Three Years Later: Blossoming Bonds and Hidden Talents
Maybe it was just him, but Leo didn't pay much mind to the passage of time. He lived each day simply, without dwelling on the past. Elizabeth, however, was different. Unlike Leo, who seemed rooted in place, she grew noticeably day by day. Her nose grew sharper and more refined, her baby fat melted away to reveal the graceful figure of a young lady. Her blue eyes held not just clarity, but profound intelligence. She'd shot up in height, far beyond the stage where anyone could call her a child. Before he knew it, his daughter had transformed from cute into something captivating, alluring even.
Through Elizabeth, Leo felt the weight of years slipping by. One year. Two. Three. Watching her grow day after day, eight years had quietly passed. Time flowed by unnoticed, yet within it, Elizabeth had bloomed into something beautiful and radiant.
'Looks like I've raised her pretty well, Your Majesty.' Leo thought with a touch of fresh pride as he met William, Betty, and Nodis at the stock exchange.
"Well, look who it is—our big shareholder's here!"
"Hey, Leo! Over here!"
"That guy's not aging a bit."
He still ran into the uncles from his construction days now and then. William, Betty, and Nodis had pooled their earnings from manual labor to start an asset management firm. They'd taken those jobs originally just to scrape together startup capital. Strangers at first, they'd banded together around William. Betty and Nodis had felt construction offered no real future and joined him. The company name came from their initials: WilBeNo.
WilBeNo was thriving. Passionate about stocks, they'd grown it aggressively and hired several employees. Leo held a massive stake, making him the majority shareholder. The dividends rolling in were nothing to sneeze at.
Gathering after a while, they chatted away.
"Heard your girl's passed the bar exam?"
"Top of the list, no less!"
"Man, with brains like that, she could've been a killer mage."
"What's wrong with lawyer? Do well there, and you make more than any mage."
Elizabeth had recently aced the bar exam. Word had spread like wildfire, even though she'd kept it quiet. Leo traded stocks with the uncles, bantering all the while. Deals happened through chats with brokers—buy, sell, simple as that. He picked up some safe stocks and bonds, then parted ways.
Next stop: a cozy little bookstore tucked between three-story buildings. Red brick and sturdy timber gave it a nostalgic, heartwarming vibe that stirred childhood memories just from the outside.
It was his bookstore. After years of steady earnings, he'd finally opened the shop of his dreams. Here, he sold books, bought them, read them—all those dreamy acts come to life.
"Ah, you're here, boss?"
A bright young girl greeted him. Sophia, the employee he'd hired. Three years back, he'd helped her out by chance. When he posted the job ad, she was first in line for an interview. He met them all and picked her—not out of past favors, but because she was sharpest, most eager.
"No issues while I was out?"
"Nope!"
"Good. I'll handle things now—head home."
"See you tomorrow, boss!"
Sophia bowed energetically and clocked out. Leo settled at the counter, pulling out the book he'd left off yesterday.
Books had been his escape as a kid. No matter how rough the days, diving in lifted the gloom. He read anything, but fairy tales were favorites. Childish, simple stories, sure—but they warmed the heart. Kind fathers, gentle mothers. Things he'd never known. Feeling them even in fiction kept him hooked.
He read for about three hours. No customers the whole time. Like most bookstores, business was slow—one or two a day if lucky. But it didn't bother him. He'd never opened it to get rich. He hoped others might find solace in pages like he had. Money wasn't an issue: solid bank savings, stock dividends. He'd quit construction years ago. Plenty of ways to earn without the grind. Back then, it'd been cover from imperial eyes. Eight years on, he could finally breathe free.
*
Friday today. Checking the mirror out of habit, the door swung open to reveal a striking woman in crisp uniform. She smiled at him, her icy demeanor melting instantly. Hair blacker than night flowed like curtains; amber eyes sparkled with affection.
She hung her hat and coat on the rack, browsed the shelves, picked a few books, and approached the counter.
Thud.
"I'll take these, sir."
"Certainly, miss."
It was Horsemen of the Horgeting Plains, a classic of chivalric literature. After paying, she continued.
"Mind if I read here?"
"Not at all."
"Next to the owner?"
"Plenty of room."
She circled the counter. A chair waited just for her. She pulled it out smoothly and sat. Her sweet scent wafted over—gentle, tickling the nose without overwhelming. Unique to Hildegard von Quyrhalstein.
They read in silence. Or tried to. Words wouldn't stick. Leo stole glances at her profile. She pretended to read while peeking back. They both knew, but played along. His ears tuned to her breath, nose to her fragrance. Reading? Forgotten.
Less than an hour in, Hildegard leaned on his shoulder. Her scent intensified. He set his book down—barely ten pages past where she'd arrived.
His hand rose to her shoulder, stroking. Through stiff uniform, her warmth seeped through. Down to arm, breast, waist. He stretched, wrapped her curves, pulled her close.
Scraaape. Chairs jammed together. So did their bodies.
"…"
"…"
She turned, gazing up—cheeks rose-pink, shy. Eyes fluttered shut. Signal received.
He tightened his hold, cupped her chin gently with the other hand, leaned in. Lips met. Deep, lingering kiss.
After, flushed Hildegard pouted.
"You're too good at this, Leo. I want to get better too…"
"You're great already. Why push?"
"I want to be better."
"Our major's too greedy."
Hildegard had risen to major. Slow for her caliber.
"I want to be perfect for you. Is that greed?"
"Hard to argue then."
"…But don't you want more?"
"Huh?"
"Don't you regret… stopping at kisses?"
She averted her eyes, voice faint.
"…."
"I mean, isn't the skinship lacking?"
Head down, self-deprecating mumble.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm not attractive enough for you."
"Ridiculous."
Three years together. Most couples would've gone further, but they stopped at kisses. Respect for her family.
Cut ties with parents or not, she hadn't abandoned the house. They hadn't struck her from the rolls either. Swordmaster major? Bad business. Plus, family perks meant military subsidies—purely pragmatic ties.
Without laws, he'd have pounced like an animal. Yet here she was, seriously doubting her appeal.
Feeling wronged, he shot back.
"You have no idea how much I'm holding back."
"…."
"Nights thinking of you, how I—"
Hildegard blushed crimson, hands flying to clamp his mouth.
Thirty-three, prime of life. Used to brothels once, but now? With her as lover? No way. He managed alone—fantasies, mags.
She withdrew her hands slowly, tentative.
"So… when will you propose?"
"Pro… right, yeah."
Three years dating. Marriage talks serious. She'd brought it up first.
Truth was, he'd half-given up on her. Age gap big, plus daughter? Didn't suit her. Commoner him versus young, talented officer from noble blood—dishonor or not.
Love aside, walls existed. He'd confessed his doubts gently once.
She'd erupted—rare, icy rage.
'Must I chase some young noble stud? No. I want Leo Valentine. Eyes be damned—I love you. Want forever with you.'
No hesitation adding:
'I'll age with you. Earn the money. Give Elizabeth siblings so she's not lonely. Even Quyrhalstein Castle.'
And finally:
'I'm no prize lost. You're the catch—makes me guilty if a woman like me suffices.'
He'd felt her truth viscerally. So he'd bet his life on her.
Two lovers, no issues. No parents his side, none real hers. Just them? Marry anytime.
But.
"Pro… yeah, propose."
"Worried about Elly?"
Spot-on, hesitant as he was.
His life wasn't solo anymore. Elizabeth was part. Young at eighteen—would marriage hurt her?
That fear gnawed. Two years till Lenz graduation? Cruel to make Hildegard wait, aching for it.
Ask Elizabeth direct. She hadn't hated their dating much. Dating versus marriage? Worlds apart, but… face it head-on.
"Elly's concours today, right?"
"Yeah, gotta head there soon."
Concours: youth art contest for eighteen-year-olds. Piano division, Elizabeth competing.
"She's incredible. Bar top score, now this."
Leo nodded full agreement. Girl could do anything.
Studious kid, principal's rec got her into Lenz Academy. Topped subjects consistently: piano, dance, math, languages, swordplay, law. Greatest genius in school history.
Always bright, but last three years? Explosion. Right after catching him kiss Hildegard.
Like possessed, she crushed everything. Home overflowed with trophies: piano wins, dance awards, math medals, imperial debate trophies, fencing silvers, mock trial victories.
Omangseong Blessing fitting? Cognitive dissonance—she aced all.
Founder's near-godhood late-life? Elizabeth headed there.
School dubbed her "most perfect being." One secret: she'd broken 7th Circle recently.
Combat behind him maybe, but computation and mana? Surpassed. Three years to 7th.
A war-forged 10th Circle creation from the Founder’s five-year war—its practical combat unmatched in theory. Hell-tempered.
Elizabeth? No demons, three hours daily magic tops—rest "normal" study. Yet near-matching pace.
Genius across board, magic dominant.
"Time. Let's go?"
Wristwatch check, to her. Concours soon. He prepped to close; her help sped it. Off to Violetta Hall.