Chapter 37
Chapter 37
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: On the Train -1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I had a strange dream.
A dream of Mom coming home—a wistfully painful one I hadn't had since regressing.
The mom who returned home wrapped me in a warm embrace.
I was overjoyed, yet tears flowed for no reason I could fathom.
...But Mom's body felt oddly cold.
And for some reason, it was terribly stiff, with a scent like the wooden floorboards...
"...Ugh..."
Tormented by that dream—sweet or nightmare, who could say—Leo naturally opened his eyes.
He'd woken up on the cold floor beside the bed, it seemed. He'd apparently dozed off while tending to her.
"...I've gotten pretty soft myself."
He was treated to the Sage's refreshing morning tirade, usually an annoyance, but today it didn't irk him for some reason.
Probably because a deep sleep had melted away his fatigue.
[...Did you see my dream, by any chance?]
The conversation felt oddly mismatched, but the meaning aligned roughly, so Leo nodded.
[I saw Mom in my dream. Probably because I slept at home after so long.]
A frustrated sigh and a voice now resigned to compliance. Such quirks had become too familiar for Leo to question or probe.
"Lady Ariasfil..."
Ariasfil had twisted the bedsheets and blankets into a mess, sleeping freely like a country girl fitting the house. If Leo had gotten tangled in her sleep-talking, he'd have rolled off somewhere.
"...She must've been exhausted."
Her clothes were disheveled around her stomach and chest. It'd be hard to end up like that without thrashing wildly in her sleep.
"Sleeping like that will catch you a cold."
Leonardo averted his gaze from there and properly tucked the blanket over her.
[That's not what I meant.]
The old man was cranky from the morning. More than that, why did everyone—from villagers to him—always think that way?
"...Still some time left."
Checking the clock, he had three or four hours to spare. Breakfast and goodbyes to the villagers, and they'd board with time to relax.
"Alright then..."
Leonardo headed to the kitchen and tied on the hanging apron.
That kitchen apron fully revealed his intent to show his skills.
Ariasfil's eyelids trembled. A medley of sounds forced her awake.
The sizzle of fire igniting, oil popping as eggs fried, water boiling.
And atop it all, a soft hum wove them into harmony.
"...Leon...ardo...?"
Even with sleep still thick in her voice, her loyal knight responded swiftly.
"Awake already, milady?"
Before the risen her stood love.
The source of pure affection smiled at her.
A lovely man emanating the aroma of a fragrant breakfast.
"...Uh... drool on your mouth... you okay...?"
The drool at her lips was surely from hunger.
Absolutely not from desire sparked by 'Leonardo in an apron'.
But 'Leonardo in an apron' was cute, charming, and lovable. Denying that was impossible truth.
"You must be starving. Eat first."
Relieved by Leonardo's obliviousness, Ariasfil discreetly wiped her desirous drool.
"Try it. Nothing fancy, but good for nutrition."
Ariasfil couldn't help but sparkle this time. The spread on the table looked like a chef's special made just for her.
"...You... made all this yourself?"
"Yes. It's morning, so bothering others felt wrong."
Ariasfil had prided herself on tasting every delicacy. House Reinhardt's wealth and status could summon chefs from anywhere.
But now she realized.
It was the frog in the well's shallow folly.
"...Won't eat? It'll get cold."
No chef could mimic the care poured in by that lovely being.
"...I'll dig in...!"
As she put food in her mouth, Ariasfil thought: This isn't food—it's love.
'...And this feels a bit...'
Waking her in the morning, apron-clad, sharing breakfast...
'Like newlyweds...!'
No one would bat an eye calling them a fresh married couple.
"How's the taste?"
"Delicious! I'd love to eat like this every day...!!"
Then Ariasfil clamped her mouth in fluster. It revived yesterday's wild 'marriage fantasy'.
"Glad it suits you. Makes me a bit proud?"
Leonardo's cheerful reply eased her worry, but the embarrassment lingered.
"...About... yesterday..."
Swallowing food down her throat, she put an apology in her mouth.
"Sorry for saying that out of nowhere... Must be inconvenient for you..."
"No. I'm grateful you said it."
"Wha...? Hic...!"
So unexpected, Ariasfil let out a loud hiccup.
A hope flickered: Did Leonardo harbor even a sliver of the same fancy?
"You said it to save my face before the chief. Thank you."
Ariasfil didn't know then, but the Sage was spewing curses. Her ignorance was surely a blessing.
"...Ah... yeah..."
But Leonardo's response was an undeniable curse—for her and him alike.
"Leaving already? You don't come often—stay longer?"
Din grinned with fangs, casually suggesting. The villagers seemed to agree.
"Our goal was the mage tower permit anyway. Can't stay long. Too many variables."
"Then go get it quick."
Leo smirked and nodded.
Meanwhile, village chief Anus approached as representative.
"Off then?"
"Yes. Sorry we can't stay."
"Staying longer just wastes food. Get going."
Saying so, Anus extended a hand to Ariasfil.
"You're going to the tower too, right?"
"Pardon? Yes, not for magic, but..."
In his hand was a small note. A better envelope, and it'd pass as a letter.
"Give this to Pisis Natra. Mention it's from me—he'll treat you well."
"...Thank you."
Ariasfil expressed gratitude, recalling his consideration and last night's events.
"Now scram. My lightning-struck knee aches."
"Yes, yes, as you command."
Despite the barbs, fondness had grown; Leo bowed smilingly. Ariasfil politely farewelled the villagers and followed.
"Leonardo!"
Suddenly, Anus bellowed like the train's whistle.
"Make that lady cry, and never come back! I don't remember raising a sorry punk like you!!"
Leo replied without turning.
"Yes! As if the grandson you raised would! Granny!"
Leonardo left like that.
"Shut up."
Not hearing that exchange was fortunate yet regrettable.
The station swarmed with waves of people as always. Without first-class tickets, they'd be swept away in the human tide.
"Room 401... Here."
Their compartment was 401; beyond the door, two pairs of facing seats.
Last time, yes. But pure luck.
[Too expensive to book private. Normally shares with strangers. Last time, seats unsold or no-shows.]
The Sage nodded understandingly, floating by Leo's window seat. Leo and Ariasfil sat side by side, awaiting departure.
"This it?"
While waiting, another passenger entered 401.
"Ah, hello?"
She beamed radiantly, looking their age, impressively hauling a large carrier bigger than herself.
Leo and co. nodded back, tucking legs to let her pass.
"Thanks."
Petite, she struggled to hoist the carrier onto the overhead rack. Pitifully, her height fell short.
"Allow me."
Unable to watch, Leo helped lift her luggage. She smiled brightly.
"Thank you."
"..."
Leo paused, then mirrored her smile.
"Not at all, milady."
'Milady' flushed her smile pinker; Ariasfil flushed too.
Same phenomenon, utterly different emotions clashing.
"Where are you two headed?"
"Not travel, per se—to the mage tower."
She responded with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Lovers love the mage tower as a destination! Magic tools and eateries everywhere—super popular!"
Ariasfil's expression softened at 'lovers'. No knots if mistaken so.
"Haha, not lovers. Just close friends."
But Leo retwisted her softening face. Ariasfil's twisted redder.
"I see. Friends' trips are nice too."
She giggled behind her hand. Ariasfil's fists clenched naturally. Confirmed as mockery, no hesitation to swing.
"And you, milady—what brings you aboard?"
Leo felt the same irritation. What made this brat a 'milady'? Mentally or physically, she was closer.
"Oh, friends called me. Reunion after ages."
"How kind—going for friends like that."
Kind my foot.
At best, off for fun and frolic—debauched or extravagant fit better.
"Hehe, thanks."
Mid-laugh, Leo suddenly stood and approached her.
"Leo...?"
He brought his face close to hers.
"Why so suddenly..."
Leo plucked a petal from her hair.
"It was on your head. Sorry about that."
"Ah... thank you."
"No, glad to see such a fine petal."
Now suppressing fury boiled.
Anger at the vixen, betrayal from her trusted knight—stabbing her chest.
Her clenched fist hardened. No Aura, but one swing and teeth would fly.
"Milady, if not too bold, may I see your cheek? Need to check something—sorry."
"Oh, something else?"
Innocently, she proffered her cheek.
Anger and betrayal peaked. Ariasfil's fist...
Crack
In a flash, the fist flew. Sound suggested broken nose or cheekbone—worst case, jaw and teeth.
"No."
But not Ariasfil's fist.
"Easier to hit that way."
Leo's fist squarely met the 'lady's' face.
No—'lady' no longer fit.
Her skin melted like clay, revealing a small man's face patchy with stubble.
"Damn. Hoped it wasn't."
Leonardo muttered low at the train robber.