CH 68

“Leone, this maid lost money… Because of you… so let’s go back huh?”

The later they returned, the more Adler’s anger would grow.

“Trixie. don’t worry.”

“No, I am not worried. I’m in despair. My salary will be cut. Remember the 10 gold I mentioned earlier? That is gone. I won’t be able to eat meat, right?”

“Adler- my subordinate. Right?”

Leone’s question was very unfamiliar. It’s like a wealthy male conglomerate who said, ‘Since he’s my subordinate, he won’t harm you’.

“Uh… that’s right.”

“So, don’t worry.”

‘He now… Does he even know how to use the relationship of power…?!’

Her puppy, since coming to Stud, suddenly seemed to be progressing too fast.

“Leone. It’s nice to know about the hierarchical relationship, but I can’t use it if I use it that way.”

To be honest, she thought she would be less afraid of Adler if Leone reigned over Adler. But Leone was a prince. He shouldn’t learn how to stamp and press people in a hierarchical relationship. It’s the royal family, where power was the standard. She didn’t even want to think about the possibility that her dog would become so mean. And what’s wrong with Adler? Was raising a son hard? Besides, what a dangerous situation right now. The Grand Duke and his gang were also scattered, and even Verbena’s guild leader had come to this city. To fall down on the road like this without any measures or preparations. It was really the worst.

“Why?”

Leone asked with a genuinely curious expression.

“Because all life, whether human or non-human, lives with respect for each other.”

He pondered for a moment as if thinking of something, then slowly nodded his head. His eyes were slightly blank, as if recalling a distant memory.

“Huh. It was.”

“Okay. That is the basic attitude when dealing with an opponent.”

“…huh.”

“And if Leone doesn’t mind treating Adler badly because he’s a subordinate, that means Adler can do the same with me. Leone, is it okay for Adler to use me?”

“No. But, Adler is- my-”

“You mean he has to do what you say? But will Adler listen to you when you’re gone? Leone. Do you listen to me even when I’m not around? You can’t all watch Adler do that.”

At the rapid-fire discipline, Leone narrowed his eyes and fell into thought. She gave Leone some time and waited. She hoped Leone finished his thinking before Adler got too far.

“…Trixie, the damn knight- okay?”

After thinking, Leone looked straight at her and asked her.

“Huh? If you ask me if I want to be friends, it’s not… It’s true that he’s still a good person. There will never be a nobleman so respectful and equal. Hmm. Personally, I think I like him.”

It was an unexpected question, but he answered with sincerity.

“…no. Is he sweetheart, right?”

“Are you asking if I love that person?”

“Love- yes.”

She opened her mouth at Leone’s words. Why was that?! She twisted her expression and protested vigorously.

“It can’t be!”

“I see.”

Leone examined her face and nodded slowly.

“Anyway, Leone, that kind of attitude is not good. And we’re in a pretty dangerous situation right now. Do you remember how strange men harassed me yesterday?”

“Huh.”

“If people worse and more dangerous than them find us, we will be in trouble.”

“I- win.”

Again, he talked as a self-respecting person. She smiled and reached out to stroke Leone’s hair. He bowed his head.

“Of course, I know Leone is strong.”

“…huh.”

“But I hate seeing Leone get hurt fighting like that. So we need help from Adler and others.”

Leone bit his lip tightly. It seemed that he was trying to show his pride, or that he was in anguish.

“Trixie, whatever you want.”

After thinking about it, Leone spoke in a friendly voice. He was smiling with a hard-to-read face. She didn’t know what he was thinking, but she was glad she got an affirmative answer.

“Wow, Leone. Thank you.”

She gave a rather stiff, mechanical thank you, trying not to turn her head away from his glowing face. As an interview tip in her previous life, she remembered being told that when one was nervous, the tip was to look at the interviewer’s forehead instead of the eyes of the interviewer, and it’s okay.

She stared at Leone’s forehead.

“Wow. Leone, thank you.”

“Huh.”

“Leone, are you anxious or scared right now?”

“No.”

“Then, I’m really sorry, but could you wait for me here for a second? I’ll get Adler right away.”

She wore a bonnet and wore her hair up, so her unusual red curly hair didn’t stand out too much. Plus, because of the way she dressed, she looked like a noble lady to anyone, so it seemed like she would be less noticeable than Leone. That boy had a beauty that drew attention just by standing still, so it was better to move alone.

She was very worried about leaving him. But it’s been a while since Leone hasn’t been causing trouble, and he looked so calm… She decided to make a bold choice.

“Trick, city…”

“Oh.”

“Where, go.”

She was just about to take a small step, but Leone grabbed her wrist. It was an anxious look. Her heart, which had a history of trying to leave him, was instantly stained with guilt.

“I want to bring Adler. I’ll be back really soon, Leone.”

Even as she promised that she would come again, her conscience pricked her. She really would come back, why was she so sorry.

“Really?”

“Huh. Really! It’s because we stand out too much when we go out together. I’ll bring Adler. You can wait here, really. It takes less than a minute.”

Leone looked at her with clear eyes, as if trying to peer into the depths of her heart. It felt like being sucked into the transparent eyes facing each other.

“Believe. Therefore.”

“Yes.”

“Soon, come.”

“Huh!”

Leone let go of her hand. She walked fast. It felt like the wrists that Leone had gripped were burning. And as soon as she stepped out into the street, she immediately found Adler. Of course, because of the festival, huge, unrealistic armor was roaming the streets that looked like it was dressed up on purpose… It looked like it might be on display in an old castle. There wouldn’t be any chance to see the armor during that time, so people naturally gathered nearby. 

She ran lightly and stood in front of Adler.

“T- No, Bella. you!”

Adler’s voice simmered low.

“This way.”

Before getting scolded, getting out of the crowd was the first thing. She gently grabbed Adler’s arm and led him away.

“Leone, I’m here…!”

She was out of breath. 

Leone was looking at Adler with a crooked face. He had a look on his face saying that he didn’t like Adler.

“Bella. Now can you explain how this happened?”

“Leone wants to see the festival. Not in the wagon, but outside. Are you surprised?”

“What? Is that even possible?!”

Adler’s startled voice echoed through the armor.

“Surprisingly good… I think that.”

“That… okay.”

Adler looked at Leone. Leone seemed fine to him, so there was no objection.

“But why run away-”

“Well. That’s me too…”

She didn’t know that either. He hated Adler, so Adler was following him from afar, not intrusive.

“Lord Leone…”

Adler sighed.

“I’m not following you for surveillance, but for safety. Please understand.”

“-huh. Sorry.”

“No… yes?”

“Sorry.”

“Yes…? Sorry… You’re sorry…”

“Leone, you now…”

She couldn’t come to her senses and stumbled in the crucible of embarrassment and emotion. Leone was… to Adler! He said sorry.

“Careful, I will. So- Trixie, together, festival. Caliber.”

“Huh…”

Suddenly, the son grew up and learned how to reassure his father.

Adler listened silently, then nodded his head.

“You’re talking like this… Bella, what do you think?”

“Leone looks really good. An opportunity like this seems rare. I don’t know what kind of harmony it is, but it’s perfect for training, so why don’t you watch it from a distance?”

“Is that what you think? Yes, that’s good.”

Adler obediently gave permission. Unknowingly, she turned his head towards Leone. Leone had a faint smile.

“You laughed… You laughed!”

“Yes, yes. That’s right.”

“I can’t do it like this.”

She couldn’t even guess the action that would follow the sudden reaction. Was he trying to write a diary right now?

“Why?”

“If you go around like that, everyone will be looking at Lord Leone. You look so cool that if you even smile, everyone might faint.”

It’s okay to be handsome, and it’s okay to have a fatally pretty smile, but it seemed overkill to fall down. Unbeknownst to her, her face hardened.

“And not only that. It’s not that safe right now.”

Adler, who had been trembling of happiness, belatedly added a reasonable reason, whether he was aware that he had gone too far.

“Hmm. Yes.”

“What is it, Bella? This is not the case. It’s you, it’s okay because you’re dressed so differently than usual, but Lord Leone…”

Adler, who came to his senses, was right in every word. Besides, Leone’s leash was dropped. He should have worn it all the time, but she was too conspicuous.

She was also worried.

“The leash is too conspicuous. It would be nice to have something to cover the whole appearance…”

She knew it was a festival but… It reminded her of a couple that she saw earlier who wore all kinds of dazzling props.

“Festival props!”