Chapter 11

“Leon, what’s that over there?”

“A tree!”

“Right! It’s called the Rhynia tree and it looks the same all year round. That’s why even the capital city calls it a ghost tree. When other trees bloom in spring, only those trees look so emaciated.”

“Really?”

Since it was winter, the only things one could see around were the snow that had piled up yesterday and the dry trees buried underneath, but the two of them were amazed and entertained as if they had never seen such scenery before.

Meanwhile, Leon turned his head at the sound of someone walking their way from the other side of the garden.

“Oh, brother!”

Arthur, wearing a black mask, glanced back at Leon’s voice. He, who was dressed somewhat comfortably instead of his usual uniform, raised his hand awkwardly on hearing Leon’s voice.

Grace stared blankly at Arthur’s appearance and shyly lowered her eyes when his gaze turned to her.

They were meeting for the first time since they parted that night– when he told her, “Don’t get close to me.” 

For some reason, she felt more embarrassed and uncomfortable when she faced Arthur than the first time she met him, feeling resentment for the thoughtless words they had exchanged.

Arthur’s face became stiff at the sight of Grace, but soon Leon let go of Grace’s hand and ran to him. His face relaxed as usual.

“Are you done with your work, brother?”

“Yes, I’ve finished some of the urgent matters.”

“Then, let’s go for a walk with sister-in-law, brother!”

Arthur affectionately stroked Leon’s head gently while he was chattering in an excited voice, holding onto Arthur’s cape.

Grace, who was looking at the gentle brothers with a warm expression, widened her eyes at Leon’s words.

Arthur was taken aback by Leon’s suggestion, but as soon as he heard Leon’s words, his odd eyes shone strangely under the mask.

He shifted his gaze to peek at Grace. Their eyes met again.

When Grace faced Arthur’s odd eye, which seemed darker and deeper than before, she felt her face freeze again.

Arthur’s lip thinned on seeing her expression. He had avoided Leon’s gaze a little while ago, but now, he gazed down at Leon who was clinging to him, and answered, “Thank you for asking, Leon…”

“…You won’t come?”

Arthur’s gentle refusal made Leon tear up.

He clutched Arthur’s cape tightly enough to crumple it. Arthur replied, licking his lips in a hesitant state, “I’m fine with it, but your sister-in-law will be uncomfortable.”

“….Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Are you uncomfortable in taking a walk with Brother, Sister-in-law?

This time, Leon’s earnest gaze returned to Grace. He approached the confused Grace,  and stared up at her, hanging to the hem of her dress.

As Arthur said, it was true that walking with him is uncomfortable, but if she refused, then Leon might cry.

‘Oh lord.’

Grace’s eyes swept a glance at Arthur, who had a blank look and then switched to Leon, who looked expectant. She let out a short sigh. Leaning down, she answered Leon, who was hanging on to her.

“No, Leon, it’s not uncomfortable.”

“Then, then, can I take a walk with my brother and sister-in-law?”

“……Eh? Well, yes, let’s go for it. A walk.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

Leon, who had been sulking because of Grace’s hesitation, brightened up. She smiled and softened at Leon jumping on the spot.

‘I’m glad I spoiled him enough to be so happy.’

Thinking so, her hands stroked Leon’s head, making him smile even more broadly. He snapped his head back to call Arthur, who stood opposite him.

“Brother! Now come this way! Let’s walk together!”

Arthur paused for a moment and soon walked over to their side.

As Arthur, who grew closer slowly, stopped at a distance from Grace. Leon stood between Arthur and Grace with a very excited face. Reaching out his small hands from each side he said, “Hand! Hand in hand walk! Yes?”

Before Arthur and Grace could answer, Leon clasped their hands tightly.

He stared at Arthur and Grace, standing next to him, with round, big eyes. They were going to walk together!

Arthur and Grace, who stood with Leon in between, awkwardly looked at each other.

“….Then we shall go, my lady?”

“…Ah, yes.”

Grace nodded bewilderedly at Arthur’s faltering persuasion.

Arthur took a step forward. Leon pulled Grace’s hand as if he had been waiting. At this sight, Grace carefully moved her feet and followed Arthur’s steps.

“Hehe.”

That’s how a really stifling walk began. Between Arthur and Grace, who walked slowly in the snowy garden without saying a word, Leon grinned and swung their hands.

Leon couldn’t have been happier because his favorite brother and his favorite sister-in-law were with him on a walk.

So, Grace smiled unconsciously and asked at Leon’s cheerful appearance, “Do you like it that much, Leon?”

“Yes! I love it! It’s like a dream!”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

At Grace’s question, Leon replied with a big smile showing his teeth. Grace, who was smiling slightly at his happiness, turned her head involuntarily and made eye contact with Arthur.

Grace was surprised again. It was because he was smiling softly with a look she had never seen before.

Arthur’s gently curved mouth, which was not covered by the black mask, and his red and blue eyes, which glistened like jewels, made Grace stare blankly at him and halt in her tracks.

“Oh my god!”

At that time, Leon, who was walking forward excitedly without knowing Grace had stopped walking, lost his balance and stumbled. Grace exclaimed, startled by the child’s cry right next to her, “Oh, my! Leon!”

“Oh no!”

Grace, who moved forward to support Leon, staggered as if she was about to fall, and was pulled down.

She was going to fall first. It didn’t matter if her dress got a little dirty with the melted snow on the ground.

“……!”

But of course, she couldn’t feel any impact. Grace looked down with a blank face because she did not understand the situation. Then, she saw Leon half-cuddled in her arms, with Arthur’s arms clasped around her waist.

At that moment, Grace screamed, feeling her cheeks burn up instantly, “Ahhh!”

“……Please stay still for a moment. If you struggle, you might fall.”

At her scream, Arthur, who was hugging her waist from behind, spoke soothingly to Grace.

Arthur held Grace and Leon tightly in both arms, slowly rose up, and stepped back. He let go of Grace and Leon, looked at the two and asked, “Are you all right, my lady? Are you hurt anywhere? Leon, are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine, brother.”

“……”

“…My lady?”

Unlike Leon, who answered confidently in Grace’s arms, Grace, with a shocked face, didn’t reply. When Arthur asked again about it, she finally came back to her senses and replied in a hurry, “….What? Oh, yes. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Your face is so red. If you don’t feel good, see a doctor right away.”

“Oh, no! It’s okay, it’s okay. It was just, like, a sudden hug, no, I was just surprised to have you hold me….!”

As Arthur still looked at her anxiously, Grace stuttered, blushing even more.

He bowed awkwardly. “……I’m sorry. I apologize if you were surprised that I touched your body recklessly.”

“…No. It couldn’t be helped.”

“But still……”

“It’s really, really okay,” Grace replied, waving her hands to Arthur’s polite apology. But when Grace refused to accept his apologies, Arthur stopped apologizing.

“…….”

The awkward silence ensued. Grace moved her gaze to Leon’s head in her arms, and Arthur coughed, turning his head stiffly.