“The beast then said, ‘Do not rely on me. My sharp claws will end up hurting you.’ The beast laughed, his concealed claws hidden behind his back. But, alas, the princess still continued to cry…”
I turned the picture book. As I glanced towards the next line on the page, I heard a snore.
The thin girl’s stomach gently rose up and down as her eyes were closed, her head burrowed into her pillow. Just a few moments ago, she was so eager for me to read the book, eyes shining with excitement, but she ended up escaping into dreamland in no time.
I quietly closed the book with a smile.
After pulling the blanket up to the girl’s shoulders, I softly pushed her hair away from her face. The girl didn’t seem like she would wake from her peaceful slumber any time soon. The fever from a few days ago felt like a lie.
I enjoyed looking at her healthy face and gently kissed her forehead.
“Goodnight and sweet dreams.”
I raised the lamp and quietly opened the door.
The air outside immediately enveloped my body as I went through. It was easier to move around during the day when it was hotter, but now, the humid night air soaking my hair and skin was much less pleasant.
I silently closed the door behind me and started walking.
It was so bright tonight that one could walk without the help of a lamp. When I looked up, the gleaming moon stared back through the cloudless night sky.
“A full moon…”
The pale, cream-coloured object looked so different from the one I saw back at the castle. Perhaps it was because the surroundings differed from what I was used to, or maybe the fact that I was terribly homesick.
The faces of everyone at the castle came to my mind, including Leonhard’s, who I met only a few days before.
I wonder if he had reached the royal capital by now? Since we were in a rush for time, I hope he took a proper rest.
I wonder if you’re alright.
…I want to see you again.
And so, my mind pondered away. Everyone was trying their best, but here I was all by myself.
I stopped my feet and glanced at the moon again in a sigh.
‘Let’s not dwell on useless things,’ I scolded myself.
Rustle. A noise from the bushes pulled me back from my thoughts.
“!?”
I pointed the lamp towards the bush.
There should be nobody around.
Many of the exhausted Kua’s were currently sleeping while the rest patiently tended to the villagers, and most knights of the western front were sick and receiving treatment. In other words, there should be no one taking a stroll in the night like this.
Even if someone were to be here, they wouldn’t come near the forest for fear of contracting the disease in the first place.
The area quieted down, and only sounds of insects and disturbed leaves echoed in the distance.
My heart began to pound.
Rustle, rustle. Even more noises now. The sound continued, like something was walking on a carpet of dry leaves.
The sound of crunching sticks told me that this was bigger than a beast; it was definitely a person.
Even if I run for it, what could I, a weak little girl, do? My body kept still. In fact, it was as if my feet were sewn to the ground. I couldn’t take a single step forward.
Despite my whole body trembling uncontrollably, whether it was my instinct or fear kicking in, I was able to raise the lamp in my hand high enough over my head. My eyes didn’t blink, as if wanting to ascertain the identity of the unknown being.
“…!”
Eventually, a tall figure emerged from within the trees.
Ba-dump! My heart beat faster. A scream that had crawled up my throat refused to escape from my lips. ‘Eeek!’ A weird sound was the only thing that leaked out instead.
The tall shadow raised its face upon noticing the light.
I felt like my eyes met with theirs through the cloak.
“…Princess?”
A small murmur reached my ears.
It was the voice of someone dearly important to me. No matter how quiet it was, I would recognise it anywhere.
“Sir… Leon…?”
I called the name of my beloved.
Sir Leon dropped the hood of his mantle, causing his black hair to fall. I took in his features—his nose bridge, well-formed eyebrows, and the sharp lines of his somewhat shaven jaw. The colour of fatigue couldn’t be hidden behind his masculine beauty, but instead of detracting from his charm, it further added to his sex appeal.
His sharp black eyes reflected my figure and softly narrowed. A relieved smile formed on his thin lips.
It immediately stole my heart.
“Yes… I am glad you are safe.”
“!”
It’s Sir Leon… The real Sir Leonhard.
Joy gradually rose from within. Heat slowly filled my fingers that were stiff from chilling fear just mere moments ago.
My cheeks were burning and my body trembled once again, but for a different reason.
“Leo- Sir Leon…”
Aaaaah! How embarrassing! I can’t even talk to him properly!
Sir Leon slowly approached and urged me to continue without teasing me.
“Sir Leon, I, too… am glad that you’re alright… Welcome back.”
I tried again, my voice all clogged up. Sir Leon returned a bashful look.
“Yes, I have returned.”
He nodded a little and gave a gentle smile. Please don’t look at me like that. My chest is tight, so tight I can’t hear anything else.
For the longest time, the person I had longed for the most was finally in front of me.
I couldn’t believe this was happening. This happiness felt ephemeral, like a bubble that would immediately burst if I stuck my hand in it. I was afraid it could end at any moment.
I fidgeted at the distance between us as if wanting to close it, but we continued our conversation.
I told him about Johan. He had an eye injury but otherwise, he seemed fine. Leon also added that Prince Nacht was safely delivered to the royal palace.
Our conversation as we faced a pace away from each other suddenly lulled and silence returned to the forest once more.
Sir Leonhard looked directly at me. The pressure of his gaze only added to the trembling I could barely control.
Leonhard with his head tilted to one side, opened his mouth.
“Princess… Have you grown a bit taller?”
“Eh…? I-Is that, so…?”
I wouldn’t know myself. How could I, with all the tall people who gathered around me lately? The only one shorter than me was Lily.
But I was glad that I’ve grown a little. The thought of closing the gap between our heights, even by a tiny bit, made me happy.
“Yes… But it isn’t only that.”
Sir Leonhard put his hand on his chin in careful thought. I didn’t understand his expression and felt a bit puzzled.
I was terribly restless when his eyes narrowed even further. He then whispered something in a small voice. Unfortunately, it didn’t reach my ears.
I desperately tried to think of a random conversation topic to fill the silence as my cheeks got even redder.
But my brain proved useless as usual, and it went round and round in circles.
What should I do?! My thoughts raced as sweat started to form in desperation.
“Um… Sir Leon!”
“Yes?”
“I’m hungry! Are you hungry as well?!”
The topic that my flustered heart came up on the spot was something of utmost stupidity.
Aaaah, I’ve done it now! At that moment, I had realised my huge blunder, but-
Grumble… came a low-pitched sound.
“!!”
“…?”
What was that?
Sir Leonhard looked at me awkwardly as I was clearly confused. He slowly covered his mouth with his large hand as the other held his stomach.
When I saw Leonhard’s flushed cheeks, I immediately knew the origin of the sound.
“…How embarrassing.”
“…!!”
I didn’t know how to express all the bottled up feelings when I heard his confession.
Someone, please praise me for not yelling my lungs out!
C-Cuuuuuuute!!
Me being able to see Sir Leon rubbing his belly like that, isn’t this some spectacular reward?! Thank you, God!
With my urge to shout to the heavens suppressed, a weird laugh was all I could let out.
Without knowing that the woman in front of him had burned his embarrassment into her mind, Sir Leon laughed back.
…I’m sorry I’m such a pervert.
“The beast then said, ‘Do not rely on me. My sharp claws will end up hurting you.’ The beast laughed, his concealed claws hidden behind his back. But, alas, the princess still continued to cry…”
I turned the picture book. As I glanced towards the next line on the page, I heard a snore.
The thin girl’s stomach gently rose up and down as her eyes were closed, her head burrowed into her pillow. Just a few moments ago, she was so eager for me to read the book, eyes shining with excitement, but she ended up escaping into dreamland in no time.
I quietly closed the book with a smile.
After pulling the blanket up to the girl’s shoulders, I softly pushed her hair away from her face. The girl didn’t seem like she would wake from her peaceful slumber any time soon. The fever from a few days ago felt like a lie.
I enjoyed looking at her healthy face and gently kissed her forehead.
“Goodnight and sweet dreams.”
I raised the lamp and quietly opened the door.
The air outside immediately enveloped my body as I went through. It was easier to move around during the day when it was hotter, but now, the humid night air soaking my hair and skin was much less pleasant.
I silently closed the door behind me and started walking.
It was so bright tonight that one could walk without the help of a lamp. When I looked up, the gleaming moon stared back through the cloudless night sky.
“A full moon…”
The pale, cream-coloured object looked so different from the one I saw back at the castle. Perhaps it was because the surroundings differed from what I was used to, or maybe the fact that I was terribly homesick.
The faces of everyone at the castle came to my mind, including Leonhard’s, who I met only a few days before.
I wonder if he had reached the royal capital by now? Since we were in a rush for time, I hope he took a proper rest.
I wonder if you’re alright.
…I want to see you again.
And so, my mind pondered away. Everyone was trying their best, but here I was all by myself.
I stopped my feet and glanced at the moon again in a sigh.
‘Let’s not dwell on useless things,’ I scolded myself.
Rustle. A noise from the bushes pulled me back from my thoughts.
“!?”
I pointed the lamp towards the bush.
There should be nobody around.
Many of the exhausted Kua’s were currently sleeping while the rest patiently tended to the villagers, and most knights of the western front were sick and receiving treatment. In other words, there should be no one taking a stroll in the night like this.
Even if someone were to be here, they wouldn’t come near the forest for fear of contracting the disease in the first place.
The area quieted down, and only sounds of insects and disturbed leaves echoed in the distance.
My heart began to pound.
Rustle, rustle. Even more noises now. The sound continued, like something was walking on a carpet of dry leaves.
The sound of crunching sticks told me that this was bigger than a beast; it was definitely a person.
Even if I run for it, what could I, a weak little girl, do? My body kept still. In fact, it was as if my feet were sewn to the ground. I couldn’t take a single step forward.
Despite my whole body trembling uncontrollably, whether it was my instinct or fear kicking in, I was able to raise the lamp in my hand high enough over my head. My eyes didn’t blink, as if wanting to ascertain the identity of the unknown being.
“…!”
Eventually, a tall figure emerged from within the trees.
Ba-dump! My heart beat faster. A scream that had crawled up my throat refused to escape from my lips. ‘Eeek!’ A weird sound was the only thing that leaked out instead.
The tall shadow raised its face upon noticing the light.
I felt like my eyes met with theirs through the cloak.
“…Princess?”
A small murmur reached my ears.
It was the voice of someone dearly important to me. No matter how quiet it was, I would recognise it anywhere.
“Sir… Leon…?”
I called the name of my beloved.
Sir Leon dropped the hood of his mantle, causing his black hair to fall. I took in his features—his nose bridge, well-formed eyebrows, and the sharp lines of his somewhat shaven jaw. The colour of fatigue couldn’t be hidden behind his masculine beauty, but instead of detracting from his charm, it further added to his sex appeal.
His sharp black eyes reflected my figure and softly narrowed. A relieved smile formed on his thin lips.
It immediately stole my heart.
“Yes… I am glad you are safe.”
“!”
It’s Sir Leon… The real Sir Leonhard.
Joy gradually rose from within. Heat slowly filled my fingers that were stiff from chilling fear just mere moments ago.
My cheeks were burning and my body trembled once again, but for a different reason.
“Leo- Sir Leon…”
Aaaaah! How embarrassing! I can’t even talk to him properly!
Sir Leon slowly approached and urged me to continue without teasing me.
“Sir Leon, I, too… am glad that you’re alright… Welcome back.”
I tried again, my voice all clogged up. Sir Leon returned a bashful look.
“Yes, I have returned.”
He nodded a little and gave a gentle smile. Please don’t look at me like that. My chest is tight, so tight I can’t hear anything else.
For the longest time, the person I had longed for the most was finally in front of me.
I couldn’t believe this was happening. This happiness felt ephemeral, like a bubble that would immediately burst if I stuck my hand in it. I was afraid it could end at any moment.
I fidgeted at the distance between us as if wanting to close it, but we continued our conversation.
I told him about Johan. He had an eye injury but otherwise, he seemed fine. Leon also added that Prince Nacht was safely delivered to the royal palace.
Our conversation as we faced a pace away from each other suddenly lulled and silence returned to the forest once more.
Sir Leonhard looked directly at me. The pressure of his gaze only added to the trembling I could barely control.
Leonhard with his head tilted to one side, opened his mouth.
“Princess… Have you grown a bit taller?”
“Eh…? I-Is that, so…?”
I wouldn’t know myself. How could I, with all the tall people who gathered around me lately? The only one shorter than me was Lily.
But I was glad that I’ve grown a little. The thought of closing the gap between our heights, even by a tiny bit, made me happy.
“Yes… But it isn’t only that.”
Sir Leonhard put his hand on his chin in careful thought. I didn’t understand his expression and felt a bit puzzled.
I was terribly restless when his eyes narrowed even further. He then whispered something in a small voice. Unfortunately, it didn’t reach my ears.
I desperately tried to think of a random conversation topic to fill the silence as my cheeks got even redder.
But my brain proved useless as usual, and it went round and round in circles.
What should I do?! My thoughts raced as sweat started to form in desperation.
“Um… Sir Leon!”
“Yes?”
“I’m hungry! Are you hungry as well?!”
The topic that my flustered heart came up on the spot was something of utmost stupidity.
Aaaah, I’ve done it now! At that moment, I had realised my huge blunder, but-
Grumble… came a low-pitched sound.
“!!”
“…?”
What was that?
Sir Leonhard looked at me awkwardly as I was clearly confused. He slowly covered his mouth with his large hand as the other held his stomach.
When I saw Leonhard’s flushed cheeks, I immediately knew the origin of the sound.
“…How embarrassing.”
“…!!”
I didn’t know how to express all the bottled up feelings when I heard his confession.
Someone, please praise me for not yelling my lungs out!
C-Cuuuuuuute!!
Me being able to see Sir Leon rubbing his belly like that, isn’t this some spectacular reward?! Thank you, God!
With my urge to shout to the heavens suppressed, a weird laugh was all I could let out.
Without knowing that the woman in front of him had burned his embarrassment into her mind, Sir Leon laughed back.
…I’m sorry I’m such a pervert.
