BGFV137

Chapter 137

Scritch, scratch.

Leonhard stuck out his tongue slightly, deeply focused on his drawing. When he finally set down his colored pencil and stood up, he shouted excitedly,
“It’s done!”

After hours of effort, Leonhard had completed his masterpiece.
“Hehe! I need to show this to Tia!”

Clutching the paper in both hands, he dashed out of the room. But then, he gasped at the sight in front of him.
“It’s snowing!”

It was the end of December, and even the warm southern region had begun to see snowfall as winter fully arrived. Snow was a rare sight here, so Leonhard pressed himself to the window, eyes sparkling as he stared at the white flakes falling from the sky.
“I hope it piles up!”

If it did, they could have snowball fights and build snowmen.

As he watched, his eyes wide with excitement, he suddenly remembered something.
“Ah! I can’t be standing here!”

He recalled what he had set out to do and hurried off toward the office where Hestia and Luciard would be.

Once he reached the office, he grabbed the doorknob but stopped himself, realizing he was out of breath. After calming down and taking a deep breath, he knocked.

“Come in.”

A firm voice responded from inside. Leonhard smiled brightly.
“Tia! Uncle! Do you have a minute?”

Peeking his head in, he saw Hestia working at her desk with her glasses on. As soon as she met Leonhard’s gaze, she smiled warmly and got up to greet him.
“Leon, what brings you here at this hour?”
“I wanted to give you something! Where’s Uncle?”
“Luciard stepped out for a bit.”
“Really? I wanted to give this to both of you… Oh well, I’ll give it to you specially this time! Guess what I brought?”
“A drawing, right?”
“You guessed I drew something… Huh? How did you know?”
“Well, you always draw pictures and give them as gifts when you have free time.”
“Really? Hehe.”
“Of course. I can see your drawing skills getting better and better. What did you draw this time?”
“You’ll see! It’s… drumroll, please…”

As Leonhard wiggled his hips and made drum sounds with his mouth, Hestia played along, smiling.

They locked eyes, and Leonhard grinned.
“Tada! I drew all of us together again!”

Seeing the drawing—much more improved than the first one he gave her two years ago—Hestia smiled gently.
“You’re right. There’s the duke’s manor in the background, and in front are me, Luciard, and you.”
“Yep! What do you think? Do you like it?”
“Of course I do. I’ll keep this one safe too. Since you love drawing so much, would you like to take art lessons?”
“Hmm… I don’t want to study drawing.”
“All right. But if you change your mind, or want to learn anything else, just tell me.”
“Okay, I will! But Tia…”

“Yes?”
“Don’t you feel anything when you look at this?”
“Feel something? Hmm…”

As Hestia squinted at the picture, Leonhard eagerly stomped his feet in anticipation. She was a little unsure.
‘Isn’t this like all his other drawings?’

Leonhard usually either gave her drawings of just her or ones with all three of them together. When Hestia couldn’t respond quickly, Leonhard blurted out,
“Tia, look! I drew our family!”

Hestia’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You’re my family too, Tia!”

As she stared at him blankly, Leonhard gave her a radiant, smiling gaze. She was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t speak.
“Do you… not like it?”
As she remained silent, Leonhard began to look worried.

Finally snapping out of it, Hestia opened her mouth just as—
“Hmm? Leon?”

The door opened and Luciard entered.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“Perfect timing! Uncle! I drew a picture for all of us! Look!”

Leonhard handed over the picture. Luciard took it from Hestia and examined it.
“Wow, it’s really good. You’re getting better and better.”
“Hehe. But Uncle, what does this look like to you?”
“What does it look like?”

Looking at it carefully, Luciard replied with a straight face.
“A drawing.”
“Ah, come on. I mean what does it look like I drew!”
“You, me, Tia, and the manor.”

Leonhard’s face fell.
“Ugh, Uncle, you have no sense.”
“You didn’t explain it properly. How was I supposed to know?”

When Luciard asked in frustration, Leonhard pouted.
“It’s our family! I drew our family this time!”

“Oh…”

Realizing why Hestia had seemed tense, Luciard looked at her and smirked.
“That was too simple an answer. Of course I knew it was a picture of our family.”
“Eh? Liar!”
“I’m not lying. When have I ever lied to you?”
“Hmm…”
“Never, right? Still, thank you for the picture. It’s so lovely—shouldn’t we hang it on the wall?”
“N-No! I don’t want that!”

“Why not? We should show people what a talented artist you are.”
“I’m still embarrassed! Maybe once I get even better!”

With red cheeks, Leonhard ran off down the hallway. Luciard chuckled as he watched him go, then closed the door.

Turning to Hestia, who still looked upset, he asked,
“You’re not very good at hiding your feelings, are you?”
Hestia flinched.

“You’re usually good at pretending. So why can’t you do it now?”
He tucked her fallen hair behind her ear, revealing her troubled face.

“I know I should’ve just said something nice… but I couldn’t bring myself to.”

Hestia was preparing to leave Winston—slowly and quietly. There were still tasks left, and she wouldn’t leave right away, but it was certain she would go. The thought of telling Leonhard, who saw her as family, felt too painful.

“It was always supposed to be temporary. Leon even agreed… So why do I feel so guilty?”

She had made it clear: she would stay only until Luciard completed the transition of power.

‘So why is he calling me family?’

Did he forget? Or did he really care that much? Whatever the reason, it broke her heart to think she’d have to hurt such a pure child.

She covered her eyes with one hand, her face contorted in pain. Luciard silently watched, then gently patted her back. Feeling the warmth, she looked up and saw his broad chest in front of her.

“…Who said you could hug me?”
“It’s just comfort.”
“…People will misunderstand.”
“There’s no one else here. Besides, everyone thinks we’re engaged anyway.”

His rough comfort, his steady hand, and his familiar scent surrounded her. It had shifted from fresh to smoky for the winter—something that suited him.

She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against his chest.

The hand on her back paused briefly, then resumed its rhythm.

“…You’re planning to leave, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“When?”

“April next year.”

She planned to wait until a potential plague passed and the Novelli War ended. After that, Winston would be at peace.

She had once thought: Let’s finish the transfer and live freely afterward!

“I guess I’ve been here longer than I thought.”

Three years wasn’t short. It was the most intense and dedicated time of her life. She gave it her all, and now she was left with regrets.

“But even if I leave, it’s not goodbye forever. I’ll come visit. Or you can visit me in Byron. I’ll always be there.”

Smiling apologetically, Hestia stepped away. Seeing her slightly red eyes, Luciard’s expression hardened.

Feeling the tension, Hestia forced a cheerful tone.
“Let’s work! We still have things to finish today!”

She tried to change the mood, but Luciard grabbed her hand.
“…Is there something you want to say?”
“Do you really think you won’t regret leaving?”

“There’s nothing to regret. I’m just going back to where I belong.”

“Well, I’ll regret it.”

She froze.
“If I let you go, I’ll regret it. No—I will regret it.”

“Why are you saying this now…?”
“I want you to stay with us. With me.”

“You’re being ridiculous. I can’t stay here forever.”
“Why not?”

“If you’re going to joke about marriage again, then—”

As she tried to laugh it off, Luciard clenched his jaw and pulled her into his arms. But this time, the embrace was different—firmer, more serious.

“Do I look like I’m joking right now?”

His intense gaze made Hestia’s eyes waver.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. You know how I feel.”
“W-What…?”
“Just like Leon, I can’t imagine a future without you.”

He wrapped his arms around her tightly, pressing his forehead to her neck, breathing heavily.

“Hestia, don’t go. We… no, I still need you.”

Her cheeks began to blush.