Chapter 23 – I Want to See It!!
I was so happy.
Even though Prince Marx—who had been my fiancé since I was ten years old—had so easily believed my sister’s words… Leo-san trusted me. He believed I hadn’t bullied her.
“Was there ever any proof that you were a false saint?” he asked.
“Well… who knows? But there can’t be two Saints at the same time. If my sister is the true one, then I suppose that makes me the fake.”
It wasn’t as though a prophet had officially declared it, but—come to think of it—no one had ever clearly said I was the Saint, either.
‘The Saint is the daughter of Count Vias.’
When that oracle was delivered, my sister Anika was also still a daughter of the Vias family. So it could have meant either of us.
“…When you were in the capital,” Leo-san said softly, “did you keep smiling like this even when things were painful for you? Thinking about that makes my chest ache…”
“Eh?”
Leo-san’s expression twisted in quiet pain.
Wait… when I was in the capital?
But right now, I wasn’t in pain at all.
And back then—I hadn’t been able to smile like I do now.
“Um…”
As I tried to think of how to explain, Leo-san furrowed his brave brows, leaned forward a little, and spoke.
“If anything troubles you, you can always talk to me.”
“Leo-san…”
“I might not be very dependable,” he went on, his tone sincere, “but I’m truly grateful to you. And… maybe I can understand your feelings, even just a little.”
“Eh?”
His hands clenched tightly on his knees.
I could tell—he was saying this after gathering a lot of courage.
“My mother… wasn’t my father’s lawful wife. I was born between him and his mistress. Because of that, it was hard for me to face the legal wife and the younger brother she later had. So I left home and joined the knights—almost like running away.”
“Oh… I see.”
That must have been painful for him.
And yet he was telling me about it.
“But I think joining the knights was the right choice,” he continued. “Now, I’m happy. My life feels fulfilling.”
He lifted his head as he said it, and I could see the honesty in his eyes.
“That’s why,” he went on, “if you’re carrying any kind of pain, I’d like to share it with you. Of course, only if you want to. I just want you to remember—you’re not alone here.”
“Leo-san…”
What a truly kind person he was.
To say something so warm—to someone like me, just a lowly dorm mother…!
“Thank you so much.”
He nodded. “Mm.”
My chest felt warm and tight.
If this were the old me—the one who’d lived in the capital—I might have broken down crying and thrown myself into his arms.
Into that broad, solid chest of his… while getting to enjoy those strong muscles—
Wait, no! That’s not the point!
“Thank you. Really, I’m so happy you said that. But I’m all right now. Ever since coming here, every day has been so much fun. I’m happy.”
I faced his sincerity with my own honest feelings.
“…I’m glad to hear that.”
When I smiled brightly, Leo-san finally relaxed and smiled, too.
…Although, for just a moment, it seemed like something was still bothering him.
“Thank you for the tea. I should get going now. I was planning to bring some of this honey lemon to Mirko-san, too.”
“You’re going to Mirko?”
“Yes.”
The moment I said that, Leo-san’s expression shifted slightly.
“…I’ll take it to him.”
“Eh? But I’d feel bad making you do that…”
“It’s fine. He usually trains around this time anyway—I’ll see him soon.”
“Training…?”
So he was doing extra workouts on his own time?
Mirko-san was… working out his muscles?
I—I want to see!!
…No, Sibel, stop!
You mustn’t interrupt someone’s private training time. That’s why Leo-san is offering to deliver it for you.
“All right, then. Please do.”
“Yeah, I’ll make sure it gets to him safely.”
“Thank you very much. Well then…”
After entrusting Mirko-san’s share to Leo-san, I finally left his office.
Still, I couldn’t help thinking—Leo-san had gone through a lot himself.
He’s always so kind, cheerful, and dependable as the knight captain… but deep down, he must have carried pain too.
I have to do my best—so that I can be someone who supports him, even just a little!
With that renewed determination in my heart, I started to walk toward Mirko-san’s quarters—then stopped myself halfway and turned back.
Tonight, I’d just return to my own room.
Leo-san only wanted to comfort Sibel, but somehow ended up worrying her instead.
And meanwhile, Sibel can’t stop wondering about Mirko’s training routine… (；ᵕ；)
If you felt Leo-san’s heart-ache too, please tap those ☆☆☆☆☆, leave a like, or bookmark the story!
Next time—it’s Leo’s point of view!
