Chapter 181: Leia’s True Feelings. And Diana, Once Again
Chapter 181: Leia’s True Feelings. And Diana, Once Again
“If it’s Leia, she should be at the orphanage she always visits around this time.”
Guwon immediately headed for the temple and asked the High Priestess for Leia’s whereabouts.
“I see. Thank you. Well then…”
“Wait a moment. Where are you going?”
“Huh? To see Leia, of course…”
“Weren’t you supposed to be here for your education?”
“Ah, hahaha. Well, you see, something urgent came up today. I’ll come back later.”
“…Come to think of it, she slept here last night for the first time in a while. Did something happen between you and Leia? I believe I’ve told you before, but if you make our Leia cry, I won’t let you get away with it.”
“S-Something happen? Of course not. It’s just a small misunderstanding. Do I look like the kind of guy who would make Leia cry?” Guwon replied, breaking out in a cold sweat, feeling like a son-in-law getting grilled by his mother-in-law.
“To be honest, I was starting to trust you a little. I hope you won’t betray that trust.”
“O-Of course not. You can count on me! Well, I’ll be going now!”
Leaving the strange pressure from the High Priestess behind him, Guwon hurried to the orphanage.
True to its location in the slums, the streets were a complete mess, making the path to the orphanage quite complicated. But for Guwon, who had a map, finding a place he’d been to once before was a piece of cake.
When he arrived at the orphanage, Leia was outside playing with the children.
Seeing Leia with her usual bright smile as she played with the kids, Guwon felt a sense of relief.
Yes. That’s the smile. That smile is the sanctuary for my heart.
Approaching Leia, who hadn’t noticed him yet, Guwon called out her name in a loud voice.
“Leia!”
“Eh?! Ah… M-Mr. Guwon…”
But Leia’s bright smile instantly faded the moment she saw Guwon’s face.
“What… are you doing here?”
“What do you mean, what am I doing here?! I’m here because…!”
Guwon wanted to tell Leia his true feelings right then and there, but he caught his breath and held back.
My attempt to persuade Diana failed because I rushed in and acted before I thought. I need to calm down a little.
Besides, there were too many eyes around to have a heart-to-heart with Leia.
For now, I’ll act like I normally do, try to ease that sad look on her face, and wait for an opportunity.
“Because… I heard you were here, of course. I told you before, didn’t I? That you should always come with me, just in case something happens.”
“B-But…”
“What were you doing? I’ll help.”
Just then, the little kids spotted Guwon and came over.
“Ah, it’s Sister Leia’s boyfriend!”
Nice assist, kids.
Guess it was worth putting up with you brats and playing with you all this time.
“H-Hey, kids! It’s not like that! That’s rude to Mr. Guwon!” Leia scolded the children, her tone stronger than usual.
“It’s fine. Why are you being so harsh with them? That’s not like you, Leia.”
“B-But…!”
“I said it’s fine. Come on, kids. What should we play with your big bro today?”
Guwon started playing with the kids as he usually did.
Leia, who had been wearing a troubled expression, eventually turned her attention back to looking after the children.
“Oh? You’re here. I was wondering why you two didn’t show up as a set today.”
Just then, Chris emerged from inside the orphanage.
Judging by Chris’s words and his earlier conversation with the High Priestess, it seemed Leia hadn’t let on to anyone that something had happened between them.
She may seem delicate, but she has a strong will. That’s Leia for you.
“I just overslept a little. Looks like you’re back from the Manaful habitat?”
“Of course. How long do you think it’s been since then? More importantly, you.”
“Hm?”
“Did something happen with Leia?”
Though phrased as a question, Chris’s voice was filled with conviction.
Huh? Wait a minute. I thought Leia wasn’t showing it?
“…How did you know? Did Leia tell you?”
“As if Leia would ever tell someone else about her troubles. You’ve been with her for how long and you still don’t know that about her? I can just tell by looking. Can’t you see? Whenever she looks at you, she gets this expression like she’s the heroine of a tragedy.”
It was true. When Guwon glanced over at Leia, she immediately whipped her head away, but the fleeting expression he caught was exactly as Chris had described—that of a tragic heroine.
“…It’s fine. It’s just a little misunderstanding. I can handle it myself. Leave it to me. I told the High Priestess the same thing.”
“I certainly hope so. If you make Leia cry, you won’t even make it to the High Priestess. I’ll deal with you myself.”
After delivering her not-so-subtle threat, Chris went over to the children.
Is it just me, or is the pressure getting more and more intense?
No. If I don’t handle this properly, I’ll just lose Leia. There’s nothing more terrifying than that, so there’s no more pressure to be had.
Guwon kept an eye out for an opportunity while playing with the children.
After lunch, when it was time for the children’s nap, he finally got a moment to talk with Leia.
“Leia. Why did you come here alone today without telling me?”
“B-But… Ms. Sara… Are you sure it’s okay for you to be here, Mr. Guwon, and not with Ms. Sara?”
“Of course it’s okay. Why? Are you worried Sara will say something if I come to help you?”
“N-No, it’s not that… but still, Mr. Guwon, you and Ms. Sara are now…” Leia said with a pitiful expression.
Her ears and tail drooped listlessly, a sight so heart-wrenching it felt like a stab to the heart.
This look really doesn’t suit my angel.
I have to tell her my true feelings as soon as possible.
But when he actually tried to speak, he found it took a surprising amount of courage.
This was different from the situation with Diana. With Diana, he had promised her a kiss she’d never given anyone, so he was certain she would accept him if he just explained things properly.
…Well, he’d failed to even explain it properly and ended up in this mess, but anyway, with Diana, he had been sure.
But Leia? He had nothing.
All he had was his own belief that things had been going well with Leia lately, and the circumstantial evidence that she had been sad when he told her about his relationship with Sara.
Even if Leia did like him, would that feeling be strong enough to accept his declaration of a harem? It would be a lie to say he was confident.
Still, he had to do it.
“Leia. Listen carefully. Yes. I’ve become deeply involved with Sara.”
“Hic.”
As Guwon spoke, Leia covered her drooping ears with both hands as if she didn’t want to hear and shook her head.
Guwon grabbed her wrists, pulled her hands away from her ears, and continued.
“Listen, Leia. But just because I’ve become deeply involved with Sara…”
“Leia. It’s about time to see the patients… oh my.”
Just as Guwon was about to pour his heart out to Leia, an interruption came at what seemed like the most perfectly calculated moment.
“Chris, you…”
“Oh my. S-Sorry. Was I interrupting something important? I’ll just wait outside then.”
Fortunately, Chris was quick on the uptake and promptly excused herself.
But just because Chris left, it didn’t mean the broken atmosphere would magically repair itself.
“…W-Wait, Chris! I’m coming with you now.”
Leia seized the opportunity to escape and quickly followed after Chris.
“There is chaos within you.”
Kyle, who had approached at some point, placed a hand on Guwon’s shoulder and spoke.
Shut it, you fake-ass monk who was forced into enlightenment after getting castrated.
Shaking off Kyle’s hand, Guwon chased after Leia.
Outside, Chris looked at him and clasped her hands together apologetically.
Too late for that, you. You’d better pray things work out between me and Leia. If they don’t, I’ll hold a grudge against you for the rest of my life.
And as they made their rounds treating people in the slums, Leia began to exhibit strange behavior he hadn’t seen before.
Normally, when Leia treated people in the slums, she would channel light into her hands and use her healing magic. It was an act born from her uniquely angelic heart, a way to conserve even a little divine power so she could treat as many people as possible.
But today was different.
“Ooh. Lady Leia. Here for treatment again today… I’m in your care.”
“Ah, yes… Hup.”
When an old man with back problems lifted his shirt and presented his back, Leia’s hands hesitated. Then, after glancing at Guwon for some reason, she held her hands out into the air. Light began to seep directly into the old man’s back.
“Oh, you’re not going to touch me directly today?”
“Huh? Ah, yes. Well, I’ve grown stronger now, so this is fine.”
The old man looked disappointed at Leia’s answer.
It seemed that even an old man like him had been hoping for Leia’s gentle, direct touch.
Serves you right, you geezer.
Guwon scoffed at the old man, who was now glaring at him as if to say, This is your fault.
And for the next patient, and the one after that, Leia performed her healing without making direct contact.
It became clear that Leia wasn’t doing this because she had grown stronger with the next patient.
When the next patient was a woman, she healed her by touching her just like she always did.
Then what was that excuse from before?
Don’t tell me she lied?
From that point on, Guwon observed Leia carefully. And he noticed one thing.
When it came to male patients, Leia wasn’t just using the long-range healing method that consumed more divine power; she seemed to be avoiding any and all physical contact.
To be honest, Guwon was happy that Leia was avoiding other men.
But still, this wasn’t right. This was not something the usual, angelic Leia would ever do.
Unable to stand it any longer, Guwon grabbed Leia’s hand.
“Leia, I need to talk to you for a second. Chris, sorry, but could you handle the treatments by yourself for a bit?”
“M-Mr. Guwon…?!”
“What? By myself…! G-Go on ahead.”
Chris was about to complain, but when Guwon glared at her and mouthed a few words, she quickly changed her tune.
It seemed she had read his lips correctly. The words he mouthed were, ‘You interrupted earlier.’
Guwon then took Leia and started walking aimlessly toward a place with no people.
“M-Mr. Guwon. Where are we going?” Leia asked in an anxious voice.
He hated this situation, too. Hearing Leia use that kind of voice with him. Right, I need to settle this once and for all, for better or for worse.
Guwon led Leia into a narrow alley, and after confirming no one was around, he spoke.
“Leia. We need to talk.”
“T-Talk? In a place like this?”
Seeing Leia’s anxious expression and body language, Guwon felt even more miserable.
And he was furious with himself for making his angel feel this way.
“…I’m sorry for suddenly dragging you to a place like this. But I just felt like I couldn’t bear it if I didn’t talk to you right now.”
“W-What did you want to talk about…”
“…Right. First, Leia. You were acting a little strange today, weren’t you? Why was that?”
Honestly, he didn’t have the courage to jump straight into the harem declaration. It was cowardly, but Guwon decided to throw a curveball first, hoping Leia would open up about her feelings on her own.
“S-Strange? I was just acting like I normally do…”
“No. You weren’t acting normal at all. Saying it’s okay to use a method that consumes more divine power because you’ve grown stronger. The Leia I know would never do something like that. The Leia I know would continue to use the most efficient method to heal more people, no matter how much stronger she got.”
At Guwon’s words, Leia’s eyes trembled violently.
But soon, she looked up at Guwon with eyes full of resentment.
“What… what do you even know about me to say something like that?”
Guwon was so shocked by the fact that the ever-angelic Leia had made such an expression and said such words that he couldn’t say anything at all.