Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi
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Chapter 17
Celine’s whole body stiffened with tension.
‘Is it a nightmare…?’
Perhaps, Leonhard’s statement that he couldn’t sleep because he was worried about her was a lie.
She paused as she placed her hand on his body to shake Leonhard to wake him up. He did not struggle nor let out a moan of pain, like the nightmare she had seen. On the contrary, the corners of his lips were slightly raised, making him look very peaceful.
“—line.”
This time it was clearly a peaceful call.
Her ears turned red. She seemed to know how much Leonhard cared for him.
‘Even in his normal dream, he is dreaming of me…’
Celine rested her relaxed body on the armchair.
Even though it wasn’t as much as Leonhard, she was also busy with her training and was overusing her body. Eventually, her overloaded body melted in the warmth of the brazier and blanket, and she fell into a sweet sleep.
Early morning the next day.
Leonhard opened his eyes slowly.
It was a sweet sleep that was not disturbed by anything.
“….!”
Next to him, Celine was deep asleep in the armchair beside the bed.
‘I told you to go back as soon as I fall asleep…’
Leonhard gazed at her as if possessed. The shiny blonde hair poured over her torso. As he neatly moved Celine’s hair. The soft golden hair shone in the sunlight in his hands.
‘It must be uncomfortable.’
He was grateful and absurd at the same time to Celine, who did not go back. She slept in an armchair all night, and it wasn’t strange that her neck or back would get strained.
Leonhard got out of bed slowly.
What had to be done was clear.
With that thought, he carefully lifted her and laid her on his bed.
“…Mmm.”
Meanwhile, Celine mumbled something in her sleep, which was unknown. She looked so peaceful that Leonhard looked at her face for a while.
‘I have to rest today, anyway.’
Leonhard looked at Celine’s face in her sleep, not knowing that time had passed.
— Knock, knock.
Every nine in the morning, the servant who brings breakfast knocks on the door. As Leonhard was about to tell the attendant not to disturb, but before that Celine woke up.
“Gasp…!”
When she realized she was on Leonhard’s bed, Celine gasped in surprise.
“I told you to go back.”
Leonhard’s playful voice was heard.
“I am so tired. But, why is the bed… I’m wearing shoes, too!”
Hearing her words, he frowned.
“How am I going to take off a woman’s shoes?”
“….”
Celine was going to say it wasn’t her clothes and he could take off her shoes, but closed her mouth. It was because the delicious smell emanating from the servant’s silver tray stimulated her salivary glands, and her stomach squirmed with hunger.
Leonhard did not miss Celine’s reaction.
“Go on.”
“Great.”
With his permission, she swiftly walked over to the old-fashioned table next to the window, feeling strange to get out of bed with shoes on felt weird.
All food and tableware were prepared for two people on a silver tray.
Leonhard started eating the sausages, and she took a soft bread and spread it with sweet and sour jam. They emptied the silver tray in an instant. Celine then drank the jug of fresh milk that he had not touched.
“Would you like some more?”
“No. This is enough.”
Celine sipped a strong-scented tea to cleanse her mouth. Seeing so, Leonhard smiled and opened his mouth again.
“Now that I see you eating well, I feel reassured.”
The sunlight pouring in through the window was warm, and the desolate room shimmered thanks to Celine’s presence.
Leonhard was at peace for a moment.
“…Leonhard.”
Celine called to him in an earnest voice. At that moment, blue-grey eyes and dark blue eyes intertwined with each other.
“Why are you doing the mission alone?”
Leonhard’s face was frozen for a moment.
“Are you curious about that?”
“Yes.”
Celine nodded her head.
“Because a wizard can fight a monster or a warlock together with Leonhard.”
“….”
His face immediately darkened. Leonhard paused for a moment.
“…I don’t like working with wizards.”
“Is it possible for a wizard to become corrupted by the magic of a warlock or a monster?”
Celine spoke of the speculation she had been thinking about for so long. Karl was a really powerful wizard, and even her, who couldn’t even keep up with him, was able to use one or two magic that seemed to be effective against monsters.
Leonhard shook his head.
“It’s not like that. Even Lute Karl alone has defeated a monster.”
“Then, why…”
Gazing into the blue-gray eyes that always brought him stability and anxiety at the same time, he couldn’t quite decide if he should confide in her about the ghost that had haunted him for so long.
‘Not yet, this is too early…’
Leonhard let out her small sigh and gave a white lie to Celine.
“It was difficult for us to carry out the mission together because it was uncomfortable for some reason. That’s all.”
In the next moment, her eyes twinkled and her mouth opened. At that moment, he realized his own mistake before she even began to speak, although it was too late.
“How about me?”
“No!”
Leonhard shouted, but Celine didn’t get intimidated, and she stared at him proudly.
“Why not? I’m sure I’m not bothering you.”
“It is, however—”
“Well, I’m more useful than you thought. If the monster attacks, I will burn it. If you don’t believe me, I can show you now.”
“It’s not like that…”
A small smile appeared on Celine’s lips.
“I know. Are you afraid that I will die?”
“…You know well.”
Leonhard sighed. He felt a little bit ripped off.
“It is a problem that can never be solved. I think you were joking for a second.”
Celine took a deep breath and exhaled again. It took a little courage and some godsend move to get her will done.
“Leonhard, don’t you feel anxious if you can’t see me?”
“….!”
At her words, his eyes fluttered suddenly.
“Don’t get me wrong. Even though it’s because of the nightmare, Leonhard can’t help it.”
She continued slowly.
“I’ve been thinking about it. If you don’t know my safety, you can’t help but feel anxious. That is, when you are away from the castle for a mission.”
Leonhard opened his mouth to retort.
On the other hand, Celine grinned and waited for his answer, though he had nothing to say and had to shut his mouth again.
“So, I want to go with you. For your peace of mind.”
“…Just for that?”
“What do you mean just for that?”
Celine tilted her head.
“It’s hard enough to handle monsters and warlocks alone. But, do you have to carry on carrying such a burden that you couldn’t sleep for three days?”
“…I don’t care. I will come back here someday.”
She let out a sigh at his words.
“Leonhard, the Empire is wide, and you are the only one who can defeat a warlock. If you leave the castle for a month, will you not sleep for a whole month?”
Leonhard swallowed a gulp.
Just imagining it made his heart flutter.
“When you think about it…”
She knew from Leonhard’s shaky words that she had already won.
“You will be leaving soon. You haven’t slept for three days, and you only slept for a few hours today.
Celine then got up from her seat and added, “Natasha said it. A horde of demons has been found. Are you going alone?”
“…I’ll leave tomorrow. It’s too early for you to follow.”
“If it’s a warlock, I won’t go either. It’s a monster. You protected me despite all the nightmares.”
Leonhard didn’t have to remind himself of the demon hordes that he failed to protect her. For it was a painful memory for both him and her.
“Wait a minute… Give me time to think.”
“Okay.”
Dozens of minutes later.
Celine had already emptied the tea from the teapot and cookies for dessert. Meanwhile, Leonhard still frowned, thinking intently.
“Do you need more time to think?”
At her urge, he let out a sigh close to a moan.
“…I get it. Let’s do what you say.”
Celine smiled softly. Thankfully, now, he wouldn’t stop himself from sleeping because of her.
“However, there is one condition.”
“What?”
“That, did you say you would be more useful than I thought? I’ll have to check that out.”
Celine immediately stood up.
“What can I show you? Just talk about the properties. I will show you the greatest magic that I can do.”
“No.”
Shaking his head a little, Leonhard got up from his seat and took his steps before picking up Rashir.
Seeing his action, her eyes widened.
‘No way…’
Then, from his mouth came the harshest voice Celine had ever heard.
“I’m only defending here, so you can attack as much as you like. To the best of your ability. Do your best.”
Goosebumps ran down her back.
“…Is it okay? The room would be ruined.”
“I’ll take care of that.”
Celine took in her breath.
‘Leonhard wants to make sure that I really have the strength to not die.’
Thinking so, she shut her eyes for a moment and focused her mind. Soon, the magic power overflowed through her body.
“Are you ready?”
“Who’ll say it?”
After a few seconds.
A servant cleaning the hallway outside the Prince’s bedroom, startled by the sudden heat and roar, spilled the bucket.
Celine closed her eyes tightly and opened them.
All of the magical power felt throughout her body was drawn. She didn’t even care about the attributes.
Light, water, fire, wind…
All of this magic was poured on Leonhard as much as she could embody. Since Karl has always trained her to use the minimum amount of magical power, she had never used magic on such a scale until now.
Of course, he wouldn’t be hurt by the magic of a young chick wizard like her. Nevertheless, she was still worried.
“…It would be useful.”
Celine caught her breath in surprise.
Leonhard, as expected, looked nothing different from how he had gotten up from the table before.
What surprised Celine was the appearance of the room, which she thought must have been a bit of a mess. However, there was no trace of the magic that she poured. There was only Rashir in Leonhard’s hand, which was exceptionally bright today.
At the same time, Leonhard slowly approached her.
Celine controlled her pounding heart in surprise. She already knows enough that Leonhard was great. She didn’t need to be overly surprised that he was even more amazing than she expected.
“If this is enough, you won’t be torn to death by the monster.”
Uttering his next words, Leonhard held out his hand towards her.
“Then… Shall we go get ready, Lute Celine?”
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