasha was indignant at the gall required to question the moral character of the Royal Army. “What do you think the Royal Army is? Yes, it may be full of meatheads, but they are not a band of rogues. Besides, in accordance with His Excellency’s plan, he would not officially belong to the Royal Army. He would only work in the Palace of Defense.”

“Still…”

“The Palace of Defense is composed of civilian officials, is it not? It employs men with the same slender physique as Lord Leorino. You should know women work there as well. Certainly, you’ll find few people as extraordinarily beautiful as Lord Leorino…but are you saying these people are constantly being assaulted?”

“No, I certainly didn’t say that…”

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea for Leorino to work at the Palace of Defense. Especially since that’s where His Excellency reigns supreme… Or rather, because he is in command, he has more control over the entire hierarchy of the Palace of Defense than the other palaces.”

Auriano pursed his lips.

“…Still, Leorino’s position would be very weak.”

“The general himself has officially invited him to the palace. And he’s a son of the Cassieux family, is he not? That’s more than enough to make anyone with untoward intentions think twice about troubling him.” Sasha laughed loudly, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Auriano was distressed.

Although they had not informed Leorino himself, the Cassieux family already had a path in mind for their youngest son to follow, and it was marriage to Julian Munster.

Leorino still thought that August had asked the Duke of Leben to drop the matter entirely, but the two families had merely agreed to put it on hold. August had asked Julian to take things slowly as Leorino’s mind matured, and Julian had agreed.

In other words, at this point, the two families had privately established a tentative promise that Julian and Leorino would get married in the future.

These two years were just a grace period for Leorino to establish an emotional bond with Julian. August would marry Leorino off to Julian as long as there were no serious rifts or irreconcilable differences between them.

For Leorino, who genuinely wanted to become independent, his father’s secret plot bordered on betrayal. But that was the decision the head of the family had made in order to protect Leorino.

But here comes this offer…

They were told at the outset that this offer was a formal invitation from Gravis Adolphe Fanoren, the general in the Royal Army and a member of the royal family.

When Gravis whispered this to Auriano as he carried Leorino home, he had thought it impossible, but Sasha had finally arrived as the official messenger. And, as it turned out, the general himself had already gone to Brungwurt to speak directly to Auriano’s father.

It was the most unusual series of events.

The Cassieux family could not simply refuse an official invitation from a royal. Auriano had to get in touch with the head of the family and confirm his intentions.

Sasha urged the now-silent acting head of the Cassieux family, Auriano, to come to a conclusion.

“Lord Auriano. We’re talking about the youngest son of the Cassieux family, yes? Do you really want to risk letting him work anywhere else? With his beauty and his lineage, he would be kidnapped in an instant. That’s what you’re most worried about, isn’t it? I can think of no better place to guarantee his safety than the Palace of Defense.”

Auriano considered this.

Regardless of August’s thoughts, Auriano personally wanted to abide by Leorino’s genuine desire to work.

Leorino would be under the protection of the general, and Sasha would be close by, keeping an eye on him and allowing him to work at his own pace. Moreover, he would be working in the Palace of Defense, arguably the safest place to be.

In terms of a work environment that would ensure Leorino’s personal safety, there could certainly be no better conditions.

But Leorino was too earnest for his own good. Auriano could easily imagine him working himself to the bone at his new job.

If that were to happen, he would not be in the right headspace to fall in love with Julian.

Auriano groaned.

He couldn’t quite make up his mind. Sasha’s eyes lit up as he carefully observed Auriano.

“Judging by that reaction, you never truly intended to let Lord Leorino out into the world in the first place…or am I wrong?”

Auriano’s temples twitched.

“…Oh, I see how it is. The engagement with Julian Munster is still on the table, then? In that case, you certainly can’t have a boy who will marry into a duke’s family working his life away, now can you?”

“It’s not official yet. Not to mention…Leorino has no knowledge of it.”

Auriano acknowledged Sasha’s words as vaguely as possible.

Hearing this, Sasha released a deep sigh.

“…Don’t you feel bad for Leorino? He’s really trying to find a job, isn’t he? He even wanted to go to the employment agency in hopes of finding one.”

Auriano bit his lip.

“Leorino is a son of a noble family. If you had told him that both families had agreed to marry him off to Julian Munster, he would have complied. It’s a horrible betrayal to make it seem as if the topic has been dropped when you’re actively plotting behind his back.”

He was right.

Auriano averted his gaze from Sasha.

“…What’s wrong? It’s not like you. I always thought the Cassieux family cared so much about Lord Leorino.”

“…I have nothing to say to you about the decision of the head of the family.”

“Well, that’s all right, then. I can guess the circumstances that led to the margrave’s decision. I can understand the sentiment. But in this case, I will absolutely take Lord Leorino’s side.”

“Doctor, please! This is our family! Please, let it go!”

Sasha’s gaze on Auriano was frightfully cold.

“…Lord Auriano. Do you really think that keeping Lord Leorino from hardship and being so overprotective of him will make him happy? Has he ever asked you or your father to let him live comfortably under the protection of a powerful man?”

“Dr. Sasha, please…”

“I have seen hundreds of deaths on the battlefield. There is precious little we doctors can do to make the difference between life and death. Life and death are God’s decisions, a momentary fork in the road… Lord Auriano, you saw him, didn’t you? The way he lay there with his shattered body?”

Of course. I still remember it vividly.

That day, Leorino lay on the ground of Zweilink like a doll tossed away by a child who had grown bored of it.

“If His Excellency had not happened to be in Zweilink, and if he had not instantly summoned me to Brungwurt, the boy’s life would have certainly ended there. And that was thanks to His Excellency, thanks to me, and thanks to your family! We have all saved his precious life, haven’t we?”

“Doctor…”

“It may have been just a series of coincidences that allowed us to save his life…but the damage was so terrible that we were considering amputation. And yet, through Leorino’s efforts over the years, he regained his ability to walk, did he not?”

Sasha’s eyes burned with anger.

“…That same boy! He told me, ‘I want to be able to protect someone, not just be protected,’ and he’s trying his best to become independent… To become a man worthy of the Cassieux name, just like you!”

Auriano winced.

“His beautiful appearance is the biggest obstacle standing in the way of his independence. Yet still, he refuses to give up. He’s desperately trying to find his way in the world!”

“Doctor, please…”

Sasha took a deep breath to quell his own excitement.

“…So, Lord Auriano, we are in the position to support him, and we have the power. We can still keep him from any real danger. He knows it’s dangerous out there, but he still wants to leave the nest. Don’t you want to let him spread his wings?”

It was finally time for Sasha to state his ultimatum.

“The invitation extended to Leorino Cassieux to work in the Palace of Defense is an order of His Excellency the General. I want you to consider the meaning of this and give me an answer within the next few days. Is that clear?”

Auriano could hardly speak. “…Please let me first get in touch with the head of the family. Until then, I will refrain from giving you a formal answer.”

“Very well.”

“…Dr. Sasha, it is highly unusual for the brother of the king himself to extend a personal invitation to Leorino. I really don’t want any strange rumors spreading about my brother.”

Without paying any heed to Auriano’s desperate rebuttal, Sasha pushed back in a calm voice. “What does it matter? His Excellency will get his way in the end. And he will do everything to protect Leorino, in a way different from yours. I am certain that His Excellency has personally told the margrave the very same thing. Is that not good enough?”

With that, the doctor sipped his tea again, looking very pleased with its flavor.

Auriano sighed as he folded the letter for his father.

What was really happening with his youngest brother?

Ever since his arrival in the royal capital, Leorino had been utterly swept up by the big city. Distinguished men had appeared to intervene in Leorino’s life one after another. The peaceful days he’d spent in Brungwurt felt like a dream.

His angelic smile appeared in Auriano’s mind.

Will we be able to protect that smile?

About half an hour ago, Leorino and his family returned home in two separate carriages, surprising the entire household.

Maia, Erina, and the Duchess of Leben disembarked from the carriage bearing the Brungwurt coat of arms. Next arrived the carriage of the duke, from which Julian Munster emerged, followed by Leorino.

But why did he ride home in a carriage belonging to another family?

When Hundert learned that his master had been alone with Julian during the return trip, he worried that something had happened to Leorino. He quickly inspected his master’s body from head to toe and found that his clothes were undisturbed and there was no sign that anything inappropriate might have taken place.

Still, he couldn’t fully relax.

There was also the matter of what had happened at the Palace of Defense. Hundert was the only one who knew about the marks a certain someone had left on Leorino’s neck.

Leorino had said nothing happened, but Hundert had no doubt that someone had at least attempted to assault him. He only kept it quiet because Leorino didn’t want to turn it into a serious ordeal.

At that moment, his eyes met Julian Munster’s. Hundert quickly bowed his head. He heard the young nobleman chuckle in amusement. He seemed to have understood the servant’s concern.

Leorino was somewhat dazed as he and Julian exchanged parting words. Beaming through the whole encounter, Julian whispered something in Leorino’s ear.

Leorino nodded hesitantly.

Returning to his room, Hundert’s master sat down on his sofa.

Hundert had heard from Erina that everything had gone well during today’s outing. Leorino’s beauty had not caused a stir, and he had made friends with a young lady close to his age during the visit.

However, his master seemed far from pleased. If anything, he looked to be in particularly low spirits. It wasn’t physical exhaustion—Leorino seemed to be more mentally drained than anything.

Hundert quietly offered him a cup of tea. Leorino thanked him in a soft voice.

In truth, Hundert had been worried about his master ever since he arrived in the royal capital. It was only recently that Leorino, his face flushed with fever, expressed his desire to go out into the world and learn to maneuver it.

Hundert couldn’t help worrying about his master’s health, wondering if he was straining to keep up with the dramatic change in his environment, having no appropriate outlet for his restlessness.

Leorino looked uneasy, like a child who couldn’t find his place in the world.

Hundert bit back the urge to ask him what happened. He had the sense that Leorino would not tell him the truth even if he asked. With this in mind, Hundert decided to ask for the help of a guard who was also a childhood friend of his master.

Back in Brungwurt, Leorino had been mostly confined to the castle since he was a child, even before the accident.

Josef and Leorino may have been childhood friends, but they had not seen each other very often over the past few years. However, since coming to the capital and being placed in each other’s care, the two had rekindled their old bond.

Josef was a typical northern man with his blunt attitude, which must have put Leorino at ease. They seemed to share a comfortable relationship.

Having prepared tea for Leorino, Hundert went downstairs. He was lucky to find Josef in the entrance hall.

“Josef! How did Master Leorino wind up traveling alone with Lord Julian? And after I told you to keep an eye on him!”

Josef immediately seemed vexed.

“I know, Mr. Hundert! I didn’t want to leave them alone, either, of course!”

“Then why?”

“…It was Madame Maia. She told me not to interfere with their opportunity to speak alone. After that, there was nothing I could do.”

“She did…? Fine, what did you see of their carriage?”

Josef shook his head hopelessly.

“Well, I was riding alongside on horseback, but I couldn’t see much because of the curtain… Mr. Hundert, I know what you’re going to say. I’m upset, too.”

Biting his lip, Josef lamented his own helplessness.

“…We’re not in Brungwurt anymore. In Brungwurt, I could accompany and protect Leorino wherever he went, but everything is different in the royal capital. I’m a commoner and can only fulfill half of my duties as his guard. At the end of the day, I can’t always be by Master Leorino’s side.”

“Josef…”

“I’m a poor excuse for a guard. I never wanted to be a nobleman, but I hate being so helpless.”

Hundert could empathize with Josef’s anguish.

The same was true for attendants. Even if they accompanied their master to a soiree, the customs of the nobility dictated that the attendants and guards were not allowed to enter the venue. If anything happened, Leorino would be forced to face it alone.

“Josef, could you go to Master Leorino’s room? He seems to be troubled, and…he might talk to you.”

“…You don’t think that playboy’s done something to him?”

“Come now, I told you to watch your language. It doesn’t immediately seem like he did anything. Nevertheless…”

Josef nodded fiercely and made to leap up the staircase two steps at a time.

“Josef! Wait!”

“I’ll find out what happened. Don’t worry!”

The old servant grabbed Josef by the sleeve with an agility that belied his age, stopping him in place just in time.

“Hah-hah… Is there nothing in that head of yours? …Now, listen. Don’t get so excited, just approach him calmly and join him for tea.”

“It’ll be fine. I’ll take care of it. I’ll do it right.”

Hundert could only watch with concern as Josef nodded vigorously and left.

“Oh, that’s definitely your fault, no doubt about that.”

Josef’s merciless denunciation threw Leorino into a deep dark hole of self-pity. He hugged the backrest of the sofa and buried his face in it.

“…I know. Lord Julian scolded me, too. I realize I was wrong…”

“Even if you rejected Julian’s proposal, it was still horrible of you to try and hook a woman up with a man who’s still in love with you.”

“…I know.”

“And the young lady was happy, wasn’t she? You know what happens when you play with a woman’s heart.”

“…Yes, I know.”

The backrest had almost completely swallowed his platinum-blond head by now.

“You have no experience with romance, Lord Leorino. That may be your biggest problem.”

“…Yes, I get it, all right?!”

Finally, Leorino fell onto the sofa and hid his head under the backrest.

Leorino couldn’t forgive himself for his behavior. He had recognized his mistake and was now overcome with anger, regret, shame, and disappointment in himself.

At the moment, Josef was engaging with Leorino not as a guard serving his master, but as his childhood friend.

He may have been very direct, but it was all part of Josef’s plan to get his withdrawn master to spill his guts.

Leorino remained frozen in that position for a while, but finally spoke in a muffled voice: “…Lord Julian told me that I was simple and insensitive.”

“…I don’t think that’s true. You were looking out for your family all through your recovery.”

“But he said I was ‘unforgivably cruel’…”

“Huh? Is that fancy nobleman such a baby that your words or actions could cut him so deeply? I’d imagine you could have hurt the young lady, but still. As far as the man’s concerned, I doubt he’s hurt at all.”

“…But I still ended up toying with their feelings. That much is true.”

Josef got up from his seat and crouched down by Leorino’s sofa. He poked him on the head, still completely hidden within the backrest.

“Come, you can show me your face now.”

When Leorino said nothing, he added, “I know you’re sorry. You know what you need to work on. You’ve realized your mistake and now you need to move on.”

Leorino repositioned his head with a loud rustle to look up at Josef through a small gap in the backrest.

His eyes were glossy with tears.

“What did that ass— No, Mr. Hundert will yell at me again. Lord Julian, what did he say to you? Tell me again, loud and clear.”

Leorino’s lips trembled.

“That I don’t understand the subtleties of the human heart. But he said he would support my independence.”

“I see. Maybe he’s a better guy than I thought.”

“Yes… He is a very kind man. But he scolded me, saying that at this rate I’ll keep causing trouble to the people around me, that I would scoff at people’s feelings and hurt them unknowingly…”

“I take back what I just said, he’s not kind at all… But listen, Lord Leorino, I think he’s got it wrong.”

“…?”

“Come, no need to hide,” he said, and gently pulled Leorino out from the backrest. Josef locked eyes with his master.

“First of all, I realize that I get myself in a whole lot of trouble all the time, as well.”

“…I can’t deny that.”

“You could. Don’t be mean. Sure, I know I’m in a very different position from you. I make a lot of mistakes, and I force people to clean up after me more often than not. I’m short-tempered; I reflect on that every day and regret it a lot.”

Sitting on the floor, Josef peered up into his master’s face.

He firmly caught Leorino’s anxious, wavering gaze with his own.

“But you see… You don’t hate me, do you, Lord Leorino? You’ve accepted that I don’t have to be perfect to be there for you, haven’t you?”

“Josef…”

“You said we should both do our best in the royal capital, remember? Even though we’re from completely different backgrounds and positions. Even though I have a filthy mouth, and I’m quick to reach for my sword…I’m aware of that. I have no redeeming qualities besides being your childhood friend and knowing you well…and you thought that was fine, didn’t you?”

Leorino nodded. “But you do have redeeming qualities. There are many great things about you.”

Josef gently brushed the thin strands of hair stuck to Leorino’s temples back over his ear.

“Thank you. That’s what I mean, Lord Leorino. Who said you need to be perfect? I mean, you couldn’t be perfect even if you wanted to. You’re burying your face into the backrest of a sofa while crying your eyes out as we speak.”

“Ugh… You’re so mean. But it’s true.”

Josef smiled.

“That’s fine, I’m saying this as your childhood friend. But you get it, don’t you? Still, I respect you for being such a hard worker and for being able to admit your mistakes. Everyone sees the good in you and is willing to support you, aren’t they?”

“Yes…”

“Is being immature a bad thing? Do you think you need to be perfect for the right to be alive?”

Leorino seemed to remember something at that.

“…Father once told me the same thing. That I deserve to be alive even if I’m not perfect.”

“If the margrave says so, then it must be true.” Josef laughed softly once more.

“…But hurting people is bad.”

“That’s right. You might mess up at first, but then you can reflect on it, apologize properly, and make sure it doesn’t happen again. You can’t just give up on yourself the moment you make a mistake and live in fear. We’re going to do our best in the royal capital, aren’t we? You decided to fight, didn’t you?”

Leorino nodded at Josef’s blunt but kind words.

“Yes, that’s right… I’m going to fight.”

“Right? So don’t get discouraged if someone criticizes you. Now, what do you want to do about this, Lord Leorino?”

Leorino’s eyes had regained their strength.

“I really want to apologize to Antonia for my foolish behavior. But even if I offered her an honest apology, I would only be doing it to satisfy my own ego. It would only hurt her even more…so I’m sorry, but I’ll just have to keep the apology to myself this time.”

“…Yeah, that makes sense.”

“And I’ll be really careful not to act so thoughtlessly in the future. I’m afraid that I might hurt someone else, but…I’ll do my best.”

“There you go. You definitely shouldn’t hurt women and children, but…just reflect on your actions and move forward. You’re going to be strong, right?”

Josef was slender, but had developed some muscle over the years and now patted Leorino forcefully on his thin shoulder. Leorino groaned in pain, but finally showed a faint smile. Josef saw this and smiled as well.

“Cheer up, Master. I’ll work even harder to protect you.”

Leorino gave a small nod.

“Thank you, Josef… I said I’d protect my heart myself, but I’m relying on you after all.”

“Not because I’m your guard, but because we’re childhood friends. Well, with stuff like this…I think that if you get more romantic experience, you’ll learn to understand the subtleties of love better. But I don’t know… I don’t have any experience myself. I could ask my brother.”

“Ha-ha, that would be scary in its own way.”

They laughed as they reminisced about Brungwurt. Josef’s brother Rolf was a famous lover boy back in Brungwurt.

Leorino’s heart still ached with regret and shame. Now that he grew aware of his own ignorance, he was even more afraid of his actions unwittingly hurting others.

He remembered Julian telling him he would show Leorino the outside world. Leorino agreed that he might indeed need someone older to objectively guide his behavior in the right direction.

…Maybe I should ask him. Or would that be playing with his feelings? But Lord Julian said he wouldn’t mind…

Suddenly, Josef pulled on his arm, making Leorino stand up.

“…Well, first things first, we need to make sure you can keep yourself safe.”

Leorino inclined his head.

“What exactly am I supposed to do?”

“Self-defense. We’ll start training tomorrow so that, if worse comes to worst, you can at least pack a solid punch.”

“All right, so…when you’re grabbed like this, you lower their elbow…and when your opponent loses their hold, you grab their shoulder with your other hand and send them tumbling in the same motion.”

“I understand the principle. May I give it a try??”

Josef looked at his earnest master, nodded, and took a step back. He then quickly closed the distance once more and grabbed Leorino by the front of his shirt.

Leorino applied the technique just as Josef had taught him.

“…Ngh! …Hah!”

“Whoa!”

Leorino was able to stagger Josef’s upper body, even if he couldn’t quite throw Josef over his shoulder.

“H-how was that, Josef?”

“You did well. You’d at least surprise them. You managed to throw me off-balance!”

“Fantastic! Can I try one more time, please?”

“Sure, now try grabbing me by the shoulder and throwing me.”

Just as Josef had declared, he was now trying to teach Leorino some basic self-defense techniques. They had created a space in the living room by pulling chairs and the tea table up against the wall and had been practicing for a little while now.

Incidentally, the move Leorino was learning was a self-defense technique intended to break the enemy’s stance and allow him to escape when grabbed by the front of his shirt.

Back when he was Ionia, he had already completed a full range of martial arts training. Thanks to that, Leorino had inherited a vague knowledge of basic techniques.

The problem was Leorino’s body.

His body was flexible since he exercised every day to keep his legs in good condition. His limbs had the minimum muscle expected of a young man. Still, his muscles were not strong enough to fight.

Josef was well aware of his master’s weakness and hoped he could teach him self-defense techniques that would at least discourage a potential attacker. He wanted Leorino to be able to keep his opponent in check if he was attacked in the dark.

Leorino did not expect himself to become a skillful fighter. Still, he fancied exercising like this for the first time in a long time.

Despite Leorino’s heavy breathing and the flush on his milky white cheeks, he seemed to be very much enjoying himself. His violet eyes sparkled with the joy of learning a new skill.

Meanwhile, Hundert stood in the corner of the room, anxiously watching everything play out. He was glad that his master had recovered from his melancholy, but overprotective as he was, he worried that Leorino might get hurt.

“Now, make sure you grab me by the shoulder. And when you have me in your grasp, pull me downward, as if…you’re trying to throw me to the ground.”

“All right, I feel like I can do it.”

“Yeah, that’s the spirit. Now show me.”

With that, Josef reached for Leorino’s chest once more. But when Leorino was about to practice the move and strike the elbow of the arm holding him…

“…What in the world are you two playing at now?”

They both froze in place and turned to the owner of the voice.

“Gauff! Welcome back!”

There stood Gauff, the third son of the Cassieux family, with a look of exasperation on his face.

Even among Leorino’s stronger older brothers, Gauff was undoubtedly the strongest, and blessed with an innate talent for martial arts. He was currently serving in the Inner Palace Guard as a member of the Imperial Guard.

Gauff was also Josef’s childhood friend.

“What were you two doing?”

Gauff looked around the room, seeing it had been cleared of furniture. Leorino relaxed his stance, greeting Gauff with a smile.

Of his three brothers, Gauff was the one he had always felt most comfortable talking to because of their close age. But Gauff was now on inner palace guard duty and was therefore quite busy, so this was only the third time they had seen each other since Leorino’s arrival in the capital.

“Welcome back, Brother. It’s good to see you again.”

After giving him a light hug, Leorino patted him on his wide shoulder. Gauff seemed pleased to see him as well and hugged his beloved brother tightly.

“I missed you so much. Have you been well? Are you getting used to the royal capital?”

Leorino was immediately reminded of his blunder from the other day but didn’t feel the need to bring it up. He smiled sweetly instead. “I recently visited the Count of Arhen’s estate. I’ve become painfully aware of my own ignorance, but I’ll do my best to get used to my new life here.”

“Sounds great.”

His brother stroked Leorino’s head in encouragement, his eyes smiling. Gauff had short-cropped dark brown hair and blue-green eyes, much like their father. Leorino suddenly felt a pang of longing for the margrave back in Brungwurt.

“…So can you tell me what you’ve been up to?”

“Josef was teaching me self-defense.”

Gauff glared at Josef, who had been watching their exchange.

“Jo, what are you making Leorino do now?”

“…I’m teaching him some basic self-defense, in case he’s ever left alone.”

Josef stood there, unflinching under Gauff’s gaze, completely unfazed.

“…Right. I don’t know what strained logic brought you here, but don’t bother. There’s no point.”

Leorino was indignant at Gauff’s words.

“That’s so mean! How can you say there’s no point? I want to be able to defend myself at least a little.”

Gauff scratched his cheek in annoyance and hesitated to respond for a moment.

“What? If you have something to say, then just say it.”

“…Ah, Rino, I just think you shouldn’t push yourself. You have Josef as your guard now. Let him handle everything.”

“…I’m not pushing myself. And I just managed to do it. I want to learn enough to be able to scare an attacker away.”

Gauff sighed in exasperation. The next moment, Leorino blinked and his brother’s large body suddenly appeared right in front of him. He grabbed Leorino by the front of his shirt.

“…Gau— Wh-wha—?”

“Do what you just did.”

Leorino understood his brother’s intention. Gauff wanted him to practice the move on him.

Leorino nodded and swung his hand at his brother’s elbow joint. As expected, Gauff’s upper body shook.

Yes…!

When his upper body folded, Leorino grabbed the clothes around Gauff’s shoulder blade. Now he simply had to use inertia to send him tumbling. Gauff was losing his balance. Leorino brought his body close.

“…Yes! …Ah? Um…”

The next moment, Leorino was being lifted like a piece of luggage onto the shoulders of his muscular brother.

“Huh…?”

“See?”

Leorino had no idea what had just happened.

Josef snapped at Gauff with a fierce expression. “Go easy on him! Obviously he’s no match for an actual knight!”

“This is on you, Jo. Self-defense could be dangerous for Leorino. Don’t you understand?”

Josef was dumbfounded by the harsh reproach.

“Why? If things go well, it could buy him some time.”

“And if things go badly, it would only provoke a potential assailant.”

That much was true. Leorino understood what Gauff was saying logically. Emotionally, however, he wanted to try a little harder.

“…Let me try one more time, Gauff.”

“Rino?”

After more urging, and with some reluctance, Gauff put Leorino down. Then, after letting his arms hang loose, he nimbly grabbed at Leorino’s chest again.

Even with no real strength…I can still make him tumble him to the ground…!

Leorino applied the technique again, but quicker and more carefully than before. He focused, thinking about where to apply his force.

Then, with a beautiful sound, Gauff’s huge frame rolled smoothly to the floor.

“You did it!” Josef yelled in delight.

“Hah, hah…! How’s that, Gauff? Now take back what you said!”

Gauff was lying on the floor, rubbing the back of his head. Leorino felt guilty for throwing his brother to the ground, but more than that, he was elated that he managed to execute the technique perfectly.

Perhaps there was still hope for his body.

“…And? Rino, where do we go from here?”

“…Where?” Leorino turned his head at his brother’s words.

He felt a strange sensation in his leg. When he looked at his feet, he noticed Gauff had suddenly gotten a firm grip on his ankle.

The feeling startled Leorino, and he shuddered.

“Now try to run away.”

“…Gauff, please.”

Gauff’s fingers were not exerting any force, only gently restraining his ankle. If he wanted to shake him off, he probably could.

But if this were to happen in real life…

Gauff watched his pale brother with pity in his eyes.

“…Do you see now?”

There was no way some ruffian would be this kind to him. Leorino’s legs—especially his left leg—were not suited for anything more vigorous than walking.

It was just like when he was being restrained by Lucas.

When the lower half of his body was held down, there was nothing Leorino could do to resist, unless he could bring himself to fight back hard enough to risk breaking his own legs.

And in Leorino’s case, even one reckless move could spell the end.

Gauff stood up with an exasperated look on his face. He was not injured, and it was clear he had deliberately allowed his brother to execute the technique as intended.

“You said it was self-defense. This kind of self-defense is just a way to buy time to incapacitate the attacker for long enough to escape. That’s what you were trying to teach him, wasn’t it, Jo?”

His brother was trying to show Leorino the reality of his situation.

“I’ll come out and say it. Stalling for time won’t do much for you when you can’t run away on those legs. That’s why you shouldn’t provoke your opponent with any strange moves in the first place.”

Leorino bit his lip.

“Don’t look at me like that. You have to face the truth, Leorino.”

Gauff was making valid points.

Gauff looked at Leorino as he hung his head in disappointment, and spoke to Josef. “Jo, you’re unmatched with a sword. I doubt anyone in the royal capital could best you… But you see, you’re not just protecting yourself anymore. You must get in the habit of thinking about what you can and can’t do in the event that the person you’re guarding is attacked. That’s what it means to be a guard.”

As a member of the Imperial Guard, working on inner palace duty and guarding the nobles day in and day out, Gauff’s words carried a different sort of weight to them.

Josef winced. “I’m sorry, Lord Leorino…”

Leorino hated every part of this.

Was his body useless after all? Even if he could make a temporary escape with his superficial self-defense skills, he would not be able to run away if he was chased.

What was there to do then?

“I understand… I won’t mention self-defense or martial arts again.”

Leorino’s eyes were filled with fierce conviction.

“But, Josef, in return, I want you to teach me how to use a dagger.”

“…Umm, Rino?”

“Lord Leorino?”

“If I can’t run away, I might as well learn how to inflict a fatal wound… Yes, that’s a better idea.”

“What— Rino! Are you out of your mind?”

Leorino shook his head at his shocked brother. “I don’t want to always have to be protected. I refuse to be treated like some princess, locked up in a tower my entire life.”

“Rino… You don’t—”

“Josef will protect me, of course. But Josef won’t always be around. I refuse to be completely helpless when push comes to shove.”

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. The brothers paused their conversation.

When a servant opened the door, there stood Auriano’s personal valet.

“Lord Leorino, Lord Auriano wishes to see you.”

“…He does?”

“Yes. He wants you to come with Lord Gauff at once.”

“…I’m going to work for Dr. Sasha?”

Auriano nodded.

In addition to his eldest brother, his mother Maia, his third eldest brother Gauff, and for some reason Josef were also invited to the study.

“Dr. Sasha has extended you an offer. He has asked if you would like to work at the Palace of Defense as his assistant.”

Leorino may have known little of the world, but even he realized that this was a very special offer.

“That was very kind of him…but I don’t know anything about medicine.”

“Dr. Sasha said that won’t be an issue. You’re not going to be directly involved in treatment, but a member of the Health Department, mainly doing clerical work.”

“B-but…”

Leorino still couldn’t believe it.

His eldest brother’s expression as he explained the situation seemed to indicate that he himself was bewildered. Auriano’s face also revealed some confusion and distress, as if he was hoping that Leorino would turn down the offer.

This was the best offer Leorino could ever hope for. That must have been why his eldest brother was discussing this with him at all.

But…why?

He couldn’t get past that question.

He could walk normally, but his legs were not suited for standing and working like a fully able-bodied person. He may have received higher education from his private tutors, but he had never attended school and lacked knowledge that most would consider common sense.

Was there something more to this sudden offer?

Leorino went through all the scenarios he could imagine, but given that he had no power outside of being a son of the Cassieux family, he couldn’t see any merit in hiring him.

Or perhaps some secret agreement had been made between the Palace of Defense and Brungwurt?

As part of the arrangement between the royal family and the Cassieux family, the youngest son would fall under the custody of the Palace of Defense… No, why would they do that?

There was a troubled expression on Maia’s gorgeous, ageless face.

Gauff had also just learned of this and seemed unconvinced, the furrow in his brow even deeper than their eldest brother’s.

“Brother, I’m opposed to this. They can’t seriously expect Rino to work in the Palace of Defense.”

The eldest brother reassured Gauff after his biting remark. “It would be the safest place for Leorino to work. At the Palace of Defense, Dr. Sasha vowed he will personally supervise Leorino’s work while ensuring his safety.”

“Even so, Dr. Sasha won’t be able to follow him everywhere! What if something happens to Rino in his absence?!”

“Josef will be working with him. We won’t make it public that Josef is his guard—he’ll be Leorino’s colleague. This has been approved by Dr. Sasha.”

Standing in the corner, Josef seemed surprised by this. He and Leorino exchanged a look.

“…Brother, such a thing would be practically unprecedented. They would allow Leorino, who has never even attended school, to work at the Palace of Defense and, on top of that, be accompanied by a guard? That’s unheard of!”

Gauff was right, and that was also what Leorino wanted to know. It was a very kind offer, but he couldn’t understand where it came from.

Auriano sighed at Leorino’s inability to hide his inner turmoil.

“…It was Dr. Sasha’s idea, but the general himself has said that he will take care of Leorino at the Palace of Defense, and that if Leorino wants to be independent, he wants to support him… I don’t know his true intentions behind this.”

“The general himself? But why would he possibly…?”

“It appears that he has already spoken with Father. Since His Excellency has gone that far, our family can’t exactly turn down the offer.”

“…I can’t begin to fathom this. What led him to such a decision?”

Vi is calling for me… But why?

Leorino subconsciously brought his fingertips to his lips and pondered the sensation he remembered.

The kiss Gravis had stolen from Leorino in his office. The faint heat, like the touch of a feather tip.

He didn’t kiss me because he’s interested in me…did he?

Leorino waved away the wishful fantasy. The thought that a mature man like Gravis could have any interest in him was delusional at best. Recalling that conversation, Leorino was suddenly beset with anxiety and sorrow.

Could it be because I have the same violet eyes as Ionia? But…

When Lucas was projecting Ionia onto his eyes, Gravis had told him:

“Look at the boy for who he is. Look at him, at the brilliance of his own life as Leorino Cassieux.”

Yes. Gravis was supporting him.

He must have heard from Sasha that Leorino was looking for work and extended a helping hand.

That was the most natural conclusion.

And if that was the case, then it was probably safe to assume that there was nothing suspicious behind this unusual offer and that it was simply a product of Gravis’s generosity.

Silently watching the conversation unfold, Maia finally spoke to her youngest son: “Leorino, are you prepared to work in the outside world?”

“Mother… Yes, of course I am. The idea of working at the Palace of Defense simply came as a surprise to me.”

“Are you scared?”

Leorino nodded honestly. He may have been surprised, but he was more optimistic than not. However, when it came to actually accepting the offer, he was filled with a different kind of unease.

“No, I’m happy. But I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to perform given my legs… I’m worried that I’ll cause nothing but trouble for Dr. Sasha after he’s been so kind to me.”

Maia looked at her troubled youngest son and said, “You don’t need to work if it’s too much for you, Rino.”

“Mother?”

“Your father enjoys living a simple life, so it might be hard to fathom, but we’re a wealthy family. You and Gauff will not inherit a title, but you have already inherited a good part of the estate that I brought as a dowry. Even if you never work a day in your life, you will always have food on the table and a place to live.”

Leorino reconsidered his family’s financial situation.

He had worried that, in comparison to his three older brothers, he could be considered the deadbeat son causing his family significant financial hardship. He was relieved to hear that, although he was still a burden, money would not be an issue.

“If you only want to be independent because you fear financial problems in the future, then you can stop now.”

Leorino nodded. He appreciated his mother’s words.

But even if he did not need financial independence, he still felt the need to go to work. He needed to work to find out who had been behind the tragedy at Zweilink. In order to learn more about the incident, he desperately needed a place to work and an opportunity to connect with people outside of his family.

In that sense, the Palace of Defense was the perfect place to gather information.

He wanted to accept Sasha’s offer after all. He did not know if he would be of any use, but he still wanted to do his best at the job he had been so graciously offered.

Leorino’s thoughts were disturbed by Gauff’s booming voice.

“Mother! I’m against it!”

“Gauff. This is for Leorino to decide.”

Leorino was baffled.

He thought that his third brother had supported his quest to find a job in the royal capital, but he seemed to be opposing it throughout the entire conversation. Was working in the Palace of Defense really so difficult?

But Leorino was shocked to his core by the next words to come out of Gauff’s mouth.

“This wasn’t part of the agreement! You never told me you were really going to put Leorino to work!”

“…Gauff!”

At Auriano’s admonishment, Gauff turned to Leorino with a start. He clicked his tongue and looked away.

“…Wh-what do you mean by that?”

But no one offered to clarify.

Gauff refused to meet his eye.

Leorino looked to his eldest brother with pleading eyes.

“…You never intended to let me work? Is that true…?”

“…Leorino.”

“You supported me because you thought I wouldn’t be able to find work because of my legs anyway? …Or were you going to oppose me even if I did manage to find a job?”

The family could only offer silence in response.

Leorino struggled to keep his voice from shaking.

“Brother Auriano…was Father thinking the same thing? When Father told me he wanted me to try my best for two years in the royal capital…was that all a lie, too?”

Auriano winced. “Father’s support for you is not a lie.”

“But he never intended to let me become independent. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?”

“Leorino…we’re all just worried about you. You remember what happened at the soiree. We worry that you might be kidnapped…that you might be hurt.”

Leorino couldn’t take it anymore and cast his gaze to the floor. If he hadn’t, he would have surely burst into tears. Any mention of the shameful events of that soiree cut him deeply.

“…What, then? Am I to spend the rest of my life cooped up at home?”

“Leorino, listen to me.”

“…So, in the end, you just want to marry me off to Lord Julian or any other man who could be my guardian, so that they can protect me and lock me away…? Is that it?”

“…Leorino!”

Leorino shook his head, refusing to listen.

No words could console him right now.

Leorino was painfully aware of his own weakness. But being confronted with that reality over and over again was too painful. The fact that he had believed his family was supporting his desire to become independent only made it worse.

But…this isn’t the end. I won’t deprecate myself by doing everyone’s bidding and staying meekly confined somewhere safe.

He couldn’t give up yet. In order to fulfill his purpose in the royal capital, he had to free himself of the suffocating love that kept him caged.

Determination burning in his heart, Leorino raised his face.

“…I will gladly accept Dr. Sasha’s offer.”

“Don’t be stubborn. I’m against it, Leorino.”

Leorino shook his head at Gauff’s objection.

“Auriano, please tell them that I will humbly accept the offer.”

Leorino then looked at every family member present in the room and bowed his head.

“Mother, my dear brothers…thank you so much for watching over me all these years.”

“…Rino.”

“I realize that I may cause you much concern, but please don’t stop me. Allow me to fulfill my original promise with Father and put in two years of honest work. If, by then, I can no longer stand on my own, then I will do as you ask.”

With sadness in their eyes, Maia and Leorino’s brothers silently watched their youngest, his head still bowed.

Leorino did not change his stance.

Maia’s sigh echoed around the room.

“…If you’re going to accept the offer, then be sure to display the spirit of the Cassieux family and work hard, Leorino.”

“Mother?!” Gauff yelled.

Leorino raised his head and looked at his mother.

She beckoned him to come closer and squeezed his hands. Seeing her up close, Leorino saw the wrinkles in the corners of his mother’s eyes. Her hands were fair and thin, just like his own, but Leorino was struck by how much larger his hands were than hers.

“We were too overprotective of you… You’ve gotten so big and you’re well on your path to adulthood…and yet we wanted you to remain our sweet little angel forever. That was so selfish of us.”

“Mother. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Maia nodded and told him in a firm voice.

“Do your best. Show us that you can do it.”

“Mother…”

Maia gently pulled him closer and pressed their foreheads together.

“If you ever get the chance, you should ask your father what he thinks. You have the right to walk your own path in life, but you also have obligations. As a member of the Cassieux family, you are obligated to adhere to the decisions made by the head of the family.”

“…Of course.”

“You are a member of the Cassieux family. Like your brothers, you’ve inherited the royal bloodline of Brungwurt. You also have the blood of the Fanoren royal family flowing through your veins. One day you may have to make a difficult choice. When you do, remember of your duty.”

“…Yes, Mother. I understand.”

Leorino turned to Josef, who had been watching them in silence, and asked, “Josef, will you come to the Palace of Defense with me?”

Josef nodded dutifully.

“I would follow you anywhere, Master Leorino.”

At his reassuring words, Leorino smiled like a flower blooming after a long winter.

“Useless trash!”

Leorino bit his lip at the malicious whisper tossed his way by the passing men. He kept facing forward; he did not look back.

“What was that, you bastards?! What did you just say?!”

Walking next to Leorino, Josef turned around and yelled at them instead. The young men were fellow desk workers in the Health Department. They were running away.

“Josef, let’s go.”

Josef was still angry, but he heaved a sigh when Leorino placed a hand on his arm.

They were headed for the archives at the far end of the Palace of Defense. It was somewhat of a detour, but they always chose to walk the less populated corridors.

After a while, Leorino looked up at Josef and murmured, “…If you get angry at every little thing they say, you’ll never see the end of it. They call me useless because that’s what I am.”

Josef’s beautiful face twisted in anger. “They’re just jealous of you.”

“I know, but you can’t blame them. I’m exempt from doing chores. Dr. Sasha is giving me special treatment, that much is true.”

Leorino hung his head. Josef clenched his teeth at his master’s crestfallen appearance.

Out of consideration for Leorino’s condition, Sasha gave him a job that would keep him from attracting undue attention.

“You’re in a different position from them, Lord Leorino.”

“Josef, that’s where you’re wrong. As employees in the Palace of Defense, our relative social standing is of no import… In any case, I can only keep working as hard as I can. I hope they will understand that in time.”

“Lord Leorino…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to give up, no matter what they may say,” Leorino said, and smiled. His face appeared thinner than it had been.

Having worked at the Palace of Defense for a month now, Leorino was suffering daily.

“Mr. Kaunzel, it’s me, Leorino.”

The Palace of Defense’s archives smelled of dust and old paper.

Despite the large window facing the courtyard, the room was somewhat dim due to the many bookcases filled edge to edge with documents.

Important classified documents were kept in a locked vault deep within the archives. The documents and records stored in the front of the archives were accessible to everyone who worked at the Palace of Defense.

Leorino and Josef acknowledged the man they had become familiar with over the past month who sat at the large desk by the window. Dust glistened in the light surrounding the man.

The man they called Kaunzel seemed to be intently reading some document. When he looked up at the sound of his name, he finally noticed their presence.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Kaunzel.”

“Leorino, Josef, good to see you. Are you doing more research today?”

“Yes, sir. Today, I would like to look into the records of the dispatch of medical units and supplies from the Health Department to the mountains. I would like to ask for permission to see the documents from the Zwelf invasion eighteen years ago, and from the large-scale subjugation five years ago, respectively.”

“Of course.” Kaunzel nodded with a kind look on his face. Leorino relaxed his tense body and smiled slightly.

It had been a month since he began working in the Palace of Defense. Leorino was under constant stress, feeling like his every move was under close surveillance. To him, Kaunzel was a valuable presence who offered him no special treatment while maintaining a reasonable distance.

Worn down by walking on eggshells every day, going to the library was the only chance Leorino got to heal. Both him and Josef had grown fond of Kaunzel’s gentle disposition.

“Would you like to look in the vault in the back?”

Kaunzel raised his large frame from the chair and touched the bunch of keys at his waist with an audible jangle.

When the generous man stood, he was about two heads taller than Leorino. But the left sleeve of his military uniform was missing the vital part that should have been there.

Kaunzel had originally been a soldier in the mountain troops. But having been wounded in the war eighteen years ago, he lost an arm, retired from the front lines, and had been placed in charge of the archives at the Palace of Defense ever since. Sasha, however, insisted that he was still strong enough to take down active members of the army with one arm alone.

Kaunzel had become a sort of watchdog of the archive, protecting the greatest secrets of the Palace of Defense.

This was the second time that Leorino and Josef had been allowed to enter the vault.

It was darker and cooler than the main room of the archives, given its lack of windows, and smelled of old paper. Inside, it was separated by several layers of gates. Multiple keys were required to reach the deepest part.

The documents that Leorino wanted to see were of relatively low secrecy.

“Documents from twenty years ago should be around here, so the stuff from the war eighteen years ago should start here. The documents from five years ago should be in this area. There’s quite a lot, but let’s take them back to the archives first, shall we?”

“Yes, thank you so much, Mr. Kaunzel.”

But Leorino decided to make an additional request.

“Mr. Kaunzel, if possible, I would like to see the detailed procurement of weapons and foodstuffs for the same period, along with a record of each unit’s activities.”

“Huh. That’s quite the research project. What does this have to do with the Health Department?”

“Is that a no?” Leorino tilted his head.

“What do you want to look into?”

“I, um… I’d like to investigate the damage to the units and how it relates to their preparedness for battle.”

Kaunzel looked at Leorino with naked curiosity. The young man had worked in the palace for only a month, but was already offering an interesting perspective.

Sasha had told Kaunzel that Leorino had never gone to school, and that due to his incredibly sheltered upbringing, he understood precious little of the real world.

When they finally met, the young man was indeed a beautiful, otherworldly being who could be easily mistaken for an angel, just like he had been told. Even Kaunzel, who was confident in his inability to be surprised by hardly anything anymore, was moved beyond words when he witnessed Leorino’s beauty for the first time.

However, as he gained more opportunities to talk with Leorino over the past month, he observed him beyond the thin veneer of his appearance and realized he was a very thoughtful young man. He may have been unworldly, aloof, and far too earnest, but he wasn’t a fool, either.

Still, he possessed an interesting point of view. Kaunzel cocked his head, wondering how he had arrived at the idea.

“Did Dr. Sasha tell you to do that?”

“No, Dr. Sasha said that the management of the on-site procurement of personnel and supplies of the Health Department had been careless and asked me to organize it. The latter part of the request is…a pet project of mine…”

Leorino’s tone gradually wilted as he grew self-conscious. Kaunzel offered him a reassuring smile.

“Do you really want to look into it?”

“Yes, sir. I understand if that won’t be possible, but…I thought that if we could find a way to improve lateral cooperation, we might be able to minimize the damage on the front lines… Is that presumptuous for someone of my status?”

Kaunzel shook his head. To the former frontline soldier, Leorino’s enthusiasm toward research was more than welcome.

The issue was that the documents Leorino wanted to see were under the jurisdiction of General Staff, and working within the Health Department, Leorino would need additional permission to view them.

“Those are highly classified, so you will need permission from the General Staff. Can it wait a little?”

Leorino’s face immediately brightened at that. His smile was so beautiful that Kaunzel felt he could look at it forever. Leorino’s honest display of emotion was adorable.

Kaunzel scratched his head bashfully.

“I’m weak to that angelic smile of yours. I can’t promise they’ll give you permission, but I know some people in General Staff. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kaunzel!”

Kaunzel looked at Leorino warmly, as if he were his own grandchild.

“Some documents can’t leave the archives, but some can be taken out within the Palace of Defense. Would you like to take them with you now?”

“Yes, please. I’ll work on them in a vacant room in the Health Department.”

“Oh, in that case… I suppose you won’t be able to carry all that on your own. Let me put them in a box for you. You can send someone to pick it up later.”

Leorino’s expression turned somber.

“…Um, if you don’t mind that it takes a while, Josef and I will manage on our own.”

“Lord Leorino, I don’t mind making a few round trips.”

Their exchange made Kaunzel realize something. Leorino was still alone in the Palace of Defense.

He was always smiling in the archives, but his face seemed even thinner than when they had first met. He must have lost weight due to the stress of his work.

Kaunzel had heard from Sasha about the difficult situation Leorino was in.

As the Cassieux family had feared, Leorino’s presence was more conspicuous in the outside world than they had expected. Because of his extraordinary beauty and otherworldly aura, he stood out like a sore thumb in the Palace of Defense.

The backlash had come from the younger generation.

To them, Leorino’s presence was, metaphorically speaking, like that of a royal princess. They could gaze at him from afar just fine. In fact, as far as gazing was considered, there was nothing more suitable for admiration than his radiance.

However, Leorino had entered the Palace of Defense as their colleague. Even in the Health Department, working for the Royal Army was not easy. For commoners and the young men and women of the lower nobility, it was a coveted profession that they had worked hard to acquire.

They were jealous of Leorino, wondering why he was given special treatment. And when they saw Leorino in person, they feared they might fall for his all-encompassing beauty.

As a result of these mixed feelings, Leorino ended up completely isolated from his colleagues.

“I was hoping it would go better than this,” Sasha had lamented. Kaunzel was also well aware of the situation, but like Sasha, he watched on in silence.

What Leorino needed now was not sympathy nor words of comfort. It was support for his eagerness to fulfill the mission he had been given.

Kaunzel offered whatever help he could.

“You can work here as long as you want. You’re free to use that corner.”

Leorino smiled brightly. “Thank you so much! Then, um… I’ll work here starting tomorrow, if you don’t mind.”

He bowed his head. His swaying platinum hair shimmered in the light streaming in through the window.

“But you’ll have to wait for the weapon procurement logs and field records until you get permission from the General Staff.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you!”

Kaunzel was struck by Leorino’s commitment and enthusiastic nod, filling Kaunzel with the immense desire to support him.

After the meeting, as the top brass stood from their seats, Stefan Stolf, the head of General Staff, approached Sasha, the head of the Health Department.

“By the by, the fourth son of the Cassieux family who joined at your behest, Dr. Sasha, is quite the interesting fellow.”

Sasha inclined his head. “Lord Leorino? Why, he must have done something very special to capture your attention.”

“Well, there’s his beauty, of course. At first, I thought it was entirely a token invitation, but he seems to be doing some interesting research of his own, so he’s caught my eye as of late.”

“Oh, yes, about that! Thank you for allowing him access to your documents. He certainly brings an interesting perspective to the table.”

Besides Sasha and Stolf, Gravis, Dirk, and Lucas remained in the room. Lucas winced slightly at the mention of Leorino’s name.

“So what’s Leorino working on?”

Sasha answered Dirk’s question. “Right now, I’m having him organize the system managing the deployment of medical units and supplies.”

“Huh. Very impressive. But that’s a difficult job to begin with…and he’s only been here for a month. I know he’s clever, but can he really handle that?”

“I think he can. Dirk, you really think Leorino is just an ignorant little princeling, don’t you?”

“Well, am I wrong?”

The most gifted doctor in the kingdom grinned at Dirk’s skepticism.

“Dirk, you really take him for a fool. He may not have gone to school, but he is from Brungwurt, which means…he’s as educated as any graduate—if not more so. He’s, for lack of a better word, perfectly useful.”

“Wow! Good for him. But even so, I doubt he understands the ins and outs of the Royal Army just yet. You made him tackle a real challenge as his first assignment.”

Sasha inclined his head at that.

“See, that’s the strange thing. I don’t know what they were teaching him, but he already has a better grasp of the army than the recruits who joined earlier this year.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hmm. He’s not used to working, but he doesn’t seem to have any questions or confusion regarding the organization of the army or how it works.”

Gravis stopped gathering his belongings and listened to the doctor.

“I don’t know where he got his knowledge from, but he quickly found his way with actual work. I was surprised, too. Though he still sticks out like a sore thumb.”

“We spoke briefly once, and he was rather knowledgeable. I wonder if he was always enamored by the Royal Army.”

Dirk also cocked his head.

“The fact that the Health Department’s management methods are sloppy is obvious to anyone who sees them. But, you know, when I asked him to organize the documents, he read them carefully. ‘Why is there no uniform way to manage personnel and supplies?’ he asked me, very politely.”

The paperwork-hating doctor scratched his head in defeat.

Stolf widened his eyes at Sasha’s words.

“My. Quite incredible of him to offer such a perspective after only a month in the palace… Hey, Bergund. He might be even better than you were when you first joined.”

Stolf was Dirk’s former superior from his days in General Staff. Dirk forced a smile at the teasing of a man who knew him well when he was younger, but nodded in agreement.

“When I first joined, I was struggling just to learn the organizational structure. He might actually be something special.”

That seemed to capture Stolf’s interest.

“When I heard about his request, I was skeptical, but…I might actually want him in the General Staff.”

“Master Stolf! Absolutely not. I wouldn’t even dare joke about sharing Lord Leorino with you. He is not strong enough to endure the hard work of the General Staff. I’ve actually been worried about him, because he’s lost a lot of weight due to his new lifestyle.”

Gravis, who had been quietly listening to his subordinates, spoke up for the first time.

“Is he in good health?”

“Yes, he’s fine. He must have lost his appetite due to the hardships he’s been facing.”

“Hardships? Caused by what exactly?”

“Oh, there Your Excellency goes, being overprotective again. Well, I saw it coming from a mile away, but he stands out from his peers more than I’d expected.”

Everyone remaining in the room fell silent. Thinking of the person in question, the reason became obvious.

“Well, to put it bluntly, it’s his relationship with his colleagues. There’s no open conflict, but they certainly don’t get along. Rather, they ignore his existence.”

“Why does the Health Department allow this to go on?!” Lucas demanded.

But Sasha shook his head. “If we intervene at this point, it will only make things worse. If Leorino is to live in the outside world, he will have to overcome such obstacles eventually.”

The Chief of Staff groaned. “Hmm… Indeed, with his good looks and upbringing, it would be difficult for him to fit in with others.”

“Yes, but he hasn’t lost heart yet. Josef told me as much. He is trying his best to find a place for himself. I just want to believe in his efforts a little longer.”

“What about the Cassieuxs? Have they said anything?” Gravis asked Sasha.

“No. He’s Brungwurt’s prized jewel, after all. They’ve been a little on edge, but…he’s been diligently coming to work every day.”

“Huh, he’s got more backbone than I expected. I assumed him to be soft based on his appearance, but he’s no fool… Forgive me, but honestly, I didn’t think he could be of any real use, but alas.”

Sasha agreed with Stolf’s words.

“Oh, I’ve always believed in Leorino’s grit. I, too, was surprised about his work ethic. I had planned to start him off with simple clerical work, but he suddenly pointed out the most sloppy management problems in the Health Department. His work is slow but thorough.”

Stolf chuckled.

“And that’s when he decided to look into the deployment of troops to the Baedeker Mountains and Zweilink eighteen years ago? How very diligent.”

It was Gravis who found fault with the Chief of Staff’s casual remark.

“…Stolf, what’s this about? What did Leorino say to you?”

“Sir. He has submitted an interesting request through Kaunzel, the archivist. He asked for access to classified documents relating to the deployment of the mountain troops in the war with Zwelf eighteen years ago.”

Gravis’s gaze grew slightly more intense.

“…Do you know why Leorino was interested in the deployment of the mountain troops?”

“In the process of sorting out the management issues of the medical units, he figured that if we strengthened the horizontal cooperation between the Health Department and the General Staff, we could reduce the damage received.”

Dirk was surprised to hear his former superior’s words.

“Wait a minute. Bright as Leorino may be, this is not the kind of idea that a layman who has only worked in the palace for a month would come up with.”

The former superior and subordinate from the General Staff looked at each other and groaned.

“That’s the point. That’s why I was interested in him. Is that the result of Brungwurt’s education? But no, Kaunzel had said it, too; his perspective is not that of a rookie. At this rate, he’s going to find inadequacies in General Staff, too.”

“So what’s your response?” Gravis asked Stolf again.

“Sir. The records of the deployment eighteen years ago, although classified, contain no information we have any reason to hide. The General Staff has given him permission to view them.”

Gravis pondered this for a while.

He then beckoned to his second-in-command. “Dirk.”

Dirk quickly complied and approached Gravis. He brought his ear to the general’s mouth. Dirk widened his eyes at the whispered instructions.

“Y-yes, that should be fine…?”

Gravis nodded toward his second-in-command. Then he looked around at the remaining officials.

“Keep me informed on the progress of his research.”

Lucas had followed Gravis, saying he wanted to talk. Gravis dismissed Dirk, leaving him alone with Lucas.

“You want to talk about Leorino?”

Lucas’s face stiffened. His amber eyes had a terrible, threatening glint to them.

“I would like to ask once again why Your Highness invited Leorino Cassieux to the Palace of Defense.”

“What do you intend to do with that information?”

“…If this is somehow related to Ionia, I have a right to know.”

Gravis sighed.

“My inviting Leorino to the Palace of Defense has nothing to do with Ionia.”

“But Your Highness also found what you just heard strange, didn’t you?”

“It could be a coincidence.”

“A coincidence? If he is not the reincarnation of Ionia, why would a child who has just reached adulthood and has never been exposed to the outside world be interested in a military expedition from eighteen years ago?! Is that not enough ‘coincidence’ for you?!”

Gravis did not change his expression even as Lucas stifled his anger.

Lucas was indignant.

“Your Highness…you said it yourself the other day. You told me that you hold the same feelings as I…but I don’t believe you. Only I am still haunted by his death.”

Starry-sky eyes caught Lucas’s gaze.

“I’m not like you…! Your feelings for Ionia are different from mine.”

In spite of Lucas’s pained scream, Gravis’s expression remained unchanged.

“…If that boy had some connection to Ionia, what would you do?”

Lucas clenched his teeth at Gravis’s question.

Gravis’s starry-sky eyes watched him intently.

“…If he’s the reincarnation of Ionia, I can’t give up on him.”

“Then what if he has nothing to do with Ionia…? What if he is just Leorino Cassieux?”

Lucas was perplexed by the question. He consulted the feelings stirring inside him.

“What if he’s just Leorino Cassieux…?”

“Yes.”

Lucas said nothing.

Leorino was unbelievably beautiful, of course.

But that was not the reason Lucas was drawn to him.

Lucas desired one thing and one thing alone: the presence of that red-haired young man.

“…I suppose that’s your answer, then?”

Gravis seemed slightly irritated at Lucas’s inability to reply.

“If you do not care for Leorino himself, whether he’s Ionia reincarnated or not, he will never be yours.”

“Why not?! …If he really were him, I have the right to him!”

“Right? You have no right to anyone.”

“And you do?!”

Gravis shook his head.

“Of course I don’t. He’s his own person.”

“Then…”

“But he will be mine in time.”

“…!”

Lucas looked at Gravis in disbelief. The man wore a faint smile.

Gravis’s tone was as dispassionate as ever, but Lucas couldn’t help noticing that his eyes were glowing gold.

“You heard me.”

“Your Excellency… But the boy…” Lucas swallowed, trying to argue. “But if he really is the reincarnation of Ionia…”

This time, Gravis actually laughed.

“That would change nothing for me. Frankly, I’d prefer if he weren’t—saves me the trouble of fighting with you. I want Leorino.”

“…Then, if I were to fall in love with Leorino himself, what would you do?”

“Now, that’s a different story… Who knows.”

Lucas clenched his teeth. He felt like the man’s calm intimidation would have overwhelmed him if he hadn’t.

“I thought you invited him to the Palace of Defense to help him become independent…”

“I can do several things at the same time. He will work within my reach. I have the power to do that.”

Gravis smiled in a way that Lucas had never seen before, a smile that seemed almost tender.

“…What’s with that face? Were you actually doubting me? I told you…I’m just like you.”

“Your Highness…”

“Lucas. You’re very special to me. I would even consider you my closest friend.”

The intensity of Gravis’s gaze made Lucas shiver.

“If you desire Leorino himself, fine, we’ll see who he chooses. But if all you want is whatever traces remain of Ionia, don’t even think of touching him.”

Lucas had no answer.

“If you use Leorino as a substitute for Ionia, then…”

His starry-sky eyes flashed gold.

“…I’m afraid that’s where you and I will part ways.”

“Leorino. We will finally speak today.”

“We will not.”

“Leorino!” His third eldest brother, Gauff, banged on the table. The attendant serving them jolted upright from the shock. Leorino looked at his brother in exasperation.

“Brother, where are your manners? I wish you wouldn’t frighten the attendants.”

“To hell with manners! …You’re going to listen to me.”

“I already know what you’re going to say, and I’m fine! Leave me alone, please.”

“You are far from fine! Just be honest. You’ve lost so much weight… You’re clearly having a hard time working at the Palace of Defense.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my weight.”

“Like hell there isn’t! You’re withering away in front of our eyes!”

Leorino finished his after-dinner tea and hastily stood from his seat. Gauff’s voice echoed after him.

“Leorino! Wait! I’ll tell Father!”

Leorino finally stomped his foot. “You…! Fine, tell him! Now, if you’ll excuse me!”

“Leorino!”

After the departure of his mother, eldest brother, and sister-in-law, the Brungwurt residence was growing more vicious by the day. It was no wonder—ever since Leorino had started working in the Palace of Defense, this exchange had been repeated day and night between the three older brothers and the youngest child of the family. This argument had gone on for almost two months now.

Spending time at home slowly became agonizing to Leorino. His older brothers continued to be overprotective and over-involved in his life. In particular, Gauff, the brother closest to him in age, still hadn’t accepted Leorino’s new occupation.

He knew that his older brothers’ meddling was a product of love. He didn’t want to dismiss them, but the truth was that he felt increasingly irritated by their behavior.

I appreciate them, but…I’d prefer if they could just silently watch over me right about now…

Leorino met up with Josef, his guard, in the entrance hall.

“Good morning, Josef. Looking forward to another day of working with you.”

“Good morning, Lord Leorino.”

When Leorino smiled at him, Josef smiled back. Josef, with his sword strapped to his slim, lean body, was very good-looking.

“I’ve thought this for a while, but you’re really attractive, Josef.”

“Huh? Where did that come from? I don’t know what you want, but you won’t get it with flattery.”

“It’s not flattery.”

Leorino had meant it. Josef looked very good in the uniform of the Royal Army. The ascetic navy blue military uniform only served to highlight his slender yet toned physique. Combined with his feminine features and threatening expression, he looked rather impressive.

Josef may have been a young man with a rather puzzling personality, but with a sword in hand, he was a nearly peerless prodigy back in Brungwurt.

Leorino looked down at himself, wishing he looked as strong as Josef.

There’s so much empty space around my belt… I’m too weak.

As Leorino rushed to fasten his belt, Hundert, who was about to see them off, gently stopped him.

“You mustn’t show how thin your hips have become.”

“Hm? But it looks bad. If I don’t wear it properly, people will take issue with my appearance.”

“No, it looks just fine on you, my lord.”

“Mr. Hundert is right. You just need to put on some weight. Let’s go, Lord Leorino.”

Leorino wasn’t satisfied with that answer, but he got into the carriage as instructed.

Feeling like riding up to the Palace of Defense in their carriage would have been inappropriate, they had gotten into a daily routine of getting off at the front gates of the royal palace and walking to the Palace of Defense from there.

But it was true—ever since Leorino had begun working at the Palace of Defense, he had become visibly thinner.

At first, he lacked the stamina necessary for the daily outings to which he was not accustomed, especially considering the fact he had to work all week without any time to rest. Ever since the incident six years ago, he had often been bedridden, and his fragile body was starting to give out. His legs in particular felt completely numb by the end of the day. He only managed to get by thanks to Hundert massaging life back into them regularly.

Sasha had exempted him from standing work that all newcomers were required to do in the Health Department from the very beginning. That alone had reduced his physical burden considerably. Leorino realized that getting exempted from physical labor meant he was receiving very special treatment. He also knew that his coworkers felt slighted because of this.

He couldn’t help noticing the sort of clear hostility they displayed, whether he liked it or not.

His colleagues had at first distanced themselves from Leorino, but recently stopped trying to hide their hostility.

Although they never dared to touch him, they hid things from him on a daily basis and refused to relay messages to and from him. They also often verbally abused him in passing.

Recalling the face of one of the young men who had set his eyes on him, Leorino felt melancholic this morning.

“Are you thinking about that blond guy again?”

Sitting across from him, Josef sensed Leorino’s anguish.

“That blond… Wait, how did you know?”

“I just do. Your face is all doom and gloom, you know. I know you’re depressed to think you’ll see him at today’s debriefing, aren’t you?”

He made an attempt at comfort by adding, “Don’t worry about him.”

“No, I don’t give a damn! I’m over it, but I really wish he would stop hiding my messages. It interferes with my job. That’s just unacceptable, isn’t it?”

“If he were capable of listening to reason, he wouldn’t have harassed you in the first place. He simply hates you because he’s jealous. Don’t you understand?”

Leorino nodded.

“I understand. It’s because I’m a special case and Dr. Sasha gives me preferential treatment.”

“It’s not just that. Everyone in the Health Department must have fawned over that handsome face of his. But now that someone as beautiful as you has arrived, he’s envious of the attention you’re getting as well.”

“And now everyone is fawning over me instead of him? Where in the Palace of Defense is that supposed to be happening? No, I’ve certainly experienced no fawning so far. If anything, I’m being treated rather coldly, don’t you think?”

“What, you think they’d openly fawn over you? No one would dare. They could never be so chummy with you. I would actually respect them if they approached you so nonchalantly.”

“…Josef? That’s not what we were talking about.”

“I know, that’s different. But don’t you get it?”

Leorino was at a loss. He knew that he wasn’t very perceptive or tactful, but he really didn’t understand what his guard was implying.

“Well, worrying about them won’t change anything anyway, Lord Leorino.”

“Yes, I’ll just keep my head down in the archives today so as not to provoke them.”

Josef nodded.

For the past twenty days or so, Kaunzel had graciously allowed them to work in a corner of the archives. With Sasha’s permission, the two of them had been spending most of their time there recently.

After seeing their carriage off at the gates of the royal palace, Leorino hid his face deep within his hood on his way to the Palace of Defense. It was a conspicuous thing to do, but it was much safer than leaving his face uncovered. Although Leorino found it beyond frustrating that Josef could show his face off without fear.

“But I must say, I was so surprised when Mr. Dirk came to help us.”

“Oh… Him. I don’t like him.”

“Why not? He’s a lovely person.” Leorino inclined his head at Josef’s scowl, recalling his time with Dirk with a smile.

It was the day before yesterday when Gravis’s second-in-command showed up in the archives.

“My former superior from the General Staff told me about you, so I’m here to help.”

Dirk appeared before Leorino and Josef with a mischievous smile on his calm face.

He had indeed mentioned that back when he was a student, he had studied the war with Zwelf of eighteen years prior, and that it was because of this that he had joined the General Staff. Leorino was delighted that Dirk had offered to help.

At the same time, he felt a little guilty.

Leorino had not told anyone the real reason why he wanted to look into the mountain troops’ deployment and the records of their activities from eighteen years ago.

Of course, now that he had access to the documents, he would use them to examine ways of closer coordination among the units once he organized the management methods of the Health Department.

But his real aim was to investigate the past of Edgar Yorke, who was deployed and integrated into the Special Forces at the same time as Ionia. The Marquis of Lagarea had reported to Leorino’s father, August, that he had been unable to trace any of Yorke’s movements in the capital. However, the marquis could no longer be trusted.

Leorino wanted to personally search for information that would lead to a clue as to who Yorke was connected to, however slim the possibility might be. He did not expect to come across potential clues so soon after arriving at the Palace of Defense, but he had to make the most of this opportunity.

I must make sure Dirk doesn’t suspect anything…

Leorino had to focus. Around Dirk, he struggled to keep himself from asking all sorts of questions and wanting to bond with him.

“But we’re making steady progress, aren’t we? You should be able to report to Dr. Sasha soon, right?”

“Yes. I think we have enough for our first report. As for actual work, there are many things I just don’t understand, so I’m hoping to have it ironed out by the concerned parties to finally end up with something practical. From here it’s more of a collaborative effort with the people in the field.”

“I really admire how you’re so reserved and kind, but you’re still working your ass off in the Palace of Defense, Lord Leorino.”

Leorino laughed awkwardly. “Ah-ha-ha, Josef, language! I think you’re just biased.”

The only reason he had such a good understanding of the Royal Army and was able to immerse himself in the administrative work was thanks to Ionia’s memories. He was lucky that even eighteen years later, the basic institutions of the Royal Army had not changed much.

He figured he had an unfair advantage. Still, he would never tell Josef about his past life as Ionia.

He already had a good idea of the new plan for the management of personnel and supplies of the medical units.

In border areas far from the capital, such as the mountainous region and Zweilink, transporting personnel and supplies from the capital took too much time and was too wasteful, so several intermediate bases had been set up. This research was conducted to correct the uneven management of communication between these bases and the Palace of Defense.

Leorino had memories of life in the mountain troops. Ionia had hated it, especially in winter when the mountains were covered with snow.

The mountainous area in the northwestern part of the country was particularly difficult to operate in and prone to causing injury. There were several bases in the towns leading up to the mountains, and Leorino intended to discuss their best usage.

The supplies stockpiled at the bases should be distributed on a gradient according to the number of troops deployed. In addition, there was a regular communication network between the bases set up by the General Staff, but the Health Department had not been able to take advantage of it.

Up until now, the Health Department had only managed the coordination between the royal capital and each base. If the Health Department could optimally distribute supplies and personnel between bases by utilizing the General Staff’s regular communication network, it would be able to streamline their function at the front lines.

A combination of such small improvements would at least slightly reduce the sacrifices on the front lines. Leorino knew this from Ionia’s memories. He had lost many men, colleagues, and superiors alike in the snowy mountains and at Zweilink.

He wanted to estimate the effects of this improvement based on actual combat records to provide a basis for proposing his plan.

A proposal from a low-ranking officer with no previous accomplishments like Leorino would otherwise never be given a second thought. If he showed them actual numbers, they were more likely to listen to him. That’s how organizations worked, after all.

It was also the price he had to pay for access to records that would allow him to follow Edgar Yorke’s movements.

Leorino and Josef headed to their usual small room in a section of the Health Department.

They brought the documents Leorino compiled every day back from the archives and stored them in this locked room before leaving. But the moment they unlocked the door and entered that very room, Leorino and Josef’s faces turned grim.

“…What is this…?” Josef growled.

The shelves in the room had been ravaged, even though they were certain they had locked the door before returning home the previous day.

Documents were scattered all over the floor. Someone had broken in and ransacked the room. They were clearly being harassed.

Leorino rushed to the locked shelves. There he found the research materials he had been compiling. Relieved, he flipped through them just to be sure. That was when he realized a part was missing.

He knew who could have done it.

“Lord Leorino…do you think it was them?”

Leorino bit his lip. He wouldn’t have cared if it had been a personal attack. He’d endure that if he had to.

“…But this is unacceptable.”

A fierce anger brewed in Leorino’s eyes.

As soon as Leorino and Josef entered the main office of the Health Department, all eyes were on them.

Normally, Leorino kept his head down, avoiding eye contact as much as possible, but today, he fearlessly lifted his chin as he scoured the room with his gaze. Boldly displaying his beauty, Leorino’s presence was overwhelming. A silence fell over the office.

But a few men sitting in the center of the room stood out immediately.

As soon as Leorino and Josef had entered, they’d smiled wickedly. Looking at Leorino, they kept whispering something to each other and snickering. Their laughter echoed strangely through the silent office.

“So it was him…”

In the center of the group of men was the blond with short-cropped hair that Josef had mentioned earlier—Balto Entner. He was of relatively short stature for a man in the Palace of Defense, with blond hair, blue eyes, and an overall beautiful appearance. He was the second son of a viscount, one year older than Leorino. For some reason, he had made Leorino his archnemesis ever since he arrived at the palace.

Following Leorino and Josef’s gazes, the people in the office looked to Entner and his cronies. They sneered, seemingly unperturbed by the attention of the entire office.

You’re basically admitting you did it…

Leorino was appalled, realizing the man had no intention of hiding what he did. He may have wanted to harass Leorino no matter the cost, but vandalizing a room in the Palace of Defense was a much greater issue. He could even be punished for it.

Did they not think about the consequences of what they had done out of their petty hatred for Leorino?

Leorino heaved a small sigh. Standing beside him, he met Josef’s gaze. Josef looked back at him calmly, but his lips were quirked in a faint smile.

“…Josef, you seem calm.”

“No, I’m just thinking about how I’m going to beat the living crap out of him… What a fool.”

Leorino agreed with that last part.

“For the sake of our peace, let’s keep beating the crap out of people a last resort. I’ll try speaking with them first.”

Josef nodded.

“It’s your maiden battle, Lord Leorino. I’ll be watching over you.”

Leorino chuckled at that.

Then he headed straight for Entner and his lackeys.

The remaining people in the office watched the scene play out in silence. Entner and his cronies had been smirking at first, but hid their fiendish smiles and showed alarm at the sight of Leorino coming straight at them.

“I need to talk to you, Mr. Entner. May I have a moment of your time?”

“…What’s that? I don’t have anything to say to you.”

Entner turned away childishly.

…What???

Leorino was baffled. In no world was this attitude appropriate for a military man to express toward his colleague. Combined with Ionia’s memories, Leorino had never seen a more childish person in the Royal Army. Or was it that those who did desk work were never exposed to the taking of lives, and thus did not feel the need to abide by basic rules?

Leorino was stunned, unable to understand the thought process of people like Entner, but for the time being, they would get nowhere without talking. Besides, Leorino had his own reasons for wanting to keep things quiet and resolve the issue without causing a fuss.

He wanted to talk somewhere out of sight, so he decided to employ a threat or two.

“If you don’t mind me saying what you did, we can speak right here, right now.”

“Hah…?! How rude of you! What are you claiming that I did?”

Leorino kept his expression fixed.

“Very well, let’s speak here… Here, where everyone can hear us. That’s fine by me.”

Entner shot Leorino a deadly glare, then gruffly got up from his seat.

“Fine, let’s go…!”

He patted the shoulders of his cronies around him, and the men who had been watching their exchange with somewhat guilty expressions stood up as well.

Leorino nodded, turned on his heel, and left the room with Entner and his men.

They stopped at the landing of an empty staircase.

“Fine, we’re here, now what do you want?”

Leorino turned around. The men were momentarily lost for words as his beauty took their breath away. Noticing the dazed look on his companions’ faces, Entner elbowed them with a scowl, immediately turning them self-conscious.

I don’t know how to talk to them… I’ll be polite, I just need to get them to return my documents.

Leorino exhaled quietly. He was not equipped with the ability to judge people’s feelings and get what he wanted from them.

In the end, he decided to get straight to the point.

“Mr. Entner, do you have any idea where my research materials are?”

“Hah…? Is that what this is about?”

“The room where I kept my materials was ransacked, and some of them went missing. Do you have any idea what happened to them?”

“Hah! So you’re calling me a thief. I will not take such slander, not even from the son of the Margrave of Brungwurt!”

“My family has nothing to do with this. If my status gave me any power in the Palace of Defense, we would have already dealt with you differently.”

The men behind Entner seemed alarmed by Leorino’s words, but it was Entner who finally let his anger off its leash.

“You truly believe your pedigree grants you no privileges here?! You can clearly walk normally, and yet you are exempted from physical labor because of your legs. And you dare act like you don’t get preferential treatment?! Or did you use that pretty face of yours to cozy up to Dr. Sasha?”

Leorino focused on speaking matter-of-factly.

“It is true that I’m exempt from certain duties, I won’t deny that. However…I would ask you to retract what you said about Dr. Sasha. He doesn’t deserve such slander.”

But the next moment, he put some strength into the corners of his eyes and glared at Entner and his cronies.

“…But that has nothing to do with my current issue. I would like the documents you stole from my room back. They’re part of an important research project.”

“Hah! Your incoherent scribbles? Important research? How far up your own ass can you be?!”

And there it was.

“Spoken like someone who has actually seen said ‘scribbles,’ Mr. Entner.”

Entner bit his lip, seemingly realizing his mistake.

“Please return my documents. If you give them back now, I’ll forget this ever happened.”

“…I told you, I don’t know anything!”

Leorino sighed deeply. The conversation was not progressing toward a peaceful resolution.

“…Mr. Entner, do you understand what you have done?”

“I didn’t do it!”

“…If you want to bully me out of the Palace of Defense, fine. You can hate me all you want.”

Leorino caught Entner’s gaze with his violet eyes.

Entner was overwhelmed by his silent gaze, and for the first time, he seemed to falter.

“You may have been trying to damage my reputation. But no matter what work is done at the Palace of Defense, neither the process nor the results are the property of the individual in charge. It all belongs to the Palace of Defense.”

Entner said nothing.

“You don’t know the details of my work, do you? Perhaps they are just scribbles. My research may not be useful after all. But what you stole is not mine. It belongs to the Palace of Defense.”

“…! Like I said…this is a false accusation!”

“Please. Please just give me back my documents.”

Leorino bowed his head.

The men’s eyes widened at the sight of this nobleman of a status so incomprehensibly higher than theirs bowing to them.

“If you insist you don’t know where they are, that’s fine. I just… I hope to see the materials in question back in that room by the end of the day. That’s all.”

Josef, who had been watching silently until then, stepped up next to Leorino, still bowing his head.

“You heard him. If Lord Leorino reports to your superiors that his room was ransacked and the documents stolen, it would become a major incident concerning the entire Palace of Defense.

“…You wouldn’t—!”

“I mean, it would be a report from a powerful nobleman’s privileged son. You can feign ignorance all you want, but there’s only so much you can hide. Besides, a theft in the Palace of Defense would tarnish the reputation of the Royal Army—do you really think they would let you get away with that?”

Entner and his men shuddered. They finally realized that what they had done was more than just a prank, but a malicious breach of the law.

“What now…?” Entner’s cronies began to waver.

Will they just give them back now…? I’m not so sure. That’s all I really want.

Listening to Josef’s words, Leorino raised his head. His eyes met Entner’s, whose face twisted in humiliation.

“…Why do you get all the easy work and preferential treatment? …You might just be ‘special,’ but I loathe spoiled brats like you!”

Was that how he truly felt?

Leorino clenched his teeth.

He knew they harassed him because they hated him, but it still hurt to hear it said to his face.

“I understand that my presence may be discouraging. If Dr. Sasha decides that I’m no longer needed here…I’ll abide by his word.”

“You better…! And I’m not the only one, everyone agrees with me! We don’t want a rich boy like you barging into our world!”

Leorino calmly lowered his eyes.

That was when Josef patted him on the back.

“Lord Leorino, don’t listen to them.”

Leorino looked at Josef with gratitude.

Josef had sworn to fight with him. He was Leorino’s dear childhood friend, and now he was also his guard.

Yes, if I reach out, I will find someone who will stand by my side…just like Ionia did.

Ionia had also had a family who loved him, and a best friend who supported him. Having something so precious within reach was more than enough. This thought brought him comfort and strengthened Leorino’s heart.

He met Entner’s hateful gaze without fear.

“What are you boys doing here?”

A voice suddenly echoed from upstairs, causing everyone on the landing to shudder.

When they looked up, they saw Sasha, the head of the Health Department. Omar, his adjutant, stood behind him.

“I went to the office just now, and everyone was chirping about how you two had left together. That’s quite the unusual rendezvous, isn’t it?”

“Dr. Sasha…”

Sasha’s voice was calm, but his smile did not reach his eyes.

“So what were you discussing here? Something you can’t talk about in the office?”

“H-hey… Entner, what now?”

But Entner gave no reply.

It was Entner and his cronies who were beginning to break out in a cold sweat, but Leorino wasn’t happy with this situation, either. He had wanted to settle the matter as amicably as possible.

What would happen if his family found out his colleagues were bullying him? His overprotective family would surely stop him from working at the Palace of Defense—Leorino wanted to avoid that at all costs.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Sasha. I just…wanted to discuss something with Entner about my research.”

“…Oh, is that so? And that’s something you can’t discuss in the office?”

Sasha and Leorino watched each other silently. The usually mild-mannered Sasha’s blank expression filled him with fear.

While Leorino struggled to find a way out of the situation, a relaxed voice that didn’t fit the tense atmosphere addressed him from downstairs.

“Oh? Lord Leorino? What are you doing here? Weren’t we supposed to meet in the archives soon?”

It was Dirk, looking up at the landing with a quizzical look on his face. Leorino panicked, realizing that it was indeed almost time for their meeting in the archives.

“Oh, Dr. Sasha, you’re here, too. Is the Health Department gathering here now?”

“I-I’m sorry, Mr. Dirk… Um, I’ll be right there.”

But Sasha, looking down at him from the stairs, addressed him again.

“I’m not finished talking with you yet, Lord Leorino.”

“Dr. Sasha…”

His gaze darting between the top and bottom of the stairs, Leorino racked his brain for a way to amend this situation.

In Leorino’s stead, Entner answered in a low voice from behind him. While Leorino was still reeling, Entner had regained his mask of composure, as if he hadn’t just been fuming with rage.

“As Lord Leorino said, we were just talking.”

“…Hmm, I see. Would you say that’s an accurate description, Lord Leorino?”

“Y-yes.” Leorino could only nod.

“Well, we have some work to attend to, so we’ll take our leave now,” Entner said, getting ready to walk away with his cronies. “Let’s go!”

Twisting his body, Leorino suddenly grabbed Entner’s arm as he walked past him.

“Um… Please do the thing we discussed!”

“…Ugh! Fine! Let go!” Entner shook him off as hard as he could.

“…Ah.”

Leorino’s body lurched backward.

Oh no…!

He quickly reached out for something to grab onto. But his hand found no purchase.

He could see the shock on Entner’s face.

“Lord Leorino!”

“Leorino!”

Josef’s scream echoed through the staircase. In the distance, he could also hear Sasha and Dirk’s cries.

The next moment, he felt something solid and warm wrap itself around him.

Falling through the air, Josef still holding him in his arms, Leorino’s body bounced with the impact as they slammed into the floor below.

Suddenly, he was conscious again.

“Don’t move his head… Dirk, can you lift Leorino? …Gently now, keep them both as still as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

Someone had picked him up.

“…Ugh.”

“Lord Leorino, you’re awake. Thank god. Can you speak? Are you in pain?”

The voice belonged to Dirk.

Immediately, Dirk laid him on the floor once more and stepped away.

Leorino felt a flurry of movement around him, his head spinning, likely due to the impact of the fall.

“Dirk, keep talking to Josef. Is he waking up?”

“No, sir.”

“I see… Entner, boys! Bring the stretcher!”

He heard a rush of footsteps running down the hall.

What are they talking about? Who…?

“I’ll examine Lord Leorino first. Lord Leorino, ah, you’re awake. Good, can you answer me?” It was Sasha’s voice now. “You fell down the stairs. Do you remember…? I’m going to touch you now.”

…I fell down the stairs… Right, I lost my balance…and Josef…

His whole body was numb from the impact. As Dr. Sasha examined him, Leorino’s mind gradually began to clear. He desperately tried to get his eyes to focus.

“…Doctor…I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. Does your head hurt? Can you feel your legs? Are you in pain?”

He was terribly dizzy, but his head didn’t hurt.

Next, Leorino turned his attention to the lower half of his body and moved his toes.

“…I’m okay. I’m sorry.”

“Thank god. I don’t want an apology right now, so hush. We’ll discuss this later. I need to look at other parts of your body now.”

Sasha swiftly checked Leorino’s entire body.

Leorino shuddered when he felt Sasha touch his left wrist. The sharp pain fully brought him back to his senses.

Right…Josef saved me…!

“Doctor…”

“Oh, you sprained your wrist. But it’s not broken. You’re lucky—it’s all thanks to Josef.”

“Doctor…how’s Josef…?”

“…You mustn’t move yet. Lord Leorino, I’m going to examine Josef. I’ll have to leave you. Omar, hold Leorino so he doesn’t hurt himself any further.”

Sasha left Leorino in the hands of his adjutant and moved to Josef.

Leorino struggled in Omar’s grasp and managed to turn his body sideways. He saw Josef lying there, unconscious.

Dirk knelt next to Josef with a concerned expression on his face. He had taken off his jacket and placed it under Josef’s head.

“Josef…! Josef…!”

Leorino frantically called his guard’s name.

Dirk heard his hoarse voice and turned to Leorino with pained eyes.

With another rush of footsteps, Entner and his men returned with a stretcher.

For a moment, Leorino’s eyes met Entner’s, but Entner quickly averted his gaze. Leorino could only watch, still unable to move his body.

Lying there, his face pale, Josef looked so frail. Leorino couldn’t stop shaking. He was only lightly injured thanks to Josef’s quick wits and his wrapping himself around Leorino to save him from the impact.

“Dirk, can you lift Josef carefully? Yes, like that, thank you. Now gently place him on the stretcher… There.”

“I’ll carry him. Hey, you there. Help me.”

Dirk pointed to a well-built man, one of Entner’s cronies. The man, flustered, followed Dirk’s order and took one side of the stretcher.

“Omar, will you be able to carry Lord Leorino?”

Sasha’s second-in-command gently picked him up. No matter how desperately Leorino reached for him, the stretcher carrying Josef grew more and more distant.

“Josef… Josef…”

“Lord Cassieux, calm down, you must rest.”

After another intense bout of dizziness, Leorino lost consciousness once more.

When he awoke, Leorino found himself in an unfamiliar room. He could see an unadorned wood plank ceiling above him.

“…Are you awake?”

Accompanied by the deep, smooth voice was a large hand placed on his forehead. The slightly cool fingers gently stroked his bangs.

I’ve felt these fingers before. I’m not afraid of their touch. These fingers are…

“…Your Excellency.”

Gravis was sitting by his bedside. When he caught Leorino’s gaze, the man nodded slowly.

Why was Gravis here? And where was “here” anyway? There were so many things Leorino wanted to know, but when he managed to squeeze his voice out of his parched throat, he asked about the most important thing.

“…Sir, my guard… Josef, is he—?”

“He’s fine. Sasha came to report that he had just woken up. He hit his head, but it’s nothing serious.”

He was so relieved that he nearly fainted again, but the feel of the palm on his forehead gently held Leorino’s consciousness in place.

“…Thank you.”

Having expressed his gratitude, Leorino stared into space for some time. All the while, Gravis continued to stroke his head slowly, not saying a word.

Gradually, his feelings took shape.

“I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you. Your Excellency, how did you—?”

“Dirk reported to me. I was chilled to my core when I heard you fell down the stairs. I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt, but I see you injured your wrist.”

Gravis grasped Leorino by his left elbow and gently lifted his hand. Leorino’s wrist was wrapped in a thick bandage.

It didn’t exactly hurt, but he could feel a pulsating heat throb within.

“Sasha and Dirk told me what happened. You were discussing something on the landing with those boys from the Health Department. Do you have anything to report?”

Leorino immediately denied it.

“Nothing, sir… We were discussing…work, you see…”

“Sasha’s second-in-command told us that the room where you kept your research materials had been ransacked.”

“…No, that’s—”

“I’m going to ask you once more. Is there anything you want to tell me?”

Leorino shook his head again.

He was no longer sure why he was being so stubborn, but he didn’t want people to think he was the kind of man who would so easily tell on a colleague to his superiors.

“…I see. Then I’ll judge based on what I know and punish him myself. That won’t be a problem, will it, Sasha?”

Gravis called Sasha’s name. Leorino searched the room and saw Sasha standing behind Gravis, hidden in the shadow of his large body.

Leorino rushed to sit up, only for Gravis to push him back onto the bed.

Feeling guilty for everything that happened, Leorino frantically apologized to Sasha.

“Doctor…I’m…really sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you. And thank you so much for helping Josef.”

Sasha smiled, looking a little tired.

“As you may have heard from His Excellency, Josef is going to be fine. He’s stronger than he looks. He fell on his back while protecting you with his body, but he didn’t break or sprain anything.”

Leorino was relieved to hear his trusted doctor’s words.

“I see… Thank god.”

“He did hit his head hard; I admit I was worried about that. He just regained consciousness. He’s communicating without issue and showing no concerning symptoms, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about, but things can worsen quite suddenly when you’ve been hit on the head, you see… We’ll keep him in our custody for tonight and see how he feels.”

“Thank you. Um… Will Josef feel better soon…?”

Sasha nodded emphatically.

“Yes. The fall took a toll on his body, and he’s got a big bump on the back of his head, so he’ll be in pain for a little while. Well, we’ll watch him for a few days, and if he shows no further symptoms, he’ll be fine. Which is a relief… He fell from quite a height with a person in his arms. He could have been seriously injured.”

Leorino was so full of regret, he couldn’t bring himself to look up. He felt sorry for himself, wondering why he always had to cause so much trouble for others.

“It was all my fault. I forgot about my legs and moved without thinking… I can’t even begin to apologize.”

“Rino…”

“Doctor. I do not have the right to remain in the Health Department after all the trouble I’ve caused. Would you allow me to keep working here?”

The answer to Leorino’s desperate plea came not from Sasha, but from Gravis.

“You won’t be the one leaving the Palace of Defense.”

“…Sir?”

“The man who injured you, Entner, was it? He and his cronies will have to go.”

“…What do you mean?”

The fingers caressing Leorino’s forehead trailed down his cheek. Leorino shivered at the touch and questioned Sasha behind Gravis with his gaze. Sasha wore a sour expression.

“I’m going to dismiss Entner and his cronies. Sasha will suffer a pay cut, too.”

Leorino was so shocked by Gravis’s statement that he sat up.

“Wh-why, sir…?!”

“I invited you here, and whatever the reason may have been, you were injured. That’s absolutely unacceptable.”

Leorino suddenly grabbed Gravis’s fingers.

“Wait…! Your Excellency, please wait…!”

That was preposterous.

It was true that Entner had stolen Leorino’s documents, but even so, Leorino had lost his balance and fallen down the stairs, injuring himself all on his own. He never expected them to be punished for that.

Leorino couldn’t believe what Gravis was saying, and tried desperately to argue his case.

“Sir, dismissing them…?! And punishing Dr. Sasha, too…?! It was my own carelessness that caused me to fall down the stairs! They are not to blame!”

Leorino looked at Sasha.

“Please say something, Dr. Sasha…! You saw what happened… I just made a misstep and lost my balance!”

But Sasha shook his head.

“Lord Leorino, His Excellency already knows the details. He also knows that your room was ransacked by Entner and his cronies.”

“But still… It was my own fault I fell down the stairs. Dr. Sasha had nothing to do with it.”

“I knew they were harassing you, but ignored the situation and didn’t intervene. As a result, you and Josef fell down the stairs. We’re lucky that you weren’t seriously injured, but it is true that I was negligent in my supervision.”

Leorino felt like crying. He had caused this horrible situation.

“No, sir! I was the one who called them there. And then I fell… I should have reported it to Dr. Sasha instead. And yet…”

Gravis wrapped his large palm around Leorino’s imploring hand.

“Leorino, this is also your punishment.”

“…My punishment? B-but…”

“You must learn that as a result of your actions, others may be punished instead of you.”

“I…”

Leorino was shocked.

“My inviting you here means just that much… Don’t underestimate your own value, Leorino.”

Hearing Gravis’s words, he couldn’t stop shaking.

“But… But, sir…! Please. This isn’t nearly serious enough to dismiss them over it!”

Gravis gently lifted Leorino’s bandaged hand once more and closed his fingers around it.

Gravis’s starry-sky eyes blinked coldly, numbing Leorino’s nerves with fear.

“Are you going to question my decision?”

“…! N-no, sir. But…”

…But it doesn’t mean I’m the only one who should get preferential treatment…!

So he desperately pleaded with him.

“If you’re going to dismiss Mr. Entner and the others, please punish me, too! Please dismiss me as well!”

Gravis smiled slightly at Leorino’s frantic protest. He then calmly asked Sasha, “Sasha, a penny for your thoughts?”

“…Sir, I knew of the harassment, and I only stood back and watched. I am responsible for everything. They are promising young people with much potential. I will keep a close eye on them from now on, so I would like to beg your forgiveness this time.”

“I see. I will consider it.”

His words exhausted what little strength Leorino had left.

Although Gravis had not made any promises, Sasha might have just made room for consideration regarding the treatment of Entner and his men.

“But, Leorino, your punishment will be different.”

Gravis slowly lifted Leorino’s body.

His arms were gentle, but with his body grating at the smallest movement, Leorino involuntarily moaned in pain.

“Your Excellency…! The impact of the fall has affected Lord Leorino as well. You must be careful…!”

Looking back at Sasha, Gravis smiled.

“Believe it or not, I am. You’ll have to live with the pain of the bruises for now.”

“…Yes, sir.”

“Your guard will stay here tonight so that we may monitor his condition.”

Leorino was already surprised at being picked up so suddenly, but this feeling turned to dismay when he learned that he would be leaving Josef.

“I’ll stay with Josef… Please, let me stay here with him tonight.”

“Absolutely not. It is almost evening. The security here is too weak for you to stay.”

It must have been early in the morning when he spoke with Entner and his cronies. Leorino turned to the window, but the curtains were drawn, so he couldn’t tell the time by the color of the sky.

Gravis peered into his face.

“Or would you rather I take you home?”

Leorino didn’t want to go home.

He felt he wouldn’t be able to convincingly explain to his family why his wrist was injured and why Josef would not be coming with him.

In any case, he wanted to stay with Josef—being told not to worry did not change that.

“I will not go home today. I will keep my head down in his hospital room…so please let me stay here.”

Leorino desperately tried to persuade Gravis, but he replied only with “I see,” and not a word more.

With Leorino’s body wrapped in a white fabric, Gravis held him tightly once again.

“Sasha, I’m taking him with me.”

“…He has just fallen down a flight of stairs. Please keep an eye on him.”

“Please, who have you taken me for?”

Unable to keep up with the conversation between the two men, Leorino questioned them with an anxious look in his eyes. Gravis seemed smitten at that.

“You can relax. Sasha is going to take care of your guard. If he says Josef will be fine, then it must be true.”

“…Yes, sir. But I would still like to stay with him… Please.”

The grip of the strong arms holding him up with no effort at all tightened around Leorino for the briefest moment. He instinctively shuddered.

“No. You’re coming with me.”

The blanket enveloping Leorino’s body fluttered.

Leaving a white mirage, the two disappeared from the hospital room, dissolving into thin air.

Leorino felt like his organs were being squeezed, and the next instant, still in Gravis’s embrace, he noticed they had appeared in a room of a luxurious mansion.

He looked around the room anxiously.

The room, composed of midnight blue accented with teal and gold, had a high ceiling like the royal palace. The pillars and ceiling were intricately decorated, making it clear it was no ordinary mansion. The furniture in the room was all large, stately, and imposing.

Leorino could see the sky through the ceiling-high windows. Seeing the light fade on the horizon, he realized Gravis was right—it was already evening.

Where are we…?

“This is my palace.”

“Huh…?”

So this was one of the detached palaces of the royal family. It was no wonder, then, that it was so grand and opulent. But Leorino still didn’t know why he had been brought to the palace of the king’s brother.

With Leorino wrapped in a blanket in his arms, Gravis stepped toward the bed centered against the wall in the back of the room.

“Sir…?”

He held Leorino in one arm and pulled the top cover down with the other. Dexterously peeling the fabric off Leorino and tossing it to the floor, Gravis laid his slender body on the bed.

“Stay here and rest.”

Gravis brought the covers over Leorino and pulled them up to his neck. He then sat down by his bedside.

“I can’t let you sleep in the Palace of Defense with no guards around.”

“Josef is there.”

Gravis chuckled.

“Don’t be silly. What good will an unconscious guard do you?”

Leorino did not offer a reply.

“This place is far more secure. I must return to the palace to take care of some business, but until I come back, you should get some sleep here. Can you do that?”

Leorino was so confused, he couldn’t think straight.

“Leorino. Answer me.”

“Yes, sir…”

“Good boy.” With a casual stroke across Leorino’s forehead, just the same as he had done in the hospital room, Gravis stood up.

“Theodor.”

“Yes, my lord?”

Leorino startled when he noticed the man standing by the door. He had no idea when he had entered the room. The room was so large that Leorino could not see the man’s face from where he lay.

But his name and voice sounded familiar.

Of course, Leorino remembered. He was Gravis’s valet. He hailed from the family of the Count Moreau.

…So he’s still Vi’s valet, then?

He remembered that Ionia had been shunned by Theodor for being a commoner. As Gravis’s valet, he must have found it scandalous that a commoner could feel so comfortable next to royalty.

“I will let Leorino rest here for a while. Bring him a medicinal infusion.”

“Yes, sir. But may I ask who this gentleman is?”

“Right, I suppose you’ve never met before. This is Leorino Cassieux, the fourth son of Brungwurt. He has been in my care at the Palace of Defense since last month.”

“…I see. He is one of the sons of the Cassieux family?”

“Yes. I’m certain you’ll be seeing him again in the near future. When he wakes up, make sure he eats something. Oh, and his hand is injured. Tell the doctor to prepare a new compress for him.”

“I shall, my lord.”

The Cassieux family was of higher status, but as the son of a count and valet to the king’s brother, Theodor held a higher official position than Leorino.

Leorino rushed to sit up and greet Theodor, but Gravis’s arm blocked his way and he was pressed onto the bed once more. It may not have been very polite, but Leorino at least managed to greet him laying down.

He wondered if Theodor had heard him. The servant quietly left the room without another word.

Seeing Leorino’s apparent confusion, Gravis offered a small smile.

“Don’t worry about it. You must rest first. Can you do that?”

“…B-but—”

“I’ll check on your guard again on my way home.”

“Thank you, sir…but why am I in Your Excellency’s palace?” Leorino was finally able to ask what he had been wanting to know since they arrived.

“I told you. I can’t leave you unprotected in the Palace of Defense, and you said you don’t wish to go home, either. My only remaining option was to bring you here.”

“I would have been happy to stay with Josef in the palace.”

“And I told you I can’t allow you to do that. Don’t make me repeat myself. What do you expect of me, Leorino? You’d have me assign a whole squad just to keep you safe?”

Leorino gasped at the rebuke. He hadn’t even considered that extra personnel would be forced to protect him.

“You haven’t thought that far ahead, have you?”

“I’m sorry…”

“Besides, I haven’t even had a chance to punish you for this mess yet. Or have you forgotten about that already?”

Leorino’s lips quivered slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but couldn’t. The corners of Gravis’s mouth turned up slightly at the sight.

Leorino tried to sit up, but was once more pressed into the sheets by Gravis.

“I told you to rest. Why do you keep trying to get up? How many times will you make me say it?”

“A man about to receive punishment should not be allowed to rest so comfortably in Your Highness’s palace.”

“It’s fine. You’re staying. I brought you to my palace because it suits me.”

“…B-but, sir—”

“…If I threaten you any further, you’ll be too anxious to rest. We’ll discuss punishment when I return.”

Gravis stroked Leorino’s forehead once more and brought his face closer.

Leorino’s violet eyes, wide with fright, and Gravis’s starry-sky eyes watched each other at this breathtaking distance.

“You are a precious treasure entrusted to me by Brungwurt, and you were hurt in the Palace of Defense. That’s an issue I cannot overlook.”

“Please, it’s not nearly that serious… It was my own carelessness that caused my injury!”

“That was just the end result. The issue is that someone caused you to find yourself in that position. Do you understand?”

He did not.

Leorino was too baffled to form a coherent thought.

“Another reason is my wrath. I want to keep you in my sight until my anger subsides.”

“Sir…?”

“You don’t need to understand. I’m just being selfish.”

Leorino could only nod.

“I’ll inform your family that I’ll be looking after you for the time being. You’ll stay here until your guard recovers.”

“…Huh?”

“You can commute to the Palace of Defense from here.”

Leorino could hardly believe his ears. “Th-that would be unacceptable.”

“Unacceptable? To whom?” Gravis cocked his head.

To whom? …To whom indeed…

Leorino argued, half stunned. “…I—I don’t believe my father would allow me to stay in your palace.”

“The Cassieuxs’ opinion matters not. I have given my permission. Who else’s permission do you need?”

“But isn’t this, well…”

Once again, a large palm was placed on his forehead. Gravis smoothed back Leorino’s bangs, only to ruffle them again.

“Isn’t this what?”

Leorino suddenly felt like crying. He had no idea how to respond.

Finally, Gravis chuckled.

“Are you saying it’s inappropriate? You’re not even allowed to spend a night away from home? You’re an adult now, you know.”

“That’s true, but…”

“I know you’re sheltered. You’ve never really spent time away from your family, have you?”

Blood rushed to Leorino’s face. He felt embarrassed to be teased about his age.

“…It’s true, I’ve never stayed with anyone other than my family. But what I’m trying to say is…”

“Yes, I know. I didn’t mean to call you a child, rather the opposite. I think you’ve finally realized how people see you.”

In other words, he was trying to say that someone as beautiful as Leorino staying the night with him could be misunderstood in a certain way.

“…I want to be a little more trustworthy; more manly.”

“Regardless of what anyone might think of you, in the future I don’t think you’ll ever spend a night anywhere without someone protecting you.”

Leorino bit his lip. It hurt to be reminded of his own helplessness like this.

At that moment, Gravis whispered to him in a voice so low that it nearly melted into thin air. “Do you wish to carry a Power in your hands once more…?”

Leorino’s violet eyes blinked.

“…What did you…?”

Their gazes met again.

Gravis said it was nothing and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

“…I’m not happy with this. Perhaps I’m too helpless to be called manly, but—”

“I admire your spirit, but it’s also true that most young ladies are more adept at worldly affairs than you.”

“Yes, well…”

“Are you afraid to be here?”

Leorino couldn’t escape Gravis’s gaze.

“I’m asking you if you’re afraid to be near me.”

Leorino shook his head like it was the most natural thing in the world.

This stirring in his chest was not fear. It was something far sweeter, far more ghastly than fear itself. Gravis’s beautiful face so close to his, the warmth of his body, all of it made Leorino’s heart throb.

For some reason, Leorino wanted to escape Gravis’s gaze. He wanted to hide. But Leorino couldn’t move a finger, held in place by the man’s eyes.

Leorino was confused by his own overwhelming emotions, wondering if this was really how women felt. He knew that he had feelings for Gravis. Was that the reason for this stirring in his chest? Or was it just his feminine disposition?

But even if he remained silent, he could not escape the sharp gaze of the man before him.

In the end, he could only offer an honest answer.

“…I am not afraid of you, sir.”

Gravis nodded at Leorino’s quiet reply.

“If you’re not afraid, then you should be able to stay here just fine.”

“Is it really all right for me to be here?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Just keep getting used to me like this… Ah, here comes your medicine.”

Leorino was startled again. Theodor, holding a cup of what appeared to be a medicinal infusion, was standing behind Gravis before Leorino knew it. He couldn’t sense Theodor’s presence at all.

Finally seeing Theodor up close, his face had certainly aged, but his slender, solemn appearance remained unchanged.

“Sir…aside from my wrist injury, I’m fine. I don’t even have a fever.”

“Your condition might not be as serious as your guard’s, but you fell down a flight of stairs. You should drink it to be safe.”

That didn’t leave him much of a choice.

He sat up, supported by Gravis’s arm. Theodor handed Gravis the medicine and immediately left the room. Urged by the man, Leorino drank the bitter infusion and lay down on the bed once more.

As he watched Gravis stand, Leorino asked about the issue remaining on his mind. “Sir, and my punishment…?”

“We’ll worry about that when I return. Get some rest until then. Can you do that for me?”

With that, Gravis vanished.

Left alone in the unfamiliar room, Leorino let his mind wander.

How in the world had he ended up in Gravis’s palace? He was told that he couldn’t be left alone in the Palace of Defense, but the entire royal palace was heavily guarded at all times. He and Josef would simply stay cooped up in a hospital room.

He couldn’t imagine he would face any danger serious enough to concern Gravis, but the thought that Gravis would be at fault for increasing security for Leorino’s sake made him consider that perhaps he had been naive.

The fact that a member of the Cassieux family had been invited by the general himself to work in the Palace of Defense may have been a much bigger deal than Leorino had imagined.

He lay down as he was told and explored the room with his gaze.

The bedroom alone was about four times the size of Leorino’s room. Rough measurements aside, it was huge.

A starry night sky had been painted on the tall bed canopy and the even taller ceiling. The design had likely been inspired by Gravis’s eyes.

As he lay there looking at it, the midnight blue wallpaper and curtains made him feel as if he was outside under the veil of night.

Slowly, his body grew heavier.

The medicine must have contained a sedative. Leorino was intimately familiar with the sensation forcibly pulling him to sleep.

A faint scent of a winter forest hung in the room.

Vi’s scent…

Leorino’s consciousness began to fade in earnest.

He really wanted to see Josef. Being told that he was fine was not enough; he wanted to see Josef himself and make sure he was all right.

I shouldn’t be here.

Leorino wanted to see his cherished guard who had protected him and return to his regular life as soon as possible.

“Josef, I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… I can’t wait to see you again…”

With that, the wave of sleep finally pulled him under.

Feeling fingers stroking his forehead, Leorino awoke with a start.

Slowly opening his eyelids, he saw Gravis sitting by his bedside.

The man had removed the jacket of his uniform, and now remained in a loose white shirt and black trousers.

A large shadow blocked the candlelight.

Leorino’s golden eyelashes quivered like butterfly wings as his violet eyes looked up at the man.

“…Welcome home.”

Gravis raised an eyebrow at that. Leorino hadn’t realized he had unconsciously greeted the man as he would a family member.

“It seems you had a nice nap, but you haven’t even eaten. How do you feel? Any pain?”

Leorino’s mind was foggy from sleep, but he felt around his body. He felt somewhat sluggish, but except for his wrist, nothing hurt too badly.

“…I’m fine. Thank you.”

“It’s gotten late, but I’ll have Theodor prepare you something to eat.”

Leorino shook his head.

He hadn’t eaten lunch, but he didn’t feel particularly hungry. He had no appetite and figured he wouldn’t eat even if they gave him food.

He felt himself grow more awake.

“I’d rather you tell me my punishment already.”

“Well, you certainly waste no time.”

Leorino sat up. He was about to get off the bed when Gravis stopped him, but Leorino refused.

“I will get up. Let me speak with you properly.”

“…Very well.”

Gravis nodded and lifted Leorino by the underside of his knees.

“Sir…?! I can walk by myself!”

“You’re going to walk with no shoes on?”

His words forced the breath out of Leorino’s lungs.

Come to think of it, he was barefoot. Of course he was. He had been sleeping.

Gravis finally set Leorino down on a settee in his parlor. Gravis sat in the chair across from him.

Gravis had a muscular physique that most men would look up to. Despite this, there was nothing brutish about him, his refined movements so captivating that one could suspect he owed this special trait to his noble lineage in some way.

Leorino remembered his manners and straightened his back.

He braced himself to accept his punishment, wanting to remain unshaken no matter what he was told.

Gravis’s eyes no longer contained the affectionate gaze he had shown Leorino, instantly turning cool and distant instead.

“Very well, you can make your case first.”

He had no choice but to confess. Sasha had said it, too. Gravis already knew everything.

“…I didn’t want to exacerbate an issue caused by the friction between myself and Mr. Entner. That’s why I tried to resolve it through a private conversation.”

“Why?”

Leorino just barely managed to keep himself from casting his eyes down from the sheer intensity of the man.

“…I didn’t want Dr. Sasha or my family to know that I was being harassed by my colleagues. If it became a whole ordeal and my family learned of it, they would surely object to my working at the Palace of Defense.”

“And what happened as a result?”

“…My guard Josef was injured. I myself was injured as well. It became an even greater issue that I could no longer conceal. All because of my shortsighted decisions.”

“…Then what do you think you should have done instead?”

Leorino audibly gritted his teeth. He was already aware that he had made all the wrong choices.

He should have reported it to Sasha when he discovered his room had been ransacked. He criticized Entner and his cronies for breaking the rules but tried to deal with them personally when he should have addressed the issue according to established regulations.

Josef had said it, too. Even if it was just mischief on their part, ransacking a room in the Palace of Defense and going as far as stealing documents was a malicious act that undermined the authority of the Royal Army. In other words, it was a blemish on Gravis’s authority.

“…I should not have attempted to tackle it on my own. I should have instead reported the room being ransacked to my superior, Dr. Sasha. I apologize.”

Leorino bowed deeply.

“Correct. Whatever the circumstances, you tried to cover up a theft in the Palace of Defense for your own petty reasons. That’s a clear violation of the rules… What else?”

“What else…?”

Gravis calmly repeated himself.

“What else do you think you’ve done?”

Leorino thought hard. But no amount of thinking helped him arrive at an answer.

“…I don’t know, sir.”

“You’re not even aware of it? I suppose you wouldn’t be. If you were, you wouldn’t have made such a simple mistake in the first place.”

“I apologize, sir…”

“You disputed my punishment of Entner and his cronies. Don’t you remember?”

“I…”

“You dismissed your superior’s decision.”

Leorino’s face instantly paled.

“Do you have to say anything for yourself?”

“…No, sir.”

Gravis’s overly soft, calm voice stung Leorino like a needle.

Of course. In truth, the difference in status between Gravis and him was like heaven and earth. An unranked secretary trying to overrule a general’s decision was a serious crime.

Why had he forgotten his place so badly that he thought he could make such demands of the man? Were Ionia’s memories to blame? Had he unwittingly reverted to what they had back then?

No, that’s not it… It was my fault. I just forgot myself…

“Please dismiss me as well,” my ass.

“What’s more, you unconsciously placed your worth on the line and used it as a bargaining chip against me. I almost laughed out loud at that adorable attempt.” Gravis chuckled. “But it was a good attempt nonetheless. In a sense, it wasn’t the wrong strategy, either.”

Leorino felt himself cringe at his own foolishness.

“…I’m sorry… Sir— Ah!”

Gravis had stood up gracefully, scooped up Leorino’s body, and placed him in his lap.

“I told you to know your own worth. So I can’t exactly blame you for using yourself as a bargaining chip against me.”

“I did that…?”

“You didn’t even notice?”

Leorino couldn’t help thinking about how close Gravis’s masculine beauty was to him now, when the man smiled wickedly.

“You’re worth just that much to me. I think you’ve subconsciously accepted that.”

And here he had thought Gravis was accusing him of narcissism.

Leorino turned pale and hung his head.

“I’m not complaining. It’s an improvement.”

Each gentle word tightened around Leorino’s heart like a thorny vine.

“Leorino, look at me.”

Gravis lifted Leorino’s chin gently but resolutely. Leorino was forced to show the man his remorseful, shame-stained expression.

“So my punishment is…?”

“The dismissal of Entner and his cronies. Sasha will also be held accountable, of course.”

“But that’s…”

Leorino was stunned by this revelation when the man had earlier said that he would take his opinion into consideration.

“You put yourself in danger by failing to do the right thing in your initial response. As a result of your foolish actions, you have cost Entner and his men their future in the Palace of Defense. That’s it.”

“Your Excellency…I will leave the Palace of Defense. So please…” Leorino strained his voice.

“Absolutely not. I invited you to the Palace of Defense, and I will be the one to decide whether or not you leave. Your resignation will never again be a bargaining chip, Leorino.”

“No… Please. That’s not…”

He hadn’t meant it that way. He didn’t think that his own position would be worth anything, much less a bargaining chip against Gravis.

“Now everyone will know what happens to people who trifle with you. They will treat you differently. You’ll have to live with that and continue to work as hard as ever at the Palace of Defense.”

“…Please, punish me.”

“That is your punishment. It’s not easy getting special treatment, is it?”

Tears silently spilled from Leorino’s eyes.

“Listen. You don’t want to rely on the kindness of others, you want to be independent—fine. But you need to stop making bad decisions based on such foolish thoughts… And no more secrets.”

Gravis lifted Leorino’s sprained hand and removed his bandages. The wrist beneath had lost its original delicate shape and was horribly swollen. Gravis’s cold lips touched the injury.

It didn’t hurt. But the cool sensation on his hot skin made Leorino shudder.

Gravis said that Leorino was valuable to him.

But what was this “worth” he spoke of? What had he meant by that? If their relationship were merely that of a general and a secretary at the bottom of the food chain, they would not be as close as they were now.

Whenever Gravis drew the line in the sand, he got so close to crossing it himself that Leorino had no idea what to think.

That was what made it so confusing. That was why he kept misjudging the appropriate distance between them.

Leorino did not possess the skills to remedy this confusion. He gasped in breathless agony.

“…I won’t allow anyone to hurt you ever again, not even you yourself.”

With the very lips that condemned Leorino, Gravis gently wiped the tears that trickled down his fair cheeks.

I want to blame this man for everything.

Gravis’s lips, wet with tears of contrition, closed around Leorino’s own trembling lips.

Leorino gasped at the intense sensation. Gravis’s thick tongue slipped in through the gap between his lips.

“…!”

A lewd sound escaped his lips when their tongues met. Leorino’s slender body bucked at the feeling of someone exploring his mouth for the first time in his life.

Leorino was confused.

He shook his head, trying to free his lips.

But with his face turned up, Gravis discovered every last source of pleasure inside his mouth. Leorino’s small tongue shrunk away but was captured by Gravis’s, gently licking and nipping at its underside.

How…? Why?

Gravis’s skillful tongue relentlessly poured poisonous pleasure into Leorino’s body. The sensation was so sweet and obscene at the same time that it made Leorino’s head swim as he struggled to take it all in.

He didn’t know how to catch his breath. Slowly, he felt his vision grow dark. Leorino dug his slender fingers into Gravis’s muscular shoulders, frantically trying to convey his distress.

Noticing Leorino’s anguish, Gravis parted his lips just slightly to offer him some reprieve. Leorino greedily gulped down the air he so desperately needed.

But his gasping lips were again mercilessly captured by Gravis’s.

“Nn…hnn… W-wait…”

“…You’re fine, breathe through your nose.”

“I—I can’t…”

Leorino cried, his nose stuffed.

Gravis looked at him with unhidden affection. Smiling, he gave Leorino the occasional reprieve and encouraged him to breathe. He could take in air through his nostrils, but the man’s lips would not release his.

Leorino was overwhelmed by the immense pleasure flowing into his body through his mouth.

I’m scared… This feels too good… Vi… I’m afraid.

It threatened to expose something that lived inside of him, something he didn’t truly know himself. He didn’t want any more stimulation.

Leorino frantically patted Gravis on the shoulder, silently pleading for him to let go. He couldn’t help groaning at the pain from his sprained hand.

Gravis’s long arm snaked around his back, grabbed his elbow, and fixed it in place. With that, he could no longer move his arm.

Even sitting in his lap, Leorino’s head only reached the tip of Gravis’s nose. That was the extent of the size difference between him and Gravis.

“Why… Why, this…?”

Demand as he may between breaths, his helpless resistance meant nothing. Gravis’s unyielding but sweet assault on Leorino’s senses continued.

Gravis’s fingers slowly traced up his spine as if counting every vertebra beneath, before they gently grasped the back of his head. Leorino’s face was turned upward, and once again, the man’s lips were on his, further deepening the kiss.

Leorino’s small mouth was filled to the brim with the man’s tongue.

“Come… Open your mouth…”

“I…can’t… Hng…”

Whose was the sweet liquid filling his mouth? Leorino felt like he was drowning.

He was panting, not knowing what to do with the fluid in his mouth, until it finally spilled out from the edge of his lips.

Leorino’s throat twitched in embarrassment and tears spilled down his cheeks. Gravis smiled, wiping Leorino’s face with his fingers.

“You taste so sweet.”

Leorino cast his eyes down, unable to look directly at Gravis’s tongue as it licked Leorino’s saliva off his fingers.

“Ha… Don’t choke now.”

“…Kh… Nn…”

“Here, swallow.”

He stroked his throat with his thumb.

In tears, Leorino swallowed as instructed.

Gravis raised the corners of his lips in satisfaction and immediately covered Leorino’s lips with his own once more.

Wh-why? …I did as you asked…!

“…Please… Nkh…”

“…Let me have some of yours, too.”

Feeling Gravis’s hands around his body, Leorino found himself straddling him. Supporting the backs of his thighs, the man pressed Leorino’s thin body tightly against his muscular torso.

“Kh… I—”

Leorino looked down at Gravis for the first time in his life. Even now, Ionia’s memories stormed his mind. Leorino had no control over it.

Ah, it’s Vi…

He could still see the boy with the starry-sky eyes in the man’s face. Those gleaming starry-sky eyes remained unchanged despite Gravis’s advancing age. Memories of the first time he saw those eyes came flooding back. His chest suddenly felt tight.

*   *   *

“Leorino…”

He couldn’t resist the gentle but bold arms pulling the back of his head. Gravis’s skillful tongue scooped up his, softly biting and sucking on it.

Leorino could feel the saliva filling his mouth.

The thought of having Gravis swallow his saliva was unbearably embarrassing, but Leorino had no way to resist.

Gravis drank the liquid pouring out of Leorino. He chuckled, practically showing off.

“You really are sweet.”

“Ah… Pl-please… Wait…”

Leorino placed his hands on Gravis’s muscular shoulders, struggling to support his faltering body.

The kissing continued in a manner so vigorous—far too intense for his first time. The sensual exchange was so lewd that Leorino finally began to grow dazed.

Tears spilled from his violet eyes and fell onto Gravis’s cheeks.

“You’re getting a little heated down here.”

For a moment, Leorino didn’t understand what Gravis was saying.

It was only when Gravis’s strong arms pulled Leorino’s hips against his chest that Leorino noticed his own arousal.

“Ah… W-wait!”

“I suppose you’re a man after all. You must have really enjoyed that kiss.”

Before he knew it, heat had pooled in his abdomen.

Having his hips rocked against the man’s body, directly delivering him intense stimulation, made Leorino arch his back.

“Ugh… This is so—”

“What’s wrong? Are you afraid?”

“Y-yes… I’m scared… No more…”

He was frightened by the sex act he had suddenly found himself in the middle of. Leorino was so innocent, he was afraid of Gravis’s strength, of his own reaction, of everything happening to him.

In the face of the rawness of the exchange, Ionia’s memories were of no use at all. At the end of the day, their experiences were entirely their own.

“Please… Let go of me… I’m scared.” Leorino answered honestly.

He could not allow himself to expose his raw desires to Gravis.

He didn’t know what would happen to him if he did. That was the most frightening and embarrassing thing. The more he imagined what would await him if he laid his desires bare, the more it scared him.

Leorino’s consternation had reached its peak.

Why is he doing this to me…? This is almost like…

Gravis lifted Leorino’s chin and peered into his tearful eyes. Beyond Leorino’s fear hid something carnal. Something sensual was budding beyond the shame and confusion of the inexperienced young man. Gravis enjoyed this sight.

Leorino, however, instead of indulging in the feeling, felt terribly frightened and continued to cry, his throat twitching.

Perhaps taking pity on Leorino as he sobbed in the daze of the new experience, Gravis released him from his arms and sat him down in his lap once more. He wiped Leorino’s tearstained cheeks.

Leorino’s chaotic emotions gradually subsided as he regained his composure. After a little while, when his sobbing waned, Leorino looked down and mumbled, “…You do this to me and then act surprised when I forget myself around you… I fear I’m presuming on your kindness far more than is appropriate.”

“As you should.”

Leorino felt incredibly indignant at these words.

Had Gravis not just reprimanded him for forgetting his place?

If Gravis truly cared about him, he would have listened to Leorino’s wishes and resolved the situation with Sasha, Entner, and Entner’s cronies amicably. Gravis even told Leorino to live with the special treatment he would receive in the royal palace. He said that would be Leorino’s punishment.

Perhaps Leorino would be lonelier than ever. But if he was willing to accept special treatment, Gravis should do whatever Leorino wanted in return.

Leorino told the man off in his mind.

“You say that, and yet…you’re not making my life any easier at all.”

“And here I thought I was spoiling you rotten.”

Leorino bit his lip.

No… If I stay here any longer, I’m going to say things I must not say…

He writhed in the man’s arms. Gravis let go of him.

Leorino wobbled to his feet.

“Where are you going?”

Leorino felt the cool carpet under his bare toes.

“I can no longer stay with you, sir… I’m clearly too foolish to maintain the appropriate distance from you.”

“No.”

Leorino quickly shook off the hand that grabbed him. He immediately regretted it, but he couldn’t control himself. Under any other circumstances, such behavior toward a superior would have been unthinkable, but he no longer cared. It was Gravis who had overstepped in the first place.

He couldn’t stay there a second longer.

Leorino’s inexperienced heart had been driven to the very edge.

“And where do you plan to go, barefoot and without a coat?”

“Anywhere. I can walk barefoot just fine.”

Leorino staggered through the large room and struggled with the door. It was heavy. He had never opened a door by himself in his life. He was keenly aware of this fact.

The wide hallway was silent. Several large doors lined the dim, candlelit corridor. Leorino walked forward, guided only by his impulses.

He walked as fast as he could.

Behind him, the sound of leisurely footsteps followed.

“It will take you at least an hour to walk from here to the Palace of Defense.”

Leorino shook his head, still facing forward.

“…I’ll crawl back if I have to.”

“And what if you’re assaulted by some ruffians like you were at the soiree the other night?”

They walked down the long corridor and reached the stairs.

Leorino’s legs made him unable to run down them. Still, he descended as quickly as he could, and in his rush, he tripped over his own feet.

Without missing a beat, a strong arm reached out from behind to catch him.

“Slow down. You’ll fall down the stairs.”

“…Let go of me!”

Leorino was crying. He felt pathetic. He was upset beyond belief.

Halfway down the stairs, several guards appeared without a sound to block his path.

Leorino glared at the armed men, tears streaming down his face.

“…Please, let me pass.”

“We cannot, sir.” One of the men answered on behalf of the others.

Leorino finally screamed. It was the first scream of his life. “Let me through! I’m leaving!”

He tried to force his way through the crowd of men.

The Imperial guards were dismayed. They were not certain if they were allowed to touch the beautiful weeping guest directly. The soldiers extended their arms, doing everything not to injure the thin body impulsively coming at them.

“Don’t touch him.”

At that moment, Gravis reached forward and scooped up Leorino’s slender body in his arms.

“That’s enough, Leorino.”

“…No! I’m going back to Josef… Let go of me! I’m leaving!”

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Leorino frantically struggled to escape the man’s arms, but it was for naught. In an instant, he was taken back up the hallway he had spent so much time walking down.

Leorino could not stop crying.

When they returned to Gravis’s quarters, Leorino was carried straight to Gravis’s bedroom and somewhat roughly lowered onto his bed.

“Ow…!”

A moan spilled from Leorino’s mouth. He had felt the fall in his injured arm.

“You think that hurts? No brute would ever be this gentle with you.”

Frustration welled in the pit of Leorino’s stomach at the sound of the cold voice mocking him.

Gravis placed his hands on both sides of Leorino’s head and leaned in. Leorino placed a hand on his chest.

“You will not refuse my hand,” said Gravis.

“No… Please! Not now! Don’t come any closer! Don’t touch me!”

Leorino sensed a silent anger in the man above him. Frightened, he resisted desperately.

“…Let go of me!”

“No.”

“Gh…! No! Why…?!”

He tried to push back, but Gravis easily caught his arms.

“D-don’t touch me… Please, don’t do this to me anymore.”

“You don’t like me touching you?”

Gravis wouldn’t budge. The only resistance Leorino could muster now was covering his eyes.

“…It’s not that, I just… Not now, please.”

Gravis took Leorino’s arm and pulled it away from his face. His tear-stained face now exposed, he could only glare at Gravis and cry.

“If so, why do you push me away? Are you angry with me for bringing you back here?”

“…I don’t want you to use your power to set me free, sir. When I am with you, I can’t do anything. It hurts to be reminded of my powerlessness every time I’m around you.”

Leorino heard a small sigh fall from Gravis’s lips. Leorino’s heart ached as if it were going to burst.

“…I don’t know what you expect of me,” Leorino complained in a feeble voice.

“I’ve told you time and time again, haven’t I?”

“But you’ve explained nothing. I don’t want this anymore… I don’t want you to confuse me any further… If that’s how it’s going to be, I don’t care anymore!”

Gravis grabbed Leorino’s chin and forced Leorino to look at him.

“Because you don’t seem to care about your own safety.”

“I’m doing all I can!”

“Accept your own weakness already, Leorino!”

Leorino instinctively shrank in on himself. It was the first time Gravis had yelled at him.

“What’s wrong with being weak? Why do you turn away from who you are like that?”

“I…”

Leorino’s violet eyes wavered. Gravis did not allow him to look away. He glared at him, silently ordering Leorino to look at him.

“What is this ‘power’ you’re obsessed with?!”

“The power I’m…”

“Is being physically weak something to be ashamed of? Is physical weakness a sin? You’re so beautiful, what could you possibly complain about? Why are you ashamed of yourself? Why are you so stubbornly trying to be strong?!”

“No! I just, I want to be…”

The two men glared at each other from so close that their faces appeared blurred.

“Why do you care so much about being physically strong or having a manly physique? Why do you feel the need to be traditionally strong like me or Lucas?”

“I just…! I don’t want to be weak!”

“But you are! So what, does that mean you don’t deserve to be alive?”

“Your Excellency wouldn’t understand!” Leorino shouted.

Gravis looked down at the panting young man, his brow furrowed.

“You wouldn’t understand…”

This was the first time Leorino had ever thrown such a tantrum.

He knew it was childish and stupid. He was beyond himself with worry that Gravis would finally grow disillusioned with him.

But he couldn’t hold back the rage that surged in his heart.

“I’ve tried to come to terms with it! I tried to accept that I was born this way, that I was injured, but…to hell with this body!”

Gravis sat up.

The pressure on Leorino disappeared, and he felt relieved and lonely at the same time. He hated himself for having such unmanly feelings at all.

Leorino rejected the hand Gravis offered him, twisted around, and threw himself onto the bed.

“Leorino…accept reality.”

Leorino shook his head, pounding the bed with his fist.

“No! I’m an adult and I’m not even allowed to leave the house alone. To hell with this body! …To think I’d spend the rest of my life being protected…when all I really wanted was…”

I wanted to be strong enough to protect you.

“I may be weak and I may be helpless, but I don’t want to live in a world where someone is always protecting me…”

Gravis patiently watched as the young man released all his fury.

From what Sasha had told him, Leorino was supposed to be calm, gentle, and quiet. He had endured the pain of his injuries, never complained about his exercises, and patiently persevered through it all.

When Gravis met him in person, that impression remained unchanged. Leorino was a delicate, fragile thing who would be snatched and hurt by some brute the moment Gravis took his eyes off him.

However, the Leorino lying in front of him now was struggling against the fate imposed on him, wishing with all his might to overcome it.

His tearful face resembled that of a child throwing a tantrum. His hair was disheveled, his face flushed, his eyelids swollen. His cheeks were covered with visible stains from all the tears he’d spilled.

But even in such a state, Leorino was beautiful.

“Leorino…”

“No… Don’t!”

Gravis opened his fist and laid his palm on top of his. Leorino struggled desperately to free his interlocked fingers. His resistance was so faint that it resembled that of a small bird.

His thin limbs were so helpless, Gravis caught him in an instant without much effort on his part.

“Whatever you’re doing…please stop.”

Compared to the intensity of Leorino’s feelings, the overwhelming fragility of his body filled the man with pity.

“Leorino…”

Gravis wanted him to spread his wings freely. And just as much, he wanted to wrap Leorino in his arms and protect him from the faintest wind.

Gravis bit back the emotion that threatened to spill from deep within his chest.

“…Please, stop resisting and accept my protection.”

Leorino’s thin throat trembled.

He was surprised. Gravis was pleading with him.

“I want to respect your desire for independence. That’s why I invited you to the Palace of Defense.”

Leorino could only listen as Gravis continued.

“But I can’t compromise any further. It may be cruel to you, but I cannot give you any more freedom in the Palace of Defense unless you agree to stay under my protection.”

Another wave of tears welled in Leorino’s eyes.

His quivering lips were heartbreaking. But Gravis did not mince words.

“You don’t yet know the true dangers of life or the horror of having your freedom taken away. But…even if you want to face those dangers yourself, I won’t allow it.”

“Why? Why do you care so much for me…?”

“Can’t you tell?” Gravis whispered, watching him intently. “Because I’ve decided that, this time, I’m going to protect you with my own hands to the very end.”

“This time…?”

“I once made a mistake that I can never undo. I will not make the same mistake again.”

Gravis’s eyes were dark.

In his mind, Leorino asked Gravis if it was Ionia who he had failed to protect. Behind the man’s beautiful eyes, he felt he could see a glimpse of a deep wound.

Leorino’s heart ached more than he could say.

Vi… Vi…

Gravis gently held his thin body as he began to hiccup.

“I know better than anyone the frustration of having to be protected by the very person you want to protect.”

Leorino shut his eyes tightly.

“I…I was once protected by someone I deeply cared about, but I couldn’t save them. I have gnashed my teeth and despaired at my helplessness more times than I can count.”

“Sir… I…I just—”

“So I’ll never be able to turn a blind eye to your getting hurt… Even if you don’t want my protection.”

Gravis tenderly looked down at Leorino’s tearstained face and gently brushed his fingers through his damp bangs.

“Leorino, listen to me. You have value, no matter what. Stop deprecating yourself and accept yourself for who you are.”

The weight of his words overwhelmed Leorino.

“…I just wanted to be strong.”

“I know. I know that feeling all too well.”

Even in this life, he couldn’t escape his destiny.

He fell in love all over again with the man to whom he had once sworn his blood and loyalty.

All he wanted was to have the right to stand next to Gravis as himself, as Leorino. It may have been a hopeless wish, but he thought that if he made progress, little by little, he might be of use to him someday.

I wanted you to entrust your back to me again…

But perhaps it was time to give up.

“You’re defenseless and you don’t take care of yourself. That frightens me more than anything.”

“S-sir…”

“Leorino, accept my power. Don’t push me away. I don’t want to force you into anything.”

Once more, Gravis embraced him tightly.

“Please, let me protect you this time.”

Gravis lowered his cool lips to Leorino’s tearstained face. His lips tickled Leorino’s clumped lashes and trailed down his wet cheeks, wiping away the tears.

“You’re so brave and beautiful—stop rejecting it. Your heart is beyond strong enough as it is. Don’t you agree? And you’re surprisingly stubborn, too.”

With that, Gravis pressed his forehead to Leorino’s with a little too much force.

The sweet pain shattered Leorino’s heart into a million pieces.

“…Then please, don’t do this to me anymore. I still don’t know what I should do.”

Gravis said nothing.

Why do you touch me like this…?

“Wh-what exactly am I to you, sir…?”

“Do you need me to spell it out? Once I say it, there’ll be no going back.”

With that, he brushed his lips against Leorino’s. Just as quickly, his heat pulled away.

I want to know. But I’m afraid to learn the truth.

Leorino’s heart finally burst, and all his reason left with it. Overwhelmed by an intense dizzy spell, Leorino finally whined in earnest.

“No. No more… I’m sc-scared…”

“I understand. I scared you. I won’t do anything else. I promise.”

But his consideration changed very little now.

Leorino’s emotional faucet was completely broken.

Gravis could tell by the way he sobbed like a child that Leorino had truly reached his limit.

“I’ve gone too far… Do you want to take your medicine again?”

Unable to speak, Leorino only shook his head.

Gravis stroked his head for a while longer, hoping to calm him down, and slowly, Leorino’s eyes turned vacant.

With Gravis watching, his eyelashes slowly closed, like a butterfly resting its wings.

“…Leorino?”

The poor little bird in his arms fled into sleep so quickly, it was as if he had fainted. Gravis released his body as gently as he could so as not to wake him with his movement.

Gravis went to get the compress and bandages that had been left on the desk. He still had to change Leorino’s dressing.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and lifted Leorino’s slender wrist. Then, with a careful hand, he began to apply the treatment.

Leorino’s small face stained with tears. His sniffles. His still-quivering lips.

Gravis felt sympathy for him, worrying he had pushed him too hard.

Leorino was so inexperienced that Gravis’s actions had overwhelmed him. The sight of the state Gravis had single-handedly driven Leorino into made Gravis feel sorry for him.

Leorino had feelings for him.

This was evident in the sweetness of his lips, and in his trembling the first time Gravis touched his skin.

Leorino’s heart was too inexperienced to respond to Gravis’s games, but his receptive body was another matter entirely. His mind was still frightened of receiving pleasure from Gravis, but his body had already accepted him. He wasn’t even aware of it, and even if he had been, he did not possess the skill to hide it.

This cluelessness was pitiful and precious all the same.

It would have been easy for Gravis to capture Leorino’s young mind and body with his mature wiles before Leorino even knew it was happening. Gravis could simply wrap him in silks and protect him while acting like the gentle guardian.

But he didn’t want that.

Leorino had been protected from the world for most of his life, until now. He was tucked away in the depths of the family castle like a precious jewel.

However, a young man who had just left that padded cage and attempted to become independent couldn’t be placed in another cage without his consent. It was important for Leorino to choose to enter Gravis’s arms on his own.

After all, Leorino would not have any physical freedom going forward, either. It was absolutely impossible for Leorino to live as a normal boy. He would have to realize this sooner or later.

Leorino was completely unaware of the weight of the Brungwurt blood. The same was true of his own worth.

That gem of a human being would need absolute protection for the rest of his life, whether he wanted it or not.

No matter how hard Leorino tried to flap his wings, he would only be allowed to fly freely within the safe confines established by Gravis.

Gravis had thoroughly taught Leorino this lesson with this incident.

Leorino had tearfully asked what he meant to Gravis. Gravis already knew his answer.

But before that…there is a mystery to be solved.

As long as the secret Leorino was hiding lay between them, neither Leorino nor Gravis could move forward.

The key to the mystery lay in a certain red-haired young man.

Gravis gently stroked Leorino’s platinum hair.

“…Show me the secret inside you soon, won’t you?”

When he awoke, Leorino was lying in bed alone. A ray of the morning sun was bleeding through the heavy velvet drapery.

Right… Last night, I dozed off right then and there…?

He couldn’t remember falling asleep. He blinked several times as he lay there, trying to expel the drowsiness that had settled in the back of his eyeballs.

He must have cried far too much last night. He had just woken up, but there was a throbbing deep in his temples. His eyelids also felt heavy.

But despite his physical condition being far from good, his mind was strangely calm. The fury he had felt the previous night felt almost like a dream now. Enjoying the warmth of the bed, Leorino ruminated on the night’s events.

Gravis had told him to accept his power; that unless he agreed to live under Gravis’s protection, he would not be given any more freedom. With these words, Leorino finally learned the conditions for continuing his work at the Palace of Defense.

The Gravis Adolphe Fanoren from Ionia’s memories was nowhere to be found. In his place was a perfectly mature man who dominated Leorino with his overwhelming power and arrogance.

What little Leorino had left of his fighting spirit was crushed in Gravis’s grip. The lingering memory of the humiliation and arousal that Leorino had been subjected to was still smoldering deep inside his body.

The morning sun shining through the gap in the curtains slowly grew brighter. He lifted one arm to shield his eyes.

He wanted to enjoy the warmth of the bed a little longer.

Vi…

No matter how tightly Leorino closed his eyes, the image of Gravis burned into his eyelids would not disappear. The memory of Gravis’s flawless beauty appeared ever more vivid.

Leorino hated how pathetic he felt.

He had been so indignant at Gravis’s overbearing, self-righteous behavior. He had rejected Gravis’s touch, not wanting to rouse his oversensitive heart.

And yet, when he woke up after fainting from his immense daze, all that remained in his empty chest was a maddening, bittersweet joy.

No matter how much his heart resisted, Leorino could not refuse the touch of Gravis’s hand. Leorino was frightened and delighted all the same by the pleasure Gravis had forcefully poured into him.

He had felt it in his dreams many times, but they were only dreams at the end of the day. Experiencing it in real life was far too overwhelming.

Leorino had been so innocent that a larger man leaning on him was instinctively frightening, positive or negative feelings aside. But Gravis had also drowned Leorino in his sweetness and drank his in turn without mercy.

It was the first time in Leorino’s life that parts of his body reacted involuntarily.

What would have happened if he had not asked him to stop?

But I can’t push him away. I love that man… I’m in love with him.

The light shining through the gap in the drapes changed angles and finally fell on Leorino’s cheeks.

He had to get up.

No matter how much he didn’t want to deal with reality, the sun would rise and shine down on the earth, and soon the world would be covered by a starry night, and then morning would come again.

That was how it always went.

In Ionia’s life and in Leorino’s, no matter how difficult life got, the morning would always come.

That’s how he had made it this far, one day at a time.

That’s all I can do. I can only keep going.

Leorino slowly sat up, looking out for his injured hand.

He felt around his body, checking its condition. He had made it a habit since his injury. He was relieved to find that he was able to move without issue, even if he felt a slight ache in his limbs here and there.

Thanks to Josef, his wrist had been his only injury.

“Right…Josef…!”

Leorino reached for the curtain.

As if someone had been waiting for the right moment, the curtain was pulled away from the outside.

“Ah…”

The bright light assaulting his senses made him close his eyes.

“You’re awake.”

Leorino’s body shuddered at the sound of the deep, smooth voice.

“How do you feel? Any pain?”

But Leorino did not respond.

Self-conscious of what had happened the night before, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

“Leorino.”

When Gravis called his name, he felt compelled to reply. But more than anything, he felt awkward.

Leorino reluctantly reminded himself that it was expected of nobility to behave with respect to one’s status and decorum, even if it was toward the person who had been so mean to him last night.

“Good morning. I’m all right.”

His voice was hoarse and trembling. It betrayed his conflicting feelings about Gravis.

“Look at me.”

Leorino silently refused. He knew such behavior toward royalty was unacceptable, but he didn’t want Gravis to see his face when he had just woken up, especially when it was swollen from all his crying. Not to mention he hadn’t even bathed last night.

On the floor was a pair of small indoor shoes.

He glanced at them, and Gravis urged him to put them on.

Last night, in his agitation, Leorino had stomped barefoot down the hallway. In retrospect, he couldn’t believe his own outburst, wondering how he could have done such a thing.

He gratefully placed his feet in the shoes he had been given. As he tried to stand, Gravis supported him by the elbow. Instantly, he felt a twinge of rebellion, but in the end, Leorino accepted his hand.

In the absence of his attendant at his side, he was genuinely grateful for the support of Gravis’s hand. Leorino’s left leg would go numb without notice, and when he woke, his posture was unsteady, and he would stagger.

Despite the excessive care he was receiving from Gravis—a royal, no less—Leorino refused to look up.

He wouldn’t dare put it into words, but he wanted Gravis to know he wasn’t pleased with him. Leorino was completely unaware that this thought itself was already a sign he had accepted the man.

On the other hand, Gravis was laughing inwardly at his spoiled stubbornness. He found Leorino’s unwitting acceptance of him endlessly amusing.

After everything Gravis had told him yesterday, Leorino was still unconsciously trusting and relying on Gravis’s affection. He thought he was rebelling of his own volition, but in reality he was presuming on Gravis’s kindness, knowing instinctively that no matter how he behaved toward Gravis, Leorino would never be told off for it.

Though Leorino was angry at his own disability and frightened by him, Gravis couldn’t help but love the little bird that had begun to stretch his tiny wings in his arms.

“Heh… You must be embarrassed after crying in front of me.”

“…I—I am not!”

When Leorino looked up to glare at him reproachfully, Gravis smiled, looking very proud of himself indeed.

When their eyes met, Leorino winced, realizing he had already failed.

“Your eyes are swollen. Did I scare you last night?”

“…I’m fine. Yesterday, I…”

“You can spend the day at the Palace of Defense next to your guard. It will depend on his condition, but in any case, you’ll be going home today.”

“…Yes, sir.”

Gravis’s fingers grasped Leorino’s chin, and he caught his gaze. Leorino was puzzled, but didn’t look away and met Gravis’s eyes.

“…Have you calmed down yet? Are you still afraid of me? I didn’t think you’d cry in fear like that. I shouldn’t have yelled; I must have really scared you.”

Gravis was so gentle now, as if the events of last night had never happened.

Leorino nodded, accepting the man’s apology.

He was calm now and felt more embarrassed than anything.

In truth, he still felt a little like running away. Last night, he had been pushed to his mental limits. But when he considered his own feelings, he found that he didn’t really want to escape Gravis’s grasp.

Leorino had been scared, but he didn’t want to leave Gravis. It was a twisted feeling he found himself unable to control.

So he decided to be honest.

“I’m not afraid of you, sir…but you bring nothing but chaos to my heart. That’s what scares me.”

Leorino met Gravis’s gaze as he gave his levelheaded answer, and Gravis’s eyes seemed to smile. He must have been concerned about Leorino’s feelings in his own way.

“You seem better than I expected. I worried you’d be too scared of me to leave the bed. For someone who appears so delicate, you’re surprisingly bold.”

“…Like I just said, I am not afraid of you, sir.”

Leorino looked around the large room.

Gravis’s bedroom appeared the same as the previous night. It was decorated in solid midnight blues, teals, and golds, but with no extravagant ornamentation. Everything seemed simple and sturdy, but certainly of the highest quality.

That was when Leorino noticed something. He had been sleeping in the master bedroom. Leorino suddenly felt sorry for having driven the royal master of the palace out of his own bedroom.

Leorino gingerly looked up at Gravis, who did not appear to be particularly upset about this.

The entire palace with its dozens of rooms belonged to Gravis. Leorino dismissed his previous train of thought. He didn’t want to say something silly and get teased again.

Leaving the bedroom, he found himself in an even larger parlor.

“…Um, may I use your washroom?”

He remembered his physiological needs, but most of all, he couldn’t bear the thought that he hadn’t bathed since yesterday. He wanted to refresh himself at least a little.

Gravis nodded and pointed to the door on the opposite wall. Leorino thanked him and hurried to the washroom.

The moment he entered, Leorino gasped in awe.

It left him with no doubts that he was in a royal palace. The washroom alone also served as a dressing room and was large enough to easily fit Leorino’s room within its perimeter. It was incredibly spacious.

A door at the back led to a bathhouse fitted with natural stone from floor to ceiling.

The stone walls of the bathhouse glistened in the bright sun streaming in through the skylight. The large circular bathtub was filled to the brim with hot water despite the early hour, dense steam rising from its surface.

Leorino wanted to take a bath, but the bathhouse belonged to a royal, after all. For the time being, he settled for washing his face.

He washed his face with the water in the wash basin and groomed himself as best as he could. That alone made him feel considerably refreshed.

A small knock sounded on the door, and Theodor, Gravis’s valet, entered the room.

I see Theodor still looks as stern as ever.

“I have prepared a change of clothes for you, Lord Leorino. Please wear this today.”

The servant offered him a tightly folded military uniform and a brand-new shirt. He had also brought a pair of shoes. But how had he managed to get Leorino’s exact measurements when he had only arrived last night?

Pondering this, Leorino politely thanked Theodor as he promptly laid out Leorino’s clothes.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” asked Theodor.

“…Um, could I possibly use the bathhouse? I would like to take a bath,” Leorino asked, intimidated by the polite man. He wanted to get himself clean. He was also very curious about that huge bathhouse.

“Of course.”

“Thank you… And, um, could you please send someone to help me? My, um…my hand is injured…”

Under normal circumstances, Hundert, his full-time attendant, would help him bathe. Now that he had injured his left wrist, he needed all the more assistance.

He knew that it was a tall ask, but Theodor nodded and quickly disappeared.

Leorino breathed a sigh of relief.

In any case, he wanted his bath as quickly as possible. Hoping he could at least take off his shirt on his own, he eagerly made an attempt on the buttons.

That was when he heard the door to the bathroom open once more.

Theodor must have immediately sent a servant to assist him. Struggling with the buttons, Leorino addressed the servant.

“…I’m having some difficulty undressing. Could you help me?”

“I could.”

A deep smooth voice echoed in the washroom. Taken aback, Leorino instantly turned to face him.

A man dressed in a simple shirt and black trousers stood in the entrance to the washroom with his arms crossed.

“…? …S-sir, why—?”

Gravis approached him with large strides. Panicking, Leorino took a step back.

“You asked Theodor to find someone to help you bathe, didn’t you?”

“Yes. But… But—”

Gravis’s long arms reached for him, his hands finding their way to the buttons of Leorino’s shirt.

“W-wait, wait, please…!”

Leorino rushed to restrain his hand, but Gravis made quick work of the front of his shirt.

His fair skin lay exposed under the morning sun.

Leorino was dizzy with confusion and shame all at once.

How, why…?

Leorino looked up at Gravis in disbelief.

But the owner of the manly beauty far above his head still refused to let Leorino read his expression.

“I asked Theodor to send…a servant to attend to me! Wh-why would Your Excellency choose to do something like this…?”

Gravis cocked his head.

“Are you suggesting that I can’t do it? I usually bathe alone; I’m used to it by now.”

“Th-that’s not what I meant… You mustn’t. How could I ever allow Your Excellency to serve me…?!”

He felt dizzy.

Would Gravis, the country’s royalty and highest-ranking man in the army, seriously assist him in bathing?

Leorino frantically pulled the edges of his open shirt together. But as he held it down with his uninjured hand, the man undid the hook in the front of his trousers.

“Wha— Ah!”

Leorino immediately grabbed his large hand, but Gravis gently shook him off.

“Don’t use your injured hand.”

“But—”

“I don’t know what you’re expecting, but I won’t do anything.”

“I wasn’t…I wasn’t expecting anything!”

He realized he was being teased, but couldn’t help reacting. While his face was turning red with frustration, Gravis turned him around and stripped him of his trousers and underwear at the same time.

In no time at all, Leorino stood in front of Gravis in his birthday suit.

No! This is so…unbelievably embarrassing!

He didn’t mind if servants saw him naked.

But he couldn’t bear the thought of exposing his feeble nude body to the man he loved. If that wasn’t bad enough, the perfect body of this particular man was the envy of all.

“No! I-I’m embarrassed… I don’t want you to see my pathetic body…!”

Leorino desperately pushed Gravis away, his heart burning with shame.

“You have nothing to be ashamed of. Size aside, my body and yours are the same.”

That was a technicality.

Leorino frantically tried to cover himself up, but his resistance was in vain, and before he knew it, he was being led into the bathhouse. Gravis asked Leorino to sit on a step at the edge of the bathtub, and suddenly poured hot water over his head.

“Pfft…”

Leorino brushed away the hair sticking to his face and looked up at Gravis, who only mercilessly poured more hot water over him. His large hand brushed back Leorino’s wet platinum hair.

The rising steam turned Gravis’s hair and clothes damp before Leorino’s eyes. Combing back his dripping wet hair, Gravis revealed his prominent forehead.

The gold in Gravis’s eyes was shimmering. Leorino’s heart skipped a beat at the beauty of his eyes reflecting the morning sun.

“Sir…”

The still-glowing ember in Leorino’s abdomen was slowly beginning to smolder inside him.

Leorino was trying his hardest to shrink away from Gravis’s gaze.

“I wasn’t planning on playing your attendant, but then again, I would never allow a servant meeting you for the first time to touch your naked body. This is my palace, after all.”

Having said that, Gravis seemed very pleased as he watched Leorino’s fair, snow-white skin slowly flush pink before him.

“…Were you planning to expose your beautiful body to a man other than me in such a vulnerable state?”

Tears began welling in Leorino’s large eyes.

“Come, I thought you were feeling better, no need to cry. You’re all right, relax.”

Inspecting Leorino’s naked body, Gravis bit back his disappointment.

…Of course, it’s not there.

Gravis ran his fingers along Leorino’s slender midsection. Leorino shivered. The fair, china-like skin glistened as the hot water slid off it, but the mark Gravis was searching for was nowhere to be found.

He recalled the night of the graduation ceremony, the one and only night when he and Ionia had made love.

Ionia had been pursuing his own pleasure in Gravis’s embrace. On that moving body of his, a scar stretched from his stomach to his back, a mark from when he had been pierced by a sword.

The scar was proof he had protected Gravis.

They had placed their hands on the scar and rocked their hips for so long that they could both feel the other’s pleasure.

Gravis’s fingers could still remember the bumpy texture of that scar.

If there had been even the slightest trace of that mark on Leorino’s fair skin, how much clearer could the path to the truth have been. Gravis had never truly given up hope.

Life can never be that easy, can it?

“Sir…?”

Leorino was puzzled by Gravis’s behavior.

Leorino would surely feel humiliated if he learned of the man’s true purpose. Not even Gravis could muster enough gross disregard for Leorino’s dignity to forcefully strip him naked and then act disappointed when he couldn’t find anything that looked like Ionia’s mark on his body.

“…Sir, I’m embarrassed to be seen by you like this. I don’t want you to see my…my infirm body.”

Leorino’s desperate attempts to hide his slender body inspired feelings of guilt and pity in Gravis.

“Why not? Your body is gorgeous. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

He meant every word. Leorino’s body was beautiful.

“But it’s…it’s not the body of a warrior.”

“Perhaps not, but the same could be said about many men. Why do you always seem so concerned about that?”

“I understand that…but…”

Gravis could not comprehend why Leorino was ashamed of his body.

He may have been small, especially in comparison to Gravis who was larger than most men, but his height was average at worst. He may have lacked breadth, but his shoulders were well defined, and his limbs were particularly slender and gracefully long.

He also had muscles, however faint, where they should be, likely a product of his exercises. His waist was so thin that Gravis felt he could fit it in one hand, but he was not nearly as unsightly as he seemed to believe he was.

Perhaps he wasn’t masculine, that much was true.

“Have you ever grown a beard?”

“…A beard…?”

Leorino contemplated Gravis’s question.

Gravis chuckled, realizing how foolish of a question it was.

He lifted Leorino’s arm and peered into the young man’s armpit. That area was as regrettably smooth as his chin.

It must have been simply his natural disposition. He certainly possessed the features of a man, but he could hardly be described as manly.

Not only was what little body hair he had a bright platinum color, almost the entirety of it was vellus hair. His pubic hair was so modest that one could easily see the skin beneath.

Leorino himself may not have been happy about it, but his entire body was fair and smooth, like a porcelain doll.

…No, he’s no doll.

His nipples were small and pale, in clear proof that no one had ever touched them. Beneath the clump of soft hair, his genitals rested innocently.

Every part of Leorino’s body was smooth and fit comfortably in Gravis’s hands. It was perfectly pure, and yet exuded a hint of eroticism that roused Gravis’s carnal desires.

It was a living, breathing, sinful body.

When Gravis slowly lifted Leorino’s left leg, Leorino’s body stiffened.

Extending from his small knee down his fair shin ran a straight line of scars and marks left by stitches that reached all the way down to his ankle.

It was the scar he had received six years ago.

Back when he was treating Leorino, Sasha had said the bones in the left leg were broken below the knee, and the tendons had been damaged. The scar was irregular, likely because the broken bones had pierced his skin.

“…This is from the wound from that day?”

“Yes.”

Gravis gently traced the scar with his fingers. The thin skin was bumpy in places and indented in others, lacking smoothness.

It looked very similar to the scar on Ionia’s belly.

Gravis stroked the scar once more.

“…If only I had been able to reach you in time, you wouldn’t have had to suffer such a horrible injury.”

“Please… If you hadn’t immediately brought me to Brungwurt, I would not be here now, sir. That’s what my father and Sasha always told me.”

Gravis smiled at Leorino’s gratitude.

It was the only flaw in his perfectly beautiful body. And yet there was nothing ugly about it at all.

If things hadn’t gone as well as they had, the leg might have been amputated. Now it was strong enough to walk. It wasn’t as sturdy as his right leg, but it had regained its muscle. What more was there to ask for?

But more than anything, Leorino must have invested a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to have been able to make such an incredible recovery.

“The scars may be ugly, but…”

“How could they ever be ugly? I’m impressed you can walk after such a serious injury. You’ve worked very hard.”

There was nothing sexual about Gravis’s fingers as he traced the scars. Leorino had relaxed and allowed the man access to his leg.

“…Thank you. Dr. Sasha and my family also helped me a lot. Thanks to them, I am now able to walk… I’m really grateful. Although I…I can’t run anymore.”

“Who says you need to run? Walking is more than enough. I can’t remember the last time I ran myself.”

Leorino smiled faintly at the man’s words.

“That’s because of your Power, sir… You have even less need for running than me.”

“My Power grows stronger with age. I can travel all across the country without breaking a sweat… Come to think of it, I don’t ride my horse much, either.”

“I envy you. I would love to be able to go anywhere without depending on anyone.”

Gravis smiled.

“You envy my power, hm…? No one’s ever told me that so forthrightly.”

“Really? I think everyone envies you.”

“You don’t have to envy me. You can go anywhere you please as well, even if you have to walk slower than most people, on your own two feet.”

“Yes, sir…”

“You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

Gravis’s expression didn’t change, but there was a soft glow deep in his eyes as he gazed at Leorino.

This meant the world to Leorino.

“So stop deprecating yourself by comparing the fragility of your body to others. You are beautiful. So is the scar on your leg, and so is every other part of you. Be confident.”

“Yes, sir…”

“When I said I didn’t want anyone else to see you like this, I meant it. Don’t expose your beautiful body to anyone.”

“…Yes, sir. But I think at least my full-time attendant will still have to see me,” Leorino retorted quietly.

Gravis nodded with a small smile, saying he could accept that.

Gravis plunged a wooden bucket into the tub, scooping up the hot water with a loud splash.

“Come, I’ll wash your hair. Now put your head down and close your eyes.”

“…To think Your Excellency would go out of your way to help me like this… You will surely get in trouble.”

“Get in trouble with whom? I want to take care of you, what’s the issue? Just sit there and humor me.”

Gravis generously poured warm water over Leorino’s now-lowered head. Unlike Leorino’s attendant, Gravis’s hands were a little rough, but free of any sexual intent, allowing Leorino to relax and comply.

Spilling shampoo on his palm, Gravis rubbed it into the soft platinum-colored locks until it formed a fluffy lather. The platinum hair seemed to disappear into the white foam, and soon the foam itself seemed to glow.

He scrubbed Leorino’s head with his large hands. As he put some strength into it, as if he were washing his own head, he heard a moan. He saw Leorino’s small head visibly swaying.

Gravis immediately eased the pressure in his fingertips.

He poured hot water over Leorino’s head several times to swiftly remove the foam, revealing the contours of his shapely scalp.

Leorino’s forehead was streaked with shiny, wet hair. Gravis ran his fingers through it. When he brushed Leorino’s bangs back to clear his vision, Leorino’s eyes lit up with gratitude as he smiled.

Gravis’s heart was instantly filled to the brim with love for the young man behaving as obediently as a baby bird.

“…You’re truly…”

“Sir…?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Gravis combed his long fingers through Leorino’s wet bangs once more. He also stroked Leorino’s smooth forehead with his thumb. Leorino’s face, which had already been tinged pink, turned a bright red.

“Time to wash the rest of you.”

He urged Leorino to turn around. His fair back was exposed before Gravis’s eyes.

The contours of his spine extending from his slender neck. His symmetrical shoulder blades. The fair, smooth skin stretching from the narrow waist to his soft buttocks. He looked so delicate and beautiful that Gravis hesitated to touch him.

And still, the mark was nowhere to be found.

Gravis swiftly washed Leorino’s body. Feeling Gravis nearly reach his genitals, Leorino refused his hand, his face red, insisting that he could manage alone.

He began to scrub his body with one hand, though he wasn’t very good at it.

When Leorino was fully covered in bubbles, Gravis ordered him to get into the bathtub.

Leorino eagerly submerged his body in the tub and let the bubbles dissolve. The remaining bubbles floating on the surface drifted away with the overflowing water. Finally, he could catch his breath.

“Don’t put your left wrist in the water. It’ll hurt if exposed to heat.”

Gravis’s shirt was soaking wet.

“You’re soaked, sir… I’m sorry.”

Leorino apologized, but Gravis did not seem to be bothered as he left the bathhouse.

Leorino breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed in the bathtub. With his entire body concealed in the hot water, he was finally able to unwind completely.

That was so…so nerve-racking…!

He would have never imagined that a royal like Gravis would help him bathe, let alone wash his entire body; perish the thought.

Unlike Leorino’s servants, Gravis’s hands were rough, but he didn’t sense any sexual intent in Gravis’s touch.

If anyone found out that he had Gravis wash his body, Leorino would be in major trouble. But Gravis had ordered him not to show his body even to his servants. With one of his hands incapacitated, he had no choice but to rely on Gravis.

Leorino dunked his face in the hot water and ruminated on what he had just experienced. His heart had been in a state of constant turmoil since the previous day. Just when he thought everything had finally calmed down, he found himself in this impossible situation.

As his thumping heartbeat gradually slowed, Leorino realized that he was disappointed.

Despite his fear, somewhere deep inside, he had been hoping that those long, graceful fingers would perhaps dare to do unspeakable things to him.

“I’m so self-conscious, it’s embarrassing…”

He had been afraid of what happened last night, but in the end, he had taken pleasure in it.

That made him feel pathetic.

He just barely managed to keep the heat from building in his abdomen with each touch of Gravis’s fingers. It was no wonder, as he wasn’t used to physical contact.

Leorino was a man, too, and had all the desires expected of one.

He had been horrified at the thought that his body might react to Gravis’s touch.

At the same time, he was genuinely relieved to see the faint excitement in Gravis’s gaze. If he had looked at Leorino’s feeble body with pity, he would have only hated himself even more than he already did.

He looked to his scars. The pink mark on his fair leg looked even more grotesque in the hot water.

He remembered the feeling of Gravis’s fingers gently stroking the ugly scars.

“…He told me I worked very hard.”

He felt like those words alone made it all worth it.

It was the same last night.

He had never been able to share his frustration with anyone.

Gravis accepted Leorino’s anguish, which he had never even told his family about.

“You must accept your own weakness,” Gravis had said. Leorino was scared to believe him and accept his words, but there was hope there, too.

…If I told him I was Ionia reincarnated…would he believe me? Would he be disappointed?

Leorino grew ever more hopeful that Gravis might be willing to accept him as he is.

The door to the bathhouse opened and Gravis called: “Leorino, your wrist will hurt. Come out already.”

“Y-yes, sir…!”

Some time must have passed as he was lost in thought.

Leorino quickly looked up. Gravis watched him with some exasperation as he blew bubbles in the water. Perhaps Gravis thought he was childish. Leorino’s flushed face turned even redder.

The next instant, Leorino’s eyes widened.

A large cloth was spread out in Gravis’s hands.

He couldn’t possibly allow Gravis to play the role of his attendant any longer. But what else was there to do?

“Come, we don’t have all day.”

“Y-yes, sir…”

He couldn’t exactly just stand there naked forever.

In the end, Gravis wrapped him in the piece of fabric he had been holding.

“…Choosing to walk right into my embrace? That’s a good sign.”

“…Sir?”

Leorino tilted his head and Gravis laughed quietly, saying it was nothing.

Gravis’s somewhat rough hands wiped the water droplets off Leorino’s skin. When he was mostly dry, Gravis picked him up, the fabric still around him.

Returning to the washroom, Gravis brought him to the large settee where he sat Leorino down.

“Wait here. I’ll go wash myself now.”

“Oh?”

Gravis swiftly removed his wet clothes, unabashedly revealing his robust muscles, and disappeared into the bathhouse.

Leorino was left alone on the settee, dumbfounded. He was overwhelmed by the sight of Gravis’s nude body in all its splendor.

He seems so much bigger than I remember. His arms and legs are so thick, so sumptuous…

Gravis had trained his body to perfection, as evidenced by his rippling muscles, making him the epitome of the word handsome. He was breathtakingly beautiful.

“Hah…”

Leorino glanced down at his own body before he could help it. Although Gravis called him beautiful, he was depressingly skinny and helpless in comparison.

Leorino patiently waited on the settee. How long would he have to stay naked? Given the warm season, he wasn’t exactly cold, but there was no sign of an attendant coming to help him get dressed.

At that moment, Leorino had an epiphany.

“…N-no, he wouldn’t.”

He worried that Gravis was planning to help him get dressed, too.

He decided he would do his best to dress himself on his own, and searched for the clothes that had been laid out for him. Even with an injured wrist, he could still move his fingers.

Leorino stood up, the fabric still wrapped around his naked body, and headed for the clothes.

“…Huh?”

The set of clothes he had received was missing any undergarments.

Leorino was at a loss.

That was when he noticed a lovely scent rising from the fabric covering his body. Leorino sniffed it.

“This smell…”

The scent was like the bark of a tree towering over frozen earth, an exciting fragrance tinged with something animalistic on a slightly damp winter’s night.

It was a noble, enigmatic, complex scent—a scent he had come to know and love before he could help it.

It’s Vi’s scent… But why?

It was then that he realized something with a start. Leorino sniffed at his arms.

The smell was coming from his own body. Of course. It must have been the scent of Gravis’s bespoke soap.

“I…I smell the same as Vi now…!”

Leorino’s entire body flushed with unspeakable embarrassment. He couldn’t help the silly thought that it was almost like being embraced by Gravis. And with such unseemly thoughts, Leorino’s body became even hotter.

“…Huh?”

Leorino noticed something had changed about his body.

“Wait, wait. No, not now, don’t be stupid…!”

His skin was growing hot under the fabric. As he began sweating, the scent grew ever stronger. The desire he had managed to stifle during his bath slowly made itself known under the influence of Gravis’s scent. Leorino was beginning to panic.

“No, stop… Idiot! Stop reacting!”

He pressed down on his stiffening flesh from on top of the fabric in admonishment, but his inexperienced body reacted to that stimulus and asserted itself even further.

He rushed back to the settee and cowered on it.

Leorino wanted to cry.

His young body grew hotter at the slightest movement, at the same time intensifying the scent that got him so excited in the first place.

As he sat there, Leorino’s arousal had grown to the point of no return.

What now…? What do I do…?

That was when Gravis returned from the bathhouse, with a “Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Leorino’s gaze turned dark with despair.

Gravis swiftly wiped his wet body and wrapped the fabric around his waist. Leaving his muscular torso carelessly exposed, he quickly began to dress himself.

Leorino watched him in a daze.

But why was Leorino still naked when he had left the bath before Gravis?

“Come, Leorino. I’ll dress you.”

Gravis finally turned to him. His pronounced muscles were peeking through the gap in his unbuttoned shirt. Leorino could clearly see everything, from his toned abdominal muscles to the hair on his lower abdomen, only partially hidden by his undergarments.

Gravis’s immense sex appeal made Leorino incredibly dizzy.

“What’s wrong? Come,” beckoned Gravis, but there were circumstances that prevented Leorino from moving from the settee.

“I… Um…”

His body had calmed down a little, but he was still in no condition to walk. Leorino did not possess the skill to quell or hide his arousal.

Leorino cast his eyes down, trying to distract himself from the man.

Right, Josef is waiting for me…!

“What are you doing?”

“Hyah!” Leorino jumped with an embarrassing scream when Gravis suddenly appeared beside him.

“What’s wrong? You’re acting strange. Was the bath too hot for you?”

“I… Um…”

Gravis knelt in front of the settee and combed his hand through Leorino’s damp hair. Gravis’s fingers grazing his skin only excited him further. Leorino trembled violently at his touch.

The man’s body was so close to Leorino now, and his sweet, tormenting scent was thick on him. Feeling his body temperature rise, Leorino shrank away.

Unlike Gravis, Leorino was still completely naked, wrapped only in the thin fabric.

Leorino’s body ached. He felt beyond miserable. The morning sun shone down on him through the washroom window.

In broad daylight of all times! I’m such a deviant…!

Gravis’s bare chest tempted him with its enticing smell.

Following the strange urge, Leorino reached for Gravis’s chest. Feeling the need to hide the source of what was driving him crazy, Leorino brought his fingers to the edges of Gravis’s shirt and suddenly began to button it.

“…What exactly are you doing?”

Gravis cocked his head at Leorino’s strange behavior.

“Y-your shirt is undone, sir… I wanted to help.”

But Leorino’s fingers were not used to helping people, even when his wrist wasn’t injured, and already struggled with the first button.

Gravis sighed.

“You don’t have to do it.”

Leorino’s fingers were scrambling but not producing any results, when Gravis finally held them, putting his attempts to a stop.

“That’s Theodor’s job. My valet seems to have his own special way of styling my clothes.”

“I—I see… Then I had better let Mr. Theodor handle that.”

“More importantly, you’re still naked. We should get you dressed already. Don’t use your injured hand. Come now, stand up.”

At the sight of the hand gently urging him to get up, Leorino finally resigned himself to his fate. Without lifting his gaze, he managed to address his current predicament.

“…I’m very sorry. I can’t get up right now.”

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

“No… I’m, uh… I—”

Gravis frowned. “I told you not to stutter.”

Tears finally began to well in Leorino’s eyes at the rebuke.

“Leorino.”

But Leorino said nothing.

“…What’s wrong?”

Gravis finally noticed that something was different about Leorino.

At closer inspection, Gravis noticed that his entire body was fidgeting in agony. His face, neck, and shoulders peeking out of the fabric were also flushed.

Leorino’s eyes were tearful and his breathing shallow. There was also his gaze, looking up at Gravis in a somewhat pleading manner. Something sensual was hidden within.

That was when Gravis realized the predicament Leorino was in.

“You’re aroused, aren’t you?”

He didn’t mean to tease him, but Leorino’s face turned red at his words, and he hung his head, looking as if he was about to burst into tears.

“I-I’m sorry…”

He wilted in embarrassment. He looked pitiful and precious all the same.

“Ah… Sir!”

Gravis sat himself down next to Leorino and lifted his body onto his lap. He held Leorino from behind so as not to embarrass him, but Leorino still shrank away, unhappy even with that position.

“What happened? Was my washing you that exciting?”

“N-no, sir…”

“You must be quite pent up. Well, you are eighteen. At that age, anything vaguely shaped like a human body will get you all hot and bothered.”

“Pent…? No, sir…! I was just sitting here, and I realized I smell like you… It just happened.”

“Smell?”

Leorino nodded timidly.

“…I was missing some clothes, so I had to wait here like this…and then…”

“Hmm. Then what?”

“I was still naked, and I got the impression my body smelled the same as Your Excellency, so I sniffed it and…I was right, so my body began feeling hot and then…and then I ended up like this.”

Gravis looked up to the heavens in disbelief. Quickly, he covered his mouth to conceal his expression.

The young man had just shyly admitted that he lusted after Gravis’s scent.

“I’m sorry… There must be something wrong with me.”

With no concern for Gravis’s growing possessiveness, Leorino complained about his predicament, his voice ridden with guilt. Such nonsense.

Gravis brought his nose to the soft skin of Leorino’s neck and inhaled. Leorino’s thin body trembled at the man’s warmth.

Leorino did indeed smell like the soap Gravis always used. It was blended with his own unique fragrance.

“…You’re right, you smell just like me. It’s a nice scent when mixed with your own.”

“Yes, well…”

Leorino was covered in his scent now. This fact brought Gravis immense satisfaction. The familiar scent mixed with Leorino’s own lush flowery fragrance smelled divine.

The smell was so delicious that Gravis pressed his lips to Leorino’s beautifully long neck before he could think better of it.

“Ah…”

His freshly washed skin was sweeter than Gravis had imagined. Not to mention unbelievably soft.

Could such skin really belong to a man?

As Gravis tasted Leorino’s pale skin with his lips with no hint of hesitation, Leorino began to panic.

“Your Excellency! Sir! Please…!”

“…What’s wrong?”

“Sir, if you could just give me a moment, I would like to, um…d-deal with this.”

Is he begging me to let him jerk off here?

Do I even need to say it… He’s unbelievable.

Gravis couldn’t take it any longer and nuzzled his face against Leorino’s thin shoulder to stifle a laugh. How pure, how naive could he be?

“Oh, I can’t keep up with you, can I?”

“I’m so… Sir, I’m…I’m sorry.”

Gravis’s strained laugh dismayed Leorino.

“Leorino, I may be quite a bit older than you, but I’m not that old.”

“Y-yes… Uh? Old, sir…?”

“Did you think that if you asked me to let you ‘deal with it’ with that pretty mouth of yours, I would just sit back and let you relieve yourself alone?”

“Huh? …S-sir…? Wai—”

The next moment, Gravis lightly covered Leorino’s lips with his own.

“…?”

He twisted around and laid Leorino down on the settee. His nearly dry platinum hair fanned out across the seat.

Leorino’s eyes—a mixture of lust, confusion, and fear—looked up at Gravis in a silent question.

“Open your legs.”

“Ah… Wh—”

Gravis spread Leorino’s knees and settled himself between them.

“Wh-why…?”

Gravis was very careful not to put any weight on Leorino’s weak legs. Although, even aside from his disability, it would be easy for a man as large as Gravis to crush Leorino’s slender body if he leaned on him without thought.

“This position is so embarrassing!”

Leorino suddenly began to resist. He really had been raised to be docile.

Now that they were this close, Gravis could feel it touching his abdomen. Indeed, Leorino had gotten quite firm under the fabric. Leorino was unconsciously rocking his hips against Gravis even as he struggled to escape.

“Ah, I can feel how hard you are. Hah, must be nice to be so young.”

“Ahh… Wait.”

When Gravis ground his hips against Leorino, his violet eyes clearly moistened with lust.

“Sir…I can manage on my own…!”

“You really think I’d leave you alone in this state?”

Leorino shook his head from side to side in fear.

He attempted escape, but of course, Gravis had no intention of letting him go.

Gravis pulled down the fabric covering Leorino’s chest to reveal the fair skin beneath.

“…Wh-what are you doing?”

His nipples were tucked away in the pale areola above his slightly tensed pectoral muscles. They were so small that Gravis couldn’t even hold them between his fingers, their color even lighter than Leorino’s lips.

Gravis rubbed them with the pads of his thumbs, hoping to rouse them to a more accessible size.

“Wait… Ah!”

Gravis licked his neck, at the same time gently stimulating both areolas, causing Leorino’s small head to shake. But, paying him no mind, Gravis toyed with them a little harder, and soon the small, soft buds began to stiffen and make their presence known.

Pulling away from Leorino’s body and gazing down at his chest, Gravis saw that the areolas had swollen and his small nipples were eagerly standing at attention. Gravis couldn’t help noticing how sensitive Leorino’s body was and figured it would certainly be worth exploring.

“They’re small, but still nice and receptive.”

As Gravis rubbed Leorino’s nipples in a circular motion, Leorino gasped quietly and arched his back.

“Ahh, wh-why…? Why there?”

“Touching you here should make you feel good down there, too. Just enjoy it.”

“Sir, that area is, um, not really relevant right now… What I’m struggling with is, as you may have noticed, a little lower. You know, my… Mmph.”

Leorino looked like he was about to cry when he very nearly said something scandalous.

“…That’s quite enough.”

“Nn! …Hng…”

Gravis descended upon Leorino’s lips.

He wasted no time, using his tongue mercilessly, licking and lapping at the places he had learned Leorino enjoyed last night, flooding them with pleasure.

After a few moments of Gravis’s elaborate tongue work, Leorino’s body completely relaxed. His arousal pressing into Gravis’s abdomen was so hard now that they couldn’t turn back if they tried. The way he unconsciously rubbed himself against the fabric in hopes of obtaining any stimulation was adorably lewd.

Gravis had intended only to offhandedly give him some pleasure to offer him release, but Leorino’s innocent submissiveness stirred something inside him and made Gravis want to touch him in earnest.

Gravis whispered in his deep voice.

“Look, you don’t need to say anything.”

“Sir…”

“Just enjoy yourself and it’ll be over in no time. You’ve got nothing to be afraid of.”

Having been ravaged by Gravis so thoroughly, Leorino’s lips struggled to form any coherent words. His thoughts also seemed to dissolve in a blur of pleasure, and Leorino looked at the man absentmindedly with dazed eyes. The sight filled Gravis’s heart with love.

His own body was beginning to share Leorino’s arousal, but Gravis clenched his teeth and held himself back.

It had been eighteen years since he had felt this affectionate lust for anyone.

Am I betraying Ionia?

Gravis thought what he had felt for Ionia was a once-in-a-lifetime love.

He had thought that his fixation on Ionia, too maddening to truly call love, had died on that day eighteen years ago, tearing out the only tender parts of his heart.

But hopelessly yearning for Leorino in his arms, he couldn’t lie to his heart.

I love him. I love him more than I can say.

This feeling was so clear now that Gravis felt foolish for continuing to search for traces of Ionia in Leorino.

Gravis scoffed at himself. Perhaps this affection was a pardon for the crimes his heart had subconsciously prepared for him.

But that’s fine. I want to make this soft, sweet young man mine already.

Should I take him here and now?

But just as he thought that, Leorino’s unblemished abdomen caught his eye.

“Hah…”

The image of the red-haired young man bleeding profusely from his stomach flashed across Gravis’s mind.

Leorino ferociously fueled his love and possessive nature. At the same time, Gravis still held onto his unfulfilled desire to find out the truth.

His lust was ready to run out of control, but his rationality held him back just in time.

“Not yet, Leorino. I won’t steal you away just yet.”

“Nn… Ah.”

But what would Gravis do when he arrived at the truth? Would it change anything when his heart pined for Leorino so much?

Leorino… When I’m finally able to say that I love you for who you are with complete certainty, that’s when…

That’s when he would beg for Leorino’s love with all the words he could find. He would never again be at the mercy of fate. He was different now.

He made his own fate now.

He would not make the same mistakes he had made in the past.

“…I haven’t told you anything. So I will not steal you away yet.”

“…Sir?”

“Do keep your pretty mouth shut—don’t make me lose my head any further.”

Tears spilling from his eyes, Leorino nodded and placed his fist in front of his mouth.

The gesture nearly burned away Gravis’s reason all over again.

This time, he brought his fingers directly to Leorino’s arousal, waiting for release under the fabric.

Leorino arched his back, accepting the pleasure he was being given. His turgid member spilled drop after clear drop, desperately longing for the moment of release brought about by Gravis’s fingers.

Before long, Leorino’s small fist was not enough to contain the sweet moans escaping his mouth.

In terms of time, it may have been just a few moments. But for Leorino, it was like being tossed about by a storm.

For the first time in his life, Leorino learned the sensation of being driven to climax by a hand other than his own.

A large hand gripped around him gently urged him to spill his seed. All the while, Gravis kissed him on his panting lips, his trembling shoulders, and his swollen nipples. He felt like he was going to melt from the waist down.

Leorino’s ragged breathing slowly returned to normal. Gravis’s fingers had been stroking his cheek, but finally pulled away.

In a daze, Leorino followed the man’s back with his gaze.

Gravis returned with a hand towel. Leorino lifted his leaden arms to stop Gravis’s hand from reaching out to clean his body. The realization of his own foolishness returned to Leorino along with his reason, coming to haunt him with regret.

“…I can do it myself. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“All right.”

Leorino slowly sat up. He endured the shame as he silently wiped the wet area with the towel he received.

His whole body was still filled with a sweet numbness. The sensation of being touched in a sexual manner by the hands of another in real life was incredibly intense.

Leorino hid his nudity, wrapping the fabric around his body. He was grateful that Gravis left him alone, only watching him without saying a word.

“Leorino, I arranged a change of clothes for you. Can you dress yourself alone? Oh…but before that.”

Gravis approached Leorino with his graceful, weightless gait once more. In his hand he held a compress and a bandage.

“Let’s get you patched up. Here, give me your hand.”

“Of course… Thank you.”

Leorino offered Gravis his hand. After covering the injured area with a medicine-infused compress, Gravis deftly wrapped it with the bandage.

Leorino thought Gravis used to be more royal, somehow.

He wondered absentmindedly what had changed Gravis, why he was so eager to take care of him.

As Gravis wrapped the bandage neatly around his wrist, Leorino’s mind had calmed.

No matter how many years had passed, Gravis’s flawless beauty had not waned with age at all. If anything, he had only matured, his masculine beauty veritably radiant. But Leorino already knew that when Gravis smiled, small wrinkles appeared in the corners of his eyes.

Leorino and Ionia were not the same person.

Leorino felt that they were two separate people living very different lives, even if they were connected through memories played back in his dreams.

But his soul could be doomed to remain forever trapped because of the man before him.

I love him. He’s special. He always will be…

Gravis was royalty. He was also the symbol of Fanoren’s power.

Leorino was born a nobleman. He was fortunate enough to meet Gravis again, and happened to be able to stay in his vicinity. That was all there was to it. Leorino had no special powers and could not fight in the royal army. If he were to fall in love with Gravis, those feelings would never amount to anything.

But even so…if Gravis has even the slightest fondness for me…

I want to be there for him. I have only one wish: Let me be by your side until my dying breath. This desire welled in Leorino’s heart.

It didn’t matter if the feeling wasn’t mutual. He only wanted a pretext to stay by Gravis’s side forever.

…If I told him I have Ionia’s memories, would he let me stay by his side like he did back then?

With equal parts hope and worry in his eyes, Leorino peered at the man imploringly. Sensing Leorino’s gaze, Gravis looked up.

Their eyes met.

Leorino’s hidden desire turned into a storm inside him, demanding release. He couldn’t contain his feelings.

“Sir…”

Leorino finally opened his throat, nearly gasping for breath.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Yes?”

“You may think I’m crazy. But the truth is, I…”

Gravis’s eyes glowed gold as he silently waited for Leorino to finish.

…Please accept it. Please believe me.

Leorino desperately tried to squeeze out the words, his throat tight with nerves.

“Sir, I—I have…”

A sharp knock sounded in the parlor. The tension that had been building between them immediately snapped. Leorino was brought back to reality all at once, as if doused with cold water.

“Your Highness, it is nearly time.” Theodor stood in the doorway. “Lord Leorino, we must get you dressed as well. His Highness is very busy and has very little time.”

“…Y-yes, of course. I apologize.”

When Leorino pulled back in a panic, at that moment, Gravis tightly squeezed his fingers.

“…?”

“Theodor, leave.”

Gravis watched Leorino with horribly serious eyes. Leorino’s heart was pounding.

“Out, now!”

At Gravis’s command, the door closed instantly.

Once more, they were alone. Leorino’s heart thumped away in his chest.

“What were you going to say?”

Gravis squeezed his hand tightly. He wasn’t holding back his strength now.

“…Ow.”

“Leorino, tell me. What were you going to say?”

But Leorino only silently shook his head.

The courage that had been swelling in his chest was instantly popped by the needle known as reality.

Gravis urged him to continue with a stern expression.

“Leorino, say it.”

“It’s nothing. We should be leaving, it seems… I apologize for wasting your time.”

With that, Leorino kept his eyes firmly on the floor and did not look up.

Gravis finally gave in.

He heaved one heavy sigh, trying to hold back his raging emotions.

“…You’re right. We’re out of time.”

Gravis stood up.

Leorino quietly bit his lip as the man’s warmth pulled away from him.

“Do you need help getting dressed?”

“…Thank you. I’ll be all right. I might only need a servant to help me with the buttons.” Leorino answered in a firm voice, his eyes still downcast.

He couldn’t embarrass himself any further. After the intense confusion and pleasure Gravis had brought him, it was time to return to reality.

His life as Leorino would continue. As a son of the Cassieux family, he couldn’t escape the yoke of his duty.

“Leorino, let’s speak more some other time. I’ll see you soon.”

With that, Gravis turned on his heel.

Nodding at his back, Leorino regained hope.

One day, he might have the opportunity to confess his secret.

When that day came, he would have the courage to reveal that he possessed Ionia Bergund’s memories.

Then he would plead with Gravis to let him stay by his side, insisting that he would make himself useful to the best of his ability.

Leorino set his sights on his goal.

Gravis stifled his irritation and headed for the valet waiting for him in his bedroom.

Leorino had wanted to say something.

He was dying to know what it was, but Theodor must have already refrained from interrupting them for as long as it was feasible. It was true, Gravis had no time to spare.

Theodor had prepared everything and waited in silence. Gravis approached, nodded, and the man promptly began preparing his master for the day ahead.

Under normal circumstances, it had been the job of the fitter to dress Gravis for the day. But ever since an assassin had disguised himself as a fitter when Gravis was still a young boy, Theodor had taken on the responsibility.

The valet deftly inserted Gravis’s shirt into his trousers and buttoned it up so that the contours of his perfect muscular body would show.